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

Where is Yao Meizhen?

"Reporting to the Sect Master, Yao Meizhen has not been seen!"

"Find him for me! He must be brought back to my Zixia Sect to give me an explanation!"

Upon seeing the three corpses of female disciples of the Hehuan Sect, Daoist Qingxuan flew into a rage.

Today is the day of my own disciple's engagement, and it is also a crucial moment for the Zixia Sect and the Xuanyu Sect to establish good relations. I never expected that such a big thing would happen!

Qingxuan Daoist nun felt that her dignity had been challenged.

At the same time, she questioned Jiang Mengxuan in a reproachful tone: "Mengxuan, why didn't you stop your fiancé? Do you know how much impact this will have on the sect?"

Jiang Mengxuan felt a chill in her heart, and originally wanted to argue her point.

But when he thought that the person in front of him was still his master, he wanted to say a few words to ease the tension.

However, Jiang Shangxian was the first to object: "I say, Sect Leader, what you're saying is quite interesting."

So you'd be disappointed if I didn't die to liven things up?

"What, is my life less important than your disciple's engagement ceremony?"

Qingxuan Daoist nun was taken aback, realizing she had said the wrong thing.

But relying on her status as the sect leader and Jiang Mengxuan's master, she put on airs and said, "Why did the assassins come with you when you arrived?"

"Bloodshed on such an auspicious day means you bear an undeniable responsibility."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang immediately chuckled: "Hey you, old Taoist nun, are you saying we came all this way to give your disciple face?"

Then, you were attacked by assassins within your sect, and we ended up killing them. But in the end, it was still our fault, is that right?

Qingxuan Daoist nun frowned: "Do you have the right to speak here? Mengxuan, how do you discipline your imperial son-in-law? Don't forget that you are the ruler of a country!"

"well said!"

Shen Lang clapped before Jiang Mengxuan could speak.

"The Empress's uncle was assassinated within your Zixia Sect. I have reason to suspect that your Zixia Sect colluded with assassins to secretly seek an opportunity to assassinate Prince Jing."

From this moment forward, everyone present from your Zixia Sect is an accomplice of the assassin. Until the murderer is brought to justice, you must be handed over to the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review for investigation.

Until you are cleared of suspicion.

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Jingyan immediately stood up to object: "What you said is ridiculous. The Zixia Sect is the same sect my junior sister once cultivated with."

How could anyone do something so heinous? You're just making excuses!

Shen Lang sneered: "So you're just making excuses? Then the Ministry of Justice should investigate thoroughly to see who's really making excuses."

In short, until then, no one is allowed to leave the Zixia Sect. Everyone must be available for summons by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review at any time. Otherwise, how many of you can bear the guilt of assassinating the Emperor's uncle?!

Qingxuan and Xu Jingyan both fell silent.

Shen Lang's tone was firm and his expression serious, clearly showing that he was not giving him any face.

"Mengxuan, did you instigate this? Is this what you really thought? Did you believe that my Zixia Sect wanted to assassinate your royal uncle?"

Jiang Mengxuan sighed softly: "Master, how could I have thought that way? Actually..."

"Actually, I suspected from the very beginning that you were the mastermind behind everything," Shen Lang interrupted Jiang Mengxuan again. "You invited the people from the Hehuan Sect, right?"

But as far as I know, while the relationship between the Zixia Sect and the Hehuan Sect isn't exactly irreconcilable, it's certainly a superficial one.

They've even had their share of friction, yet today, for your apprentice's engagement, you've invited them all.

It's really hard not to suspect your true intentions, especially since an assassination attempt occurred right after Prince Jing arrived.

How can there be so many coincidences in this world? It's simply too unbelievable.

After all, as a wise person once said, when many coincidences come together, they are no longer coincidences.

It was not a carefully orchestrated conspiracy, but a conspiracy specifically targeting His Highness Prince Jing of Great Chu.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shangxian immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes, how could there be such a coincidence? It's clearly a premeditated plot to harm me!"

Thinking about it carefully, I have come here safely, so why did I encounter assassination attempts by the Hehuan Sect when I arrived at your Zixia Sect?

I would like to ask, why did such a major incident happen in your Zixia Sect when there were no assassination attempts elsewhere?

I urge Sect Master Qingxuan to give me a reasonable explanation, otherwise this matter will not be over, and I cannot bear this resentment!

"Let me tell you, although I am honest, should honest people be bullied like this? Is there no law anymore?!"

"You, you guys..."

The nun Qingxuan was so angry that she trembled.

Finally, he turned his gaze to Jiang Mengxuan again: "Mengxuan, do you also think that your teacher is this kind of person?"

Jiang Shangxian quickly interrupted her threat: "Don't scare my niece. My niece respects her teachers and would never dare to do anything to you."

But I'm making this clear today: even if my niece doesn't pursue this matter, I will investigate it thoroughly!

Have you heard of the Jingwei Division? We have plenty of ways to make you talk. So what if you're from a sect? Do you really think the Great Chu court wouldn't dare touch you?!

Today, I, the King, will seek justice for all the honest people in the world!

These words immediately threw Qingxuan Daoist nun into a panic.

If the imperial court really intervenes in this matter, the Zixia Sect will inevitably face setbacks in the future.

"Junior sister, you should know that Master is not that kind of person. This matter has nothing to do with Zixia Sect."

At that moment, Liu Qinghuan's voice rang out from the crowd.

Jiang Mengxuan sighed: "Of course I know this has nothing to do with our sect, but Master, you framed us first."

"What did you say?"

Qingxuan Daoist nun could hardly believe her ears.

Jiang Mengxuan, who has been obedient and well-behaved since childhood, would actually say such a thing.

"My uncle was assassinated within our sect, and I informed my master of this matter immediately."

However, the master instead blamed the disciple's fiancé for killing the assassin in order to protect the royal uncle.

This disciple knows that it is very unlucky for such a major event to occur on the day of Third Senior Brother and Miss Chu's engagement ceremony.

But everything has its reasons and unavoidable circumstances, and besides, Master wouldn't want to see Imperial Uncle die within the sect like this, would he?

Jiang Mengxuan's words left everyone speechless.

"This disciple came sincerely to congratulate my third senior brother, and never expected such a thing to happen."

"I never expected my master to blame me for this. To be honest, I feel truly heartbroken."

Liu Qinghuan quickly said, "Junior sister, you mustn't think of Master like that. She was also shocked by this matter."

"Senior Sister, you don't need to say anything, I understand. It's just that once a rift is created, how easy is it to repair it?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Qinghuan felt a pang of pain in her heart.

Was Jiang Mengxuan implying that she was blaming herself for not taking action to resolve the Jinling Secret Realm issue back then?

“Master, I can forgive and forget what happened today, but since you have prejudices against me and my family…”

The disciple will try his best to keep them away from his master from now on.

Palace affairs are busy, and this disciple has official duties to attend to, so I will not disturb Master any longer. Farewell.

After saying this, Jiang Mengxuan bowed, then pulled Shen Lang and walked towards the Zixia Sect's mountain gate without looking back.

"Junior sister!"

Xu Jingyan wanted to call out to her, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he didn't know what to say, and could only watch helplessly as the three of them gradually disappeared from sight.

Qingxuan Daoist nun stood there, stunned, unable to come to her senses for a long time.

Qi Yinshang reminded him, "Fellow Daoist, what are you doing? Such a fine day, and you've made such a mess of it... sigh..."

Qingxuan Daoist nun finally came to her senses, and said angrily, "Hmph, let her go. I really didn't expect this little girl to have grown up so much, daring to disobey her own teacher. If she weren't the reigning empress of a country, I would have..."

“You know she is the current empress, so you shouldn’t say things like that to provoke her!” Qi Yinshang shook his head. “The most important thing for a ruler is naturally his reputation, fellow Daoist.”

Upon hearing this, Qingxuan Daoist nun felt deep regret.

But she remained stubbornly defiant: "Ignore her, let her be. Now that she's powerful enough to be empress, she looks down on us martial arts sects."

"He even dares to defy me, his master. In that case, I'll just pretend I never had such a disciple."

Xu Jingyan stared blankly in the direction where Jiang Mengxuan disappeared.

"Junior sister, if your senior brother takes the initiative and tells you the truth, would you be willing to be with me?"

If I said I was willing to be your son-in-law, would you accept me?

He was lost in thought.

Seeing this, Chu Youwei, who was standing to the side, had a shadow of gloom on her face.

……

On the carriage back to the capital, Jiang Mengxuan calmly flipped through a memorial, as if the unpleasantness of the Zixia Sect had never happened.

Shen Lang and Jiang Shangxian, like monks in deep meditation, each sat behind a curtain, watching the scenery rushing past.

Suddenly, Jiang Mengxuan looked up at Shen Lang, a smile appearing on her lips.

Previously, within the Zixia Sect, Shen Lang had defied Daoist Qingxuan to protect his reputation, causing her to feel a complex and indescribable emotion.

"What a hypocrite, he's quite the actor."

Silently recalling what had just happened, Jiang Mengxuan lowered her eyes again to look at the memorial in her hand.

None of the three spoke a word the entire way, yet the atmosphere was exceptionally warm.

Just then, Shen Lang coughed twice and spoke up: "Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, your senior brother is not a good match for you. You should give up on him."

Jiang Mengxuan lowered her eyes and slightly curved her lips, saying casually, "Then who do you think would be more suitable for me?"

"I don't know about that, but my impression of your third senior brother is that he's a cunning fellow. You should be careful and watch out for him."

Jiang Mengxuan raised her eyes and looked at Shen Lang with a deep gaze: "Is this your way of showing concern for me?"

Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and Shen Lang clenched his fist, covering his lips, and turned his head to look out the window: "How can I say that, I am still your subordinate?"

If you're unhappy and happen to pocket the money you promised me, I'll be very upset.

Jiang Mengxuan lightly pursed her lips, lowered her gaze, and concealed her gaze.

Thinking of Shen Lang's awkward performance just now, she felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

Seeing this, Jiang Shangxian glanced at Shen Lang, then at Jiang Mengxuan, and then revealed a knowing smile.

"I'm afraid there's no one in the world more perfectly matched than the two of you. On your wedding day, I'll definitely go to Shuyu Tower and find the top courtesan, Da Ye, to entertain you!"

The carriage sped briskly toward Jinling City, the crisp sound of hooves echoing along the official road.

Meanwhile, Jinling City is about to experience its greatest crisis since the Empress ascended the throne.