Great, it's just a lackey, we're saved!

Chapter 131 The Chaotic Eastern Palace!

After leaving Zichen Palace, Qiu Fangyun bowed to Jiang Yueli and then left directly.

The Duchess of Qi's expression was unreadable; she truly didn't know whether to believe Bai Xiaoxiao's words or not.

Whether or not the Duke of Qi should submit a memorial to the emperor at court tomorrow is something he needs to discuss with him when he gets back.

After the ladies of the court had all left, Jiang Yueli called out to Chen Wenyu.

"My lord, take my advice: do not mention the edict of self-reproach again at tomorrow's morning court."

Chen Wenyu submitted a memorial to the Emperor of Great Zhou, requesting him to issue an edict of self-reproach. The memorial was delivered to Hexi Palace, but was immediately thrown out.

The Great Zhou Emperor was clearly furious, but he did not punish Chen Wenyu.

Jiang Yueli felt that this was the emperor giving his old ministers a little face.

As long as this matter is not mentioned again, the Great Zhou Emperor will not hold Chen Wenyu accountable.

But if Chen Wenyu were to attend court tomorrow, he would still act like a fool, demanding that the Great Zhou Emperor issue an edict of self-reproach.

Then the outcome is hard to say!

Chen Wenyu cupped his hands to Jiang Yueli: "This old minister thanks the princess for the reminder. However, as civil officials who eat the emperor's food, we must also share the emperor's burdens. We are loyal to the emperor, but we must also take care of the people."

"Today, a blizzard has struck, causing disaster in the capital. In just over ten days, more than a hundred people have frozen to death."

"If we don't come up with a disaster relief strategy soon, the capital may descend into chaos if the blizzard continues for a few more days."

"I have considered my actions carefully. Thank you, Princess."

Jiang Yueli sighed, knowing she couldn't persuade Chen Wenyu.

This old man is pedantic and stubborn. Even knowing that he will anger the Great Zhou Emperor tomorrow, he still does things his own way.

Even in death, it was a worthy death!

Watching Chen Wenyu's departing figure, Jiang Yueli instructed, "Ziyu, after returning to the manor, go find Ma Hu, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and have him arrange for Embroidered Uniform Guard envoys to wait outside the palace at the morning court tomorrow to keep a close eye on Lord Chen's situation."

Ziyu nodded in agreement.

That's all Jiang Yueli can do.

The group braved the wind and snow to head to the East Palace. When they arrived outside the East Palace, they saw Zhu Zhen, a member of the Imperial Guard, kneeling in the snow.

Zhu Zhen was a third-rank martial artist and the leader of the Golden Guard, highly regarded by the Crown Prince.

Even if I have to be punished, I wouldn't be humiliated like this!

"Commander Zhu, why are you kneeling here?" Ziyu stepped forward and asked.

Upon seeing that it was the Princess, Zhu Zhen quickly bowed and said, "Your subject greets Your Highness the Princess."

"Commander Zhu, did the Crown Prince order you to kneel?" Jiang Yueli asked.

Zhu Zhen's expression was bitter: "No, it's... Madam Mei."

Mei Xingyue?

Mei Xingyue was a commoner woman with no status, so it was inappropriate for her to live in the East Palace.

They've actually made the leader of the Imperial Guard kneel outside the East Palace! It's outrageous!

"Commander Zhu, please get up!"

Jiang Yueli spoke, but Zhu Zhen still didn't stand up; he just kept his head down.

Jiang Yueli was somewhat surprised. Zhu Zhen had followed the Crown Prince for a long time and was an upright person. Moreover, because he followed the Crown Prince, he also had a bit of arrogance in his bones.

Mei Xingyue had only been in the Eastern Palace for a few days, yet Zhu Zhen had already become so timid and subservient?

Seeing this, Ziyu said, "Commander Zhu, the princess told you to get up. Is the princess's order less important than that of Mei Xingyue?"

Caught between two difficult choices, Zhu Zhen had no choice but to tell the truth.

"Your Highness, it's not that I'm disobeying your orders, it's just that Madam Mei's methods are too..."

After Zhu Zhen's explanation, even Zi Yu was furious.

Since taking over the Eastern Palace, Mei Xingyue has been acting like the Crown Princess.

The Crown Prince was captivated by her and had no objections, which meant that although she had no official title, no one in the Eastern Palace dared to offend her.

Any palace servant who disrespects her will suffer an accident within three days.

They either accidentally fell into the pond and drowned, or they contracted some strange disease for which no cause could be found.

The people in the Eastern Palace were afraid and could only endure it silently, because the Crown Prince was backing Mei Xingyue up.

Zhu Zhen, an official from outside the capital, should not have had to suffer the torment of Mei Xingyue.

However, because he was too obedient to the rules and did not bow to Mei Xingyue, he incurred her jealousy.

Zhu Zhen has a third-rank cultivation level, and ordinary tricks cannot deal with him, but Zhu Zhen also has family outside the palace.

Mei Xingyue only needed to make a slight threat to defeat Zhu Zhen.

For the sake of his wife and daughters, he dared not disobey Mei Xingyue any longer.

Today, because Mei Xingyue wanted to attend the ceremony for being named a concubine, but the Crown Prince refused, she started to act crazy and torment people.

"This is outrageous! How can such a woman be the Crown Princess?"

“The Crown Prince is the heir apparent. If he ascends the throne one day, the Crown Princess will be the Empress. Does someone like Mei Xingyue, with such a character, deserve to be the Empress?” Ziyu spoke out against this.

Zhou Wei also said, "You can see the whole picture from a single spot. With her narrow-mindedness, she has already caused untold suffering to everyone in the Eastern Palace even without a formal title."

"If he takes charge of the harem in the future, I wonder how many people will suffer, and even the court officials will probably not escape punishment."

Jiang Yueli looked at Zhu Zhen, who was still kneeling on the ground, and knew that he would not stand up.

Unless the Crown Prince gives the order!

"Commander Zhu, is His Highness the Crown Prince here?"

"His Highness has been summoned to Kunning Palace by the Empress's messenger."

The eldest princess nodded. "If that's the case, then Zhu Zhen may kneel if he wants."

When the Crown Prince returns, he will naturally help him up.

Jiang Yueli turned around, preparing to enter the East Palace, when she suddenly heard a shrill scream coming from inside.

She turned around abruptly to look at Zhu Zhen, who lowered his head and said, "This is...this is the voice of Consort Li."

Consort Li, the Crown Prince's concubine, was from a family of scholars and officials; her father was the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

Lady Li was gentle and had a respectable family background. She was the concubine personally chosen by the Emperor of the Great Zhou for the Crown Prince.

With the position of Crown Princess vacant, Lady Li dutifully managed the Eastern Palace.

Everyone in the Eastern Palace trusted her. Even Jian Xiyan, who had the most faults, thought she was an easy target and didn't bother to find fault with her.

Now, hearing Li's screams in agony, how could one not be horrified!

"Quick! Go in and see what happened!"

Zhou Wei walked at the front, following the sound all the way to the source.

In a small garden, we saw Li, dressed in thin clothes and with disheveled hair, wailing in the snow!

Her entire body was covered with countless wounds on her exposed skin.

Rolling in the snow, turning the pure white snow into a deep crimson!

Jiang Nianmei, wrapped in a red velvet padded jacket, stood under the eaves, watching Li Shi's pain and clapping her hands excitedly.

"Hahaha, this is so much fun! Bring me my little bow and arrows, I've thought of a new way to play."

The palace servants serving in the corridor were all trembling, their lips shaking as they looked at Lady Li.

Seeing that no one was listening to her, Jiang Nianmei stretched her right hand out from her furry sleeve.

The soft whip lashed out and struck a palace maid in the face!

She was young and short, so she couldn't reach the palace maid's face with her slaps, and that's why she came up with this idea.

The palace maid cried out in pain and knelt on the ground, begging for mercy: "Miss, spare my life! I will go and get the bow and arrows right away."

Jiang Nianmei was satisfied when she saw this, but she lashed the whip twice more, striking the palace maid's face.

"Stop!" The eldest princess called out to stop them.

Jiang Nianmei squinted at the other side of the small garden, and only after recognizing Jiang Yueli did she realize it was Jiang Yueli.

He immediately kicked the palace maid and said, "Go and call my mother!"

"Let me see, who dares to make a move?"

Jiang Yueli shouted angrily, and the palace maids who had already stood up immediately stopped in their tracks.

Having witnessed Zhou Wei's methods, Jiang Nianmei was naturally afraid and couldn't help but take two steps back, hiding behind a palace maid.

At this moment, Li, who was already on the verge of death, suddenly looked up at Jiang Yueli.

His face, hidden by long hair, was covered in bruises, and blood was seeping from the corner of his mouth.

"Princess...Princess...Please tell my father that I am an unfilial daughter..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wei sensed something was wrong and activated her Lingbo Weibu technique, intending to save Li Shi.

But when he got close enough to hug her, he discovered that Li had bitten off her tongue!