Chapter 90: You Sure Have Some Tricks Up Your Sleeve
Hong Ye still didn’t understand, but she grasped the deeper meaning in her words, “Madam, do you mean you’re going to the Imperial Palace tomorrow?”
“Go, of course I’m going.”
Not only go, but prepare well.
“Go, bring my Imperial Decree of Nobility Madam’s official attire.” Since she was going to the Imperial Palace, she should do it grandly, and she also wanted the Jiang family members to regret it.
After Hong Ye left, Jiang Ruanxi walked to a bookshelf, opened the box on the bookshelf, and took out a yellowed account book from inside.
Since she knew that the person who exchanged fate with her was a blood relative, she didn’t mind killing them all one by one.
That way, her fate would return, and she could take revenge.
The next day, the Jiang Family came early to the Lin Family Manor to pick her up.
Jiang Ruanxi wore the Imperial Decree of Nobility Madam’s official attire as she went out, and Jiang Linlei and Jiang Rui were standing at the door.
“Second Sister, remember how to speak later. I trust I don’t need to say anything else, right?” Jiang Rui said indifferently.
Jiang Ruanxi smiled obediently, “Third Brother, rest assured. The words you told me to say, I’ve already memorized them thoroughly.”
Jiang Rui nodded, and only then did they all get into the luxurious carriage and enter the Imperial Palace.
Upon arriving at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Jiang Leilin stated their purpose, “Your Majesty, there were already suspicious aspects to my Second Brother’s matter. His imprisonment was purely wrongful.”
After Jiang Ruanxi entered and curtsied, she kept her head bowed.
The Emperor said sternly, “Oh? How was it suspicious?”
“Your Majesty, the medicinal herbs that my Second Sister donated to the Crown Prince were originally from our Jiang Family apothecary shop. Although my Second Brother found a method to resolve the plague, he wasn’t certain it would definitely work and might have side effects, so he didn’t dare speak up, which delayed the Crown Prince’s matter.”
“Oh?” The Emperor’s voice remained indifferent, showing no anger or pleasure, “So you’re saying Jiang Changjun had extenuating circumstances?”
“Second Brother doesn’t dare claim to be wronged; after all, he delayed Your Majesty’s important matter.”
His Majesty didn’t speak, clearly suspecting the truth of the matter.
“If Your Majesty doesn’t believe it, you can ask my Second Sister. She knows those medicinal herbs are from our Jiang Family.”
Hearing this, the Emperor then looked at Jiang Ruanxi kneeling on the ground.
She was petite and appeared dignified and virtuous.
Although she looked very serene, for some reason, she didn’t seem like that on the surface.
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Is what Jiang Rui said true?”
Jiang Ruanxi then raised her head, “Your Majesty, this concubine has nothing to conceal. It’s just that this concubine is clumsy with words and doesn’t know how to explain some matters. Please, Your Majesty, look at this memorial; it will make everything clear at a glance.”
In a moment, she had something like a booklet in her hand, and the Emperor was somewhat curious about her preparation.
“Present it.”
As soon as he spoke, the eunuch by his side stepped forward to take the booklet and give it to the Emperor.
Jiang Leilin and Jiang Rui both frowned, quite puzzled.
Jiang Ruanxi was clearly not following the plan they had discussed before. What exactly did she want to do?
Jiang Leilin had a bad premonition in his heart and wanted to step forward to stop her, but Jiang Rui gave him a look to hold him back.
This wasn’t outside; it was the Imperial Palace…
If they disturbed the Emperor’s interest, they might not keep their heads.
The Emperor slowly opened the memorial, and upon seeing its contents, his expression grew increasingly grave, and the air suddenly turned icy.
“Someone come, issue my imperial decree: grant death to Jiang Changjun.”
Jiang Linlei and Jiang Rui turned pale with fright and knelt down together to kowtow.
Jiang Rui said, “Your Majesty, calm down. We don’t know what matter has angered Your Majesty; please make it clear.”
“Hmph, fine Jiang Family, fine Jiang Changjun…”
The Emperor was so angry that fire seemed to burst from his forehead, and the oncoming fury left the Jiang brothers even more bewildered.
Jiang Rui glanced at Jiang Ruanxi, seemingly wanting to find answers in her eyes, but Jiang Ruanxi remained composed with her head bowed, as if it had nothing to do with her.
Wanting to stay out of the fire she herself ignited?
No chance!
“Your Majesty, we don’t know what Jiang Ruanxi presented to you to make you so angry, but although Jiang Ruanxi is the legitimate daughter of the Yongyi Marquis Manor, she didn’t live there from childhood. Now that she’s married, she can’t represent the Jiang Family even more. Please, Your Majesty, do not let Jiang Ruanxi implicate our Jiang Family.”
Jiang Ruanxi still kept her eyes downcast, but her heart had already gone numb.
These were the so-called blood relatives who deceived her daily, but at the critical moment, they were as disgusting as Ning Kun, only knowing to push her out to take the blame.
So, even if they all died, there wouldn’t be the slightest ripple in her heart.
“Are you sure this matter is entirely the Jiang Family’s doing and has nothing to do with Jiang Ruanxi?” the Emperor asked coldly.
Jiang Rui didn’t know why the Emperor asked this, but he replied decisively, “Yes, Your Majesty. What Jiang Ruanxi does has no relation to the Jiang Family.”
This attitude of Jiang Ruanxi distancing herself surprised the Emperor a bit, and when his gaze turned to Jiang Ruanxi, there was a hint of pity in his eyes.
“Indeed, this account book is evidence of your Jiang Family colluding with unscrupulous merchants to deliberately inflate medicinal herb prices during the plague, disregarding the lives of the world’s people. For Jiang Ruanxi to present it up in righteous fratricide naturally means she has no relation to your Jiang Family.”
The two Jiang brothers were shocked, especially Jiang Rui’s face, which could only be described as ever-changing and splendid.
He knew about the absurd things Jiang Changjun had done, and he had already sent people to investigate that account book, but why had it ended up in Jiang Ruanxi’s hands?
Suddenly, he realized they had all been deceived by Jiang Ruanxi.
She had clearly prepared it long ago and presented this evidence to His Majesty today.
“Your Majesty, calm down. The Jiang Family truly didn’t know about what Jiang Changjun did. Please discern clearly.”
Compared to Jiang Rui’s anger, Jiang Leilin reacted first. The current situation was extremely unfavorable to them; saving Jiang Changjun was already impossible, and it might even implicate the Jiang Family.
The only course now was to abandon Jiang Changjun to save the Jiang Family.
Although losing a brother made him sad too, compared to the Jiang Family’s reputation, Jiang Changjun’s death was not worth regretting.
The Emperor’s eyes flickered slightly, “Oh, according to Minister Jiang, the Jiang Family was completely unaware?”
“Please, Your Majesty, see through it all.”
“In that case, I shall have the Crown Prince thoroughly investigate.” The Emperor rubbed his brow, “Until a conclusion is reached, none of you are allowed to leave the manor even a step.”
After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Jiang Rui practically wanted to devour Jiang Ruanxi, “Jiang Ruanxi, you sure have clever tricks. I didn’t expect you to play us completely around.”
