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

In terms of political achievements, military merits, and popularity, he was no match for Xiao Jinghuan.

Over the years, Xiao Jinghuan has always presented himself as a wise king, treating scholars with respect and humility, thus winning over a large number of followers in the court.

Last year, he was just a leisurely prince. If his father hadn't made him oversee the country for half a year, he might not have been able to build up his own power.

He had no choice but to swallow his anger.

Before Xiao Jinghuan could recover from his ecstasy, Xiao Jingting had already stepped forward to stand in line.

He forced a stiff smile, his voice carrying a deliberately feigned joy.

"Your Highness, Third Brother is truly happy for you."

That smile was so fake that even the corners of his eyes were twitching.

But he still had to force himself to put on an act of brotherly affection and respect.

Xiao Jinghuan then seemed to wake from a dream and immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.

Zhu Houcong looked at Xiao Jinghuan's excited appearance and smiled disdainfully to himself.

Being a crown prince is like eating bee droppings.

You'd be furious if I made you emperor.

Let you be smug for a few days first.

The prince!

High-risk occupation.

Throughout China's five thousand years of history, how many crown princes have actually lived long enough to inherit the throne?

Leaving aside distant examples, the death of the former Crown Prince Xiao Jingxuan is still fresh in the minds of all the officials.

If I can kill one, I can kill a second.

But before I kill you!

I can't let you, my adopted son, live too comfortably.

Thinking of this, a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"Get up, get up!"

After Xiao Jinghuan stood up, Zhu Houcong suddenly changed the subject.

"Now that the position of Crown Prince has been established, the position of Empress should not remain vacant for long."

His gaze swept over the assembled officials in the hall, finally settling on Tian Dezhi.

"Minister Tian previously strongly recommended Consort Hui as Empress, and I must admit that Minister Tian has a keen eye for talent."

Upon hearing this, Tian Dezhi's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.

He then remembered that more than half a year ago, in order to prevent Consort Yue from ascending to the throne, he had indeed recommended Consort Hui.

"In my observation, Consort Hui is indeed as my beloved ministers have said: gentle and virtuous, truly the best choice for Empress."

After Zhu Houcong finished speaking, he watched with great interest as Tian Dezhi's face turned deathly pale.

"In that case, the Ministry of Rites shall make preparations to establish Consort Hui as Empress."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.

Consort Hui was the birth mother of Prince Yu. Making her empress would be like planting a seed of discord for the new crown prince.

However, the new crown prince's original mother was the former empress.

The former empress is dead, and the Prince Yu faction—no, the Crown Prince faction—can't find an excuse to refute this.

Moreover, it was Tian Dezhi, the vanguard of the Crown Prince's faction, who proposed the appointment of Consort Hui.

Xiao Jinghuan stood in the hall, his smile instantly freezing.

Xiao Jingting's face instantly lit up with a smile.

The two brothers performed face-changing acts for each other here.

Zhu Houcong almost burst out laughing when he saw the three of them looking like they had lost their parents.

That old fox once strongly recommended Consort Hui, but now he's only brought trouble upon himself.

The boomerang finally hit him.

Once the matter was settled, Zhu Houcong began to bestow rewards upon the meritorious officials of the southern expedition.

"Today is the day our soldiers return victorious from their southern expedition. We should reward them according to their merits, to demonstrate the imperial court's benevolence and power."

"With Prince Jing, Xiao Jingyan, stationed in the northern border, he deterred the Dayu from making any rash moves, which allowed Hu Ruzhen to focus all his efforts on the southern expedition."

"Xiao Jingyan is specially promoted to the rank of Prince of the Seven Beads, granted ten thousand taels of gold, and awarded the additional title of General Who Guards the North."

"During his regency, Prince Yu, Xiao Jingting, diligently attended to state affairs, ensuring the stability of the court."

He was promoted to the rank of Prince of the Five Pearls and granted ten thousand taels of gold.

"Yan Donglou, the former Grand Secretary of the Southern Chu, was a man of great integrity and made great contributions to our dynasty in pacifying the Southern Chu."

"He shall be appointed Minister of Works and enter the cabinet for consultation."

At this point, Zhu Houcong paused deliberately, his gaze falling on Mu Qing.

"The Mu family contributed the most this time, and Mu Qing, you have also grown a lot. From today onwards, you shall return to the capital to participate in government affairs. At the same time, you shall be granted a red edict and an iron scroll, and shall live and die with the nation."

"Mei Changsu, the leader of the Jiangzuo Alliance, although a member of the martial arts world, has repeatedly offered ingenious strategies during the southern expedition."

"Considering that he did not wish to serve in a distant official position, he was specially granted ten thousand taels of gold and granted the title of Baron of Langya."

Finally, Zhu Houcong waved his hand.

"The Ministry of War shall thoroughly investigate the military merits of the remaining meritorious officers and soldiers and reward them according to precedent."

Upon hearing this, a chorus of expressions of gratitude immediately filled the hall.

Everyone, including Prince Yu Xiao Jingting, had smiles on their faces.

His voice was filled with undisguised joy as he expressed his gratitude.

Yan Donglou was so excited that he trembled all over. This former official of Southern Chu not only saved his life, but was also given such an important position in the new dynasty.

He knelt tremblingly on the ground, his forehead almost touching the cold gold bricks.

"Your humble servant kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's great favor!"

The entire hall was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Zhu Houcong looked at everyone with a smile. From today onwards, the structure of the court has quietly returned to its original state, and has become even more complicated.

It turns out that the Crown Prince and Prince Yu were fighting, and Prince Yu's mother was the Empress.

Now it's a battle between the Crown Prince and Prince Yu, whose mother is the Empress.

Over the past year, the plot has changed a lot, but some things have returned to square one due to Zhu Houcong's deliberate actions.

Chapter 163 The Truth Behind the Crimson Flame Case

After the court session, Mei Changsu, under Xiao Jinghuan's arrangement, entered the Ministry of Justice prison.

"Lord Xie, how have you been?"

Mei Changsu stood before Xie Yu, bowed slightly, and spoke in a gentle, refined voice.

Inside the cell, Xie Yu sat on a moldy pile of straw, dressed in tattered clothes, without uttering a word.

"What? It's only been a little over half a year, and you don't recognize me, Lord Marquis?"

Seeing that he remained silent, Mei Changsu took another step forward.

"Of course I recognize it."

Xie Yu gave a cold laugh, his voice hoarse.

"When you first came to the capital, didn't you stay at my residence as a guest?"

Mei Changsu smiled slightly: "When I first met you, Lord Marquis, you were so handsome and dashing that I dared not look directly at you."

"So, you've come today to kick me when I'm down."

A hint of mockery flashed in Xie Yu's eyes.

"Such behavior is hardly classy!"

"My current predicament and misfortune are due to my bad luck. Don't you think it's despicable of you to chase me here like this?"

"So, even Lord Xie knows that the word 'petty person' exists in this world."

Mei Changsu's expression remained unchanged, but his voice turned colder.

"You are indeed in trouble, but have you been wronged?"

“You and I both know perfectly well that Zhuo Dingfeng’s accusations against you are all true, and every piece of evidence is irrefutable.”

"Now that the road to the underworld is near, they still shamelessly struggle in their death throes, merely to save their lives."

"But in the end, all you're protecting is Xia Jiang."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yu suddenly let out a hoarse laugh, which sounded particularly jarring in the dark cell.

"What are you laughing at, Lord Marquis?"

"Isn't that too hasty?"

Xie Yu snorted coldly.

"Mr. Xiao, you mentioned Xia Jiang so quickly. Is it because His Highness Prince Yu is getting restless that the case has been changed to be handled by Xia Jiang?"

"Otherwise, with your status as a 'genius scholar,' why would you stoop to this filthy cage?"

Upon hearing this, Mei Changsu disregarded the filth of the prison and calmly sat down on the ground.

"How can it be considered an injustice that I've come to visit you, Lord Marquis?"

"Oh, by the way, Your Excellency misspoke earlier. His Highness Prince Yu has been made Crown Prince, so please don't address him incorrectly from now on."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yu's pupils contracted sharply, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Mr. Su truly deserves to be called a genius. He has only been in the capital for a little over a year, yet he has already helped Prince Yu ascend to the position of Crown Prince. No wonder I was defeated by Prince Yu."

"You'll lose because you're stupid, and as long as Xia Jiang is around, you'll keep losing."

Mei Changsu said calmly, "Let me tell you how Xia Jiang will deal with you."

Then, he slowly recounted what would happen after Xie Yu was released by Xia Jiang.

Given Xia Jiang's personality, once Xie Yu is released after this case is closed, he will lose all value.

At that point, no one will interrogate him anymore, and no one will listen to him seriously.

Even if Xie Yu had many more secrets about Xia Jiang, he would never have the chance to reveal them again.

Once Xia Jiang gets rid of him, they can rest easy.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yu's breathing became noticeably rapid.

"Think about it, when you die, how many people will care? Who will even notice?"

Mei Changsu smiled and said, "This plan sounds pretty good, doesn't it?"

“Even if what you say is true, it is only the worst-case scenario. Xia Jiang knows me, and I know him.”

"As long as he can get me out of this prison, I will never turn against him. What good would it do me to betray him?"

"Even if you have no reason to betray Xia Jiang, he would rather believe a dead man than believe you. That's in line with Chief Xia's style of doing things."

“I have no old grudges with Xia Jiang. He knows me, and I know him.”

Xie Yu said with certainty.

"Now, I have no choice but to gamble on this last one. If I don't trust him, am I supposed to trust you?"

Why can't you trust me?

Mei Changsu stepped forward slowly and explained his reasons.