Chapter 14 Crisis Arrives

Three days later.

The morning light was just beginning to break.

Jiang Chen, dressed in court attire, stood above all the officials, looking down upon the common people of the imperial capital.

Today was the day the Southern Army would set out to suppress the unrest along the Weishui River.

As the emperor, he was not obligated to see them off.

However, Xu Changqing's status was special, and coupled with the memorial concealing malicious intentions regarding the Weishui River channel, he decided after careful consideration to make an exception and see them off.

This action served two purposes: first, to make a statement to the officials, and second, to reassure the Xu family siblings.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the soldiers were about to depart.

Xu Changqing looked at Jiang Chen, who had come to see him off, and suddenly knelt on one knee, anxiously saying:

"Your Majesty, this journey to Weishui is long and arduous. My little sister... I must trouble you to take care of her!"

Now, Mei Wenshi and others were suppressing their Xu family everywhere with insidious methods.

With him leaving at this time, his gentle little sister would lose her support and be unable to resist persecution.

Jiang Chen understood Xu Changqing's concerns and solemnly said:

"Yun'er is my woman. With me here, no one can touch her!"

"Put your mind at ease and focus on disaster relief. Once you've accumulated enough merit, I'll promote you!"

"When that time comes, with our combined efforts, we will surely be able to sweep away the treacherous officials from the court!"

*Thump!*

Xu Changqing cupped his fist in salute, his worried expression completely gone, and said with fervor:

"Your subject kowtows to thank Your Majesty!"

He saw Jiang Chen's determination and believed his promise was sincere.

He also understood that His Majesty was serious this time and wanted to accomplish great things and make achievements.

In that case, as his subject, he naturally couldn't hold him back.

For this trip to Weishui, Xu Changqing was willing to risk his life to fulfill His Majesty's expectations!

*Rumble.*

The sound of horses' hooves, footsteps, and the clanging of metal intertwined, echoing throughout the imperial city avenue.

Tens of thousands of armored soldiers, neatly arrayed, followed Xu Changqing and headed towards the city gates.

Jiang Chen watched them leave, his heart surging with excitement, unable to calm down.

This fierce army before him was the starting point for his comeback!

Imperial City.

Xuan Shi Hall.

Noble Consort Shu furrowed her delicate brows, her beautiful eyes filled with tears as she gazed into the distance.

She seemed to want to see her brother off to the disaster area through the vermilion palace walls.

She and Xu Changqing were born of the same mother and had a deep bond, but as a imperial consort of Great Wei, she did not have the right to step out of the imperial city to see her brother off.

Jiang Chen looked at her helpless and worried appearance, feeling sorry for her, and embraced her to comfort her.

Before seeing him off, he had suggested issuing an edict to allow Noble Consort Shu to go with him, but she refused.

Because Noble Consort Shu was afraid that this move would provoke opposition from the ministers.

She didn't want Jiang Chen to clash with the ministers because of her.

Because he felt sorry for Noble Consort Shu, Jiang Chen did not step into the harem for the next few days, staying by her side all the time.

This kind of favor that surpassed all the other consorts in the six palaces caused countless concubines to be jealous and envious.

At the same time, it also caused constant discussions in the former court.

Some respected ministers and members of the imperial family were worried about the emperor's favoritism towards Noble Consort Shu and the Xu family.

The stone tablet unearthed from the Weishui River remained a concern for them.

'Xu will replace Jiang, and the imperial enterprise will be forever prosperous!'

These eight words might be the revelation that heaven gave to their Great Wei!

The Xu family had to be guarded against!

Late August, the night was dark and the wind was high, every household closed their doors and windows, and the streets were deserted.

In a garden in the east of the imperial capital, high-ranking officials and nobles gathered.

Grand Censor Zhang Kang sat at the head, his eyes filled with fierce light, and said to the people around him: "At the hour of mao (5-7 am), at Ying Tian Gate, we will petition to demand the death of Noble Consort Shu!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone nodded in unison, their faces showing fierce expressions, saying:

"The Xu family siblings have bewitched His Majesty to alienate us and employ poor scholars. Their crime deserves to be punished!"

"We have been preparing for the matter of the death decree for a long time. No one can save Noble Consort Shu today!"

The candlelight was dim, blurring everyone's faces, and only the dancing shadows on the wall could be seen, twisted and eerie.

At the same time.

Mei Mansion Study.

The direct line of the Mei family gathered here, drinking tea and talking late into the night, their words filled with bloodthirsty excitement.

"Father, the troublemaking noble children have been arranged. As soon as the hour of mao arrives, they will gather outside Ying Tian Gate to protest, forcing the emperor to execute Noble Consort Shu."

"And the prepared poisoned wine, the spies in the palace have also received it. If the emperor refuses to comply, we still have a backup plan!"

Mei Wenshi put down his teacup, glanced at his son with satisfaction, and stroked his beard, saying:

"I am relieved when you handle matters."

"However, this matter is of great importance. His Majesty will definitely investigate strictly afterwards. Remember to clean up the traces and do not involve the Mei family."

Mei Qing nodded, and was about to reply when Mei Kang couldn't help but interrupt:

"Father, now that we have killed that slut Noble Consort Shu, will Xu Changqing be next?"

"That guy actually dared to steal the errand I wanted. We must not let him go!"

Mei Wenshi frowned, his expression gloomy, and said:

"There is no hurry for this matter."

"His Majesty has changed a lot recently, and many officials in the court have had ideas and want to show their loyalty."

"This action is not only to eliminate Noble Consort Shu, but also to suppress His Majesty's prestige and eliminate the loyal ministers of the pro-imperial party... As for Xu Changqing, we can wait for him to return to the court before taking action."

Mei Kang was stunned, revealing a knowing smile, and said nothing more.

Mei Wenshi slowly got up, walked to the window, and his experienced eyes stared at the gradually whitening sky.

Your Majesty, don't blame this old minister for overstepping, this is all your own fault!

You shouldn't have fantasized about getting rid of my Mei family's control!

Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth, drooping due to old age, curved into a disdainful arc.

A puppet emperor also wants to turn over? And even put his hope on the Xu family, a family of humble origin?

Ridiculous!

Now the court officials are dissatisfied with the imperial examination, and the imperial family is also full of murderous intentions towards the Xu family because of the Weishui stone tablet.

You are all alone, won't you have to come and ask for my help then?

……

The hour of mao (5-7 am).

The sky was not yet bright.

Lead-gray clouds shrouded the entire sky, seeming to tilt down at any moment, crushing the entire imperial city.

Outside Ying Tian Gate.

Grand Censor Zhang Kang, holding the Great Wei law, led hundreds of officials, knelt on the imperial road, and shouted:

"Clear the Emperor's side, punish the evil consort!"

"Your subject implores Your Majesty to grant death to Noble Consort Shu!"

The sound was like thunder, and the officials were terrified, responding in unison.

"Your subject implores Your Majesty to grant death to Noble Consort Shu!"

The tidal wave of continuous shouts shook the inside and outside of Ying Tian Gate.

The guards at the gate were shocked to gasp when they saw this scene.

What, what do these ministers want to do? Are they forcing the palace?!

Wiping the cold sweat from their foreheads, the guards hurried to send the message into the inner palace.

Deep in the inner palace, in the imperial consort's palace.

Jiang Chen was sleeping soundly, embracing Noble Consort Shu's soft and delicate body.

At this time, Chief Eunuch Feng Jin suddenly rushed into the inner chamber, knelt on the ground, trembling all over, his tone filled with panic.

"Your Majesty, wake up! Something big has happened!"

Jiang Chen was forcibly awakened, his head drowsy, and he was in a very bad mood.

He had been tossing and turning with Yun'er for most of the night last night, and had just fallen asleep when he was woken up.

Just as he was about to get angry, a soft groan came from his arms.

Noble Consort Shu woke up.

This gentle voice like spring water instantly smoothed out Jiang Chen's irritability.

"What is so important?"

Jiang Chen sat up, wrapped the sleepy Noble Consort Shu up, and questioned Feng Jin.

Feng Jin heard Jiang Chen's dissatisfaction, and the cold sweat flowed even more fiercely, soaking his back, and hesitated:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the guards reported that half of the officials in the court gathered at Ying Tian Gate at the hour of mao to petition, to petition Your Majesty..."

Feng Jin said this, carefully glanced in the direction of Noble Consort Shu.

Noticing this, Jiang Chen frowned, a ominous feeling rising in his heart, and interrupted:

"Change clothes, prepare the carriage for Ying Tian Gate!"