Upon hearing the news, everyone in the Jiang residence straightened their attire and gathered in the front hall. The curling scent of sandalwood incense in the hall made everyone's expressions even more solemn.

Before the incense table stood an unfamiliar young eunuch named Shouxi, a newly promoted figure in the emperor's inner circle. A hint of arrogance etched itself between his brows as he scanned the crowd before suddenly shouting, "Accept my command!"

Everyone in the hall knelt on the ground, holding their breath and bowing their heads, waiting for the imperial edict. Shouxi looked down at the prostrate crowd from above, a glint of pride in his eyes. He slowly took the imperial edict from the accompanying eunuch, unfolded it slowly, and read it in a long tone:

"The decree states: 'You, Xie, are pure and virtuous, and of a virtuous character... I hereby promote you to the title of Princess Zhaoning, and grant you a fief of 300 households in Heyang County. I permit you to wear a pearl crown and a phoenix robe... I respectfully command you!'"

He read haltingly, even mispronouncing two words. Although everyone in the Jiang residence lowered their heads in obedience, they all secretly frowned. Why would the emperor send such an unlettered person to announce the decree?

Xie Qingli took the imperial edict with both hands. Shouxi clapped his hands again, and immediately eight young eunuchs filed in, carrying four red-lacquered boxes. The boxes opened, revealing pearls and gold jewellery gleaming in the sunlight.

Shouxi looked at Jiang Zhong with a half-smile and said sharply, "General, the emperor has given you these gifts out of consideration for your hard work in guarding the border..."

He deliberately dragged out his tone, his fingertips lightly stroking a mutton-fat jade ruyi, and then changed the subject: "However... if it weren't for His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi's kind words in front of the emperor, I'm afraid these rewards might not have even landed in the general's mansion!"

A cold light suddenly flashed in Jiang Zhong's eyes. It was the King of Qi who appeared out of nowhere again!

That day in the Imperial Study, this man had stood by the Emperor's side, his sinister eyes glued to him like a venomous snake, revealing an indescribable hostility. Now, he dared to use the imperial edict to publicly demand a favor! A few boxes of gold and silver were enough to earn the Jiang family's gratitude?

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!" Jiang Zhong suddenly spoke, cutting off Shouxi's last words. He stood up suddenly, startling Shouxi so much that he stumbled back half a step.

Shouxi was about to explode, but Jiang Zhong just glanced at him coldly, turned around and walked away.

Shouxi's face instantly turned the color of liver. Ever since he'd climbed the ladder of power, even Deshun, the old dog who had served the Emperor for most of his life, had to be courteous to him. How could this Jiang Zhong dare to be so presumptuous?!

The eldest lady's eyes flickered, knowing that this little devil was a troublesome one. She immediately gave her maid a look. The maid understood and held out a purse embroidered with gold and clouds. The eldest lady personally placed the purse into Shouxi's hands and said with a gentle smile, "Thank you for your hard work, eunuch."

Suki's gloomy expression suddenly brightened a little. He twisted his fingers, and the golden melon seeds in his purse shone so brightly that they made his eyes wrinkle. He used to work in the laundry department, so how could he have touched gold of this quality?

"You're too polite, Madam." He flipped his wrist and the purse slipped into his sleeve. He thought to himself that it was no wonder that those eunuchs were vying for the job of announcing imperial decrees. The pay was really lucrative!

Shouxi and his companions received a generous reward and left the Jiang residence in high spirits. Xie Qingli looked at the procession going away, his heart sinking like an icy cave.

The Jiang family, with its vast military arsenal, held a precious sliver of gold in the struggle for the throne. In his previous life, the Third Prince relied on the Jiang family's military power, enjoying the unwavering support of the Empress Dowager and Empress Meng. However, upon ascending to the throne, he turned ruthlessly against the Jiang family and raised his sword against them.

That was supposed to happen a few years later, but this life has too many uncertainties. Especially with the sudden appearance of the King of Qi. The Ling Xuan behind him is ruthless and treacherous. If he fails to win him over today, there's no guarantee he won't become enraged and murder the Jiang family. If that were to happen, the tragedy of the previous life might be replayed even earlier.

Xie Qingli pursed her lips, a look of determination flashing in her eyes. She grabbed Xie Tingyu's wrist, walked quickly through the corridor, and went straight to Jiang Zhong's study.

"Grandfather." Xie Qingli's voice trembled slightly, and he got straight to the point: "Li'er, I'd like to ask, among the princes, which one do you have your eye on?"

Jiang Zhong was hunched over his desk reviewing military reports when he slowly looked up. His expression remained calm, but his low, scrutinizing voice spoke in a low voice, "Why is Li'er suddenly concerned about the affairs of the court?"

Xie Qingli's fingers trembled slightly in his sleeves, but he still stood straight. "Grandfather, I understand clearly. I know that the Jiang family has been loyal to the emperor for generations, but now..."

She paused, as if weighing her words. "At the welcoming banquet that day, Li'er noticed that the Emperor's eyes were vacant and his demeanor was stiff. But with just a glance from the Prince of Qi, the Emperor immediately obeyed. Li'er suspects... the Emperor may have been controlled by the Prince of Qi."

"Nonsense!" Jiang Zhong slammed the table and stood up, his eyes filled with disbelief. "How can you say such weird and supernatural things?"

Xie Qingli stepped forward, his voice urgent but firm: "Grandfather, although the Imperial Preceptor Lingxuan and my master are from the same school, he has long since strayed from the right path and practiced many crooked and evil techniques. If the Prince of Qi is truly his Taoist disciple, controlling the Holy Heart is no problem at all."

Jiang Zhong's body stiffened, his hands holding the table trembled slightly, and he slowly sat back in the armchair.

Seeing his grandfather's attitude soften, Xie Qingli took advantage of the situation and stepped forward. "The Prince of Qi's evil ambitions are clear as day. I'm afraid he might hold the emperor hostage and forge a decree to harm the Jiang family. Worse still, he might take advantage of the elder princes' absence from the capital to seize the throne and usurp the throne, ultimately usurping the throne and occupying Dongling."

Jiang Zhong raised his head suddenly, a terrifying light flashing in his eyes.

Xie Qingli's eyelashes drooped, and her voice trembled slightly. "Li'er... I once had a nightmare. I dreamed that after the Third Prince ascended to the throne, he actually executed the entire Jiang family on charges of treason... "

Jiang Zhong's pupils constricted. Lately, he'd been dreaming of his eldest son's bloodstained robe, his second son's heart pierced by arrows, his youngest son gravely wounded... What kept him awake most at night were the images of the Jiang family's male members being led to the execution ground. These fragmented dreams coincided with Li'er's descriptions.

Could this really be a warning from God to the Jiang family?

Xie Qingli slowly raised his eyes, a faint red tinge at the corners of his eyes. "Grandfather, if you don't believe me... I also had a dream. On this year's New Year's Eve, in Lijia Village, thirty miles southeast of Shengjing City, a white-browed tiger with hanging eyes came down the mountain and attacked people. Seventeen people from three households were killed.

She paused and continued, "Tomorrow is the Little New Year, Grandfather might as well send someone to investigate."

Xie Qingli secretly clenched her palms. At this time in her previous life, she was still cultivating in Wuwang Mountain, knowing very little about the affairs of the capital. Now, after her rebirth, many things in life had already deviated from their original trajectory.

Seeking evidence that would convince her grandfather, she searched her memories and finally recalled the tragic incident that had rocked Shengjing. In her previous life, even years later, teahouse storytellers still recounted it vividly. Now, it had become the only verifiable omen.

Jiang Zhong nodded slowly, the sharpness in his eyes gradually turning into deep thought. He turned his gaze to Xie Tingyu, who had been standing quietly beside him: "Yu'er, in your opinion, this dream omen..."

Xie Tingyu's face was as calm as water, and his voice was steady: "Grandfather, I used to scoff at these absurd theories. But a few months ago, when I accompanied His Royal Highness the Crown Prince on a secret trip to Jiazhou, he also had a strange dream, and because of it, he avoided countless murderous intentions. After this incident, I dare not jump to conclusions anymore."

Jiang Zhong's eyes flickered slightly, and his voice suddenly lowered: "Yu'er and the Crown Prince have such a close relationship... So, the person Yu'er has his eyes on is the Crown Prince?"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly turned his head and looked at Xie Qingli: "Li'er, what about you?"

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