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

"Given Mei Changsu's status, he naturally wouldn't take action personally," Yan Que said.

"So, the prisoners of the Jiangzuo Alliance confessed that they were ordered by Mei Changsu?"

"The Jiangzuo Alliance members also died at the scene," Yan Que said truthfully, his face grim.

"Lord Yan neither captured Mei Changsu on the spot nor has any evidence that he instructed the Jiangzuo Alliance."

"To assert, based solely on conjecture, that this matter is related to the Jiangzuo Alliance, Mei Changsu, or even the bombing?"

"How can you be sure that the killing of the leopard wasn't a clandestine revenge killing by this group?"

As Prince Yu spoke, his tone grew increasingly cold.

"If Lord Yan has concrete evidence, he may speak frankly."

"To make baseless accusations without evidence would be unfair."

Yan Que snorted coldly: "Your Highness is quite adept at disclaiming responsibility."

"However, the truth will eventually come out."

Prince Yu stopped arguing with him and turned to Zhu Houcong, bowing and saying, "Father, what Marquis Yan said has no evidence, but I have obtained witnesses who confirmed that Xie Yu was the one who did it."

"A thorough interrogation of Xie Yu will surely expose the mastermind behind this!"

At this moment, Yan Song strode in, bowed, and reported.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Nihuang are requesting an audience outside the palace, saying they have important matters to report."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong let out a cold laugh.

"Hehe, you've come at the perfect time!"

"Let them all in."

A moment later, Crown Prince Xiao Jingxuan and Princess Nihuang entered the palace side by side.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly: "No need for formalities. Crown Prince, Princess Nihuang, what brings you here so early in the morning?"

The Crown Prince stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Father, I have heard that Prince Yu has arrested suspects of the Money Gang. I suspect that Prince Yu intends to torture the criminals to extract confessions."

"I beseech Your Majesty to grant the Ministry of Justice permission to transfer the suspect to the Suspended Mirror Bureau for trial."

Upon hearing this, Prince Yu said sternly, "Your Highness, this case is of great importance. How could I possibly resort to such underhanded means?"

The Crown Prince sneered, "I simply do not wish to see innocent people wronged."

"If Xie Yu is truly guilty, he should be severely punished according to the law. However, if anyone attempts to frame him, I will not stand idly by!"

"Okay, stop arguing."

Zhu Houcong said in a low voice, and seeing that the two had stopped arguing, he turned to look at Nihuang.

"Nihuang, what about you? What brings you here?"

Nihuang stepped forward, her voice clear and firm.

"Your Majesty, I suspect that the mastermind behind this bombing was not Xie Yu, but rather Prince Yu who instructed Mei Changsu to carry it out!"

As soon as Nihuang finished speaking, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

The crowd looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock and confusion.

They all knew that Princess Nihuang's frequent visits to the Su residence clearly indicated a close relationship with Mei Changsu.

And now she has publicly accused Mei Changsu of colluding with Prince Yu.

This is even more unbelievable than the sun rising in the west.

Zhu Houcong, seated on the dragon throne, took in everyone's reactions and a barely perceptible sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.

really!

Princess Nihuang's move of advancing as a retreat was quite brilliant.

This completely tied Mei Changsu to Prince Yu.

"Nihuang!"

Prince Yu's expression changed, and he roared, "Do you know what a grave crime it is to falsely accuse a prince?"

Princess Nihuang sneered and said righteously, "I act only according to justice and fairness. I personally witnessed Zhen Ping going to your Prince Yu's residence."

"Today I went to find Xia Dong and accidentally saw Zhen Ping's body, which immediately reminded me of this matter."

"That's why I rushed over to report!"

Her words were powerful and resounding.

Prince Yu was so angry that he trembled all over. He pointed at Princess Nihuang and shouted, "You're spouting nonsense and making things up out of nothing!"

After the Crown Prince listened to every word that Princess Nihuang said, an undisguised ecstasy flickered in his lowered eyes.

God helps me too!

Fifth brother, you've finally met your match!

He originally only intended to disrupt Prince Yu's interrogation, but he never expected Princess Nihuang to present him with such a generous gift.

This is an opportunity that has fallen from the sky!

We must seize this opportunity to completely overthrow Prince Yu and eliminate any future troubles.

The Crown Prince immediately rebuked, "Xiao Jinghuan, if you are a hero, then you should be willing to admit your mistakes."

"Even your lowly strategist knows to surrender, yet you, as a prince, are even less capable than him."

Prince Yu immediately knelt down, looked at Zhu Houcong, and pointed at the Crown Prince and Princess Nihuang.

"Father, you are wise! This is clearly a scheme by the Crown Prince in collusion with Princess Nihuang to frame me. The bombing must have been orchestrated by the Crown Prince."

Zhu Houcong sneered, "What a sharp tongue you have. You still insist that it was the Crown Prince who did it."

At this moment, Nihuang suddenly stepped forward and questioned loudly.

"Your Highness Prince Yu, do you dare say that Zhen Ping of the Jiangzuo Alliance has never set foot in your Prince Yu's residence?"

Before he could finish speaking, Prince Yu suddenly turned his head and glared at Princess Nihuang, his eyes blazing with fury.

The veins on his forehead bulged, and his once handsome face was now contorted into a ferocious and terrifying expression.

Nihuang is right. Back when the Lan Garden corpse case happened, it was Zhen Ping who tipped him off, urging him to go to the Ministry of Justice to force the case to be closed.

If this were to be investigated, it would not stand up to scrutiny, because at least three people from Prince Yu's residence had seen Zhen Ping.

"Prince Yu, you've been stumped by Princess Nihuang's question?" Zhu Houcong's eyes flashed with a cold light as he gritted his teeth and said.

"Your Majesty, I was stumped by Princess Nihuang's question, and I would not have bothered to answer her."

"Everyone in the world knows that the current Empress is my own mother. As far as I am concerned, I would never do such a rebellious thing."

"Since Father Emperor listened to Nihuang's slander, then I will return to my residence to prepare a coffin and await Father Emperor's judgment."

"I will not listen to anyone!"

Zhu Houcong suddenly stood up and shouted angrily.

[Imitate Jiajing +1, reward: Medicine King's Golden Elixir]

Chapter 88 Let heroes investigate heroes, let good men investigate good men

Zhu Houcong's thunderous roar plunged the entire hall into a deathly silence.

thump! thump!

Everyone knelt down on the ground, their knees making a crisp sound as they hit the floor tiles.

Yan Que, the Crown Prince, and others were all terrified and remained silent.

The heavy atmosphere made it hard to breathe.

The next second, Zhu Houcong's heavy footsteps echoed in the silent hall.

What reached everyone's ears was deafening.

Zhu Houcong walked up to the crowd, his murderous gaze sweeping over them.

Every single person in this hall deserves to be killed.

Their gaze finally fell on the Crown Prince.

"Jingxuan, you have good eyesight."

"Mei Changsu is a hero, and so is Xiao Jinghuan."

"Throughout my life, I have always admired heroes and valiant men."

"Those who are heroes, step forward!"

"Hmph hmph hmph..."

Zhu Houcong let out a series of chilling sneers.

"I like them all."

Upon hearing this, Prince Yu trembled, looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with tears and determination.

"Father, I am no hero, I am merely your son."

"If a father and son distrust each other to this extent..."

Prince Yu's voice choked with emotion as he spoke.

"Then I am willing to die."

"If not, I humbly request that Your Majesty retract your earlier statement!"

However, the next second, he heard a chilling voice coming from Zhu Houcong's mouth.

"I acknowledge you as a hero, and I will never take that back."

"Let heroes investigate heroes, let good men investigate good men!"

He repeated it four or five times in a row, raising his voice each time.

In the end, he was almost screaming.

The sound was like thunder, constantly booming within the hall.

[Imitate Jiajing +3, reward: Great Heavenly General Pill]

Upon hearing that the Great Heavenly General Pill had been mentioned again, a flash of joy crossed Zhu Houcong's eyes.

This thing is really good!

Without the Great Heavenly General Pill, how could I have orchestrated such an explosion?

In an instant, he regained his composure and then let out a loud shout.

"Cao Zhichun!"

A series of hurried footsteps immediately came from outside the hall.

"This servant is here."

Cao Zhichun knelt on the ground.

"Did you hear what was just said?"

Cao Zhichun raised his head, a cruel smile on his face.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I have heard it."

"Regardless of who instigated Mei Changsu or Xie Yu, or who stood behind them."

“Master, hand them over to me. I have a way to get them to talk.”

Upon hearing this, the temperature in the hall seemed to drop sharply.

Zhu Houcong nodded in satisfaction. He had used Cao Zhichun precisely because of his ruthlessness.