Yuan Buyi looked at Jiang Chen with a solemn expression and hesitant eyes.

Jiang Chen smiled genially and said, "Speak frankly, esteemed minister. You are a loyal subject of Great Wei. Even if your words are inappropriate, I will pardon you!"

Gratitude surfaced in Yuan Buyi's eyes. After hesitating for a few seconds, he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, although the Lishan Imperial Villa is nominally managed by the Ministry of Revenue, officials from all six ministries have been involved in its construction. If we really investigate thoroughly, I'm afraid many people will be implicated!"

Jiang Chen had anticipated this. He said calmly, "I have the courage to cut off my own arm. Are you willing to help me?"

Hearing this, Yuan Buyi looked excited and immediately knelt down, saying firmly, "This old minister is willing to do everything in his power to help Your Majesty achieve your wish!"

"Good!"

"Minister Yuan is truly worthy of the name of loyal subject!"

As Jiang Chen spoke, he waved his hand, signaling his personal eunuch to come forward.

"Feng Jin, bring the imperial seal. I am going to issue an edict, appointing Yuan Buyi as Supervising Censor, to oversee disaster relief and thoroughly investigate the Lishan Imperial Villa!"

Hearing this, Feng Jin immediately looked delighted and hurried towards the bookcase behind the screen.

*Your Majesty* is willing to thoroughly investigate corruption. It seems he has truly changed!

Yuan Buyi was full of excitement, weeping with joy as he said, "This subject thanks Your Majesty for your holy grace!"

Jiang Chen was somewhat moved. He took a few steps forward and helped the old man up from the ground.

"Minister Yuan, there's no need to be like this. In the future, I will need your help in many things!"

"Go back first and write the memorial for disaster relief. The investigation into the Lishan Imperial Villa can be put aside for now. Focus on disaster relief first."

"Yes!"

Yuan Buyi bowed and left excitedly.

At this time, only Xu Changqing remained in the hall.

He still wore that indifferent expression, looking at Jiang Chen with calm, cold eyes, radiating estrangement.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen awkwardly touched his nose.

He understood why Consort Shu insisted on coming.

With Xu Changqing's cold and unyielding temperament, it would be difficult to resolve his inner knot without someone to mediate.

Thinking this, Jiang Chen turned his head and said to Consort Shu behind the screen:

"Beloved consort, come out. Let's have a little chat with Minister Xu."

Beloved consort? Have a little chat?

Could it be... little sister?

No, impossible!

This bastard emperor has always disliked them, so how could he bring little sister to the Hall of Diligent Governance?

Xu Changqing denied it in his heart, but his tiger eyes uncontrollably turned to the screen behind Jiang Chen.

"Big brother!"

"It's been a long time since we siblings have met. How have you been?"

The familiar voice rang out, and Xu Changqing was immediately stunned, his tiger eyes widening instantly.

Seeing this, a touch of emotion surfaced on Consort Shu's face, but she quickly concealed it and winked at her elder brother.

Big brother, don't be stubborn, don't give His Majesty a hard time.

Xu Changqing understood, but he couldn't bring himself to lower his head.

This bastard emperor has wronged his little sister so much, how could he, as her elder brother, endure it?

"Uh, Brother-in-law..." Jiang Chen said.

Xu Changqing's expression was strange. He said indifferently, "Your Majesty, you should just call me a treacherous minister. It sounds more pleasing to the ear."

Jiang Chen awkwardly rubbed his forehead. It seemed his brother-in-law held a deep resentment towards him.

However, the original owner in his memories looked down on the Xu family, not only behaving rudely but also often beating and scolding the two siblings.

It was normal for Xu Changqing to have resentment.

Consort Shu's delicate body trembled, and she immediately knelt down, begging Jiang Chen for forgiveness.

"Your Majesty, my elder brother is stubborn by nature and did not deliberately offend you. I hope you will be merciful and not punish him."

Jiang Chen sighed and helped her up with a look of pity, "We are all family, how could I be angry over such a small matter?"

Hearing this, Consort Shu's beautiful eyes turned slightly red. In addition to feeling grateful, she secretly looked at Xu Changqing.

Xu Changqing's expression also softened. He stared at Jiang Chen, unable to understand how such words could come from his mouth.

Jiang Chen struck while the iron was hot, "Brother-in-law, I intend to send you to the Wei River to assist in disaster relief and剿灭 the bandits along the way. Once you have accumulated enough military merits, I will officially promote you to marshal to share my burdens!"

Xu Changqing's eyes lit up. Sharing the ruler's burdens was a subject's duty.

Previously, His Majesty had listened to the enchantress's slander and favored treacherous ministers, leaving him with no place to display his talents.

If he seized this opportunity and obtained the position of marshal, he would no longer be suppressed by the treacherous ministers who revered the Mei family.

"Brother-in-law, what do you think?"

Jiang Chen spoke again when he didn't receive an answer.

Xu Changqing frowned and said suspiciously, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Although you say so, the Minister of Revenue may not agree, right?"

Hearing this,

A cold light flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

Even Xu Changqing was so wary of Mei Wenshi.

Did that mean that every decision *I* made in the future had to be approved by this old thing?

A wave of displeasure surged in his heart. Jiang Chen immediately said:

"Do I need his approval?"

"Frankly speaking, I am very dissatisfied with the Mei family's domineering style. Promoting you and Yuan Buyi is to suppress powerful ministers!"

Xu Changqing's expression was no longer calm. He looked directly at Jiang Chen's stern eyes. The emperor's change was too great, almost as if he were a different person!

A moment of silence.

Jiang Chen stood with his hands down, his eyes shining brightly. "Xu Changqing, I will ask you one last time, are you willing to assist me?"

A hint of hesitation appeared on Xu Changqing's refined face, hesitant about whether to believe the bastard emperor before him.

At this moment, Consort Shu cast a glance at him, full of entreaty. If her elder brother was willing to let go of his misgivings and serve His Majesty wholeheartedly, that would naturally be the result she desired most.

Xu Changqing felt his little sister's hope, and his eyes flickered.

He cupped his hands towards Jiang Chen and said, "If Your Majesty's words and actions are consistent, this subject will naturally go through fire and water for Your Majesty, giving his all!"

Jiang Chen smiled with satisfaction and walked over to help Xu Changqing up.

"Trust me, I will never break my word!"

Xu Changqing breathed a sigh of relief. For an emperor to be so courteous to his subordinates was enough to prove his sincerity.

But what had happened to His Majesty to turn him from a foolish ruler into an enlightened one striving for governance?

He had doubts in his heart, but he chose to believe.

A moment later, Xu Changqing prepared to leave.

Consort Shu saw him off.

The two walked along the corridor of the Hall of Diligent Governance, while the servants waited outside the hall.

Xu Changqing whispered in confusion, "Why has His Majesty changed so much, and why does he suddenly want to reuse our Xu family..."

Consort Shu lowered her voice and said, "Big brother, His Majesty was with me last night, at..."

A blush appeared on her pretty face, and Consort Shu was too embarrassed to continue.

Xu Changqing looked at his shy sister and a guess surfaced in his mind. He said in surprise:

"Little sister, you and His Majesty..."

Consort Shu's face turned even redder. She didn't say anything, but just nodded slightly.

Xu Changqing suddenly understood. No wonder His Majesty had treated little sister so affectionately just now.

He immediately said, "Ah, if His Majesty is sincerely repentant, that's good. But if he's as much of a bastard as he used to be, I'm really going to fall out with him!"

Consort Shu's pretty face turned pale, and she said angrily, "Big brother, how dare you say that?!"

He knew he had misspoke and wisely kept silent.

At the entrance of the hall, he reluctantly exhorted, "His Majesty is now awake, and big brother will do his best to assist him. The Mei family is powerful, and Consort Mei is not an easy person to deal with. Little sister, you must protect yourself."

Consort Xiao obediently agreed.

"Also, His Majesty has no children yet. If you can give birth to the eldest son..."

Consort Xiao naturally understood what Xu Changqing meant.

A mother relies on her son's position. Whoever can take the lead in continuing His Majesty's bloodline, the position of empress and crown prince will be just around the corner.

……

Hall of Diligent Governance.

Jiang Chen was working on memorials when he suddenly smelled a seductive fragrance.

"Your Majesty, this concubine has stewed bird's nest. Would you like some?"

The gentle and soft voice poured into Jiang Chen's ears, making his hand holding the pen go numb.

That voice, it was Consort Mei?!