Chapter 1 The Jiang Zuo Prince

"Jiang Zuo Prince?"

Jiang Chen frowned, carefully recalling this royal uncle who had been marginalized for so long.

As the late emperor's youngest brother, the Jiang Zuo Prince was only two years older than Jiang Chen. He was in his prime. According to seniority, he was still the Empress Dowager Lu's younger uncle!

However, he had no recollection of the two having any interaction.

Moreover, as an Empress Dowager, Lu Wangshu should avoid suspicion. Why would she go to such lengths to send things to her younger uncle?

Seeming to realize something, Jiang Chen's face suddenly darkened. He said sternly, "Tell me the truth. What exactly did Empress Dowager Lu have the palace maid deliver?"

Han Jinsheng recalled for a moment, then said with difficulty, "This, this commoner doesn't know either. This commoner wouldn't dare to inquire about the Empress Dowager's things."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen frowned even deeper. After a moment of thought, he said coldly:

"Your sister is Empress Dowager Lu's confidant. She can't possibly not know about this. If you don't want me to throw her into prison for interrogation, then tell me the truth!"

A look of horror appeared on Han Jinsheng's face, and he said, sweating profusely, "Please allow this humble one to think... Right, I once heard my sister mention that the things in the package were not valuable, mostly food, clothing, and some small trinkets."

Jiang Chen's eyes were chilling: "Just these?"

Han Jinsheng didn't dare to look up, trembling as he said, "Yes, yes, that's all this humble one knows."

"Your Grace, the Empress Dowager is kind and benevolent. Although the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince are her own flesh and blood, she still prepares a gift for His Royal Highness the Jiang Zuo Prince during every festival."

"Whatever the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince have, the Jiang Zuo Prince will also have."

"Sometimes, Her Grace is even more concerned about the Jiang Zuo Prince, often sending him gifts separately."

The more Jiang Chen listened, the darker his face became, and the large hand hidden in his sleeve clenched tightly.

Could it be that this woman Lu Wangshu has hooked up with the Jiang Zuo Prince? She's treating him better than her own sons!

Catching sight of Jiang Chen's ferocious expression, Han Jinsheng immediately shut his mouth and said no more.

He was certain that the Empress Dowager was innocent with the Jiang Zuo Prince, but he didn't dare to explain in the face of the furious emperor.

Seeing his hesitant look, the fire in Jiang Chen's heart burned even brighter. Just as he was about to explode, he suddenly thought of something and restrained his emotions.

He said with majesty, "I understand this matter. You are not allowed to spread it."

"Also, hand over the package your sister brought back. I want to inspect it myself."

Hearing this, Han Jinsheng's face turned bitter: "Your Grace, this commoner has already sent the package away. You, you are one step too late."

"Bastard! Do you know the consequences of deceiving me?!" Jiang Chen suddenly erupted, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

Han Jinsheng was so frightened that he lost all color in his face. He kowtowed like a pestle, begging for mercy: "This commoner, this commoner wouldn't dare to deceive you... That package really was sent out. If you don't believe me, you can ask the servants in the residence."

"This commoner wouldn't dare to neglect the Empress Dowager's errand."

Seeing this, Jiang Chen's expression softened.

He had deliberately tried to trick Han Jinsheng just now. Judging from his reaction, he probably didn't know anything.

"Get up."

"Thank you for your forgiveness, thank you for your forgiveness." Han Jinsheng climbed up from the ground, his face covered in blood.

Jiang Chen gestured for a guard to throw him a handkerchief and said indifferently, "How many people are there in your Han clan?"

Han Jinsheng wiped away the blood and said cautiously, "As far as this old one knows, there are more than three hundred people."

Jiang Chen nodded, a cold arc appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Good, I now have a secret mission to entrust to you. If you complete it, I will reward you handsomely. At that time, all three hundred members of your Han clan can follow you and rise to the heavens."

"But if you mess it up... these three hundred people will have to be buried with you!"

Buried together?!

Han Jinsheng's eyes went black. Was he going to exterminate his Han clan?!

He knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down his face as he said, "Please tell me, this commoner will definitely listen to you and handle this matter well. Please, please don't harm the people of this commoner's clan."

Jiang Chen's expression didn't change in the slightest. He said calmly, "As long as you serve me faithfully, I will not mistreat you."

"Listen, from today onwards, you will be my eyes and ears. All the things Empress Dowager Lu sends must be intercepted and handed over to me."

"Can you do it well?"

Han Jinsheng nodded frantically: "Yes, yes, this commoner will definitely not let you down."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly, warning: "This matter is confidential and cannot be leaked. You can't tell anyone, not even your sister or your wife!"

"Including the matter of our meeting today, it must also be kept secret. Not a word of it can be spread."

"If you dare to disobey me and secretly pass on information... the Imperial Capital execution ground will be the final resting place for all three hundred members of your clan!"

Han Jinsheng was as quiet as a cicada in winter, without the slightest objection, and said in a panic, "This commoner understands, and will definitely not reveal Your Grace's whereabouts."

Jiang Chen was very satisfied with his attitude, and a smile appeared on his face: "You don't have to be so afraid. I have always been generous to my subordinates. As long as you don't betray me, there will be plenty of good fortune waiting for you in the future."

Hearing this, Han Jinsheng's expression softened a little, and he said hesitantly, "This commoner thanks Your Grace for your appreciation... but, this commoner observes that the Empress Dowager Lu and the Jiang Zuo Prince are not of that sort of improper..."

Although he was afraid, Han Jinsheng still plucked up the courage to defend her, thinking of the Empress Dowager Lu's kindness to his family.

Jiang Chen didn't expect him to have such a grateful heart and couldn't help but think highly of him.

He said lightly, "I will investigate this matter myself. It's not something you should be concerned about."

Feeling Jiang Chen's extremely oppressive gaze, Han Jinsheng's face turned pale, and he lowered his head in agreement.

After a moment, seeming to remember something, he said, "Your Grace, the Empress Dowager hasn't been sending things very frequently in recent years, but recently, she has been frequently using this commoner."

"She even told my sister to speed up the process and deliver the things to the three princes' residences as quickly as possible."

A look of disdain flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes. It seemed that this woman Lu Wangshu was really being pushed into a corner by him.

Regaining his thoughts, he looked at Han Jinsheng, his eyes piercing: "Tell me everything else you know about Empress Dowager Lu."

Han Jinsheng was silent for a moment before saying, "..."

Half an hour later, the setting sun was replaced by the darkness of night.

Jiang Chen and his party secretly left the Han residence and returned to the palace.

At the same time, in a large residence several miles away.

The always calm and composed Jiang Zuo Prince was furious, pacing back and forth in his study with a murderous look on his face.

"Swish!"

The sword was drawn from its sheath, and the sandalwood table in the study was instantly split in two.

The Jiang Zuo Prince stared at the remains of the wooden table with red eyes, as if he was treating this table as someone's head. He stepped forward and added a few more strikes.

"Jiang Chen, you dog dares to offend the Empress Dowager?!"

"If I don't avenge this, I, this prince, swear I will not be a man! You wait for me, within seven days, I will definitely make you suffer!"

As he spoke, a bloodthirsty look flashed across his face, and he said sternly, "Someone!"

Outside the door, two black-clad men in tight outfits quickly entered.

"Your Grace, what is your command?" The two men knelt on the ground, their expressions very respectful.

The Jiang Zuo Prince said with a gloomy expression, "Go, move the plan forward!"

"Send Xu Jiaying to Mei Ruoying's command now, and let them rush to Mount Tai. This time, during the Feng Chan ceremony, I want to make the emperor lose all face!"