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

"I understand."

Having watched the TV series, how could he not know what was going on!

It must be Yan Que, who looks exactly like Uncle Dong from Tazhai, who has returned.

This student from Tazhai, as soon as he came back, wanted to use firearms to blast me into the sky.

OK!

Then don't blame me for killing you first!

Thinking of this, Zhu Houcong's eyes darkened.

"Go, have Cao Zhengchun investigate for me!"

"Two entire ships full of gunpowder vanished without a trace right under your noses—that's a huge problem!"

Chen Chun's forehead was pressed against the ground, and cold sweat had soaked through his clothes.

"This servant will go right away."

"Wait!"

Zhu Houcong suddenly looked up, narrowed his eyes, and said, word by word, "The year-end sacrificial ceremony is coming soon. Focus your inspection on the area around the altar."

"From the foundation to the dome, from the flagpole to the incense burner, not an inch shall be overlooked!"

"The entire royal family will be attending the sacrificial ceremony. We mustn't let them take them all away in one fell swoop."

Chapter 70 The Eastern Depot is on the Move

Upon hearing this, Xiaomeng unconsciously tightened her grip on the whisk.

If someone had indeed buried gunpowder under the altar, the entire royal family would likely have been wiped out on the day of the sacrificial ceremony.

Chen Chun had obviously thought of this as well, and his face turned deathly pale instantly.

"This servant...this servant will go immediately and have the Imperial Horse Administration and the Eastern Depot investigate together."

He scrambled out of the hall, only to hear Zhu Houcong's icy voice chasing after him.

"Tell Cao Zhichun."

"If we can't find out the truth, let him lie on the powder keg himself!"

The last sentence seemed to instantly lower the temperature of the entire Xiyuan Abode to freezing point.

Soon, the elite cavalry of the Imperial Horse Administration surrounded the Altar of Heaven, where the sacrificial ceremony was held.

There's a guard every three steps and a sentry every five steps; not even a fly can get in.

Any attempt to sneak in would be exposed, let alone smuggling gunpowder.

At the same time, the agents of the Eastern Depot mobilized in full force to conduct a thorough search of the entire city.

Following the clues provided by the captain who received the goods at the private fireworks workshop, they began a thorough, inch-by-inch search, starting from the place where those mysterious people last disappeared.

At first, they didn't notice anything amiss, until a guard with a keen sense of smell detected something strange during his investigation.

That's how they followed the clues and found their hideout.

There were dozens of seemingly ordinary vendors and porters, blending into the crowd and inconspicuous.

However, if you get close and smell them closely, you can detect a faint sulfurous odor on their bodies.

Cao Zhichun stepped forward with his hands behind his back and kicked open the abandoned house not far from the crossroads.

"Take it down!"

At a command, the agents of the Eastern Depot pounced on them like wolves and tigers.

When the imposters realized their scheme had been exposed, their eyes flashed with malice. They drew sharp blades from their waists and sleeves and charged at the barbarians without fear of death.

Clang, clang, clang! ! !

Amidst the flashing blades and clashing swords, every move was a deadly strike meant to destroy both opponents!

In an instant, blood splattered everywhere, and screams of agony rose and fell.

When the dust settled, only two or three severely wounded and captured survivors remained at the scene; the rest lay in pools of blood.

"Master, we only found these assassins, not a large number of black flames!" a foreman reported.

Cao Zhengchun's face was gloomy. He could also tell that these people were all fearless assassins.

His sinister gaze was fixed on the heavily wounded prisoner in front of him, and he roughly lifted the man's chin with his toe.

"Take him back to the imperial prison."

As he spoke, he suddenly increased the force, the tip of his boot grinding hard into the prisoner's bloodied and mangled face.

"what!"

The prisoner let out a piercing scream.

Cao Zhengchun ignored him and turned to the guards, speaking sternly.

"Remember, even if it means skinning them alive and tearing their tendons out, you must pry open their mouths and find out where Blackfire is."

"Yes!"

The guards responded in unison.

Several burly guards immediately stepped forward and dragged the prisoner toward the prison cart like a dead dog.

At that moment, in a private room of a restaurant across the street, Yan Que gently lifted the wooden window and watched with a solemn expression as the Eastern Depot agents acted like wolves and tigers.

Mei Changsu stepped forward slowly, asking suspiciously, "Lord Yan, what about these captured subordinates..."

"It's alright."

Yan Que lowered the wooden window and said calmly.

"They are all my trained assassins, and they have never even seen my true face."

"What about that batch of black fire?"

"I have hidden myself in a secluded place, where no one can find me."

Mei Changsu nodded slightly, finally feeling relieved.

"My lord, you should now understand that your plan, though seemingly meticulous, is actually riddled with flaws."

"Lou Zhijing's private fireworks workshop has long been handed over to the Imperial Horse Administration."

"You attempted to use old channels to fish in troubled waters and smuggle gunpowder into the capital, but little did you know you had already exposed yourself to the Emperor."

"Yes!"

Yan Que let out a long sigh, his white beard trembling slightly.

"Before I returned to the capital, I had heard that Emperor Liang had established the Eastern Depot, but I never expected these eunuchs to be so arrogant."

"Who can argue with that? After the case of the Duke of Qing, the Eastern Depot silenced the officials by claiming 'meritorious service in investigating the case,' and Emperor Liang seized the opportunity to allow them to establish an imperial prison and a private court of torture."

Upon hearing this, Yan Que let out a disdainful snort.

"A country ruled by spies, with eunuchs interfering in politics—utterly absurd!"

"Yes, the judicial system is in chaos now, and its henchmen run rampant."

Mei Changsu chuckled and said, "If this continues, everyone in the court and the public will feel insecure, to the point that the country will cease to exist."

Yan Que's eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded thoughtfully.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked, "I am very curious, why did Sect Leader Mei risk his life to save me?"

A glint flashed in Mei Changsu's eyes: "Lord Marquis, you are well-versed in Taoist classics and also deeply knowledgeable in the art of diplomacy. I need your help to get close to Emperor Liang, gather information, and deal with the Imperial Advisor Xiaomeng."

Yan Que's eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing this.

"The talented young master Qilin indeed has grand ambitions, but why should I help you?"

"When Lord Yan was young, he and Lin Xie, the former marshal of the Chiyan Army, were both students of Emperor Liang. Later, they even helped Emperor Liang ascend the throne."

"But after ascending to that position, Emperor Liang changed. I think Lord Yan must be regretting it now!"

"Who...who are you, and how do you know about my past?"

Yan Que's voice trembled, and he unconsciously took a half step back.

Mei Changsu said solemnly, "Uncle Yan, to be honest, I am Xiao Shu."

Upon hearing this, Yan Que was struck dumb, and immediately gasped.

After a few cups of tea, Mei Changsu was the first to leave the restaurant, having already obtained the answer he wanted from Yan Que.

As soon as he stepped into the gate of the Su residence, Li Gang hurriedly came forward to greet him.

"Sect Master, His Highness Prince Yu has been waiting for quite some time and is currently enjoying the snow in the Plum Garden."

"Prince Yu?"

Mei Changsu frowned slightly: "Did he say why he came?"

Li Gang shook his head.

"Just say you have important matters to discuss."

After a moment's hesitation, Mei Changsu headed straight for the plum garden.

From afar, Prince Yu, dressed in a crimson and gold python robe, stood under the plum tree, gently stroking the red plum blossoms on the branches.

Hearing footsteps, he immediately turned around, his face beaming with smiles.

"Mr. Su!"

"Su Zhe greets Your Highness."

Just as Mei Changsu was about to bow, Prince Yu stopped him.

"Sir, there's no need for such formality."

Prince Yu's warm palm tightly grasped Mei Changsu's icy fingers.

"Is your health alright, sir, in this freezing weather?"

Mei Changsu smiled slightly.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. May I ask what brings you here today...?"

Upon hearing this, Prince Yu's smile froze, and he let out a long sigh.

"To be honest, I have come to ask for your help, sir."

As they talked, Mei Changsu led Prince Yu to a pavilion on the side, where Li Gang had already prepared a warm stove and hot tea.

After the two were seated, Prince Yu lowered his voice and spoke.

"It's still about the court's debate on etiquette. After court, Xie Yu has been making moves everywhere, using the Crown Prince's name to bribe Confucian scholars, hoping to lend Chen Yuanzhi a hand."

Mei Changsu took a sip of hot tea, the rising steam blurring the expression in his eyes.

"Is Your Highness worried about failing in the discussion of etiquette?"

"Exactly!"

Prince Yu slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups clatter.

"Last time, in the case of the corpse hidden in the Orchid Garden, I failed to live up to your good intentions. This time, there can be absolutely no more mistakes!"

Mei Changsu put down his teacup and tapped his fingertips lightly on the table.

"Does Your Highness know which eminent scholars Xie Yu invited?"

"It is said that..."

The more Prince Yu spoke, the uglier his expression became.

"I never expected Xie Yu to be able to gather such a lineup," Mei Changsu exclaimed.

"I underestimated our enemy. The court debate is in a few days. Given the current situation, I am truly uncertain about our chances!"

Upon hearing this, Mei Changsu chuckled softly, "What would Your Highness think if Elder Zhou could come?"