Before Lu Ming could even make a move, the nobles who were there to finish him off, drawn by the smell of blood, arrived.
One by one, they produced evidence of crimes committed by the Shi, Wang, and Jia families, accusing them of various offenses. When they were still powerful, things had been relatively peaceful.
Many things went unpunished unless the people reported them.
Now that the four great families were in trouble, they were bound to try and take a bite out of them!
At most, they accused Jia She of owing money, harassing women, and raping women.
There were also accusations of being an accomplice in murder, helping to collect the bodies of servants killed.
And even accusations of helping to collect and bury the bodies of those driven to suicide without reporting to the authorities.
These would have been unthinkable when they were at the height of their power and influence, and wouldn't have seemed like a big deal.
But now, it was simply the last straw that broke the camel's back! When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down; sometimes misfortune isn't a single event, but the result of everyone working together.
Lu Ming was quite surprised by this. When he first arrived, the connections between the nobles and families weren't particularly close.
However, whenever he was about to make a move, the nobles would speak up, saying he was already the boss and shouldn't be so petty; they were willing to submit and obey.
Now it seemed it was all about self-interest.
He wondered if they were afraid the three powerful families would expose their dirty secrets, so they were taking advantage of the chaos to kill him while he was down!
As he climbed off Empress He's voluptuous body, Lu Ming twisted his neck, looking at her lying there, a waterfall of thick white semen flowing from her lush pubic hair. He felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment!
This was the Empress!
One of the most noble women in the world, and now he had her beneath him, and was wantonly impregnating her!
"Are you leaving?" Empress He lay languidly on the bed, her clothes disheveled, even her hair was ruffled, giving her a hazy, ethereal beauty, like a woman just waking up.
"Yes, I have to deal with the Shi, Jia, and Wang families. Lian'er has someone she needs to entertain specially; I'll take good care of them for you!" Lu Ming stroked Empress He's fair, delicate feet, glistening and translucent. Even at over thirty, her skin was still so smooth and supple—it was incredibly alluring!
Her feet tickled slightly from Lu Ming's caresses. Empress He looked up at Lu Ming's infatuated gaze, a strange sense of pride welling up inside her.
She, an older woman, could still attract the attention of a young man—that was indeed something to be proud of!
In ancient times, being over thirty was considered old, which was why she felt both proud and touched.
"No, you handle it. I'm sleepy, you should go back." This time, Empress He didn't refer to herself as "this palace," which was a step forward.
Unconsciously, the distinction between empress and subject had blurred, leaving only the lust of men and women.
The Jia family, once known for its bold and generous Wang Xifeng, now lay curled up in bed, devoid of her former vitality, only endless weariness.
The Jia family was in trouble, and so was the Wang family, causing Wang Xifeng's status to plummet. Even the servants began absconding with the money.
Looking at the vast Jia mansion, with no one capable of managing the chaotic situation, she felt utterly exhausted.
Holding real power in the Jia family, she was ruthless, shrewd, passionate, and decisive. Her remarkable management and organizational skills, evident in her governance of the Ningguo and Rongguo mansions, were truly astounding. "Madam Rong is here!" Ping'er called out from the doorway.
Wang Xifeng sat up weakly, leaning against the headboard. Her once round, pretty face appeared somewhat gaunt, and her pale cheeks held a touch of melancholy. "Keqing, please sit down."
"Don't move, I'll do it myself." Qin Keqing moved a stool and sat down opposite Wang Xifeng. The two were sisters-in-law and close friends, often talking together.
Before, Qin Keqing had been greatly grateful to Wang Xifeng; otherwise, she would surely have been defiled by that shameless old man, Jia Zhen. Therefore, Qin Keqing was always deeply grateful to Wang Xifeng.
Wang Xifeng only helped Qin Keqing because she posed no threat and Qin Keqing had influence with her.
It was already an immoral act, and she was merely offering a subtle reminder. If word got out, it would be disastrous, which was why Jia Zhen left in shame.
"Keqing, why do you think so?"
Qin Keqing knew what Wang Xifeng meant, and she didn't have a good idea herself. "My father-in-law plans to send me to the governor's mansion to save the Jia family's future."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng revealed a mocking smile, not directed at Qin Keqing, but at Jia Zhen. "Zhen-ge'er is always like this. When do you plan to go?"
"Tomorrow." Qin Keqing's expression was neither sad nor happy, even somewhat relieved. After all, Tanchun and Xichun were there; she wouldn't be completely helpless.
"I've come to say goodbye. Now, the Empress is furious, and with the governor's methods, the Ministry of Justice is thoroughly investigating. Many shameful secrets will be exposed. Others are kicking us while we're down. The Jia family's fate is precarious. Fengjie, you must make plans soon."
"Plans?" Wang Xifeng smiled bitterly, weakly shaking her head. "There's nothing to plan. Even if I die, I won't serve any devil!"
A devil?
It was certainly worth it for Lu Ming.
In this short period, hundreds of women had been imprisoned in the Jiaosifang, a veritable den of iniquity, a den of iniquity for women!
Once inside, they were subjected to rape, without even a proper status.
"Tan Chun is now in charge of all affairs of the prefectural governor's mansion, and Xi Chun is assisting Miao Yu in integrating the Taoist temples inside and outside Chang'an. They are both doing very well and are highly valued." Qin Keqing's voice was somewhat weak, carrying a hint of helplessness and persuasion, because Tan Chun had asked her in a letter to help persuade Feng Jie to come along.
Although this was a despicable matter, it was the only way to protect the Jia family.
Just as Wang Xifeng was about to say something, Ping'er exclaimed joyfully, "Third Miss! Third Miss, you're back! That's wonderful!"
Tan Chun was the third in the generation, so she was also called Third Miss.
Xi Chun was the fourth, so she was Fourth Miss.
Ying Chun was the Second Sister.
Xi Chun was the fourth in the generation, so she was Fourth Miss. The eldest daughter was naturally Jia Yuanchun, but because she had entered the palace at a young age, not many people in the Jia family knew her, though they had heard of her.