"Oh? What makes Yun'er say that?"

"My reputation as a tyrant has spread beyond our borders. Even those Gu Masters who have never met me curse me as a tyrant. How can you, the person closest to me, praise me as a wise ruler?"

Hearing the teasing tone in Jiang Chen's voice, Consort Shu gave him a helpless sideways glance and said, "If Your Majesty wants to hear your concubine praise you, just say so. Why belittle yourself like this?"

"In your concubine's heart, you are a wise ruler!"

"As for the criticisms from the court officials and the common people, you don't need to pay them any attention. Those mediocre people can't understand Your Majesty's good intentions, so they slander you in every possible way. As your concubine and your wife, I naturally won't be like them."

"Although I have only been with Your Majesty for a few months, the achievements you have made are more than many emperors can achieve. Before, during the Wei River flood, you stopped building the imperial palace and forced the officials of the court to donate money for disaster relief, saving countless lives."

"Later, you opened the imperial examinations on a large scale, giving poor scholars a chance to rise. You also reorganized the Ministry of Revenue, reduced agricultural taxes, and allowed poor families to have surplus grain... I have seen all of these things."

"If a great emperor like you doesn't count as a wise ruler, then no one in this world is worthy of the title!"

Looking at Consort Shu's resolute appearance, even Jiang Chen, with his thick skin, felt a little embarrassed.

*Ahem*, I didn't expect my image in Yun'er's heart to be so lofty... But, this feeling is still pretty good.

Silently musing, Jiang Chen used force with his hand, pulling Consort Shu into his arms.

He teased, "Yun'er's praise surprises me somewhat."

"But there's nothing wrong with the title of tyrant. Aren't the people calling you, Consort Shu, a bewitching vixen who will ruin the country?... You and me, tyrant and vixen, are a match made in heaven!"

Such improper words provoked a smiling scold from Consort Shu: "Your Majesty, what are you saying!"

"The ruler of a country should be steady, how can you call yourself a tyrant?"

Saying that, her pretty face straightened, her tone becoming more serious: "Moreover, I can tolerate others insulting me, but I cannot tolerate them insulting you!"

"With Your Majesty's brilliance, you will surely accomplish unprecedented achievements, so that people thousands of years from now will also admire and praise you!"

"Therefore, I will never allow anyone to ruin your reputation!"

Unprecedented achievements?

A hint of amusement appeared in Jiang Chen's eyes. As expected of his wife, her filter was thick enough to make him blush.

"Tsk, Yun'er actually has such high hopes for me, it seems I have no choice but to step up... Send up the memorials, I can still review them!"

Hearing this, Consort Shu immediately laughed, seeing that Jiang Chen was just playing around, and said softly, "Your Majesty, don't joke around, your health is important, go to sleep quickly."

Jiang Chen pinched her pink, smooth cheek and said lightly, "Tomorrow I plan to take action against the Imperial Uncle. There will be a storm in the court. Be careful in the harem."

Hearing this, Consort Shu looked up in astonishment, her first concern not for her own safety: "Your Majesty, is this, is this move a bit too radical?"

"Although the Jiangzuo Prince did not go to his fief, he is still a prince. The relationship between the court and the local authorities is already tense. If you act rashly... I'm afraid, I'm afraid it will intensify the conflict. In the future, the powerful officials and princes in various places may develop disloyal intentions!"

Jiang Chen frowned: "I understand this, but he has touched my bottom line, and I must get rid of him."

"In the imperial prison just now, I have already interrogated him and found out that the Jiangzuo Prince is raising private soldiers and has also massacred many innocent people. The poison you were afflicted with was also developed by his men."

"Such crimes, even confiscation of his property and extermination of his clan would not be excessive!"

"Even if his identity is that of a powerful noble, a prince, with countless allies standing behind him, I will never compromise. I must deal with him to deter those who disregard the law and are ready to make trouble!"

Realizing the seriousness of the matter, Consort Shu immediately frowned, a rare hint of coldness appearing on her gentle and beautiful face.

"He's actually so bold, simply, simply..."

Her jade hand clenched in her wide sleeve, Consort Shu stopped dissuading him and said crisply, "Your Majesty, your concubine supports you, go ahead and do it!"

"Your concubine, as well as my elder brother and the Xu family, are all your backing. We are willing to unconditionally execute any of your orders."

Saying this, she suddenly showed a look of contemplation: "Otherwise, should we let my elder brother play the villain?"

"In any case, the Jiangzuo Prince is your elder. If your hands are stained with his blood, it will inevitably invite criticism from the world, and the historians will also record this."

"But if my elder brother does it, you will not suffer any losses!"

Looking at Consort Shu, whose beautiful eyes were shining, Jiang Chen decisively refused: "No!"

"This matter is different from the past, your brother can't bear this burden."

"Behind the Jiangzuo Prince are the imperial family, the princes, and countless officials in the court who have vested interests with him. Even if your brother is a rising star in the court, and my favored subject."

"But he cannot deal with such a huge interest group."

Holding Consort Shu's suddenly cold jade hand, Jiang Chen said slowly: "Even if I protect him, those nobles whose interests have been violated will tear your brother to pieces at all costs."

"It is easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Sooner or later, your Xu family will not be able to defend against them."

"Therefore, only I can handle the matter of the Jiangzuo Prince."

Realizing the consequences, Consort Shu's pretty face turned pale, but there was still unwillingness in her heart.

"Your Majesty, is there really no other way? I don't want you to take risks!"

Jiang Chen kissed her forehead lightly: "It's not like that. What you just said gave me a lot of inspiration."

"Although this Jiangzuo Prince has great power, he also has many enemies... This can be used."

After speaking, Jiang Chen curled his lips, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

The next day, the imperial court.

Officials from various departments gathered in the Golden Luan Hall, gathering in twos and threes to discuss the shocking events of last night.

Among them, many had dealings with the Jiangzuo Prince and were very afraid of being implicated, suffering the fate of having their homes confiscated and being beheaded.

In the midst of a gloomy atmosphere, Jiang Chen arrived with a smiling face.

But that smile, which made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze, made all the officials shudder and their legs feel weak.

Having served him for many years, they were too familiar with Jiang Chen's personality. Only when confiscating homes would His Majesty show such a gentle expression, and he had never given them a good look at other times.

Realizing this, many court officials felt a darkness before their eyes, trembling and not daring to speak.

As the head of the officials, Prime Minister Pei saw the silence in the court and had no choice but to stand up, bracing himself and saying, "Your Majesty, this humble official heard that the Jiangzuo Prince was escorted to the palace last night. May I ask what the reason is?"

Not daring to anger Jiang Chen, he asked very euphemistically.

Jiang Chen still had that gentle expression: "I am about to deal with this matter. My lords will soon know the reason."

"Feng Jin, summon the witnesses to the court!"