Chapter 355: Full of Qi Yet Unable to Release It

"How could it be so fast? If Eleven doesn't become emperor, and we don't break their imperial dream, will they be content and cease?"

"How do we break the deadlock this time?"

"Just go about your duties normally; leave it to me."

"Always letting the wife take the lead makes me feel so useless as a husband."

"At that moment, Heizi dragged a person into the house, and none of the Zhai's servants saw how it entered."

"Heizi threw the person onto the ground, then crouched right there, which gave Yuan Jiaqi quite a start."

"He hurriedly jumped down from the kang and leaned forward to sniff the man's breath."

"Alive."

"This man is related to the Heart Extraction Case; let me handle it."

"Just what I was worrying about."

"A clever thought struck the emperor: recalling the years ago when several princes were robbed and some princes' legs were broken, it must have been this person who did it."

"Qiao Maijiao glared at him and said, \"After the New Year, I plan to go to Daxing Mountain Qingfeng Temple; I'll leave the household to you. \""

"Especially after Mu Junzhu gave birth to a Dizi, her womb has been still, and the same with Xiao County Lord; neither of them intends to have more children."

"The two chatted together, both keeping their brothers in the dark, fearing that a slip of the tongue might upset them."

"What is it?"

"When he heard about the matter at Jixiang Yuan, he flew into a huge temper at home; he dared not vent it on Mu Junzhu, so he did so secretly."

"The moment he saw Qiao Mai and the other, he was so startled he almost blurted out to catch the assassin."

"At that point he could no longer consider Qiao Mai's tactics; he shouted angrily, \"You damned scum, you damned scum, how could you commit such a heinous crime! \""

"The emperor immediately summoned the commander of the Golden Dragon Guard, gave him a secret edict, and sent him to dispatch troops outside the city, beginning a night-long manhunt."

"Qiao Mai waved a hand, and the unconscious man appeared in the main hall."

"She had no idea how many things had been smashed, but in fact Mu Junzhu wasn't unaware; she was merely pretending. She knew in her heart that her husband had long regretted it."

"Qiao Mai went up and performed a soul search on him, \"Heizi, where did you capture this man? \""

"Heizi ran out, and Yuan Jiaqi wore a shocked expression."

"\"It's also a Demon Beast, one I recently tamed for use in solving cases; this man is the Heart Digging murderer, but he's not the only one—someone is behind him. \""

"The mother-in-law says this forces her into a desperate corner, and it's not her fault; it's the Seventh Prince who repeatedly drives her to the brink."

"At the same time, everyone became indignant, gathered at the Imperial Palace gate, denounced the Seventh Prince, and begged the emperor to be just and strict, not to show mercy just because he is a prince."

"It seems the Seventh Prince's life this time is doomed; the emperor couldn't help but sigh inwardly—there's no way to spare him even if he wished."

"A reward for you."

"Fine, stop saying things like that; it's all fate, otherwise how would we be together?"

"Persistently, Princess Mu Junzhu went to see the Daifu, who said that as the elder brother of the Jiang family, he ought to prioritize the task of continuing the lineage."

"She lifted the man from the ground, then grabbed Yuan Jiaqi's arm; in an instant the figure vanished, and when it reappeared they were at the Imperial Palace."

"Y-you, how did you all come?"

"Soon October arrived, and the Qiao Family had almost finished preparations; marrying a Princess is a big deal for another family, but for Jixiang Yuan there is no difference in status, much like what was arranged for the Fengyun brothers back then."

"In Yuexian Pavilion, Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi sat opposite each other."

"Old Second said nothing and had no intention of taking a concubine, but Jiang Yunpeng couldn't help it."

"Her meaning was: if you don't act, she will."

"\"The wife has been so thorough; if I, as husband, still fail, then I'm a big fool. \""

"The good stuff from Jixiang Yuan is no longer theirs; if they want it, they must pay for it themselves."

"Seventh Prince"

"Sigh—he immediately issued an edict; after a thorough investigation, he will definitely give the people justice."

"What is this?"

"In mid‑September, the verdict finally came; the Seventh Prince will be beheaded after the year."

"Everyone says being emperor is great—what a load of crap; to claim the throne you must endure brother‑killing, father‑son slaughter, which is even more brutal than Heart Digging or lung‑pulling."

"\"Take a good look at what your good son has done. \""

"Qiao Mai thought for a moment, \"Alright. \""

"The troops split into two routes: one to the Imperial Manor, the other to the Seventh Prince's residence; while people were still dreaming, the Seventh Prince was taken to the Heavenly Prison."

"\"Your Majesty, he hasn't taken only these three lives; in secret, for his own lust, he has killed many innocents. \""

"Then Qiao Mai brushed her hand into the air, and a portrait materialized."

"Old Second is somewhat better, but the eldest has become especially gloomy lately."

"\"I will investigate thoroughly. \""

"Qiao Mai took out a Storage Pouch, hung it around its neck, and said, \"Go guard it; wherever I go, you follow. No wandering without orders. \""

"Heart Digging, rumor‑spreading—those are just the first; the subsequent actions will target Eleven, and the emperor grew angrier, his hands clenched tighter."

"\"Then I'll wait; I hope the emperor will be fair and not ignore those dead lives just because they're your son. \""

"All the scenes, though brief, involved many people."

"The men in black need no trial; as outlaws, their mouths can't be forced open, so they must be dealt with through others."

"In the Old Emperor's sleeping chamber, at this hour he has usually already begun his meal."

"It's always like that: behead others with relish, but slaying one's own family is dreaded."

"\"Can you take me, husband, with you? \""

"The emperor isn't afraid of Qiao Mai harming him; if she truly wanted his life, any amount would be given for free."

"\"One of the Heart Digging murderers. \""

My own Dizi wants to kill a deity; it's only natural that the deity would retreat, and besides, their imperial family can't afford to offend him. It truly breaks my heart!

Since the Li clan seized the realm, this is the first time a prince has been officially beheaded; the emperor feels angry but cannot voice it.

"Hehe, it was right to have found you for me back then, hehe."

"You bastard, willing to slaughter the people for the throne—how can such a person become emperor?"

"He doesn't dare; I haven't even settled the matter of his son harming us with him. If he dares to bear a grudge that I killed him…"

The same went on for several days; the emperor gave a wry smile in the Yushufang.

"What? Quickly, bring someone, bind the culprit and escort him to the Prison."

The Imperial Guard rushed in at once and escorted the man on the ground away.

"In this life, meeting my wife is a blessing for me."

"I'll go to the Imperial Palace and let it decide, okay? If he doesn't give an explanation, I'll kill him, including the band of outlaws under his command."

The common folk only now realized that they had again wronged Fu Wang's family, each of them feeling unbearable guilt inside.

Such a huge matter spread like wildfire through Jingcheng from dawn, and for the sake of Jixiang Yuan's reputation, Qiao Mai directly broadcast this footage in the most bustling district of Jingcheng.

If they didn't have wives, those manor owners and shops, they'd probably not even be able to support servants.

When he came to his senses, Qiao, with Yuan Jiaqi, had already disappeared.

"Did you find who it was?"

"Have everyone in the hall go out, guard the main hall well, and leave only the three of us."

"Yes, master."

The emperor's face turned ashen as he watched the footage; these outlaws were all kept in the Imperial Manor in Jiaojiao, all of them close aides of the Seventh Prince, staying indoors by day and moving only at night.

After hearing this, Mu Junzhu and County Lord Xiao felt moved and both said that Fu Wang's consort truly treats every child equally, without favoritism.

"In a manor in Jiaojiao, or perhaps in a secret room, damn it, it really cost this dog a lot of effort."

"Do you the emperor know about the Heart Digging cases these past two days?"

No matter how glorious the Qiao Family is, it no longer concerns him; having lost his lifelong food, clothing, and shelter, he feels especially uncomfortable.

"The emperor probably will hate us to death."

Mu Junzhu only agreed, but does nothing; she still doesn't want to have children now.

As a result, Jiang Yunpeng actually entertained the thought of taking a concubine, but when he thought of Mu Junzhu's status and her family background, the idea flickered and then vanished.

As a Fourth Rank military official without a patron or relatives, dreaming of taking a concubine is just a fantasy.

The family of the Duke of Zhen Guo would never wrong Mu Junzhu; as long as the princess loses affection for him, his fate is obvious.

(End of chapter)