Outside the Changle Palace.
A carriage slowly approached.
Although traveling incognito, when the imperial family travels, no matter how low-key, the hidden guards in the shadows protect the inconspicuous carriage thoroughly.
Inside the carriage.
The young Emperor spoke indifferently, "What is the situation like over at the Jiangnan West Circuit?"
In the corner, the Old Eunuch lowered his head.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the movements at the Demon Saint's Seal location are growing larger. The earth veins are surging, and several counties have already suffered calamity."
"However, General Bureau reacted quickly. Most of the elite troops from the Division have been deployed, led by the Chief Commander and the heads of the left and right Demon Suppression Divisions, along with several golden robes stationed there. I imagine..."
The Old Eunuch paused, carefully choosing his words.
"They shouldn't be able to stir up too much trouble."
Hearing this, the Emperor merely snorted coldly.
"They had better not."
A brief silence fell inside the carriage.
Only the rumbling sound of the wheels rolling over the flagstones remained.
After a long time.
The Emperor suddenly spoke, "Oh, right."
"What is the status of Jiang Xun's case now?"
The Old Eunuch's heart skipped a beat, and a look of difficulty crossed his face.
Although Your Majesty hadn't mentioned it these past few days.
As his personal eunuch, how could he not know that this matter had been weighing on His Majesty's mind?
Especially after Inspector Jiang returned to the capital.
"Well..."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly, "Hmm?"
The Old Eunuch plopped down, kneeling on the soft cushion of the carriage.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
"It's not that this slave intentionally withheld information, it's truly... truly because of Lord Wei..."
The Old Eunuch gritted his teeth, adopting the mentality of 'a Fellow Daoist dying is better than oneself,' and simply laid out the whole matter: "According to reports from subordinates, Lord Wei suppressed many clues right from the start."
"Oh?"
A strange look flashed in the Emperor's eyes.
This was somewhat unexpected for him.
When the impeaching memorial was submitted, claiming the vice minister of rites colluded with demons and caused chaos in the inner palace, he had only assumed it was routine bureaucratic infighting, or perhaps that the man was truly bewitched by a demon.
After all.
He was only a third-rank civil official; why would he need to personally inquire about it?
If it weren't for that girl named Jiang Yuechu suddenly rising to prominence and causing such a huge stir.
He wouldn't even have asked this question.
He had been wondering why this case had dragged on for so long.
He didn't expect a figure like Wei Wenda to actually do such a thing... "Forget it."
"Since Wei Wenda is willing to drag this out despite such immense pressure, this case must certainly hold some suspicion."
"Although Jiang Xun himself doesn't possess great abilities, I must say, the smartest thing he ever did was father a good daughter."
The image of the young girl surfaced in the Emperor's mind, and a smile played on his lips.
Ink Dot Realm at seventeen.
Furthermore, she possesses the terrifying combat power to slay a Seed Lotus cultivator.
Such talent, such Luck.
"For such a fine talent, if I were to discourage her, it would make me seem intolerant."
"Since that is the case..."
"Then I shall investigate it personally for her."
"If this Jiang Xun was truly framed and suffered an injustice..."
The Emperor narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within.
"I shall restore his innocence, and consider it doing that girl a favor."
"Issue my verbal decree."
The Emperor straightened his casual attire and spoke lightly.
"Change course, head to the Dali Temple Imperial Prison."
The Old Eunuch suddenly looked up, his face full of astonishment.
"Your Majesty... you intend to personally visit such a foul place..."
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
The Emperor glanced sideways at him.
"Y-yes... yes!"
The Old Eunuch quickly lifted the curtain and whispered a few instructions to the coachman outside.
The carriage slowly turned a corner and headed towards the west of the city.
Sitting back down in the corner.
The Old Eunuch secretly glanced at the Emperor, who was resting with his eyes closed, but a storm raged in his heart.
Good heavens... this Jiang Yuechu is truly favored by the Emperor.
His Majesty is actually going personally to such a gloomy, ominous place to overturn her father's case?
Who in the capital would dare provoke this little ancestor in the future?
...Dali Temple, Imperial Prison.
Even though it was bright and sunny outside, this place remained chillingly cold.
The torches on the walls crackled, their dim yellow halos illuminating only a small area.
Wei Wenda, dressed in a crimson robe, stood solemnly before a special prison cell.
Unlike the filth and disorder of the other cells, this one, though dark, was quite clean and even had a simple desk set up.
However, the figure sitting at the desk was currently facing away from the iron bars, completely motionless.
"How is he?"
Wei Wenda withdrew his gaze and looked at the prison warden standing guard beside him.
The prison warden wore a bitter expression and shook his head helplessly.
"Reporting to Lord, it's the same as always."
"He ate the food we sent in and read the books, but he just... won't utter a single word."
Speaking of this, the prison warden seemed hesitant to continue.
He felt extremely aggrieved inside.
This is the Imperial Prison, not an inn.
Who enters this place and doesn't get skinned alive before they're willing to talk?
Now look at this.
They need to obtain a confession, yet they must treat the prisoner with courtesy, even supplying him with good food and drink.
If they rely solely on verbal interrogation, what can they possibly find out?
Should they hope the prisoner suddenly develops a conscience?
"Lord, forgive This subordinate for speaking frankly."
The prison warden gritted his teeth and whispered, "Dragging this on like this isn't a solution. If the higher-ups press us too hard..."
"Enough."
Wei Wenda waved his hand, cutting off his complaints.
"I know what I'm doing. You may step back for now."
"...Yes."
The prison warden dared not say more, bowed, and retreated into the darkness with two jailers.
Only Wei Wenda remained in the corridor.
He stood with his hands behind his back, looking through the iron bars at the thin figure inside.
After a long time.
A long sigh echoed outside the silent cell.
"Brother Jiang, oh, Brother Jiang... why must you suffer like this?"
The figure inside the cell did not turn around.
It was as if he hadn't heard the sigh of his former classmate.
Wei Wenda wasn't annoyed.
This scene had played out countless times over the past half year.
He rubbed his throbbing brow, and his previous speculation resurfaced in his mind.
Demons caused chaos in the inner palace, Consort Ming died tragically, and the Princess was lost.
Yet, Jiang Xun happened to appear outside Consort Ming's sleeping quarters that night, and he also happened to hide the Azure Bird Dragon Crest Pendant in his study.
Coupled with the terrifying talent Jiang Yuechu is now displaying... all the clues connect.
Perhaps... that girl really is the lost Princess?
But if that is the case.
Why won't Jiang Xun speak up?
As long as he tells the truth, as long as he can prove the girl's background.
For the sake of the Imperial Family's reputation, and for the lost Dragon offspring.
His Majesty would certainly not punish him; in fact... this would bring immense fortune!
Could it be... that the rumors from years ago are true?
Thinking of this.
Wei Wenda's heart suddenly jumped.
If so, everything would make sense.
"Report—!!!"
Just then.
A rapid sound of footsteps broke the silence of the Imperial Prison.
A jailer ran frantically from the end of the corridor, his face pale, not even bothering to adjust his crooked hat.
"Lord! Lord!"
"What is the panic about?"
Wei Wenda frowned, turning around with some displeasure.
"He's... He's here..."
"Who is here?"
"H-His Majesty!"
The jailer swallowed hard and quickly said, "His Majesty has come personally, traveling incognito! He... he has already entered the Imperial Prison gates!"