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

Then Xie Yu was casually handed over to Prince Yu, Xiao Jinghuan, for disposal by Zhu Houcong.

But who would have thought that things would turn out so suddenly? He Jingzhong, one of Xiao Jinghuan's subordinates, got into trouble, and Qi Min betrayed him. He was demoted from a prince to a county prince, and finally exiled to the Southern Chu.

As a result of this series of unexpected events, Xie Yu's case became an unsolved mystery that no one cared about.

He was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's jail for more than half a year.

After returning to the capital, Xia Jiang, the head of the Suspended Mirror Bureau, did not even go to the Suspended Mirror Bureau. Instead, he went directly to the Ministry of Justice prison.

Xie Yu huddled in the corner of the cell, the past six months of imprisonment had ravaged him until he was emaciated.

Having been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's jail for so long, he had heard a lot about what was happening outside from the jailers.

I never imagined that so much would change in just one year.

Hearing familiar footsteps, he finally slowly raised his head, a glimmer of hope flashing in his cloudy eyes.

"Chief Xia, you're finally back."

Xia Jiang stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at his former ally.

The case of framing the Chiyan Army thirteen years ago was orchestrated by these two in cahoots.

As soon as he came out of the pass, he heard that Xie Yu had been arrested and imprisoned, so he rushed over without stopping.

After all, what if Xie Yu said something he shouldn't have?

Not only would he lose his position as the head of the Suspended Mirror Bureau, but his reputation would also be ruined.

Since becoming a Grandmaster, he has become increasingly careful about protecting his reputation.

How can we tolerate this happening?

"I advised you, Lord Marquis, not to get involved in factional strife too early. You didn't believe me then, but now you do!"

Xie Yu chuckled twice, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

"It was my carelessness."

"Such a big tumble, it's probably not something that can be explained away by carelessness alone!"

"You came to see me today out of kindness, just to let me know how I stumbled and fell?"

Xie Yu sat up straight and asked in return.

Xia Jiang shook his head: "What's the point of this?"

"In short, you are now utterly defeated, not only have you lost all your glory, but you are also in danger of losing your life."

"Even with Chief Xia's return, it won't make a difference?"

"How much do you want to improve?" Xia Jiang asked in a deep voice.

"To what extent can you improve it?" Xie Yu asked calmly.

"I won't say what I shouldn't say, and I'll keep you alive. That's all I can do. As long as we're alive, we can always make a comeback."

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Xie Yu's eyes.

However, Xia Jiang is right; at least we don't have to die.

He leaned forward and whispered in Xia Jiang's ear, "I hope that Chief Xia can fulfill this agreement."

"When have I ever failed to fulfill my promise to Lord Xie?"

Xia Jiang left after saying that.

In the Wanshou Palace, Zhu Houcong was reviewing the draft memorials submitted by the Grand Secretariat when suddenly a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

Cao Zhichun hunched over and hurried in.

"Your Highness, Prince Yu, Yan Donglou, and others have arrived in the capital."

"In addition, Chief Xia Jiang of the Suspended Mirror Division has also returned to the capital."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong paused slightly, moved the memorial in front of him, and revealed his face.

He scrutinized Cao Zhichun.

"Xia Jiang is back?"

Why didn't he come to see me?

Cao Zhichun quickly replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Chief Xia went straight to the Ministry of Justice prison upon entering the city."

"The Ministry of Justice's prison?"

Zhu Houcong was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized.

He forgot that Xie Yu was still locked up in jail.

The case of Xie Yu was initially handed over to Prince Yu for handling, but later Prince Yu went to Southern Chu, and the matter was shelved.

He only remembered it now that he heard Xia Jiang had gone.

Then Zhu Houcong couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Upon returning to the capital, instead of first meeting the emperor, he rushed to visit the prison.

It seems Xia Jiang has already broken through to the Grandmaster level and is getting arrogant!

Otherwise, they wouldn't be so presumptuous, not even respecting him, the emperor.

Just then, a high-pitched eunuch's voice came from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, Chief Xia Jiang of the Suspended Mirror Bureau requests an audience."

Zhu Houcong snorted softly upon hearing this.

"Announce!"

Soon, Xia Jiang, dressed in a black official robe, walked steadily into the hall.

Kneel on one knee and bow respectfully.

"Your humble servant Xia Jiang greets Your Majesty."

"hehe."

Zhu Houcong looked at Xia Jiang with a smile; Xia Jiang looked remarkably like Anliman, the Xinjiang man from the ancient city of Jingjue.

"You're finally back."

He waved casually.

"Get up, get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xia Jiang straightened up, looked up at Zhu Houcong, and was immediately shocked.

Zhu Houcong was dressed in a plain Taoist robe, with a ruddy complexion and bright, piercing eyes.

His energy and spirit seemed to have returned to that of his prime.

Such a drastic change left even this grandmaster deeply astonished.

During the year and a half that I was in seclusion, the emperor underwent such an astonishing change.

"Your Majesty's complexion is even better than before I went into seclusion."

Zhu Houcong stroked his beard and chuckled.

"It is all thanks to the Taoist teachings of the Heavenly Sect that I have felt refreshed and invigorated since I began practicing Taoism."

"Even the imperial physicians say that my pulse is much stronger than before."

"The Taoist methods are indeed extremely profound."

"Hehe, let's not talk about me for now."

Zhu Houcong changed the subject, his gaze fixed intently on Xia Jiang.

"Did you manage to break through to the Grandmaster realm during your seclusion, my dear minister?"

Xia Jiang quickly cupped his hands in greeting and said solemnly, "Thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, I have successfully broken through to the Grandmaster realm and fulfilled my mission."

"it is good!"

Zhu Houcong burst into laughter.

"In this way, our Great Liang has gained another Grandmaster, truly a blessing for the nation!"

He then added, "However, your seclusion this time has been quite long. Fortunately, the children are able to share my burdens."

Upon hearing this, Xia Jiang immediately bowed and apologized.

“Your Majesty, speaking of the children, I am truly ashamed. Xia Dong has offended Your Majesty several times before, and I have already punished her. Please forgive me.”

"You!"

Zhu Houcong shook his head and chuckled, then pointed at Xia Jiang and said.

"It's just too harsh."

"Xia Dong is a bit too straightforward, but he was investigating a case for me before."

At this point, Zhu Houcong said with a half-smile, "Now that you're back, let the Suspended Mirror Bureau handle Xie Yu's case."

"This case has dragged on long enough; it's time to bring it to a close."

Xia Jiang was startled by Zhu Houcong's words.

How could the emperor not know? He clearly already knew that he had been to the Ministry of Justice.

Is news spreading this fast in Jinling City now?

I came out of the Ministry of Justice and went straight to the palace!

But the emperor already knew.

Thinking of this, a cold sweat broke out on his back.

But it didn't show on his face at all.

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree. I will handle this matter impartially and give you a satisfactory explanation."

His purpose in coming here was to drag the Xie Yu case into the political struggle, so that the emperor would become suspicious and hand the case over to him for trial.

Unexpectedly, the emperor spoke first.

That saved me the trouble of explaining myself.

Zhu Houcong was very pleased to see that Xia Jiang had taken on the case.

In this way, Xia Jiang can fight Mei Changsu like dogs.

Chapter 161 Reconsidering the Establishment of the Crown Prince

The city of Jinling was shrouded in darkness.

Mei Changsu, wrapped in a heavy fox fur coat, leaned weakly against the couch.

The charcoal fire crackled in the stove beside him, yet he still felt a bone-chilling cold.

Those long, pale hands trembled incessantly above the flames.

At this moment, the fire and cold poison continued to rage through his meridians.

He could barely suppress it during the summer before.

But since the beginning of winter, the biting cold has been like a bone-deep ailment, gnawing at his internal organs day and night.

Even though he was sitting by the stove, you could still see that his lips were pale.

Li Gang stood to the side, holding a bowl of medicine in his hand, his face full of worry.

They also reported on Xia Jiang's movements after returning to the capital today.

Mei Changsu listened quietly, the flickering firelight in the furnace falling into his eyes, but it could not dispel the fierce hatred in his eyes.

"Sect Master, as soon as Xia Jiang returned to the capital, he went to the Ministry of Justice prison to see Xie Yu, and then went to the palace to receive an imperial edict that he would be in charge of Xie Yu's case."

Mei Changsu smiled weakly, "As expected of Xia Jiang, he is indeed deeply trusted by the Emperor. He was able to secure the position of presiding judge in Xie Yu's case with just one trip to the palace."