I play the role of Jiajing in Zongwu: What crime have I committed?

A surge of resentment welled up in his heart.

OK!

You really are a little slut.

You dare to sneak into my house when I'm not looking? You're asking for death!

Consort Yue moved gracefully, her face displaying a perfectly measured expression of surprise, yet a barely perceptible glint of coldness flashed in her eyes.

She gracefully bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Zhu Houcong casually raised his hand.

"Get up."

When Consort Yue stood up, her gaze lingered on Consort Hui for a moment before she broke into a bright smile.

"Sister Huifei, I didn't expect to see you here!"

Consort Hui quickly rose and bowed.

"Greetings, elder sister. I was also fortunate enough to serve His Majesty in reviewing memorials only because I was summoned by him unexpectedly."

Her expression showed a hint of panic, which only deepened the chill in Consort Yue's eyes.

"So that's how it is~"

Consort Yue drew out her words, her hands, hidden in her wide sleeves, already clenched so tightly they ached.

Then a beautiful smile appeared on her lips.

"My sister is truly blessed."

Zhu Houcong took in their reactions and suddenly laughed loudly, "You are both my beloved concubines, and I treat you both equally."

As he spoke, he beckoned to Consort Yue.

"My beloved concubine, come here."

As Consort Yue approached, Zhu Houcong suddenly pulled her into his arms, while simultaneously wrapping his left arm around Consort Hui as well.

"I love you all so much."

Zhu Houcong's voice carried an unquestionable air of authority.

"You must all get along well, understand?"

Consort Yue quickly composed herself and said in a sweet voice, "Your Majesty, I understand."

She took the initiative to reach out and hold Consort Hui's hand.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly treat Consort Hui as my own sister."

Consort Hui quickly added, "My sister is the same."

"well!"

Zhu Houcong laughed with satisfaction.

Not long after, on the white marble steps outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Crown Prince Xiao Jingxuan and Prince Yu Xiao Jinghuan unexpectedly met.

"Oh, who do we have here?"

Xiao Jingxuan flicked his python-patterned robe sleeves, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"What a coincidence! Instead of going to Langzhou to visit that brilliant scholar three times, you have the leisure to come and pay your respects to Father Emperor?"

Prince Yu straightened his clothes and returned the greeting calmly.

"It's Your Highness, the Crown Prince. I heard you also sent someone to invite Mr. Su, didn't you?"

"It's a pity, I'm afraid they won't even be able to get through the gates of the Jiangzuo Alliance, will they?"

"Oh!"

The crown prince sneered, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"It's not like you can see it yourself."

Just as the two were locked in a heated argument, the vermilion doors of the Hall of Mental Cultivation creaked open slowly.

Yan Song, holding a whisk, stood at the threshold and bowed, saying, "Your Highnesses, His Majesty has summoned you."

Zhu Houcong sat upright before the dragon throne, but the sounds of the two arguing outside the hall reached his ears clearly.

His brows furrowed more and more, and he slammed the vermilion brush in his hand onto the table with a "smack," startling Consort Yue and Consort Hui.

Consort Yue quickly said, "Your Majesty, please calm down!"

Zhu Houcong pinched Yue's cheek and then shouted sternly.

"Yan Song, go and bring those two rebellious sons in to me!"

Consort Yue stroked her face, immediately relieved, as this clearly indicated that she would not be severely punished.

As the palace doors opened and closed, the Crown Prince and Prince Yu knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.

"My son, I pay my respects to my father."

Zhu Houcong coldly glanced at the two of them, his fingertips tapping absently on the armrest of the dragon throne.

"I heard you're all arguing about some 'Qilin Talent' or 'Jiangzuo Mei Lang'?"

The two men pressed their foreheads to the ground, neither daring to speak first.

"So, who has won over this brilliant strategist, the one who 'possesses the world'?"

He deliberately emphasized the phrase "to obtain it is to obtain the world," each word striking the hearts of the two like a heavy hammer.

The hall fell eerily quiet.

"Afraid to say?"

Zhu Houcong suddenly stood up and walked to Xiao Jinghuan.

"Everyone's vying for the throne, what's there to be afraid to say? Do you think I've been in this position for too long?"

"Your subject would never have such a thought."

"No? I doubt it!"

Zhu Houcong suddenly looked at Xiao Jinghuan: "Prince Yu, why don't you become the emperor, and I'll remain the retired emperor?"

Prince Yu trembled violently and kowtowed repeatedly.

Your subject swears to Heaven that you have never entertained such a treasonous thought.

"Hmph, if it's not you, Prince Yu, then it must be the Crown Prince."

Zhu Houcong turned to Xiao Jingxuan with a cold smile, then suddenly pulled out the long sword from the table and threw it at his feet.

"Aren't you worried that Prince Yu will take your place? Come, kill Prince Yu, and you can rest easy!"

Xiao Jingxuan's eyes darted around, and for a moment, he really had this idea.

She secretly glanced up and saw Consort Yue waving her hands frantically.

He immediately prostrated himself on the ground and cried out, "Father, please understand! Your son has never thought of such a thing!"

Xiao Jingxuan's little tricks could not escape Zhu Houcong's eyes.

He cursed Xiao Jingxuan inwardly for being useless, unable to even assess the situation.

We also need to consult Yue Shi for guidance.

He immediately kicked Xiao Jingxuan to the ground.

"Jingting was made a prince, and instead of offering your congratulations, you rushed to the palace."

He leaned down and stared at the two of them.

"Could it be that they've come to see if I'm dead yet?"

"Your Majesty, I deserve to die!"

The two men pleaded guilty in unison, their voices trembling.

"Kneel down and reflect on your actions!"

Zhu Houcong shouted angrily and was about to leave when he suddenly heard a eunuch outside the palace announce his departure.

"Your Majesty, Prince Jing is waiting for your decree at the palace gate."

Zhu Houcong paused, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

OK!

All three rebellious sons have arrived.

"Announce!"

Chapter 12 I'll strip you of your military power first.

Xiao Jingyan stepped steadily into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, his black boots making a steady sound as they trod on the gold bricks.

Upon entering the hall, he caught a glimpse of the Crown Prince and Prince Yu kneeling on the ground out of the corner of his eye, and his heart trembled slightly.

These two, who were usually the emperor's favorites, were now kneeling in the hall, trembling with fear.

But this surprise was fleeting.

He walked calmly to the emperor's presence, knelt on one knee, presented a scroll of military reports, and said in a deep voice, "Your subject has returned to the capital from the rotation of troops at Xishan Camp and presents you with recent military reports."

His voice was neither humble nor arrogant.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Houcong wished he could deliver a Chixiao sword strike to him on the spot.

It's one thing to enter the palace in armor, but you won't even call me "father."

Then I wouldn't have a traitorous son like you.

Yan Song bowed and accepted the military report, presenting it to the emperor with both hands.

Zhu Houcong unfolded the memorial and scanned it line by line with keen eyes.

As he read on, his brow furrowed into a deep frown.

The more I looked, the more frightened I became.

Damn it!

How did the previous emperor become emperor? How dare you let an unfavored prince hold so much military power?

The key is that they also know how to deploy troops and command large armies in battle.

He's a damn traitor.

Are you able to sleep?

what?

You can sleep, but I can't!

Li Shimin dared to confront Xuanwu Gate with only 800 men.

You're really not afraid of death.

The more Zhu Houcong looked at it, the more he thought Emperor Liang was an idiot.

No matter how hard I try, I can't understand the logic behind how an unfavored prince could hold military power.

No, we have to strip him of his military power first.

"Hmm, Jingyan, you did a good job!"

Zhu Houcong suddenly smiled, his dignified expression instantly transforming into a rare kindness as he gazed gently at Xiao Jingyan.

"You must be exhausted from your journey."

He raised his hand in a gesture.

"Someone, please have a seat."

Xiao Jingyan was taken aback upon hearing this, and his body under the iron armor visibly stiffened for a moment.