Xiao Chengkang pushed a thick stack of secret reports in front of A Yuan. The candlelight flickered on his handsome face, reflecting the cold, sharp light in his eyes: "The time has come. The three arms that the Lin family planted in the northern border military supplies, the southern border salt and iron transport, and the Ministry of Personnel's performance evaluation department are irrefutable. Especially in the case of the northern border military supplies, the use of inferior goods and the embezzlement of rations have caused the soldiers guarding the border to suffer from cold and hunger, resulting in widespread resentment and even a small-scale mutiny, which was bloodily suppressed by their henchmen. This is a serious crime that shakes the foundation of the country!"

A-Yuan picked up the secret report on the northern military supplies, her fingertips slightly cold. It contained not only detailed records of embezzled accounts and samples of substandard rations, but also signed testimonies from several low-ranking quartermasters who had narrowly escaped being silenced, and a blood-stained list documenting the secret executions of mutinous soldiers.

Her gaze shifted from shock to utter rage, and finally settled into a chilling murderous intent.

"What a fine 'Empress of the World'!" A-Yuan's voice was as cold as ice. "Using the blood and flesh of our soldiers to fill the insatiable greed of the Lin family! Kang Kang, what should we do?"

“A decisive blow, a swift and swift strike.” Xiao Chengkang pointed to several key names on the secret report. “Tomorrow morning at court, I will use the opportunity of ‘presenting the new health regimen I have prepared for His Majesty’ to enter the palace. You only need to ask your father, when he inquires about the aftermath of the disaster in the northern border, to plead with him, on the grounds of ‘understanding the people’s plight and being concerned about the suffering of the soldiers guarding the border,’ to request that he send someone to thoroughly investigate the supply of military provisions to the northern border and the implementation of funds for post-disaster reconstruction. At that time, someone will present this ‘letter of blood from ten thousand people’s hearts’ to the emperor!”

The next day, at the Golden Palace.

After taking the newly offered pills by Xiao Chengkang, Xi Linghao seemed to be in slightly better spirits than usual. Just as A Yuan, following the plan, earnestly proposed a thorough investigation into the affairs of the Northern Border, and he was about to nod, a censor known for his integrity suddenly stepped forward, knelt down with a thud, and held up a blood-stained cloth covered with countless handprints, tears streaming down his face:

"Your Majesty! Your subject has a memorial to present! Entrusted by the soldiers and civilians of the Northern Frontier, I risk my life to submit this blood-stained letter! I accuse quartermaster Lin He and others of colluding with unscrupulous merchants to smuggle military rations, substituting them with sandy, moldy rice! This has resulted in the soldiers on the front lines going hungry and without proper clothing! Furthermore, border guards have been brutally slaughtered for demanding rations! Justice prevails, and the wronged souls will not rest! I beg Your Majesty to seek justice for the soldiers and civilians of the Northern Frontier!" The blood-stained cloth and the tearful accusations resounded like thunder in the Golden Palace!

The entire hall erupted in uproar! Xi Linghao's expression changed drastically, and he abruptly stood up: "Present the blood-written letter!"

When the shocking blood-written letter and the accompanying detailed evidence (including samples of substandard grain, some accounts, and testimonies) were tremblingly presented to the emperor by the eunuch, Xi Linghao's face grew paler and paler as he read it. Finally, he slammed his hand heavily on the cold black jade table, causing the pen holder to tip over!

"Outrageous! This is outrageous!!" The emperor roared in fury, his voice echoing throughout the palace. "Where is Lin He?! Seize him! Throw him in the imperial prison! Interrogate him severely! Not a single person involved is allowed to escape! Investigate thoroughly! Investigate to the very end!" His turbid eyes burned with raging fury. This was no longer just embezzlement; it was eroding the very foundation of his Xiling dynasty!

Behind the beaded curtain, Empress Lin's face turned deathly pale, and she swayed precariously. Lin He was her key pawn planted in the military supply treasury! She never imagined that A Yuan and that Xiao Chengkang could uncover such hidden and far-reaching evidence! This blow not only severed a vital arm of hers in the Northern Army but also severely undermined her position in Xi Linghao's eyes! The power she had painstakingly cultivated over the years was instantly ripped open with a gaping wound!

For the next few days, a somber atmosphere enveloped the capital of Xiling. The imperial prison was overflowing, and the lights in the Ministry of Justice burned all night.

The Lin clan's influence in the northern border military supplies and the Ministry of Personnel's performance evaluation department was completely eradicated, implicating dozens of officials. Countless people were subjected to confiscation of their property, exile, or execution.

Empress Lin felt like she was sitting on pins and needles in the palace. The atmosphere in Kunning Palace was so oppressive that it could freeze a person to death. The once fawning palace servants were now silent as cicadas in fear.

As she watched her years of hard work crumble in an instant, her hatred for A Yuan and Xiao Chengkang burned like poison in her heart!