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

The following morning, inside the Taiji Hall.

"Your Majesty, I have this memorial."

Zhu Kui, the Minister of Justice, stepped forward to report the memorial.

"The Governor-General of Suzhou, Zheng Bisheng; the Governor-General of Ningzhou, Yang Maocai; and the Governor-General of Mingzhou, Ma Zhiyuan, jointly submitted a memorial impeaching Inspector Liu Wu."

Under the guise of investigating a salt tax embezzlement case, they openly colluded with martial arts sects to subject officials at all levels in Suzhou to harsh torture, forcing them to confess under duress.

Even worse, some officials privately incite the people to clashed with government officials; such despicable behavior violates the principles of official conduct.

This is tantamount to a provocation against the might of our Great Chu Kingdom. According to the laws of our Great Chu, he should be stripped of all his posts and executed in the marketplace.

As the Empress and Shen Lang had predicted, Liu Wu's investigation into the case had deepened, seriously threatening the interests of the local powerful families, to the point where it had to be dealt with as soon as possible.

Many of the officials in the court who heard the impeachment memorial were sweating bullets.

Some of them had long colluded with local officials to embezzle salt taxes that should have gone into the national treasury.

Fearing that Liu Wu's continued investigation would implicate him, he was eager to get rid of Liu Wu as soon as possible.

"I never expected something like this to happen?"

Although Jiang Mengxuan already knew the reason, she still pretended to be shocked.

A cool, clear voice rang out: "Minister Zhu, what do you think should be done with Liu Wu?"

Zhu Kui replied, "The Ministry of Justice in Beijing has communicated with the local authorities and found that Liu Wu's crimes are basically true. The matter can be handed over to Governor-General Zheng Bisheng and the local authorities for a decision."

Jiang Mengxuan: "So where is Liu Wu now?"

"In order to quell public resentment, Governor Zheng has temporarily detained Liu Wu, and is just waiting for the Ministry of Justice to issue an official document so that he can be arrested and convicted directly."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Lang immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I believe this case is of great importance and Liu Wu should be escorted back to the capital for rigorous interrogation."

Zhu Kui opened his eyes wide: "Duke Zhenguo, Liu Wu has committed numerous crimes. The governors of the three towns have jointly signed an impeachment, saying that killing Liu Wu would not appease public anger. Why should he be escorted back to the capital?"

Shen Lang: "Minister Zhu is mistaken. It is precisely because Liu Wu's crimes are serious, and given his position as the Imperial Inspector..."

He must be escorted back to the capital for rigorous trial. According to the laws of the Great Chu, Liu Wu must be jointly tried by the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Ministry of Personnel before a verdict can be reached.

What authority did the local governors and their offices have to convict the imperial inspectors?

Zhu Kui retorted, "That may be true, but public opinion..."

"Can public opinion supersede the law?! Everyone claims it's public opinion, but little do they know that public opinion can also be manipulated by those with ulterior motives!"

Shen Lang's words were like a thunderclap, exploding loudly within the Taiji Hall!

Instantly, many people were reminded of the bloody civil unrest of last year, and they lowered their heads nervously.

"Minister Zhu, as the head of the Ministry of Justice, you should understand the laws and procedures of the Great Chu better than I do. If officials dispatched from the capital to local areas commit crimes..."

The imperial court must dispatch an envoy to arrest him. Local authorities can provide evidence of the crime, but they have no authority to try officials from the capital. Do I really need to explain this to them?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Kui immediately retorted.

"The Great Chu Official Law also stipulates that if officials from the capital of Great Chu are dispatched to local areas and encounter crimes of treason such as plotting usurpation or collusion, they have the right to request the court to grant local authorities the authority to try and convict them."

Now, it is a fact that Liu Wu has colluded with martial arts sects to frame loyal officials, instigated the people to storm government offices, and provoked conflict between officials and the people.

Each of these is a grave crime that threatens the stability of the state, and the local government has every right to try and convict the official.

"However, the official laws of the Great Chu also stipulate that, in the case of the ten heinous crimes that cannot be pardoned..."

The imperial court must also dispatch another imperial envoy to conduct a thorough investigation before handing the case over to the local authorities for trial.

Why did Minister Zhu omit this point entirely? How could such a major case be handled so hastily?

"The evidence against Liu Wu has been verified by the local authorities, so why go through the trouble of sending another imperial envoy?"

Shen Lang said slowly and deliberately, "Whether the local authorities' investigation into Liu Wu's actions is true still needs further verification."

Even if Liu Wu's guilt is indeed irrefutable, the case concerning the embezzlement of salt tax revenue must be taken over and investigated further.

While the imperial court dispatched an imperial envoy to escort Liu Wu back to the capital, it also took over related duties to facilitate continued investigation.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Kui's eyelids twitched.

Inside the hall, many officials, whose hearts had settled, were once again gripped by anxiety when they heard Shen Lang say that he would continue to investigate the salt tax embezzlement case.

Ye Mo smiled slightly, already understanding that Shen Lang and the Empress intended to protect Liu Wu while also investigating the matter thoroughly.

Furthermore, Zhu Kui's performance was truly disappointing.

So he stepped forward and said to the Empress, "Your Majesty, this old minister believes that what the Duke of Zhenguo said is not without reason."

The Liu Wu case requires careful investigation before a decision can be made; a hasty conclusion cannot be drawn so hastily. An imperial envoy should be dispatched to Suzhou to thoroughly investigate the cause of this case.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Kui looked at Ye Mo's retreating figure in disbelief.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan pondered for a while before asking, "Then, Prime Minister Ye, who do you think would be suitable to serve as Imperial Envoy?"

Ye Mo remained silent, but glanced in Shen Lang's direction.

"As for the selection of the imperial envoy, I believe His Majesty has already made his decision. How could this old minister presume to offer his humble opinion?"

Jiang Mengxuan cursed inwardly, "Old fox, you really care about your reputation more than anyone else."

However, based on the information released by Ye Mo, she could be fairly certain that the Ye family supported a thorough investigation.

"The Duke of Zhenguo!"

"Chen is here!"

At the Empress's soft command, Shen Lang immediately stepped forward.

"Are you willing to serve as an imperial envoy to Suzhou to thoroughly investigate the Liu Wu case?"

The official's right eyelid started twitching incessantly.

Qi Qi looked at Jiang Mengxuan in disbelief.

They never expected that just a few days after the Empress's wedding, she would appoint Emperor Shen Lang as an imperial envoy to thoroughly investigate the Suzhou officialdom.

"Your Majesty, I obey your command and will certainly not fail in your trust!"

The moment Shen Lang's powerful voice echoed in the hall, many people were completely stunned.

A voice erupted from their hearts almost simultaneously.

Oh no, things are about to change drastically.

Jiang Mengxuan remained silent for a moment, then stood up and announced.

"The case of Liu Wu and the case of the salt tax embezzlement are matters of great importance to the stability of our dynasty. I hereby issue an edict immediately."

Liu Wu is temporarily removed from his post as Inspector General and replaced by Duke Shen Lang. Both cases will be investigated concurrently. Shen Lang will soon travel to Suzhou to handle all case-related matters.

Local government offices at all levels are urged to cooperate closely and without the slightest negligence!

Shen Lang immediately bowed and accepted the order: "Your subject obeys!"

"My Holy Emperor!"

All the officials immediately echoed in unison.

Zhu Kui kept his head down, his back already soaked with sweat.

"No, I must immediately notify Suzhou to take precautions. We cannot allow Shen Lang to find any fault with us."

"By the way, we must also make arrangements with the Empress Dowager."

……

The next morning, outside the palace gates.

Jiang Mengxuan personally dressed Shen Lang, her eyes filled with reluctance.

"I don't know if what I'm doing is right or wrong. Ah Lang, you must promise me that if we encounter any danger, you must not have a direct confrontation with them, okay?"

"Xuan'er, don't worry. I'm not a reckless fool. After I come back, the political reforms can be implemented smoothly."

Jiang Mengxuan responded softly, then took two steps back and looked at Shen Lang with tender affection.

Shen Lang was dressed in a dark official robe, exuding a refined yet heroic and unrestrained air that captivated everyone who saw him.

They'd only been intimate for a few days, and now her husband was about to put himself in danger again...

"Xuan'er, don't worry about anything. I'll take care of everything and come back as soon as possible. Please don't worry."

"Yes, I will have the Jingwei Division cooperate with you and be at your command at any time."

"I'm leaving."

Shen Lang smiled slightly at his wife, then turned and walked out of the Shui Xuan Residence.

"Ah Lang, my husband..."

Jiang Mengxuan stood at the palace gate, watching Shen Lang's figure gradually walk further and further away until it completely disappeared from sight.

In a teahouse some distance away, Xu Jingyan clenched his fist as he watched Shen Lang leave.

"Great, Shen Lang is finally gone. I must seize this opportunity to win back my junior sister."

He swore secretly in his heart.

……

Inside Xu Jingyan's new room at the Zixia Sect.

On the bed, Xu Jingyan's wife, Chu Youwei, lay in a man's arms, her face flushed.

The man was around thirty years old, very handsome, and possessed an innate air of wealth and nobility.

Looking at Chu Youwei in his arms, the man smiled wickedly and gently lifted her chin.

"Mrs. Xu, you looked absolutely stunning just now."

"It is my honor to have met Your Highness."

"Heh, aren't you afraid of betraying your husband?"

"That good-for-nothing, let's not even mention him. My body and soul have long belonged to Your Highness."

"Hahaha……"

The man smiled with satisfaction and pulled Chu Youwei into his arms.

"Don't worry, I won't force you to break up with your green-haired turtle. As long as you can meet privately, that's enough."

Chu Youwei's eyes were glazed over, and she was completely obedient to men.

Since meeting this man, Chu Youwei has truly experienced the joy of being a woman, something Xu Jingyan never gave her.

After less than six months of secret meetings with the man, Chu Youwei had already been molded into the shape he desired, and had completely fallen into depravity.

"Alright, Youwei, tell me the current situation of the Zixia Sect and the Xuanyu Sect. I need to bring the martial arts forces of Chu Kingdom under my control as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Highness, please wait a moment. I will go and bring you the information I have gathered over the past few days."

After saying that, he got up to search for it.

The man took the opportunity to slap her buttocks hard, which earned him an angry and embarrassed look from Chu Youwei.

"This woman is truly exceptional. She's dim-witted but has a great body. It's a pity that Xu guy doesn't cherish such a beautiful wife. She's just a lucky catch for me, hehehe."

"Those female disciples of the Zixia Sect are all rare beauties. After we take control of the Zixia Sect, we'll find an opportunity to enjoy them slowly."

"Hmph, Murong Ke! I will show you with my actions that I, Murong Wei, am the future king of Great Yan!"