Jiang Chen stared intently at the painting.

Unblinking.

His face was filled with intense amazement and a possessive desire.

Even the hand holding the paper trembled, awestruck by the otherworldly beauty!

"Feng Jin, who is she? I want to know everything about her."

Only he, the emperor, was worthy of possessing such beauty!

Hearing this, Feng Jin cautiously glanced at the painting, then revealed a troubled expression.

Who had presented this woman's portrait? What nonsense!

As he hesitated, Jing Yue silently stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this woman is named Lin Muxi, from Yuzhou. She is the current Dao Lord of the Taiping Dao."

"This portrait was presented by the governor of Yuzhou some time ago. This subordinate took the liberty of including her in the list of potential consorts. I hope you will forgive this subordinate's presumptuous action."

Jing Yue had known about Yang Muxi for a long time and knew she was very talented.

Therefore, upon seeing her unparalleled beauty, she had the idea to include Yang Muxi in the list of potential consorts.

For Jing Yue, the best things in the world should belong to Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen tore his gaze away from the painting, and laughed heartily, "Forgive you? No, I shall reward you handsomely!"

"If not for your 'presumptuous action,' wouldn't I have missed out on such a beauty?!"

As he spoke, Jiang Chen glanced at the painting again, his admiration undiminished.

This woman was practically a celestial being in the painting.

If she possessed such grace and charm in mere ink and brushstrokes, how stunning would she be in person?

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen felt an increasing desire in his heart.

It was as if his lungs were being scorched by raging fire, desperately needing this woman named Yang Muxi to quell the flames.

He looked at Jing Yue with burning eyes, and asked with a hint of urgency, "Jing Yue, since you know the background of this Yang Muxi, do you know her preferences?"

"I have already decided to bring this woman into the palace. What should I do to avoid demeaning her?"

Although Jiang Chen wasn't clear on what exactly the Taiping Dao was, he knew that if Jing Yue valued it and made a point of explaining it to him, it must be an extraordinary force.

Therefore, Yang Muxi, as the Dao Lord, could not be treated as an ordinary potential consort.

It wasn't that Jiang Chen feared the so-called 'Taiping Dao.' As the Son of Heaven of the Great Wei, such regional forces were beneath his notice. He simply had a good impression of Yang Muxi and didn't want to be rude to the beauty, so he paid attention to these details.

Looking at the enthusiastic emperor, Jing Yue pondered and said, "Your Majesty, this Yang Muxi's identity is extraordinary. She enjoys a very high reputation in Yuzhou, and is admired by many. If you wish to bring her into the palace, I'm afraid you will have to put in some effort."

Jiang Chen became even more interested: "Haha, to cause my Jing Commander to be troubled, this Yang Muxi is indeed no ordinary woman!"

"I am becoming more and more curious about her. I truly wish I could issue a decree now to bring her into the palace and see her beauty in person."

Hearing this, Jing Yue frowned, worried that Jiang Chen would have the idea of using force.

She said tactfully, "Your Majesty, this Yang Muxi is highly skilled in medicine and often travels among the people, treating the sick and saving lives. She is very popular with the people. It is best not to use imperial power to force her."

Jiang Chen chuckled, "What are you thinking? What is my status? How could I use such base methods!"

"However, you said that this Yang Muxi often travels among the people. She is just a woman, and has such a beautiful face. How does she ensure her safety?"

Jing Yue explained, "Your Majesty, although Yang Muxi is famous for her beauty and medical skills, her greatest talent is actually martial arts!"

"Even this subordinate, when fighting her without risking my life, only has a fifty-fifty chance of winning."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen's heated mind cooled down a bit.

"So, Yang Muxi's skill is comparable to yours?"

Jing Yue paused, not answering directly, and after a long while said, "If this Yang Muxi were to become an enemy of Your Majesty, this subordinate could kill her!"

Jiang Chen understood.

This Yang Muxi was not easy to deal with.

Although he didn't know much about the martial world, he knew that there were martial arts sects in the Great Wei Dynasty, and some of the giants among them had power comparable to noble families.

Looking at the painting again, he raised his eyebrows and said, "Hmm, highly skilled in medicine, possessing peerless martial arts, and also a Dao Lord, she is indeed worth me spending some effort on."

"When she enters the palace, the disciples of the Taiping Dao can be incorporated into the army. At the very least, they can replenish the ranks of the Dark Guards."

Jiang Chen's plan was well thought out.

But Feng Jin and Jing Yue, standing to the side, revealed strange expressions.

"Ahem, Your Majesty, the Taiping Dao is passed down through a single disciple. There is only Yang Muxi," Feng Jin reminded him.

Privately, he didn't want a martial artist like Yang Muxi entering the harem. It was too dangerous and too difficult to control.

But the emperor liked her, and he, as a servant, could only accept it.

Jiang Chen was stunned for a moment.

Then he said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter! I only care about this Yang Muxi. The rest doesn't matter."

After speaking, he turned his head, his expression solemn, and said, "Xu Mu, you immediately take people to Yuzhou and convey my intentions to Dao Lord Yang!"

"Tell her that I admire her virtue, and have developed a deep admiration. I would like to invite her to the palace for a meeting!"

"Remember, the formalities must be sufficient. Do not neglect her. Understand?"

Xu Mu accepted the order and knelt, saying, "Yes, this subordinate will respectfully obey the imperial command!"

Feng Jin, standing to the side, watched with a hesitant expression.

Years of experience told him that welcoming a remarkable woman like Yang Muxi into the palace would not be easy, but the emperor was so happy, he didn't want to spoil the mood at this time.

…

Evening.

Jiang Chen was preparing to dine with Noble Consort Shu when he suddenly received a report that the cipher had been deciphered.

He immediately changed his mind and went to the residence of the two old gentlemen.

Pushing open the carved wooden door.

He saw the two men in the center of the hall, excitedly checking a booklet, with still-wet ink beside them.

Hearing the sound at the door, the two immediately put down what they were doing and knelt, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty. We have not failed your expectations and have successfully completed the task!"

Jiang Chen strode into the room.

While picking up the booklet to look through it, he motioned for the two to rise.

Under the expectant and proud gazes of the two, Jiang Chen completed the verification, confirming that the explanation of the cipher in this booklet matched the note Xiao Qinzi gave him, and what was found on the black-clad men.

He revealed a smile, a glint flashing in his eyes, and nodded, saying, "Good! I am very satisfied. You have put your hearts into it!"

Having received affirmation, the anticipation in the eyes of the two old gentlemen grew even stronger.

They looked at Jiang Chen with bright eyes, as if hinting at something.

Jiang Chen looked and couldn't help but smile.

Although he had been dealing with other government affairs these past few days, he had assigned someone to keep an eye on the cipher decryption and report at fixed times every day.

He knew that these two old gentlemen had been neglecting their meals and sleep in order to study these ciphers.

As for the reason they were working so hard, Jiang Chen was well aware. He had not forgotten the promise he made when he summoned the two, but now was not the time.