Outside the Imperial Court of Judicial Review's Imperial Prison.
A carriage without any identifying markers was parked solitarily in front of the vermillion gate.
Several Imperial Bodyguards in plain clothes held their sabers and watched vigilantly.
Creak—
The heavy gate was slowly pushed open.
Wei Wenda bowed his body, following closely behind a figure.
That person's steps were extremely fast, even slightly stumbling, completely lacking the composure and majesty they had upon arrival.
"Your Majesty, watch the steps."
The Old Eunuch quickly stepped forward, reaching out to help.
But the Emperor waved his hand, pushing him away.
Using the dim, yellow light of the lantern by the entrance, the Old Eunuch clearly saw the Emperor's current expression.
Pale as paper.
His eyes held both shock and disbelief.
"Quickly!"
The Emperor didn't even wait for the carriage steps to be lowered, scrambling into the carriage using all four limbs.
"To Prince Jings Estate!"
"Now! Immediately!"
The Old Eunuch's heart violently skipped a beat.
He had served in the palace for most of his life, but he had never seen his master lose composure like this.
Just now inside, what exactly did Lord Wei say?
"What are you standing around for?!"
A furious roar came from inside the carriage.
"Y-yes... yes!"
The Old Eunuch dared not think further and quickly climbed onto the carriage shaft.
"Giddy-up—!!!"
The carriage, like an arrow shot from a bow, crushed the silence in front of the Imperial Prison gate and sped toward the Chongren Ward... Inside the carriage.
In the Emperor's mind, Wei Wenda's words echoed repeatedly like thunder.
"Your Majesty, it is not that this old subject deliberately intended to deceive you."
"It is simply that the matter concerning Jiang Xun is too shocking and sensational."
The infant girl.
The Azure Bird Dragon-Patterned Jade Pendant.
And that astonishing and gorgeous Martial Dao talent, seemingly bestowed by heaven.
All the clues, at this moment, connected together.
Seventeen years old.
The timing matches.
Slaying the Dragon at Taihu Lake, bearing immense Luck.
Such natural talent—if not for being of the Royal Dragon Lineage, if not for carrying the Great Tang's National Destiny—how could an ordinary mortal achieve this?!
"Gu Yue..."
This was the Nickname Father Emperor casually gave when Mother Consort was pregnant, before bestowing an official title.
Meaning solitary hanging in the sky, clear and cold like the moon.
Jiang Yuechu.
The beginning of the month (Yuechu) is the moon (Yue).
"Ha... haha..."
The Emperor suddenly started laughing, the sound carrying a hint of nervous frenzy.
He leaned against the carriage wall, gasping for breath.
If it's true... if that Jiang Yuechu is really the sister lost all those years ago... "Faster! Faster!!!"
..."Y-you're lying!"
Su Qingzhou used his last ounce of strength, shouting hoarsely, "I possess Official Titles! I am a Scholar! How could I be a demon?!"
"I want to see Prince Jing Your Highness! I want to see Your Highness!"
As if responding to his cries for help.
A series of hurried yet steady footsteps came from the Back Hall.
"Who is causing a commotion here?!"
Accompanied by a majestic low shout.
A young man wearing a Purple Python Robe and a White Jade Crown strode out, surrounded by attendants.
Prince Jing, Li Jingran.
This person had a Face like jade, naturally possessing a refined and elegant demeanor.
But at this moment, the Face usually bearing a gentle smile was covered in frost.
Seeing the mess on the ground, and the half-dead Su Qingzhou.
Prince Jing's eye twitched slightly.
To beat up a distinguished guest he invited, in his own estate, during his banquet.
This was no longer just ignorance of etiquette.
This was trampling his dignity!
"Your Highness! Your Highness, save me!"
Although Su Qingzhou was beaten half to death, his mind was still functioning.
Even someone from the Demon Suppression Division wouldn't publicly refuse to give Face to this Worthy Prince for no reason!
Li Jingran's brows were tightly furrowed.
He did not immediately pay attention to the wailing at his feet, but instead raised his head and looked at the young woman.
Even though he had seen countless women, with beautiful concubines filling his estate.
Li Jingran had to admit that the young woman before him possessed a beauty that made one's heart tremble.
But immediately after.
His gaze dropped, landing on the young woman's shoulder.
The Silver Scale Cloak reflected a chilling luster under the candlelight.
The Fox Fur collar further accentuated the porcelain fairness of her Face.
Li Jingran's pupils contracted slightly.
"Demon Suppression Division?"
Jiang Yuechu's expression remained unchanged, too lazy to bow, she merely reached up to straighten the collar of her cloak and said indifferently.
"Precisely."
Li Jingran narrowed his eyes.
The sensational news that had been spreading throughout the Capital these past few days instantly surfaced in his mind.
Seventeen years old.
Dianmo Realm.
Slaying the Seed Lotus at Taihu Lake.
Newly promoted Silver Robe Inspector.
So... it was her.
Thoughts raced through Li Jingran's mind.
If it were an ordinary Demon Suppression Guards daring to cause trouble at his Liushang Banquet, he would certainly make them pay the price.
But the person before him was different.
If he could win over such a Peerless Prodigy... A shrewd glint flashed deep within Li Jingran's eyes.
If he could gain such a powerful helper... Thinking of this.
The layer of frost on Li Jingran's Face melted away at a visible speed.
"So it is Inspector Jiang."
Li Jingran stepped forward two paces, even taking the initiative to cup his hands in greeting.
"This Prince has long heard of Inspector Jiang's great reputation. Slaying the Great Demon of the Seed Lotus at Taihu Lake elevates our nation's prestige, and this Prince deeply admires it."
"I never expected you to condescend to visit my Humble Abode today. This is truly this Prince's good fortune."
These words were extremely well-spoken.
It saved Jiang Yuechu's Face while subtly defusing the tense atmosphere in the venue.
The entire audience was stunned.
Su Qingzhou on the ground was even more dumbfounded.
Ignoring the sharp pain in his chest, he struggled to raise his head, his Face full of disbelief.
"Your... Your Highness?"
"Silence!"
Li Jingran suddenly turned back, his previously gentle expression instantly turning grim.
He looked at Su Qingzhou, his eyes filled with disgust.
"Inspector Jiang is a Court Official, and moreover, a Meritorious Subject of our Great Tang!"
"How dare you publicly insult a Court Official?"
"This Prince usually respected your talent and treated you with courtesy, yet I never expected you to be so ungrateful and arrogant!"
Su Qingzhou felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
Why... why does this scene feel somewhat familiar?
Prince Jing Your Highness, who usually praised him highly and constantly called him a Confidant.
Now, for an outsider, he was being reprimanded so mercilessly?
"Your Highness... I... I am Qingzhou..."
"Didn't you love reading my poetry the most?"
Li Jingran let out a cold snort and flicked his sleeve.
"Your poems are nothing but flowery words and baseless moans. To this Prince, they were merely a source of amusement."
"Compared to Inspector Jiang's great Karma of Slaying Demons and Eliminating Devils and protecting the Populace."
"Your petty tricks aren't even worthy of tying shoes!"
Having said that.
"Inspector Jiang, allowing this Arrogant Scoundrel to disturb your enjoyment just now was due to this Prince's poor hospitality."
"Guards!"
"Drag this Ignorant Wretch away, lest he pollute Inspector Jiang's sight!"
Two Estate Guards immediately stepped forward, one on each side, hoisting the already distraught Su Qingzhou and dragging him away like a dead dog.
She did not show the slightest hint of being flattered by Li Jingran's friendly gesture.
She merely nodded lightly.
"Your Highness is too polite."
"Since it was a misunderstanding, now it is resolved."
Seeing this, Li Jingran felt even more admiration.
Such an Unflappable Temperament—she truly is No Ordinary Person!
"Inspector Jiang speaks correctly."
Li Jingran smiled, "Today's Liushang Banquet was originally intended to connect with the world's Fine Talents."
"Since Inspector Jiang has arrived, why not take the Seat of Honor?"
Saying this.
He turned sideways, leaving vacant the Main Seat that originally belonged to Su Qingzhou.
That position.
Was right next to the Host's Seat.
It was the most esteemed spot in the entire venue.
Jiang Yuechu frowned.
Is this fool seriously treating me like a seventeen-year-old girl?
If she really took the seat, wouldn't rumors spread tomorrow that Jiang Yuechu, the Silver Robe Inspector of the Demon Suppression Division, was on good terms with Prince Jing?
Just as she was about to refuse.
A shrill, high-pitched Announcement suddenly came from outside the gate, instantly piercing through the entire Estate.
"The Emperor has arrived—!!!"