Without waiting for Jiang Zhiyuan to answer, Mrs. Jiang and the housekeeper took a few steps forward.

The butler raised the stone in his hand and without saying a word, smashed it directly on Master Jiang's head.

Blood instantly oozed from Master Jiang's forehead and he fell down in a daze.

Mrs. Jiang asked anxiously, "Why did you hit him? What if he died?"

The housekeeper said bluntly, "I have some light weapons on hand. This will at most make him sleep for a while. I guarantee it won't cause any major problems."

Mrs. Jiang then breathed a sigh of relief.

Then she took the small cloth bag from Jiang Zhiyuan's hand and opened it on the spot.

The three of them checked together and saw a deerskin map about one foot square and a stack of silver bills.

Mrs. Jiang carefully held the deerskin map in her hands and cried with joy: "This is it! I'm so glad I found it."

After saying that, she turned to look at Jiang Zhiyuan: "Son! With this, you can go to see the emperor."

Jiang Zhiyuan looked at Mrs. Jiang, then at the housekeeper, and nodded solemnly.

…

On the other side, inside the palace.

After the guests had enjoyed the delicious food, the palace banquet ended.

After the palace banquet, Emperor Mingxi kept the crown prince, the second prince, Yan Wenjing, Han Qingbo, Xiao Licheng and others to discuss matters in the Qianqing Palace.

Because Emperor Mingxi wanted to hear his daughter's thoughts, he also brought Xia Miaoyuan over.

There was laughter in the inner chambers of the Qianqing Palace as the emperor and his ministers reviewed today's battle situation with great joy.

The Second Prince sighed, "Father, Big Brother, and all the gentlemen, you are truly beyond my expectations!"

"I've been away from the capital for over two years, and yet you've managed to orchestrate this. I've only been back for two days, and I witnessed you capture that bastard Liang Chaozong at a palace banquet!"

"Oh, today really scared me!"

"I still can't recover from it!"

Everyone burst into laughter after hearing this.

The Crown Prince said gently, "This is all thanks to my father. After years of tracking and investigating, we've already figured out Liang Chaozong's background. This is the only chance we have to capture him alive at a palace banquet."

When everyone saw the prince started to flatter, they all followed suit.

Yan Wenjing said with a smile: "Yes, Your Majesty is wise!"

Prince Jin said, "Thanks to the Emperor's resourcefulness, he not only foiled Liang Chaozong's plot, but also took the opportunity to capture him alive."

"After this incident, the emperor's reputation will surely rise to a new level!"

The rest of them also gave him compliments one by one.

Emperor Mingxi stroked his beard and listened to these compliments. He didn't feel annoyed at all, and his back teeth were almost showing.

[Woqu, you guys are really awesome! ]

[Isn't it a meeting? How did it become a show of flattery?!]

[Hey, look at my dad, he looks like he's drunk.]

[Tsk tsk tsk! This isn't just Daddy's achievement! Lord Han, my eldest brother, Lord Yan, and the Prince of Jin all contributed a lot.]

[You can't put all the credit on Daddy alone! ]

Xia Miaoyuan was lying in a warm room separated by a curtain, pretending that he couldn't bear the nap, but he was complaining madly in his heart.

After hearing his daughter's heartfelt words, Emperor Mingxi felt a little embarrassed and quickly waved his hand, saying, "My dear ministers, you are too kind!"

"Today's achievements are inseparable from the strategies and planning of my dear ministers!"

"This credit is definitely not mine alone."

[That's more like it. It seems Daddy still has some self-awareness!]

Emperor Mingxi cleared his throat and continued, "My dear ministers, Liang Chaozong and his men have been apprehended, but what should be done with them next? I would like to discuss this with you."

"My dear ministers, if you have any ideas, please feel free to speak up!"

After hearing this, the Second Prince said anxiously, "Father, this isn't that easy. Just kill them all and it'll be over!"

"Since the Emperor has publicly apprehended Liang Chaozong today, he has already discovered his whereabouts and power. We can just kill them and put an end to them once and for all!"

After hearing this, Emperor Mingxi just smiled slightly and said nothing.

At this time, the prince said in a gentle voice: "Second brother, killing him directly does save trouble, but it is inevitably inappropriate."

"Since Father has exposed Liang Chaozong's true identity in public at the palace banquet today and arrested him on the spot, this matter cannot be hidden."

"Even if we want to kill him, we should do it in an upright manner. If he dies inexplicably, and the news gets out, it will inevitably be fabricated by those with ulterior motives."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingxi nodded slightly in approval.

Lord Han interjected, "Your Highness's analysis makes sense."

"I believe we can list the crimes of Liang Chaozong and the others one by one, then set a date, drag them to the vegetable market, read out their crimes in front of the entire capital, and behead them."

"In this way, killing them will be both justifiable and will enhance the prestige of our Great Xia nation and the reputation of Your Majesty."

At this time, Lord Yan also echoed: "This old minister agrees with the opinions of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Lord Han."

"In my opinion, whether or not we can get anything useful out of Liang Chaozong and his men is secondary. The key is to execute them in public with solid evidence."

Xia Miaoyuan lay on her side in the warm room, her big eyes rolling around.

[Hmm! Good idea, better than my second brother's.]

My second brother, you still don't think things through thoroughly enough.

The second prince listened to his sister's thoughts and scratched his head embarrassedly.

At this time, Emperor Mingxi finally spoke: "Crown Prince, Han Aiqing, Yan Aiqing, you are all right! This is what I mean."

After saying this, he looked at the Second Prince and said, "Second Prince, you have become much smarter, but you are still not thorough enough."

"Well, learn from your elder brothers from now on."

The second prince grabbed his hair and scratched it hard several times.

Emperor Mingxi glanced at everyone and finally his eyes fell on Xiao Licheng's hand.

"Xiao Siqing, you will be responsible for the interrogation of these people."

"If we can find something useful during the investigation, that would be great."

"However, if those people are stubborn and stubborn and nothing can be found out, then it doesn't matter."

"Just list their crimes one by one and read them out in public!"

"Anyway, we've already found evidence of the evil things they've done."

After hearing this, Xiao Licheng bowed and accepted the order.

Just then, there was a noisy sound in the yard.

Emperor Mingxi frowned and called out to the door, "Debao, who's making a noise outside?"

Debao pushed open the door and said respectfully, "It was Madam Jiang, accompanied by Grand Tutor Jiang... and Jiang Zhiyuan, requesting an audience with His Majesty!"

Debao stuttered as he spoke, seeming a little hesitant.

Everyone was shocked after hearing this.