Chapter 1 The Evening

Xu Hour.

Night fell, and the imperial city was plunged into darkness.

Jiang Chen sat on the imperial carriage, peering through the side window at the brightly lit Chengqian Palace not far away.

He could see clearly that the lights illuminating both sides of the road were not ordinary candlelight, but spermaceti candles purchased from overseas merchants at great expense!

One candle could satisfy a family of five for ten years!

Even Jiang Chen, the emperor, only dared to light three or two when working at night for illumination.

But in Chengqian Palace, such treasures were everywhere, even used extravagantly to light the way.

A mere imperial concubine, her extravagance was even greater than the emperor's!

Jiang Chen chuckled in anger.

This Mei Ruoying was truly a scourge!

The emptying of the national treasury could be largely attributed to this woman!

Chengqian Palace, main hall.

Countless exotic flowers and rare herbs surrounded the gold and jade-crafted porch.

Mei Ruoying stood prettily beneath it, her captivating phoenix eyes constantly gazing towards the imperial path.

Behind her, eunuchs held octagonal palace lanterns inlaid with night-shining pearls, standing on both sides to illuminate her.

The gauze-like, beautiful light enveloped Mei Ruoying, making her delicate and alluring face appear even more dreamlike, making her seem like a celestial maiden from Yaochi, ethereal and otherworldly.

Jiang Chen saw this scene as he entered.

Although he was wary and disliked Mei Ruoying,

he couldn't help but be stirred by such stunning beauty.

"Your Majesty, are you looking at me like this because you like my attire today?"

Mei Ruoying said, taking light steps to Jiang Chen's side and embracing his arm.

What she wore today was not traditional Wei clothing, but a gauze-like, figure-hugging dress similar to those worn by Hu women from the Western Regions.

The close-fitting cut and low-cut design fully displayed Mei Ruoying's enchanting curves, especially her half-hidden, half-exposed fullness, which appeared particularly delicate and tempting against the black gauze.

Jiang Chen's eyes flashed with a glint as he looked at her.

Then, with a wave of his hand, he swept Mei Ruoying into his arms and headed straight for the bedchamber.

The eunuchs present fell silent at the sight, following behind the two of them into the bedchamber like a flowing stream.

At this moment, Mei Ruoying, held in Jiang Chen's arms, was somewhat flustered.

This tyrant, he, he wouldn't possibly want to… No!

Mei Ruoying's beautiful eyes flickered.

Immediately, she wrapped her arms around Jiang Chen's neck and said sweetly:

"Your Majesty, you haven't come for days. I've learned a new dance and would like you to critique it, would you?"

Hearing this, a playful look flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

Another excuse to avoid?

Hmph, today I'll see what tricks you're playing!

With a plan in mind, Jiang Chen curled his lips and feigned eagerness, saying lightly:

"My dear concubine, the night is short, and I don't want to waste time."

"The dance can wait for another day."

After saying that, he strode into the bedchamber and threw Mei Ruoying onto the soft couch in the corner.

With this throw, Jiang Chen used all his strength!

Even a martial artist would be injured by such a move!

But Mei Ruoying didn't react at all!

She didn't even furrow her brows.

She seemed to feel no pain.

Noticing this, Jiang Chen's pupils shrank.

This woman is beautiful, has a good figure, and is skilled in martial arts.

The Mei family sent her here, their ambition must be great, this family…

While Jiang Chen was pondering, Mei Ruoying had already taken the opportunity to slip off the soft couch, and said softly:

"Your Majesty, didn't you say before that you wanted to have the Hundred Views of the Imperial City painted into a picture and passed down to future generations?"

"This concubine has already made some modest achievements in this regard. Would Your Majesty like to take a look?"

As Mei Ruoying spoke, her phoenix eyes blinked lightly, her pretty face full of anticipation, like a little woman waiting for her husband's praise.

Jiang Chen's goal of testing her had been achieved, and he was extremely wary of this woman, not wanting to have any intimacy with her.

So he followed her lead, pretending to be interested, and said:

"Oh?"

"My dear concubine is so thoughtful, then I must take a look!"

Hearing this, Mei Ruoying let out a sigh of relief, almost imperceptibly.

Then, as if afraid that Jiang Chen would change his mind, she hurried into the room and personally took out the painting, unfolding it on the long table.

"Your Majesty, please review!"

Jiang Chen approached.

Under the whale candles, all one hundred and eight wards and markets of the Imperial City were presented on paper.

Wealthy gentry, jeweled carriages, pleasure boats on the long streets, and even the Four Garrisons guarding the capital were recorded in it by the painter.

Jiang Chen looked at the long scroll, which was more detailed than the Ministry of War's secret combat map, and fell silent.

The Four Garrisons were actually painted in!

With such overwhelming power, if the Mei family is allowed to continue, I fear that someone else will be sitting on my dragon throne!

Thinking of this, a fierce glint flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

Mei Ruoying, standing beside him, sensed that the atmosphere was not right, and asked cautiously:

"Your Majesty, are you not satisfied with this painting?"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen concealed the coldness in his eyes, and pointed lightly at the painting, saying:

"How could I be dissatisfied with my dear concubine's kind intentions?"

"Moreover, this painting has many scenes, but it doesn't appear cluttered at all. Even the little-known alleys have been drawn in by the painter. The craftsmanship is so delicate, I am very pleasantly surprised!"

Although Jiang Chen's tone was smiling, Mei Ruoying felt a chill for some reason.

He, he wouldn't have seen through the true purpose of my drawing this picture, would he?

Just as Mei Ruoying became vigilant, Jiang Chen suddenly pulled her into his arms and teased:

"My dear concubine, this painter's skills are so extraordinary, it would be a pity to only paint a picture of the Imperial City."

"The Wei Dynasty is vast and expansive, I want this painter to record it all, what do you think?"

Mei Ruoying's gauze skirt was disheveled, and her sensitive areas were covered by a pair of large hands, but she was no longer in the mood to pay attention to these trivial matters, and said with a tone of surprise: "Your Majesty, is that true?!"

Jiang Chen scratched her nose.

"Why would I lie to you?"

Mei Ruoying immediately broke into a smile.

She had wanted this right for a long time.

Although her Mei family's power was great, it was mainly concentrated in the Imperial City, and its influence on the regional officials who held heavy power was limited.

But if she had the Emperor's decree, she would have a legitimate reason to extend her reach to the regions.

At that time, those disobedient officials could be framed, evidence fabricated, and brought under control, as usual.

"I will follow Your Majesty's orders."

"I will arrange for someone to handle this matter tomorrow, and I will definitely do it well!"

Mei Ruoying's voice was soft and delicate, and the look in her eyes as she looked at Jiang Chen was almost dripping with water, charming and moving.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen paused the hand that was wandering over her exquisite curves.

This woman really thinks I'm a fool, thinking I can't see her intentions?

However, this is also good, now is not the time to turn against them.

Being able to temporarily numb them will make it easier for me to act in private.

Patting Mei Ruoying's plumpness, Jiang Chen signaled Feng Jin to put away the painting, and stood up, saying:

"My dear concubine, I am very relieved to leave this matter to you."

"This scroll of the Imperial City is really rare, I want to take it to show Imperial Concubine Shu, so I won't accompany you tonight."

As he spoke, Jiang Chen walked out.

In front of the long table, Mei Ruoying's phoenix eyes widened, looking incredulously at the dashing figure.

He, he just left like that?

Being dumped like this, how can I maintain my position in the harem?

Mei Ruoying bit her red lips and immediately chased after him…