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

Bailiqi's arrogant words echoed in the hall, and everyone's eyes turned to Zhu Houcong on the throne.

Zhu Houcong stroked his dragon beard, too lazy to even lift his eyelids.

"Your appearance is disgusting to me."

He turned to the others present and laughed, "My esteemed ministers, tell me, if my Great Liang's Princess Nihuang were to marry such an ugly woman, wouldn't it make us a laughingstock among the other nations if we took her to banquets in the future?"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

The Northern Yan envoy's face instantly turned ashen, and veins bulged on his forehead.

"Your Majesty Emperor Liang!"

The envoy slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly.

"Such humiliation of our Northern Yan warriors, are you not afraid of damaging diplomatic relations between our two countries?"

Zhu Houcong leaned back lazily on the dragon throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest.

"Northern Yan is nothing but a small, insignificant country. It's already a miracle that it can barely survive between the Great Liang and the Qing Kingdom. What right does it have to talk about diplomatic relations with me?"

"This is outrageous!"

The Northern Yan envoy was furious and stormed off.

"This martial arts contest for marriage is pointless, Baili Qi, let's go!"

However, Bailiqi stood motionless, a hint of struggle flashing across his rugged face.

He glanced furtively in Mei Changsu's direction, only to see the brilliant strategist calmly shaking his head.

The mission is not yet complete; how can we leave now?

Zhu Houcong saw all of this and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

You want to save Xiao Tingsheng? I will not grant your wish.

Seeing this, the crown prince said sarcastically, "What's wrong? Even the master can't get his own dog to obey?"

Prince Yu couldn't wait to speak up: "Are you still planning to stay here and not leave?"

The two of them couldn't wait for Bailiqi to get out of there, so that Prince Jing, Xiao Jingyan, wouldn't have to participate.

Princess Nihuang would not have fallen into Prince Jing's hands.

Unfortunately, the two are going to be disappointed!

"snort!"

Bailiqi suddenly roared, his voice like thunder.

"The Liang Emperor has humiliated my Northern Yan; how can I let this go!"

He glanced around at everyone in the hall and spat out a disdainful spittle.

"What heroes of Liang? They're nothing but a bunch of worthless trash! They can't even beat a barbarian like me from Northern Yan, how dare they marry a princess?"

"presumptuous!"

"Arrogant fool!"

The hall erupted in chaos, with everyone slamming their fists on the table and rising to their feet.

Zhu Houcong calmly sipped his tea and said indifferently, "My esteemed ministers, who is willing to teach this arrogant barbarian a lesson on my behalf?"

Xiao Jingrui abruptly stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Your subject, Xiao Jingrui, is willing to share Your Majesty's burdens!"

"Great!" Zhu Houcong's eyes lit up.

"I've heard you've studied martial arts at Tianquan Manor for many years; today is the perfect opportunity for me to broaden my horizons."

With the hurried footsteps of the eunuchs, a space ten feet in diameter was quickly cleared in the center of the hall.

The gilded candlesticks were moved aside, and the brocade carpet was rolled up to reveal the gleaming blue jade floor tiles.

Xiao Jingrui lifted his robe and bowed with clasped hands.

Please enlighten me.

Baili Qi grinned maliciously, and without answering, he crossed his fists and went straight for the middle.

He appeared clumsy, but his attacks were lightning fast, and the whistling wind from his punches even carried a faint sound of a tiger's roar.

Xiao Jingrui's boxing style may seem soft, but it actually hides a sharp edge.

Each move was as smooth as flowing water, yet it subtly reflected the Tianquan Mountain Villa's principle of "overcoming strength with softness."

However, after only thirty moves, Xiao Jingrui's forehead was already covered in sweat.

Every time his fists and palms touched three inches around Bailiqi, they were repelled by a powerful internal force.

This burly man from Northern Yan had mastered external martial arts to the extreme; his muscles were as tough as iron, and ordinary moves could not harm him at all.

Yan Yujin, who was standing nearby, said urgently, "Your Majesty, Jingrui usually uses a sword."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong gestured to Meng Zhi, who immediately threw his sword at Xiao Jingrui.

Xiao Jingrui did a somersault to catch the longsword and unleashed the "Flying Waterfall Sword Technique" of Tianquan Manor, instantly filling the hall with sword energy.

Bailiqi laughed loudly, "Well done!"

Instead of retreating, they advanced, directly charging into Xiao Jingrui's fierce swordsmanship.

Clang clang!

Each clash of fists and swords produced a metallic clang.

Xiao Jingrui's hand was directly shaken until it went numb.

Meng Zhi's expression was grave as he whispered, "Your Majesty, this person has already reached the peak of the seventh rank and has cultivated a body of copper and iron."

Zhu Houcong narrowed his eyes, his voice clearly showing displeasure.

"The Langya Martial Arts Ranking claims to encompass all the world's top martial artists; how could it have missed someone like this?"

Meng Zhi immediately clasped his hands in response: "Although Langya Pavilion is well-informed, there are many hidden masters in the martial arts world."

"This person's martial arts style is peculiar, and his moves reveal the ruggedness unique to Northern Yan. He must have lived in seclusion in the deep mountains for many years, which is why he was not included in the list."

In the arena, every time Xiao Jingrui's sword tip was about to pierce a vital spot, Bailiqi would dodge it by the slightest margin.

This is by no means a fluke, but a manifestation of overwhelming strength.

"boom!"

It was another head-on clash, and Xiao Jingrui staggered back seven steps, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

Bailiqi simply shook his fist and looked at the crowd provocatively.

"Who else?"

At this moment, Meng Zhi whispered to Zhu Houcong, "This Baili Qi has already reached the peak of the seventh rank. Apart from Princess Nihuang, His Highness Prince Jing, and this humble general, I'm afraid no one here can match him..."

The words were not finished, but the meaning was already clear.

Zhu Houcong's lips curled up slightly, a hint of triumph flashing in his eyes.

This was exactly the result he wanted.

Otherwise, how could we force Prince Jing to take action?

His gaze slowly shifted to Xiao Jingyan, who was watching Xiao Jingyan's expression change as his fingers unconsciously rubbed the rim of his wine glass.

He was clearly struggling internally.

After a long silence, Xiao Jingyan suddenly slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "I, this king, will challenge you to a duel!"

Wow!

In an instant, the entire court was in an uproar.

Prince Yu and the Crown Prince exchanged a meaningful glance, while the rest of the group looked surprised.

Mei Changsu paused in his wine cup, his brows furrowing instantly.

Why did Prince Jing suddenly make a move?

Was it because he was provoked by Bailiqi's arrogance?

But if Baili Qi is defeated by Prince Jing, wouldn't the plan to rescue Tingsheng be in vain?

Fortunately, although Baili Qi had a rugged appearance, he was shrewd and immediately said, "Your Highness Prince Jing is not among the top ten in the martial arts competition, so it seems I have no need to fight you."

Xiao Jingyan's gaze was piercing as he said, enunciating each word clearly, "This battle is one you absolutely must fight."

He turned to face Zhu Houcong, knelt on one knee, and said, "Your Majesty, I have long admired Princess Nihuang, and today I am willing to compete with Warrior Baili."

"If he wins, I will never mention it again; if I win, I beg Your Majesty to marry Princess Nihuang to me."

The moment the words were spoken, everyone in the hall was stunned.

Who would have thought that Prince Jing, who was known as the "cold-faced devil" in the army, would confess his feelings to Princess Nihuang in public?

The next second, Nihuang suddenly stood up, her phoenix eyes wide open, staring at Xiao Jingyan in disbelief.

"Your Highness Prince Jing, do you...do you know what you're saying?"

Her voice trembled slightly.

She had long ago decided not to marry. As long as she defeated all ten men who came first in this marriage contest, Emperor Liang would be powerless to stop her.

But if Prince Jing enters the fray, how can she possibly defeat him!

In that case, wouldn't I have no choice but to marry her?

Mei Changsu's wine cup fell to the table with a "thud," splashing wine that soaked his blue sleeves, but he was completely unaware.

Those usually calm eyes were now filled with shock.

He stared intently at the profile of his former best friend.

Chapter 19 Mei Changsu Breaks Through the Great Defenses

Brother Lin Shu,

Did you see that?

Is this your brother?

Nihuang's nails dug deeply into her palms.

Her marriage to Lin Shu was personally bestowed by the Empress Dowager.

The boy who always called her "Huang'er" with a smile, the young marshal who made a vow to grow old with her.

Prince Jing clearly knew better than anyone else.

As the saying goes, one should not covet one's brother's wife.

But today, in this very hall, he actually uttered such words.

He doesn't deserve to be your brother.

Nihuang's gaze towards Xiao Jingyan carried a hint of murderous intent.

A glint flashed in Zhu Houcong's eyes, and before anyone could react, he laughed loudly, "Granted! I want to see if Jingyan's martial arts have improved over the years."

Clang!

Before the words were finished, a loud bang was heard.

Mei Changsu suddenly stood up, accidentally overturning the table in front of him, shattering teacups and fruit plates all over the floor.

His face was deathly pale, his chest heaving violently, and his usually gentle voice was now shrill and piercing.

"Xiao Jingyan, what are you doing?"

This question plunged the entire hall into a deathly silence.

Prince Yu, the Crown Prince, and others were all stunned.

Everyone was a bit confused.