Chapter 1 He Who Laughs Last

Jiang Chen's cold back and resolute attitude let Mei Ruoying know that playing the emotional card, acting coquettish, and pretending to be pitiful were no longer effective against this dog emperor.

From the moment they fell out, the friendship between them had vanished like smoke.

Standing under the dead tree in the Cold Palace, Mei Ruoying stared at the direction Jiang Chen left with eyes as venomous as poisoned blades, as if calculating something.

After a long time, she hooked her red lips into a chilling arc and said faintly:

"Dog Emperor, we'll see who has the last laugh!"

At the same time, Jiang Chen, who had just walked out of the Cold Palace, suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.

He subconsciously stopped and looked at the dilapidated palace behind him, frowning:

"Xu Mu, transfer another five hundred Imperial Guards to strengthen the defenses of the Cold Palace. Also, without my waist token, no one is allowed to approach."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

After the arrangements were made,

Jiang Chen got on the dragon palanquin and went straight to Huaqing Palace, ready to see Xu Jiaying.

He felt pity for this woman with a tragic fate.

Even if he couldn't find time to favor her, he would occasionally bestow some jewelry and ornaments to Xu Jiaying to show his favor.

It was just that he had been too busy with government affairs recently and hadn't had time to visit, neglecting her for a long time.

The dragon palanquin moved slowly, stopping at the main entrance of Huaqing Palace.

At this time, the palace servants in the hall were busy, each with a happy face, feeling honored by the Emperor's arrival.

But Xu Jiaying on the side frowned, her beautiful eyes revealing a bit of irritability, seemingly very averse to Jiang Chen's visit!

She took a deep breath, composed her expression, and then got up to greet him.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty."

Xu Jiaying stood at the palace gate and saluted Jiang Chen, her exquisite and curvy figure extremely attractive.

"No need for formalities, it's windy outside, let's go in first."

Saying that, Jiang Chen took off his cloak and wrapped it around Xu Jiaying, who was wearing thin palace attire.

"You may all withdraw. I have something to discuss with Imperial Concubine Xu." Jiang Chen said as he put his arm around Xu Jiaying's snow-white shoulders and walked inside.

In his arms, Xu Jiaying's pretty face showed a hint of surprise.

Something to discuss?

This lustful dog emperor only comes to torment me every time! Besides bed matters, what else can he discuss with me?

Just as Xu Jiaying was lost in thought, Jiang Chen had already led her to the inner hall.

"Come, let's sit down and talk!"

Jiang Chen said, patting the seat beside him with a particularly gentle tone.

Xu Jiaying was made uneasy by his unusual attitude, and many bad thoughts popped into her head.

She cautiously said, "Your Majesty, this concubine is your concubine and should abide by palace rules, standing by your side to serve you."

"If I sit down, I'm afraid it would be inappropriate."

Jiang Chen frowned upon hearing this, forcibly pulled Xu Jiaying over, pressed her into the chair, looked at her, and asked:

"Have you been resentful because I haven't come to see you for a while? Otherwise, why are you so distant with me?"

Xu Jiaying lowered her head, put on a docile appearance, but her almond eyes were icy cold: "Your Majesty is joking, how could this concubine dare to resent you?"

"You are the Son of Heaven of Great Wei, and this concubine is just a small imperial concubine. If I act too willful and annoy you... I'm afraid my good days will come to an end."

"Tell me, dare I complain about you?"

Jiang Chen felt uncomfortable being pricked by Xu Jiaying's barbed words, and his brows furrowed even tighter.

Things were fine before, how could she change so much after going home?

Wait, going home!

Jiang Chen's eyes flickered, he retracted his gaze from Xu Jiaying, and said lightly:

"You don't have to be so hostile to me. I said I would compensate you, and I will definitely do it."

Saying that, he pretended to change the subject casually and asked, "By the way, how are your clansmen doing when you went to the imperial manor in the suburbs last time to visit them?"

"If the local supervisors disobey my orders and neglect them, you can tell me directly, and I will vent your anger."

Hearing this, Xu Jiaying's delicate body trembled, and a layer of mist appeared in her deer-like almond eyes.

But she couldn't lose her composure in front of Jiang Chen.

Xu Jiaying bit her shell teeth, forced herself to recall the scene of her relatives dying miserably, and barely managed to restrain her emotions.

She said softly, "Your Majesty, my clansmen are all well. The supervisors are very polite to them and have never been disrespectful."

"A while ago, the Ministry of Internal Affairs also built a school for the children of the clan and invited famous teachers to teach them. The treatment is very good. This concubine is very grateful."

When she said the word 'grateful', Xu Jiaying paused subtly.

But Jiang Chen didn't notice it, only thinking that she was awkward in her heart. He comforted her a few more times, and then, taking advantage of the good atmosphere, revealed his intentions.

"Jiaying, the main reason I came this time was actually because of Mei Wenshi."

"I want to ask you, what exactly did Grand Commandant Xu leave behind in the army? Even if you don't know his entire plan, tell me a little bit of information."

Xu Jiaying frowned and said apologetically: "Your Majesty, the events of that year have passed for a long time, and I can't remember many details."

"But this concubine can be sure that the so-called 'arrangements and backup plans' are just rumors!"

"You know Mei Wenshi. He is ruthless and unscrupulous in order to achieve his goals. If I really had a handle on him, would he let me go? I'm afraid that as soon as I entered the Cold Palace, I would die suddenly!"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen didn't speak, seemingly agreeing with Xu Jiaying's words.

But deep down, he didn't completely believe it.

Feng Jin had reported to Jiang Chen that after Xu Da fell, an unknown force was killing the Xu family.

Therefore, Feng Jin specially sent more people to secretly protect the imprisoned Xu Jiaying.

Therefore, Xu Jiaying being able to survive safely may not be because Mei Wenshi spared her, but perhaps due to Feng Jin's efforts.

But all of this was just speculation without any evidence.

And Jiang Chen didn't want to push Xu Jiaying too hard, so he pretended to believe her and changed the subject:

"It's okay, it's fine if you don't know. It's better to forget some old things to avoid adding to your troubles."

Xu Jiaying勉强 squeezed out a smile, but deep in her beautiful eyes was an unforgettable hatred.

Past?

No, it will never pass!

The moon was high in the sky, and all was silent.

In this quiet moment, from deep within the bed curtains came a slightly hoarse delicate cry.

It was Xu Jiaying's voice.

She had been tossed around by Jiang Chen for most of the night, and her throat was hoarse. Her snow-white and tender skin was also covered with purple marks.

She had just tried to get out of bed, but the soreness in her legs made her unable to restrain a gasp. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and bit her pink lips in time, so she didn't wake Jiang Chen.

She glanced carefully at the sleeping handsome face on the pillow, and a hint of hesitation flashed in Xu Jiaying's eyes.

But thinking of her clansmen,

Thinking of the scolding of her clansmen when they met, the trace of guilt in her heart was instantly crushed.

The person in front of her was the executioner who slaughtered her entire family!

She couldn't be so cheap, she couldn't be shaken by this person's small favors!

She, wants revenge!!