Chapter 1 An Uproar in the Imperial Court

The imperial capital, Golden Luan Hall.

Civil and military officials stood in two rows, holding their *hu* tablets, heads bowed respectfully, quietly awaiting Jiang Chen's arrival.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

With Feng Jin's loud announcement, the officials knelt in unison, shouting, "Long live the Emperor!"

Jiang Chen, adorned in a dragon robe, his gaze stern, slowly took his seat, as if overlooking all living beings.

"Rise, my ministers. Speak your reports."

As soon as his voice fell, more than a dozen ministers stepped forward and knelt in the center of the hall.

Jiang Chen was not surprised by this.

Yesterday's two imperial decrees had impacted the interests of many in the court. It was only logical that they would collude to present their grievances.

But something unexpected happened.

These ministers didn't mention the imperial decrees at all!

Led by Liu Wenlang, the Censor-in-Chief, their foreheads touching the ground, they spoke with righteous indignation: "Your Majesty, we wish to impeach the Consort Shu for disrupting the court and meddling in government affairs!"

Jiang Chen was stunned for a moment, then his eyes flashed with a cold light!

Consort Shu cared deeply for the people and was willing to sacrifice everything for the Great Wei Dynasty. What crime was there in that?!

"Audacious!"

Xu Changqing roared, stepping forward immediately and pointing at Liu Wenlang's nose, cursing:

"You pedantic fool, how dare you slander the imperial consort? Believe it or not, this general will have your head for the Emperor!"

Disrupting the court was a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of relatives. Once labeled with this accusation, not only his younger sister but the entire Xu family would be doomed.

Liu Wenlang looked at the enraged Xu Changqing, but he wasn't afraid in the slightest, a hint of disdain even flashing in his eyes.

A mere brute, daring to jump out and argue with him, was simply overestimating himself.

Liu Wenlang raised his head and said coldly:

"Xu Changqing, in the imperial court, you dare to show such contempt for imperial authority, roaring in the hall. What audacity!"

"Your Majesty, I implore you to order Xu Changqing flogged to uphold the law!"

"Your Majesty, I second that!"

"Indeed, such a disrespectful crime deserves severe punishment!"

More than a dozen censors spoke one after another, not giving Xu Changqing any chance to interject.

How could a general who relied on martial arts be a match for these civil officials who spent their days finding fault with others?

Soon, he not only failed to exonerate the Consort Shu but also implicated himself, accumulating accusations.

Xu Changqing was so angry that his eyes turned bloodshot, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, as if he was about to lash out at any moment.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen frowned and slammed the table in anger, "Silence!"

Everyone fell silent instantly.

Xu Changqing, on the other hand, gave him a pleading look, as if saying, "Don't believe these slanderers."

Jiang Chen naturally sided with Consort Shu, giving him a reassuring look, then slowly turned his gaze to Liu Wenlang, the Censor-in-Chief.

"You said just now that Consort Shu disrupted the court?"

Liu Wenlang was flustered by Jiang Chen's gaze, his previous confidence gone, but he still braced himself and said:

"Your Majesty, Consort Shu is disrupting the government, please punish her severely!"

"Very well, then tell me, how did Consort Shu disrupt the government?"

"If the accusations are true, I will promote you to Grand Censor, leading the Censorate to monitor all officials!"

"But, if you are deliberately slandering, I will exterminate your nine generations of relatives!"

Jiang Chen's cold tone made people's hair stand on end.

When the last word fell,

Everyone's blood seemed to freeze.

His Majesty was angry!

If they continued to advise, they would be courting death!

The Emperor's authority was unquestionable. If His Majesty really had murder in mind, it would indeed be a matter of a single sentence!

Liu Wenlang's back was already soaked with sweat. His Majesty's favor for Consort Shu far exceeded their expectations.

Daring not to continue, he stole a glance at Mei Wenshi in front.

Mei Wenshi understood and stepped forward, cupping his hands, and offered a way out, "Your Majesty, Liu, as the Censor-in-Chief, has the power to report rumors and monitor officials. Today's remonstrance is his duty, how can it be considered slandering Consort Shu?"

"If Your Majesty's words are too harsh, wouldn't it chill the hearts of the officials and prevent them from speaking frankly and making reports in the future?"

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes.

Remonstrance?

Were so many censors launching an attack together not putting pressure on him, forcing him, the Son of Heaven, to yield?

"Minister Mei, I said that if it's true, there will be rewards, and if it's false, there will be punishment. Is there anything wrong with clear rewards and punishments?"

"Your Majesty, calm your anger!"

Grand Censor Zhang Kang stepped forward, trying to smooth things over, "Your Majesty, Minister Liu also means well. Why not listen to him finish?"

Jiang Chen cast a cold gaze down.

Liu Wenlang wiped the sweat from his face and said, "Your Majesty, when you summoned Yuan Buyi and Xu Changqing to the Qin Zheng Hall yesterday to discuss matters, was Consort Shu present?"

Jiang Chen frowned. Was this considered meddling in government affairs?

Liu Wenlang continued, "Consort Shu is Xu Changqing's younger sister. Being present during the discussion of government affairs creates suspicion of favoritism towards relatives."

"Furthermore, according to the laws of Great Wei, imperial concubines are not allowed to enter the Qin Zheng Hall! But Consort Shu not only entered but even listened in on your discussions with the ministers!"

"This behavior is clearly relying on your favor to disrupt the court!"

"If this is not severely punished, wouldn't the other concubines follow suit? Such unhealthy tendencies cannot be encouraged!"

After finishing his tearful speech, Liu Wenlang touched his head to the ground, imploring Jiang Chen to issue an order to severely punish Consort Shu.

On the side, more than a dozen censors also knelt down on both knees, echoing loudly, creating an imposing stance to force the Emperor.

Xu Changqing's expression was unsightly.

He had been careless.

He shouldn't have let his younger sister see him out of the Qin Zheng Hall yesterday!

If he had been more careful and avoided the eyes of the treacherous officials, this disaster wouldn't have happened today!

It was all his fault, his fault for being blinded by joy!

Jiang Chen said indifferently, "Consort Shu entered the Qin Zheng Hall on my orders."

"If there is to be blame, then I am the one who broke the rules."

"Since Minister Liu is so upright and concerned about the country, why not directly apprehend me, the culprit, and eliminate future troubles forever? What do you say?"

As soon as he spoke,

A series of dull thuds echoed in the Golden Hall.

*Bang, bang!*

Liu Wenlang kowtowed like he was mashing garlic, terrified, "Your Majesty, this humble official, this humble official has no such intention!"

"This humble official's memorial is to protect the Jiangshan of our Great Wei. Your Majesty is the master of all people, how could you be wrong? The one who is wrong is Consort Shu, the bewitching vixen who has ensnared Your Majesty!"

"This humble official implores Your Majesty to punish Consort Shu!"

Jiang Chen's eyes shot out a sharp light: "What if I refuse?!"

The decisive voice echoed in the hall, causing the ministers to change color!

With His Majesty's attitude, this matter would be difficult to resolve…

"If Your Majesty insists on protecting her, then we will kneel here forever!" Liu Wenlang hissed.

The coldness in Jiang Chen's eyes intensified.

Even if the King of Heaven himself came today, he couldn't even think about hurting Yun'er!

"In that case, you can all go kneel outside the hall!"

"Consort Shu is acting on my orders. Anyone who has an opinion is opposing me!"

"If you use this matter to make trouble, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Hearing this, Xu Changqing breathed a sigh of relief and unclenched his fists.

As long as His Majesty was determined to protect her, this matter wouldn't be a problem.

Mei Wenshi, Zhang Kang, and the others had complex expressions, their hearts suddenly sinking.

His Majesty's trust in Consort Shu was not a good thing.

The Xu family was already wealthy, and Xu Changqing held military power. If the Emperor was determined to support them, the Mei family would have a tricky enemy.

But now was not the time to show their true colors!

Mei Wenshi hesitated for a moment, then silently returned to the ranks, no longer interfering in the matter.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen signaled Yuan Buyi to step forward and steer the topic towards the main business.

"Your Majesty, this is the list of disaster relief funds I have compiled, please take a look."

As soon as his voice fell, the memorial was presented before the Emperor.

Jiang Chen opened it and glanced at it, and began to feel a headache.

Although the Lishan Palace had been stopped, and all the materials that could be exchanged for money had been sold off, they had only managed to raise 400,000 taels of silver.

And all the surplus in the national treasury added up to only 700,000 taels.

This money was enough for disaster relief, but what about the subsequent expenses of the court?

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen

signaled for the memorial to be passed around to the ministers.

After that, he took out the wooden box that Consort Shu had presented last night and slammed it in front of Liu Wenlang!

"All of you, open your eyes and take a good look!"

"These are what the Consort has given me, saying that they should be used to purchase food and settle the disaster victims."

"For the sake of the people of Great Wei, the Consort has sacrificed everything, even donating her dowry. What about you? What have you done?"

"Holding high positions, but not sharing my burdens, even slandering the Consort!"

Saying this, Jiang Chen slammed the dragon chair, putting on a look of raging anger…