Chapter 1 Meng Huaishu

Meng Huaishu had always known that Jiang Chen was a tyrant.

But she never imagined he could be so cruel!

Such a terrifying punishment made her tremble and her legs go weak just from hearing about it.

Yet, the emperor was still smiling, as if skinning someone alive was amusing.

Meng Huaishu was truly frightened and begged for mercy, "Your Majesty, this lowly woman is willing to confess, I am willing!"

Jiang Chen frowned at this scene.

Could it be that Meng Huaishu was just an ordinary woman, so easily frightened by a few words?

Seeing Jiang Chen's displeasure, Meng Huaishu was even more terrified.

Trembling, she said, "Your Majesty, before Zhang Kang rebelled, he secretly gave this lowly woman a token as insurance."

"He said that with this token, Mei Wenshi would not easily abandon him. Even if the coup failed, he could use it to threaten Mei Wenshi to save his life."

"But later, after the failure, Mei Wenshi did not provide assistance as he had expected. Instead, he sent many assassins to silence me."

"To escape those assassins, I fled into the mountains in a panic, but the assassins still caught up and I was seriously injured."

"Fortunately, I met a physician who was collecting herbs in the mountains when I was on the verge of death. That's how I survived and found a place to settle down."

Meng Huaishu said, choking with sobs.

She had lived a life of luxury for many years, never suffering any hardship.

But now, she was first chased and killed, then imprisoned, and threatened with the skinning punishment by Jiang Chen.

She couldn't bear it any longer and only hoped that Jiang Chen would give her a quick death after she confessed.

Jiang Chen was not a fool blinded by lust.

He was not moved by Meng Huaishu's pitiful appearance and pressed, "Alright, I'll ask you again, where did this token come from? What does it represent? What are the locations of the dots on it?"

"Also, why did Zhang Kang say that he could control Mei Wenshi?"

Meng Huaishu was dumbfounded. "Your Majesty, this lowly woman really doesn't know! Zhang Kang rarely discussed court matters in the inner residence, I..."

As she explained, she noticed Jiang Chen's unfriendly gaze.

While her spine was chilling, something suddenly came to her mind, and she said quickly, "This lowly woman, this lowly woman remembers!"

"Zhang Kang once mentioned that this token is related to the assassins lurking in the palace..."

Jiang Chen's eyes flashed with cold light.

He was not surprised that the rebellion was related to Mei Wenshi.

What surprised him was that this token was actually related to the assassins in the palace!

He had a feeling that he was on the verge of discovering the truth, and this was the biggest gain!

"Tell me everything you know about the rebellion and the assassins in the palace."

Meng Huaishu looked terrified and said uneasily, "Your Majesty, this lowly woman is willing to confess, but I beg you to give this lowly woman a quick death afterwards, don't..."

Jiang Chen interrupted her, frowning, "I said, I am a reasonable person."

"As long as you cooperate honestly and don't play any tricks, I won't make things difficult for a weak woman."

After saying that, he personally helped Meng Huaishu up to reassure her.

Knowing that the emperor had no reason to deceive her.

Meng Huaishu calmed down and said, "Some time ago, this lowly woman accidentally saw Zhang Kang meeting secretly with a masked man."

"During their conversation, they mentioned the palace. The masked man said that the route into the palace had been arranged, someone would lead them, and Mei Wenshi would assist outside the palace."

"Later, this lowly woman heard that a coup took place in the palace that night, and the traitor Zhang Kang forced his way into the palace with soldiers."

Jiang Chen asked with his hands behind his back, "Do you know the identity of the masked man?"

"Or, among the people you've met, is there anyone who resembles him?"

Meng Huaishu frowned. "This masked man has a very unique temperament. This lowly woman has never met such a person... However, Zhang Kang called him Village Lord, so he probably isn't someone from the court."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen's breathing stagnated.

Village Lord?

Was that the Village Lord who kept training assassins and sending them into the palace?

Sure enough, there was someone else behind Mei Wenshi and Zhang Kang!

Who could this person be?

While Jiang Chen was pondering, he ordered:

"Jing Yue, Xu Mu!"

"Your subordinate is here."

"Your servant is here."

Jiang Chen lowered his eyes. "Organize people now to find the locations on this token and see what's so strange about them."

"Yes!"

Jing Yue and Xu Mu received the order and left the imperial prison as quickly as possible.

They had a copy of the token map and could find the locations according to the map.

An hour later,

The dark guards and the elite troops of the imperial guards quickly left the palace and headed north.

The officials who drew the maps for the Ministry of War had already deciphered the map on the token.

They pointed out the destination for them.

It was a large mountain located at the border between the north and south, rarely visited by people.

At their speed, they were expected to arrive in half a day.

But searching the entire mountain would probably take a considerable amount of time.

Just as they were traveling day and night, Jiang Chen, deep in the palace, was also unable to sleep.

When he dealt with Zhang Kang's coup, he faintly sensed that there was a big fish hidden behind the scenes.

But he had no evidence and couldn't be completely sure.

But now,

The appearance of this Village Lord.

Made Jiang Chen sure of his guess!

He was excited and thrilled and couldn't fall asleep at all.

Earlier in the imperial prison, Meng Huaishu had said some other things.

But they were all scattered pieces of information and not very useful.

After all, Meng Huaishu was just a concubine who pleased men with her looks.

It was true that Zhang Kang liked her, but he didn't necessarily respect her and wouldn't seriously discuss court matters with her.

Jiang Chen turned over.

He wondered where to place Meng Huaishu.

The existence of this woman was solid proof to condemn the Mei family, so he had to ensure her absolute safety.

And release her when the time was right.

Perhaps Jiang Chen's movements were too loud.

Feng Jin, who was guarding the door, poked his head in and whispered:

"Your Majesty, if you are troubled, why not move to the harem and choose a caring person to serve you?"

Jiang Chen was not in the mood to think about those ambiguous matters and said lightly:

"No need, I will rest in the Hall of Diligent Administration tonight. Pay more attention to Jing Yue's affairs. This matter must be handled well!"

"This old servant obeys!"

Feng Jin's expression became solemn, and he retreated silently.

But Jiang Chen couldn't sleep at all.

He simply got up, put on his clothes, and began to deal with the memorials on the imperial desk.

The next day.

At lunchtime.

Jiang Chen had just picked up his bowl and taken a few sips of soup.

When he saw Feng Jin entering with a letter, his expression was both happy and angry, and he knelt on the ground, saying:

"Your Majesty, Commander Jing has sent a message that the depths of the mountain are indeed a place for training assassins."

"She requests reinforcements from the court to eradicate them completely."

Jiang Chen's eyes lit up.

He threw down the bowl of soup in his hand and walked straight outside.

"Haha, I knew she wouldn't let me down!"

"Feng Jin, summon Xu Changqing to the palace now, do it discreetly, and don't let the news leak out."

Several hours passed.

The Southern Army camp, which was closest to the border between the north and south, suddenly dispatched 10,000 troops and surrounded a remote mountain.

Of course, all of this was done in secret, without alarming anyone.

Jiang Chen did not reveal any flaws either.

Although he was extremely anxious and couldn't wait to rush to the north to personally supervise the battle.

But he restrained his impulse and sat peacefully in the Hall of Diligent Administration.