Chapter 243: 215: What’s the situation with this junior?_3
Many of the Imperial Army soldiers’ Cultivation Levels weren’t even as high as some of the concubines, so rushing in recklessly would be akin to seeking death.
The Great Commander of the Imperial Army, Pang Chi, was a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator; in terms of Cultivation Level, he could overpower all the ladies of the harem.
But in terms of status, he couldn’t initiate an attack on the Emperor’s women.
Pang Chi had no choice but to personally ask for instructions from Liang Heng.
In the current Imperial Palace, only Liang Heng could make decisions.
Upon receiving Pang Chi’s Sound Transmission Talisman, Liang Heng’s mind couldn’t quite catch up.
When he had left in the morning, everything had been fine. How had the Imperial Palace descended into chaos in just half a day?
“What’s going on?”
Liang Heng’s voice appeared in Pang Chi’s mind.
Pang Chi hurriedly explained, “Consort Shu received Your Majesty’s imperial edict and called together her friends…”
“Wait a second. Whose imperial edict?”
Pang Chi quickly corrected himself, “The Emperor’s.”
“That grandson is no more, don’t you know?”
“Oh, then it’s Your Majesty’s imperial edict.”
Liang Heng rubbed his head, wondering if he had amnesia.
“My imperial edict? I don’t recall ever writing one!”
Pang Chi said, “Didn’t you send a message to Mr. Jiang Cheng, asking him to write it on your behalf?”
Liang Heng remembered then. The Eunuch Steward had told him that a little Cultivator named Jiang Cheng claimed to have heard a transmission and then wrote the imperial edict on his behalf.
Hadn’t he already said he hadn’t sent a transmission and that the edict Jiang Cheng wrote was false?
Could it be that the eunuchs didn’t understand?
Taken aback, Liang Heng grew more angry the more he thought about it.
He’d been cultivating for so many years and had never been this angry.
What on earth was going on with Jiang Cheng?
To forge an imperial edict, to throw the harem into chaos, to be incredibly audacious—did he no longer wish to live?
Liang Heng appeared in the Emperor’s bedchambers, startling the three Eunuch Stewards.
“Summon Jiang Cheng! And then have Pang Chi bring the false imperial edict that Jiang Cheng wrote!”
The eunuchs immediately left to carry out the orders.
When he heard that Jiang Cheng was summoned by the Emperor of Liang, Liang Hong couldn’t help but curse out loud.
“Brother, you are really something. You said you could see our father within two days, and indeed you managed to make it happen!”
Jiang Cheng waved his hand nonchalantly, “It’s a small matter. I’m off then.”
In the Emperor’s bedchamber, Jiang Cheng finally met the Emperor of Liang whom he had long wished to see.
The Emperor of Liang was wearing his imperial robe and sat in front of a table, his expression and demeanor normal, not at all like someone who was sick and nearing his end.
The person present was Liang Heng masquerading as the Emperor of Liang.
Liang Heng was willing to meet Jiang Cheng face to face not because he was kind-hearted, but because he wanted to make an example out of him.
Jiang Cheng had forged an imperial edict and caused chaos in the harem. He must be strictly punished!
Liang Heng slapped the table, producing a dull thud, clearly audible in the empty chamber.
“Jiang Cheng, you presumed to know the imperial intent, transmitted a false imperial edict that led to Consort Shu and the Empress fighting fiercely, with a terrible influence. Do you admit your guilt?”
Jiang Cheng remained composed, “I am not guilty.”
“That’s quite the claim of innocence! Even if you haven’t read the Liang Lv, you should know that transmitting a false imperial edict is a capital offense!”
Jiang Cheng continued calmly, “I did not transmit a false imperial edict.”
Liang Heng had no desire for further talk.
With the human and material evidence at hand, and yet Jiang Cheng still dared to be obstinate?
It seemed he wouldn’t shed tears until he saw the coffin.
“Pang Chi, bring forth the imperial edict written by Jiang Cheng.”
Pang Chi presented it with both hands.
Liang Heng took the imperial edict and tossed it to the Judicial Steward.
“Read it! Read it out loud. Let this fool who doesn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth have a good listen to what he has written!”
The Judicial Steward unfolded the imperial edict, prepared to read it aloud, but instead his mouth fell open in shock, rendered speechless.
“Well, read it! Why have you stopped?” Liang Heng asked with surprise.
The Judicial Steward replied with a trembling voice, “Your Majesty, there’s not a single word on this imperial edict.”
Liang Heng’s mind went blank.
What does it mean not a single word?
Jiang Cheng was accused of transmitting a false imperial edict, wasn’t he?
How could a false imperial edict be completely blank?
Could it be…
Jiang Cheng smiled, neither servile nor overbearing, polite and restrained, he said, “Your Majesty’s discernment is clear. I, Jiang Cheng, have never written any imperial edict, so how could I possibly have transmitted a false one?”