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

He took a sip of tea, and as the aroma filled the air, he slowly said, "If you are willing to serve me, when Southern Chu is pacified, I will grant you autonomy over your territory and will never pursue the remnants of the Hua tribe again."

"Ha, given your treacherous, suspicious, and treacherous nature, do you think I would trust you?"

Hatred gleamed in Qin Banruo's eyes as she gritted her teeth and said, "You deceived Master in the same way back then, but in the end, you almost wiped out the Hua Clan."

???

Zhu Houcong was taken aback. "Holy crap, it really is true."

Emperor Liang also used this method to get something for nothing.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that the same trick wouldn't work the second time.

Since that's the case, if bribery doesn't work, then let's use coercion!

Believe it or not, it's not your choice!

The next second, his eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he spoke slowly and deliberately.

"If you do not comply, I guarantee that every single remnant of the Hua tribe will be killed on sight, two on sight, and not one of them will survive!"

Chapter 57 unlocks a scene where a palace maid strangles a woman.

"Kill me if you want, torture me if you want!"

Qin Banruo stood tall and proud, her eyes filled with no fear, only a resolute flame burning within them.

"If I even frown, I am unworthy to be a descendant of the Hua tribe."

"very good!"

Zhu Houcong uttered two words indifferently, then suddenly leaned down, his voice like a venomous snake burrowing into Qin Banruo's ears.

"What if...I kill Prince Yu?"

"what?"

Qin Banruo thought she had misheard and asked with wide eyes.

"What...what did you say?"

"Prince Yu is the son of me and Linglong, as you know."

Zhu Houcong spoke slowly and deliberately, each word like a poisoned dagger piercing Qin Banruo's heart.

"You can disregard the lives of others, but do you not even care about the last bloodline of your master, Linglong?"

No, you won't!

Qin Banruo's voice trembled slightly as she shook her head, trying to deny Zhu Houcong's words.

"He's your own flesh and blood too, you could never kill him."

"Don't forget how Prince Qi died back then. You should know very well that I was capable of doing such a thing."

Upon hearing this, Qin Banruo finally broke down.

"You beast!"

She shook her head, took a few steps back, and cried out almost in despair.

Even tigers don't eat their cubs, aren't you afraid of being criticized by the world?

Zhu Houcong was very disdainful upon hearing this.

son?

That's Emperor Liang's son, what does that have to do with me, Emperor Jiajing?

He raised an eyebrow dismissively: "I've driven many people to their deaths in my life, but who remembers them in the history books?"

"What Princess Linglong didn't teach you, I will teach you today: history is written by the victors."

"Many people in the capital know that you are Prince Yu's strategist. I only need to announce to the world that Prince Yu sent you into the palace to assassinate someone with the intention of rebelling."

"At that time, Prince Yu will be seen as a treacherous son who murdered his emperor and father, and you will be the sinner of the entire Hua clan."

"devil!"

"You devil!"

Qin Banruo trembled with anger, her chest heaving, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Zhu Houcong, however, lay on the dragon table, leisurely enjoying her pained expression, as if watching a good show.

After a long silence, Qin Banruo finally spoke with difficulty.

"I...I need time to think about it."

"No, no, no, you probably don't understand yet."

Zhu Houcong extended a finger, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "You have no right to bargain."

"From now on, I will only give you three counts of time to consider. Within those three counts, the conditions I just stated still stand."

"three!"

"two!"

"one!"

"I... I agree."

These three words seemed to have exhausted all of Qin Banruo's strength.

She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms, and bright red blood seeped out between her fingers.

The drops fell onto the gold bricks, blooming into poignant and beautiful flowers.

Those stubborn tears finally broke free and rolled down her pale cheeks.

Zhu Houcong's three numbers, like three sharp swords, carrying the emperor's supreme authority, pierced through all her twenty years of forbearance, scheming, and hatred.

It almost drove her to a breakdown.

Outside the palace, a fierce wind howled and snow fell heavily, but it couldn't drown out her heart-wrenching cries: "I promise, I promise!"

How ironic!

Emperor Liang, the biological father of Prince Yu, threatened to kill his son, while she, a remnant of the Hua clan, was determined to save his life.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Upon seeing this, Zhu Houcong finally burst into unrestrained laughter.

Laughter echoed in the empty hall, carrying undisguised smugness and contempt.

Qin Banruo bit her lower lip tightly, watching helplessly as her enemy swaggered around, but she could only swallow her hatred.

What are you still standing there for?

Zhu Houcong lay on the soft couch, lazily raising his chin, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Take off your clothes and sit on top."

Every word was like a poisoned needle, piercing Qin Banruo's heart.

Step by step.

She walked barefoot on the cold floor tiles toward the enemy who had destroyed the entire Hua tribe.

Her slender fingers trembled as she untied her sash, and her purple gauze skirt slid to the ground like flowing water.

His eyes were filled with a deep-seated hatred, his gaze seeming to want to tear Zhu Houcong to pieces.

Zhu Houcong, however, did not care at all, and instead began to appreciate it with great interest.

An hour later, Zhu Houcong leaned lazily against the dragon bed, coldly observing Qin Banruo's disheveled appearance.

He then said, "You come from a brothel. Even if you are made a concubine, it will damage the dignity of the imperial family."

"From this day forward, you will be my personal maid."

"Remember, do a good job of what I've entrusted to you."

Upon hearing this, Qin Banruo slowly raised her head, the hatred in her eyes almost tangible.

"I...will."

"Palace maids must refer to themselves as 'slave maids'."

Zhu Houcong looked down at her, a cruel smile curving his lips.

The flickering candlelight inside the hall illuminated Qin Banruo's deathly pale face.

"This servant...this maid...will."

She bit her lip hard, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between her teeth, carrying with it a deep-seated humiliation.

Zhu Houcong nodded in satisfaction and closed his eyes to prepare for a short rest.

After a whole night of tossing and turning, it's time to rest.

Qin Banruo stared at Zhu Houcong's sleeping face, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

Suddenly, her eyes sharpened, and her gaze slowly shifted to Zhu Houcong's exposed neck.

There, the air rose and fell slightly with each breath, completely exposed.

Then, a crazy idea exploded in his mind.

What would happen if the emperor were strangled?

Once the emperor dies, she will be able to completely break free from this humiliating shackle.

Prince Yu will also be free from the danger of losing his life.

Moreover, with Prince Yu's influence in the court, plus the power of the Hua clan and Mei Changsu's Jiangzuo Alliance, they were able to achieve their goals.

By all accounts, the chances of seizing the throne far exceed those of the crown prince.

Thinking of this, Qin Banruo's throat bobbed, and her gaze involuntarily swept towards the jade belt hanging by the bed.

That was the belt that Zhu Houcong had taken off, inlaid with top-quality Hetian jade, which was extremely tough.

She slowly reached out, her fingertips touching the warm, smooth jade.

The next second, his killing intent surged!

"You tyrant, die!"

In the blink of an eye, the jade belt wrapped around Zhu Houcong's neck like a venomous snake.

Qin Banruo's arms bulged with veins as she tightened the noose with all her might.

They were determined to strangle Zhu Houcong on the soft couch.

The next second, Zhu Houcong's eyes widened suddenly, and he frantically scratched at the jade belt around his neck.

A "hoho" sound was made from his throat.

The dragon bed creaked and groaned from his struggling movements.

As Qin Banruo watched the arrogant tyrant convulsing in pain in her hands, a surge of pleasure welled up within her.

She pressed her knees against Zhu Houcong's chest, increasing the pressure on her hands by three points.

"A blood debt of twenty years..."

Her voice trembled, her words filled with deep-seated hatred.

"Today, I will make you pay for your crimes in blood!"

Zhu Houcong was still struggling, but Qin Banruo was completely immersed in the ecstasy of revenge.

She felt the tightness from the jade belt in her hand, as if she could already see the tyrant breathing his last.

But she didn't notice that a faint golden light always lingered around Zhu Houcong's neck, keeping the fatal jade belt away from his skin.

They didn't even notice that beneath his seemingly pained and distorted face, a mocking smile was playing at the corners of his mouth.

His eyes were clearly flashing with mockery and ridicule.