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

"I have a question: Mr. Su, as a guest of honor of my brother Prince Yu, why did you lend me your assistance?"

Mei Changsu smiled calmly and said, "A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on. Among all the princes, apart from the Crown Prince, Your Highness has the most noble status."

"It's only natural for me to want to switch allegiance to a wise ruler, isn't it?"

"Hehe, sir, you are quite frank about it."

Xiao Jingyan suddenly let out a cold laugh and slammed the teacup down on the table.

"Sir, your plan is well-thought-out, but unfortunately, what I despise most are treacherous officials, so I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

If this man can betray Prince Yu today, he can betray Prince Jing tomorrow.

He dared not employ a fickle person.

Then he stood up, looked down at Mei Changsu, and cupped his hands, saying, "Farewell."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

However, just as he was about to step out of the study, he heard Mei Changsu's unhurried voice behind him.

"Actions are judged by their deeds, not their intentions. I will demonstrate my sincerity to Your Highness."

Mei Changsu calmly picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and then looked up to look directly at Xiao Jingyan.

"Xiao Tingsheng, I can help Your Highness rescue him."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyan was greatly shocked, as if struck by lightning.

Only he knew about Xiao Tingsheng's affair.

How did this person find out?

He suddenly stood up, his body surging with inner energy, his robes fluttering even without wind.

Who exactly are you?

Before he could finish speaking, a white shadow suddenly appeared.

Suddenly, the Flying Stream Divine Soldiers descended from the sky, directly blocking Mei Changsu's path, their auras locked onto Xiao Jingyan.

Mei Changsu gently patted Fei Liu's shoulder, signaling him to step back.

"With the intelligence network of my Jiangzuo Alliance, finding out that Xiao Tingsheng is the posthumous son of Prince Qi is not a difficult task."

"I knew about this but did not report it. Isn't that an act of goodwill towards Your Highness?"

"Are you threatening me?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyan's eyes flashed with even more murderous intent.

"No."

Chapter 128 He is indeed very filial.

Mei Changsu calmly straightened his sleeves.

"I only wish to remind Your Highness that if you wish to exonerate Prince Qi and clear the name of the Lin family, you will need people like myself by your side."

"Of all under heaven, only I can help Your Highness achieve your wish."

Looking at Mei Changsu's confident demeanor, Xiao Jingyan couldn't help but sneer repeatedly.

"What a loud tone."

Even so, I still believe that those who offer unsolicited favors are either treacherous or thieves.

"Tell me, what do you want?"

Mei Changsu smiled and shrugged, saying, "Naturally, I am second only to one person and above ten thousand others."

"Those who plan for the world only seek to hold a high position."

"wild ambition."

"Isn't that right, Your Highness?" Mei Changsu countered.

"Many ministers in the court are now secretly supporting you, and even if you are unwilling, they will push you forward."

He paused for a moment, then looked at Xiao Jingyan meaningfully.

"Furthermore, judging from Your Highness's recent actions, it seems you are already preparing to seize the throne?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyan's pupils suddenly contracted.

"People like you are terrifying."

"No matter how terrifying it is, it's still just a sword."

Mei Changsu calmly stood up and bowed.

"With it in Your Highness's hands, you will be able to overcome all obstacles and be invincible."

Their eyes met in mid-air.

After a long while, Xiao Jingyan finally let out a cold snort.

"Very well, actions speak louder than words. Since you keep professing your loyalty to me, then I'll wait and see your sincerity."

Boom boom boom! ! !

Suddenly, a deep, resonant bell rang out from the direction of the imperial city, echoing for a long time over Jinling City.

Mei Changsu and Xiao Jingyan both changed color at the same time and rushed out of the room without prior arrangement.

The bells tolled one after another, each one seemingly striking the hearts of the two.

Xiao Jingyan's face grew paler and paler, and his fingers trembled involuntarily.

How many times?

Mei Changsu closed his eyes and recounted the events, but when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with deep sorrow.

"Twenty-seven sounds."

"Twenty-seven sounds, the sound of a great funeral."

Xiao Jingyan staggered back a step, as if all his strength had been drained away in an instant.

"Great-grandmother has passed away..."

Before he could finish speaking, he had already turned and run to the palace.

Only Mei Changsu remained standing there.

He suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest.

The kind face of the Empress Dowager appeared before my eyes.

The old man treated him as his own son and always called him "Xiao Shu". In the past, every time he entered the palace, he would secretly give him his favorite candied fruit.

A sudden, metallic taste rose in his throat, and with a "plop," a mouthful of blood splattered in the courtyard.

"metropolitan."

Li Gang hurriedly supported his swaying body.

Mei Changsu waved his hand, looked towards the direction of the imperial city, and in a daze, he saw that always smiling old man again.

"Great-grandmother..."

He murmured softly, and tears finally streamed down his face.

The elder who loved him most in this world has finally passed away.

After the bells stopped ringing, all the princes arrived one after another.

The concubines rushed over as well.

At this moment, Zhu Houcong was already standing guard in front of the coffin, watching the palace servants tidy up the Empress Dowager's remains.

The old man's face was peaceful, as if he were simply asleep.

The following day, white banners hung low inside the mourning hall.

Zhu Houcong led the princes and concubines in performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony.

Then everyone knelt down on both sides in order.

During the national mourning period, the entire country wore mourning clothes, and the city of Nanjing was filled with solemnity.

The streets and markets were stripped of their colorful decorations, and even restaurants and teahouses hung plain banners.

Weddings and banquets are strictly prohibited for 100 days, and music and entertainment are also forbidden.

Zhu Houcong knelt before the mourning hall, looking at Princess Nihuang who had rushed over.

She was dressed in plain clothes, without a single pearl or jade ornament in her hair.

His eyes were red and swollen; he had clearly been crying the whole way.

"Nihuang."

Zhu Houcong waved to her.

"Your great-grandmother always doted on you the most. Come, kowtow to her."

Upon hearing this, Princess Nihuang could no longer hold back her tears.

She staggered to the altar and knelt down heavily.

"Great-Grandma, Nihuang is late!!"

Her voice was choked with sobs, and she could barely speak, her hands trembling as she touched the coffin.

"Great-Grandma, you promised to see Nihuang's wedding..."

Zhu Houcong looked at Nihuang's red, tear-filled eyes and sighed softly.

"Nihuang, during the national mourning period, your wedding with Jingyan will probably have to be postponed."

"After one hundred days, I will order the Imperial Observatory to choose another auspicious day. During this period, you will have to remain in the capital."

"Do you harbor any resentment?"

Princess Nihuang raised her tearful eyes and shook her head.

Zhu Houcong nodded in satisfaction: "Fortunately, there has been no war in Yunnan recently, and Mu Qing has become much more composed and can still keep the situation under control for the time being."

"You should stay in the capital and observe mourning without worrying too much."

However, just over ten days after the Empress Dowager's death, the sounds of revelry could be faintly heard coming from the Eastern Palace.

Several eunuchs stood guard outside the hall, nervously glancing around every now and then.

"Your Highness, this...this is probably inappropriate."

A young eunuch knelt in the hall, his voice trembling.

"If someone has a handle to use against us during the national mourning period..."

"Shut up!"

Crown Prince Xiao Jingxuan, his eyes glazed with drunkenness, shouted, "Kneeling and bowing all day long, my knees are about to break!"

"My great-grandmother loved me the most; she will surely not blame me in heaven!"

As he spoke, he pulled the trembling songstress beside him into his arms.

"Keep the music playing, keep dancing!"

Unbeknownst to him, Zhuque, dressed in black, was standing quietly on the eaves of the main hall.

Every word of the conversation inside the hall reached Zhu Houcong's ears.

"Oh!"

Zhu Houcong leaned against the dragon bed, his fingertips lightly tapping the table.

It's time for Crown Prince Xiao Jingxuan to make a move.

He picked up his teacup, looked at his reflection in the water—a reflection that made him look twenty years younger—and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.