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

Xu Jingyan's late-night visit to the palace, specifically the Empress's bedroom, caused Jiang Mengxuan to feel even more disgust and contempt for this third senior brother whom she had respected since childhood.

"Junior sister, don't be afraid. Your senior brother has no ill intentions in coming to see you today. He just wants to have a heart-to-heart talk."

"Third senior brother, do you know that barging into a young woman's room is a very impolite act?"

You entered my palace silently in the dead of night; if someone were to see you, it would surely cause gossip.

Jiang Mengxuan's words clearly expressed her strong disgust, and at the same time she wondered why no one reported Xu Jingyan's comings and goings in the palace.

Xu Jingyan replied, "Junior sister, don't worry, no one noticed me coming here."

"I've already put your maid to sleep with a pressure point, she won't wake up for a while, would you like to talk to me for just a little while?"

As he spoke, he moved closer to Jiang Mengxuan.

"Senior brother, let's talk about this tomorrow." Jiang Mengxuan frowned coldly. "Don't you think this is very impolite?"

Xu Jingyan stopped upon hearing this, and gave a wry smile: "My wedding is on the third day of the third lunar month. I thought my junior sister would come to the sect to attend."

However, I only received a congratulatory gift from my junior sister, which made me very disappointed.

The third day of the third lunar month is the day Xu Jingyan and Chu Youwei get married.

Because of the near-complete falling out between Jiang Mengxuan and her sect at the Zixia Sect last time, they have had no contact since.

Therefore, she naturally did not attend Xu Jingyan's wedding.

Out of friendship with my fellow students, I still sent a gift as a token of my appreciation.

Jiang Mengxuan believed that she had already shown enough sincerity, and what the Zixia Sect thought was not her concern.

This made Xu Jingyan very upset. He was depressed for a long time, and his married life with Chu Youwei inevitably became much colder.

Finally, unable to let go of his feelings and longing for Jiang Mengxuan, he sneaked into the palace under the cover of night, intending to confide in his junior sister and also ruin her reputation.

After all, the fact that the current empress and her senior brother were alone together in her palace, regardless of whether anything happened, would damage her reputation if word got out.

As for whether this move would offend the Empress, he no longer cared at all.

Tonight, all he wants is his junior sister!

In order to leave himself no way out, Xu Jingyan even took the Hehuan Powder in advance.

"Senior brother, I've been very busy with state affairs lately and haven't been able to find the time to visit you. If I've done anything to displease you..."

Please forgive me, senior brother. Once I've finished dealing with state affairs and have some free time, I will definitely visit you and Madam Chu in person.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jingyan said, "Junior Sister, why can't you be like you were when you were little? Your current aloofness breaks my heart."

Jiang Mengxuan's expression changed instantly, and her tone turned cold: "Senior brother, you broke into my palace at night and said so many nonsensical things. What exactly are you trying to say?"

Xu Jingyan replied, "Junior Sister, there's something I've been keeping to myself for a long time: I like you."

"enough!"

Jiang Mengxuan interrupted him without hesitation.

"Senior brother, you should go back. I can pretend I didn't hear what you said today, but you'd better think about your wife."

Now that you're married and have a career, don't you feel guilty saying these things to another woman?

And what do you take me for! Don't let me look down on you!

"Junior sister, I know this is going too far, but I just can't control my emotions, so junior sister, junior sister..."

Suddenly, Xu Jingyan's eyes turned bloodshot, and he took a few steps closer to Jiang Mengxuan, his Adam's apple bobbing.

That's a sign that the medicine is starting to take effect.

"What are you doing? Stand right there and don't move!"

"Junior sister, I really can't control myself, I really can't control myself, please just say yes!"

Promise me you won't marry Shen Lang. I... I can be your consort, I'll do a better job than him..."

"Xu Jingyan! Are you crazy?"

"Junior Sister, let me be your husband, please! I'm willing to give up everything for you, please give me a chance!"

As he spoke, Xu Jingyan acted as if he had gone mad, unbuttoning his clothes to reveal his burning upper body.

Jiang Mengxuan's face immediately turned ashen: "How dare you! Xu Jingyan, what do you want to do?!"

"Junior sister, tonight I'll make you my woman. It might hurt a little, just bear with it, it'll pass quickly."

"Whether you blame me or hate me afterward, I will not regret the decision I made tonight, junior sister, junior sister!"

After saying that, he completely lost control of his emotions and pounced on Jiang Mengxuan, intending to make her his woman.

"How dare you! You dare to lay a finger on me? Get out of my sight!"

The cold voice carried an inviolable imperial roar, causing Xu Jingyan's soul to tremble.

In a daze, a faint phantom of the Ancestral Dragon appeared behind the Empress, preventing countless evil spirits from getting even an inch closer.

at the same time……

"Heaven-Slaying Finger!"

Without any hesitation, Jiang Mengxuan seized the opportunity and shot out with one finger.

In an instant, Xu Jingyan was sent flying backward.

Upon landing, all the major acupoints on his body were sealed by this powerful finger force.

"How dare you lay a finger on me? Xu Jingyan, you're practically courting death!"

The thought that Xu Jingyan had tried to tarnish her innocence made Jiang Mengxuan feel as if she had swallowed a fly.

The image of the revered third senior brother in my heart since childhood completely collapsed at this moment.

"Junior sister, I really like you. I only recently realized my feelings for you. Please, just this once, do me a favor?"

I don't know what else to do, this is the only method I can think of. Please, please have pity on me..."

"Shut up!"

With a deep sigh, Xu Jingyan fainted.

After cleaning everything up, Jiang Mengxuan felt utterly disgusted.

"Escort!"

After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Mengxuan immediately sat back down at the imperial desk.

Soon, a squad of imperial guards rushed into the sleeping quarters.

The leading female official and her deputy stepped into the hall. They glanced at Xu Jingyan, whose face was flushed and who was lying unconscious on the ground. They were so frightened that they immediately knelt down.

"Your Majesty, I deserve to die. I beg your forgiveness."

"You've really done a good job. How dare these villains brazenly sneak into my bedchamber and almost kill me! Tell me, how should I punish you?"

"My subordinate has neglected his duty and deserves to die!"

Jiang Mengxuan snorted and said to her female deputy, "Take the person away and put them in prison under strict guard. Notify the Zixia Sect to give me an explanation!"

Furthermore, summon Jiang Chaoyun to me and have him wait for me in the Qingliang Palace. Investigate all the Imperial Guards on duty tonight thoroughly.

"I obey my orders."

The female adjutant accepted the order and immediately dragged Xu Jingyan out of the palace gate.

The Empress then looked at the female official: "As for you, your dereliction of duty almost caused a disaster. Considering that you have served me for many years, I will allow you to save face and will not let your family be implicated."

"Your Majesty, spare my life! I beg Your Majesty, spare my life!"

Upon hearing this, the female official was so frightened that she kept kowtowing and admitting her mistake.

Jiang Mengxuan sat across from her with her arms crossed, looking at her quietly with a cool expression.

"Don't want to die?"

The female official shook her head.

"Guards, seize him and send him to the Censorate for rigorous interrogation!"

The female official was so frightened she almost lost her mind.

Tonight, Xu Jingyan gave her some money, saying he wanted to go to the palace to see the scenery.

The female official could not resist the temptation and took the risk of letting him into the palace.

Unexpectedly, this extra income will cost me my life.

Entering the Censorate was tantamount to being worse than dead.

"Your Majesty, spare me! Spare me! I'm willing to commit suicide! I'm willing to commit suicide!"

The next moment, two maids carried the lady-in-waiting out of the palace, and no matter how much she cried out, it was to no avail.

After the hall returned to calm, Jiang Mengxuan picked up a cup of tea and took a sip to calm her nerves.

After composing herself, Jiang Mengxuan seemed to have thought of something, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

"This is indeed a good opportunity to reclaim the power of the palace guards. Why don't I make good use of it at tomorrow's morning court?"

……

The following day, in the Taiji Hall.

"My lords, before we begin the court session, I have something to report. Last night, a villain broke into my bedchamber with the intention of assassinating me, and he almost succeeded."

Although the perpetrators have been executed and are currently in custody, what I find extremely difficult to understand is...

Why did the Imperial Guards protecting the capital not react at all when the incident occurred last night?

After speaking, she glanced around the hall and finally fixed her gaze on Ye Mo.

Ye Mo sighed softly, stepped forward, and said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Guards failed in their duty to protect the capital and disturbed Your Majesty's presence. They should be severely punished."

Whoever it was, the commander on duty last night must be dismissed and investigated without exception.

Jiang Mengxuan was secretly delighted, but kept her expression hidden and said, "Then let's do as Prime Minister Ye says. But who should take over as the commander of the Imperial Guards?"

Ye Mo replied, "The selection of the Imperial Guards is a matter of His Majesty's safety. The appropriate candidate should be decided by His Majesty himself. How can we, your subjects, make such a decision on His Majesty's behalf?"

Jiang Mengxuan made a decisive decision: "Very well, since that's the case, remove Xiao Luo from all his posts and have him stay at home to await further investigation and punishment."

As for the Imperial Guards, they will be temporarily incorporated into the Jingwei Division and placed under the unified command of Jiang Chaoyun. What do you think, Prime Minister Ye?

Upon hearing this, both the civil and military officials in the hall were startled.

The Empress is using this incident to completely reclaim the power of the Imperial Guards.

Although only the imperial guards protecting the capital were recalled, it sent a strong signal to the entire court.

She, Jiang Mengxuan, is determined to regain control of the imperial power.

Ye Mo bowed his head and replied, "Your Majesty is wise, and this old minister has no objection. However, may I ask Your Majesty, how should we deal with those scoundrels who dare to disturb Your Majesty?"

Jiang Mengxuan pondered for a long time before saying, "This is also a problem that is currently giving me a great headache."

However, I will handle this properly, Prime Minister Ye, there is no need to worry. If necessary, I will discuss it with you.

At this moment, the Empress had already harbored murderous intent towards Xu Jingyan.

Xu Jingyan must die, but he cannot die by his own hand; another proper method must be devised.

Of course, before taking action, we must first consult with Ye Mo and see what his attitude is before making a decision.

"Old minister, I obey."

Ye Mo's answer was very straightforward, completely surprising the ministers.

He had already sensed a hint of bloodshed and ruthlessness in Jiang Mengxuan's tone, which was tantamount to her supporting the Empress in doing things her own way.

Jiang Mengxuan instantly relaxed her brows and said, "Now that the miscellaneous matters have been discussed, let's begin today's court meeting."