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

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuanzhi immediately knelt down.

"This old minister...this old minister admits his guilt!"

The moment Zhou Xuanqing appeared in the imperial court, he knew he was destined to lose.

The emperor's rebuke at this moment was merely a way to give this charade a dignified ending.

"Since you know you're guilty, then punish you according to the law."

"Now that you've taken off your official hat, you can retire!"

"Your humble servant obeys the decree."

Chen Yuanzhi straightened up with difficulty, and with trembling hands slowly removed the official hat from his head.

At that moment, he seemed to age ten years in an instant, and his once straight back became hunched over.

Zhu Houcong turned his gaze and it landed on Tian Dezhi, the Left Censor-in-Chief.

"Tian Dezhi!"

Tian Dezhi immediately stepped forward and knelt respectfully on the ground.

"Your subject is present."

"You were the first to discover the issue of etiquette, which demonstrates your extensive knowledge and profound insight."

"From this day forward, you are promoted to Minister of Rites, in charge of all affairs of the Ministry of Rites."

Tian Dezhi suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with unbelievable ecstasy.

"I thank you Lord for your kindness!"

Standing beneath the steps, Prince Yu could no longer conceal the joy on his face, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up.

From this day forward, the Ministry of Rites, this crucial government office, is firmly in his hands!

Then Zhu Houcong slowly rose, his bright yellow dragon robe gleaming with a majestic golden light under the candlelight in the hall.

He surveyed the assembled officials, his voice steady and powerful.

"My beloved ministers, the day after tomorrow is the New Year. I have decided that starting next year, the Great Liang Dynasty will adopt the reign title 'Jiajing'."

"Jia means beauty; Jing means peace. The phrase signifies 'beautiful and peaceful times, bringing peace and stability to the nation.'"

His gaze swept over every minister present.

"I hope that all of you will join me in this endeavor, to create a new era together."

[Change the reign title to Jiajing, imitate Jiajing +5, reward: Super Martial Arts Golden Pill]

Chapter 76 Yi Xiaochuan, I knew it was you

After the court session ended, some were happy while others were sad, and the scene outside the palace presented a stark contrast.

The Prince Yu's cronies surrounded the newly appointed Vice Minister of Rites, Tian Dezhi, their faces beaming with undisguised joy.

They talked and laughed loudly, their sleeves fluttering with smugness.

Some people have even decided to go to a brothel together for a party and celebrate.

In stark contrast was Xie Yu and his group.

At this moment, Xie Yu's face was ashen, and he walked heavily along the palace road.

The sudden downfall of Chen Yuanzhi, the Minister of Rites, was like a heavy blow to his heart.

An unprecedented sense of urgency welled up in my heart.

In recent days, Lou Zhijing, the Minister of Revenue, has been keeping a distance from the Crown Prince's faction and has always remained silent at court meetings.

This is adding insult to injury, and the Crown Prince's sphere of influence in the court is visibly shrinking.

"This can't go on."

A ruthless glint suddenly flashed in Xie Yu's eyes.

Upon returning to his residence, Xie Yu went straight to his study and gave instructions to his trusted confidants.

"Go quickly and invite the son-in-law over."

Before long, Zhuo Qingyao arrived in a hurry.

The young master of Tianquan Manor was dressed in a blue robe, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and he exuded the free and unrestrained air of a chivalrous knight-errant as he walked.

He respectfully bowed and said, "Your son-in-law greets your father-in-law."

Xie Yu put on a kind smile and personally got up to greet him.

"Qingyao is here, please have a seat."

He personally poured Zhuo Qingyao a cup of tea: "This is top-quality pre-Qingming Longjing tea, please try it."

Zhuo Qingyao is the son of Zhuo Dingfeng, the master of Tianquan Manor, the second largest gang in the martial arts world.

Zhuo Dingfeng always thought Xie Yu was a loyal and patriotic minister, so he was very willing to cooperate with Xie Yu.

All for the sake of working together to support the nation and ensure the Crown Prince's smooth ascension to the throne.

Xie Yu then married his illegitimate daughter Xie Qi to Zhuo Qingyao, further solidifying their cooperation through marriage.

To make the Zhuo family wholeheartedly serve him.

After Zhuo Qingyao sat down, Xie Yu's expression gradually became serious.

"Qingyao, a major upheaval occurred in the court today. Chen Yuanzhi, the Minister of Rites who supported the Crown Prince, was dismissed, and Tian Dezhi, a member of Prince Yu's faction, took over the Ministry of Rites."

He let out a heavy sigh.

"The current situation is extremely unfavorable for the Crown Prince!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuo Qingyao frowned deeply: "Father-in-law, if this continues, I'm afraid it will jeopardize the Crown Prince's position!"

"That's exactly right."

Xie Yu lowered his voice and said, "So the Crown Prince has secretly instructed me to get rid of the eunuch who went out to deliver the dishes on New Year's Eve. His Majesty will surely be furious then."

"Now that Meng Zhi, the commander of the Imperial Guards, is dead, the Imperial Guards are leaderless."

"Once this happens, the Crown Prince can recommend me to take command of the Imperial Guards."

"By then, the patrol battalions and the Imperial Guards will be under our control, and the Crown Prince's position will be secure."

A glint flashed in Zhuo Qingyao's eyes.

He naturally understood the significance of the year-end feast.

This is a tradition that has continued for hundreds of years in the Great Liang Dynasty. Every year at the end of the year, the emperor would send eunuchs to bestow imperial meals upon the residences of important officials as a sign of favor.

If something goes wrong at this critical juncture, the Imperial Guards responsible for escorting the goods will naturally be in trouble.

"Does the Crown Prince mean for my Tianquan Manor to take action?"

"good."

Xie Yu nodded slightly: "The Crown Prince said that your Tianquan Manor is full of experts and acts cleanly and efficiently, making you the most suitable choice."

Zhuo Qingyao immediately stood up and clasped her hands in greeting.

"Please convey to the Crown Prince that I will return immediately to make arrangements, selecting the most capable disciple to ensure everything goes smoothly."

Xie Yu stood with his hands behind his back by the window, watching Zhuo Qingyao leave, his eyes gleaming with greed.

He had long coveted control of the Imperial Guard.

Now that he controls the patrol battalion, if he can also bring the Imperial Guards under his control, he will have half of the defense of the entire capital region under his command.

Who else in and around the capital can rival him?

If the plan goes smoothly, all of these will be his.

Unlike Xie Yu and Prince Yu, Princess Nihuang rode out of the city as soon as court was over, because Mei Changsu was seeing Zhou Xuanqing off at the Ten-Mile Pavilion.

After the imperial decree of marriage to Prince Jing, she had become completely idle.

With no fighting on the Yunnan border, she could find no reason to request permission to leave Beijing.

The sudden appearance of Zhou Xuanqing in the court today has made Princess Nihuang completely suspicious of who Mei Changsu really is.

She had already recognized the righteous man sent by the Jiangzuo Alliance to help her train her navy as Wei Zheng, the deputy general of Lin Shu, the young commander of the Chiyan Army, a wanted criminal who had been wanted by the imperial court for many years.

Mei Changsu commands the most powerful gang in the land, and even former members of the Chiyan Army like Wei Zheng are under his command.

Thus, a bold guess gradually took shape in Nihuang's mind.

Mei Changsu is Lin Shu!

Outside the pavilion, Princess Nihuang, dressed in a plain white fox fur coat, stopped Mei Changsu, who was about to leave.

"Mei Changsu, please tell me, is Wei Zheng the only former member of the Chiyan Army within the Jiangzuo Alliance?"

Mei Changsu pulled his cloak tighter around himself, his expression as calm as a deep pool.

"Does the princess also believe that the Crimson Flame Army is a rebel army?"

"I believe that the few people I know would never betray their sovereign and country."

"Since the princess has this intention, why ask further?"

Mei Changsu's voice carried a hint of detachment.

"What's the point of discussing whether they betrayed or not now? The case is closed. Why would the Crown Prince and Prince Yu exonerate the Chiyan Army? This old case was their proudest masterpiece!"

"That's right."

A cold smile appeared on Mei Changsu's pale face.

"Who would expect them to overturn the verdict? There's only one way to do this."

"Prince Jing?"

Nihuang's pupils contracted slightly, then she suddenly realized.

"So it turns out that the person you've been trying to support all along is really Prince Jing!"

"Yes."

Mei Changsu nodded slightly: "Only Prince Jing could do that."

Princess Nihuang stared intently into Mei Changsu's eyes, her voice choked with emotion, "So, who exactly are you?"

Snowflakes fell silently between the two of them.

Mei Changsu suddenly chuckled: "I didn't expect you to be the first to ask that."

"How will you answer?" Nihuang pressed on relentlessly.

"Old acquaintances."

Mei Changsu looked towards the distant Meiling Mountains.

"An old friend like Wei Zheng."

"If you are a former member of the Crimson Flame Army, why don't I recognize you?"

"How could the princess possibly know all 70,000 Crimson Flame Army soldiers?"

Do you know Lin Shu?

"know."

"Was he really killed in battle? Where are his remains buried?"

"Seventy thousand loyal souls perished at Meiling. The battle was fierce, and corpses piled up like mountains. Who can recognize Lin Shu now?"

The next second, Nihuang suddenly grabbed his sleeve, already sobbing uncontrollably.

"But if you are a former member of the Crimson Flame Army, why did you address Lin Shu by his given name instead of calling him 'Young Marshal' just now?"

At this moment, the two of them completely lost their composure.

She realized that the person in front of her was her beloved Lin Shu.

He also knew that he could no longer hide himself from the woman he loved.