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

Chapter 72 I stole your beloved woman, and you don't even care.

The following day, Zhu Houcong sat upright on the dragon throne, his fingers gently stroking the gilded armrests, the cold touch of the dragon head carvings coming through his fingertips.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping across Prince Yu's lowered face like a knife.

"You mean you want me to keep Yan Que by my side and serve him?"

Prince Yu immediately bowed and earnestly pleaded, "Your Majesty, I only see you studying the Dao day and night, rising early and retiring late, and I truly cannot bear it."

"That's why I thought it best to find some truly capable and extraordinary people to share my father's burdens."

"It just so happens that I've heard that my uncle has devoted himself to Taoist cultivation in recent years and has unique insights into Taoist metaphysics."

"Your subject believes that if your uncle truly possesses genuine talent and learning, he will certainly serve your father, the Emperor."

Zhu Houcong suddenly chuckled softly, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of the dragon throne, producing a dull "thump-thump" sound.

"Heh, so as soon as Yan Que returned yesterday, you went straight to the Yan Marquis's residence?"

Upon hearing this, Prince Yu trembled violently, and fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

He subconsciously gripped the cuffs of his python robe.

My father actually... he actually knew everything!

At that moment, he felt a chill run through his body, as if he were naked and exposed to his father's sharp gaze.

A thought suddenly came to mind.

It turns out that my every move was under the surveillance of my father.

Thinking of this, cold sweat involuntarily slid down his back, soaking through his undershirt.

"Your son...your son...went to visit his uncle."

Zhu Houcong observed the scene with a cold eye, secretly surprised. He had originally thought that Prince Yu's visit today was simply to discuss matters of etiquette in court.

Unexpectedly, they came to act as persuaders for Yan Que.

Although Yan Que was Empress Yan's elder brother, the two had a strained relationship because Empress Yan was also involved in the death of Consort Chen, Lin Leyao.

Yan Que naturally looked down on Prince Yu, and Prince Yu had little contact with Yan Que over the years.

But now Prince Yu has actually come to offer advice in person for Yan Que's sake. This unusual behavior must have something fishy going on.

Zhu Houcong immediately thought of Mei Changsu.

Could this be yet another instance of Mei Changsu using someone else's resources to his advantage?

So he probed directly, "I heard that the 'Kirin Talent' has become your advisor. Did he teach you this?"

Prince Yu trembled, his face turning deathly pale.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out; he could only stand there stiffly.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Houcong knew the answer in his heart.

He slowly rose, walked to Prince Yu with his hands behind his back, and rudely berated him: "Fool! A fool worthy of being in a museum!"

Upon hearing this, Prince Yu's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down.

"Do you think I don't know Yan Que's abilities? That I need you to recommend him?"

Zhu Houcong sneered repeatedly, looking at Prince Yu with disdain.

Who is he?

"Back then, his silver tongue could dismantle an army of hundreds of thousands; his wisdom and strategies were boundless. People said he possessed the talent of Su Qin and Zhang Yi!"

"And you?"

Zhu Houcong pointed at Prince Yu, cursing inwardly that this fool had been used as a pawn by Mei Changsu again.

"His ambitions are sky-high, yet he lacks the talent and is arrogant!"

"With your limited skills, you think you can control Yan Que?"

He cursed fiercely, but in his heart he was pondering what Mei Changsu and Yan Que really wanted to do.

He knew that Yan Que's return to the capital and setting off cannons was a plot point in the drama.

But Mei Changsu secretly acted as a go-between, getting that fool Prince Yu to recommend him, something he hadn't anticipated.

What exactly are you plotting?

Is it to get close to me?

Mei Changsu is a man of great wisdom and resourcefulness; he would never do anything pointless.

He must have had ulterior motives for having Prince Yu introduce Yan Que to him!

What is the purpose? Try it and you'll find out.

Thinking of this, Zhu Houcong glanced at Prince Yu again.

Since you want to play, then I'll play with you to your heart's content!

"Since you have recommended talented people to me, I cannot refuse you. Go and let Yan Que come to see me."

Upon hearing this, Prince Yu felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and his face lit up with joy. He repeatedly replied, "Your subject will take care of it immediately!"

Before long, steady footsteps could be heard outside the hall.

Yan Que, dressed in a plain-colored robe, stepped calmly into the study.

Upon reaching the emperor, he straightened his clothes, knelt down, and spoke in a clear and respectful voice:

"Your Majesty, I have failed to express my opinion. I humbly wish you good health."

Zhu Houcong raised his eyes and replied calmly, "I am well!"

He stared at Yan Que, who bore a striking resemblance to Yang Jinshui from the Ming Dynasty, and felt as if he had traveled through time.

Those scenes from the depths of my memory surged forth like a tide.

In the Ming Dynasty, Yang Jinshui also knelt on the jade floor tiles in the same way.

Dozens of silver needles pierced his face, their fine tips gleaming coldly in the candlelight, making him look like a human-shaped piece of needles.

The once powerful eunuch of the Jiangnan Textile Bureau could only feign madness under the oppression of imperial power.

He was disheveled and muttering incoherent nonsense.

"They made me weave silk, so much silk that I couldn't wear it all, and even the emperor couldn't wear it all."

Now, Yan Que is kneeling before him in the same way.

Zhu Houcong's gaze was deep and unfathomable, a faint, cold smile playing at the corners of his lips. He slowly spoke, "Yan Que, it's been many years since we, ruler and subject, last met, hasn't it?"

He paused deliberately, his gaze lingering on the white hair at Yan Que's temples for a moment.

"You're getting old."

Yan Que remained expressionless and calmly replied, "Your Majesty, everyone grows old."

"yes!"

Zhu Houcong sighed dramatically, tapping lightly on the armrest of the dragon throne with his fingers.

"But I didn't expect that time would pass so quickly. If I'm not mistaken, you should be fifty-seven years old this year, right?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Que slightly raised his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in them before he regained his composure.

"I didn't expect Your Majesty to still remember my age."

Zhu Houcong chuckled, then his gaze became distant, as if he were truly reminiscing about the past.

"How could I forget? The days I spent with you, Lin Xie, and Le Yao when we were young are still vivid in my memory!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Que's hands clenched tightly in his sleeves, his nails almost digging into his palms.

He hadn't expected that Emperor Liang would mention Lin Xie and Lin Leyao's names so casually.

It was as if they were just two completely unrelated people.

Zhu Houcong stared at Yan Que, and seeing that he remained calm and did not even frown, he felt a chill in his heart.

This old man has such profound composure!

How can I possibly make things difficult for you if you act like this?

How can I find an excuse to kill you?

A sinister glint flashed in his eyes, and then he suddenly changed the subject.

"Yan Que, back then I took Le Yao away from you, you don't mind, do you?"

These words were like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into Yan Que's heart.

He swayed almost imperceptibly, his face flushed crimson, his chest heaved violently, and his breathing became heavy.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

After a long silence, Yan Que slowly raised his eyelids, his voice hoarse yet unusually calm: "I have cultivated the Dao for many years, and I can no longer remember these worldly matters."

As he said this, his fingertips dug into his palms, yet his voice did not tremble even slightly.

Zhu Houcong leaned back on the dragon throne and chuckled softly upon hearing this.

"You're still the best to me. I stole the woman you love, and you didn't even mind."

"Unlike that traitor Lin Xie, whom I treated with the utmost favor, he dared to betray me; he truly deserves to die!"

After speaking, Zhu Houcong looked at Yan Que with great interest.

He wanted to see if Yan Que could still maintain that aloof demeanor.

Chapter 73 We drink from the golden cup together, yet the blade shows no mercy.

Yan Que was trembling violently. His once straight back was now slightly hunched, and his head was almost buried in his chest.

His heavy breathing was exceptionally clear in the silent hall, like that of a wounded, trapped beast.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, his voice hoarse beyond recognition.

"Does Your Majesty truly believe that Brother Lin Xie is a traitor?"

A glint of wild joy flashed in Zhu Houcong's eyes.

He succeeded!

This incredibly intelligent Marquis Yan was finally breached by him, who managed to break through that seemingly impenetrable defense.

Yan Que, you've finally shown your weakness.

Wait for death!

"Words fail."

Zhu Houcong feigned displeasure and slowly rose, saying, "I am pleased that you have come to pay your respects, but I do not like the tone of your voice just now."

He walked step by step toward Yan Que, the sound of his boots hitting the gold bricks like a death knell.

"Lin Xie is a traitor, that's an undeniable fact!"

He suddenly raised his voice, "Not just Lin Xie, but also that bitch Lin Leyao, and that rebellious Prince Qi, they're all traitors!"

When Zhu Houcong walked up to Yan Que, he suddenly bent down and looked directly into Yan Que's eyes.

Did you know?

"When I killed them, a line of poetry suddenly came to mind: 'We drink from the golden cup together, yet the white blade shows no mercy.'"

[Reasonably quote Emperor Jiajing to play Emperor Jiajing +1, reward: Martial Arts Golden Elixir]

At this moment, the veins on Yan Que's forehead were bulging, clearly indicating that he was on the verge of exploding.

He was like a fully drawn bow, ready to snap at any moment.

Lin Leyao, the woman he loved most, was so contemptuously called a "bitch" by this beast in front of him!