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

He stood up laughing, picked up a wooden mallet with his left hand, and tapped his right palm intermittently.

He paced back and forth inside the hall.

Suddenly, he stopped and turned to Xiaomeng, asking her a question.

"Xiaomeng, as the head of the Taoist sect, have you ever seen any records in Taoist texts of emperors falling ill and needing to celebrate a joyous occasion to ward off bad luck in order to recover?"

Xiaomeng frowned slightly upon hearing this, and uttered two words crisply.

"No."

"Then it will be from today onwards."

Before Xiaomeng could respond, Zhu Houcong continued.

"Go tell Yan Song later that my illness is caused by the evil spirit of the Red Flame Fire entering my body, and it needs to be countered with a joyous event to be completely cured."

"Is His Majesty considering taking another concubine?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Zhu Houcong said without changing his expression, "This time I am talking about a proper wedding to bring good luck."

"The marriage between Jingyan and that girl Nihuang has been dragging on for so long; it's always been a thorn in my side!"

He suddenly sighed, a hint of fatherly worry showing between his brows.

"You know, what father doesn't hope his son will get married soon?"

"Yeah?"

Xiaomeng parted her red lips slightly, her voice filled with obvious doubt.

"Why can't I believe it?"

"you…"

Zhu Houcong was taken aback.

You have a great eye for people!

"Your good looks justify whatever you say!"

"However, it is most appropriate for you, a Taoist master, to speak on this matter."

"Beat the drum to buy candy, everyone do their own thing, go do what you're supposed to do."

[Recite a quote from Emperor Jiajing, play Emperor Jiajing +1, reward: Martial Arts Golden Elixir]

Zhu Houcong returned to his dragon bed and lay down, his eyes slightly closed. He uttered only one sentence and then fell silent.

This is clearly an invitation to leave.

Seeing this, Xiaomeng didn't say anything more.

"Your subject takes his leave."

A moment later, a fast horse galloped out of the capital, heading straight for Yuezhou with an urgent message that covered 800 li.

Nanjing has been placed under martial law.

The agents of the Eastern Depot kept a close watch on all the city gates, ensuring that not even a suspicious fly could get out.

Meanwhile, the patrol battalion has mobilized 3,000 elite troops to patrol in shifts around the clock, cooperating with the Suspended Mirror Bureau to find the whereabouts of the remaining members of the prisoner-rescue gang.

The city walls and streets of the capital were covered with wanted posters for Mei Changsu and Xia Dong.

Wang Yousheng, a centurion of the Xuanjing Division, swaggered into Miaoyinfang with a few henchmen.

They originally just wanted to use the search as a pretext to make some extra money.

"The Suspended Mirror Bureau is handling a case, so get out of my way!"

Wang Yousheng kicked over the screen by the door, his face trembling with menacing bulge.

Before they even entered, they were stopped by Mr. 13, the manager of Miaoyinfang.

Mr. 13's face was full of smiles, but his eyes were cold. He was also a member of the Jiangzuo Alliance.

"Sir, our Miaoyin Pavilion is a legitimate music venue..."

"Bullshit! Don't I know whether you're upright or not?"

Wang Yousheng spat a mouthful of phlegm onto the ground: "Brothers, go in and search!"

Snapped!

Just then, a loud slap rang out.

Before Wang Yousheng could react, he received another slap on his right cheek.

He was slapped twice so hard that he saw stars and staggered back three steps.

A middle-aged man holding a long sword appeared beside Mr. 13.

"You...you dare to hit someone from the Suspended Mirror Bureau? You're asking for trouble."

Wang Yousheng covered his face, staring at the middle-aged man in disbelief.

The middle-aged man said slowly and deliberately, "My lord, Prince Ji, is inside listening to music. If you, you scoundrel, disturb his enjoyment, you wouldn't have enough lives to spare."

Wang Yousheng's momentum immediately weakened.

He usually acts arrogantly because of his position in the Xuanjing Bureau, but how could he dare to act recklessly in front of the prince of the current dynasty?

So, covering his swollen cheek, he led a few of his men and fled Miaoyinfang in a disheveled state.

Unexpectedly, just as they turned the corner, they bumped into Xia Qiu and Qinglong, who were leading the investigation team.

Wang Yousheng's eyes lit up, and he immediately rushed forward, crying and pleading with snot and tears streaming down his face.

"Lord Xia, I was ordered to investigate a case, but the Miaoyin Pavilion, relying on Prince Ji's backing, not only obstructed the investigation but also physically assaulted me."

He pointed to his swollen face and embellished the story.

"The people from Miaoyinfang are extremely arrogant. They say that even if a centurion from the Xuanjing Division were to arrive, the Chief would have to wait outside."

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Xia Qiu's eyes.

When our master was alive, who would dare to speak ill of him like that?

Now that people have left, even a mere brothel dares to spout nonsense.

"Miaoyin Pavilion, how dare you!"

Seeing this, Wang Yousheng fanned the flames even more vigorously.

"My lord, there's definitely something wrong with that Miaoyin Pavilion. The people there are ruthless; they're clearly not ordinary martial arts practitioners."

Xia Qiu nodded slightly and shouted loudly.

"Pass on my order: gather troops and surround Miaoyin Pavilion."

"I'd like to see whether Prince Ji's influence or His Majesty's decree carries more weight."

Soon, Xia Qiu led a large group of people to the entrance of Miaoyin Pavilion again, surrounding the entire pavilion.

When Wang Yousheng entered Miaoyinfang for the second time, he glared at Mr. 13 with an arrogant air, his eyes filled with the pleasure of revenge.

Mr. 13 stood on the steps, coldly watching Wang Yousheng return.

"What, not enough of those two slaps? Looking for another one?"

"Damn it."

"This is outrageous! There's no law anymore!"

Upon hearing this, Xia Qiu flew into a rage, shoved Wang Yousheng aside, and strode forward.

"The Suspended Mirror Bureau is investigating a case by imperial decree. Make way."

"My lord, if you insist on searching, you should first consult Prince Ji. After all, we at Miaoyin Pavilion cannot afford to disturb the Prince!"

Mr. 13 remained calm and composed, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Xia Qiu remained unmoved and pointed at Mr. 13, saying, "If you don't move aside, I'm going to take your certificate!"

Azure Dragon, standing to the side, spoke even more bluntly.

"Mr. 13, the intelligence chief of the Jiangzuo Alliance, Miaoyinfang is the Jiangzuo Alliance's liaison office, am I right!"

Chapter 196 The Demise of the Jiangzuo Alliance

Mr. 13 was greatly alarmed upon hearing this.

Unexpectedly, Xia Qiu was about to reveal his identity at the drop of a hat, and Qinglong even dug up his background.

Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, the middle-aged bodyguard who had previously taught Wang Yousheng a lesson reappeared.

When he saw that the person who came was Qinglong, a trace of fear flashed in his eyes.

This is a grandmaster; he's not someone he can handle.

"My lords."

The middle-aged man respectfully clasped his hands in greeting.

"I am the commander of the guards of Prince Ji's residence. My lord is currently..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted sharply by Qinglong.

"Wang Yousheng."

"arrive."

Qinglong coldly asked, "Who hit you?"

A look of resentment flashed in Wang Yousheng's eyes as he suddenly pointed at the middle-aged man.

"It's him."

"Go slap him twice, so he'll remember this lesson."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yousheng immediately stepped forward.

The middle-aged guard's face turned ashen, but he dared not resist due to the Azure Dragon's imposing presence.

Snapped!Snapped!

Two sounds.

Wang Yousheng slapped the middle-aged man twice across the face.

The middle-aged man clenched his fists tightly, but ultimately did not dare to fight back.

Just then, a lazy yawn came from the second floor.

Everyone looked up and saw the chubby Prince Ji, wearing a brocade bathrobe, slowly strolling to the top of the stairs.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes and muttered unhappily.

What are you all arguing about?

"Greetings, Your Highness." The crowd quickly knelt down and paid their respects.

Prince Ji squinted and scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on Xia Qiu, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"Xia Qiu, what are you doing bringing so many people to Miaoyin Pavilion with such a grand display?"

Xia Qiu clasped his hands in a respectful bow and said in a respectful voice, "Your Highness, we have been ordered to capture the remnants of the Crimson Flame Army."

"absurd."

Prince Ji slammed his hand on the railing and shouted angrily.

"They've come all the way to Miaoyin Pavilion to arrest traitors?"

"These are all weak women who can't even kill a chicken. Where did this 'Crimson Flame Rebel' come from?"

Suddenly, Qinglong stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, please allow me to report that Miaoyin Pavilion is actually a secret liaison point for the Jiangzuo Alliance."

His sharp gaze swept over Mr. 13 and Gong Yu, who were standing in the corner.

"This Mr. Thirteen, and that Miss Gong Yu, are both important figures in the Jiangzuo Alliance."