Chapter 1 The Imperial Palace

Inside the Hall of Diligent Governance in the imperial palace.

Candlesticks made of whale oil illuminated the room, making it as bright as day.

More than a dozen officials who had been temporarily reassigned were working diligently to resolve the Ministry of Revenue's problems.

"Your Majesty, I have an important matter to report!" Su Wen, Minister of the Court of Judicature, looked serious, with a hint of determination in his eyes.

Jiang Chen was reviewing memorials, without even raising his head, he said, "Speak."

Su Wen took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the court and the public are all discussing your arrest of officials."

"Especially among the common people, some audacious storytellers have even created tales, insinuating that you are… are… Even Noble Consort Shu has been slandered as a demonic concubine!"

"Moreover, these tales have been sold by traveling merchants coming to the capital to various parts of the Great Wei, greatly damaging your prestige."

"All indications suggest that this matter is likely a deliberate plot, with the aim of slandering you. I believe it is necessary to conduct a thorough investigation!"

Jiang Chen closed the memorial, dismissively saying, "No need, this should be the work of Mei Wenshi. Only he would use such underhanded tricks."

A hint of agreement flashed in Su Wen's eyes, and he said, "Your Majesty, should we arrest the Mei family and their son? I am confident that I can make them confess!"

A look of surprise flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

He didn't expect this outwardly refined Su Wen to be such an action-oriented person.

Then, he shook his head and said, "No, this old fox's plan has already been set in motion. Stopping it now will not only be ineffective, but may also incite civil unrest. Let it run its course."

"But, but if we do nothing, your reputation…" Su Wen wanted to persuade him further.

Jiang Chen made a gesture to silence him, his eyes deep as he said, "Su Qing, I see your loyalty."

"But 'preventing the people's speech is more difficult than preventing a river, diverting is better than blocking'. If I insist on suppressing people with force, I will fall into Mei Wenshi's trap!"

"The key to resolving this plan lies in finding evidence and eliminating the Mei clan. Without them interfering, the people will one day understand my good intentions."

Upon hearing this, a look of understanding appeared in Su Wen's eyes, but he still regretted not being able to bring the mastermind to justice.

Reluctantly, he probed, "Your Majesty, Mei Wenshi is inciting officials and commoners to protect him. Are we just going to let it go like this?"

Jiang Chen's face suddenly turned stern, and he sneered, "Of course I won't let this old dog go!"

"Once the Ministry of Revenue is stabilized and the court is no longer turbulent, I will personally invite him to the Imperial Prison… and give him a… good… reception!"

Hearing this, Su Wen had no choice but to give up.

Regretfully, he said, "Since Your Majesty already has a plan, I will not offer any further advice."

Jiang Chen nodded and suddenly asked, "Are there any people of outstanding virtue and literary talent in the imperial capital?"

Su Wen pondered for a few seconds, and said with knitted brows, "There are a few talented individuals who deserve such praise!"

"Speak," said Jiang Chen.

"Zhang Zifang of the Jixia Academy!" Su Wen said loudly, his eyes filled with admiration.

Jiang Chen's curiosity was piqued by his reaction, and he asked, "What is this person's background? What achievements does he have?"

Su Wen cupped his fist and reported, "Your Majesty, this Zhang Zifang became famous at a young age. He was renowned throughout the Northwest in his childhood and was given the epithet 'prodigy'."

"Later, he came to the capital to study and entered the Jixia Academy, where he was accepted as a disciple by an unparalleled great scholar. His literary talent is extremely high, and all the officials of the court have read his articles and praised them!"

"Even Prime Minister Pei has praised this child, saying that, of all the literary talent in the world, Zhang Zifang alone possesses eight tenths of it!"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows and couldn't help but say, "Oh, he can actually make Prime Minister Pei speak so highly of him?"

Su Wen nodded, the admiration in his eyes growing stronger, and added:

"More importantly, this child comes from a humble background. His ancestors for three generations were all commoners, and his background is clean. He also has lofty aspirations and is generous, often teaching the common people without compensation. He is a highly respected gentleman…"

Humble origins! Commoner!

Jiang Chen's spirits were lifted, and he immediately decided, "Good, I know. Investigate this Zhang Zifang's background further and submit a memorial to me."

Su Wen accepted the order and strode away.

Jiang Chen then picked up the memorial on the desk again and began to review it.

At this moment, Feng Jin suddenly approached and reported, "Your Majesty, Mei Shi seeks an audience, saying he has something to discuss."

"Mei Ruoying?"

Jiang Chen frowned, wondering what trick this woman was trying to play.

After pondering for a moment, he decided to keep the appointment and go to the Cold Palace.

At the end of a secluded and ancient alley, countless imperial guards stood armed and armored, monitoring this mottled palace, their killing intent permeating the air.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The leader of the guards stepped forward, opened the locked door, and welcomed Jiang Chen inside.

Mei Ruoying stood at the door, dressed in plain linen, without makeup, looking exceptionally fresh and beautiful.

"Your Majesty, you have finally deigned to visit me!"

As she spoke, her watery phoenix eyes looked at Jiang Chen, filled with tender affection that could melt bones.

But Jiang Chen was not buying it. He said coldly, "Speak your business. I don't want to waste time on you."

Seemingly hurt by these heartless words, Mei Ruoying's delicate body trembled, and she said with tears in her eyes, "Your Majesty, please don't treat me like this!"

Jiang Chen was most annoyed by her pretense of weakness. He waved his sleeve and said, "I don't have time to act with you here. If you don't confess, I will send your entire family to the Imperial Prison!"

Mei Ruoying bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.

Her pitiful and helpless appearance was like a water lotus in a storm, which might wither and die at any moment due to the pressure.

"Your Majesty, I have been with you for many years. Is there not even a little place for me in your heart?"

"Every day I am locked in the Cold Palace, I think of you, think of our beautiful past… I have already married into the royal family and am your wife!"

"If you insist on abandoning me… I, I would rather die!"

Hearing this, a look of mockery appeared on Jiang Chen's face.

"Wife? You dare to call yourself that?!"

He walked forward, pinched Mei Ruoying's chin, and said coldly, "I ask you, what about Mei Chuyuan?"

Mei Ruoying's breath caught in her throat, but she quickly recovered.

When she was thrown into the Cold Palace, she had anticipated that this matter would be exposed and had already prepared an excuse.

"Your Majesty, I, I love you too much, that's why I asked Chuyuan to help me serve you!"

"You are the Son of Heaven, with a harem of concubines. I didn't want you to find other women, so I arranged for Chuyuan to serve you when I was not feeling well!"

"Because Chuyuan is my own sister, and looks very similar to me, I could barely tolerate her taking my place…"

*Slap!*

Jiang Chen slapped Mei Ruoying's face.

The force was so great that she fell to the ground and knelt down in a disheveled state.

Being repeatedly deceived by Mei Ruoying as if he were a fool, Jiang Chen was completely enraged.

"Mei Ruoying, you are very good!"

"I never hit women, but you have repeatedly made me break my rule… You are really something!"

As he spoke, Jiang Chen crouched down, looking directly into Mei Ruoying's incredulous eyes.

He said coldly, "You say you love me? Very well, I ask you, who is the person hiding behind the Mei family?"