The imperial concubine is charming and charming, and only seeks power and wealth

This time, a case of murdering a royal concubine implicated so many families.

How His Majesty the Emperor handles the matter becomes the key for all politicians to guess his intentions.

If all these people were beheaded, it would take a year or two for the bloody smell in Caishikou to dissipate.

There must be no false or wrongful convictions.

The chain of evidence must be solid and everything must be concluded before a decision can be made.

There are centuries-old clans, relatives, and old friends everywhere, and the intricate network of relationships can be connected to anyone.

In order to investigate this case, Chen Ziwei and Ishihara Qing offended countless people.

Even so, many people still came to them in the past few days, asking them to speak well of their relatives and friends in front of the emperor.

At least, don't kill them all.

Where there is life, there is hope.

This is the flame of hope passed down by the family.

However, this case offended the royal family. For such a crime as treason, even two first-rank concubines were thrown into the Ministry of Justice. Who would dare to plead for mercy?

Jiang Lingyue sat for more than half an hour and asked about all the details of the case.

Finally, after digesting it carefully for a while, he said with a half-smile, "You are really courting death. You are so afraid that women can read books and broaden their horizons."

The Jiang and Li families also had offended her and were afraid that she would retaliate against them after she gained power.

The Liu family, Shufei's maternal family, simply did not allow women to seize power.

Even the infighting in the harem was not the reason why the Liu family took action.

Jiang Lingyue looked at the two important officials in front of her and suddenly asked, "It's the beginning of the new year now. The Beijing Women's College will start recruiting students tomorrow. Next, we should prepare to build another women's college outside the capital. Have you thought about which prefecture would be best to build a second women's college?"

Is it the more prosperous Jiangnan, or the several prefectures and counties close to the capital?

It is better to go to the bitter and cold north to civilize it.

Discussing political affairs with the concubines in the harem was a very new experience for Chen Ziqi and Ishihara Qing.

However, Jiang Lingyue was not an ordinary concubine, and both of them knew it well.

Your Majesty has been building up momentum for so long, and the imperial edict to confer the title of Queen is about to be issued.

With the favor she received and the power she held, she was destined to be a queen whose name would go down in history.

Chen Ziyi said, "In my opinion, we can divide the troops into three routes and attack Bingzhou, Xiangzhou, Hehai County, and the northern border together. In each place, we will send four officials, two civil and two military, to supervise the operation. They will be given the power to execute first and report later, and to dispatch local garrisons."

Use heavy codes in troubled times.

This is not a chaotic era, but it is no different from reform.

Blood must be shed. Instead of preaching in a flowery way and using a blunt knife to grind meat, it is better to kill a group of people to serve as a warning to others.

This is Chen Ziwei's suggestion and also the Emperor's intention.

In fact, His Majesty the Emperor is even more cruel.

He has already circled several key states and counties, ready to test the waters together.

They are all local officials and businessmen who form groups, and their clan power is huge, especially in the xenophobic cities and counties.

Since the imperial court had enclosed the land to build a women's college, it was afraid that the local gentry would not show up. Once a troublemaker showed up, he would be the one to be killed to scare the monkeys.

With both slashing and hitting, we will definitely kill a lot of people.

Let those who are ready to make a move behind you feel terrified and afraid.

There is nothing that the emperor of the Dahan Dynasty cannot accomplish if he wants to.

It all depends on whether he wants to advance with the force of thunder or take it slow and gentle.

Jiang Lingyue looked at Ishihara Qing again.

The other party said: "I agree with Mr. Chen's opinion."

"But if that's the case, we'd have to send out countless ministers in quick succession," Xie Anning said from the side. "...where in the inner court would we get so many people to send out?"

You must be outstanding in both civil and military skills, be knowledgeable and not afraid of power, and even be prepared to sacrifice your life.

Such talents are rare, and those who truly want to promote women's education are even rarer.

Xie An Ning frowned slightly. "Even if the inner court can produce these people, the inner court ladies have rarely been out in the world these years. Without friends and relatives to help them, and without useful subordinates and loyal servants, if something happens, I'm afraid they will be unable to move forward."

The king of hell is easy to meet, but the devil is difficult to deal with.

During the years when Xie Anning was exiled with Wang Shaofu, he truly came into contact with the world of business.

It's just a trivial matter, but there are so many twists and turns involved.

Many times, even the most clever people with all their tricks and schemes cannot withstand the tricks of a small person.

At this time, the competition is about one's own foundation.

Even if a farmer's son is the most ordinary, he will gain countless classmates, peers, teachers and other connections if he passes the imperial examinations and becomes an official.

Making good use of these layers of relationships is the foundation for his foothold in the political arena.

And the inner court officials...

Either they were old maids who had lived in the palace for many years, or they were eunuchs who had been castrated.

They have no family behind them, no countless classmates and friends.

In the capital, perhaps you can still get some face.

Once you leave the capital and go to the counties and prefectures, who will care about you?

Lack of manpower is a big problem.

Fortunately, Jiang Lingyue had already considered this issue last year.

Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Aunt Xie, where are the girls in the world who are the most knowledgeable, the most fearless of power, proficient in archery, horse riding, and the art of controlling others?"

…………

These words brought a moment of silence to the courtyard.

Chen Zihui's eyes flickered slightly, and he looked fixedly at the person opposite him.

Ishihara Qing also understood.

Xie Anning, who was called upon to answer the question, replied, "Of course she is a noble lady from an aristocratic family."

The daughters of aristocratic families are all married to families of equal status and become the wives of the head of the household.

They may not be well-versed in classics and history, and may not be familiar with the strategies of governing a country, but they are not lacking in the necessary vision and strategy.

They are in charge of household affairs, know how to manage the household, go out to socialize and meet friends, and have family and in-laws all over the Han Dynasty.

If girls like these are given the opportunity to stand on their own, will their performance really be worse than those students who have studied hard all the way?

Xie An Ning's eyes lit up, then he slowly shook his head, "Those girls from aristocratic families, their fathers and brothers make the decisions for them. They may not even be able to decide their own life events, let alone become officials in the inner court."

"That's true," Jiang Lingyue said with a smile, "but aren't there some who are already married?"

Already married?

Xie Anning frowned, not understanding what was going on.

Jiang Lingyue didn't keep the secret any longer and said directly, "The imperial city doesn't keep idle people. I counted them. In addition to the Shufei and Xianfei, including the lowest-ranking concubines, there are a total of eighteen concubines in the harem. These are all girls from wealthy families, and many are the eldest daughters of their families. How can their talents be lost in the harem? Let's see if they have the determination to make achievements."

Then she looked at Chen Ziyu again and said with a smile, "I've picked a good place for your elder sister. Based on your understanding of your elder sister, would she be willing to go to Xizhou and serve as an imperial envoy?"

This time, not only Xie Anning, but even Chen Ziwei and Ishihara Qing were shocked.

What does it mean to not support idle people?

Chen Ziwei's eldest sister was a second-rank concubine and the mistress of a palace.

What does it mean to arrange a destination?

This is the Emperor's woman!

Even if she is crowned as the queen, if she wants to be demoted to the position of a second-rank concubine, she must have a valid reason and obtain the permission of His Majesty before she can be arranged to move there, right?

how……

Seeing several people speechless with shock, all looking at her, Jiang Lingyue couldn't help laughing, "There is a history of emperors leaving their harems empty. The three of you wouldn't do that, would you?"

Yes.

Didn’t the founding emperor of our Dahan only have one wife?

Little did they know that their Majesty was going to follow suit!

Everyone thought again about what His Majesty the Emperor had done over the past six months.

The more I think about it, the more I feel there are clues.

Their Majesty has never been interested in women. At the age of twenty, when he is at the peak of his vigor, he was able to observe mourning for three years and not enter the harem. Now that he has met the girl he loves, it is normal for him to depose from the harem.

Chen Ziyi was the first to react. He stood up and said, "My elder sister is a person of strong character and never bows her head. She..."

He paused, not mentioning Chen Shuyi's misunderstanding of her because of their past. He simply said, "The Chen family supports Empress Shuyi's entry into the inner court as an official. We only ask that you allow me to enter the palace to make some persuasion."

"That's easy. You can enter the palace anytime," Jiang Lingyue nodded and said with a smile, "Remember to persuade her well. I'll be waiting for her to recommend herself in Ning'an Palace."

She has never had any grudge against Chen Shuyi.

As the eldest daughter of the Chen family and the mistress of the palace, Empress Shuyi has top-notch abilities and means.

Not afraid of power?

In the whole world, apart from His Majesty the Emperor, who else can use his power to make Chen Shuyi, who was once a second-rank concubine, afraid?

Who would she be afraid of?

He has the ability, the skills, the support of his family, and his brother Chen Ziwei who supports him wholeheartedly.

Jiang Lingyue has been thinking about Chen Shuyi, a talented person, for a long time.

Because of her guilt towards Chen Ziwei, she was also willing to take better care of the Chen family.

Whether it is to spend one's life in misery in the harem without favor or children, or to spend the rest of one's life in the Zhenguo Temple with the ancient Buddha and the green lamp, it is tragic for a woman.

Instead of doing this, it is better to fight for a future that will be remembered forever.

Even the slightest mistake could lead to death in a foreign land. Chen Ziyu also believed this.

His eldest sister is as talented as him, but she suffers from being a woman and is trapped in a small space. Since she has the chance, why can't she live for herself?

As we were talking, the sun was already rising overhead.

Jiang Lingyue looked up at the sky, thinking about going back to the palace to have lunch with that jealous guy, so she said, "It's getting late, I'll go back to the palace first. The case will be heard tomorrow, and I'll see if I want to come and listen."

The three of them stood up together to see him off.

Before leaving, Jiang Lingyue looked at Xie Anning and said, "Master Shi is already quite old. He has waited for you, Aunt Xie, for over ten years. Since you have agreed to marry him, you should give him a proper status. After you leave this place, both families should choose an auspicious day and let me know so that I can issue an imperial decree to grant the marriage and act as a matchmaker."

Ishihara Qing was overjoyed and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xie Anning: “…”

Seeing him so anxious, she was speechless and moved. Finally, under Jiang Lingyue's gaze, she nodded slowly.

"That's right," Jiang Lingyue smiled and patted her hands. "You don't have to worry about Wang Shaofu. His Majesty will definitely not favor him. Even if he really breaks off relations with the Wang family, your divorce is a foregone conclusion, unless..."

Facing Ishihara Qing's nervous eyes, Jiang Lingyue said, "Unless you change your mind and decide to come back."

After he finished speaking, Ishihara Qing looked at Xie An Ning with nervous eyes.

Xie Anning didn't even think about it and said directly, "I will never regret it."

"Okay!" Jiang Lingyue nodded with a smile, "In that case, I'll be waiting for your good news, Aunt Xie."

After saying this, she got into the carriage.

Less than an incense stick of time passed after the imperial concubine left, and Chen Ziqi also bowed and said goodbye.

It was almost time for dinner and lunch was ready. Wang Shaofu, dressed in blue, came back.

…………

royal palace.

When Jiang Lingyue returned to Ning'an Palace, His Majesty the Emperor was already waiting inside.

In the study, looking at an open map.

Hearing the servants' greeting at the door, he turned his head and looked over, saying with a half-smile, "Are you back?"

"..." This long-lost jealous look made Jiang Lingyue silent, "I just went to see Aunt Xie, don't make trouble for no reason."

"Oh..." Qi Junyi responded softly, retracted his gaze, and continued to look at the map spread out in front of him.

Unlike before, whenever it came to Chen Ziwei, they would make a big deal out of it and call for killing.

Jiang Lingyue secretly thought that he had made progress. She walked a few steps to him and was about to follow him to see what was going on when she felt her waist tighten and he held her in his arms.

"You stayed there for so long, what did you say?"

What did you say?

Jiang Lingyue blinked and said honestly, "I just asked about tomorrow's case, and asked Chen Ziyu to persuade Chen Shuyi to work for me."

case…

The evidence in this case is already conclusive, and tomorrow's proceedings will just be a formality.

Qi Junyi already had the true judgment in his mind.

only……

He pondered for a few breaths, rested his chin on her shoulder, and said, "The Jiang family has repeatedly refused to change, and now they dare to plot against you. I will not tolerate them anymore...Will you plead for your father and brother?"

The verdict of this case and the fate of the Liu family, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, and the Li family, the Yongle Marquisate, were the same as in the previous life.

It is a disaster that will bring down the entire clan.

They are seeking their own death, and we cannot blame the king for being unkind.

After all, the Jiang family is the maternal family of the girl in his arms.

What happens inside is an internal matter. In the eyes of the people of the world, the Jiang family is a royal family.

Once Jiang Lingyue is crowned as queen, the Jiang family will definitely be the emperor's uncle's family.

It was a custom in the Dahan Dynasty to confer titles on the empress's mother's family.

The Jiang family doesn't have to do anything. Even if they just watch the horses at the racecourse, they still have the title of Duke.

After three generations of inheritance, he was demoted to marquis, and after three generations, he was demoted to earl.

In other words, if the Jiang family produces a queen, their wealth and prosperity will continue for a hundred years. Starting from Jiang Shao's generation, as long as the subsequent six generations of descendants produce an outstanding descendant, the family heritage can be continued.

Even with Jiang Lingyue's level of favor, the subsequent royal heirs may come from her belly, and the future emperor will have Jiang family blood.

What kind of great fortune is this?

A good move was made to get out of a dead end.

The noble families all prosper and suffer together. The mother's family may not be valued or become marginalized in the political arena, but having their property confiscated is a completely different matter.

Once her house was searched, Jiang Lingyue would be considered the daughter of a criminal.

Not only does she have no maternal family to rely on, but in the minds of the subjects of the world, since His Majesty the Emperor can be so cruel as to confiscate the Jiang family's property and exterminate the clan, how much genuine kindness can he show to this Jiang girl?

In their previous life, the misunderstanding between them originated from the fact that the three members of the Jiang family, father and son, were repeatedly demoted.