Inside the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor specially ordered his finest wine to be brought in.

As soon as Jiang Fengyuan entered, he caught the rich aroma of the wine.

“Your humble servant, Jiang Fengyuan, greets Your Majesty!”

“Come, I recently acquired a fine bottle of wine. Have a taste, my subject,” the Emperor said happily, pulling him toward the table.

Jiang Fengyuan felt uneasy.

The Emperor had ignored him for several days, yet now he was personally offering him wine, with Eunuch Cao pouring it himself.

What could this mean?

Just yesterday, he had visited the Duke of Han’s residence, and today, the Emperor summoned him.

The only possible explanation was that His Majesty was wary of officials forming overly close personal ties.

Even though Jiang Fengyuan had distanced himself from the Duke of An’s household, in the eyes of outsiders, he was still the Duke’s eldest son.

With this in mind, he quickly made a decision.

Kneeling, he bowed his head. “Your Majesty, your humble servant is deeply fearful. I rise early and retire late, seeking only to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty. I am willing to be a solitary minister, dedicating myself solely to Your Majesty.”

Eunuch Cao was suspicious.

Did Minister Jiang think the Emperor was offering him poisoned wine?

A “solitary minister” meant he stood alone, relying on neither the Duke of An nor the Duke of Han.

The Emperor felt stifled—he really just wanted to drink.

Gathering information was only a secondary concern.

With a glance, he signaled Eunuch Cao, who immediately stepped forward to help Jiang Fengyuan up.

“General, no need to worry. His Majesty knows of your unwavering loyalty. Today, we are simply drinking.”

Jiang Fengyuan was bewildered.

Just drinking?

The rich aroma of the wine filled the air.

Cup after cup, Jiang Fengyuan soon became thoroughly intoxicated.

“I thought warriors could hold their liquor, but I suppose not,” the Emperor said smugly, tossing his cup aside.

Eunuch Cao thought to himself: Your Majesty, your wine was diluted with twice as much water. Do you even know your own drinking capacity? Meanwhile, General Jiang has been drinking undiluted wine the whole time.

Of course, he kept these thoughts to himself.

“His Majesty has an unmatched tolerance for alcohol—far beyond what military men can handle,” he flattered.

The Emperor waved his hand, and Eunuch Cao supported him to his seat.

“Bring the documents over. Have him press his seal on both.”

Eunuch Cao picked up two scrolls from the table and walked to Jiang Fengyuan.

Using the general’s finger, he pressed it into the red ink and stamped both documents.

Just then, the Crown Prince, Jun Yin, entered and casually picked up the scrolls.

“By the decree of Heaven, the Emperor commands: The young lady of the Jiang family, Jiang Yuanxi, is intelligent and refined… She is hereby bestowed as the (blank) imperial consort. May she be of one heart and one mind, and not disappoint Our will. Thus is decreed.”

The second decree read:

“By the decree of Heaven, the Emperor commands: The young lady of the Jiang family, Jiang Yuanxi, is virtuous and wise… She is hereby granted the title of Princess Tianheng. Thus is decreed.”

Each decree bore a large, freshly pressed handprint, with ink still wet.

The Crown Prince’s mouth twitched—his father had certainly gone to great lengths to keep Yuanxi.

At the same time, he was relieved.

Thankfully, his father had not granted Yuanxi to him as the Crown Princess.

“Father, you could have simply issued the decree. Why go through this formality?” he asked.

The Emperor, resting his head on one hand, waved slightly.

“These officials may seem simple, but they are all cunning. You’re still too inexperienced—learn from this.”

“I obey, Father,” the Crown Prince said. Since he didn’t understand, he decided not to overthink it.

“Yin’er, personally escort Minister Jiang home,” the Emperor ordered.

..

Meanwhile, the Duke of An had scraped together enough silver to repay the 30,000 taels owed by Madam Wu. Only after settling the debt did he realize that the household had barely any money left.

The Emperor had promised that once the debt was repaid, he could resume his court duties.

So, the Duke of An bathed and burned incense, hoping to cleanse the bad luck lingering over his house.

…

In front of the Hall of Virtuous Governance.

A group of officials waited outside.

“Have you heard? Last night, the Emperor personally summoned General Jiang and drank with him.”

“He even had the Crown Prince escort him home.”

When had such honors ever been granted before?

Why was the Emperor treating a minister with such warmth? The officials were full of doubt.

Under his sleeve, the Duke of An clenched his fists tightly. Such an honor, and yet it did not belong to his household.

No matter how much Jiang Fengyuan distanced himself, the world still saw him as the Duke’s eldest son.

“Quickly, it’s time for court,” someone urged.

..

During Court Meeting

“Present your petitions. If there are none, court is dismissed.”

Jiang Fengyuan stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I have a matter to report.”

The Emperor felt a twinge of anxiety. Had his actions last night been discovered?

“Speak freely,” he said.

Jiang Fengyuan knelt. “I request a thorough reinvestigation of the Chen family’s treason case from years ago.”

The court erupted.

The Duke of An turned sharply toward Jiang Fengyuan. This unfilial son—!

The Emperor sighed in relief.

As long as it wasn’t a matter of life or death, he could handle it.

Before Jiang Fengyuan could continue, officials were already fuming.

Minister of Personnel Yan Song was the first to speak. “Your Majesty, the Chen family’s treason case was proven with irrefutable evidence. The matter is settled.”

If reopened, it would implicate many officials—none wished for that.

The Duke of Han remained neutral.

He had done what he could; now it was up to his nephew.

The Duke of Jiang warned, “His Majesty spared the Chen family out of mercy. General Jiang, do not make a mistake over minor matters.” A blatant threat.

Seeing the resistance, Jiang Fengyuan did not argue further.

The officials would assume he had merely mentioned it in passing, and the issue would fade.

He swept his gaze across them, lips curling into a faint smirk, remaining silent.

Officials kept their distance from Jiang Fengyuan.

The Duke of An sneered. “If you return to the Jiang family, I can overlook the past.”

Jiang Fengyuan raised an eyebrow and straightened his posture. “You overestimate yourself, Duke.”

The Duke of An was momentarily speechless.

“Forget about today’s matter. If you bring it up again, no one can save you. Don’t drag the Duke’s household down,” he warned.

Once, Jiang Fengyuan had admired his father. But now, he knew there was no fatherly love between them.

He scoffed. “I heard the Chen family in Liangzhou was recently attacked. Father, were you involved?”

The Duke of An stiffened. How did he know about that?

Impossible—everything had been buried, every loose end eliminated.

“Ridiculous!” he snapped. “The Ministry of Personnel handled that case. How would I know anything?”

“I’m giving you one last chance. Will you come back?”

It was an offer given with condescension, as though he were bestowing charity.

Jiang Fengyuan couldn’t be bothered with mind games.

“Go back? The Duke’s household is broke. I hear the southern wall still has a hole that hasn’t been fixed. Why would I leave my spacious courtyard to squeeze into that rundown place?”

All of Shengjing knew the Duke’s house had fallen into ruin.

The Duke had wanted his daughter back to use her dowry to restore their prestige.

Dream on.

“You—!” The Duke’s face turned red with rage, veins bulging. “Without the Duke’s house, without a family, you are nothing. Don’t regret this!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Jiang Fengyuan walked away, considering—perhaps he should change his surname to match his wife’s.