Chapter 456 Counterattack
Huo Lin knew when to stop, so he didn't press further, afraid of really angering Jiang Huan.
"Alright, alright, it was my fault. I was too close and made my little princess too hot."
His gaze swept over Jiang Huan's still-blushing profile and her daughter, who was happily munching in her arms, and most of the annoyance he felt from being interrupted dissipated.
That's enough, there's always tomorrow.
[Let's get down to business first, get rid of those annoying flies, before I can peacefully discuss life with my wife... um.]
He straightened his sleeves, regaining his composure.
"I still have some official business to attend to. You stay with the children, and I will come back later."
Jiang Huan couldn't wait for him to leave so she could cool down her flushed cheeks and chaotic thoughts. She nodded vigorously upon hearing his words.
"Yes, yes, important business comes first!" She even gently nudged his arm, her urging clear, "Go quickly, don't delay important matters."
Huo Lin was both amused and exasperated by her little gesture and perfunctory tone, and reached out to gently pinch the tip of her nose.
He then turned around and strode away from Weiyang Palace.
Jiang Huan breathed a sigh of relief as she listened to his footsteps fade into the distance, feeling that the air in the entire hall had become much fresher.
She looked down at her daughter, who was full and yawning, and then at her son, who was sleeping soundly again in the cradle, and couldn't help but mutter to herself.
"Your father is as cunning as a beehive, and he's always thinking about unhealthy things. You kids are so much better, eating and sleeping all you want, innocent and carefree."
As if in response, Huo Yue in her arms blew a milk bubble.
Meanwhile, Huo Lin returned to the imperial study and immediately began to concentrate, ordering in a deep voice, "Wang Degui, convey my imperial edict to summon Jiang Wenyuan to the palace for an audience immediately."
Wang Degui responded and quickly went out to make the arrangements.
In less than half an hour, Jiang Wenyuan hurriedly arrived at the Imperial Study.
He was filled with unease on the way, wondering why the emperor had suddenly summoned him.
Is it because she didn't learn etiquette well before and needs tutoring? Or is something wrong with my daughter? The more I think about it, the more uneasy I become.
Upon entering the imperial study, he felt the oppressive atmosphere and his heart tightened. He then bowed respectfully.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
"Father-in-law, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down."
Huo Lin's tone was flat, revealing no emotion, which made Jiang Wenyuan even more cautious.
He thanked the man, but only dared to sit on one side of the chair, keeping his back straight and his hands neatly placed on his knees.
Huo Lin didn't beat around the bush and directly presented him with the list and clues about the Empress Dowager's secret forces that Jiang Huan had compiled.
"Father-in-law, please take a look. These are some things I have recently discovered. The Empress Dowager has been manipulating things for many years, and her intentions are despicable. I want to cut off her wings. This matter needs a capable and reliable person to oversee it. After much thought, I can only entrust it to you, Father-in-law, to put my mind at ease."
Jiang Wenyuan took the stack of papers with trembling hands, and the more he looked at them, the more terrified he became.
The shops, officials, and accounts listed here are clearly organized, and the chain of evidence is almost complete.
These are not just objects; they are irrefutable evidence that could kill many people.
He broke out in a cold sweat and instinctively wanted to shrink back, but when he thought about how his daughter was about to become the empress and he would be the future father-in-law of the emperor, he knew that if he showed weakness now, wouldn't he be embarrassing his daughter?
The Emperor entrusted him with such an important task, which was a sign of trust, but also a test.
He mustn't panic, stay calm!
Jiang Wenyuan took a deep breath, calming his wildly beating heart and weak legs, and tried his best to make his voice sound steady and powerful.
"Your Majesty's trust is indebted to me; I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations
Huo Lin took in his nervousness and forced composure, feeling a little helpless.
Well, he's a bit timid, but he's obedient and we're family, so I feel safe using him.
For Huan'er's sake, let's give Father-in-law more opportunities to gain experience.
"Good!" Huo Lin patted Jiang Wenyuan on the shoulder and emphasized, "Father-in-law, remember, you must be quick and accurate. Make sure to control all the key points before people can react, especially these spice shops and herbal medicine shops. Investigate them thoroughly for me."
"Your subject understands, Your subject obeys the decree!" Jiang Wenyuan bowed again, this time with a straighter back.
Stepping out of the imperial study, a gust of cold wind made him realize that his back was soaked with cold sweat, but the desire to be the emperor's father-in-law and to make his daughter proud supported him to act quickly.
In the following days, the capital city appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents were brewing beneath.
Under Jiang Wenyuan's meticulous planning and personal command, several seemingly ordinary shops with powerful backgrounds were quickly raided, their account books and goods were seized, and the relevant personnel were taken into custody.
The speed and ruthlessness of their actions caught many court officials off guard.
At the same time, the Ministry of Personnel issued a series of seemingly normal personnel transfers.
Several officials of considerable rank were promoted in name only but demoted in reality, and transferred away from government offices with high salaries or key positions. Others were sent to remote areas under the guise of gaining experience.
These transfers may seem ordinary, but if someone pays close attention and makes a connection between the list and the owners behind the shops that were raided, they can see the hidden secrets behind them.
The Empress Dowager's economic lifeline outside the palace was instantly severed, and most of her influence in the court was quietly eliminated.
Inside the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager listened to her trusted nanny's secret report, and she trembled with anger. Her vision blurred, and she felt a tightness in her chest, making it hard to breathe.
"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!" she roared, sweeping everything she could smash to the ground. "Your Majesty, he's trying to drive me to my death!"
The intense emotional turmoil made her dizzy, and she staggered back onto the cold phoenix bed, panting heavily, her face ashen, and the deep wrinkles around her eyes filled with resentment.
The power she had built up over decades crumbled in just a few days. The prince from back then had now grown strong and was baring his sharp fangs at her.
Despair and anger intertwined, and a thought began to frantically grow in her mind.
Since the emperor is unjust, don't blame her for being unjust!
A mad glint flashed in her eyes as she grabbed the arm of the trembling old woman kneeling on the ground, her withered fingers gripping so tightly they almost broke her bones.
"Go, invite those members of the imperial clan and those old uncles of the king here. Tell them... tell them that I am seriously ill and it is time to make public the late emperor's edict. This matter concerns the foundation of the country and must be read aloud in front of the imperial clan!"
The old woman was terrified: "Empress Dowager, please reconsider! This... this forgery of the late Emperor's edict is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!"
"Shut up!" The Empress Dowager seemed to have gone mad, grabbing the nanny's neck with her other hand, her eyes fierce as if she wanted to devour her. "You just go because I told you to? Do you want to die right now?"
The old woman's face turned red from holding on, and only when the Empress Dowager knew she was about to run out of breath did she release her grip, her face flushed with excitement.
"I'd like to see whether His Majesty or I act faster!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com