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

After the court session ended, Jiang Mengxuan ran back to Shuixuan Residence to find Shen Lang.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Shen Lang sitting in the courtyard, carefully polishing the dagger he carried.

"Ah Lang, are you alright?"

Seeing Shen Lang's expressionless face, Jiang Mengxuan felt a sudden tightness in her heart.

"I am fine."

Shen Lang forced a smile at her and continued to focus on sharpening the knife.

Seeing him like this, Jiang Mengxuan felt extremely sorry for him and quietly sat down next to him.

"Ah Lang, you don't need to pay attention to what those officials say. If you're unhappy about it, I'll expel them all from the palace tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang stopped what he was doing, looked up at the front of him, and sighed softly.

"Xuan'er, do you believe I would eat people?"

Jiang Mengxuan quickly shook her head: "Of course I don't believe it, A Lang, please don't take it to heart."

"Your words are enough."

Shen Lang smiled slightly and continued sharpening the knife.

"Xuan'er, lately, there must have been rumors circulating in the city that I'm a man-eating demon, is that true?"

Jiang Mengxuan nodded: "Rumors are flying everywhere. I had the Jingwei Division investigate the source of the rumors carefully, but we still haven't found the origin."

But don't worry, Ah Lang, I will absolutely not let anyone who dares to spread rumors about you get away with it.

Her tone was full of murderous intent.

Shen Lang shook his head: "Tell the brothers in the Jingwei Division to stop bothering. I have a feeling that this rumor is spreading very widely. We can't force them to cooperate unless we take a risky approach."

Jiang Mengxuan's eyes lit up: "A Lang, what idea have you come up with?"

Shen Lang smiled faintly: "Today in the imperial court, when I heard Zhang Chuyan mention the Beacon Tower,

I already have a preliminary plan in mind; perhaps this is an opportunity to wipe out all the monsters and demons in one fell swoop.

Jiang Mengxuan was surprised: "You already had a plan so quickly?"

Shen Lang sheathed the dagger and nodded, saying, "However, this plan requires your cooperation."

Jiang Mengxuan: "A Lang, tell me, how should I cooperate with you?"

Shen Lang opened his mouth, but suddenly sighed.

"Before I tell you the plan, I need to make something clear to you, Xuan'er."

Jiang Mengxuan blinked: "Go ahead, I'm listening."

Shen Lang looked at Jiang Mengxuan quietly and said, word by word, "Your husband is not a man-eating demon. The battle at Fengsui Fortress was not as the rumors outside made it out to be."

In fact, the soldiers of the Vanguard Battalion always carried two liters of wheat flour and a canteen of water before each operation. I was the only one guarding the beacon tower.

Food supplies are enough for at least two or three months, let alone a month. As for water, the enemy's canteens are the best source.

Those officials who criticize me haven't even bothered to research the configuration of my elite assault battalion; that's why they readily believe those rumors.

As for why I withdrew from Fengsui Fort after only one month, it was because of the military regulations of Bingzhou: a fort with fewer than one hundred men was required to hold out for one month.

"Retreating in January, though a defeat, is still honorable, and only then will the fallen brothers receive the appropriate treatment."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan grabbed Shen Lang's arm tightly: "Of course I know you didn't eat anyone, but why didn't you say so in the palace?"

Although Jiang Mengxuan believed that Shen Lang was not a cannibalistic demon, even if he was, she didn't care.

But after hearing him say it with my own ears, I was completely relieved.

"I've said it before, the reputations of those ninety-nine brothers, and their families, will be forever scorned and condemned."

If we reveal it, we won't be able to expose the hidden forces in the shadows.

Therefore, I must project an ambiguous attitude to prepare for the next steps of my plan.

"You mean?"

"That's right. The only way to force out the hidden forces behind this is to let this matter continue to ferment, because I have a feeling that this incident is inextricably linked to your reforms."

They want to use this to repeal the new law and return to the old ways. Besides that, I really can't see what else is worth their going to such lengths.

Jiang Mengxuan: "You're willing to frame my husband for this, A Lang, tell me, what should we do?"

Shen Lang said, "No rush, I'm hungry, I want to eat a bowl of noodles."

"I'll have the imperial kitchen send it to you right away."

"Ah."

As evening approached, a steaming bowl of noodles was placed in front of Shen Lang.

"It's delicious."

Shen Lang ate the noodles and soup in one gulp before wiping his mouth with a cotton cloth, satisfied.

Jiang Mengxuan rested her hand on her cheek and watched Shen Lang quietly the whole time. Only after he put down his chopsticks did she sweetly ask, "Are you full? If not, I'll have the imperial kitchen make more?"

"no need."

Shen Lang leaned back in his chair, a satisfied look on his face.

"Let's save this for next time."

He took a sip of water, glanced at the sky, and saw that the lanterns in the courtyard had already been lit.

He breathed a sigh of relief and began to tell Jiang Mengxuan about his plan.

"No! I can't do it!"

Unexpectedly, as soon as Shen Lang finished speaking, Jiang Mengxuan suddenly stood up, backing away and shaking her head.

"Ah Lang, don't force me. I really can't do it. Even if I know it's fake, I don't want to hurt you!"

Shen Lang smiled slightly: "Xuan'er, do you still remember what you promised me? The process doesn't matter, as long as there is a result."

"But I really can't bring myself to hurt you like this!" Jiang Mengxuan shook her head vigorously. "Ah Lang, there must be a better way. Let's think about it again?"

Shen Lang said, "Mengxuan, I promised you I would help you solve all your problems. This is the last hurdle we have to face."

Only after this crisis is overcome can the reforms of the Great Chu be fully implemented throughout the state.

This opportunity was delivered to our doorstep by the enemy; if we miss it, we'll never have another chance.

"Ah Lang, you've already risked so much for me. Even if it's just acting, I don't want to hurt you like this. I really don't want to..."

Shen Lang took a deep breath, slowly stood up, and walked to the Empress's sword hanging on the screen.

"Xuan'er, things have come to this point, so this charade must continue."

He drew his sword and pointed it at Jiang Mengxuan.

"Because the game was already underway when I informed you that the plan had begun."

"Ah Lang, you..."

Suddenly, Shen Lang swung his sword backhand and stabbed it directly into his own chest.

Blood splattered across the palace instantly.

"Alang!"

Jiang Mengxuan gasped in shock, never expecting Shen Lang's attitude to be so resolute.

Just as she was about to approach, Shen Lang pulled the sword from his chest and threw it at Jiang Mengxuan's feet.

"Xuan'er... now whether you like it or not... you've already entered the game... don't hold back, you have to play your part fully!"

Despite his injuries, Shen Lang stumbled to the windowsill.

Just as Jiang Mengxuan was about to rush forward to stop Shen Lang, she heard the sound of imperial guards patrolling outside the palace.

Looking into Shen Lang's determined eyes, she couldn't help but bite her lower lip and take a deep breath.

"Come on! Escort!"

Upon hearing the sound, Shen Lang smiled sadly, then smashed through the window and disappeared into the darkness.

No sooner had he left than Qingwen led the imperial guards into Shuixuan Residence.

Seeing blood everywhere, Qingwen couldn't help but cover her mouth.

"Your Majesty, this..."

"By imperial decree, Shen Lang's cannibalism is proven beyond doubt. I have uncovered his plot and he attempted to assassinate me, but he has been wounded by me and is fleeing in panic."

"Immediately order the palace gates and the Prefect of the Capital to close all palace gates and notify the Ministry of Justice to arrest Shen Lang at all costs!"

Qingwen was completely dumbfounded, unable to understand what the Empress was saying at all.

"What are you still doing?"

"Yes, slave, I obey!"

After a moment of stunned silence, Qingwen immediately led the Imperial Guards away.

After everyone left, a tear rolled down Jiang Mengxuan's cheek.

Looking at the bloodied Qingfeng at his feet, he felt a heartache so intense he could hardly breathe.