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

But since the main character today is Mei Changsu, they didn't think much of it.

At this moment, the Crown Prince's face showed a hint of ingratiation, while Prince Yu's eyes were filled with calculation.

Only Prince Jing looked down on strategists who were good at using schemes and tricks, and did not know Mei Changsu's true identity, so he remained indifferent, even with a hint of disgust.

Zhu Houcong took in everyone's reactions and sneered inwardly.

Outside the palace gate, a slender figure in blue slowly stepped in.

Mei Changsu was dressed in a coarse cloth robe, the hem of which fluttered slightly in the breeze, making him appear even more emaciated.

His face was as pale as paper from the poison of fire and cold.

Only those eyes remained calm and unfathomable.

Zhu Houcong squinted, trying to find even a trace of the dashing, spirited young general he once was in this sickly scholar.

Unfortunately, there wasn't a single bit left.

"This humble subject, Su Zhe, greets Your Majesty."

Mei Changsu knelt and bowed, his voice gentle.

Zhu Houcong chuckled and suddenly asked, "Are you the brilliant strategist Mei Changsu, the one who 'possesses the world and possesses it'?"

Upon hearing this, the air in the hall seemed to freeze.

The whole hall was shocked.

To know this is to gain the world!

How terrifying those six words are!

When Zhu Houcong uttered these words, everyone immediately felt that the entire Fengtian Hall was filled with murderous intent.

Mei Changsu remained lying on the ground, his voice neither hurried nor slow.

"Rumors from the martial arts world are not to be believed."

"I am but a commoner, unworthy of such praise."

"His Majesty!"

Mu Qing suddenly stood up, his youthful and spirited face filled with resentment.

"These absurd words are clearly the fabrications of commoners. Mr. Su is merely a scholar; how could he possibly possess the ability to 'conquer the world'?"

Zhu Houcong's gaze darkened.

Mei Changsu is quite something; he only met Mu Qing a few times, yet Mu Qing is so protective of him.

Even before his own sister, Nihuang, had spoken, he jumped out first.

"Your Majesty, Mu Qing is ignorant and has spoken out of turn..."

Nihuang quickly stood up and said.

Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Houcong stopped and waved his hand.

"It's alright. Mu Qing is still young. I forgive him. Please sit down!"

Chapter 17 Repair the Longevity Palace for Me

After saying this, Zhu Houcong ignored Nihuang and her brother and instead leaned forward, speaking leisurely.

"Rumors are the most deadly."

"If it were me, I would have gone into seclusion and lived in seclusion, but you have come to Jinling. Is it that you have chosen your master?"

The moment the words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall froze.

"His Majesty!"

Xiao Jingrui suddenly stood up and stepped forward, kneeling on one knee, his voice clear and resonant.

"Brother Su only agreed to visit the Xie residence after my repeated invitations. I am but a mere military man and would never dare to have any improper thoughts. Therefore, this is not a case of a unicorn choosing its master. I hope Your Majesty will understand."

His words were quite frank and open.

At this moment, Prince Yu suddenly chuckled and said respectfully, "Yes, Father, although Jingrui's surname is Xiao, he is not a prince after all. I think that Mr. Su's appearance in Jinling must be due to a private relationship between the two."

The Crown Prince turned to Zhu Houcong and said, "Father, I also feel that this matter is a bit of an overreaction."

Zhu Houcong snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall like a blade.

"It's rare to see you all so united."

He lightly tapped the dragon table with his fingertips, the dull sound particularly jarring in the silent hall.

"That's enough."

Zhu Houcong suddenly raised his hand and said, "Su Zhe, get up."

Mei Changsu slowly straightened up, his eyes lowered, revealing no expression whatsoever.

"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your leniency."

Zhu Houcong scrutinized the tall and elegant Mei Changsu in the hall with piercing eyes, then suddenly smiled and said, "Hmm, since Princess Nihuang chose you to oversee the civil service examinations, and there are such rumors circulating in the martial arts world, it shows that you do have some talent."

"Alright then, besides overseeing the civil service examinations, you should also do your part to build me a Longevity Palace, and while you're at it, repair the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters to show your filial piety."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Xiao Jingxuan, who was standing to the side, immediately said, "Father, Mr. Su is a frail scholar who is unfamiliar with the regulations for the construction of the imperial palace. It would be better to entrust the matter to the Ministry of Works..."

At this moment, he glanced up and saw Zhu Houcong's suddenly gloomy face, and was so frightened that he trembled and quickly changed his words.

"Your subject is afraid that Mr. Su will not do a good job and will break the rules."

"It's alright."

Zhu Houcong's sharp gaze swept across the Crown Prince's face before turning to Mei Changsu, who stood with his head bowed, his tone suddenly softening.

"I have heard that the Jiangzuo Alliance is as wealthy as a nation; it is only right that they should do their part for the Emperor."

"Now that you have come to the capital, you may stay here with peace of mind. However, it is not convenient to stay at the Ningguo Marquis's residence. You should choose another place after you return."

Mei Changsu's fingers, hidden beneath his wide sleeves, curled slightly, his fingertips digging crescent-shaped red marks into his palm.

Zhu Houcong's seemingly casual but actually aggressive words transformed into an invisible pressure that swept over us.

With his intelligence, how could he not understand the meaning behind Zhu Houcong's words?

From the moment he entered the hall, every word he uttered was laced with hidden sharpness.

He made no attempt to hide his dissatisfaction with the rumors surrounding him as a genius.

The last sentence clearly means that if you accept this task, Mei Changsu can continue to stay in Jinling.

If you do not accept the order, you will be disobeying the imperial decree and will be immediately expelled from Nanjing.

The moment he looked up, he met Zhu Houcong's ambiguous smile.

His eyes held an unwavering confidence, as if he were looking at a moth that had fallen into a spider's web.

Mei Changsu suddenly felt a tightness in his throat, and even breathing became difficult.

The water clock at the corner of the palace dripped, each tick like a death knell.

"This humble subject will certainly do his utmost to live up to Your Majesty's grace."

He spoke respectfully and meekly, but his hand, hidden in his sleeve, was clenched into a fist, his knuckles turning pale.

Zhu Houcong nodded in satisfaction, a calculating glint in his eyes.

You Jiangzuo Alliance can easily come up with four or five million taels of silver, can't you?

Why not use the money to repair the Longevity Palace for me, so I won't have to think about rebellion all the time?

Thinking of this, he looked around at everyone in the hall with a meaningful expression, and his voice suddenly rose.

"You lot, don't think you're so capable. Knowing the rules is the greatest skill."

[Recite a classic quote from Emperor Jiajing, play Emperor Jiajing +1, reward: Youth-Preserving Pill]

"Your subject/son understands."

The crowd responded in unison, their voices echoing in the empty hall.

Zhu Houcong then signaled Yan Song to continue.

Yan Song nodded, bowed, and walked outside the hall. Soon after, a high-pitched voice announced the names of the attendants.

"The top ten graduates of the Xuanwu Examination shall be granted an audience!"

The sound of orderly footsteps could be heard outside the hall, and the top ten martial arts test takers filed in, led by eunuchs.

Dressed in close-fitting clothes, they stood in a row in the hall and bowed to Zhu Houcong.

Zhu Houcong looked at each of them and was immediately delighted. He laughed and said, "I never expected that more than half of the top ten in the martial arts competition would be heroes of our Great Liang. I am very pleased to see you all gathered here today."

As he spoke, he gestured for Princess Nihuang and Mei Changsu beside him to stand up.

The voice boomed as he introduced, "This is Princess Nihuang, and this gentleman beside her is Mr. Su Zhe, the chief examiner of the written examination. Please get to know each other beforehand."

Princess Nihuang clasped her hands in greeting, while Mei Changsu bowed slightly.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere inside the hall gradually warmed up.

Prince Yu, Xiao Jinghuan, suddenly stood up, raised his cup, and said with a smile, "Father, today all the martial arts prodigies have gathered. Why not let them spar a bit in this hall, so that your sons and I can broaden our horizons?"

Zhu Houcong laughed heartily upon hearing this, slamming his hand on the table and exclaiming, "Excellent! Just what I wanted!"

He surveyed the hall, "What are your thoughts, everyone?"

"I will obey Your Majesty's orders."

"Okay, let's get started!"

The eunuchs quickly removed the tables and chairs from the hall, making room for the tables and chairs.

The ten martial artists rubbed their hands together, their eyes brimming with fighting spirit.

"The first match will be between the third-place finisher in the martial arts test and the seventh-place finisher!" the eunuch announced loudly.

The two warriors clasped their hands in greeting, and then a fierce battle ensued in the hall, with flashing swords and clashing blades.

The clanging of metal on metal was deafening, drawing cheers from the assembled guests.

With a loud announcement from the eunuch, "The Northern Yan warrior, Baili Qi, makes his entrance!"

All eyes turned to the palace gate.

A towering figure, as imposing as a mountain, strode in, each step causing the ground to tremble slightly.

When he stood in the center of the hall, all the guests couldn't help but gasp.

Baili Qi was truly terrifying in appearance: his square face was covered with thick, fleshy muscles, a hideous scar ran diagonally from his left eye to the corner of his mouth, and his right eye was as small as a bean.

Below his bulbous nose, two thick lips turned outwards, revealing uneven, yellow teeth.

What's even more striking is his "punk" hairstyle.

A tuft of red hair stood upright on his head, the sides were shaved bald, but a few greasy braids remained on the back of his head.

"Ugly" is not even an adequate description of him.

Zhu Houcong looked at him strangely and couldn't help but ask, "Is there no one else in Northern Yan? Why did they send such an ugly monster like you?"

The Crown Prince couldn't help but complain, "Yes, Father, the actions of Northern Yan are a complete desecration of Princess Nihuang of our Great Liang!"

Prince Yu also lowered his eyes and coughed lightly, using the gesture of raising his cup to cover the twitching at the corner of his mouth.

Bailiqi's appearance is indeed unbearable to look at.

The Northern Yan delegation was really lacking in manners.

Baili Qi clasped his hands in a salute and said in a gruff voice, "Since this is a martial arts competition, strength should naturally be the primary factor. I didn't expect His Majesty the Emperor of Liang to judge people by their appearance."

Chapter 18 Your subject has long been in love with Princess Nihuang.