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

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyan burst into tears.

"Father, you will get better. I've returned to get married."

Little did he know that the frail hand he was holding had just crushed someone's wrist.

The father and son exchanged pleasantries for a long time, displaying a "kind father and filial son" attitude.

Xiao Jingyan suddenly hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

Zhu Houcong leaned back on the dragon throne, feigning weakness as he asked, "Do you have something to say?"

Xiao Jingyan hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

"Father, I have heard... that the Suspended Mirror Bureau has captured Wei Zheng?"

"Yes, that's true. Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

Xiao Jingyan's heart tightened upon hearing this.

He had just returned to the capital when he received a secret report from his subordinates that Wei Zheng had been captured by the Xuanjing Division, which made him feel uneasy and uncertain.

He had always thought Wei Zheng and the others were all dead, but he never expected...

That's why he wanted to take advantage of entering the palace to test the waters.

Let's see if this Wei Zheng is really the deputy general of the Red Feather Camp.

"Your subject simply finds it strange."

Xiao Jingyan carefully considered his words as he spoke.

"Didn't Wei Zheng die fourteen years ago...? How is he still alive?"

"Could it be that the Suspended Mirror Bureau arrested the wrong person?"

Zhu Houcong coughed twice and slowly shook his head.

"There's no mistake, the Suspended Mirror Division has confirmed it's him. I never expected that after fourteen years, there would still be remnants of the Crimson Flame Clan surviving in this world."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyan's heart skipped a beat.

Zhu Houcong took in his reaction and couldn't help but sneer inwardly, but his face became even more loving.

"Jingyan, don't worry about the remnants of the Chiyan Army."

"I know you and Lin Shu have been close friends since childhood. But so many years have passed, it's time for you to move on."

"I do not wish for any old grievances to arise between us, father and son."

He struggled to sit up, patted Xiao Jingyan's hand, and said solemnly.

Do you remember what I said to you in the Hall of Mental Cultivation?

"The Crown Prince is not up to the task; you should encourage him."

Upon hearing this, the candlelight in the hall suddenly flickered, and the entire Wanshou Palace fell silent.

After a long pause, Xiao Jingyan finally managed to say with difficulty, "Your subject remembers, but now it is Brother Jinghuan who is the Crown Prince, he..."

"Hmph, he... I truly misjudged him before."

Zhu Houcong coughed several times and said, panting heavily.

"To disregard the plight of the disaster-stricken people in five prefectures for a pittance of personal gain—can such a person be a good emperor?"

"How could I entrust the empire to such a cold-hearted person?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyan remained silent, his lowered eyelashes concealing the fleeting ambition in his eyes.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Houcong changed the subject.

"I ask you, open all the history books, what do they say about, tell me in one sentence."

Xiao Jingyan frowned, pondered for a long time, and then cautiously replied, "All-encompassing."

"Wrong."

Zhu Houcong suddenly reached out and patted Xiao Jingyan's cheek, coughing as he spoke.

"I knew the answer to this question when I was six years old, when your grandfather asked me the same one."

"From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the present day, the historical records are as vast as the sea, but they can be summed up in just four words."

Zhu Houcong solemnly patted Xiao Jingyan's hand and uttered four words, one by one.

"Strive to become Emperor!"

These four words exploded in Xiao Jingyan's ears like thunder, making him tremble all over.

He stared at his father in horror, his ambition no longer concealed.

Chapter 200 Finding Mei Changsu

The flickering candlelight inside the Wanshou Palace illuminated Zhu Houcong's pale face.

He was very satisfied with Xiao Jingyan's reaction; it was good that he had ambition.

Compared to the throne, what is Wei Zheng?

How dare you defy your father because of Wei Zheng? Do you still want to sit on the throne?

My dear son!

Your dad's big promises are guaranteed to make you drool.

Zhu Houcong coughed weakly a few times, reached out and grasped Xiao Jingyan's wrist, and said earnestly.

"Jingyan! What worries me most now is that you are still unmarried."

"Without an heir, the court will be in turmoil, and the throne will be difficult to inherit."

Xiao Jingyan was startled and was about to speak when Zhu Houcong interrupted him.

"I decree that you marry Princess Nihuang immediately and bear her an heir as soon as possible!"

He suddenly started coughing violently, which startled Xiao Jingyan, who quickly patted Zhu Houcong on the back.

"Only in this way can I entrust this empire to you with peace of mind!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyan's eyes reddened. Seeing his father, who was "terminally ill" yet still worried about him, a wave of self-reproach suddenly welled up in his heart.

I'm such a beast!

My father is seriously ill, and all he thinks about is my marriage.

But I'm still here playing mind games with my father, my mind preoccupied with how to save Wei Zheng.

"Father, your son is unfilial."

Seeing this, Zhu Houcong couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, but his face showed even more affection.

"Silly child, I just hope you can let go of the past."

Xiao Jingyan nodded heavily, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke up.

"Father, I have something to confess to you."

Zhu Houcong leaned weakly against the dragon bed and nodded slightly.

"You and I, father and son, are of one mind; please speak freely about whatever is on your mind."

“Nihuang…she still has Lin Shu in her heart. I promised her that even if we were married, I would never touch her. As for the matter of having children…”

Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Houcong suddenly burst out laughing.

"You're still so loyal and devoted."

Far from being annoyed, he was filled with satisfaction.

"It's alright, Lin Shu will help you with having children."

Xiao Jingyan was taken aback upon hearing this.

"Your Majesty, I do not understand what you mean."

"Ahem, what I mean is that Lin Shu's spirit in heaven will surely forgive you and Nihuang, so please rest assured."

As he spoke, Zhu Houcong raised his hand with trembling hands and gently stroked the top of Xiao Jingyan's head.

Xiao Jingyan didn't know what else to say.

With the imperial edict issued, Prince Jing's marriage immediately became the focus of the court and the public.

The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court drafted regulations overnight, and the entire capital was bustling with activity.

The scale of Prince Jing's wedding was the largest in the entire dynasty.

After all, it was a marriage to the principal wife, and it was also a marriage alliance with the Mu family, a family of generals for generations and the only non-royal prince in the dynasty.

The red carpet stretched from Prince Jing's Mansion all the way to Prince Mu's Mansion, with glass palace lanterns hanging on both sides that never went out, day and night.

The Imperial Guard mobilized three thousand armored soldiers to protect the route.

The betrothal gifts flowed into the Mu Prince's mansion like water, and Princess Nihuang's dowry filled the entire street.

On the eve of her wedding, Princess Nihuang did not put on her phoenix coronet and wedding robes, but stood alone in the courtyard, gazing at the starry sky.

He was clutching a jade pendant tightly in his hand.

That was a gift from Lin Shu to her many years ago.

At that moment, she made up her mind that she had to see Mei Changsu.

Since having her trusted confidant secretly settle Mei Changsu in a separate courtyard, she has suppressed her inner worries and never set foot there.

Not wanting, but not dare.

After all, she used to frequent the Su residence, and in the eyes of others, she and Mei Changsu were quite familiar with each other.

Nowadays, the Eastern Depot's henchmen are everywhere, their noses are incredibly sharp.

If I were to visit Mei Changsu and be spotted, it could cost Mei Changsu his life.

But now, she is about to become the Princess Consort of Prince Jing.

If we don't go now, there are some things we may never have the chance to say in this lifetime.

They had no chance to change their fate.

Thinking of this, a determined look appeared in Nihuang's eyes.

She changed into a night outfit, quietly avoided everyone, and left the Mu Prince's Mansion.

After navigating through a maze of dark alleys, we arrived at an inconspicuous house.

This was secretly arranged by her trusted confidants, and even Mu Qing was unaware of it.

Pushing open the door, the room was filled with the aroma of herbs.

Mei Changsu was leaning against the window, the moonlight outlining his thin silhouette.

Before the accident, Lin Chen left him a lot of medicine.

So this legendary tank has held on until now, not only did he not die from vomiting blood, but he also woke up.

"You're here."

Mei Changsu said softly, as if he had expected it all along.

Nihuang removed her black veil, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Brother Lin Shu!"

In the dim candlelight, Mei Changsu, supporting himself on the edge of the table, stood up shakily.

A faint smile appeared on his pale face.

"Congratulations, Nihuang."

But that smile was full of bitterness, and it was such a forced smile.

Princess Nihuang could no longer hold back her tears, which instantly streamed down her face.

How could she not see that Mei Changsu was forcing a smile?