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

"Your Majesty, I did this only in accordance with Your Majesty's decree. The thought of all the evil deeds Yin Wuji has committed is unbearable, which is why I decided to put righteousness before family..."

Yuanyang kept justifying her actions of betraying her master and ancestors, fearing that the Empress might kill her too if she was displeased.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Mengxuan smiled faintly and said, "Get up. I don't mean to blame you. I'm grateful to you for helping me get rid of a cancer, so why would I blame you?"

After saying that, he gently raised his hand.

Immediately, two female guards came to Yuanyang with a set of sixth-rank brocade robes, an official seal, and a waist token.

Before Yuanyang could recover, Jiang Mengxuan continued, "Yuanyang, you handled things efficiently, which is very much to my liking."

"It just so happens that I am about to establish the Provincial Surveillance Commission to oversee all order in the capital. You can hold onto this position as Deputy Provincial Surveillance Commissioner for now, and it's not impossible that you could be promoted to a third-rank Provincial Surveillance Commissioner if you achieve further merits in the future."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Happiness came too suddenly. When Yuanyang touched the blue official robe woven with the finest Shu brocade, she felt her blood boil.

What do you mean by betraying one's teacher and ancestors, or forgetting one's roots?

In the face of power, these things are utterly insignificant.

A sixth-rank military officer, responsible for maintaining order in the capital and directly serving the Empress—such a status and position cannot be compared to mere reputation in the martial arts world.

"You may leave now. I will send someone to familiarize you with the affairs of the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner. Once you are familiar with them, you can take up your post directly."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After thanking her again, Yuanyang picked up the wooden tray and left.

But after taking only two steps, he suddenly remembered something, turned back to Jiang Mengxuan and said, "Your Majesty, I have something else to report."

She adapted to the change in status extremely quickly, transforming directly from a so-called "commoner" to a "lowly official".

"What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, before his death, Yin Wuji mentioned that sects in various regions were plotting against you and wanted to assassinate you during your inspection of the Floating Pagoda. I hope Your Majesty will be careful."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan frowned slightly.

After a long silence, she said, "You may leave now. Amber, go to the Imperial Treasury and fetch one thousand taels of silver as a reward for Yuanyang."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The mandarin ducks were so excited that they wanted to shout it out if the occasion hadn't been inappropriate.

A thousand taels of silver—she had never seen so much money in her entire life.

Indeed, following the Empress was the best decision she ever made in her life.

After Yuanyang left, Jiang Mengxuan immediately instructed Amber: "Summon the Imperial Uncle to see me."

"Yes."

An hour later, Jiang Shangxian arrived at Shuixuan Residence with his round belly.

"Your Majesty, I have a greeting to you. May I ask what business Your Majesty has with me?"

"Uncle, please sit down and talk."

After the two were seated, Jiang Mengxuan got straight to the point.

"Uncle, the news that I was going to go out of the city to inspect the Pagoda has been leaked."

Jiang Shangxian frowned: "Your Majesty, it doesn't seem like a secret that you're going to inspect the Pagoda. It wouldn't be surprising if it leaked out."

Jiang Mengxuan: "If someone were to assassinate me during my inspection of the Pagoda project, what would you think?"

"What? Who dares to be so bold!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shangxian almost jumped up on the spot.

"This is outrageous! Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely find the person for you."

Jiang Mengxuan smiled faintly: "Uncle, there's no need to make such a fuss. I've summoned you here today to ask you to analyze who in the court is most likely to target me."

Jiang Shangxian pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "That's hard to say. At least the people of the Six Ministries have no reason to dare to disrespect His Majesty."

Those officials who were demoted by Shen Lang were a bunch of cowards with wicked intentions but no guts. It was easy for them to wield their pens and pontificate on the state of affairs.

"Could we let them assassinate His Majesty? It's not that I look down on them, it's that they simply don't have the guts."

Jiang Mengxuan: "Since the suspicion of those in the court has been ruled out, then we can only look among those whom I have demoted in rank and title."

Jiang Shangxian: "That's difficult. There are so many people in the court who have been demoted; we need to review them one by one."

"It seems unlikely that we'll find any clues in the short term. Perhaps we should cancel the inspection of the pagoda project?"

Jiang Mengxuan shook her head: "No, the inspection tour will proceed as scheduled. Since I have already seen through their intentions..."

"Then let's force them all out in one go. Right now, I'm not afraid of enemies in the open, but I'm incredibly troubled by those petty villains."

"But isn't that too risky? What if..."

"Does the Imperial Uncle think that the Central Army and the Imperial Guard are just for show?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shangxian stopped trying to persuade him and changed his words, saying, "Then I will arrange for the Jingwei Division to conduct a secret investigation and try to find some clues."

Jiang Mengxuan nodded in agreement: "Then I'll trouble you, Imperial Uncle. By the way, there's something else I wanted to tell you."

"Please give your Majesty's orders."

The next moment, Jiang Mengxuan found herself holding a flying guillotine.

"This is the Blood Droplet of the Tibetan Tantric sect. It can take a person's head within twenty paces as easily as taking something out of a bag. I want you to use this to help me get rid of someone."

"who?"

"Li Changfeng, an elder of the Shushan Sword Sect."

"I will go back and make arrangements."

After receiving the blood-dripping weapon, Jiang Shangxian walked away from Shuixuan Residence.

Jiang Mengxuan got up and glanced at the sky, only to see that the sky was covered with dark clouds.

"A storm is brewing."

……

In the dead of night, a torrential downpour began.

The night market had just closed, and the streets were deserted.

Only the continuous rain, accompanied by bursts of thunder, flashed across the silent night sky.

Suddenly, a black figure wearing a raincoat rushed along the official road in the rain.

This person was none other than Li Changfeng, who was conspiring with Yin Wuji.

Upon learning of Yin Wuji's death, he felt uneasy and decided to leave this dangerous place overnight.

"Stop, who is it?"

Just as Li Changfeng was passing the entrance of an alley, several soldiers on night patrol called out to him.

Li Changfeng took a deep breath, his right hand already resting on the sword hilt inside the raincoat.

"Why are you still lingering on the street in such heavy rain?"

"In response to your questions, gentlemen, I have just finished drinking and am on my way home."

"Show me your identification."

"I'm sorry, sir, I forgot my identity and household registration at home and didn't bring them with me."

"Where do you live?"

"Hengyunfang, at the entrance of Sihu Hutong".

Upon hearing this, the two patrolling soldiers exchanged a knowing glance.

"Alright, it's raining heavily. Be careful next time, drink less alcohol, okay?"

After saying that, the officers and soldiers turned and left.

Li Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself, "A bunch of good-for-nothings, they believed it so easily, tsk tsk tsk."

After saying that, he continued heading towards the west gate.

But after waking up a few steps, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

"Hengyunfang is in the east of the city, and this is the west of the city. Even the most stupid patrolling soldiers wouldn't be unable to distinguish east from west, would they?"

After a moment's thought, his pupils suddenly contracted.

"Oh no, I've been exposed. I have to get out of here right now."

Just as he quickened his pace to leave, a thunderous roar resounded overhead.

Little did they know, the thunderclap conveniently masked the dragonfly's fluttering wings and the sounds of the underworld.

click-

The next moment, he felt as if his straw hat was being covered by something.

Before he could react, a thin layer of black veil had already covered his entire face.

"What……"

puff-

The next moment, his head flew high into the air, and blood gushed out from his headless neck.

"Things, things, things."

As Li Changfeng's head flew out, he uttered his last two words before gradually fading into boundless darkness.