Chapter 32 Conspiring

In the quiet study,

Mei Ruoying and Jiang Zuo King sat facing each other at the table, their eyes met, and the atmosphere was somewhat ambiguous.

Seeming to sense her thoughts, Jiang Zuo King's expression cooled down. He stood up and said, "Let's leave it at that. You go down and prepare. Once Xu's daughter is escorted to the Imperial Capital, we'll prepare to take action."

"The Mei family must be rescued, and my imperial nephew must be humiliated. Once he loses face in front of his ancestors and the assembled officials, the prestige he has painstakingly built will be completely shattered."

Hearing this, a fierce look flashed in Mei Ruoying's eyes, and she solemnly said, "Okay, I'll go prepare now and make that dog emperor suffer!"

After she left.

Jiang Zuo King's indifferent expression instantly disappeared, and his handsome face was full of gloom.

He played with the cup in his hand, muttering to himself, "Imperial nephew, you must accept this 'gift' that this king has carefully prepared!"

"I hope you don't let a woman cloud your mind, otherwise, this king will be very disappointed!"

After speaking, the corners of his mouth curled into a sneer, and his dark eyes gazed at the Imperial Palace, filled with malice...

...

The next day.

Jiang Chen finished the morning court and returned to the Hall of Diligent Administration.

He summoned a group of trusted ministers to understand the situation of Great Wei in all aspects, and to discuss how to deal with those corrupt officials.

The Wei River flood had been completely quelled.

The affected people had been moved to nearby prefectures and successfully integrated into the local areas.

The local aristocratic clans involved in the rebellion also obediently obeyed Jiang Chen's combination of measures and gathered the fines to hand over.

Everything was getting back on track.

After discussing for most of the morning, Zhang Zifang, Yuan Buyi and the others left satisfied.

Jiang Chen was also preparing to go to Consort Shu for a meal.

At this moment, Jing Yue suddenly appeared and reported, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager Lu is here!"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen paused and his eyes flashed with cold light, "Summon her!"

He sat back behind the table, his expression cold and intimidating, with no intention of getting up to greet her.

This attitude, which implied hostility, surprised the Empress Dowager Lu, who had just entered the hall, and she couldn't help but frown.

But remembering the purpose of her visit, she didn't say much. As usual, she bowed and performed a graceful salute: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Jiang Chen glanced at her, his eyes deep, and said lightly, "What brings the Empress Dowager here?"

Empress Dowager Lu raised her head, her red lips curved, and said with concern, "Your Majesty, didn't we discuss a few days ago about selecting new concubines to fill the harem?"

"This old woman has already communicated with the Ministry of Rites, the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, and the Prime Minister, and has selected fifteen young ladies from respectable families with outstanding looks to enter the palace."

"These women are all from branches of aristocratic families, with ordinary family backgrounds, not from the direct line, so you can rest assured to favor them."

Jiang Chen nodded, his expression unchanged.

The dismissive attitude made Empress Dowager Lu lose face.

A hint of annoyance flashed in her beautiful eyes, which soon turned into doubt.

What madness had the emperor gone into today? How dare he treat her, an elder, like this!

Could it be that he had seized power and no longer regarded her as important?

The more Empress Dowager Lu thought about it, the uglier her face became, but circumstances were stronger than people, and she had no capital to challenge Jiang Chen, so she could only endure this humiliation.

She said submissively, "Your Majesty, would you like to meet these young ladies and see if they suit your fancy?"

Jiang Chen frowned, "There's no need. I still have state affairs to deal with. Let Feng Jin arrange these women."

As he spoke, he meaningfully hooked the corners of his mouth, but there was no trace of a smile in his eyes.

"Moreover, the people the Empress Dowager sends into the palace must have been carefully selected. How can I not appreciate this gesture?"

"These fifteen women shall all be conferred the title of Zhaoyi. Are you satisfied with this arrangement, Empress Dowager?"

Empress Dowager Lu's heart pounded with fear at Jiang Chen's expression. She was extremely uneasy, and she suspected that he had discovered something.

But soon, she forced herself to calm down and smiled as she probed, "Your Majesty is joking. How can I not be satisfied when you are so considerate of this old woman?"

"However, compared to working hard for state affairs, continuing the imperial bloodline and bearing imperial heirs is even more important!"

"In this old woman's opinion, why doesn't Your Majesty choose one of them to serve you tonight?"

Jiang Chen looked at Empress Dowager Lu's concerned face, and a sneer flashed in his eyes.

This woman had good intentions. Sending confidants into the palace, letting them gain favor and become pregnant, and then using this to seize power, right?

Did she take him for a fool?

"No, I still have state affairs to deal with. There's no rush for the matter of serving me. We'll talk about it in a few days."

Empress Dowager Lu narrowed her beautiful eyes, knowing that these were all excuses. She slowly said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this matter cannot be tolerated by your willfulness!"

"The matter of imperial heirs concerns the foundation of the Great Wei Dynasty. If you refuse to favor other consorts, not only this old woman, but also the officials of the court will not agree!"

Jiang Chen's expression instantly turned cold, "Are you threatening me?"

Empress Dowager Lu had gone through two dynasties and weathered countless storms, and was unmoved by Jiang Chen's anger.

She said calmly, "Your Majesty is being too serious. You are the master of the Great Wei Dynasty, how dare this old woman threaten you?"

"Dare not?" Jiang Chen sneered, "I don't think so!"

Empress Dowager Lu lowered her eyes and said aggrievedly, "May I ask Your Majesty, what have I done wrong to make you so dissatisfied?"

"That's not the case."

"Then why are you so dissatisfied with this old woman today, and your words are so indifferent?"

Jiang Chen forced a smile, "You're thinking too much, Empress Dowager. I'm just a little tired from working on state affairs and don't want to say much."

"If there's nothing else, you can step back first. I want to be alone for a while."

Empress Dowager Lu frowned and stubbornly said, "Your Majesty, please forgive this old woman for not obeying!"

"The matter of the imperial heirs concerns the foundation of the country. If you refuse to favor these newly promoted concubines, this old woman, this old woman will kneel here!"

As she spoke, she knelt down with a thud, preparing to force Jiang Chen to submit with filial piety.

Aware of Empress Dowager Lu's sinister intentions, Jiang Chen's face suddenly darkened.

"Empress Dowager means that I must do as you say?"

Empress Dowager Lu bowed, "Your Majesty, for the sake of the Great Wei's inheritance, please be sure to visit the harem tonight!"

Jiang Chen laughed in anger, "Alright, since the Empress Dowager is so devoted to the country, then what harm is there in me agreeing to you!"

"Go back and wait, I will go to Changle Palace in a while to fulfill the Empress Dowager's expectations!"

As soon as the words fell, the smug expression on Empress Dowager Lu's face instantly froze!

For a long time, she raised her head in disbelief, looking at Jiang Chen in shock.

Not only her, but everyone in the Hall of Diligent Administration at this time, from the ladies-in-waiting to the eunuchs on duty, were all pale with fear, only regretting that they were not deaf!

Visit Changle Palace? Fulfill the Empress Dowager's expectations?!

Were these scandalous words something that they, as servants, could hear? The Empress Dowager Lu was the emperor's elder!

In the silence, Feng Jin came back to his senses and gave everyone a look, signaling them to retreat.

Empress Dowager Lu also reacted at this time, her beautiful and dignified face was covered with dark clouds, and her beautiful eyes were full of coldness!