Chapter 10 Testing

Jiang Chen looked at Jiang Yu, who was weeping, and then glanced at the concerned Consort Lü, and couldn't help but frown.

Both of them reacted reasonably and without any abnormalities. Could it be that they really hadn't done anything wrong?

Jiang Chen was conflicted, but he didn't show it on his face.

He simply put on a serious expression and explained, "Royal Mother, you don't know."

"Sixth brother, this good-for-nothing, relying on his status as a prince, not only forcibly took a civilian girl, but also raced his horse in the street, injuring countless people. He even ordered his servants to beat scholars and wealthy merchants because of a petty argument..."

"The number of crimes he committed was so great that the Court of Judicial Review and the Capital Magistrate had to write a separate book and present it to Us!"

"According to the law, he should be severely whipped and exiled to the frontier to atone for his sins!"

Jiang Chen pretended to be displeased, randomly found an excuse to rationalize his behavior, and also to beat his willful imperial brother.

Jiang Chen had endured these pampered young masters who ran rampant in the imperial capital for a long time!

Sixth Prince Jiang Yu was so frightened that his face turned pale, but he felt no remorse in his heart. He cursed, "Lowly people! A bunch of lowly people! They actually dared to sue in the Capital Magistrate's office. When this prince returns, I will definitely teach you lowly people a lesson!"

When Jiang Chen saw the flickering look in his eyes, he knew that he was brewing bad intentions again, and sneered, "What? You're not convinced? You want to go and make trouble for those people?"

"Incorrigible, it seems that We should really send you to the frontier to reflect on your actions."

Hearing this, a look of horror flashed in Jiang Yu's eyes, and he knelt down and begged for mercy, "Imperial Brother, I, your brother, absolutely did not mean that!"

"Although your brother usually acts recklessly, the things I do are definitely not that serious. Someone must be trying to provoke our relationship."

As he spoke, he cast a panicked gaze towards Consort Lü, and cried, "Royal Mother, please say something for me, Royal Mother!"

"I don't want to go to the frontier, I don't want to go... going to that kind of remote place is worse than killing me!"

Seventh Prince Jiang Xu was so frightened by the scene before him that he didn't dare to breathe loudly. He kept his head down, showing no intention of pleading for his brother.

Jiang Chen sat at the table and sized up the two brothers several times.

Finally, he was certain that these two were definitely not the masterminds behind the scenes.

"Your Majesty, it is this concubine's negligence that Yu'er made a mistake."

"It's all because this concubine didn't teach him properly, which led to a big mistake. If you want to punish someone, then punish this concubine!"

Consort Lü pleaded with a sad look in her eyes, even striking a kneeling pose.

Jiang Chen reacted quickly and pulled her up in advance, frowning and said, "Royal Mother, what are you doing? Sixth brother's crime should not be atoned for by you."

Consort Lü said with tears in her eyes, "Your Majesty, Yu'er is this concubine's own son. If you want to send him to the frontier, it is like digging out this concubine's heart."

"If I have to endure the pain of being separated from my son, this concubine, this concubine would rather be exiled by you!"

Jiang Chen observed her beautiful face, streaked with tears, and didn't find any traces of acting.

At this time, Lü Wangshu no longer had the majesty of a consort; she was completely like a mother who had been driven to the brink, weak and easily bullied, without any threat.

Jiang Chen's suspicion gradually disappeared.

He glanced at the two trembling brothers beside him and slowly said, "Forget it, since the Royal Mother has said this, We will punish him lightly."

"Sixth brother, you are confined for half a year and must hand-copy the Great Wei Laws ten times. Can you do that?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yu was instantly stunned, and his joyful expression turned to shock.

Hand-copy the Great Wei Laws?

And copy them ten times? This was going to kill him!

"Hmm?" Seeing that he didn't answer, Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow and snorted unhappily.

Jiang Yu's face changed instantly, and he nodded and bowed, "Yes, yes, your brother guarantees to complete the task."

Jiang Chen was rendered speechless by his fawning expression. His sixth brother was also a prince, but how could he be so useless?

"Jiang Xu."

Seventh Prince Jiang Xu shuddered and immediately knelt down, "Imperial Brother, your brother is here."

Jiang Chen said with a majestic expression, "Although your usual behavior is not as outrageous as sixth brother's, you also have many small problems. We will punish you to recite the Great Wei Laws for half an hour every day. Are you willing?"

Since he had dispelled his suspicions, Jiang Chen was prepared to take on the responsibility of teaching these unworthy younger brothers and making them restrain their arrogance.

"Willing, your brother is willing. Your brother will do whatever you say, Imperial Brother."

Seventh Prince Jiang Xu breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that he only had to study, and he was extremely grateful.

Jiang Chen was quite satisfied with his attitude, motioned for him to sit down, then turned his head to look at Consort Lü, "Is the Royal Mother satisfied with We handling it this way?"

Lü Wangshu looked grateful and bowed softly, "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace."

Jiang Chen waved his hand, motioned for her to rise, and said faintly, "Well, that being the case, We will not disturb your family reunion."

"Sixth brother, seventh brother, you should keep the Royal Mother company. We will go and deal with state affairs. When the time comes, there will be guards to escort you out of the palace."

"Yes, Imperial Brother!"

The two were respectful.

Jiang Chen got up and strode away.

Behind him, everyone knelt down and respectfully sent him off.

After the imperial chariot had completely left Chang Le Palace, everyone in the hall slowly got up, took a deep breath of relief, and moved their limp legs.

In the entire inner hall, only Empress Dowager Lü was still standing in place, her phoenix eyes full of unwillingness and ambition.

Why?

Why could a mediocre and fatuous ruler like Jiang Chen sit on the throne and arbitrarily manipulate the lives of her two sons?

Wanting her to submit was absolutely impossible!

Her slender hand, hidden in her wide sleeve, clenched tightly until her nails dug into her palm, and only when the pain came did Empress Dowager Lü slowly calm down.

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly, and she turned around and said, "Yu'er, Xu'er, both of you, sit down."

The two wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads and dragged their limp bodies onto the chairs.

"Don't be afraid. As long as you listen to advice and honestly be wealthy princes when you return home, without violating the law or regulations, His Majesty will not make things difficult for you," Empress Dowager Lü said gently.

"Royal Mother, we understand," the two said in unison.

After that, Jiang Yu asked with a puzzled look, "Royal Mother, we have been carefree in the imperial capital for so long without any problems. Why did Imperial Brother suddenly make things difficult for us?"

Hearing this, Empress Dowager Lü's eyes turned colder, and she said slowly, "His target is not you, but this concubine."

"Ah? Royal Mother, what do you mean?" Jiang Yu asked in confusion.

Consort Lü looked at him lovingly and squeezed out a smile, "It's nothing. This is not something you should ask. When you leave the palace later, help Royal Mother pay a visit to the Jiangzuo Prince, remember that?"

The two nodded blankly.

...

Imperial road in the palace.

The imperial chariot was moving slowly, and Jiang Chen sat upright in it, with a thoughtful expression on his face. "Jing Yue, what do you think of this matter?"

Jing Yue attended to him, her breath light and imperceptible, and said, "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince should have nothing to do with the rebellion."

Jiang Chen nodded and continued to ask, "Then what about Imperial Royal Mother Lü?"

Jing Yue pursed her pink lips, remained silent for a moment, and then said decisively, "Further investigation is needed!"

"Hmm?" Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "Tell us your reasons."