Many children, many blessings: Stealing the offspring of powerful figures to cultivate immortality.

After Ye Wuhen left, Jiang Yining collapsed on the bed, panting heavily.

My palms were covered in cold sweat.

For a fleeting moment, she considered taking everyone down with her.

But her death would only further enrage the emperor, and the outcome would only be worse.

But if you give in...

Ye Wuhen's harem was empty. It was rumored that he hated women the most, so it was a mystery why he insisted on having her enter his harem.

This is not good for his reputation.

Jiang Yining didn't believe that she was so charming that she could make the emperor, who ruled the world, fall in love at first sight.

When we stepped out of the palace gates, it was already completely dark outside.

A gust of cold wind blew by, and Jiang Yining couldn't help but shiver.

The excruciating pain in her knees reminded her that what had just happened in the Imperial Study was not a nightmare, but a sword hanging over her head.

Three days.

That mad emperor only gave her three days.

"Young Madam, you've finally come out!"

Butler Zhao had been waiting at the palace gate. When he saw her come out, he rushed forward with tears streaming down his face: "The old lady just woke up once, vomited blood, and then fainted again, calling out the Great General's name..."

Jiang Yining's heart sank.

Because they hadn't consummated their marriage for the past three years, she found herself in an awkward position within the family.

The old lady never said a harsh word to her, and she always gave her the best food first. Her uncle also treated her with great respect.

"Let's go back to the manor first."

Just as Jiang Yining was about to get into the carriage, she caught a glimpse of a sandalwood carriage parked not far away.

The carriage was devoid of any elaborate decorations, except for a powerful and vigorous character "姬" embroidered on one corner of the curtain.

That must be Ji Lingxiao's carriage.

He was the head of all officials, and the only one who could speak up for that crazy emperor.

Although Ye Wuhen was tyrannical, he seemed quite wary of the Ji family. In the imperial court, only Ji Lingxiao dared to directly refute the emperor's decree.

Jiang Yining paused in her steps.

Seeking help from Ye Wuhen is like asking a tiger for its skin; it's a dead end.

If we could persuade Ji Lingxiao...

"Butler, you go back and take care of the old lady. I have some things to take care of."

Jiang Yining turned around, lifted the hem of her plain white dress, and walked straight toward the sandalwood carriage.

Two stern-faced guards stood beside the carriage. As soon as someone approached, they immediately placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.

"Who goes there? Step back!"

Jiang Yining stopped, straightened her back, and bowed to the carriage.

"Jiang Yining requests an audience with the Grand Secretary."

The carriage curtain remained completely still.

After a long while, a clear, cold voice, as pure as snow, finally came from inside.

"Madam Chu, I have nothing to discuss with you."

Jiang Yining did not back down: "Please, sir, save the Chu family."

"His Majesty has given the Chu family three days. If there is no improvement after three days, the entire Chu family will be wiped out."

"Looking across the court, only the Grand Secretary can save the descendants of loyal officials."

The carriage curtain was finally lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles.

Ji Lingxiao, dressed in a purple official robe, sat upright in the carriage, holding a scroll in his hand.

His expression remained aloof, and the way he looked at Jiang Yining was as if he were looking at an insignificant passerby.

"Madam Chu, be careful what you say."

"During the day in the imperial court, I already secured an opportunity for a thorough investigation for the Chu family."

He said calmly, "The Court of Judicial Review will make its own judgment; it's no use for you to beg me, Madam."

"Dali Temple?"

Jiang Yining gave a wry smile, looked up and stared directly at him: "Does Your Excellency truly not know, or are you pretending not to know?"

"The Minister of Justice is a protégé of the Minister of War, who was the one who strongly recommended my husband to go to war back then."

"Now that 100,000 troops have been wiped out, the Minister of War is eager to find a scapegoat. How could the Court of Judicial Review possibly uncover the truth?"

"They'll only solidify the charge of treason so they can absolve themselves of all responsibility!"

Ji Lingxiao remained silent for a moment.

He was naturally aware of these intricacies.

Ji Lingxiao put down his book and looked at her plain white mourning clothes: "As the chief minister, I am responsible for governing the country. I only look at the evidence, not personal feelings."

Jiang Yining's anger flared: "My lord requires evidence, and I have already pointed out the suspicious points in the main hall."

"Those so-called letters of treason, can't you see the trickery in them, sir? You're a smart man; this is clearly a setup to frame you!"

"So what do you want?"

"I would like to ask you, sir, to take over this case."

Jiang Yining spoke very quickly: "As long as the adults are willing to step in, the Dali Temple won't dare to act recklessly."

"On what grounds?"

Ji Lingxiao countered with a question.

These three words stumped Jiang Yining.

Yeah, why should we?

Although the Ji family was powerful, they were unwilling to offend the emperor and the Ministry of War for the sake of the doomed Chu family.

Moreover, the Chu family is now of no use whatsoever.

"By...justice."

Jiang Yining gritted her teeth, deciding to gamble on this man's conscience: "Sir, you are a model of scholarship. Can you bear to watch the descendants of loyal officials suffer injustice and the 100,000 soldiers die with their eyes wide open in disbelief?"

Ji Lingxiao looked at her, a hint of mockery flashing in his icy blue eyes.

"justice?"

He looked down at Jiang Yining and said, "Mrs. Chu, you are too naive."

"It is a fact that the entire army of 100,000 was wiped out, and it is also a fact that the three northern cities fell."

"As the chief minister, I am responsible to all the people under heaven."

"If Chu Jinglan has truly betrayed the country, then my act of saving you would be an injustice to the 100,000 innocent souls who died."

Ji Lingxiao remained unmoved: "The situation in the court is extremely complex, and I will not take sides until the truth comes out."

"you……"

Every word Ji Lingxiao said made perfect sense.

Cold-blooded yet impeccable.

Jiang Yining opened her mouth, but found herself speechless.

She couldn't produce any evidence to completely prove Chu Jinglan's innocence.

"Madam Chu, please return."

Ji Lingxiao lowered the carriage curtain, blocking her view.

"Lift the sedan chair."

The carriage wheels turned, rolling over the bluestone road with a dull thud, and drove past Jiang Yining without mercy.

Jiang Yining stood there, her mouth full of dust.

Is this person made of stone?

Unresponsive to both oil and salt, soft and hard approaches.

"Young Madam..."

Old Zhao rushed over to help her up, his eyes red-rimmed: "Let's go back, stop begging, at worst... at worst we'll fight them!"

"Compete? What are we going to use to compete?"

The Chu family is now like meat on a chopping board; anyone can come and chop it up.

Trying your best is the most foolish thing to do.

"go back."

Jiang Yining got into the car, leaned against the wall, closed her eyes, and rubbed her temples.

Since reasoning with them won't work, we'll have to try something else.

There is no wall that cannot be opened, nor a fortress that cannot be breached.

Ji Lingxiao is human, and every human has weaknesses.

"Go check."

Jiang Yining opened her eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing in them.

"Have someone dig up Ji Lingxiao's whereabouts."

"I need to know all his preferences, including where he likes to go and who he likes to meet."

Old Zhao was stunned: "Young Madam, what's wrong...?"

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

It was already past midnight when they returned to the Chu residence.

Chu Sikong was still sitting in the front hall waiting when he heard the commotion and quickly stood up, leaning on his cane.

"Sister-in-law?"