"It was an ancient demon that was worshipped by people. It colluded with evil cultivators and set up an ambush against me. I spent some time exorcising the demon, which is why I was delayed."
The crown prince's expression also turned cold and solemn.
"How dare someone worship evil spirits? How are you? Are you injured?"
Jiang Yiqing quickly put her on the ground and turned around to look her over.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
Jiang Shumiao smiled and said, "They were defeated opponents, no match for me. I brought back their demon bones and will make soup for you later."
The Crown Prince and Jiang Yiqing remained silent.
Is my little ancestor addicted to eating demons?
The Crown Prince said to Jiang Yiqing, "Cousin, go back and let Aunt know that you are safe. I need to take Miaomiao to the palace. This matter cannot be left like this."
So Jiang Shumiao followed the Crown Prince into the palace.
Emperor Hongde has already received the news and is waiting at the Empress's Guanju Palace.
The Crown Prince led Jiang Shumiao in, and was about to pay his respects when Emperor Hongde gestured for him to leave.
"Miaomiao, come here."
Jiang Shumiao walked up to Emperor Hongde and obediently called him "Uncle".
Emperor Hongde's gaze was gentle. "I have already heard about it. Does Miaomiao know who is plotting against you? Your uncle will definitely stand up for you and will not let the mastermind get away with it."
The Empress was more considerate. "Your Majesty, Miao Miao hasn't had dinner yet. The child is probably starving. Let her eat first, and then we can talk slowly."
Emperor Hongde then remembered that his little nephew was a glutton.
"Yes, the Empress is very thoughtful. Quickly, serve the meal."
Jiang Shumiao was indeed hungry, and she devoured more than half of the table full of delicacies by herself.
The emperor and empress were already used to her large appetite.
Then the Empress Dowager arrived.
“Vast and insignificant”.
Emperor Hongde originally intended to keep Jiang Shumiao's disappearance a secret from the Empress Dowager, fearing she would worry. However, the search for Jiang Shumiao caused such a great commotion that it became impossible for the Empress Dowager to remain unaware.
"Royal Grandmother."
Jiang Shumiao jumped off the stool and ran over.
The Empress Dowager bent down and picked her up, saying, "My little darling, you scared your grandmother to death."
Emperor Hongde helped the Empress Dowager sit down, and after exchanging pleasantries, he asked about the important matters.
"It's that really mean grandpa from last time."
Emperor Hongde immediately remembered, "Is this the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat you said was nearing the end?"
"Yes."
Jiang Shumiao's expression was a bit fierce. "I searched their souls. The Ruan family, Xie family, and Yu family of Chenliu respectively worshipped the Nine-Headed Serpent, the Devouring Python, and the Xuan Yin Netherworld Cicada. The last one, the Nine Nether Ghost Wolf, came along on its own initiative."
Emperor Hongde's face was gloomy.
Ruan Rongping's mother's surname was Xie, and his wife's family was from the Yu clan.
Why would an ancient demon accept their offerings?
"These families all have ancestors who performed great deeds. They were injured before and are recuperating here. However, mortals who worship demons will suffer a backlash. Especially these ancient demons, who are inherently vicious and greedy, and regard all living beings as worthless grass."
Jiang Shumiao said seriously, "Those who worship demons are essentially sacrificing their own lives and souls, but they themselves don't know it."
Emperor Hongde understood.
"So, you killed those demons, and those who worshipped them are now suffering the consequences?"
"Yes."
Jiang Shumiao scanned the area with her divine sense and said, "The ancestral graves of the Ruan, Xie, and Yu families have been struck by lightning."
Emperor Hongde: "..."
If a son is not taught, it is the father's fault.
When it comes to calculating, even the bones in the graves are not spared.
However, they deserved it.
That old fellow Ruan Rongping, relying on being the late emperor's study companion, always acts like an elder and doesn't respect the emperor, the supreme ruler, at all.
Now they're actually targeting a child.
"I understand. I'll avenge you tomorrow."
Jiang Shumiao was very relieved.
I told you long ago, that bad guy is about to die.
Ignoring the advice of elders and the words of the wise will only lead to regret.
It was getting late, so Jiang Shumiao stayed in the palace. She usually stayed with the Fifth Princess, but since the Fifth Princess was already asleep, she went to Changxin Palace to stay with the Empress Dowager.
Before dawn the next day, Jiang Shumiao was forced to get up and go to the morning court with Emperor Hongde.
The little guy was very sleepy and dozed off with his head on his shoulder.
The commotion yesterday was so great that the whole capital knew about it. So it was not surprising that when the court officials entered the palace, paid their respects, and looked up to see the baby being held in the emperor's arms.
Jiang Shumiao was woken up by the shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" She rubbed her eyes and yawned.
Their little expressions are so cute and adorable.
Emperor Hongde couldn't help but smile, but when he looked at the ministers below, he composed himself.
"There are quite a few people taking sick leave today."
He received many reports of sick leave early in the morning, all from the Ruan, Xie, and Yu families.
The Ruan family has Ruan Rongping, who is the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
The Yu family had a Grand Tutor.
The Xie family produced a Minister of Personnel.
They were all powerful ministers.
Today he's going to wipe them all out in one fell swoop.
The prominent families intermarried, and since they were all related by marriage, they remained silent upon hearing this.
Wen Zhixuan stepped forward at the opportune moment, “Your Majesty, Princess Fule mysteriously disappeared yesterday. I was ordered to investigate and found several skeletons in a dilapidated temple outside the city. Judging from their clothing, they were all Taoist practitioners. I examined their injuries and believe they were inflicted by the princess. They also had magical artifacts used by the Xuanmen (Taoist sect) to set up formations on their bodies. It is likely that they used magic to trap the princess.”
Before Emperor Hongde could even play the bad cop, Jiang Shumiao was already unhappy.
"They can't hold me back."
Wen Zhixuan: "..."
Grandma, this is just the opening act, can't you just cooperate?
Jiang Shumiao said no.
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