Chapter 13 The Empress Dowager

Noon, the Hall of Diligent Administration.

After finalizing a series of plans, Jiang Chen dismissed his subordinates and picked up the memorials again.

At this moment, Jing Yue, hidden in the shadows, suddenly appeared, her tone excited, "Your Majesty, we've found Mei Ruoying's trail!"

"According to scouts, this woman has been active near Mount Tai recently."

Hearing this, a cold light flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes. "Heh, I knew it. These rebellious subjects are trying to cause trouble during the Feng Chan ceremony!" (Feng Chan: an ancient Chinese sacrificial ceremony performed by the emperor)

"But, thinking a mere Mei Ruoying can disturb me is underestimating me."

"I have made up my mind to wipe out this group of people. No matter how many arrangements they have, I will crush them with absolute strength!"

A hint of approval appeared on Jing Yue's cool face, and she said softly, "Your Majesty, Mei Ruoying is vicious. Her appearance at this juncture must be a conspiracy. It's best to proceed with caution."

"Eliminating rebellious subjects is not urgent. No matter the situation, Your Majesty must prioritize your own safety and never take risks!"

Sensing Jing Yue's concern, Jiang Chen restrained the fierce light in his eyes and said slowly, "It's alright. I have made thorough preparations for the Feng Chan ceremony at Mount Tai. Nothing will go wrong. Besides, you'll be accompanying me, won't you? Nothing will happen!"

"However, what you said also makes some sense. Mei Ruoying is a jinx. Every time she appears, it's a bloody storm!"

"Just to be safe, let me make some more arrangements… Like this, send another team of dark guards to search for this woman's whereabouts and see what she is plotting."

"If we grasp her movements in advance, this woman will be nothing to fear."

Jing Yue nodded, a solemn expression appearing on her cool face, and then she said, "Your Majesty, I have another matter to report, concerning the Grand Concubine Lu."

Grand Concubine Lu?!

Jiang Chen's expression shook, and sharp light shot from his eyes. "Speak!"

Jing Yue respectfully said, "Since the confrontation with the officials, Grand Concubine Lu has been washing her face with tears every day. From time to time, she goes to the late Emperor's memorial tablet to cry, saying that she has lost her virtue and is not worthy of the title of Grand Concubine."

"She even threatened to remove her hairpins and confess her guilt, give up everything in the palace, and go to guard the imperial mausoleum."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen sneered!

"Lost her virtue? Who is she alluding to?"

"First, she complained to the officials in the court, implying that I was frivolous with her. After the plan failed, she went to the late Emperor to cry and wanted to give up everything in the palace to guard the imperial mausoleum?"

"What, is she planning to use this method to ruin my reputation and make the world despise me for being unfilial?"

The colder Jiang Chen's expression became, the more chilling his dark eyes became. "It seems that the last warning was not profound enough, and it turns out that my Grand Concubine still doesn't recognize her identity!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Chen suddenly stood up, flung his sleeves, and said, "Prepare the carriage to Chang Le Palace!"

"This time, I will teach the Grand Concubine what rules are!"

Jing Yue nodded, her cool expression unchanged.

Although she heard the disrespect and possessiveness in Jiang Chen's words, since she had sworn allegiance, she would unconditionally satisfy any of Jiang Chen's requests.

Even if Jiang Chen had unspeakable thoughts about Grand Concubine Lu, she would not question it, but would only eliminate all difficulties for Jiang Chen and let him get what he wanted.

Half a cup of tea later.

The Emperor's dragon carriage stopped at the main gate of Chang Le Palace.

In just a few days, the changes in this magnificent palace made Jiang Chen a little unrecognizable.

The carved beams and painted pillars were hung with sackcloth, the antique ornaments were swept away, and there were only a few pieces of furniture left. The emptiness and simplicity were completely unlike the residence of a Grand Concubine.

Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

The act was quite convincing. If those old fogeys in the court knew about it, they would inevitably impeach him several times.

He strode in.

A group of eunuchs and palace maids in plain clothes knelt down and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The noisy sound made Grand Concubine Lu in the room suddenly open her beautiful eyes and look out with a trace of unease.

Although she had made up her mind to make Jiang Chen uncomfortable, when the time came and the person involved came to her door, she still couldn't help but panic.

Not only because of Jiang Chen's unbridled and bold teasing.

More of the reason was the secret she was hiding, raising assassins in the palace and plotting rebellion. Once discovered, she would undoubtedly die, and her innocent child would be implicated.

Thinking of the Emperor's recent strange attitude, Grand Concubine Lu deeply suspected that she had been exposed.

Just as she was panicking, Jiang Chen had already strode into the main hall and stood in front of her.

"Grand Concubine, not bowing to the Emperor's presence, are you expressing dissatisfaction with me?"

Sharp eyes fell on her, Grand Concubine Lu's delicate body trembled. She collected her thoughts and bowed softly, "This humble concubine greets Your Majesty!"

"Just now, this humble concubine was mourning the late Emperor, and was momentarily distracted and did not notice Your Majesty's arrival. I hope Your Majesty will forgive this humble concubine's negligence for the sake of the late Emperor."

Looking at Grand Concubine Lu, who was pretending to be weak, a sneer appeared on the corner of Jiang Chen's mouth.

He came to make trouble today, so he couldn't easily let go of this ready-made excuse.

"Grand Concubine, the country has national laws, and the palace has palace rules."

"Not bowing to me is a great crime of disrespect. Although you are my elder, national law is greater than family law. As the Emperor, I cannot be partial in public!"

Grand Concubine Lu's pretty face turned pale, and she bit her red lips tightly, glaring at Jiang Chen.

It was clearly a trivial matter, but this dog Emperor insisted on holding on to it, clearly making things difficult for her.

If she were to admit defeat in public like this, she would really lose her prestige and have no face to stand in the palace in the future!

Her hands clenched into fists in her sleeves, Grand Concubine Lu pulled down her face and said coldly, "Is Your Majesty disregarding even the late Emperor's dignity?"

"This humble concubine has already said that she was mourning the late Emperor just now. Could it be that Your Majesty, as a son, wants to have a greater display than his own father?"

As she spoke, she raised her voice, "If this matter spreads, is Your Majesty not afraid of criticism from the officials and condemnation from the people?!"

Righteously denouncing him, Grand Concubine Lu's momentum gradually grew.

Jiang Chen coldly watched her arrogant posture, which was completely different from when she entered the door, and suddenly smiled.

But his eyes became extremely sharp. He took a step forward and directly pinched the noble Grand Concubine's jade neck without any pity.

This sudden change made all the palace maids and eunuchs present hold their breath, and the color drained from their faces.

"Grand Concubine, what did I say last time?"

"Did I not tell you that your status, wealth, and glory all come from my charity!"

"You think you are very smart and very powerful? I will tell you now that everything you are proud of is worthless garbage in my eyes!"

"I am the Lord of the world, and it is only a matter of a word to deal with you!"

As he spoke, Jiang Chen leaned slightly, approached Grand Concubine Lu's ear, and whispered, "Even if I were to strangle you now, who would dare to stop me? Hmm?"

Feeling the big hand constantly tightening around her neck, Grand Concubine Lu felt an unprecedented panic…