“Your Majesty, this is the compiled report of the Shuyu Pavilion assassination case. Please review it.”
That night, once the investigation of the assassination at Shuyu Pavilion had been completed, Jiang Shangxian, escorted by the Jingwei Division and palace guards, rushed into the palace to report to Jiang Mengxuan.
In fact, Jiang Mengxuan had already received news of the incident an hour earlier and had been greatly concerned for Jiang Shangxian’s safety.
“Is Royal Uncle unharmed?”
Upon seeing him, Jiang Mengxuan didn’t ask about the case right away but instead inquired about his condition with genuine concern.
Jiang Shangxian grinned, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. I’m perfectly fine. Actually, it’s all thanks to Shen Lang. Without him, the consequences would have been unimaginable.”
Jiang Mengxuan nodded, “As long as Royal Uncle is unharmed, I can rest easy. Shen Lang certainly deserves credit. However, there is one thing I don’t understand, and I hope Royal Uncle can clarify it.”
“Your Majesty, ask freely. I will answer truthfully.”
Jiang Mengxuan stood and asked, “The entrance fee to a place like Shuyu Pavilion is not cheap. May I ask where you got the money to go somewhere like that?”
“Well… that is…” Jiang Shangxian was instantly at a loss for words, frantically searching for an excuse.
Facing his niece’s serious gaze, he panicked and blurted, “To be honest, it was Shen Lang who insisted on seeing the world. No matter how I tried to dissuade him, he wouldn’t listen. In the end, I had no choice but to take him. He paid for everything.”
Right after saying that, Jiang Shangxian felt a slight pang of guilt. For a brief moment, he thought throwing Shen Lang under the bus was rather shameful.
So, he consoled himself silently: Brother, I’m sorry. Please take the fall for now. I’ll make it up to you. If nothing else, I’ll find you a wife. Maybe I’ll have my royal niece marry you.
But within a few seconds, Jiang Shangxian composed himself and decided selling out Shen Lang was actually a brilliant move… He even began considering whether he should ask for a matchmaking fee later.
Unfortunately, such a poor excuse could never fool Jiang Mengxuan.
“Royal Uncle, do you believe that yourself? You’re the dignified Prince Jing, Shen Lang’s superior. Do you really expect me to believe he forced you into a brothel?”
Jiang Shangxian stood his ground, “Your Majesty doesn’t understand. Precisely because Shen Lang is my subordinate—and the most capable one in the Jingwei Division—I needed to build rapport with him. Besides, you know Shen Lang. He invited me to the brothel to strengthen our relationship, to build some trust and reliance.”
Jiang Mengxuan chuckled, “When you put it that way, it sounds somewhat reasonable. But I’ve heard about Shuyu Pavilion. Entry starts at 100 taels of silver. Shen Lang’s monthly salary is 25 taels. That visit of yours cost at least 200 taels. Even if he didn’t eat or drink, that’s eight months’ salary. So, where did the money come from?”
Jiang Shangxian answered without hesitation, “Your Majesty, have you forgotten the 1,000 taels of gold you granted me a while back to handle Qingyi Tower’s matter?” New chapters come out on NovelPing first.
Jiang Mengxuan’s brows furrowed slightly. “So Royal Uncle means that all 1,000 taels went to Shen Lang?”
“Exactly. I planned the operation, but Shen Lang executed it personally. Who else should get the money if not him?”
Jiang Shangxian’s shamelessness knew no bounds. When it came to saving face, he firmly believed in the heavy armor approach—nothing could penetrate his pride.
He knew Shen Lang’s personality well. Shen Lang wasn’t someone who cared about reputation. Back in Bingzhou, Shen Lang had openly executed Yan Empire deserters right in front of the entire command under strict military orders, shocking even Commander Wang Zhongsi.
Afterward, he was scorned and criticized by his peers, yet he didn’t care one bit. He still ate heartily and even asked for seconds.
So, Jiang Shangxian had no qualms pushing the blame on Shen Lang.
Jiang Mengxuan shook her head, “Royal Uncle, are you really not lying to me? Tell me the truth.”
Jiang Shangxian immediately put on a pained expression, “How could I dare lie to Your Majesty? Please trust me.”
Jiang Mengxuan didn’t press further. Even if she suspected the truth, it wasn’t a big deal—it was just a family matter. Besides, she knew what kind of person her Royal Uncle was: lecherous but afraid of his wife, and absolutely loyal to the royal family. That was enough.
“Alright, let’s put this matter aside. Now, what are your thoughts on the assassination attempt?”
Jiang Shangxian straightened up and answered seriously, “Your Majesty, I believe there’s more to this. The assassins had been lurking in Shuyu Pavilion long before the attack—it was premeditated. Given how widespread this matter is, I suspect this is tied to both the Yan Empire and the Prime Minister’s estate.”
“Why do you think that?”
Jiang Shangxian immediately pulled out the dagger used in the attack. “Your Majesty, this was made by the Ye family’s workshop. The two assassins were confirmed to be from the Yan Empire.”
Jiang Mengxuan took one look and replied, “This alone can’t prove the Prime Minister’s involvement. Even if we hand this over to the Dali Temple, Ye Mo will find ways to explain it away. At most, they’ll blame it on poor regulation at the workshop—not enough to condemn the Ye family.”
Jiang Shangxian grinned, “Your Majesty, whether the Ye family colluded with outsiders to harm me isn’t the point. What matters is that this gives you a chance to apply pressure on them. That’s more than enough.”
Jiang Mengxuan thought for a moment and quickly understood his meaning. “Royal Uncle, you’re saying…”
“Exactly. Even if they’re innocent, the fact that assassins used weapons made by the Ye workshop to attack me is real. Shouldn’t they be held accountable for that?”
Jiang Mengxuan returned to her desk and, surprisingly, chuckled softly. “Thanks to your reminder, I think I have a direction now. Tell me, who gave you this idea?”
This time, Jiang Shangxian answered directly, “Your Majesty, it was Shen Lang.”
“Shen Lang?” Jiang Mengxuan was intrigued again. “Royal Uncle means these thoughts were all his?” Find the original chapter at g.com.
“Yes.” Jiang Shangxian straightened up with pride. “Your Majesty, Shen Lang’s capabilities far exceed my expectations. If the chance arises, please consider putting him to good use. He could be of great value to Great Chu.”
Jiang Mengxuan rarely saw Jiang Shangxian praise someone so highly. Remembering Shen Lang’s decisive actions at Wenxiang Pavilion, she did feel something unusual about him.
However…
“It’s a shame, Royal Uncle. As you said, his heart doesn’t seem to lie with Great Chu.”
Jiang Shangxian quickly responded, “Your Majesty, Shen Lang has never received any kindness from Great Chu. Why would he be loyal to us? Besides, can we really say that every citizen of Great Chu is wholeheartedly devoted to it? If Shen Lang wanted to betray us, he’s had plenty of chances. But he hasn’t. That means, for now at least, he’s not loyal—but he’s also not a traitor. Someone like that, if used properly, could be of immense help to Your Majesty.”
Jiang Mengxuan nodded and crossed her legs lightly.
“Then tell me, Royal Uncle. How should I make use of him?”
Jiang Shangxian opened his mouth but hesitated.
Seeing his reluctance, Jiang Mengxuan said calmly, “Royal Uncle, do you really think we need to keep secrets from each other? Just say it.”
Jiang Shangxian’s eyes darted for a second before he steeled himself and cupped his hands. “Your Majesty, in two days it will be the consort selection ceremony. Perhaps… perhaps you might consider giving him a chance—so long as you don’t mind that he’s of common birth.”
As he finished the last sentence, Jiang Shangxian cautiously looked up, worried that the Empress might explode in fury.
But Jiang Mengxuan remained astonishingly calm. Her gaze was still and unreadable.
“Royal Uncle, you may go.”
After a long pause, she finally spoke.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I take my leave.”
Jiang Shangxian left, filled with unease.
Once he was gone, Jiang Mengxuan rested her jade-white fingers against her chin, lost in deep thought.
“If he truly has talent, it’s not impossible to consider taking him as a husband. I’m just afraid he won’t be able to pass the royal consort screening—especially the sun-guarding sand test… sigh.”