Chapter 1 Corner of the Imperial Beast Garden

A group of Imperial Guards had already dispersed, temporarily hidden according to Jiang Chen's orders.

Yang Muxi, who had been enraged by being publicly flirted with, had also been coaxed into reluctantly calming down and was strolling through the garden with Jiang Chen.

"Muxi, I lowered myself for so long just now and unilaterally promised so many unequal conditions. Shouldn't you be over it by now?"

Hearing this, Yang Muxi glanced at him askance, "Humph, is a maiden's innocence something your few kind words can compare to?"

"It's one thing when we're alone, but just now... just now, there were so many people, and you dared to be so rude to me! Didn't you see the way those Imperial Guards were looking at me? Their gazes have all changed!"

Left speechless by the accusations, Jiang Chen awkwardly rubbed his nose, deciding to change the subject.

"Muxi, let's not talk about that for now. You've trained these people so well; it's clear you've put in a lot of effort."

"I can't take advantage of you for nothing. Whatever you want, just name it. I'll definitely grant it!"

Yang Muxi curled her lips slightly, directly calling him out, "Don't try that with me!"

"What do you mean by not wanting to take advantage of me... I think you're planning to use the excuse of a reward to trick me into training more Imperial Guards for you, aren't you?"

Jiang Chen coughed lightly, putting on a serious expression and said, "Since you've already guessed it, I won't beat around the bush with you."

"The situation in Great Wei is very tense right now. With King Jiang Zuo as a precedent, the various feudal lords are all restless, secretly colluding with the regional officials, constantly making small moves."

"There are also some extraterritorial forces similar to the Church of the Burning Sun that have begun to reach out to Great Wei."

"Muxi, with great power comes great responsibility. Since you have the ability to mass-produce Imperial Guards, can't you stay for a while and share my burdens?"

Yang Muxi's delicate brows furrowed slightly, a hint of hesitation surfacing between her eyes.

It wasn't that she was unwilling to help, but her relationship with Jiang Chen was too complicated. If she opened this door, she might be tied to the palace.

And this undoubtedly clashed with her belief in helping the world and saving the people.

But she couldn't just stand by and watch Jiang Chen face danger. If the situation was really this dangerous, Jiang Chen, as the emperor, might be harmed, and this was something she couldn't accept.

After thinking for a long while, Yang Muxi lowered her eyes and said, "Hoo, I... I need to consider it. I can't give you an answer right now."

No refusal meant there was hope for success.

With this thought in mind, Jiang Chen closed the distance between them, feigning pity as he said, "Muxi, are you really willing to leave me to fend for myself?"

"Do you remember that crazy woman we encountered during the Fengchan ceremony at Mount Tai last time? She hates me to the bone and is now lurking in the south, planning to unite with the local jiedushi (military governors) to deal with me."

"You've seen how crazy this woman is. If she really succeeds, you'll become a widow!"

Yang Muxi had just been softened by Jiang Chen's words when she heard the word 'widow', immediately realizing that this guy was spouting nonsense again, trying to trick her.

Her pretty face instantly turned cold, and she said angrily, "You're an emperor. Can't you deal with one woman?"

"If you don't even have that much ability, you should just retire early and save yourself from being plotted against and losing your life one day!"

After saying these angry words, she didn't bother arguing with Jiang Chen any further, changing the topic back to business: "Jiang Chen, do you still remember that纨绔子弟 (wan ku zi di - good-for-nothing playboy) named Jiang Mu?"

"I brought him with me this time. You should quickly inspect him. I don't want to stay in the palace forever."

Hearing that Yang Muxi was truly angry, Jiang Chen quickly regained his serious demeanor, following her lead and continuing the conversation, "Is that so? Then I have to take a good look at how he's changed."

"When Duke Dingguo left the capital, he had high expectations for me."

As he spoke, Feng Jin, who had received instructions, had already brought the person over.

Looking at the young man kneeling on the ground, respectfully bowing to him, Jiang Chen couldn't help but reveal a surprised expression.

Wheat-colored skin, hands with thin calluses and frostbite, and a modest and courteous demeanor... and the dark gray linen clothes that only poor people would wear.

This... is this still the arrogant, pampered Jiang Mu?

Just as Jiang Chen was in a daze, Yang Muxi spoke up, her beautiful eyes filled with pride, "How is it? Is the change significant?"

"I can guarantee that this guy has been completely reborn. Even if his parents were here, they would have to stare for a long time before they dared to believe that this was their son."

Jiang Chen didn't know what to say anymore. Faced with such an extreme transformation, any words seemed pale.

He simply stood up directly, walking to a spot less than a step away from Jiang Mu to observe the young man.

"Jiang Mu, how... how have you been these past few days? Have you really recognized your mistakes?"

The emperor's paranoia made Jiang Chen suspect that this young man was acting.

Perhaps he was only outwardly compliant, but in reality, he was full of malice, plotting to take revenge on him and Muxi.

Unaware of the emperor's thoughts, Jiang Mu, still kneeling on the ground, said sincerely, "Your Majesty, I was too muddle-headed in the past, relying on my family's power to act recklessly, bringing shame to the royal family and my maternal grandfather, and even taking pride in it, without knowing repentance."

"During this time, Head Yang took me outside, allowing me to work and live with the common people... only then did I realize how hateful my past behavior was!"

"Not knowing the blessings I had, bullying others and bringing pain to many families... I have truly repented. From now on, I will definitely be honest and use the power in my hands in the right way, and never do evil again!"

Incredulously, Jiang Chen sized up the young man before him.

Jiang Chen simply couldn't believe that the person kneeling on the ground was actually the insidious Jiang Mu.

In a rare move, he rubbed his eyes, his gaze shifting back and forth between Jiang Mu and Yang Muxi, wanting to know how his Head Yang wife had tormented this纨绔子弟 (wan ku zi di - good-for-nothing playboy).

But with so many people present, for the sake of the emperor's dignity, he could only forcibly suppress his curiosity.

He smiled stiffly and said, "Good, very good. It's good to correct your mistakes. It's not a waste of my efforts."

"If Duke Dingguo were to see this scene, he would surely be very gratified... his title and rank can be considered to have been passed down."

Jiang Chen only said a few perfunctory words, but unexpectedly, Jiang Mu on the ground took them seriously.

He raised his head and said gratefully, "Your Majesty, besides Head Yang, the second person I am most grateful to is you!"

"If it weren't for your strict discipline and guidance, how could I have reformed and been reborn?"

"I have no way to repay your great kindness and virtue. I can only promise that as long as I am here, the Junwang (Prince) Manor and the Zhao family army will unconditionally support Your Majesty and be your vanguard!"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen was first stunned, not expecting that an unintentional act could yield such results, and he couldn't help but feel surprised.

But after the surprise faded, he looked at Jiang Mu on the ground, his face full of gratitude, and couldn't help but feel a chill.

Could this kid have masochistic tendencies?