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

"Once I conquer Southern Chu, I'll let you go home."

"A married woman will always have to return to her parents' home to visit them."

Yuwen Nian's face immediately turned red with anger.

"You... shameless!"

"Shh, don't speak, open your mouth..."

...

Chapter 103 Don’t fight anymore

Just as Zhu Houcong was intently teaching Yuwen Nian to practice yoga, patiently correcting every detail of her movements.

Inside Yang Liuxin, one of the three great brothels of Jinling, a meticulously planned assassination plot is slowly unfolding.

He Wenxin, the only son of He Jingzhong, the Minister of Personnel, was a spoiled brat who relied on his father's power to act recklessly and was a regular at the three major brothels.

As soon as he arrived at Yangliuxin, he loudly proclaimed that he wanted the twin sisters Xin Yang and Xin Liu, the top courtesans of Yangliuxin, to serve him.

However, the madam told them that the two sisters, Xin Yang and Xin Liu, were ill and unable to receive guests.

He Wenxin didn't believe the madam's words and insisted on barging in to look for her.

Just as he stepped onto the stairs to the second floor, a beautiful figure suddenly appeared before him.

She is Gong Yu, the top courtesan of Miaoyin Pavilion.

She appeared to be passing by by chance, but in reality, she had been waiting there for a long time.

"Miss Gong Yu, why are you here at Willow Heart instead of at Miaoyin Pavilion?"

He Wenxin squinted, greedily sizing up the beauty before him.

Gong Yu took a half-step back without showing any emotion, and bowed slightly, saying, "My two younger sisters, Xin Yang and Xin Liu, have caught a cold, so I've come to visit them."

"Meeting is fate!"

He Wenxin said, reaching out and placing his hand on Gong Yu's, his eyes gleaming with lewd light.

"How about I accompany you tonight for drinks and moon-gazing?"

As he spoke, he reached out to tug at Gong Yu's sleeve.

Gong Yu, who was also skilled in martial arts, nimbly dodged the attack with a quick turn of her feet, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Very well, in that case, please wait a moment, Young Master He, while I change my clothes and then come back to keep you company."

After saying that, she gracefully walked towards the side room on the second floor.

How could He Wenxin, that lecherous fiend, let such an opportunity slip by?

He crept up behind her, intending to break down the door while Gong Yu was changing clothes.

Just as he stealthily approached the door, he suddenly heard Gong Yu talking to her maid inside.

"Sister, I just heard that Miss Xinliu and Miss Xinyang are upstairs in the private room of the highest tier, enjoying tea and music with Young Master Qiu?"

Gong Yu gently touched her temples, noticing someone eavesdropping outside the door, and deliberately raised her voice.

"Yes, Young Master Qiu is a man of great manners, and he and the two young ladies are a match made in heaven."

"Seeing them playing music in perfect harmony fills me with joy as their older sister."

"Sister, you're actually happy for them!"

The young maid feigned indignation, saying, "Young Master Qiu and Sister Xinliu are upstairs reciting poetry and whispering sweet nothings to each other. Why should my sister have to humiliate herself by dealing with that scoundrel surnamed He!"

"Sisters should naturally help each other."

Gong Yu continued, "He Wenxin, relying on his family background, has been competing with Young Master Qiu for years. He really doesn't know how shameless he is."

"If it weren't for Sister Xin Yang's gentle nature and her constant attempts to dissuade and stop him, Young Master Qiu would have already dealt with him given his temper..."

The two men were stirring things up in the room, their words escalating until He Wenxin outside the door turned ashen-faced.

His clenched fists bulged with veins, and his eyes burned with rage.

It turns out that Xinliu and Xinyang were not sick at all, but were having sex with Qiu Ze, the son of Wen Yuanbo.

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

He shoved aside the guests blocking his way, rushed up to the third floor, and kicked open the door to the top-class private room.

Sure enough, the first thing I saw upon entering was Qiu Ze drinking with the Xin Liu and Xin Yang sisters.

Without saying a word, he grabbed the wine jug on the table and smashed it at Qiu Ze.

The two men wrestled in full view of everyone, and the private room was thrown into chaos.

"Stop it! Stop fighting! You won't kill anyone if you keep fighting like this."

"Yes! Young Master He, please stop hitting him! It'll be a laughing stock if you keep going!"

Xin Yang and Xin Liu exchanged a glance, knowing that the plan had succeeded, and quickly tried to mediate the fight.

Upon hearing this, He Wenxin became even more furious.

In the midst of the fight, he grabbed a heavy celadon jar and, without thinking, swung it at Qiu Ze's head.

Qiu Ze could have easily dodged, but at the crucial moment, he suddenly felt a numbness in his leg.

Because Gong Yu, hidden in the shadows, flicked his fingertips, a pebble struck precisely behind his knee.

The next second, Qiu Ze's legs went weak and his body froze.

With a muffled thud, the celadon jar slammed solidly onto the top of his head.

Blood spurted out immediately.

The private room fell into a deathly silence.

Qiu Ze stared wide-eyed, then slowly collapsed to the ground in disbelief, twitching a few times before becoming still.

He Wenxin was also stunned on the spot.

"Murder...murder!"

Suddenly, someone screamed, and the entire Willow Heart erupted in chaos.

Gong Yu, meanwhile, calmly and quietly slipped away into the chaotic crowd…

Zhu Houcong fought until dawn, and looking at the sleeping Yuwen Nian, he couldn't help but feel emotional.

She was indeed completely different from Consort Hui and the others.

He was in grave danger several times when they met on a narrow path.

Gee!

Ninety-nine percent, rare item!

As soon as he returned to his study, Yan Song bowed and hurried to greet him, holding a secret memorial in both hands.

"My lord, the Eastern Depot's secret report for today has arrived."

Zhu Houcong then began to read the secret memorial and watch the drama unfold.

Nowadays, the Eastern Depot's informants are like a spider web, covering every corner of the capital.

From the six ministries to teahouses in the streets, from the mansions of princes to brothels and gambling dens, the Eastern Depot had spies everywhere.

Inside, the movements of the officials yesterday were recorded in tiny, meticulous characters.

An official secretly meets with his lover at an inn, and a businessman stumbles upon a famous painting at a bargain price.

Everything they see or hear, down to the smallest detail, is included.

Although Zhu Houcong had a puppet like Zhuque as his eyes and ears while he was in the palace, he was ultimately powerless in the vast capital city.

Only by relying on these agents of the Eastern Depot could he keep the entire capital under his control.

Zhu Houcong's eyes narrowed as his gaze swept over the words "Yang Liuxin's murder case" on the secret memorial.

I suddenly understood.

This must be Mei Changsu making a move again.

In the drama, because Qiu Ze killed Xin Yang and Xin Liu's thirteen-year-old younger brother, they embarked on a revenge mission under Gong Yu's arrangement.

Through the hands of the纨绔 (playboy) He Wenxin, Qiu Ze was eliminated.

interesting!

"Go, have the Eastern Depot immediately present the latest developments in the Yang Liuxin murder case."

"Yes, sir!"

Yan Song bowed and withdrew, then returned hastily shortly afterward with a secret memorial.

Zhu Houcong unfolded the secret memorial and continued to observe the situation.

Just like in the drama, Gao Sheng, the Prefect of Jingzhao, was indeed in a dilemma, after all, on one side was He Jingzhong, the Minister of Personnel who held great power, and on the other side was the hereditary Marquis of Wenyuan.

This old fox was clever; he immediately detained He Wenxin.

They dared not show favoritism, nor did they dare to treat others harshly.

The next second, Zhu Houcong's gaze sharpened, and he saw that the secret memorial clearly stated He Jingzhong's request to see Prince Yu.

This old bastard!!!

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Houcong's eyes, which then relaxed.

Whatever.

Let them fight like dogs!

With Mei Changsu's help, He Jingzhong was brought down.

It would be even more exciting if Qi Min could be dragged into the mess, just like in the drama.

Prince Yu's influence in the Six Ministries is indeed too great, and it's time to reduce it.

Chapter 104 Little...Little Grand Secretary?

"My lord, if I may be so bold, this Lord He is over fifty years old when he had this only son, and he dotes on him very much."

"Now that this has happened, they probably won't confess easily... Should we have the Eastern Depot keep an eye on them secretly?"

Yan Song asked cautiously.

Zhu Houcong stared at the secret report and snorted coldly.

"You're right about one thing: this He Wenxin is a real scoundrel."

"At such a young age, instead of serving the court, he indulges in wine and women all day long and revels every night."

"Just because he has a father who is the Minister of Personnel, he thinks he's so arrogant!"

He suddenly stood up, his dragon eyes filled with power, and spoke with righteous indignation.

"Even though I am the Son of Heaven and possess the entire land, I have never been as addicted to wine and women as he is!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Song immediately replied respectfully, "Your Majesty is diligent in governing and loves the people, working tirelessly day and night, which is truly a blessing for all the people."

"That He Wenxin is nothing but an arrogant and ignorant spoiled brat; how could he possibly be compared to our master?"

Zhu Houcong found Yan Song's flattery particularly pleasing.

At this moment, both of them tacitly forgot about Zhu Houcong's lewd behavior in broad daylight the day before.

Yup!

How could I, with my wisdom and might, compare myself to that worthless bastard He Wenxin?

However, I've heard that Miss Gong Yu is indeed an absolute beauty...

In just a short while, Zhu Houcong's cerebellum began to take control of his brain again.