His Majesty was furious

After a long and tiring journey, the group had just stepped into the city gates of the capital when Lin Ben, who had been waiting there, eagerly ran forward upon seeing Lou Xuan's carriage.

"Greetings, Princess. His Majesty has invited the four of you to an audience." With a delicate hand lifting the curtain and a slight nod, she said, "Eunuch Lin, please step forward. I will escort you."

"This old servant thanks Your Highness for your kindness, but I am ordered to buy some things for His Majesty, so I must take my leave first." Lin Ben bowed, and Lou Xuan did not insist further.

"Then I will take the three of them into the palace." Lou Xuan glanced at Chang Yi, then leaped off his horse and stepped into the carriage. Wei Shu, on the other hand, displayed a more refined manner, somewhat similar to Lou Xuan.

"His Majesty wishes to see me?" Jiang Jin asked Wei Shu in a low voice, mindful of Chang Yi.

"Don't be afraid. His Majesty just rewarded Imperial Censor Jiang a few days ago, praising you as a woman who is just as capable as any man. As long as you bow from behind, nothing will happen. Besides, I'm in front of you." Wei Shu held Jiang Jin's hand. Jiang Jin glanced at Lou Xuan without making a sound, and only when she saw Lou Xuan lower her eyes did she feel a little more at ease.

"Your Highness, we have arrived at the palace gate. Please proceed with the carriage." Guards stood at the palace gate, swords in hand, blocking the carriage. Wei Shu left his sword in the carriage, jumped down first, and then carried Jiang Jin out.

"I can walk by myself!" Jiang Jin blushed as she looked at the passersby. "There are so many rumors in the capital, I can't let false rumors spread."

Wei Shu put Jiang Jin down, then, disregarding everyone's gaze, took her hand.

"Be mindful of the consequences." Lou Xuan frowned and stopped looking at the two of them.

"If Your Highness wishes to shake hands, my hand is always reserved for you." Chang Yi stepped forward to Lou Xuan's side at the opportune moment.

"I won't ride in a soft-sided carriage. You may all leave now." Lou Xuan rolled her eyes at Chang Yi and then walked ahead of the three of them.

"Your Highness, are you angry?" Chang Yi persisted. Lou Xuan, who had been impatient at first, was now furious and wished she could smother this incessant chatter with her handkerchief.

"We're almost at the Zichen Palace. Does Commander Chang still want to act so recklessly?" Jiang Jin quickly spoke up to stop him, seeing Lou Xuan's face growing increasingly cold.

"Could it be that Lady Wei has been to the palace before? Otherwise, how would she know that the Zichen Palace is almost here?" Chang Yi glanced at Jiang Jin, then his gaze fell on Lou Xuan's face.

"It seems Commandant Chang's mind is entirely focused on Princess Zhaoyang. My lord subtly hinted at it to me earlier, but Commandant Chang probably didn't hear it." Jiang Jin's mind worked quickly, and she made up a lie on the spot. Chang Yi didn't notice anything amiss and let it go.

"We've arrived. Chang Yi, don't say a word in front of Father Emperor." A flash of displeasure crossed Lou Xuan's eyes, but it quickly disappeared. The eunuch at the door hurriedly opened the door after seeing Lou Xuan.

"His Majesty is waiting for the princess inside." Lou Xuan nodded slightly and walked to the seat below Emperor Wende to pay his respects.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"Get up, all of you." Emperor Wende looked at Lou Xuan, who had not yet risen, and said with a smile, "What, Xuan'er, did you not hear your father's command?"

"Your subject has come to beg for forgiveness!" Lou Xuan knelt quietly on the ground, but his eyes showed unwavering resolve.

"What crime has Xuan'er committed? You handled the affairs of Bianzhou very well, and your father is very satisfied." Emperor Wende took a sip of tea, changed the subject, and continued without listening to Lou Xuan's explanation: "Lady Wei's archery skills are superb, and she killed the traitor Wang Kuo. I wonder what reward she would like?"

"I..." Jiang Jin glanced at Lou Xuan kneeling before her and gritted her teeth, "According to the law, killing the head of a rebel should result in a promotion. I want to fight for an official position for myself!"

As soon as Jiang Jin finished speaking, Lou Xuan's eyes were filled with disbelief. She reached out and slapped Jiang Jin across the face. The crisp sound of the slap echoed in the empty palace.

"Madam Wei must be exhausted from the journey and still not fully awake. Wei Shu, why don't you help your wife downstairs to sober up!" Lou Xuan tugged at Jiang Jin, hoping to bring her back to her senses.

"Your Majesty, I..." Wei Shu was about to speak when Emperor Wende interrupted him with a look.

"You have quite the ambition, Jiang Jin, do you know that I could order your execution right now!" A teacup shattered beside Jiang Jin's knees, and shards cut Lou Xuan's arm.

"Everything I have said is written in accordance with the law. Even if Your Majesty were to order my death, I would have no complaints. But I am a subject of Great Yan and naturally abide by its laws. Your Majesty is the ruler of Great Yan; do you intend to destroy its laws with your own hands?" Jiang Jin knelt on the ground, looking directly into Emperor Wende's eyes for the first time.

"You are a woman, and since ancient times, you have been destined to stay in the inner palace to support your husband and raise children. I will bestow upon you the title of Lady of the County as compensation for your service!" Emperor Wende stared at Jiang Jin without showing any emotion.

"As long as I become an official, even though I am a woman, His Majesty once praised me, saying that women are no less capable than men. Women are also subjects of the Great Yan Dynasty. Does this mean that women are exempt from the law, or that they have always been above the law?"

Jiang Jin stared defiantly at Emperor Wende. Wei Shu, fearing that the emperor might lose his temper and throw the inkstone at Jiang Jin, had no choice but to keep a close eye on the emperor's every move.

"Fine!" Emperor Wende roared in fury, and the inkstone hurtled directly towards Jiang Jin. Wei Shu stepped in front of Jiang Jin without hesitation.

"Your Majesty, my wife has spoken without thinking, please forgive her!" Wei Shu pulled Jiang Jin behind him. "Your Majesty, I..."

"Wei Shu, I didn't let you get married so you could defy me!" Emperor Wende sneered. "You pity her, yet she's such a rebellious person! I'll grant you a divorce!"

"In my entire life, I have only ever begged Your Majesty to grant my request for Jiang Jin!" Wei Shu kowtowed repeatedly to Emperor Wende.

"Jiang Jin, if I grant you entry into court on the condition of divorce, would you be willing?" Emperor Wende's face showed no hint of a joke.

"Your Majesty, is there a better choice for General Wei's wife than this commoner?"

Jiang Jin calmly looked at Emperor Wende, "It is widely rumored in the capital that General Wei loves me to the bone, which is why the Crown Prince and the Third Prince have not sent people to Wei Shu's harem. If I leave, there will be many more beauties in the harem that I cannot refuse tomorrow, right?"

"You can't have your cake and eat it too, Jiang Jin, I want you to choose one!" Emperor Wende's face was dark and uncertain, and everyone's hearts pounded. Even Lou Xuan dared not utter a sound.

"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and I share Your Majesty's choice!" Jiang Jin's straight back did not bend in the slightest because of Emperor Wende's words.

"What a fine emperor you are, just as eloquent as your father!" Emperor Wende withdrew his imposing manner and waved his sleeve. "Wei Shu, bring up my inkstone."

"Yes." Wei Shu breathed a sigh of relief and presented the broken inkstone from the ground.

"I will give you a chance. If you can persuade those stubborn old ministers at the morning court tomorrow, I will grant you the opportunity to attend the court."

The crowd had various expressions, not understanding why Emperor Wende's attitude had changed so quickly, "but only civil officials can serve as military officers."

"This humble woman kowtows to express her gratitude to Your Majesty!" Jiang Jin hurriedly kowtowed to express her thanks, no longer feeling the pain of the bloodstains on her palms.

"Alright, Zhaoyang, everyone else, leave." Jiang Jin glanced at Lou Xuan out of the corner of her eye, but had no other choice but to follow Wei Shu out of the Zichen Palace.

"Madam Wei, I wish you all the best." Chang Yi said softly as he passed Jiang Jin, then walked towards the palace gate without looking back.

"Let's go back to the manor." Wei Shu's expression was not good, but since he couldn't show it in the palace, he had no choice but to take Jiang Jin into the carriage.

"Jiang Jin, are you really courting death? Do you know that His Majesty could kill you today, or even just..."

"They're sending someone to assassinate me?" Jiang Jin continued, "Of course I know that, but I'll fight for even the smallest chance. This is the greatest achievement I can get right now, and if I don't give it my all, I don't know if I'll ever have another opportunity." Jiang Jin's expression was calm, as if she wasn't the one who had just fought to the death in the Zichen Palace.

“We can discuss this further. If you truly anger His Majesty today, Princess Zhaoyang and I may not be able to protect you.” Wei Shu still felt a lingering fear as he recalled the scene in the Zichen Palace.

"Don't worry, His Majesty won't kill me. Firstly, I am your wife, and it's widely rumored in the capital that you love me deeply. If you become a widower, it might hold out for a while, but it wouldn't be good if you refused too many times. Secondly, no matter what, I really did kill Wang Juesong, and that's a merit I deserve. Thirdly, His Majesty might not actually be unwilling to allow women to enter the court." Jiang Jin kept him in suspense until the carriage stopped and she saw the plaque of the Wei residence, then she realized with a start that she had really returned to the capital.

"My lady!" Ah Bei rushed to the carriage and carefully helped Jiang Jin down. "My lady, I was so worried when I heard you were injured!"

"I'm fine, aren't I?" Jiang Jin patted Abei's hand and turned to Wei Shu, saying, "General, why don't we have a chat in the study?"

Wei Shu nodded and instructed Zhou Cong, "Go and have someone make some jade dew dumplings and crispy cherries and send them to the study."

Abei looked at Wei Shu with some surprise, then cast a questioning glance at Jiang Jin. "Abei, go to your bedroom and I'll talk to you later tonight."

"Yes, my lady." Ah Bei, carrying Jiang Jin's bundle, left, turning back to look at her every few steps.

"Let's go." Wei Shu took Jiang Jin's hand and they walked towards the study.

"The Wei residence is quite large. I suppose we left in a hurry and you didn't have a chance to explore it properly. I'll accompany you to see it properly after court tomorrow." Wei Shu took out a token and placed it in Jiang Jin's palm.

"What's this?" Jiang Jin asked curiously, touching the intricate patterns on the token in her palm.

"This is my token for commanding the secret guards in the capital. If anything happens, take this token to the manager of Xiaoyao Tower. Remember, don't be reckless. Many people in the capital see us as a thorn in their side. Remember to bring guards with you when you go out." Wei Shu was afraid that Jiang Jin would act recklessly again and hurt him.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful." The two chatted and laughed as they entered the study. After closing the door, Jiang Jin placed a letter in Wei Shu's hand.

"Aren't you surprised? You were always wary of me and questioned me at every turn. Doesn't His Majesty care about your wife's important position at all, or does he really trust the Jiang family too much?"

"What does that mean?" Wei Shu unfolded the letter and read it quickly, skimming through it.

"I had someone investigate whether there were any suspicious people in the Jiang family before the marriage was arranged, but apart from your people, we found nothing. Later, I sent people to the estate, but no one came to investigate. However, it's also possible that His Majesty is too secretive, so I'm approaching it from another angle." Jiang Jin then took out another letter and placed it on the table.