Chapter 1 Hearing the News

Hearing Jiang Chen relent, the Empress Dowager Lu on the ground looked up in disbelief.

She stared at him for a good while before tentatively asking, "Then Sixth, Seventh, what about them..."

"Don't push your luck!" Jiang Chen interrupted with a frown, haughtily saying, "Letting you see Jiang Zuo Wang is already an extra favor from me. You have no right to bargain with me."

"Heh, if it weren't for your looks and your meritorious service in exposing the truth, I would have wiped out your entire Lu family based on the evidence I have!"

"Empress Dowager, I am not the late Emperor. Your little tricks might have fooled him, but they can't deceive me!"

"Let's not talk about distant matters. Just these past few days, you've been sending messages through palace maids. Do you think I don't know? I simply don't bother to argue with you."

"However, if you continue to cause trouble for me... I will not spare you. Understand?"

Forced into a corner by Jiang Chen, her chin gripped as she met his gaze, Empress Dowager Lu felt like a snow rabbit being targeted by a ferocious tiger, about to be swallowed by the predator. Her delicate body trembled uncontrollably.

*The Emperor, the Emperor is truly intent on killing me. I must not provoke him further!*

*If I probe further, I will really die... This man will show no mercy to me!!*

Cold sweat poured out, and Empress Dowager Lu dared not entertain any more sly thoughts. She knelt down in panic, tightly embracing Jiang Chen's leg.

Sobbing, she pleaded, "Your Majesty, I was wrong. I will never dare to disobey you again."

"But, you promised before that as long as I confessed, you would leniently deal with Sixth and Seventh..."

Glancing coldly at the tearful woman at his feet, Jiang Chen's lips curled into an icy arc.

He had been too lenient with Empress Dowager Lu too many times, allowing her to become arrogant and harbor thoughts she shouldn't have.

From now on, he would correct this mistake, letting this woman who had been pampered for half her life know what awe and obedience meant!

"Alright, I have no interest in watching you act here. Whether you sincerely repent or not, I will naturally see over time."

"It's getting late. Hurry up and tidy yourself up, dress elaborately, and attend tonight's birthday banquet. Don't disgrace me and the imperial family."

Knowing that she had barely passed the test, Empress Dowager Lu immediately stopped crying and stammered, "Yes, I... I will listen to Your Majesty. I will definitely dress carefully and not bring shame upon Your Majesty!"

As she spoke, she raised her head to wipe away her tears and scurried to the door to call for someone.

As an Empress Dowager, she had sixteen female officers of toiletry, who were responsible for styling her on important occasions.

Jiang Chen watched her retreating figure with profound eyes, a complex mix of emotions intertwining in his heart.

Reason told him that such a ruthless woman should not be kept by his side, otherwise she would be a disaster sooner or later.

But emotionally, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Empress Dowager Lu could sacrifice so much for the non-biological Jiang Zuo Wang. In a sense, she was also a woman who valued loyalty. If so, could it be that as long as the method was appropriate, one day he, Jiang Chen, could also obtain this deep affection?

To make this most noble woman of Great Wei abandon everything from the past and be devoted to him?!

At the thought of this possibility, Jiang Chen's body was somewhat excited, and his intense heartbeat told him the answer before reason could.

That's right, he, Jiang Chen, wanted to tame this wild, passionate horse!

As long as tonight passed, Lu Wangshu's power would be completely eliminated and would no longer pose a threat. Keeping her by his side wouldn't cause much trouble anyway.

...

As the golden crow descended in the west, night fell.

The Imperial City, which should have been quiet and solemn, now seemed extremely lively. Lanterns hung high, fireworks continued, and the streets were crowded with people.

Beneath the splendor, however, dozens of forces were silently gathering in some inconspicuous dark corners, plotting in secret.

Mei Ruoying had also arrived in the Imperial City, but this time she was only here as an observer, not intending to personally stir up the wind and rain.

*When snipes and clams fight, the fisherman benefits.*

The power she controlled was not yet great enough, and if she participated in the imperial family's games, it would undoubtedly be courting death.

But not being able to make big moves did not mean she couldn't act in the dark, seeking the greatest benefit for herself and incidentally causing trouble for that dog emperor Jiang Chen.

At this moment, she was wearing a black brocade robe, a jade crown on her head, and her long black hair was tied high, fully revealing her sharp and stunning face.

If one only looked at this delicate and beautiful face, perhaps anyone would overlook Mei Ruoying's male attire and see her as a woman. But Mei Ruoying was no ordinary woman. Those soul-stirring phoenix eyes, the domineering aura that allowed no disobedience, and the decisive ruthlessness.

Along the way, apart from her confidants, no one had questioned her gender, only regarding her as a noble young master with the looks of a beautiful woman.

Even the soldiers guarding the city were bewitched by her attire, completely failing to recognize that this young master with the extravagant entourage was the fugitive rebel on the wanted list, and they lightly let her into the city.

Gently stroking the railing of the elegant room, Mei Ruoying stood by the bay window on the top floor of the Wangjiang Tower, looking at the palace several miles away.

The folding fan in her hand gently swayed, her pair of upturned phoenix eyes radiating sharp light, her aura extraordinary!

"Young Master, there's movement!"

"The residences of the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince have been controlled by unknown people. The assassins provided by Jiang Zuo Wang have also been beheaded by them. Preliminary judgment is that these unknown people should belong to the Emperor."

"Because after controlling the royal residences, the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince were secretly imprisoned."

A middle-aged man with ordinary features that made it difficult to leave an impression entered the elegant room and respectfully reported to Mei Ruoying.

"Hmph." Mei Ruoying chuckled and closed the folding fan in her hand, "Those two good-for-nothings. I originally thought that after being away for so long, they would have improved somewhat, but I didn't expect them to still be two piles of mud that can't be plastered on the wall."

"Forget it, forget it. I didn't expect them to do anything big anyway. In the end, I still have to bet on Jiang Yuan."

Hearing this, the middle-aged man frowned and said, "But Young Master, according to the intelligence, Jiang Zuo Wang has been imprisoned by the Emperor these past few days, and his power has also been swallowed up by us... Even if he comes out, I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to harm the Emperor."

Mei Ruoying glanced at her subordinate indifferently, her chin slightly raised, "I thought of this before I came, no need for your reminder."

"That dog emperor Jiang Chen is very scheming. Jiang Yuan in his prime was no match for him, let alone now that he is as wretched as a drowned dog. It is even more impossible for him to escape the dog emperor's palm."

"Then, if that's the case, what are you doing here in the Imperial City, going to so much trouble?"

Taking in the cautious look on the middle-aged man's face as he asked, Mei Ruoying's lips curled up, and a frightening greed appeared on her beautiful and alluring face.

She said with great delight, "Of course, it's to see my closest Uncle Cheng off!"

"After all, the old man has been the Jiedushi (military governor) in charge of the South for many years, and many aristocratic families are loyal to him. If Uncle Cheng doesn't close his eyes, it will be very difficult for me."