Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

The essence of a scumbag is that he's a scumbag; this is an unchanging truth.

Xu Jingyan is now filled with regret, regretting why he wasn't more patient with this junior sister back then.

Upon hearing Jiang Mengxuan's question, Qingyin immediately replied, "Junior Sister, we came to the capital to find you this time simply to inform you."

The marriage between my third senior brother and Chu Youwei, the Heavenly Maiden of the Xuanyu Sect, has been arranged. It will be on the seventh day of next month.

The sect leader of Xuanyu Sect will personally go to Zixia Sect to arrange the marriage between the two with their master, and also to finalize the official wedding date.

Our master sent us specifically to inform you that he hopes you can attend your third senior brother's engagement ceremony that day.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan immediately bowed and smiled at Xu Jingyan: "Congratulations, Third Senior Brother! After many years, you and Chu Tiannu have finally achieved your goal and become Daoist partners."

Junior sister would like to offer her congratulations in advance, wishing you and Chu Tiannu a long and happy life together, and a lifelong bond of love.

"Junior Sister will definitely return to the sect on the seventh day of next month to congratulate Senior Brother."

Xu Jingyan replied calmly, "Thank you, Junior Sister. I also hope that you can find your ideal husband soon."

Hearing Jiang Mengxuan deliver this blessing so casually, Xu Jingyan felt a little uneasy.

Recalling the past when she was in the sect, she would always pester him to go out and play. After learning about his relationship with Chu Youwei, she would always be sullen and sulk alone.

But now, his beautiful junior sister is congratulating him on his engagement in a very generous and open manner. Logically, Xu Jingyan should be happy.

But for some reason, a strange sense of irritation arose in my heart.

Just as Xu Jingyan finished speaking and was still lost in thought, Qingyin laughed: "Third Senior Brother, haven't you been paying attention to what's been happening in the capital lately?"

Xu Jingyan asked, puzzled, "Um, what's wrong?"

Qingyin: "Junior Sister's notice to find a husband has already spread throughout the land, and she has already found three outstanding men. Right now, she's just wondering which one to choose, isn't she, Junior Sister?"

Jiang Mengxuan smiled slightly and didn't say anything more.

But upon hearing this, Xu Jingyan's tone became somewhat anxious: "Junior sister, are you choosing a husband? You'd better keep your eyes open."

Some people are only after imperial power and wealth; they may not be truly sincere towards you. Don't be fooled.

These words seemed to be a reminder to Jiang Mengxuan.

But as she listened, she felt a little uncomfortable.

Out of courtesy, Jiang Mengxuan nodded and replied, "Thank you for reminding me, Senior Brother. I will keep that in mind."

Xu Jingyan continued, "Actually, junior sister, you're still young."

Those who cultivate martial arts don't need to get married so early; perhaps they'll meet someone they truly love in the future?

Upon hearing this, the smile on Jiang Mengxuan's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a look of suspicion.

Qingyin, standing nearby, quickly said, "Third Senior Brother, what are you saying? Junior Sister is now the ruler of a country, the reigning Empress. Many things are beyond her control."

"Don't always try to use our martial arts rules to constrain your junior sister. Master said that the rules of the imperial court are completely different from those of the martial arts world. Am I right, junior sister?"

Jiang Mengxuan gently closed her bright eyes: "Fourth Senior Sister, thank you for your understanding."

Xu Jingyan then realized his mistake and said softly, "I'm sorry, Junior Sister. I've traveled too much in the martial world and don't know much about the relationships in the imperial court."

If I said anything wrong, I hope you will forgive me and not be angry with my third senior brother.

Jiang Mengxuan's slightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed: "Third Senior Brother, what are you saying?"

Actually, I know that my third senior brother said that for my own good, so I understand.

Xu Jingyan nodded, then stopped talking and began to drink his tea.

At this moment, Qingyin stood up and said, "Alright, junior sister, we've delivered our message. It's time to return to the sect and report to our master. You must be there by the seventh day of next month."

Jiang Mengxuan: "Senior sister, it's rare for you and senior brother to come all this way. Won't you let me stay a few more days to show you hospitality?"

"I won't stay any longer. Anyway, Zixia Sect is close to the capital, only about two hundred miles round trip. With fast movement skills, one can get there in a day. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, so I won't bother you, my busy junior sister."

After saying that, Xianyin winked at Xu Jingyan.

However, Xu Jingyan, who always pays attention to his image, was sitting alone at the table in a daze, completely unaware of Xianyin's eye-catching reminder.

"Third Senior Brother, we should go!"

Qingyin had no choice but to offer a reminder.

Xu Jingyan then realized, "Junior Sister, you must come on the seventh day of next month."

Jiang Mengxuan stood up: "Alright, then I won't insist you stay. Please tell Master that I will definitely attend Third Senior Brother's engagement ceremony on the seventh day of next month."

Qingyin: "Alright, we're off then. Take care, Junior Sister."

After saying that, he left Shuixi Palace with Xu Jingyan.

After everyone left, Jiang Mengxuan sighed and sat back down at her seat.

Ever since Liu Qinghuan broke their promise, she has been filled with confusion about this so-called friendship among fellow disciples.

To be honest, she didn't blame Liu Qinghuan. After all, she herself lived in Ye Mo's shadow, so how could she expect her senior sister to be able to confront the Ye family head-on?

This makes no sense at all.

What saddened her was that Liu Qinghuan left without saying a word or explaining why.

Liu Qinghuan learned of Ye Mo's threats through her own investigation by the Jingwei Division.

I dare not imagine how much more face I would have lost if Shen Lang hadn't turned the tide at the crucial moment.

Thinking of Shen Lang, Jiang Mengxuan rested her hand on her face and recalled what Shen Lang had said to her before.

"Damn it, can't you just tell me a lie to comfort me? Honestly, I don't know what you're thinking. I'm not going to eat you, so why do you keep threatening to run away? Am I that scary...?"

Unbeknownst to Jiang Mengxuan, Shen Lang's position in her heart was becoming more and more important.

……

Dusk falls on the Prime Minister's residence.

“Master, please help your student this time. Please ask His Majesty to remove Shen Lang from the list of potential sons-in-law. What right does such a scoundrel have to leap over the dragon gate?”

After completely falling out with Shen Lang in front of the palace gates, Zeng Qian immediately went to the Prime Minister's residence, hoping to use the Ye family's reputation to put pressure on the Empress.

He knew very well that as long as Ye Mo was willing to take action, Jiang Mengxuan would have no choice but to submit given her current abilities.

Once Shen Lang is removed from the list of potential sons-in-law, he will be a lamb for Zeng Qian to slaughter.

However, after listening to Zeng Qian's story, Ye Mo stared quietly at the chessboard in front of him, neither agreeing nor refusing.

Seeing that Ye Mo was not responding for a long time, Zeng Qian became anxious: "Master, please give me a definite answer. I am waiting for your reply."

Ye Mo picked up a black piece and placed it directly on the center position, then his sinister gaze shot directly at Zeng Qian.

No matter how flamboyant Zeng Qian was, he couldn't help but lower his head when he met Ye Mo's gaze.

After a long silence, Ye Mo slowly said, "You mean, you want me to put pressure on His Majesty to disqualify Shen Lang from the selection of a son-in-law?"

Zeng Qian nodded hurriedly: "That's exactly what I meant, and I hope my teacher will grant my request."

"Humph."

Ye Mo dropped the chess piece he had just picked up and snorted coldly.

"I've heard about the feud between you and Shen Lang these past few days. Logically speaking, given Shen Lang's reckless behavior, he should indeed be disqualified from being chosen as a son-in-law."

But there's something you've been hiding from me for a long time. If this gets out of hand, can you really afford the consequences?

Zeng Qian: "The student does not understand what his teacher meant."

"How did you seize Wang Yuan's ancestral land?"

"Why is my mentor bringing this up now?"

"You won't talk? That's fine too. You framed Wang Yuan and fabricated a bunch of evidence."

"Wouldn't it be too cruel to have the late emperor confiscate his property, exile his entire family to a border region, and remove them from the ranks of scholars?"

Upon hearing this, Zeng Qian remained unfazed: "Master, the imperial court is like a battlefield. You should know that Wang Yuan and I are already bitter enemies due to our differing political views."

Even if I don't get rid of him, he will definitely find an opportunity to bully students. The students only resorted to this tactic out of desperation.

"What a convenient excuse!" Ye Mo laughed. "Zeng Qian, of all the students I've taught, you have the narrowest perspective. That's why I rarely associate with you."

To bring down Wang Yuan, you went so far as to fabricate evidence of treason. Did you really think the imperial family was unaware? It was only because the late emperor spared you from prosecution that he did so out of respect for me, the Prime Minister.

Do you really think you can hide the stupid things you've done? Now, instead of restraining yourself, you're interfering with His Majesty's selection of a son-in-law.

You even want to drag me down with you? Your ulterior motives are practically obvious!

Let me tell you, I will not interfere in the feud between you and Shen Lang, much less force His Majesty to change his mind.

Because I want to live a few more years, I can't die with you! Do you understand?

Zeng Qian was thoroughly scolded and remained silent with his head down.

Even if he was dissatisfied, he didn't dare to turn against Ye Mo on the spot.