Chapter 1 The Emperor's Thoughts

The Imperial Palace, Hall of Diligent Governance.

Jia Yao knelt on the ground, her heart filled with struggle.

If she agreed to Jiang Chen's proposal now and concealed her female identity to enter the court, being exposed later would mean death for her entire family, a punishment extending to nine generations.

She couldn't be so selfish as to let her family bear such an enormous risk.

However, refusing him outright would undoubtedly anger the emperor, making it even harder for her family to get out of prison.

After much deliberation, it seemed like an inescapable dead end.

A bitter expression surfaced in Jia Yao's eyes as she decided to plead with the emperor again, as the outcome couldn't be worse than it already was.

"Your Majesty, it's not that this humble citizen is unappreciative, but I truly have unspeakable reasons!"

"My Jia family has always been loyal to Your Majesty and has not been involved in any conspiracy. Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly and do not wrongly accuse loyal subjects!"

"Your Majesty, I beg you, I beseech you..."

Jia Yao pleaded with Jiang Chen while kowtowing heavily.

She used a lot of force, the dull thud of her head hitting the ground echoing in the room.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen felt somewhat anxious.

His intention was to win over Jia Yao. If this person were to kill himself by hitting his head, wouldn't that be a great loss for him?

"Ahem, Jia Yao, what are you doing? Trying to force朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) to yield by hurting yourself?"

Jia Yao paused, explaining in a panic, "Your Majesty, this humble citizen, this humble citizen would never dare!"

"This humble citizen only wants to beg Your Majesty to seek justice for the Jia family and restore our innocence!"

Jiang Chen heard the sorrow in her tone and sighed inwardly.

It seemed impossible to take this kid down directly. It would be better to take a step back, keep him by his side, and slowly win him over later.

"Very well, very well, 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) am not an unreasonable person. Seeing as you are so eager to save your family, 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) can offer a helping hand."

"However, in return, you must agree to one condition."

The joy in Jia Yao's eyes was instantly replaced by doubt. She carefully asked, "Your Majesty, what, what do you need this humble citizen to do?"

Jiang Chen smiled brightly and said, "Don't worry, what 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) want you to do is very simple."

"Your talent is renowned throughout the imperial capital, and you are a celebrated scholar admired by all. 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) want to take you as a student, not for an official position, is that alright?"

"Ah?"

Jia Yao's eyes widened, her beautiful face instantly blank.

"Hmm? Judging from your tone, are you not satisfied?"

"What, is recognizing 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) as your teacher such a disgraceful thing?" Jiang Chen's voice turned cold.

Jia Yao shuddered: "No, no! This humble citizen would never dare!"

Looking at Jiang Chen's darkening face, Jia Yao cursed inwardly. What was all this about!

However, entering the court as an official in her female guise was a capital offense, but being a student should be alright, right?

She had already refused the emperor several times before. If she didn't agree to this condition now, it would truly be shameless and courting death.

"Your Majesty, this student is willing, willing!"

Jia Yao kowtowed with a wry smile, accepting the title, but her mind was filled with thoughts.

This emperor didn't seem like someone who was easy to fool, and the days ahead would be difficult.

However, no matter what, she had to get through the immediate crisis first, and then figure out what to do later.

Looking at the docile Jia Yao, Jiang Chen smiled with satisfaction.

His insistence on taking these talented scholars as disciples was mainly for his own reputation, to show his appreciation for talent, and to use their articles to beautify his image.

In a much better mood, Jiang Chen stood up from behind the imperial desk, walked over, and personally helped Jia Yao up.

The moment their skin touched, Jia Yao trembled, a look of discomfort flashing across her face. This was the first time she had been so close to a man.

Jiang Chen noticed this and assumed she was too excited, a smile appearing in his eyes:

"Jia Yao, now that you are a student of the Son of Heaven, you will have many opportunities to meet with 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) in the future. There's no need to be so nervous."

As he spoke, Jiang Chen patted Jia Yao on the shoulder and added:

"When 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) am free again, 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) will often summon you. Then we can go boating together and have candlelit talks!"

Candlelit talks?!

Jia Yao felt a darkness cloud her vision when she heard those words.

If the emperor wanted to do *that* with her...what would she do?!

But in the current situation, she was already in a dilemma and could only take things one step at a time.

A bitter look appeared in Jia Yao's eyes as she nodded and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, this student obeys your decree."

Afterwards, Jiang Chen comforted Jia Yao a few more times.

He promised her that the Jia family's matter would definitely be resolved before sending her away.

It wasn't until the Hall of Diligent Governance was quiet again that Jing Yue emerged from the shadows and reported, "Your Majesty, your plan has already begun."

"Those local gentry and landlords will do their best to speak up for Your Majesty, exposing Mei Wenshi's true colors. They will also notify everyone about the news that the tax issue will soon be resolved."

"Now, your reputation among the people has greatly improved, and the government's measures are not being opposed or questioned."

Jiang Chen nodded: "Very good. I have always been confident in your work."

Jing Yue continued, "Your Majesty, there has also been a breakthrough in the investigation into the mastermind behind the scenes."

"The secret guards discovered several letters in Mei Wenshi's study, but they are all incomplete and cannot be restored."

"However, from those letters, this subordinate believes...there is more than one mastermind behind the scenes!"

As the words fell, a flash of cold light burst out in Jiang Chen's eyes: "Are you sure?!"

Jing Yue's cool face was serious as she firmly said, "This subordinate is certain!"

"Good, good! There are indeed many insects hiding in the dark!"

"Sooner or later, 朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) will kill all these lurking bastards!"

Jiang Chen's tone was stern, and then he said, "Continue your investigation. No matter how much manpower and resources it takes, you must seize the tails of these insects."

Jing Yue nodded: "More secret guards have been sent to monitor the princes. In a few days, there should be some gains."

Jiang Chen nodded, reminding, "Pay more attention to the third, sixth, and seventh princes. They reside in the imperial capital and are more suspicious."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

As the two were talking, Feng Jin arrived.

He knelt and said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine Dowager just sent someone to inquire about your health, saying that she hasn't seen you in quite some time."

The Imperial Concubine Dowager?

Madam Lü?

Jiang Chen frowned, a look of contemplation on his face.

Why would this woman, who had always been low-key and like an invisible person, suddenly come looking for him?

She was the late emperor's Imperial Noble Consort, of noble birth, and held a very high position in the royal family.

According to seniority, even Jiang Chen had to call her Mother Consort, even though they had barely met a few times, but that was the rule.

"Jing Yue, do you think it's possible that this woman is one of the masterminds behind the scenes?"

Jiang Chen's sudden question caused Jing Yue to frown: "Your Majesty...this matter, this subordinate dares not speak rashly, but according to common sense, there are only a few people who are qualified to collude with Mei Wenshi."

Jiang Chen nodded.

Not long ago, the secret guards secretly investigated the rebellion and discovered that on the night of the final battle, a mysterious army had approached west of the imperial capital, intending to provide support.

But in the end, for some unknown reason, that army suddenly retreated.

Jiang Chen guessed that the person behind the scenes probably thought Mei Wenshi would lose and decisively abandoned him.