Although Zhao Jiangning showed a stern expression, her words of defiance lacked deterrence. Firstly, her body was still weak, and she had just yelled hoarsely, so when she spoke out, her voice was somewhat hoarse when it was loud.

“How dare you trespass into my residence? What on earth are you trying to do? Do you want His Majesty to exterminate your whole clan?” Zhao Jiangning said angrily, but her hand held onto the door frame beside her, her legs somewhat weak.

The intruders consisted of five strong men, wearing thin leather armor, with True Qi flowing around them, obviously using high-grade Treasures.

The leading strong man cupped his fists and said, “Your Highness, I apologize for any offense, but I have an important matter to report. May I speak inside?”

Of course, Zhao Jiangning wouldn’t let them into the room since Chen Mo was inside. It would be troublesome if they were discovered, so she quickly said, “Audacious! How dare you try to enter my chambers?”

“Then may I have a word with Your Highness in private?” The leading strong man also realized it was inappropriate and quickly spoke.

Zhao Jiangning saw the determined look of the five men, and if she didn’t hear them out, they seemed unwilling to leave. She waved her hand and said, “All of you, leave at once.”

“Your Highness?” the personal maid said, worried.

“You all leave, I’m fine,” Zhao Jiangning waved her hand again, reassuring them.

Her personal maid and the Guards who had rushed in retreated.

After everyone had left, the leading strong man glanced at the room behind Zhao Jiangning and asked, “Your Highness, is there really no one else in the room?”

“How dare you! What do you mean by that? What do you take me for?”

Hearing this, Zhao Jiangning was like a cat whose tail was stepped on, her almond eyes wide open, full of anger, clearly indicating she wouldn’t let it go without an explanation.

“Your Highness, this matter is indeed of great importance. As the saying goes, ‘walls have ears.’ If by any chance there’s someone hidden inside your room without your knowledge, it wouldn’t be good…”

The leading strong man signaled to his companion with a glance.

The companion immediately understood and attempted to enter the room for a search, right in front of Zhao Jiangning, who blocked the doorway, but he climbed in through the window.

After a while, he came out, shook his head at the leading strong man.

“You are insolent! Who exactly are you? Dare to report your name, I will certainly enter the palace to report to His Majesty, you won’t get away with it,” Zhao Jiangning said angrily.

But at this moment, the leading strong man and his four companions knelt down, one after another. The leading man took out a delicate dragon-shaped jade pendant from his chest and held it in his hand, saying with a face full of sorrow, “Your Highness, by order of His Majesty, I ask Your Highness to take action to expel the traitor from the Imperial Family.”

“Brother Emperor?” Zhao Jiangning was stunned, looking at the dragon-shaped jade pendant in the strong man’s hand. Wasn’t it Father’s?

“No, the Majesty I speak of is the Supreme Emperor. In my heart, only the Supreme Emperor is the true Majesty,” the strong man said.

“Father?” Zhao Jiangning was stunned again.

Why would Father want her to expel the traitor?

“I… I am merely a Ninth Grade Martial Artist, how can I have the ability to expel traitors?” Zhao Jiangning said, “And who exactly is the traitor you’re speaking of?”

“Deputy Commander of the Infantry Division, Chen Hong,” the leading strong man almost gritted his teeth and then said, “His Majesty did not voluntarily abdicate; he was forced by the traitor Xiao Yunqi and is now further imprisoned by him.

This traitor is extremely cautious, with Personal Guards by his side all the time. We have no chance to strike, even his close confidants are protected by masters.

Except for Chen Hong, he is not a eunuch at all, he is just pretending. A eunuch could never learn the Shenxiao Five Thunders Technique…

This villain is deeply involved with the Eastern Palace Empress Dowager, persecuting the loyal, and besides Xiao Yunqi and Xiao Teng, he is the biggest traitor.”

“Involved with the Empress Dowager.” Zhao Jiangning’s eyes widened, but thinking about it, she understood. Since he wasn’t a eunuch, it wasn’t too surprising he would flirt the Empress Dowager while staying in Weiyang Palace for so long.

Moreover, she knew that the relationship between Xiao Yunxi and Zhao Ji had become increasingly discordant.

Asking her to get rid of him, not to mention she was already his woman.

Even if she wasn’t, how could she, facing an Innate Martial Artist, be his match?

“Are you joking? I am just a weak woman with no strength to bind a chicken, and he is an Innate Martial Artist, commanding thirty thousand Imperial Guards. How can I expel him?” Zhao Jiangning said.

“We understand and know that saying this is a crime punishable by death, but still hope Your Highness will prioritize expelling the traitor for the country and avenging the Prince Consort and His Majesty.” The five strong men kowtowed in unison, and then the leading strong man said:

“I know that the lustful Chen Hong has about a dozen women in his house, and now he has set his sights on you, so we are sure Your Highness will seduce him for the sake of His Majesty and the deceased Prince Consort.”

The leading strong man took out a small porcelain bottle and continued, “This is the Soft Bone Powder, colorless and tasteless. Once consumed, even a First Grade Martial Artist cannot mobilize True Qi for a quarter of an hour, and by then, we will take action and chop off his head.”

The leading strong man’s eyes flashed with a hint of viciousness.

Although he knew there was some interaction between Zhao Jiangning and Chen Hong, he was unaware they had grown intimate.

Besides, this was the word of the Emperor. Zhao Jiangning wouldn’t disregard familial bonds because of Chen Hong.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiangning’s body couldn’t help but tremble, she asked, “Did Father say this personally?”

The leading strong man nodded, though in reality, he couldn’t even meet Zhao Ji, let alone hear him speak.

But he believed, if His Majesty knew, he would have done the same.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiangning felt an inexplicable pain in her heart, her father would sacrifice her to get rid of Chen Hong.

Though she was now Chen Hong’s woman.

She couldn’t help but feel heartache over such methods.

Not wanting to arouse suspicion and to get rid of them sooner, Zhao Jiangning first expressed anger, finding this method ridiculous, and then said, “You go first, let me think about it alone.”

The five strong men showed delight; since she hadn’t outright rejected, it was mostly agreed.

Even such an outrageous request, Your Highness could agree. It seemed although family affection was thin in the Imperial Family, they were still one family, and now that Father was in trouble, how could a daughter not share the burden?

The five men cupped their fists heavily and then said, “Please decide soon, Your Highness. If Chen Hong gets dispatched to the frontline after the martial examination, there will be no opportunity.”

“I understand,” Zhao Jiangning nodded.

“We shall take our leave.” The five strong men got up and respectfully took their leave.

Just as they were about to leave, the leading strong man turned back and said, “Your Highness, about today’s events, we humbly ask you to cover for us and not let Chen Hong have any suspicions.”

Zhao Jiangning nodded once more.

After the five men left, Chen Mo appeared behind Zhao Jiangning and coldly said, “It seems someone still harbors the intention to kill me.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep