Daring to risk her life, using a fire in her palace to clear herself of suspicion.

This woman's heart is too cruel, too ruthless!

But if she is truly innocent, how can the maid named Xia Liu be explained?

Jiang Chen really wanted to capture Mei Ruoying directly, lock up this dangerous woman in prison, and interrogate her properly.

But without concrete evidence, he could not act rashly.

After all, the mastermind behind the scenes has not been identified, and the Mei family's influence in the court cannot be ignored. Now is not the time to tear apart the facade.

Looking at the beautiful woman on the bed, Jiang Chen's expression was deep.

Seeming to sense the complicated gaze beside her, Mei Ruoying, who had been keeping her beautiful eyes closed, suddenly trembled her eyelashes, and her pale lips parted slightly.

"Your... Your Majesty, is that you?"

As she spoke, she opened her eyes with difficulty, as if this simple action had exhausted all her strength.

Jiang Chen watched indifferently, without the slightest emotion in his eyes, and said lightly, "Yes, it is I."

"I heard that your palace caught fire and you were seriously injured, so I came to see you."

The suspicion in his heart was deep, and he was very wary of the woman in front of him. Even though she was seriously injured, he had no pity.

Hearing this, Mei Ruoying seemed unable to see Jiang Chen's indifference, and a smile bloomed on her pale face, and she said in surprise, "Your Majesty, this concubine hasn't seen you for a long time!"

After a pause, a shy look appeared on her face: "With you by my side, Your Majesty, I feel that the wound doesn't hurt so much."

Jiang Chen looked at her shy appearance, and a flash of disgust flashed in his eyes.

He felt deeply disgusted with Mei Ruoying's duplicity, and immediately sneered: "Is that so? Noble Consort Mei, you've been awake for so long, but your stand-in maid, Xia Liu, hasn't appeared. Aren't you curious about where she went?!"

Jiang Chen's playful eyes made Mei Ruoying's expression stiffen.

A look of panic flashed in her beautiful eyes, but it was quickly hidden, and she put on an innocent look and said, "Your Majesty, that Xia Liu is the murderer who harmed this concubine. Don't misunderstand this concubine because of her!"

As she spoke, Mei Ruoying raised her slender hand with difficulty, trying to grab Jiang Chen, her posture was extremely pitiful.

"This concubine got up tonight and accidentally stumbled upon the palace maids' conspiracy. They, they were planning to kill General Xu!"

"This concubine also heard them say that lurking beside this concubine was to pin their master's crimes on this concubine!"

"This concubine was afraid in her heart and wanted to report the matter to you, but she accidentally made a sound and was discovered by those palace maids... Then, they set fire to the palace, trying to destroy the evidence. This concubine was lucky enough to survive the fire and saw you."

After listening, Jiang Chen couldn't help but sneer and said, "Your statement is too far-fetched!"

"A palace maid who has served you so closely for so long is actually a lurking assassin, and there is more than one of them, but you have never noticed it? This is not reasonable, is it?"

"Moreover, according to what you said, they have been lurking for so long without revealing themselves, which shows that these assassins are very cautious. Why were you the one who overheard the conversation tonight?"

"Are you treating me like an idiot, thinking that this kind of explanation full of loopholes can fool me and get rid of suspicion?"

Seeing this, tears welled up in Mei Ruoying's phoenix eyes, and her beautiful and proud face showed a look of sorrow. Her appearance, like a frost-beaten rose, made people couldn't help but feel pity.

"Your Majesty, that's really the truth!"

"The fire is merciless and cannot be controlled by human power. Would this concubine gamble with her own life?"

"Although the Mei family and the Xu family are at odds, and this concubine is also jealous of Noble Consort Shu's favor, the Mei family would never dare to do such a rebellious thing!"

Sobbing, Mei Ruoying said pitifully, "Your Majesty, the Mei family has many enemies in the court, and every move is being watched. This matter really has nothing to do with the Mei family. This concubine begs you to see clearly!"

Jiang Chen's face remained cold.

From the officials' palace coup, to the assassination of Noble Consort Shu, and the fire this time, breaking into the Imperial Prison... it is impossible to say that it has nothing to do with the Mei family, and Mei Ruoying is the direct daughter of the Mei family, and she also occupies the position of Noble Consort, and can be said to be all-powerful in the palace, so how could she not use her power to help the family?

Jiang Chen had a direct feeling that tonight's events were inseparable from this woman!

Perhaps this so-called fire was a self-inflicted injury she created to get rid of her guilt. If the Mei family was not powerful and there was no direct evidence, Jiang Chen would definitely strip Mei Ruoying of her title as a consort and throw her into the Imperial Prison for interrogation!

At this moment, Mei Ruoying struggled to get out of bed.

She bit her red lips tightly, and beads of cold sweat oozed from her forehead.

Her pale face twisted from time to time. She endured the pain of her flesh being peeled away and moved off the bed. She knelt on both knees and prostrated herself in front of Jiang Chen.

"Your Majesty, if you still suspect this concubine, and feel that these assassins who assassinated General Xu are related to this concubine, then throw this concubine into the Imperial Prison!"

"After the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review thoroughly investigate this matter and clear this concubine's name, you can release this concubine!"

"This concubine doesn't want these unfounded things to affect your relationship with me... This concubine, this concubine is willing to enter the Imperial Prison voluntarily, so as not to cause you any trouble!"

Her voice was weak, like catkins in the wind, but her tone was extremely firm, as if she was willing to give everything for Jiang Chen.

If it were the original emperor here, he would probably be moved to immediately hug Mei Ruoying in his arms to comfort her, without any suspicion.

But Jiang Chen didn't have any fluctuations in his heart. Instead, he felt that the woman in front of him was frightening, highly skilled, and as hard-hearted as iron. She could be so cruel to herself!

"I know what to do about this matter. After the truth is investigated, I will make a fair decision!"

"In addition, from today onwards, I will take over Hanzhang Palace. During this period, you can stay here and recuperate in peace. Without my order, you have no right to go out, nor are you allowed to contact any foreign palace servants."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mei Ruoying's delicate body trembled, and a flash of anxiety flashed in her phoenix eyes.

If that's the case, wouldn't she be cut off from the outside world? Unable to receive news?

"Your Majesty, will you... will you come to see this concubine again in the future?" Mei Ruoying stretched out her jade hand, took a few steps with difficulty on her knees, grabbed the hem of Jiang Chen's clothes, and said pitifully.

Jiang Chen glanced at her coldly, pulled out the corner of his robe, and warned condescendingly: "I advise you to save your energy and stop playing these little tricks! I'm not the kind of fool who would be blinded by female lust!"

"I advise you to confess in time. For the sake of our past relationship, I can consider giving you a lenient punishment!"

After saying that, Jiang Chen flicked his sleeves and left without looking back, without even giving Mei Ruoying a glance.

This indifferent attitude left Mei Ruoying stunned in place for a long time without recovering.

The emperor's attitude towards her was worse than she had imagined, and he didn't seem to have dispelled his suspicion, and even ordered her confinement.

Mei Ruoying thought to herself, her pretty face gradually turned cold, and a look of contemplation appeared in her phoenix eyes.

What exactly is going on? How could a useless emperor suddenly become so intelligent?

If this continues, the Mei family will eventually decline and be replaced by the Xu family... No, she cannot sit still and wait for death!

Jiang Chen, I don't believe you will be completely unfeeling towards me!

Mei Ruoying thought, her red lips curled up, and she already had an idea.