The four words "loyalty to the emperor and love for the country" have long been engraved in the bones and blood of the Jiang family.
They would rather die in battle than betray their country.
Wen Zhixuan sighed softly, "His Majesty was furious at the time, and thinking of that rag doll, he did become suspicious and forbade anyone to plead for him. After calming down, he felt something was amiss. If your father truly harbored rebellious intentions, why would he have come to the capital alone? He could have easily raised his arm and rebelled. After all, the Jiang family is full of loyal martyrs and has many old subordinates in the army. So His Majesty asked me if Taoist priests could control a person's mind and turn them into a puppet?"
Jiang Shuman swayed slightly.
"So, Father was really being manipulated, which is why his words and actions were not in his own hands?"
Wen Zhixuan nodded slowly, "That's the only possibility."
Jiang Shuman didn't show her suspicion on her face, but said hatefully, "It must be the Shen family, that ungrateful Jiang Sixian, she's the one who buried the rag doll. It must also be them, that evil cultivator they hired from who-knows-where, who schemed against my father and harmed the Jiang family."
Wen Zhixuan said, "Princess, rest assured, I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly."
Jiang Shuman turned her face away.
"The Jiang family has fallen, and I am no longer a princess. I will repay the Imperial Preceptor's kindness in taking me in one day."
Wen Zhixuan replied, "The princess has done me a great favor; it is only right that I lend a helping hand."
Jiang Shuman remained silent for a long time.
Although she had suffered some hardships at the brothel, those people hadn't really done anything to her. Now that she thought about it, it must have been Wen Zhixuan protecting her in secret, otherwise it would have been impossible for him to take her away so easily.
The capital was full of powerful and influential people, and Wen Zhixuan was definitely one of the people Emperor Hongde trusted most.
But she did not completely let go of her doubts.
Although Wen Zhixuan saved her and promised to help the Jiang family clear their name, he never mentioned healing her old wounds. Of course, he had no such obligation, and Jiang Shuman wasn't trying to coerce him into repaying a debt of gratitude. She simply felt that since he had the ability to slay demons, healing the injuries on her wrists and ankles shouldn't be difficult, at least much easier than investigating a case.
Why didn't he mention it?
Is he trying to lock himself away?
Just as this thought crossed Jiang Shuman's mind, Wen Zhixuan said again, "I heard that the Princess was traumatized when she gave birth?"
Oh, right, the Qin family!
Jiang Shuman almost forgot about this person.
“Jiang Sixian brought a pregnant woman over, saying she was my father’s mistress.” She gritted her teeth. “Now that I think about it, it was all a conspiracy. I’ll trouble the Imperial Advisor to investigate that woman. I don’t think she looks like a Han Chinese. She might be a spy planted by the Hu people in my father’s camp.”
Jiang Shuman still can't believe that her father would keep a mistress.
But compared to the calamity that befell the whole family, those things seemed like minor matters.
It's sad to think about.
Wen Zhixuan readily agreed.
Jiang Shuman then settled down at the Imperial Preceptor's residence.
Wen Zhixuan was busy investigating cases and working on the imperial examination system, and the maids who served him would intentionally or unintentionally bring up these matters.
Jiang Shuman wasn't stupid. Before, she was engaged and wouldn't have paid much attention to others. Now, living under the same roof, Wen Zhixuan's care for her clearly went beyond that of a benefactor.
Her only thought was to clear the Jiang family's name; she had no other intentions.
If possible, she wants to investigate herself rather than rely on others.
A few months later, Wen Zhixuan came to tell her, "It's been found out. Qin's father was a Hu person, and she was of mixed race. She had no other choice but to follow your father."
Jiang Shuman's fingers curled slightly.
"Has nothing to do with the Wusun royal family?"
"It's okay. But..."
Wen Zhixuan paused, then said in a deep voice, "She has half Wusun blood and was once despised by the people of Great Yan, so naturally she harbors resentment. Furthermore, even after giving birth, she couldn't enter the Jiang family, which only fueled her resentment. When Jiang Sixian found her and used her son as leverage, she immediately agreed to cooperate. The Taoist priest who performed the ritual to harm your father was also someone she hired; originally, she wanted to change her son's fate..."
He glanced at Jiang Shuman's expression before continuing, "In exchange for your third brother's luck."
Jiang Shuman's face was chapped.
Back when she was in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution), she was told that her younger brother had been cannibalized by soldiers during his exile...
He's only five years old!
How could those people do such a thing?
Seeing her pain, Wen Zhixuan wanted to offer some words of comfort, but Jiang Shuman sniffed, held back her tears, and asked, "Anything else?"
Wen Zhixuan remained silent for a long time before saying, "His Majesty interrogated the Princess of Qingping, and she confessed. Not only the rag doll, but she also killed your own aunt."
"Why?"
Jiang Shuman could no longer hold back, "She also has the surname Jiang, so why would she kill her own family?"
Wen Zhixuan also looked sorrowful, "Because of the position of Empress."
Jiang Shuman was stunned.
Wen Zhixuan sighed, "If your aunt were still alive, she would be the Empress. She harbored resentment and believed that your grandmother and the Empress Dowager were biased, which is why the witchcraft case occurred."
Jiang Shuman's vision went black.
So that's the reason.
Driven by selfish desires, he put his entire clan to death.
How cruel!
Jiang Shuman's eyes were bloodshot. "Where's that Taoist priest? Is he dead?"
“He was an evil cultivator who committed numerous atrocities. I have already stripped him of his cultivation, and His Majesty has ordered his execution. However…” He hesitated slightly before continuing, “Your second brother is still missing, and we do not know whether he is alive or dead. His Majesty feels deeply indebted to the Jiang family and has allowed the son of the Qin family to inherit the title and continue the family line.”
Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Shuman let out a cold laugh.
"They don't even deserve it?"
Wen Zhixuan remained silent.
Jiang Shuman looked at him and said, "I want to enter the palace."
Wen Zhixuan hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
Jiang Shuman said, "Now that the Jiang family has been exonerated, His Majesty should be willing to see me."
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