Jiang Chen was not surprised by Mei Wenshi's reaction.

This level of difficulty couldn't stump this old fox.

But it didn't matter; this was just an appetizer.

Jiang Chen put down the porcelain cup in his hand, revealing a smile, and said, "Since Secretary Mei doesn't know, then I won't ask any further."

"However, there is one more thing that Secretary Mei must know!"

"Oh?" Mei Wenshi narrowed his eyes slightly, striking a respectful pose. "If Your Majesty has any instructions, this humble subject is all ears."

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes as he said meaningfully, "Secretary Mei, do you know what has happened in the court since you claimed illness and returned home?"

Without waiting for Mei Wenshi to answer, he continued in a deep voice, "After you left, Secretary Mei, the Ministry of Revenue first came to a standstill, then troubles began in the southern prefectures. In recent days, even the imperial capital has encountered problems!"

"The day before yesterday, officials, gentry, and commoners gathered at Ying Tian Gate because of the tax issue, forcing me to invite Secretary Mei back to court to take charge…"

*Thump!*

Jiang Chen's words were interrupted halfway by the muffled sound of knees hitting the ground.

Mei Wenshi knelt on the ground, his face full of shame. "Your Majesty, since this humble subject claimed illness and returned home, I have been resting and not interfering in worldly affairs."

"I never imagined that the Ministry of Revenue would cause so much trouble because of my retirement. I am terrified!"

As he spoke, he kowtowed to Jiang Chen several times, putting on an innocent act.

Jiang Chen knew that these troubles were all planned by the old man in front of him, but he couldn't afford to fall out with him just yet, so he could only pretend not to know.

He acted, saying, "Secretary Mei, there's no need to be like this!"

"I came here this time not to interrogate you. You may rise and speak."

Although he said so, Jiang Chen didn't make any move, and even the attendants accompanying him didn't move to help Mei Wenshi up.

This blatant difficulty and humiliation caused a fierce glint to flash in Mei Wenshi's eyes on the ground.

But he didn't act rashly!

For the Mei family, the most important things right now were to force the emperor to relinquish power and to exonerate Ying'er. As long as these two goals could be achieved, enduring some humiliation wouldn't matter.

Thinking this, Mei Wenshi glanced at Jiang Chen at the head of the table, pondering in his heart:

"The emperor's recent changes have been significant. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him decisive in killing. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't make such immature moves, but today he is behaving very abnormally!"

"Not only was he unable to hold back from finding fault after entering the door, but he also exposed his shortcomings to force me to admit guilt and kneel. He wouldn't normally do these irrational things… It seems my plan has indeed succeeded!"

"The emperor has indeed been forced into a corner and can only vent his anger in these unimportant areas!"

Thinking of this, the fierce glint in Mei Wenshi's eyes subsided, and even the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled into a smug arc.

He had been fighting with the emperor for so long, and he had finally won once. The unparalleled sense of accomplishment made him a little unable to control himself.

Jiang Chen had been paying attention to Mei Wenshi, and when he saw the constant changes in his expression, he immediately guessed what the old fox was thinking and couldn't help but sneer in his heart.

Fine, I'll let you be smug for a few days first!

He already had a plan in mind, so he naturally didn't care about this temporary gain or loss.

He then pretended to be reluctant and said, "Ahem, Secretary Mei, since you don't want to get up, then I won't force you. But what about the matter of returning to court?"

Mei Wenshi's mouth twitched when he heard this, and he cursed the emperor's hypocrisy in his heart.

He was clearly unwilling to let him kneel, but he still had to say it so grandly. Shameless!

But his expression was still respectful, and he declined, "Your Majesty, this humble subject is old and lacks energy. I'm afraid I'm unable to manage the Ministry of Revenue anymore!"

"No! You must sit in the position of Minister of Revenue!"

Saying this, Jiang Chen revealed dissatisfaction. "Secretary Mei, I have personally come to pick you up. Do you intend to defy my imperial decree?"

Mei Wenshi cupped his hands. "This old subject dares not!"

Jiang Chen finalized, "Then it's settled. Once you recover, I will send someone to welcome you back to court."

Mei Wenshi's eyes flickered, and he said with difficulty, "Your Majesty, I am old and my health is not as good as before. In addition, Imperial Concubine is about to be executed, and I no longer have the will to serve the court!"

"In the past few days of resting at home, I have been packing my luggage to prepare to return to my hometown. I wish to return to my roots, and I hope Your Majesty will allow it."

Jiang Chen sneered in his heart.

Return to your hometown?

You treacherous minister, you wish!

"I am aware of the matter of Imperial Concubine, and I have already instructed the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice to retry the case. If Imperial Concubine Mei is truly wronged, I will issue an edict to pardon her."

"Are you satisfied with this arrangement?" Jiang Chen glanced at him sideways.

Mei Wenshi didn't stop while he was ahead, but instead questioned again, "If Your Majesty truly intends to redress the grievances of Imperial Concubine and trusts the Mei family, then why did you send Yuan Buyi to Yunzhou to investigate military salaries and taxes?"

Jiang Chen's expression turned cold, and his dark eyes flashed with coldness. "Secretary Mei, you said you have been resting at home these past few days, so how would you know about Yuan Buyi's investigation? This is a court secret!"

Mei Wenshi remained unmoved and said calmly, "The governor of Yunzhou is an old friend of mine. He received news after Minister Yuan arrived and mentioned it when he was corresponding with me."

Jiang Chen looked at Mei Wenshi deeply for a few moments.

He was right!

The recent series of events, including Yuan Buyi's attack, were all secretly planned by this old man.

Jiang Chen said with a fake smile, "Secretary Mei, don't overthink it. I sent Yuan Buyi to Yunzhou to investigate the army's mutiny, which has nothing to do with the Mei family. Don't think too much about it."

Mei Wenshi still maintained a calm expression and said slowly, "With Your Majesty's words, this humble subject is relieved."

"However, there is one thing that this humble subject must advise Your Majesty… Yuan Buyi is a man of strong character and cannot tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes. He is prone to clashes with the local powerhouses when he arrives in Yunzhou!"

"If he is not careful and loses his life, it would be a loss for the court!"

The words containing implied threats caused Jiang Chen to narrow his eyes, and a surge of killing intent rose in his heart.

The powerful and noble families in Yunzhou all had close relationships with Mei Wenshi. Whether or not there would be conflicts was ultimately under his control!

If Mei Wenshi was determined to take Yuan Buyi's life, then Grand Tutor Yuan would probably be in grave danger.

Mei Wenshi's experienced eyes looked at Jiang Chen, and he said leisurely, "Your Majesty, for Minister Yuan's safety, why not hand this task over to my son, Mei Kang? This humble subject believes he will do a good job."

Jiang Chen smiled coldly.

Recall Yuan Buyi and let Mei Kang investigate Yunzhou? What is this, investigating oneself?!

If he agreed, this old man would probably really get out of hand!

Jiang Chen's expression sank, and he flicked his sleeve, saying, "Secretary Mei, it seems your illness has addled your mind, to the point that you're making decisions for me!"

"Yunzhou is far away, and the Ministry of Revenue is in a time of upheaval. Vice Minister Mei should stay in the imperial capital."

"Also, rest well, and return to the Ministry of Revenue once you are healthy… As for Imperial Concubine Mei, I will send someone to notify you of the investigation results."

After saying this, Jiang Chen left without looking back.

Leaving behind the Mei family members who were still kneeling on the ground, looking at each other in dismay.