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

"Get up, all of you, stop kneeling."

Shen Lang raised his hand slightly, signaling the kneeling men to stand up and speak.

"Lord Zhenguo, what's wrong with you...?"

"Let me put it this way: Regarding the salt tax embezzlement case, His Majesty has already issued a secret decree to me, stipulating that, apart from the ringleader, all other accomplices will be punished leniently."

You gentlemen need not worry too much about being implicated; you'll just be exiled to the frontier. You can then manage things through your connections.

"It'll only take two or three years of hardship to return home, so why throw your life away needlessly?"

Yuan Shouchang immediately said, "However, Young Master Zheng said that the court is investigating this matter very thoroughly, and if no one pleads guilty, the investigation will definitely implicate the clansmen in the future."

Shen Lang laughed: "Then I don't know. I only told Minister Zheng..."

The imperial court needs to provide an explanation, after all, such a major case as the salt tax has already alarmed the court.

If things remain calm and peaceful, we won't be able to explain it to His Majesty.

But it didn't say that bloodshed was absolutely necessary. As for what Minister Zheng told you, we have no way of knowing.

Anyway, I've made my point quite clear to Minister Zheng.

The salt tax issue needs to be addressed; someone must take responsibility so that this matter can be resolved as soon as possible. As for other matters, that remains to be seen.

Upon hearing this, the kneeling official broke out in a cold sweat.

For the first time, they experienced what it felt like to be abandoned.

Yuan Shouchang glanced at Shen Lang.

Shen Lang closed his eyes briefly and immediately began to incite the crowd.

"Fellow colleagues, it seems we have all been deceived by Zheng Bichang and his son!"

He wants to execute us to cover up his crimes! Don't let the Zheng family fool you anymore!

Upon hearing this, the officials who were already resentful about being sent out to take the blame immediately responded in droves.

"What a fine governor's office! They embezzled so much themselves, yet they want us to take the blame for them? What wishful thinking!"

"No, we absolutely cannot let them have their way!"

"You bastard Zheng Bisheng, I almost fell for your trick!"

Shen Lang coldly watched the group of officials putting on a show; anyone who didn't know better would think they were incredibly noble and incorruptible.

From the moment he decided to get involved in the officialdom of Jiangnan, he had no intention of letting anyone go.

"Alright, sirs, things have come to this point. Your life or death is in your hands. Besides, after you die, who can guarantee the safety of your people?"

“Zheng Bisheng has abandoned you and intends to use your blood to preserve the Zheng family’s status and reputation in Suzhou. If you don’t want to die in vain, you have no choice but to fight back.”

"I have already made myself clear. There is no need for me to teach you how to do it one by one."

"Go back now. If you want to save your own lives, go to the Governor's Mansion tomorrow and have a frank and square talk with Minister Zheng."

"If you feel that your death is not worth cherishing, then just stay here. In a few days, the Ministry of Justice will issue an official document, and your heads will roll. Then this matter will be over."

At this time, the army in the Suzhou camp had finished reorganizing, and Zhang Dayong was leading the army toward Suzhou. Once the army arrived, a scene of bloodshed would follow.

Especially at times like these, it's crucial to sow discord among Zheng Bisheng and numb his senses.

Only by inciting local aristocratic officials to fight amongst themselves can the most fatal blow be dealt to the Suzhou officialdom.

……

After the local officials left, grumbling and cursing, Shen Lang said directly to Jiang Shangxian, who was sitting in the inner hall, "Your Highness, there's no time to lose."

You should return to the capital first and tell His Majesty that the situation in Suzhou is now under my control.

"Give these two ledgers and registers to Her Majesty, so she can rest assured that I will take care of everything."

Jiang Shangxian took the ledger and register and immediately put them into his pocket.

"Brother, don't worry. I guarantee I will personally hand over the evidence to His Majesty. You've had a tough time these past few days."

Shen Lang smiled faintly: "Alright, we're all family, let's skip these clichés."

Jiang Shangxian smiled mysteriously, patted Shen Lang on the shoulder and said, "Since we're all family now, I have a small request. I wonder if you can grant it?"

"You said."

"I wish to hear you call me Imperial Uncle in person. I wonder if this wish can be fulfilled today?"

"roll!"

Shen Lang laughed and kicked Jiang Shangxian in the butt.

"Oh, hehehe."

Jiang Shangxian rubbed his buttocks and hurriedly ran to the door.

"Don't do that, can't we just keep to ourselves from now on?"

I really want to tear your fat mouth off.

"Hahaha."

After laughing, Jiang Shangxian moved closer to Shen Lang.

"what happened?"

"Brother, could you lend me some money? I need to buy two maids for my wife. I went to the brokerage during the day..."

There were two girls of respectable birth, good looks and character, both around twelve years old. They were just the right age to be brought back to the palace to appease the princess. However, after paying their indenture...

"I have no money left for the journey, you see..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang pulled him aside.

"You, a prince, are poorer than me? Alright, I don't have much money on me either, so I'll give it all to you."

As he spoke, he took out a few gold coins from his belt, which weighed about two ounces in total, and handed them to Jiang Shangxian.

Jiang Shangxian weighed the silver in his hand, completely shocked: "Brother, is this all you have?"

Shen Lang: "What do you think? Ever since I married His Majesty, your nephew has put all my money into the imperial treasury under the guise of betrothal gifts. My life is even more difficult than yours. If you think it's not enough, you can return it."

"Sigh, whatever, even a mosquito is still meat. Brother, you and your uncle are alike, both of you are unfortunate people."

"roll!"

"Hehe, I'm off, brother. See you in the capital."

After Jiang Shangxian put away the money and left with a smile, Shen Lang shook his head and went into his room.

But just as I stepped into the house, a melodious piano tune reached my ears.

The next moment, the scenery before Shen Lang's eyes changed drastically.

Before him, a group of naked beauties roamed around Shen Lang, each one charming and alluring, with skin as white as snow, using extremely seductive movements to bewitch Shen Lang's soul.

"Hehe, the Heavenly Demon Dance of the Hehuan Sect? Interesting, very interesting indeed."

Shen Lang couldn't help but chuckle, his left hand already resting on the dagger at his waist.

"Go on, I really admire it. Such a beautiful view is truly a once-in-a-century sight, hahaha."

The naked women flying in the void continued to pose seductively at Shen Lang.

Even a highly accomplished monk would find it difficult to resist developing inner demons upon witnessing such a scene.

However, Shen Lang remained calm and unmoved by the scene, instead watching the rare performance with great interest.

Suddenly, the music changed, and a somber atmosphere descended.

The beautiful woman who was originally in the void suddenly transformed into a pink skeleton and pounced on Shen Lang with bared teeth and claws.

Shen Lang didn't even glance at them, stopping in his tracks and moving forward, completely ignoring these pink skeletons.

Take three steps straight ahead, then seven steps to the right.

The next moment, Shen Lang suddenly drew his dagger.

Zheng—

A soft sound, like the echo of a broken string.

In an instant, the Heavenly Demon Dance behind him shattered, and everything returned to reality.

At this moment, the tip of Shen Lang's dagger was pressed against the neck of a delicate and beautiful woman.

"Why are you unaffected by the Heavenly Demon Dance Illusion?"

The beautiful woman looked at Shen Lang in disbelief.

Shen Lang's tone was icy: "I'm truly sorry, but my wife is very strict. I would never do anything to betray her."

"That approach might work on fickle men, but on me? You're using the wrong methods, Yunniang, or rather, I should call you Yao Meizhen."

The Yunniang before them was none other than Yao Meizhen, who had seduced Jiang Shangxian at the Zixia Sect in an attempt to kill him.

Yao Meizhen sneered: "Hmph, I knew you were extraordinary last time at the Zixia Sect, and it seems I was right."

"It was my mistake that you escaped last time. Do you think you can still leave alive this time?"

"The Zheng family spent a fortune to take you in, and this is what they're doing all this time?"

"What a pity, this is the first time I've encountered someone immune to the Heavenly Demon Dance Illusion. You were completely unaffected."

"Is there anything you'd like to say before you die?"

"Can I survive? It's useful."

"What are you for?"

“I can give you a joy you’ve never experienced before.” Yao Meizhen’s eyes were full of provocation. “It’s a joy you’ll never feel from the Empress.”

Shen Lang closed his eyes: "If that's the case, then you're really useless."

Yao Meizhen was surprised for a moment, then her eyes turned cold instantly.

"Then I'll have to spare your life!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Yao Meizhen quickly plucked a string on her instrument.

jingle--

But then a wind chime was heard, producing a series of clear sounds.

A short and swift battle has ended.

"You really could do that? Are you even a man?"

A bead of cold sweat dripped down Yao Meizhen's forehead.

Shen Lang sheathed his sword, turned around, and flicked his cloak.

"Thank you for the compliment. No matter who the enemy is, their fate is the same."

"Not to mention, you're too dirty."

After she finished speaking, a bloody mark appeared on Yao Meizhen's neck, and blood flowed directly down the wound, soaking her entire clothes.

Shen Lang didn't even turn his head; he simply stepped outside.

"Someone, clean this place up."

"Yes!"