Chapter 1 Late Night Encounter

Late at night, an official road.

"Your Majesty, the Jiangzuo Prince requests an audience. Shall we summon him?"

Outside the imperial carriage, a member of the imperial guard respectfully inquired.

As soon as the words fell, a commotion arose inside the carriage.

The previously obedient Consort Lü began to struggle in Jiang Chen's arms, her pretty face filled with panic, afraid that her current state would be discovered.

Jiang Chen tightened his grip, holding her in his arms, and said calmly, "Jiangzuo Prince?"

"Hmm, it's been a long time since We last saw Our royal uncle… Since We have the time now, let him come over and catch up with Us."

"Yes!"

The imperial guard didn't dare delay and trotted off to deliver the message.

Seeing this, Consort Lü couldn't hold back any longer.

Her beautiful eyes filled with fear and anger, she gritted her teeth and questioned, "Emperor, have you gone mad? How can I meet anyone in this state? Are you trying to ruin me?"

Jiang Chen's lips curled into a playful smile. "Consort, with your methods and schemes, this little matter shouldn't be too much trouble, right?"

"As a royal consort, silencing a mere Jiangzuo Prince shouldn't be difficult."

Jiang Chen's malicious words made Consort Lü gasp.

She had raised the Jiangzuo Prince with her own hands, and although he wasn't her biological son, he was closer than one. How could she possibly harm the Jiangzuo Prince?

She couldn't let the emperor have such dangerous thoughts, or the Jiangzuo Prince would be in danger!

Consort Lü's slender hands, hidden in her sleeves, suddenly clenched tightly, and she changed the subject with a pale face. "That's easy for you to say!"

"Although I am a consort, so many eyes in the inner and outer palace are watching me. How could I dare to act recklessly?"

"In the end, I am just a woman. If my reputation is ruined, not only will the Sixth and Seventh Princes be unable to face anyone, but I will have no face to live on!"

At this point, tears streamed down Consort Lü's face, and she said sadly, "Your Majesty, if you want my life, just say so. Why force me to die in such a despicable way?!"

Jiang Chen knew that the woman before him was acting, retreating to advance, trying to extricate herself.

But now wasn't the time to expose her, so he pretended not to know.

After all, if the Jiangzuo Prince were to see their intimate scene, the subsequent drama couldn't continue… Very well, let's end it here for today.

After adjusting his expression, Jiang Chen was about to speak when the previously silent and tearful Consort Lü suddenly approached and threw herself into his arms.

Her beautiful eyes hid humiliation as she pleaded, "Your Majesty, I beg you, if not for anything else, then for the sake of the late Emperor, please leave me some dignity!"

Jiang Chen looked at her desperate and anxious appearance and suddenly wasn't in a hurry.

After all, it was quite interesting to see the proud Consort Lü humbled.

She probably didn't expect to end up like this today when she sent assassins to kill him some time ago, right?

Seeing that Jiang Chen wouldn't budge, Consort Lü became even more uneasy.

If the Jiangzuo Prince saw her submitting to the emperor, their trust would likely collapse completely, and years of planning would be reduced to ashes.

She couldn't accept this outcome!

Consort Lü's beautiful eyes hardened, and a look of determination flashed across her gorgeous face. She bit her red lips and said, "Your Majesty, as long as you spare me this time, I will listen to you from now on!"

"Even if, even if you want me to serve you intimately, I will not say a word!"

After saying that, her chest heaved violently, obviously, this decision was a deep torment for Consort Lü.

Jiang Chen looked at her restrained pretty face, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

This woman was truly an ambitious schemer who would sacrifice anything to achieve her goals.

He had to be extra careful of such a person.

While secretly vigilant, Jiang Chen tightened his grip on Consort Lü's slender waist and caressed it carefully.

He said aggressively, "Is the Consort telling the truth? Will you be obedient to Me in the future?"

A look of shame and anger flashed in Consort Lü's eyes, but forced by the situation, she could only lower her head and say, "Yes, everything I said is true."

"As long as Your Majesty gives me dignity and doesn't let anyone know about this, I will, I will let Your Majesty do as you please!"

Jiang Chen squeezed the plumpness in his palm and pretended to be captivated by her beauty, saying flirtatiously, "Alright then, since the Consort is pleading so earnestly, I naturally have to show some tenderness."

"Someone, send the Consort back. Be careful, and don't let anyone see."

Hearing this, Consort Lü breathed a sigh of relief, and her heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally settled down.

This lecherous emperor deserved to die!

Sooner or later, she, Lü Wangshu, would repay today's humiliation a hundredfold!

A fierce light flashed in her beautiful eyes, Consort Lü lowered her head, silently straightened her clothes, and walked quickly towards the outside of the dragon carriage.

She didn't want to stay here for even a moment longer!

Behind her, Jiang Chen, who had been expressionless, suddenly revealed a cold smile, picked up a bright red bodice embroidered with phoenixes from the soft pillow next to him.

It was the one he had personally taken off her while Consort Lü was unprepared.

Looking at the brightly colored fabric hanging in his hand, a look of anticipation appeared in Jiang Chen's eyes.

The Jiangzuo Prince was about to come up in a moment. Where should he put this thing so that he could see it at a glance?

Tsk, it wouldn't be fun if he saw through his intentions if it was placed too deliberately.

"Your Majesty, your subject, the Jiangzuo Prince, requests an audience!"

A gentle voice came from outside the dragon carriage, like a spring breeze, unconsciously making people feel good.

Jiang Chen's expression became serious, and he quickly hid the bodice in a corner of the soft couch and said loudly, "Royal Uncle, please come in!"

The enthusiastic voice relieved the Jiangzuo Prince, who had been waiting outside for a long time.

He had arrived earlier, but had been blocked far away. He had thought that the emperor had some opinions about him, but now it seemed that he had been overthinking things.

After adjusting his expression, the Jiangzuo Prince strode gracefully into the heavily guarded dragon carriage and bowed, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

His movements were graceful and dignified, fully displaying the demeanor of royalty.

Even Jiang Chen, who was quite hostile towards him, had to admit that in terms of appearance alone, this Jiangzuo Prince was far ahead of the other royal princes.

"Royal Uncle, it's been quite a few days since We last met. Today, We must have a good chat with you about family matters." Jiang Chen personally got up to help the Jiangzuo Prince up and pulled him to sit in the position facing the soft couch.

The Jiangzuo Prince showed a flattered expression, but his eyes were subtly surveying the surroundings.

Consort Lü had already left, and the environment inside the carriage was normal, with nothing suspicious.

The Jiangzuo Prince's tense emotions relaxed slightly. It seemed that he had been overthinking things. Even if the emperor was昏聩 (hūn kuì, muddle-headed), he wouldn't be so brazen as to make advances on the Consort in this situation.

He sat down with peace of mind and was about to offer a greeting when his sight was captured by a dazzling red color, and his mind buzzed!

In the corner of the soft couch, where it was covered by a thin blanket, a bodice embroidered with golden phoenix patterns was stuffed.

Phoenixes and golden patterns were only qualified to be used by the Consort!

But this kind of private item appeared in the Emperor's dragon carriage… The truth was even more unbearable than he had imagined!

The anger in the Jiangzuo Prince's heart suddenly surged, burning his rationality, and his handsome face was slightly distorted, as if he was about to explode in the next second…