My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"This secret letter's handwriting..."

Jiang Jingcheng glanced coldly at Meng Xiutang, and was about to speak when Helian Zhaoyue's voice rang out first.

"Your Majesty, the handwriting on these secret letters must have been forged by someone sent by Jiang Jingxuan!"

Helian Zhaoyue's face darkened as she said, "We in Beiyu have never had any secret correspondence with the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence!"

Ok?

Jiang Jingcheng narrowed his eyes and fixed his gaze on Helian Zhaoyue.

Jiang Xiaobai glanced at Jiang Jingcheng with a helpless look.

That's right, now Father should understand why he was speechless just now, right?

I have to say, that woman Helian Zhaoyue is really something!

First, say everything they want to say, leaving them speechless.

This only makes it easier for people to believe that there is some shady business between the Jiang family and Beiyu.

"This matter cannot be cleared up by the princess with just a few words!"

After speaking calmly, Meng Xiutang looked at Xiao Jinxuan and said, "I beseech Your Majesty to make the decision!"

"Your Majesty, I suspect something is amiss. It would be wise to investigate!"

Li Bingzhang stepped forward at this moment, his brows furrowed.

"Minister Li, the evidence is conclusive, what's the point of further investigation!"

Meng Xiutang responded coldly.

"The Jiang family has a long history of loyalty and integrity; they would never do such a thing!"

Li Bingzhang frowned: "Besides, Jiang Jingxuan has been in Beiyu for so long. If he could come back, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until now!"

"That's enough!"

At this moment, Xiao Jinxuan slammed his palm on the table, his face extremely somber. The entire court fell silent instantly, and no one dared to speak.

After scanning the area, Xiao Jinxuan sat on the dragon throne and slowly closed his eyes.

After a long while, Xiao Jinxuan slowly opened his eyes and said, "The Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion is treasonous and sells out the country; I find it hard to believe!"

"Therefore, this matter must be investigated!"

With that, Xiao Jinxuan looked towards the Dali Temple: "Minister Zhou, this case is now in your Dali Temple's hands. It must be thoroughly investigated!"

"It's Your Majesty!"

Down below, a man stepped forward and nodded respectfully.

"Well, as for Marquis Jiang and Jiang Xiaobai, until the matter is thoroughly investigated, let's temporarily... send them to jail!"

Xiao Jinxuan paused, then his gaze fell on Jiang Jingxuan: "As for the Zhenbei Marquis's residence, Jiang Jingxuan will temporarily take over. A further decision will be made after everything is investigated!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Chen Zhanqiu's eyes lit up, and he was the first to step forward and bow.

The officials exchanged glances and could only echo, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Xiao Jinxuan raised his hand, and soon a group of imperial guards walked in from outside the hall, heading towards Jiang Jingcheng and Jiang Xiaobai.

Just as two of the imperial guards reached out, Jiang Jingcheng let out a cold snort, and an astonishing force erupted from his body, instantly knocking the nearby guards back and causing them to fall to the ground.

"Jiang Jingcheng!"

Upon seeing this, Xiao Jinxuan's face instantly turned icy: "Are you trying to rebel?!"

"Your Majesty, I can walk by myself!"

After speaking calmly, Jiang Jingcheng strode out of the hall.

As Jiang Jingcheng passed by Jiang Jingxuan, he paused slightly: "Jiang Jingxuan, if I were you, I would die in Beiyu!"

"Instead of coming back and bringing shame to the Jiang family!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Jingcheng walked outside.

Jiang Jingxuan stood there, his expression indifferent.

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head and looked at Helian Zhaoyue: "Princess, impressive skills!"

"However... let's wait and see!"

Then, Jiang Xiaobai looked at Jiang Jingxuan and said, "Uncle, right? My father and I disagree, but I think it's good that you're back!"

"At least... now that you're back, the memorial tablet our Jiang family set up for you before has finally become useful!"

"Um?"

Jiang Jingxuan frowned.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled faintly, ignored Jiang Jingxuan, and turned to walk out of the main hall as well.

After the two left, Xiao Jinxuan's gaze fell on Helian Zhaoyue: "Princess of Northern Yu, it seems your purpose in going on this mission to Great Hua is not pure!"

"Your Majesty, there must be some misunderstanding!"

Helian Zhaoyue spoke.

"Whether there's a misunderstanding or not, we'll know once we investigate!"

Xiao Jinxuan coldly said, "Until then, the princess will remain at the Court of State Ceremonial and is not allowed to leave without permission!"

After saying this, Xiao Jinxuan stood up: "Alright, I'm tired. Court is adjourned!"

"Court adjourned!"

Then, Eunuch Gao's voice rang out.

After seeing this, all the officials withdrew.

Li Bingzhang frowned, glanced at Jiang Jingxuan before leaving, and walked out first.

Tang Kui glared at Jiang Jingxuan and quickly followed.

Jiang Jingxuan remained where he was, a smile on his face.

Things went...smoother than he had imagined.

If he can take control of the Marquis's mansion as soon as possible, he will become the master of the Jiang family.

However, thinking of Jiang Xiaobai's composed demeanor before leaving, Jiang Jingxuan felt a vague unease.

But after a moment, he shook his head.

That's right, things have already come to this point, what else can his good nephew do?

Outside the imperial court.

"Li Xiang, Li Xiang!"

Tang Kui quickly caught up with Li Bingzhang and asked in a low voice, "What do we do now?"

"Let's think of a way!"

Li Bingzhang's expression was grave: "This matter was clearly orchestrated by Bei Yu, targeting the Zhenbei Marquis's residence, and His Majesty is probably... playing along!"

"After all, the incident at the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence is a good thing for Beiyu, and also a good thing for His Majesty!"

"So what do we do next?"

Tang Kui said with a tense expression.

"Send someone to the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence immediately and bring Madam Jiang to your home!"

Li Bingzhang paused for a moment before continuing, "Also... try to contact Jiang Hou's trusted confidants as much as possible, and ensure their safety!"

"No problem!"

Tang Kui responded and quickly left.

Li Bingzhang stood there for a moment, just as he was about to head back home, when a palace maid hurried up to him.

"Prime Minister Li, our eldest princess requests your presence..."

"Oh?"

A look of surprise flashed across Li Bingzhang's face. He nodded slightly and followed the maid out.

……

On the other side, inside the prison.

"Hmph, that bastard Jiang Jingxuan, he's infuriating!"

Jiang Jingcheng leaned against the cold wall, his face extremely pale.

"hehe!"

Jiang Xiaobai sat not far away, glancing at Jiang Jingcheng with a smile: "Father, if you had told me about Uncle's matter earlier, there wouldn't have been so much trouble."

Jiang Jingcheng glared at Jiang Xiaobai, but did not refute.

When Jiang Jingxuan betrayed them, in order to protect the Jiang family's reputation and avoid affecting the morale of the army, he claimed that Jiang Jingxuan had died in battle.

Who would have thought that ten years later, this bastard... would actually return with the Northern Yu delegation.

They even turned around and bit him!

"How is it?"

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Jiang Jingcheng again and asked, "Father... do you have any other tricks up your sleeve?"

"No!"

Jiang Jingcheng scoffed, "This caught me completely off guard. Where did you get this backup plan?"

As he spoke, Jiang Jingcheng paused and said, "Alas, His Majesty probably also wants to use Jiang Jingxuan to weaken my influence in the Zhenbei Army!"

"Once Jiang Jingxuan has completely taken over the Marquis's mansion, and then takes the opportunity to intervene in the Zhenbei Army, if His Majesty can keep him in check, our Zhenbei Marquis's mansion will probably be..."

"Hehe, so you know everything!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai chuckled twice.

"Nonsense, what don't I know?"

Jiang Jingcheng glared at Jiang Xiaobai, then fell into deep thought: "But right now, we must think of a solution as soon as possible!"

"Stop thinking about it!"

Jiang Xiaobai leaned against the wall, a smile appearing on his face: "I have a backup plan..."