Chapter 1 A Bloody Coup

The Supervising Secretary of the Censorate clutched his neck, trying to staunch the rapidly flowing blood.

His eyes widened, staring at Jiang Chen in disbelief.

The Emperor actually dared to kill him?

*Thump!*

With a muffled thud, the Supervising Secretary of the Censorate fell to the ground, silent forevermore.

The blade drooped, blood trickling down its edge and into the patterns of the blue brick road. Jiang Chen's expression was stern, his voice indifferent as he said:

"The Supervising Secretary of the Censorate insulted the imperial family and the founding emperor, harboring malicious intentions to frame loyal officials!"

"If I did not kill him, I would be ashamed to face my ancestors!"

The charge of extreme disrespect was pinned upon the Supervising Secretary of the Censorate.

On the imperial road, whether princes or high-ranking officials, all turned pale, utterly horrified.

Jiang Chen looked at a small official trembling at the edge of the crowd behind the Supervising Secretary of the Censorate, walked over, and said, "From this moment on, you are the new Supervising Secretary of the Censorate!"

The official was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. The look of fear vanished instantly as he kowtowed and shouted, "This subject thanks, thanks Your Majesty for your great grace!"

Seeing this, the officials, who had been frightened out of their wits, vaguely recovered.

Was His Majesty trying to appease them with this action?

Were they not to be afraid?

Just as everyone was speculating, Jiang Chen smiled coldly, dragging the long saber that had just killed the Supervising Secretary of the Censorate and walking towards Zhang Kang. He raised his hand and placed the blade on his shoulder.

This scene.

Made everyone's hearts rise again.

What madness was His Majesty up to?

The Supervising Secretary of the Censorate's death was one thing, but if Lord Zhang died, the court would be thrown into complete chaos!

Those who had sided with the Mei family would probably revolt immediately in their panic!

Zhang Kang was drenched in sweat, staring up at Jiang Chen in terror.

"Lord Zhang, is my Noble Consort Shu a demoness?"

Zhang Kang felt his official robe being cut open by a cold blade. Looking at the Emperor's indifferent face, he felt fear for the first time!

"Noble Consort Shu... has noble character... the demoness affair is purely... purely a rumor!"

The head of the Censorate lowered his head, announcing the failure of the petition to execute Noble Consort Shu. The others could only follow suit, admitting their mistake.

"We listened to rumors and rashly remonstrated. We beg Your Majesty to forgive us!"

"We listened to rumors and rashly remonstrated. We beg Your Majesty to forgive us!"

Jiang Chen smiled with satisfaction and said, "The death penalty can be avoided, but the living punishment is unavoidable!"

"Draft an edict: the assembled ministers who blocked Yingtian Gate and slandered the Noble Consort... will receive fifty strokes of the cane, have half a year's salary confiscated, and will not be promoted for three years!"

After speaking, Jiang Chen turned his gaze to the newly promoted Censorate official.

"The Censorate has the responsibility to supervise all officials. You are now the Supervising Secretary of the Censorate. I order you to oversee the execution of the punishment, and not let anyone off!"

Jiang Chen glanced at the officials, his voice as cold as frost: "Those who engage in deception will be shown no mercy!"

"Yes!"

The official immediately bowed and accepted the order, leaving with the execution guards.

Seeing that the situation was settled, Jiang Chen waved his sleeve and left, returning to the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Although he had temporarily subdued these officials, he had not caught the mastermind behind the scenes, so he could not relax.

Mei Wen Shi was insidious and meticulous, and must have left a backup plan.

He had to hurry back to Yun'er's side...

Imperial Palace, Xuan Shi Hall

Noble Consort Shu paced back and forth in the hall, her brow furrowed, a hint of worry on her beautiful face.

His Majesty brought me here and sent guards to watch the door, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving… It's really strange. What exactly is happening outside?

The more she thought about it, the more flustered she became.

Noble Consort Shu stopped and took out the safety talisman from her purse.

Her mother had specially requested this talisman before she entered the palace, and it was said to be very effective.

Stroking the vermilion patterns on the talisman, she prayed silently.

Your Majesty, you must return safely… Yun’er, Yun’er cannot live without you!

*Creak!*

The sound of the door opening interrupted Noble Consort Shu's thoughts.

His Majesty is back?!

Delighted, she smiled and went out to greet him, only to see a group of palace maids with strange behavior.

Who are these people?

Looking suspiciously at the leading mama holding a lacquer tray, Noble Consort Shu felt a little flustered.

"Your Ladyship, this old servant has come to send you on your way!"

As she spoke, the mama lifted the tray, revealing a wine cup filled with murky liquid, emitting a foul odor.

Noble Consort Shu held her breath, her beautiful eyes widening subconsciously.

Send me on my way, and this wine... They, they want to kill me?

Seeing Noble Consort Shu's horror, the mama curled her wrinkled lips into a sneer.

"Your Ladyship, His Majesty has clashed with the officials because of you. Now, inside and outside Yingtian Gate, the imperial clan relatives and ministers are kneeling in remonstrance… You don't want to shake the Great Wei empire because of yourself, do you?"

As soon as the words fell, Noble Consort Shu's delicate body trembled as she retorted:

"Nonsense! His Majesty, how could His Majesty argue with the officials because of me?"

The mama snorted coldly and said, "You should have heard about the stone tablet incident."

"This matter has spread around the Wei River area. Rumors are flying in the folk, and not only the ministers, but also the imperial family members have learned about it. They have all petitioned to execute you, this demon..."

Before she could finish speaking, Noble Consort Shu interrupted in a trembling voice:

"Rumors! It's all rumors!"

"This stone tablet is clearly someone trying to harm our Xu family!"

Before Xu Changqing went on the expedition, Jiang Chen had found an opportunity to tell Noble Consort Shu about the stone tablet, giving her a preventive shot to avoid being deceived by the Mei family.

Therefore, Noble Consort Shu did not believe a word of what the person in front of her said!

Her beautiful eyes darted around, and she was about to call someone to arrest these ill-intentioned palace maids, but she was shocked to find that the attendants who had been waiting in the hall had all disappeared at some point.

Now, only a few personal maids were left by her side, weak and outnumbered, unable to resist these villains!

Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.

Could it be that I am going to die here today?

No!

I have not yet continued the bloodline for His Majesty. I cannot die like this!

Noble Consort Shu took a deep breath, controlled her trembling body, and tried her best to stall for time:

"Words are not proof. Take me to see His Majesty. If the facts are really like this, I will drink this cup of poison myself!"

These people clearly have the upper hand, but they are not attacking me, so they must have some scruples.

I can use this to delay time. When His Majesty returns, we can be saved!

Noble Consort Shu understood the key and felt a little calmer.

At this moment, a palace maid rushed into the hall, looking anxious, and whispered a few words to the mama.

Immediately, the mama's face became fierce, and her tone became impatient.

"Hmph, I wanted you to drink this cup of poison yourself, creating the illusion of suicide out of fear of punishment, but now there is no time."

Saying that, the mama waved her hand.

"The Emperor is coming back. Hold her down and pour the wine down her throat!"

Upon receiving the order, the team of palace maids rushed forward, subduing Noble Consort Shu and her maids.

"Your Ladyship, don't blame this old servant for being ruthless!"

Looking at the tearful Noble Consort Shu, the mama chuckled and pinched her chin.

Just as the poisonous wine was about to touch Noble Consort Shu's red lips, a huge force suddenly came from behind. The mama was caught off guard and flew out, spilling the poisonous wine all over the ground.

After dealing with the culprit, Jiang Chen quickly pulled the Noble Consort Shu from the ground into his arms.

That scene just now had frightened him so much that he stopped breathing.

He did not dare to think about what would have happened if he had been a step late...

Jiang Chen did not want to think about it anymore, and gestured to the guards to take these people away.

Just then, he noticed that the Noble Consort Shu in his arms had a pale face and her beautiful eyes were full of fear.

The mama who had been kicked away actually rushed back!

In her dry, bark-like hand, she held a shimmering dagger.

"Your Majesty, be careful!"

Without thinking, she pushed Jiang Chen away, blocking him with her slender body.

Jiang Chen did not expect her to have such great strength.

*Stab!*

The dagger embedded itself in Noble Consort Shu's shoulder.

A handful of hot blood splattered on Jiang Chen's chest...