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

"Cao Zhichun, don't say anything that's detrimental to unity!"

"This servant is only speaking out for my master!"

Cao Zhichun feigned grievance and continued to fan the flames.

"Back then, Your Majesty even personally inscribed a message to show your favor, but I never expected this person to be two-faced."

"The old sow brings bad omens, one after another!"

Zhu Houcong glanced at the silent Yan Que, then feigned anger and said:

"Outrageous! I don't believe that the strategist beside Jing Huan, the leader of the largest gang in the martial arts world, would be such a person."

"If I ever hear you stirring up trouble again, watch your head!"

Cao Zhichun immediately knelt down, crying, "This servant deserves to die! This servant deserves to die!"

Zhu Houcong took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said, "Get out!"

"Yes! Yes! This servant will leave immediately!"

Cao Zhichun scrambled out of the hall.

Only after Cao Zhichun closed the door of the study and the sound of his footsteps faded into the distance did Zhu Houcong turn around and look at Yan Que with a sorrowful expression.

"Words fail."

He sighed softly, a look of sorrow flashing in his eyes.

"Cao Zhichun was right just now."

"We've been friends since childhood, and now we're in-laws. As his son-in-law, I also want Yu Jin's spirit to rest in peace!"

Zhu Houcong directly played the emotional card, no longer using the imperial "朕" (zhen, meaning "I" or "the emperor"), but referring to himself as "我" (wo, meaning "I" or "I").

"His Majesty…"

A complex mix of emotions welled up in Yan Que's heart.

Zhu Houcong waved his hand and continued, "I can assure you about this matter. No matter who they find, there's no upper limit!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Que slowly raised his head and looked into Zhu Houcong's eyes.

"What if...the royal family is involved?"

"You mean the Crown Prince and Prince Yu, right?"

Zhu Houcong sneered, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"These two wretched children, fighting for power and profit is one thing, but now they dare to murder their father and kill their emperor! How can I forgive them!"

As he spoke, he suddenly stepped forward and grasped Yan Que's hand.

"Yan Que, we have known each other since childhood, and I have always regarded you as a brother."

"I'm telling you this today: if it's found that any one of them was responsible, I will make them pay with their lives for Yujin!"

Yan Que trembled and immediately knelt down.

"Your humble servant dares not..."

"Yan Que, everything I said is true."

Zhu Houcong helped him up and said earnestly, "Only when we brothers are of one mind can the Great Liang Dynasty regain its former glory."

"Furthermore, I might as well tell you privately that I have always intended to pass the throne to Jingyan."

"what?"

"Your Majesty...this..."

Yan Que was greatly surprised upon hearing this.

Zhu Houcong said matter-of-factly, "With Jingyan's nature of hating evil, he will surely bring about a complete transformation in the court."

He stared intently at Yan Que, "Once Jingyan ascends the throne, you will be the Grand Tutor of the new dynasty. At that time, you will be able to restore the glory of the Yan family!"

After hearing these words, Yan Que's mind went completely blank.

The emperor wanted to pass the throne to Prince Jing?

He couldn't help but recall that, indeed, Prince Jing was granted the title of Five-Bead Prince as soon as he returned, and was also allowed to participate in court affairs.

On the contrary, Mei Changsu told him to support Prince Jing, but in reality he was always helping Prince Yu.

Wasn't it he who helped Prince Yu seize the position of Minister of Rites?

These contradictions made him realize that something was wrong.

He suddenly recalled Mei Changsu's expression when he solemnly vowed to assist Prince Jing in the restaurant.

Looking back now, those words were utterly ridiculous.

He had realized that he might be being completely fooled by a treacherous strategist posing as Lin Shu.

This so-called "Jiangzuo Meilang" was not a former member of the Chiyan Army at all, and could not possibly be Lin Shu.

Lin Shu was someone he had watched grow up. He was upright and a brilliant young man. How could he do such a two-faced thing?

After automatically filling in the blanks in his mind, Yan Que's heart was instantly filled with boiling anger.

"Therefore, you must handle this case well for me, investigate it thoroughly."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, whether it is Mei Changsu, Xie Yu, or anyone else, I will investigate thoroughly and find out the truth."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong knew that he had successfully used PUA tactics.

Jie Jie Jie!

Mei Changsu, let's see how you die!

He dared not say more, after all, he could not order Mei Changsu to be killed.

Now it's up to Yan Que to decide what to do.

He then instructed, "However, remember not to let the matter concerning Jingyan leak out."

"This child is too upright, and his influence in the court is still weak..."

Yan Que immediately understood and solemnly replied, "Your Majesty understands. This matter came from Your Majesty's mouth and entered my ears; no third person will know about it."

Zhu Houcong patted Yan Que on the shoulder with satisfaction: "I trust you the most when it comes to handling things."

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the hall, followed by Yan Song's respectful voice.

"Your Majesty, Prince Yu is waiting outside the palace for your instructions."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong turned to Yan Que beside him and said, "Yan Qing, it's up to you now. Don't worry about his status. I also want to know whether he has anything to do with this matter."

Yan Que bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

"Xuan!"

At this moment, the palace doors slowly opened, and Prince Yu stepped into the palace with steady steps.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Zhu Houcong sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression calm.

How's the investigation into the bombing going?

"Tell me everything you know."

Prince Yu straightened up, his expression solemn, and said, "Your Majesty, I have found out that this matter was secretly instigated by Xie Yu and the Money Gang."

"Their aim was to murder members of the royal family and undermine the foundation of the state. The relevant witnesses have been apprehended and brought to justice."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong couldn't help but feel a little smug.

It was definitely the right decision to have Money Help do this. The most perfect lie in the world is to use a true story that has already happened to deceive people.

A piece of true news has drawn the attention of various factions to the Money Gang.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but secretly applaud himself for his brilliant move.

Yan Que, who was standing nearby, stepped forward at the opportune moment, cupped his hands, and asked, "May I ask, Your Highness Prince Yu, what is the background of the witnesses you have obtained?"

"Several members of the Golden Coin Gang confessed that the incident was indeed carried out by the gang leader, Golden Coin Leopard, personally leading the operation."

Where is that leopard now?

"To my shame,"

Prince Yu looked regretful.

"That fellow, realizing his scheme had been exposed, has fled in fear of punishment. According to my men's intelligence, he has likely already slipped out of the capital."

clap clap clap! ! !

Yan Que clapped his hands and sneered, "Your Highness Prince Yu is indeed quite skilled."

"However, coincidentally, I've also discovered some interesting things on my end."

"Oh?"

Prince Yu frowned slightly, but still maintained a composed expression.

"What I've found is exactly what Your Highness 'happened' to have missed: the whereabouts of Jin Qianbao, the leader of the Jin Qian Gang."

Chapter 87 I Listen to No One

"Oh? You've already caught the leopard?"

Prince Yu raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with surprise.

He thought that Jin Qianbao and his men had already escaped from the capital, but he never expected that they would be intercepted by Yan Que.

"good,"

Yan Que's gaze was sharp as he slowly said, "Moreover, those present at the time weren't just Jin Qianbao's group; there were also subordinates of Mei Changsu, the leader of the Jiangzuo Alliance!"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Prince Yu's pupils contracted slightly, but only for a moment.

He quickly regained his composure, turned around and looked directly at Yan Que, his tone calm but sharp.

"Mei Changsu?"

"What do you mean by what you said, Lord Yan?"

"Could this be an implication that this matter is related to me?"

Yan Que sneered, "I am merely stating the facts; why is Your Highness in such a hurry?"

"When we found Jin Qianbao, Mei Changsu's men were there, and Jin Qianbao and his gang had already been killed."

He stared at Prince Yu and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Your Highness, if I remember correctly, you and Mei Changsu seem to have a close relationship!"

Prince Yu was shocked and cursed Yan Que inwardly for being ungrateful.

He was the one who recommended Yan Que to the court in the first place, and now this old fox is trying to use the opportunity to frame him.

They falsely accused him of being involved in the bombing.

What an ungrateful wretch!

"Have you lost your voice?"

Seeing that Prince Yu was speechless for a moment, Zhu Houcong asked in a detached tone.

Prince Yu was a meticulous person, and he quickly seized on the loophole in Yan Que's words.

He immediately retorted, "Lord Yan just said that when he arrived at the scene, the golden leopard was already dead."

"So, Lord Yan didn't personally witness the Jiangzuo Alliance members killing Jin Qianbao, right?"

"Your Highness, the murder weapon was found at the scene. Whether Jin Qianbao was killed by the Jiangzuo Alliance can be determined with a simple investigation."

"even so,"

Prince Yu pressed on, "Did Lord Yan see Mei Changsu in person at the scene?"