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

He stared at Xiaomeng's "I understand you" expression, his temples throbbing with anger.

Is it that I don't want to kill?

It's impossible to kill him!

I'm truly impressed by this sixth brother.

Zhu Houcong sighed inwardly, then composed himself and said solemnly, "Leaving aside Mei Changsu, you must eliminate the Jiangzuo Alliance and Langya Pavilion for me."

Xiaomeng nodded slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes.

"This mere outlaw dares to boast that 'whoever gains him gains the world'? I'd like to see just how much his Jiangzuo Alliance really amounted to."

"With the assistance of the Langya Pavilion, the Jiangzuo Alliance possesses an intelligence network spanning the entire land; do not underestimate them."

As he spoke, his eyes lit up, and he abruptly changed the subject.

"Since the Heavenly Sect intends to build its ancestral temple in Jiangzuo, why not make the Jiangzuo Alliance suffer a bit more and let them pay for the Heavenly Sect's temple repairs, while the imperial court bears the blame?"

Upon hearing this, Xiaomeng immediately stood up, her wide sleeves fluttering as she gracefully bowed.

"Xiaomeng thanks Your Majesty for your grace."

Then the two locked eyes, and a meaningful smile appeared on their lips at the same time.

Don't contact me after Chapter 63; I'm afraid His Majesty will misunderstand.

December of the tenth year of Jingtong.

The Duke of Qing plotted a coup, but the Emperor swiftly quelled the rebellion.

The traitor was executed by dismemberment, and his head was displayed at the execution ground in Nanjing as a warning to others.

In this battle, Meng Zhi, the commander of the Imperial Guards, was wounded in several places but fought bravely and refused to retreat. He ultimately died a heroic death, and his loyalty and courage shocked the court and the public.

Upon hearing the news, the emperor was overcome with grief, suspended court for ten days, and personally composed a eulogy.

The head of the Taoist Tianzong sect was invited to the palace to set up an altar in the West Garden and conduct a fasting and ritual ceremony.

The emperor wore a black Taoist robe, abstained from meat and alcohol, did not reside in his inner chambers, and maintained a vegetarian diet and pure heart to demonstrate his piety.

This nationally significant religious ceremony was held not only to pray for the souls of fallen soldiers like Meng Zhi, but also to bring blessings and ward off disasters for all people.

When the people of Nanjing saw purple clouds surrounding the palace, they set up incense tables and offered prayers from afar.

Historical records state that after the ritual, people from all walks of life, including merchants and laborers, recited the sage's virtues.

Some elders even said that this was "an unprecedented grand ceremony since the founding of the Great Liang Dynasty".

When the Heavenly Master Zong was performing the "Water and Fire Refining" ritual, the Emperor personally held incense and bowed for two hours amidst the falling snow.

This bow brought forth a Taoist deity who was also known as the Flying Primordial True Lord, the Loyal and Filial Emperor, and the Longevity Emperor.

They raised up an emperor, the Jiajing Emperor, who could boil the hearts of the people into the alchemical furnace of the Western Garden.

When the final day of the religious ceremonies came to an end, Zhu Houcong was exhausted, his steps were unsteady, and he could barely stand.

Upon seeing this, Yan Song quickly stepped forward to help him up and carefully led him back to the West Garden Abode.

This place was originally the Buddhist hall where he and Consort Hui engaged in passionate lovemaking; it has now been converted into a quiet retreat for meditation.

"My lord, your everyday clothes are ready. Would you like to change?"

Yan Song asked in a low voice, respectfully holding a bright yellow robe with both hands.

Zhu Houcong lowered his gaze slightly, his expression indifferent, and simply waved his hand lightly.

"Take it away. From this day forward, I will only wear Taoist robes."

"Yes, I obey your order."

Yan Song dared not say more and quickly bowed and withdrew.

However, just as he stepped back to the doorway, Zhu Houcong suddenly spoke again.

"Yan Song".

Yan Song paused, then immediately turned around and knelt down.

"My lord, this servant is here."

Zhu Houcong slightly raised his eyes and slowly said, "Go and arrange for people to add Taoist ritual implements such as alchemy furnaces, bronze chimes, and magic swords to this retreat."

"Yes! This servant will take care of it immediately."

Yan Song then cautiously withdrew from the palace.

Xiaomeng walked lightly, her clothes fluttering, brushing past Yan Song who bowed and withdrew, and went straight into the study.

"Your Majesty, the fasting and rituals are complete and the ceremony is finished," Xiaomeng said in a cool voice.

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly, a hint of relief in his eyes.

"In that case, Meng Zhi's spirit in heaven can finally rest in peace."

Xiaomeng's eyes flickered slightly, and she couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"I never expected His Majesty to be so kind to Meng Zhi that he would set aside state affairs and personally hold a religious ceremony for him."

Zhu Houcong sighed deeply, his tone tinged with sorrow.

"Yes! Meng Zhi has protected me for many years with unwavering loyalty. I have long regarded him as my own son, but I never expected that he would be so cruelly harmed by treacherous people."

"I've heard that based on the evidence at the scene, Meng Zhi was most likely attacked by two Grandmasters working together?"

"That's how the Court of Judicial Review reported it. This case involves a Grand Master, and they're at a loss for what to do."

"but,"

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Houcong's eyes: "I believe it's most likely the work of the Jiangzuo Alliance."

"Jiangzuo Alliance?"

Xiaomeng raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by Zhu Houcong's guess.

"good."

Zhu Houcong got up and walked to the window, standing with his hands behind his back, his voice growing increasingly gloomy.

"Mei Changsu is now Prince Yu's strategist, and the Duke of Qing is Prince Yu's henchman in the army. The two are connected, which inevitably arouses suspicion."

"You're saying the Duke of Qing launched a rebellion; could he be behind it?"

Upon hearing this, Xiaomeng frowned slightly and immediately fell into deep thought.

Zhu Houcong continued his analysis: "You said before that Mei Changsu's entry into the capital might be to deal with me."

"Then it makes perfect sense that he instigated the Duke of Qing to rebel and arranged for two Grandmasters to assassinate him."

"Moreover, looking at the entire martial arts world, besides the Jiangzuo Alliance and Langya Pavilion, who else could possibly mobilize two Grandmasters at the same time?"

At this point, Zhu Houcong gave a cold laugh.

"They underestimated Meng Zhi's strength. Although the bodies of the other two were not found at the scene, I suspect they must have also been severely injured, which is why they were unable to enter the palace to continue their assassination attempt."

Xiaomeng carefully considered Zhu Houcong's deduction in her mind.

"What Your Majesty says is indeed reasonable."

Upon hearing that Xiaomeng had been completely fooled by him, Zhu Houcong almost burst out laughing.

"Therefore, I must avenge this!"

"This matter is entirely entrusted to your Heavenly Sect. I entrust the personnel of the Eastern Depot and the Suspended Mirror Bureau to you for command."

"If there is an opportunity to wipe out the Jiangzuo Alliance in one fell swoop, it is not impossible to send out a large army."

Xiaomeng nodded slightly, a chilling killing intent flashing in her eyes.

"I understand, I will make them pay the price."

"Very well, at tomorrow's court assembly, I will issue an edict to establish the Taoist Heavenly Sect as the state religion and appoint you as the Imperial Preceptor."

As Zhu Houcong spoke, he stepped forward, then reached out and grasped Xiaomeng's soft, jade-like hand, and solemnly patted the back of her hand three times.

"From this day forward, let us address each other as ruler and subject!"

Xiaomeng bowed slightly, her red lips parted slightly, and replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Just as the two were talking, a carriage with a blue curtain slowly came to a stop in front of the vermilion gate of Hongxiuzhao.

Qin Banruo, dressed in a crimson-purple silk dress, gracefully stepped out of the carriage with the help of her maid.

Her features were exquisite, yet they were shrouded in an unyielding frost.

My return to Hongxiuzhao this time was on Zhu Houcong's orders to secretly dispatch trusted confidants to infiltrate Southern Chu.

Using gold, silver, and beautiful women as bait, they won over important officials in the Southern Chu court, paving the way for their future southward campaign.

His return was quickly discovered by Prince Yu's spies.

"Prajna."

Just as Qin Banruo had finished arranging everything and was preparing to return to the palace, a gentle voice suddenly came from not far away.

Prince Yu, Xiao Jinghuan, dressed in brocade robes and jade belt, emerged from the alleyway with his usual refined smile on his face.

Qin Banruo paused slightly, turned around, and looked at Prince Yu with a calm expression.

"Prajna, I have been very worried because there has been no news from you during this time."

"How are things going for you in the palace? Does Father still trust you?"

Looking at his expectant expression, Qin Banruo couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

Emperor Liang had already warned her to stay away from Xiao Jinghuan, otherwise Xiao Jinghuan would only face death.

Therefore, she will no longer be able to help Prince Yu.

She instantly suppressed her complex emotions, leaving only a cold, still gaze in her eyes.

Her lips parted slightly, and her voice was even colder than the falling snow.

"Don't contact me anymore, I'm afraid His Majesty will misunderstand."

After saying that, he ignored Prince Yu and turned to leave.

Upon hearing this, Prince Yu's smile froze instantly.

He stood there, staring blankly as the carriage carrying him into the palace rolled over the snow and disappeared into the distance.

"What...is going on?"

He muttered to himself, unable to believe that this was Qin Banruo's attitude.

Did I end up losing more than I gained by trying to steal a chicken, and my cleverness backfired?

At that moment, the wind and snow swept over Prince Yu, as if singing a merciless elegy.

Snowflakes fluttered down, the north wind howled, and the world was shrouded in a vast expanse of white.

A sprig of winter plum blossom...

The next second, he looked up to the sky and roared.

"Do not…"

Chapter 64: Effective immediately, the Taoist Heavenly Sect shall be established as the state religion.

The night was as dark as ink, and the palace lanterns in the Hall of Mental Cultivation swayed gently in the wind.

As soon as Qin Banruo stepped into the palace, the young eunuch waiting in the corridor bowed and came over.

"Young lady, His Majesty summons you to the Western Garden Abode."

Zhu Houcong did not give Qin Banruo any official title, so the eunuch naturally dared not call her that, but he also dared not offend her.

Who knows if this woman will rise to prominence in the future!

Qin Banruo trembled slightly, but her face remained expressionless.