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

"My son, why have you come to Ganquan Palace to see me so late? Is there something important you need to discuss?"

If I remember correctly, today should be the day my son holds a victory banquet for the victorious soldiers, right?

"I am visiting Ganquan Palace late at night because I have important matters to ask Your Majesty for clarification. If I have disturbed Your Majesty's rest, please forgive me."

Inside Ganquan Palace, Jiang Mengxuan faced Ji Yuxi directly. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, she placed the pill wrapped in a cloth on the table.

"Mother, can you explain to me what this is?"

Ji Yuxi was taken aback: "If you don't even open it, how would I recognize what this is?"

Jiang Mengxuan laughed: "I dare not open it, for I fear that if I am tainted by this aphrodisiac, I will become a shameless harlot who knows nothing of shame."

At this point, Wu Li's unsatisfied face flashed into her mind again, and she felt nauseous.

Ji Yuxi's pupils contracted sharply, and she immediately retorted, "I don't understand what my son is saying. You came to Ganquan Palace in such a huff late at night just to say these nonsensical things to me?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "Oh, so this matter has nothing to do with Mother?"

It seems that Shu Yue framed the Empress Dowager on her own initiative, is that right?

Ji Yuxi stared blankly at Jiang Mengxuan, somewhat incredulous that she would be so blunt in stating her thoughts.

At the same time, she cursed inwardly: "Shuyue, that good-for-nothing girl, I even treated her as a confidante, how could I be so stupid as to choose today to make my move? Now I've been outmaneuvered."

She composed herself and said with a serious expression, "Of course, how could I possibly do something to harm you? Your Majesty, please don't fall for the tricks of such a villain."

Jiang Mengxuan closed her phoenix eyes: "Hmm, then what does Mother Empress think I should do with Shuyue?"

“As a slave, she dared to deceive her master. I believe that such a person should not be kept by my side and should be executed.”

Jiang Mengxuan's expression remained cold and indifferent, but she already understood that Ji Yuxi intended to eliminate them completely.

However, she didn't want Ji Yuxi to have such a good time.

"Very well, with Mother's words, I know what to do. Tomorrow, I will transfer Shuyue to the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review for joint trial."

After all, I would never believe that a mere servant girl would dare to lay a hand on the emperor; there must be someone behind this. I hope the Empress Dowager won't object.”

Ji Yuxi's face instantly turned ashen. Involving the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review? What if Shu Yue said something...?

"Your Majesty, I believe this is merely a family matter, and it would be best to handle it ourselves."

After all, if word got out, it wouldn't be good for the royal family's reputation; they'd become a laughingstock, wouldn't they?

"Your Majesty is truly thoughtful. Upon reflection, it makes perfect sense. However, what if there are accomplices lurking around Shuyue, plotting against me?"

I truly don't know if I'll be as fortunate as I was this time to escape this calamity. Mother, what do you suggest we do to prevent this from happening again?

Ji Yuxi's fingernails were almost digging into the back of her hand.

Jiang Mengxuan's words were clearly a warning to herself not to harm her again, otherwise this charade of motherly love and filial piety would simply come to an end.

Is she really not afraid of the army of King Jiang Chong of Shu?

Although the Ji family's influence is not prominent in the capital, they are quite powerful in the provinces. Are they really not afraid of a fight to the death?

It had been so long since Ji Yuxi returned from Qingyu Peak that she realized this girl was becoming increasingly assertive and was showing signs of taking control of the imperial power. She was no longer someone Ji Yuxi could easily manipulate.

"Why isn't Your Majesty speaking? Or does she have some objection to my proposal?"

Faced with Jiang Mengxuan's relentless questioning, Ji Yuxi could only take a deep breath: "Don't worry, I believe that even if there are still people lurking to harm you..."

As long as you handle Shuyue properly, they will definitely not harbor any further disloyal thoughts.

Jiang Mengxuan smiled slightly. Ji Yuxi's words already indicated a compromise, so the purpose of coming here today had been achieved.

She desperately wanted to use this opportunity to banish Ji Yuxi to the cold palace, or even to give her a white silk ribbon to end it all.

But Jiang Mengxuan knew that her current strength was not enough to support her in doing so.

The Jianghu forces of Princess Changyang's mansion, as well as the hundreds of thousands of troops of King Jiang Chong of Shu, are eyeing the area covetously. In addition, many of the local government departments are staffed by members of the Ji family.

If Ji Yuxi is harmed at this time, the Great Chu will definitely experience a violent upheaval.

Jiang Mengxuan absolutely did not want to see the scenes of widespread suffering and destruction.

Either don't act at all, or when you do, it must be a swift and decisive strike, eliminating all hostile forces both inside and outside the palace.

We can only let them run wild for a while longer. I believe that the day when power is restored to the central government after the purge of the government and local authorities is not too far away.

"Since Your Majesty makes such a suggestion, then I can finally get a good night's sleep tonight. It's getting late, Your Majesty, please rest early. I'll be returning to the palace now."

As she approached the palace gate, Jiang Mengxuan suddenly turned around and said, "By the way, didn't Mother say a few days ago that my uncle's business was in trouble and that he couldn't sell tens of thousands of bolts of silk?"

I've thought about it, and I think it's better to sell these silks to me; they're just sitting there anyway.

I purchased all of my maternal uncle's silk at one-tenth of the market price. I'm sure the Empress Dowager would be very pleased to see that.

Ji Yuxi was so angry that her face turned green, but since someone had a hold on her, she could only compromise and not provoke the girl any further for the time being.

"I will write to your maternal uncle and urge him to transport the silk to the capital as soon as possible."

"In that case, I will trouble you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now."

Now that the objective has been achieved, I believe things will calm down at Ganquan Palace for a while.

Jiang Mengxuan saw no need to continue her aggressive approach, so she bid farewell to the Empress Dowager and left Ganquan Palace.

Before leaving, she made sure to put the aphrodisiac back into her storage ring, intending to secretly develop an antidote.

"hateful!"

As soon as Jiang Mengxuan left, Ji Yuxi slammed her hand on the table and pondered for a moment.

The eunuchs and palace maids around were so frightened that they knelt on the ground and dared not even breathe.

"Jiang Mengxuan, don't think this is the end. I will make you a debauched and immoral harlot!"

"You'll become the stepping stone for my son's ascension to the throne! Just you wait, I will never forget this humiliation!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Rong Momo tiptoed to Ji Yuxi's side and dismissed the maids, saying, "Your Majesty, His Majesty's wings are getting stronger and stronger. This servant thinks we should use some methods to deal with him."

As she spoke, she hardened her face and made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Are you kidding me?!" Ji Yuxi was furious upon seeing this, then lowered her voice, "Make your move now? Are you trying to put me in dire straits?"

Rong Momo said, "Your Majesty, this matter was certainly not done by us, nor was it deliberately targeted at His Majesty."

All they need to do is secretly notify the martial arts world to eliminate Shen Lang.

It just so happens that a powerful sect from beyond the Great Wall is searching for Shen Lang in the capital to seek revenge.

This servant has come to understand these past few days that His Majesty's firm stance is most likely due to Shen Lang.

Once Shen Lang dies, His Majesty will be deprived of his right and left arms. At that time…

"Shut up! How could I do such a thing? This is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!"

Ji Yuxi quickly stood up and revealed a serious expression.

Rong Momo remained silent, standing to the side waiting for Ji Yuxi to continue speaking.

After about half a cup of tea, Ji Yuxi whispered, "What if we fail and get discovered?"

Rong Momo replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, these disciples from the sects outside the Great Wall hate Shen Lang to the bone."

Even if the plot fails and is exposed, it will only be considered an unsuccessful revenge killing, and will absolutely not implicate Ganquan Palace.

Ji Yuxi nodded: "When do we take action?"

"Tonight."

Rong Momo replied with great confidence...

At this moment, Shen Lang, who was waiting outside the gate of Ganquan Palace, met with Jiang Mengxuan and only asked one question: "Your Majesty, is the matter finished?"

"I suppose so," Jiang Mengxuan replied. "You will come back to Chang Le Palace with me. There are too many things to sort out tonight. You can help me analyze them."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang was so angry he almost cursed.

I just got back to Beijing after a long journey today, and I've run into so many trivial things. I haven't had a proper rest all day, and now that it's late, you still want me to help you sort things out?

"You seem quite unhappy?"

"I don't dare to do this in a humble position."

Jiang Mengxuan smiled and said, "Then come with me."

After saying that, he walked past Shen Lang and headed towards Chang Le Palace.

……

That night, an uninvited guest also arrived at the Prime Minister's residence.

"Prime Minister Ye, I have come here today to ask for an explanation for the fifteen disciples who died unjustly."

"What kind of explanation does Master Xue want?"

Inside the study, sitting in front of Ye Mo was a middle-aged man who looked quite menacing.

The master of Qingyi Tower, Xue Wuying.

"I was in seclusion for a period of time to break through to a higher level, which is why I haven't asked Minister Ye about this matter."

I urge Minister Ye to provide me with a reasonable explanation: why was the promised Jinling Secret Realm open to my Qingyi Tower?

But instead, my disciple has died in vain?

"Sect Leader Xue, I seem to have only said that the Jinling Secret Realm is open to your Qingyi Tower, but I never said that it would be smooth sailing, right?"

"Your disciple was unskilled and was assassinated. Should the principal be held responsible for this?"

Xue Wuying's eyes turned cold: "Is this what you, Prime Minister Ye, have to say?"

Ye Mo narrowed his eyes: "Then, Sect Leader Xue, what kind of explanation do you think I should give you?"

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Xue Wuying secretly circulated his internal energy, and immediately the sword at his waist began to make a soft humming sound.

However, Ye Mo remained calm and unperturbed, not taking Xue Wuying's invisible threat seriously at all.

After a brief standoff, Xue Wuying withdrew his imposing aura: "Prime Minister Ye, although the Green Robe Pavilion isn't a prestigious sect in the martial arts world, it still has some standing."

"My disciples have met with misfortune. If I, as their master, cannot seek justice for them, how can I face my fellow martial artists?"

"What does this have to do with the true nature of things?"

As a result, Ye Mo shut him down with a single sentence.

"After all, I am not interested in the affairs of the martial arts world, nor am I a member of the martial arts world, and I have never had any connection with you."

Xue Wuying suddenly stood up: "Very well, Prime Minister Ye, I know that your Prime Minister's Mansion has a complex and intertwined power structure, and I cannot control you."

But I will not let this matter rest. If I find out that it was Prime Minister Ye who was behind it after I have investigated the matter thoroughly...

Even if your Prime Minister's mansion wields immense power, I will still fight you.

Ye Mo looked indifferent and extended his right arm: "Sect Leader Xue, please."

"Humph."

Xue Wuying snorted coldly and turned to leave the Prime Minister's residence.

"idiot."

Ye Mo watched Xue Wuying's departing figure, snorted coldly, and continued to bury himself in his work at the table.