Being humiliated in front of everyone by Yang Muxi, Jiang Mu, who had always been proud, couldn't take it.

The fear in his heart was suppressed by anger, and he said angrily, "How dare you, a lowly commoner, slander this young master!"

"I admit, you do have some skill, but my maternal grandfather has an army of 200,000 under his command, and my father is also a Prince of the current dynasty. If you really push me too far..."

*Slap!*

Before he could finish his harsh words, another palm struck Jiang Mu's face heavily, sending stars into his eyes, and he slumped against the corner of the wall in a wretched state.

"You dare offend my woman?"

"This slap is just a warning. If there is a next time, I won't let it go so easily, but will send you directly to the Imperial Prison!" Jiang Chen retracted his hand and warned, word by word.

This kid still dares to be restless at this point.

If it weren't for the sake of Duke Dingguo, Jiang Chen really wanted to take this guy's dog life directly, saving Yang Muxi the trouble.

"Jiang Mu, I'm not a patient person. If you don't want your head to move, be obedient. Do whatever Muxi tells you to do, and don't think about making petty moves."

"If you dare to cause trouble, wait to be stripped of your royal status and exiled to the frontier!"

Jiang Mu slumped on the ground, his head dizzy. His cheeks were swollen and painful from the beating, and some of his inner teeth were loose, but these physical pains were far less than the fear in his heart.

He knew very well what he relied on to run rampant.

If he was really stripped of his status, demoted to a commoner, and exiled to a desolate place, it would be better to just kill him with a knife!

He had seen the methods of the current emperor and knew that His Majesty was a man of his word. He immediately endured the pain, climbed up, and respectfully apologized to Yang Muxi.

His attitude was so humble and sincere that he completely lacked the arrogance and recklessness of a few moments ago.

Seeing this, Yang Muxi's cold expression softened somewhat, and she nodded to Jiang Chen, acknowledging this cheap disciple.

It's good to be afraid. People with scruples won't do anything too outrageous, and they have the value of being taught.

Otherwise, if he was really an unruly person, even if Jiang Chen personally begged her, she would never take action!

Throwing a bottle of wound medicine to Jiang Mu, Yang Muxi said coldly, "Apply this medicine, clean yourself up, and come with me later."

"There is a tenant farmer's house around the Imperial City Division's training ground. From now on, you will farm their land. Also, you will be responsible for chores such as washing clothes and cooking."

"If you are lazy and don't do a good job, this head instructor will not spare you lightly."

After speaking, Yang Muxi glanced at Jiang Chen again and said unhappily, "And you, come in with me, I have something to say."

"By the way, tell your guards to wait outside, otherwise don't blame me if you lose face later!"

Feeling the killing intent in Yang Muxi's words, Jiang Chen helplessly supported his forehead.

He knew that the phrase "my woman" had displeased the beauty.

But what else could he do but coax his woman?

Moreover, he was the one who had tricked Yang Muxi into this matter, so it was right for her to vent a little. Anyway, she always had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and never dared to strike hard.

Perhaps he could take the opportunity to kiss the beauty later.

Thoughts swirling in his mind, Jiang Chen followed Yang Muxi into the residence under the respectful gazes of the crowd...

Time passed, and after Jiang Mu's whereabouts were arranged, the Imperial City fell into an eerie calm.

It seemed that the imprisonment of Prince Jiang Zuo had alerted some other ambitious forces, and they had all chosen to lie dormant and observe the development of the situation.

Although it was unclear whether they were plotting a grand conspiracy, this brief period of calm allowed Jiang Chen to relax a lot, and many of the previously stalled government orders were implemented during this opportunity.

In this leisurely state, several months passed in the blink of an eye.

At this time, there were only five days left until the birthday of Consort Lü.

The solemn and majestic Imperial City had already been decorated with colorful paper lanterns, and even the curfew time had been postponed.

Some regional officials and sons of princes were all preparing gifts and starting their journey to the capital.

Everyone knew that this birthday celebration would not be peaceful. The royal struggle represented by Prince Jiang Zuo, as well as the local struggle represented by the Zhenhai Regional Commander, would all be revealed at this banquet.

The Imperial Palace, Hall of Diligent Governance.

"Your Majesty, Consort Taifei has invited you to Chang Le Palace for a short visit, saying that she wants to discuss the birthday banquet. What do you think?" Feng Jin said cautiously.

Since Prince Jiang Zuo was imprisoned, Consort Taifei, who had been infinitely glorious in the harem, had become almost invisible. The palace gates were closed, and she rarely received visitors.

Therefore, this sudden invitation was particularly noteworthy.

Thinking of the silence of Chang Le Palace during this period, Jiang Chen put down his memorial and decided to accept the invitation without much consideration.

In the past few months, he had been busy with government affairs, the Imperial City Division, and the Hundred Schools Forum, and he hadn't met Consort Lü for a long time. In terms of both emotion and reason, he shouldn't refuse this gesture of goodwill.

Half an incense stick later, the majestic dragon carriage stopped at a slightly desolate palace.

Although the palace's decoration was still elegant, exuding a noble aura, perhaps due to the difficult situation of the palace's owner, the carved beams and painted buildings revealed a hint of desolation in the eyes of outsiders.

Jiang Chen frowned as he looked at it, quickened his pace and stepped into the main hall, and said softly, "Taifei, why are you doing this to yourself?"

"No matter how good Jiang Zuo is, he is not your own son. Is it worth it to torture yourself for an outsider?"

In the inner hall, Consort Lü was facing away from Jiang Chen, kneeling on the ground, seemingly piously worshiping the gods and praying silently.

At this time, hearing the movement, her slightly thin body trembled, and she smiled bitterly as she got up to salute, "Your Majesty, you are finally willing to see this concubine."

Jiang Chen looked at her haggard pretty face, and a trace of pity arose in his heart, but this feeling was quickly replaced by reason, and he said coldly, "My coming to see you doesn't mean anything."

"It's just that your birthday is approaching, and it's time to take Jiang Zuo's life as well."

"Seeing you in advance is just to hope that you know what's good for you and don't make the wrong choice, delaying your own future."

Hearing this, Consort Lü's delicate body swayed slightly, and under the pressure of Jiang Chen's sharp gaze, she took a few steps back.

She said sadly, "Can't, can't you really spare his life?"

"Is it not okay to demote him to a commoner, cripple his limbs, and make him no longer able to threaten you?"

Jiang Chen took a deep look at her and said calmly, "If it really goes according to what you said, then my imperial uncle would really be better off dead."

"Although I don't know much about this imperial uncle of mine, Jiang Zuo, I can tell from his style of doing things that he is someone who is unwilling to be inferior to others, and would rather be a shattered jade than a complete tile."

"You actually want such a proud person to live on as a cripple?"

"Taifei, your idea is much more vicious than mine. It's hard to believe that you actually want your cherished child to live a life worse than death."