Chapter 1 Jiang Chen's Fury

Jiang Chen looked at Xu Mu kneeling on the ground, cold sweat pouring down his face, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, quickly disappearing.

He was now certain that someone had deliberately orchestrated this!

Just like the previous two assassinations and rebellions, it was aimed at him, Jiang Chen!

Xu Changqing was just a means to attack him. The real purpose of the person behind the scenes was to prevent him, Jiang Chen, from controlling the four imperial garrison camps and expanding his power!

Jiang Chen pondered, standing in place, motionless for a long time.

It wasn't until the commander of the Imperial Guards, Xu Mu, became truly puzzled and secretly peeked upwards that Jiang Chen revealed an almost ferocious smile, scaring Xu Mu, a big man, so much that his hair stood on end.

Jiang Chen noticed his subordinate's small movements, but didn't take it to heart. He sneered and muttered to himself, "Using tricks again and again, do you think I can't catch you?"

"Heh, this time, I'll play with you properly. I hope you have enough tricks, don't disappoint me!"

After speaking, Jiang Chen turned his gaze to Xu Mu, the murderous look in his eyes scaring Xu Mu's legs weak, his body trembling uncontrollably.

But Jiang Chen didn't do anything, his tone was also considered gentle, and he said lightly, "Go, investigate thoroughly for me, and find out how the news was leaked."

"Also, send all the palace servants detained yesterday to the Cautious Punishment Department for severe torture… Oh, and tell the people in the Cautious Punishment Department that if they don't get any useful information, the torturers and prisoners will be executed together."

"As for you, I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself. Before the end of the morning court, you must complete both of these things, otherwise, go to the execution ground and take your punishment yourself! In addition, all the Imperial Guards who accompanied you yesterday will be flogged fifty times. Go and do it."

After Jiang Chen finished speaking, he strode away, heading towards the Golden Luan Hall.

Xu Mu trembled all over, lying on the ground gasping for breath, his face full of relief after surviving a disaster.

Golden Luan Hall.

The hall was noisy!

The high-ranking officials and nobles who were usually refined and mindful of their status had completely abandoned their manners at this time, gathering in twos and threes, angrily cursing Xu Changqing.

Their faces were red, their appearance of being annoyed and humiliated was as if it was not Jiang Chen whose ancestral tablet had been dug up, but their own.

It wasn't until Jiang Chen appeared and sat on the dragon throne that order was slightly restored below.

"Your Majesty! Xu Changqing is arrogant and self-important, he trespassed into the Great Wei ancestral temple and damaged sacrificial utensils, showing disrespect to the late emperors, his crimes are unforgivable! I request to execute this criminal and wipe out the entire Xu family to serve as a warning to others!"

An old member of the royal family stood up, his tone impassioned, as if he would rather die in the hall than have Jiang Chen disagree!

He was nearly eighty years old, a senior of Jiang Chen's grandfather's generation. He was fair and just, had mediated disputes for many members of the royal family, and never interfered in court affairs based on his seniority. He was highly respected, and even the late emperor respected him.

The moment Jiang Chen saw his face, his eyelids began to twitch wildly.

He knew that today's matter probably wouldn't end well!

"Ahem, Prince Fu, rumors in the market cannot be believed. Xu Aiqing (term for imperial subject) has always been loyal to me and to Great Wei, how could he do such disrespectful things?"

"Moreover, the Golden Luan Hall is a place to discuss state affairs. It is inappropriate to bring rumors here for discussion. Now the people of Longnan are still suffering from floods, let's solve this matter first!" Jiang Chen said with a chuckle, trying to divert the topic.

He was clear in his mind that there was a ninety percent chance that Xu Changqing had been framed, and he couldn't let this black pot be placed on his head.

But there were always some tactless ministers in the court who liked to cling to one thing and wouldn't let go until they got a result.

Below the imperial steps, an imperial censor stood up and questioned, "Your Majesty, there is no smoke without fire. If General Xu is really innocent and hasn't done anything presumptuous, how could rumors spread?"

"Moreover, I just looked around and didn't see General Xu. If nothing unexpected happened, why would he be absent from today's morning court?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the court officials responded one after another.

"That's right, Your Majesty, if Xu Changqing didn't make a mistake, how could he be absent from the court? He didn't ask for leave in advance!"

"I agree, Your Majesty. The ancestral temple is the resting place of the emperors of Great Wei and concerns the face of the dynasty. Even if it's just a rumor, it should be taken seriously. Please, Your Majesty, be sure to clarify this matter today and give an explanation to the people of the world!"

Listening to this, Jiang Chen's face became more and more gloomy. He slammed the imperial desk and shouted sharply, "Enough! This matter is my family affair, and I will handle it!"

"Yesterday, Xu Changqing did go to the ancestral temple, but he was following my imperial decree, not trespassing. As for the so-called damage to sacrificial utensils, it was just a few ornaments on the table that were broken. This was an unintentional mistake, and I have already punished him. Gentlemen, please let this matter go!"

Jiang Chen's voice carried a strong warning, and his bias was very obvious. Many ministers closed their mouths and swallowed back their words of advice.

But there were still people with ulterior motives who wanted to stand up and try to challenge the emperor's authority.

The Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs stepped forward and cupped his hands, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for not agreeing with your decision. The ancestral temple is the foundation of the imperial family, and it enshrines the elders of the imperial family. Regardless of whether Xu Changqing intentionally made a mistake, it is a fact that he damaged the sacrificial utensils. This matter is extraordinary, and I hope you will deal with it seriously!"

"If Xu Changqing is let off lightly, I am afraid that the people of the world will laugh at my Great Wei royal family!"

He said these words righteously and passionately, appearing as a noble figure for the country and the people.

The surrounding officials couldn't help but change their expressions and frown secretly.

Was this person planning to force His Majesty to submit by appealing to the righteousness of the imperial family?

But His Majesty has changed a lot recently, acting upright and straightforward, he wouldn't fall for this trick!

Jiang Chen was also really angry and didn't plan to endure it. He was going to slap him in the face in public.

He recognized this Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs. The last time the officials forced him to grant death to Consort Shu, this person had jumped up very enthusiastically.

However, at that time, his power was limited, and he could only flog this guy. He didn't expect that this person would jump out again as a dog as soon as his injuries healed, eagerly helping his master to bite people!

Jiang Chen's eyes were cold, but the corners of his mouth curled up in a smile. He slowly walked down the dragon throne, looked at the Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, and said gently, "Oh, then according to your opinion, how should I punish Xu Changqing to maintain the dignity of the royal family?"

The Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs didn't dare to look directly at the emperor's face, but he heard Jiang Chen's voice was gentle, and he also felt that what he said was reasonable, so he said without restraint, "Your Majesty, I believe that a person like Xu Changqing who is disloyal and disrespectful should be stripped of all his positions, thrown into the imperial prison to be punished, and confined to death!"

"In addition, as Xu Changqing's relatives, the elders of the Xu family are also at fault for failing to educate him strictly and should be dealt with together, with the entire family executed!"

"Finally, Consort Shu, as Xu Changqing's younger sister, did not dissuade her elder brother and allowed him to destroy the ancestral temple, she is not worthy of being a member of the royal family! I believe that her title should be abolished, and she should be thrown into the Cold Palace and imprisoned for life!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the hearts of the ministers beat wildly, and they complained incessantly, daring not to look at Jiang Chen's face at all.

Was this Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs crazy?

Why was he talking nonsense today? There were better ways to seek death!