Chapter 1 The Next Day

The next day.

Jiang Chen returned from the morning court.

Feng Jin respectfully handed him a document—a letter of confession from the main altar of the Worship of Fire Sect.

The content was perfunctory, full of excuses, claiming that the sect's followers came from diverse backgrounds, and they were unaware of the Gu Master incident. However, they would conduct strict reviews in the future and hoped for Jiang Chen's understanding.

This seemingly respectful, yet actually arrogant, letter of confession completely stepped on Jiang Chen's toes.

As the Son of Heaven, he couldn't tolerate this kind of sect that harbored rebellious thoughts!

He immediately dispatched more people to investigate the powerful figures in the court who had ties to the Worship of Fire Sect, making an example of them!

While the secret guards were raiding homes throughout the capital, the Prince of Jiangzuo, who had been imprisoned for dozens of days, finally couldn't bear it any longer and secretly took action, attempting to put pressure on Jiang Chen.

Seemingly influenced by him, the usually well-behaved Concubine Lü also started to act again, repeatedly requesting to meet with Jiang Chen, gently pleading for him to pardon the Prince of Jiangzuo.

Jiang Chen simply ignored her.

He even issued a confinement order to prevent her from causing trouble later, forbidding Concubine Lü from stepping out of Chang Le Palace.

The officials in the court who had benefited from the Prince of Jiangzuo also didn't dare to speak out, because evidence kept flowing out of the Prince of Jiangzuo's residence after it was taken over by the secret guards and the Ministry of Justice.

First, secret letters between the Prince of Jiangzuo and important court officials were revealed. Then, a large amount of money from unknown sources was found. Finally, even tributes that only the emperor was qualified to use were discovered.

Each and every item was solid evidence!

Regardless of whether the Gu Master leader was framing the Prince of Jiangzuo, the collected evidence alone was enough to ensure the Prince of Jiangzuo's death without a burial place.

At this point, the noisy court that had been arguing for days finally quieted down, and the emperor and his ministers reached a consensus.

No matter what they thought in their hearts, at least on the surface, no more officials dared to question Jiang Chen or interfere in the matter of the Prince of Jiangzuo.

Amidst this undercurrent, another two days passed.

At this time, the Duke of Ding, traveling day and night, finally arrived in the capital after running three fine horses to death, and secretly entered the palace.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Ding has arrived. This old servant boldly arranged for him to wait in the side hall. Do you want to summon him?" Feng Jin bowed, lowering his voice.

The actions of a high-ranking official in charge of a region affect multiple forces. To avoid leaks, he personally handled all the reception matters after the Duke of Ding entered the capital, not daring to let others get involved.

Now that the person had arrived, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, not disappointing His Majesty's expectations.

Knowing Feng Jin's hard work during this period, Jiang Chen put down the memorial in his hand and said calmly, "Yes, prepare the dragon carriage. I will move there now."

"Also, you have done a good job in this mission, and the confidentiality work is very well done. Go to the inner treasury later and take anything you like. I will reward you."

Hearing this, a smile immediately spread across Feng Jin's face, and he followed Jiang Chen with joy, thanking him repeatedly.

His grateful appearance made Jiang Chen sigh. If the Duke of Ding was so easy to deal with, things would be much simpler.

Before long, a plain and inconspicuous dragon carriage stopped at the side hall in the northwest corner of the palace.

Jiang Chen stepped down calmly and entered the hall surrounded by Feng Jin, Jing Yue, and a few other close attendants.

"This sinful subject Zhao Guanghan, greets Your Majesty!"

A rough voice boomed in his ears, and Jiang Chen paused. Before he could speak, he saw the tall figure standing in the center of the hall walking straight towards him, then kneeling down like a mountain of gold collapsing or a jade pillar falling.

His expression and behavior were extremely respectful, without the arrogance of a regional overlord!

This kind of submissive posture undoubtedly greatly pleased Jiang Chen.

Looking at the middle-aged man with half-white hair in front of him, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes: "Beloved Minister Zhao, rise. You have guarded the borders of Great Wei for many years, your contributions have been great, why do you call yourself a sinful subject?"

As he spoke, Jiang Chen pretended to bend down to help him up, but the Duke of Ding, Zhao Guanghan, did not accept this kindness from the emperor, still kneeling on the ground, lowering his head, and refusing with a ashamed tone.

"Your Majesty, this sinful subject dares not!"

"This sinful subject has failed to discipline his family, allowing his grandson to offend Your Majesty and cause a great mistake... This time, this sinful subject has come to the capital to plead guilty to Your Majesty, please give a lighter sentence and spare the life of this sinful subject's unfilial grandson!"

Zhao Guanghan knelt on the ground, begging Jiang Chen, his tiger eyes already red as he spoke, his deep love for his grandson especially moving.

If someone with a less firm mind were here, they would probably be moved on the spot, falling for this old general's trick and being led by the nose.

Unfortunately, his opponent was Jiang Chen, who wouldn't fall for his tricks at all!

"Alas, Duke of Ding, this matter is not as simple as you think!"

Sighing, a trace of difficulty gathered between Jiang Chen's brows: "Your grandson Jiang Mu not only insulted me."

"That day at the Hundred Schools Forum, in front of everyone, he first falsely claimed to be a Prince, then he threatened to destroy my entire clan, and also humiliated all the literati of Great Wei, his arrogance knew no bounds!"

"Now many insiders are paying attention to the follow-up of this matter, seeing how I will handle it... Under pressure, even I find it difficult to be impartial!"

As Jiang Chen spoke, the Duke of Ding's face became increasingly ugly.

On the one hand, he didn't expect his grandson to be so outrageous.

On the other hand, he didn't expect Jiang Chen to be so difficult to deal with, completely different from the weak and easily fooled crown prince in his impression.

He hadn't returned to the capital for several years. Why was the change in the crown prince, no, the emperor, so great?

Casting a suspicious and wary glance at Jiang Chen, the Duke of Ding knew that he couldn't fool the emperor by acting alone. He had to offer something real in exchange for his grandson's life, so he put away his pitiful expression.

He said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, this sinful subject knows this is difficult, but please, Your Majesty, for the sake of this sinful subject's family, who have risked their lives for Great Wei, grant Jiang Mu a pardon."

"The loyalty of my Zhao Family Army to Your Majesty is clear to Heaven and Earth. As long as it is your command, this sinful subject will definitely do it. Even if I risk my life, I will never let Your Majesty down!"

Hearing the Duke of Ding's implied meaning, Jiang Chen curled up the corners of his mouth.

It was easier to talk to smart people. With just a glance, he understood what you meant. If there were more ministers who were so understanding, it would save a lot of trouble.

On the ground, the Duke of Ding, who had been secretly observing Jiang Chen's expression, was now relieved.

Having been in the court for so many years, he knew clearly in his heart that the crimes committed by his grandson Jiang Mu were actually not that serious. Getting him acquitted was entirely up to the emperor's word.

If Jiang Chen sincerely protected him, with his current prestige in the court, which minister would dare to stand up and question him?

The reason why he pretended to be in such a difficult position was just to use the mistake committed by Jiang Mu to beat him, the Duke of Ding, who controlled hundreds of thousands of troops!

However, even if he saw through the emperor's thoughts, he, as a subject, could not expose them.

Both thunder and rain are the emperor's grace. As a subject, especially a subject with great power, he had to be sensible at this time...