After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

Having figured these things out, Jiang Dusheng's tense nerves suddenly relaxed considerably, replaced by a complex and indescribable mix of emotions.

I felt angry at his risky actions and sorry for him, but even more so, I felt a strange sense of pride.

In a short period of time, Xie Jinchen was able to use himself as a pawn, proceeding step by step, tearing a path to survival in a desperate situation, and even turning the tables on his opponent.

She suddenly realized that Xie Jinchen's brain was actually quite good at scheming against people and manipulating court politics.

But... it's unclear whether this dismissal was a coincidence or part of his plan.

As his thoughts raced, Jiang Dusheng's wisp of pale golden spiritual energy transformed into a talisman, silently striking the part of Xie Jinchen that had been hit.

This is just a spell that can temporarily numb the local pain sensation. Although it cannot eliminate the injury, it can make the feeling of those twenty blows on the skin and flesh a little better, at least so that you don't have to endure the excruciating pain.

Duke Xie is right, Xie Jinchen should learn a lesson.

Without consulting her, he made the decision on his own. When she heard him barging into the Cleansing Platform in the Imperial Study, she was truly afraid to see Xie Jinchen again, who was full of murderous aura and could not be suppressed.

Xie Jinchen, who was not far away, seemed to sense something. During a break in his torture, he slightly turned his head and glanced in Jiang Dusheng's direction, a hint of a smile flashing deep in his eyes.

The Imperial Study.

Emperor Cangqi's calm expression completely crumbled. He suddenly swept his sleeve, knocking the mountain of memorials piled on his desk to the ground with a loud crash.

"Bastard! Bastard!" His chest heaved violently, his eyes burning with the fury of being defied.

"He's calculated that I can't do anything about him, so he's using this self-destructive method to force me to give in!"

Emperor Cangqi roared, his voice hoarse.

How could he not see through Xie Jinchen's scheme?

But it was precisely because this calculation took into account both his and Xie Dai's reactions that he became even angrier.

Does he even know... who his biological father is?

Shi Qinglian stood quietly to the side, listening to Emperor Cangqi's thunderous rage without uttering a word.

Emperor Cangqi gasped for breath, as if some of his strength had been drained, and slumped back onto the dragon throne, pressing his temples hard with his fingers.

After a long silence, he finally raised his head, his voice weary and fierce: "Still haven't found it?"

He asked the trusted eunuch standing in the shadows, but his gaze was fixed on Shi Qinglian, "Where exactly did Xie Dai hide that life-saving imperial edict bestowed upon him by the late emperor?! Dig three feet into the ground and find it!"

That imperial edict was a protective charm left to Xie Dai by the late emperor before his death.

Very few people know of its existence.

The imperial edict stated that as long as Xie Dai did not rebel, Emperor Cangqi would not execute the Duke of Zhenguo for any reason during his reign, nor would he strip him of his title, nor would he force him to divorce Princess Yong'an.

This was a life-saving charm, and also a form of compensation and restraint from the late emperor for Xie Dai's years of loyalty and bravery, as well as for being forced to accept the imperial bloodline.

This ensured that the Xie family would not be discarded after their usefulness was over, and also prevented the royal secrets from being leaked.

Because of this imperial edict, even if Emperor Cangqi was dissatisfied with Xie Dai's tough stance today, he could not truly resort to extreme punishment, nor could he shake the foundation of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Shi Qinglian bowed slightly, her voice steady: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. That imperial edict was hidden extremely well by Duke Xie. My inner guards and I have searched extensively, but we still have no definite whereabouts. Perhaps... it is not even in the Duke Zhenguo's mansion."

Emperor Cangqi's eyes flashed with cold light. "Not in the manor? He can't possibly be hiding somewhere far away! Keep searching! At all costs!"

He paused, his gaze falling on Shi Qinglian, his tone chilling: "And you, Qinglian. Why are you so determined to obstruct this marriage? Is it truly just because of that so-called destiny? Or... is there another hidden reason?"

Shi Qinglian raised her eyes, her gaze still calm. "Your Majesty is wise. Everything I have said is true."

"Jiang Du's fate is indeed rare and ominous, making him an unsuitable match for both the country and his family."

Emperor Cangqi stared at him for a long time, then finally waved his hand wearily, "You may leave now. I have my own plans for today's events."

"Yes." Shi Qinglian bowed in response, her lowered eyelids concealing the turbulent emotions surging within her eyes.

He had only taken a few steps when Emperor Cangqi's voice came from behind him: "Qinglian."

Emperor Cangqi called him back, "The preparations for the soul-transferring and life-borrowing technique can be accelerated. There's no need to be as hesitant as before."

Emperor Cangqi paused, his tone turning deep and cold, as if he were talking about a trivial matter:

"Since he has chosen to stand on the same side as his father and be an enemy of me... then I no longer need to consider any father-son relationship."

Emperor Cangqi's voice even carried a hint of obsessive longing for a illusory future:

"After I revive Achu... we will have sons again. Healthy, well-behaved, and with joy in our hearts, unlike him... who is unruly and defiant, always opposing me."

Shi Qinglian paused almost imperceptibly, then slowly turned around, his expression still calm. "Your Majesty means..."

Emperor Cangqi raised his eyes, his gaze devoid of any of the tenderness he had shown when speaking of A Chu, replaced only by the cold decisiveness of an emperor:

"There's no need to worry about my pitiful blood ties with him anymore." He ordered clearly, word by word, "Kill him. Then, find Achu's reincarnation."

Shi Qinglian bowed, concealing the fleeting glint in his eyes, "Your subject will certainly do his utmost to live up to Your Majesty's trust."

Once Shi Qinglian's figure had completely disappeared outside the Imperial Study, the hall returned to silence.

The deliberately displayed emotions on Emperor Cangqi's face slowly faded, leaving only an unfathomable gloom.

He did not fully trust Shi Qinglian, the unpredictable national teacher, who was a double-edged sword that needed to be guarded against and could backfire at any time.

Emperor Cangqi addressed the seemingly empty corner of the imperial study with indifferent words:

"Order men to keep a close watch on Shi Qinglian. I need to know everything he does, who he contacts, and the details of his spellcasting."

He paused briefly, then a murderous glint returned to his eyes, colder than when he had ordered Xie Jinchen's execution:

"If any disloyalty or deception is discovered, wait until the abbot of Huguo Temple emerges from seclusion and confirms that Achu's reincarnation is indeed true..."

He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the dragon throne and uttered two cold words, "Kill them."

There seemed to be a subtle ripple in the air, and a dark shadow vaguely appeared, then quickly vanished, leaving only a cold echo:

"Yes."

Emperor Cangqi did not speak again, but slowly leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.