After being reborn in the Mass Grave, she overturned her predecessor's power

Shen Zhaoyan's affairs were in a mess, and she had no idea what to do. Someone from the Lu family came again and gave her an invitation.

She flipped it open and took a look. It was an invitation to attend Lu Zhen's birthday party.

Going would be giving face to the Lu family, but not going would be an indirect slap in the face, which is quite subtle.

Du Yishui glanced at the invitation and said, "Are you going? I really want to go to the banquet. If you go, take me with you."

Jiang Xuening lowered her eyes and thought for a while, she was ready to go. She wanted to see Ji Ying, but as the fourth wife of the Lu family, she became a widow who lived in seclusion since the death of the fourth master Lu.

She told Qinghe, "Prepare a gift."

The Lu family’s affairs should be settled as soon as possible. When the army sets out for the northwest, she will spare the time and energy to look for Shen Zhaoyan.

The next day, she took Dui Shui and went to Lu Mansion.

The front door of the Lu family was wide open and bustling with activity. This time, because of the death of her husband, Ji Ying did not come out to greet guests on such a good day.

Madam Lu said to her very politely, "The prince is here, please come in and sit down."

She had a special identity, and there had been conflicts of interest between her and the local noble families during this period, so although everyone treated her politely, no one spoke to her warmly.

Sitting in the seat of VIP, Du Yishui looked at the beauty and talked non-stop.

She looked around but didn't see Ji Ying.

The feast started soon. The young ladies set up a few tables in the garden and asked the Lu family's girls to entertain them.

Madam Lu came over in person and said, "Your Majesty, please take a seat outside."

Although she was also a young woman, she was able to sit in the most honorable position outside the main family because of her status. The wealthy and famous scholars from aristocratic families gathered together, and the scene was very lively.

Jiang Xue Ning lowered her head and drank, not intending to attract attention.

Lu Zhen himself was in high spirits. After saying some polite words and drinking three rounds of wine, he looked at her.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for coming here today. It's an honor for me." Lu Zhen raised his glass to her, and everyone in the audience looked at her.

Lu Zhen drank the wine in the glass in one gulp. She held the glass with a smile on her face but didn't say a word.

Now, the real drama begins.

After Lu Zhen finished drinking, he said with a heavy expression, "I shouldn't have said this on such a good day, but considering that Cheng Yuan has worked hard over the years, I hope Your Majesty will show mercy and give the Lu family a chance to survive."

This could be considered as "forcing the emperor to abdicate" in public in a sense. The originally lively banquet suddenly became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

The Lu family has been prestigious in recent years, and Lu Zhen intends to force her to back down through public opinion.

Jiang Xue Ning loosened her grip and the wine glass fell to the ground with a "bang", which gave people a chill.

"What does Patriarch Lu mean? How come I don't understand?"

Lu Zhen took the account book handed over by the maid beside him, "The prince said that there were problems with the taxes and accounts of the Lu family in recent years, and asked the Lu family to make up 500,000 taels of silver. But the Lu family has clearly acted according to the rules and obligations in recent years.

It's easy to find a pretext to accuse someone of something. The Lu family is innocent and can't afford so much money."

She felt annoyed with the hesitation in her heart, but her expression remained unchanged, "So what you mean is that I wronged you?"

Du Yishui, who was eating next to her, broke the chopsticks in his hand with a "crack" and placed the big knife that was shining with cold light across the table. His attitude was self-evident.

Neither side is a good person, and the people below watched the drama quietly.

Jiang Xue Ning knew clearly that if she retreated or was caught, these wealthy businessmen from aristocratic families would think that she was easy to bully and would cling to her like leeches.

People are greedy. Once the bottom line is reached, it can only be retreated again and again.

Lu Zhen said humbly, "That's not what I meant. It's just that the prince is new here and doesn't understand Xiangchu's situation. Everyone used to do it this way."

What she meant was that she was looking for trouble and deliberately making things difficult for them. In short, she refused to admit that there was anything wrong with their greed.

The head of the Zhou family stood up and said in support, "Even if the prince is a new official and wants to change the previous rules, it would be too much to take this opportunity to hold him accountable."

Jiang Xue Ning swept her cold eyes over everyone present and asked softly, "So, what do you want?"

"We have been through this before. Xiangchu has always lived in peace and contentment. There is no reason for us to shout and kill everyone when the prince comes."

"We can't take out that much money. If we want to kill them all, just say so. There's no need to make a ledger."

……

Several wealthy businessmen from aristocratic families spoke up one after another, but they refused to admit it and would not spit it out. They even turned the tables and said it was her problem.

She understood that they were relying on their numbers to force her to surrender. She couldn't really kill them all, because then she would definitely be known as a cruel person, and no one would dare to come to Xiangchu to develop.

This group of people controlled most of Xiangchu's business and were the most powerful and wealthy. She couldn't be too ruthless.

She lowered her eyes and smiled. She hated being forced the most.

Lu Zhen spoke again, "Knowing that the prince is short of military pay, the Lu family took the lead in donating 50,000 taels..."

"The Zhou family donated 30,000..."

"The Li family's 30,000..."

"Twenty thousand from the Zhao family..."

The scene was very funny, as if they were the good people and she was the evil one who was blackmailing them for money. They were innocent and she slandered them for money.

She made a slight gesture, and Dui Shui overturned the table with a splash, "Sending away beggars..."

The families who were still shouting suddenly fell silent.

She said coldly, "Everyone sitting here is not a fool. You all know the truth. Don't try to fool me like a fool."

"I'll give you two choices. Either pay the tax or get out!" She said with an oppressive look. "If neither of you wants to choose and just wants to die, I'll naturally grant your wish."

Lu Zhen's face looked extremely ugly. He probably didn't expect her to be so tough and fearless.

"Your Majesty, killing them all will definitely not be good for anyone. If we all withdraw, the Xiangchu market will be in chaos and suffer heavy losses."

This was both a threat and a warning. Jiang Xue Ning played with the dagger in her hand and chuckled, "Serious damage to your vitality? Don't take yourself too seriously."

"I have even killed the emperor, so why would I be afraid of you?"

"You'll have seven days to either follow my rules or get out!"

The head of the Zhou family gritted his teeth and said unconvincedly, "Why should we get out? We are native Xiangchu people."

Jiang Xue Ning met his unconvinced gaze and smiled sweetly, sending chills down one's spine. "The cancer must be removed so that Xiang Chu can grow better. You've sucked blood for so many years and you're still not satisfied. Be careful not to explode and die."

Lu Zhen was so angry that his expression was a little ferocious. He was struggling with the idea that since it had come to this, he might as well go all the way.

Before he could make up his mind, Bing Tong came with people, "It's late at night, I'm here to take the prince home."

She knew before she came that tonight would not be peaceful, so she had made arrangements in advance and naturally did not come alone.

"Then I wish you a happy birthday, and may you have a wonderful birthday every year."

Looking at the person who turned around and left under protection, Lu Zhen narrowed his eyes and was about to speak.

Ning Yuan stood up and said, "Father, be careful. The Phoenix Army and the 100,000 troops from Qingzhou have not left yet."

If anything happened to Jiang Xue Ning, the nine clans of the Lu family would not be enough to bury her.