Chapter 1 Palace

Imperial Palace, Diligent Governance Hall.

After scolding the assembled ministers, Jiang Chen softened his tone and returned to the matter at hand.

"You must take this matter as a warning. Be careful in your duties in the future, and don't be fooled by rebellious traitors again."

"By the way, send all the black-clad assassins escorted to the capital to the Imperial Prison. Interrogate them thoroughly to find useful clues!"

After speaking, he cast a sharp gaze at the people below him, adding, "The Ministry of Justice, you send people now to protect the three princes of the Imperial Capital. Before I give the order, no one is allowed to contact them!"

"Also, this matter must be carried out discreetly. No rumors are allowed to spread. Do you understand?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the ministers' expressions stiffened.

Protect? Isn't that just a form of house arrest?!

What is His Majesty going to do? Could it be that he is going to attack the princes?

Is the sky in the Imperial Capital about to change again?!

They didn't dare to think too much and hurriedly composed themselves. "Yes, Your Majesty, we understand!"

Looking at Jiang Chen's stern face, the ministers couldn't help but lower their heads, their faces full of contemplation.

Next, I'm afraid there will be a bloody storm!

Late at night.

The Ministry of Justice, together with the Court of Judicial Review, dispatched a large number of people to secretly surround the three princes' residences, sealing the doors and courtyards, and strictly prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving.

Even if the three princes themselves came, the guards at the door did not let them pass.

This unusual movement made everyone who heard the news tense up.

The disturbance during the Fengshan ceremony was so great that many dignitaries sent people to keep a close eye on the movements of the Imperial Palace.

Upon receiving the news, they all ordered their relatives and friends to sever ties with the three princes, for fear of being implicated.

In this oppressive atmosphere, the news spread like wildfire.

In just one night, it spread throughout the city!

The next day.

The expressions of the civil and military officials in the court were clearly heavier than usual.

They looked at each other, wanting to discuss the emperor's imprisonment of the three princes, but remembering the Ministry of Justice's low-key actions last night, they understood that His Majesty wanted to keep a low profile, so they had to restrain their impulse.

In the silence, Jiang Chen appeared, sat on the dragon throne, and looked down at the ministers below the steps.

His majestic gaze made people afraid to look directly at him.

All the ministers who met his gaze felt a chill in their hearts, and the thought of questioning him instantly disappeared.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen nodded with satisfaction, very pleased with their attitude.

He is the Son of Heaven of Great Wei, holding the power of life and death!

Even if they are as noble as princes, they must submit at his command.

If these ministers dared to question or challenge his authority on such matters, then he could only be impolite... Fortunately, no one was so foolish as to displease him so early in the morning.

Amusedly raising the corners of his mouth, Jiang Chen said lightly, "Gentlemen, you don't need to worry about the disturbance last night. The reason why I sealed the princes' residences is actually out of concern."

"Earlier, I received news that Mei Ruoying had sneaked into the capital with rebels, intending to harm the imperial family."

"Therefore, for the safety of the princes, I can only resort to this temporary measure to keep them under guard."

This perfunctory explanation made the ministers' faces stiffen.

Your Majesty, please find a more reliable reason. Can you really get away with imprisoning princes with a simple "protection"?

The ministers smiled bitterly in their hearts, but no one stood up to point it out.

Only a few members of the imperial family who had old ties with Consort Lü and the Prince of Jiang Zuo stood up and seriously reported the matter.

However, there were not many of them, and they were all elders, so Jiang Chen didn't say much and forcibly glossed over the matter.

Just when everyone thought the matter was about to end, rumors suddenly spread in the streets and alleys of the Imperial Capital!

However, having learned from previous lessons, the people who fabricated the rumors this time did not point the finger at the emperor. Instead, they turned their attention to the Xu family and the Noble Consort Shu!

In the rumors, the Noble Consort Shu became a bewitching concubine who brought chaos to the country, flattering and fawning, and manipulating the government through the emperor's hands.

This caused suspicion of the Xu family to arise throughout the court and in the public.

Faced with this situation, Jiang Chen naturally would not condone it, and directly ordered severe punishment for the spreaders, sparing no expense to find the source of the rumors.

Although he knew in his heart that these rumors were inseparable from Consort Lü and the Prince of Jiang Zuo, he could not directly overturn the table without evidence.

Several days later.

Under the strong suppression of the Five City Garrison, the rumors finally stopped.

But the undercurrents in the court were growing in corners Jiang Chen couldn't see!

Diligent Governance Hall.

Jiang Chen put down the memorial in his hand and frowned, "Jing Yue, is there any movement from the Prince of Jiang Zuo's faction?"

Lowering her voice, Jing Yue said coldly, "Reporting to Your Majesty, everything is calm."

"After the prince's residence was locked down, the Prince of Jiang Zuo quickly accepted the house arrest. He spends his days writing poetry and painting, completely unaffected, just like a wealthy prince."

A solemn look flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes. So calm? Not easy to deal with!

In an instant, he even had murderous intent.

But thinking of the other princes entrenched in various parts of Great Wei, who held real power, Jiang Chen weighed it for a long time and could only give up the idea.

No matter what, the Prince of Jiang Zuo is his imperial uncle. If he really kills him, the news will definitely force those local feudal lords to rebel.

He can't take that risk!

Dismissing the dangerous thought, Jiang Chen said in a deep voice, "What about Consort Lü? Is there any movement from her?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, according to reports from spies, Consort Lü has been very quiet since returning from Mount Tai. There is nothing unusual."

Jiang Chen felt a headache: "There's no movement at all? That shouldn't be!"

"I've placed them under house arrest. Aren't they afraid of such a dangerous signal? Are they so sure that I won't touch them?"

Muttering to himself, Jiang Chen's expression gradually turned cold, but he quickly regained his composure and asked about the matter at hand: "Enough about that. I ask you, how are things going with the matter I told you about before?"

Jing Yue's expression turned stern: "Your Majesty, this subordinate has secretly selected eighty orphans with clean backgrounds. They are at the imperial manor in the suburbs and are ready for training at any time."

Hearing this, a look of relief flashed across Jiang Chen's face: "Good, I knew you wouldn't let me down!"

"With these people, plus Mu Xi... the expansion of the dark guards is just around the corner!"

As he spoke, he couldn't suppress his excitement any longer and suddenly stood up: "Let's go, let's go to the harem now. I'll take you to find Mu Xi!"

As the words fell, the two set off and arrived at Yang Mu Xi's temporary residence, the Yaohua Palace, in an instant.

It was a sunny day, with green leaves fluttering on both sides of the road and lush flowers and plants under the trees.

Yang Mu Xi was sitting in the depths of the flowers, wearing a snow-white Taoist robe, with dark hair and red lips, her beauty was pure and stunning, shocking the heart.

In a trance, Jiang Chen even thought he had seen a fairy in a painting. He subconsciously stopped and dared not step forward to disturb her.

"Jiang Chen?"

"Why have you been standing there?"

"Could it be... you've done something to betray me again, and you feel guilty, so you don't dare to come over?!"