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

At this moment, inside Zhaoren Palace, Consort Yue was leaning against the window, her face flushed and her expression dazed.

Thinking of yesterday's absurdity, I couldn't help but feel hot all over.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard outside the palace, and the personal maid rushed in to report.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has bestowed medicinal cuisine!"

Upon hearing this, Consort Yue quickly rose slowly, supporting herself on the carved table, and limped forward to greet her.

Yan Song strode across the threshold and gently placed the food box on the table.

"Your Majesty, please have a seat."

He bowed deeply, his eyes crinkling with smiles, and his voice was full of eagerness.

"This deer antler stewed with snow frog is a new dish prepared by the imperial kitchen. His Majesty specifically instructed that it be served while it's still hot."

"Why is His Majesty..." Consort Yue asked, puzzled.

Upon seeing this, Yan Song quickly flattered, "Your Majesty, His Majesty was thinking of you while he was eating."

"I specifically instructed this servant to tell Your Highness that I will definitely come to see you later after I finish reviewing today's memorials."

Upon hearing this, Consort Yue's eyes lit up, her rouge-colored lips slightly upturned, and the smile in her eyes almost overflowed.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Father-in-law, to make this trip."

Chapter 8 I want you to be an eagle, not a dog.

Nothing was said that night, just tough work.

Zhu Houcong's favoritism towards Consort Yue was certainly partly due to his reliance on the Yellow Emperor's elixir of immortality for dual cultivation.

This was also sending a signal to both inside and outside the palace that he had indeed conferred the title of Prince Yu, Xiao Jinghuan, the title of Seven-Bead Prince.

However, Crown Prince Xiao Jingxuan's position remains unshakeable.

Admittedly, Xiao Jingxuan was very stupid.

But compared to Xiao Jinghuan and Xiao Jingyan, he was the most loyal of the princes.

There is also the third prince, Xiao Jingting, who has not yet been granted the title of king.

Zhu Houcong gently stroked the skin of Consort Yue in his arms, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes.

It seems we should assign him an important task, and once he performs it well, we can then naturally bestow upon him the title of Prince.

Don't they all want to seize the throne?

Then let them all come out on stage and fight it out.

The Crown Prince, Prince Yu, Prince Jing, and the Third Prince are all ambitious and vying for power, which helps to keep each other in check.

As for me, I only need to sit calmly on the fishing platform and observe from the sidelines.

Thinking of Xiao Jingting, Zhu Houcong's thoughts involuntarily drifted to Consort Hui.

The woman was beautiful, with bright eyes and white teeth, and skin as smooth as jade.

He squinted, the image of Consort Hui with her head bowed and eyes lowered flashing through his mind.

There was movement again.

Consort Yue, leaning against Zhu Houcong's chest, keenly sensed the change, and her delicate body stiffened slightly.

She tilted her exquisitely beautiful face up, her small mouth involuntarily opening, her almond-shaped eyes filled with astonishment.

Zhu Houcong looked at Consort Yue and a smile appeared on his lips.

Today, I will go and sit in Consort Hui's palace.

Anyway, with three thousand beauties in the harem, one must treat them all equally.

That way, some people won't have any inappropriate thoughts.

Take the Yue family, for example.

He patted Consort Yue on the shoulder, and she immediately understood.

She mounted her horse with spear in hand, fighting with increasing ferocity, just like an invincible female general.

If a fake female general is summoned at night, then naturally, the real female general, Nihuang, will be summoned during the day.

"Summon Princess Nihuang to an audience!"

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the dashing Princess Nihuang walked slowly in, her blue and white outfit making her figure appear even more upright and graceful.

She showed none of the delicate femininity of an ordinary woman, but instead exuded a sharp and heroic spirit.

"Your humble servant, Nihuang, greets Your Majesty."

Nihuang knelt on one knee, swiftly and decisively, without any hesitation.

Zhu Houcong personally rose to greet him, his face beaming with smiles.

"Haha, no need for formalities, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The moment she stood up and looked up, Zhu Houcong couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

This Nihuang truly embodies the essence of heaven and earth.

She possessed both stunning beauty and heroic spirit, along with superb martial arts skills. No wonder she could command 100,000 iron cavalry and be a formidable force in the southern borderlands.

Unfortunately, this woman was always in love with Mei Changsu, or perhaps Lin Shu.

This is really unreasonable!

"Between you and me, there is no need for such empty formalities."

Zhu Houcong stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes filled with the loving kindness of an elder.

"Was the journey smooth?"

Nihuang nodded slightly, and the silver ornaments in her black hair swayed gently.

"Thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, all is well."

"I hope everything goes smoothly."

Zhu Houcong said earnestly, "I'm sure you understand my good intentions in summoning you back to the capital this time."

“You are the child I watched grow up. Over the years, you have fought for the country and even delayed your marriage. I have seen it all and it pains me to see it.”

"Now that Mu Qing has inherited the throne of Yunnan, it's also a good time to choose a suitable match for you. Wouldn't that be a double blessing?"

Princess Nihuang said calmly, "I appreciate Your Majesty's kindness."

"I'm glad you understand."

Zhu Houcong turned around and smiled, "I have ordered people to build a high platform below Yingfeng Tower for two rounds of competition: a literary contest and a martial arts contest."

He said this in a mischievous and teasing tone.

"Our Princess Nihuang is a renowned expert on the Langya List. If her martial arts were too weak, she might not be able to control your fiery temper, hahaha!"

Suddenly, Princess Nihuang knelt on one knee, clasped her hands in a fist salute, and said, "In that case, Princess Nihuang humbly requests Your Majesty to change the rules."

"oh?"

"Tell me about it."

Zhu Houcong naturally knew what she was going to say, but he remained calm and pretended not to know.

"The chosen winner must fight me; only the victor will be qualified to be my husband."

She raised her head, her eyes flashing with a stubborn light.

Zhu Houcong gazed at her for a moment, then finally said, "I can grant your request, but you must also know when to stop, understand?"

"Nihuang understands."

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly, a subtle, unreadable meaning flashing in his eyes.

He didn't care whether Nihuang truly understood his intentions.

If you don't want to get married, that's fine; just delay it for a while longer.

Once she learns Mei Changsu's true identity, even if she is forced to return to Yunnan, she probably won't want to go back.

Thinking of this, Zhu Houcong couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

A woman!

In their eyes, how could this beautiful land and vast territory compare to the touching love between men and women?

At that time, Princess Nihuang will definitely do everything she can to help Mei Changsu.

Using Mei Changsu to control Nihuang is exactly what I wanted.

"Um."

Zhu Houcong composed himself and softened his tone.

"Stay in the palace for a meal later."

"I'll go see the Empress Dowager this afternoon. She's been talking to me a lot, saying she misses you terribly."

Upon hearing the words "Grand Empress Dowager," Princess Nihuang, who had been indifferent, had a slight glint in her eyes, and a hint of warmth appeared in them.

"Your Majesty obeys."

She responded softly, her voice softening.

After lunch, Nihuang bowed respectfully and turned to leave.

As Zhu Houcong watched her receding figure, a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes.

He picked up the teacup and took a small sip. The aroma of the tea filled his mouth, but his thoughts had already drifted far away.

At this time, Mei Changsu should have already entered the capital and was staying at the residence of Marquis Ningguo, Xie Yu.

This seemingly accidental stop actually concealed a hidden secret.

Mei Changsu intended to use Xie Yu as a tool to eliminate the Duke of Qing.

It's laughable that Xie Yu is so self-righteous, thinking he's the one holding the pieces and plotting how to kill the Duke of Qing.

In fact, every move he makes is meticulously calculated.

The Duke of Qing was Prince Yu's right-hand man, Xiao Jinghuan. Removing him would be tantamount to cutting off Prince Yu's arm.

Xie Yu's actions were intended to sow discord and openly incite a struggle for the throne.

Thinking of this, Zhu Houcong put down his teacup and tapped the table lightly with his fingertips.

"Xie Yu..."

Zhu Houcong murmured the name, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

This seemingly obsequious Marquis of Ningguo was in reality as treacherous and cunning as a poisonous bee.

The Duke of Liang, who usually lies low and does nothing, is truly despicable for his intentions to overthrow my Great Liang.

Zhu Houcong got up and walked to the window, standing with his hands behind his back, a sharp glint in his eyes.

They already had a plan in mind.

"Since you all want to get rid of the Duke of Qing, then I will go along with it."

"However, this time, the final winner will not be Prince Jing."

"The story goes that Cao Zhichun was involved."

Zhu Houcong suddenly spoke, his voice echoing in the empty Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Upon hearing this, the eunuch standing outside the hall immediately bowed in agreement and quickly withdrew to convey the imperial decree.

In a short while, Cao Zhichun, the director of the Eastern Depot, was already kneeling outside the palace gate awaiting imperial orders.

"Come in."

"This servant greets Your Majesty."