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

"Alright, one for you, one for Prince Yu, one for Marquis Yan, one for the Ministry of Justice, and one for the Court of Judicial Review. Go and investigate."

After listening, Cao Zhengchun looked at the people in the hall with a sinister gaze.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhu Houcong gave the crowd a cold look, then turned and left the main hall.

Once Zhu Houcong's figure disappeared, Cao Zhengchun was the first to straighten up.

He slowly and deliberately dusted off non-existent dust from his robes.

His narrow eyes narrowed into slits.

"Let's go, heroes!"

"We should really examine this case properly."

After leaving the West Garden, Zhu Houcong was in a great mood, and even his steps became lighter.

If it weren't for the old man and woman, who would have crawled out from the crack?

They might actually have a chance to kill Mei Changsu.

Not only that, but they also obtained a Great Heavenly General Pill.

One word, absolutely!

When a person is in a good mood, they start having all sorts of ideas.

As the saying goes, lustful thoughts arise sooner or later.

This is early in the morning, the time when my second brother is fighting bravely against the enemy.

"Prepare the carriage for Zhaoren Palace."

Before he finished speaking, he strode quickly toward Zhaoren Palace.

In no time, Zhu Houcong arrived at Zhaoren Palace. As soon as he stepped inside, his brows furrowed slightly, and his voice carried a hint of displeasure.

"Where is Consort Hui?"

Lady Yue glanced at Zhu Houcong and saw his uncertain expression. She immediately understood that he suspected her of secretly interfering and ousting Consort Hui from Zhaoren Palace.

Her heart tightened, and she quickly explained softly.

"Your Majesty, we are currently in a period of national mourning, and all the ladies of the palace must wear plain clothes and fast."

"Consort Hui is very proper; she returned to her palace the day before yesterday to observe mourning."

"I see."

Zhu Houcong suddenly realized that he had forgotten that it was the period of national mourning for the Empress, and a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

"That's a pity."

Seeing that Zhu Houcong's expression had softened, Yue felt relieved, but then asked in confusion.

"I wonder what important matter Your Majesty wishes to discuss with you at Zhaoren Palace today?"

"how?"

Zhu Houcong suddenly frowned, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure.

"Is it forbidden for me to come to Zhaoren Palace?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not presume. I am overjoyed that Your Majesty has come."

She quickly curtsied and then went to give instructions to the palace maids.

"Your Majesty, I'll have some refreshments prepared immediately..."

Before she could finish speaking, Zhu Houcong had already wrapped his arm around her slender waist and whispered in her ear with a smile, "No need for that."

"I came today because I wanted to try this 'dessert' from my beloved concubine."

As he spoke, his fingers had already untied the silk sash around her waist, startling Yue Shi into a soft cry.

"Your Majesty, we are currently in a period of national mourning; we must not break the established procedures!"

"National mourning?"

"That would be great!"

An hour later, Yue's hair was disheveled and her eyes were sparkling.

She placed her hands on Zhu Houcong's chest, her body went limp, and her breath was sweet as orchids.

"Your Majesty... The Empress... Her Majesty has passed away for some time... The affairs of the inner palace are numerous and complicated... There must be someone in charge... someone to manage them..."

She raised her watery eyes and asked haltingly.

"I wonder if Your Majesty... has... a candidate in mind?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong slowly opened his eyes and looked at her with a deep gaze.

Startled by that glance, Yue paused in her movements, but still managed to maintain her seductive demeanor and speak in a soft voice.

"I was just thinking that there should be a sister to share Your Majesty's burdens..."

"Oh?"

Zhu Houcong suddenly reached out and pinched Yue's chin, asking with a half-smile.

"My beloved consort, who do you think I should make empress?"

Yue's heart skipped a beat, a hint of panic flashed across her face, which quickly turned into shyness.

"Your Majesty... How dare I speak so presumptuously..."

"hehe!"

Zhu Houcong's tone suddenly turned cold.

"You're already so eager to please me on this imperial bed, aren't you just impatient to become the empress?"

Startled by this sudden and fierce attack, Yue trembled all over, and her previous seductive demeanor vanished.

Zhu Houcong sneered and shoved her away abruptly.

"What I hate most is a woman who thinks she's so clever!"

Caught off guard, Yue was pushed down onto the brocade quilt, her face turning deathly pale instantly.

She hurriedly propped herself up and said in a trembling voice.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong!"

Seeing that Zhu Houcong remained unmoved with a cold face, she glanced around and, as if suddenly remembering something, said in a coquettish manner.

"Your Majesty used to... love seeing me in that pink gauze dress the most..."

"Your Majesty, may I go and change right away... to apologize?"

Zhu Houcong was quite impatient. He suddenly stood up and glanced at Yue Shi.

"So delicate and pink, how old are you now?"

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over her head, and the fawning expression on Yue's face instantly froze.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She could only watch helplessly as Zhu Houcong strode away without looking back.

The palace door slammed shut with a bang, causing the candlelight on the table to flicker violently.

Chapter 89 Let’s discuss our own issues

A talent show is a must!

After Zhu Houcong stepped out of Zhaoren Palace, this idea became clearer and clearer in his mind.

Indeed, one cannot be too lenient with people like the Yue family, otherwise they will become increasingly unruly.

They were merely friends like Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, yet she dared to dream of becoming the empress!

If they were to succeed, wouldn't the Crown Prince become the legitimate heir?

I will reign for another forty-five years. How can I tolerate this crown prince completely securing his position?

Ultimately, how can a prince reign for seventy years?

I'm afraid that when the time comes, the Crown Prince's faction will push him to the throne no matter what!

Anyone can be chosen as empress, except for the Yue family!

Thinking of this, Zhu Houcong suddenly had a few ideas in mind, and then turned his feet toward Consort Hui's palace.

Her interest had not yet been quelled by Yue's interference, and now the nameless fire in her heart was burning fiercely, desperately needing to find a gentle haven to calm it down.

As soon as I stepped into Consort Hui's palace, I heard several palace maids in the corridor say that Consort Jing had also arrived.

Zhu Houcong paused, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

During the period of national mourning, one should stay at home and observe a period of fasting. Why is Consort Jing so restless?

He raised his hand to stop the eunuch who was about to announce the news, signaling everyone to be quiet.

He stood with his hands behind his back outside the palace gate, peering inside through the cracks in the window.

The flickering candlelight inside the hall illuminated two beautiful figures sitting opposite each other.

Consort Jing said gently, "Sister, you must remember to take the prescription from last time on time, otherwise conceiving a royal heir will not be so easy."

Upon hearing this, Consort Hui sighed softly, her slender fingers unconsciously stroking her flat stomach.

"If the Emperor hadn't kept nagging me, I wouldn't have wanted to suffer like this."

She paused, then smiled wryly, "Those medicinal soups were really, really bitter."

"My sister is deeply favored by the Emperor; it's truly the envy of everyone."

Upon hearing this, Consort Hui's face showed even more distress.

"Silly sister, men are all fickle, especially an emperor who rules the world!"

She suddenly lowered her voice and said, "We are sisters, so I won't hide anything from you."

"Now that the position of Empress is vacant, the only one in the harem who can rival me is that vixen Yue."

Consort Jing paused slightly in her hand, holding her fan: "Does Sister intend to vie for the Empress's position?"

"If we could use the joyous news of her pregnancy with the emperor's child to please His Majesty..."

A barely perceptible glint of ambition flashed in Consort Hui's eyes, but she quickly regained her gentle demeanor.

"There might still be a chance for that phoenix position."

"Then I, your younger sister, wish you all your dreams come true."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

At this moment, Consort Hui spoke up again, "Sister, have you heard? Next month, Southern Chu will send a marriage proposal delegation to the court!"

"Southern Chu?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Consort Jing's eyes. "Is this a marriage alliance with my Great Liang?"

"But there are no princesses of marriageable age in the palace right now!"

"Who says it has to be a princess sent there in marriage? I heard that Southern Chu is planning to send a princess this time!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong, who was outside the door, frowned slightly, only then recalling that it was indeed true.

The Southern Chu had already sent a document, but I was too busy and forgot about it.

And such a plot does indeed exist in the drama.

When Yuwen Lin, the Prince of Sheng of Southern Chu, was still young, he was once held hostage in Daliang.

Who would have thought that he would secretly fall in love with Princess Liyang at the time.

Even more shockingly, Princess Liyang secretly became pregnant with Yuwen Lin's child.

It should be understood that if the princess became pregnant out of wedlock and was a hostage from an enemy country, this would undoubtedly become a sensational royal scandal that would shake the world.

Therefore, in her fury, the Empress Dowager banished Yuwen Lin from Daliang overnight.