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

She was even more well-rounded than Yue Shi.

It’s true that people can’t be judged by their appearance!

It pleases me greatly.

Zhu Houcong suddenly said, "My beloved concubine has done a good job. I will reward you handsomely. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Hui, whose eyes were glazed over, suddenly froze.

She quickly replied, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty dares not presume to ask for... a reward."

"I will still reward you. You have always been pure and unattached, never fighting or grabbing, which makes me very pleased."

He paused, and seeing that Consort Hui still looked bewildered, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"I guessed you couldn't think of what reward you wanted right now, so I've decided for you."

Just as Consort Hui was about to express her gratitude, she heard Zhu Houcong continue, "Jingting should also be granted the title of Prince."

These words struck Consort Hui like a thunderbolt, making her tremble.

She suddenly looked at Zhu Houcong, her red lips slightly parted, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, and she even paused for a moment.

What did His Majesty just say?

Because she was so focused while working hard, she even doubted that she had heard correctly.

Over the years, he has watched as other princes have been granted the title of Prince, and some have even received the honor of being a Prince with seven beads.

His own son, however, was always neglected because of his lameness and didn't even have a title.

The child became increasingly self-conscious and locked himself in his residence all day, even refusing to attend palace banquets for fear of being ridiculed.

"Your Majesty...is what you say true?"

Consort Hui's voice trembled even more than before, and tears streamed down her face.

Looking at Consort Hui's appearance, Zhu Houcong felt a pang of pity.

He raised his hand to wipe away the tears that were about to fall from the corner of her eye, and said gently, "Of course it's true."

"I've also prepared a gift for Jingting; I guarantee he'll be pleased."

Consort Hui could no longer hold back, and crystal tears rolled down her cheeks like pearls from a broken string.

"Your Majesty, I... Your Majesty, on behalf of Jingting, thank you for your great kindness."

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly, closed his eyes, and uttered two words.

"Continue~"

The next morning, the air inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Zhu Houcong sat upright at his desk reviewing memorials, while Consort Hui knelt beside him, massaging his shoulders.

Today, Consort Hui wore light makeup, and her pale purple palace dress made her skin look even whiter than yesterday, adding to her captivating charm.

At this moment, the palace door opened slightly, and Yan Song bowed and helped a thin man into the room.

The man walked with a limp; it was none other than the Third Prince, Xiao Jingting.

Years of psychological torment have turned this once spirited prince into a haggard figure, his eyes filled with gloom and timidity, completely devoid of the heroic spirit of a nobleman.

Upon seeing this, Consort Hui paused in her actions, tears of heartache welling up in her eyes.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty and Mother."

Xiao Jingting's voice was barely audible.

Zhu Houcong put down his vermilion brush, his face full of amiable smile.

"Someone, please have a seat."

"Since you have difficulty walking, there's no need for such formalities."

After Xiao Jingting sat down cautiously, Zhu Houcong took out a brocade box from his sleeve and slowly opened it.

Inside the box lay a golden pill, its surface gleaming with an eerie light in the morning sun.

"You've suffered so much all these years. This is the elixir I painstakingly found for you; it can cure all ailments, including your leg disease."

Upon hearing this, Yan Song's eyelids twitched violently.

I thought to myself, "Here we go again!"

Moreover, the effects this time were different from those of the previous two days.

He unconsciously swallowed.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jingting and his mother were too shocked to speak.

"Father, Father Emperor..."

Xiao Jingting couldn't even speak; his withered fingers gripped the chair armrests tightly.

"Is...is this real?"

Zhu Houcong smiled kindly: "Silly child, would I lie to you?"

He sighed deeply, his voice filled with pain.

"Over the years, I have watched you suffer, and it has pained me greatly. I have been secretly sending people everywhere to search for effective medicines."

"Finally, Heaven has eyes, and I have found this elixir."

"Father, it is your unfilial son who has caused you so much worry."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingting could no longer contain his emotions, and tears streamed down his face like beads from a broken string.

This prince, who was already over thirty, was crying like a wronged child.

Years of bitterness and suffering were finally released at this moment.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Houcong's eyes also welled up with tears.

"Alright, alright, it's good that you cried. I know all the grievances you've suffered over the years, I've seen them all."

As he spoke, he wiped the corner of his eye and solemnly pushed the brocade box away.

"Quickly take this pill; I can't wait to see my son walk with the agility of the wind."

Yan Song quickly stepped forward, took the pill, and handed it to Xiao Jingting.

Xiao Jingting was so excited that his hands trembled. He took the pill and swallowed it without hesitation.

Consort Hui nervously clenched her handkerchief, her eyes filled with both expectation and worry.

The hall fell silent for a moment, all eyes focused on Xiao Jingting.

Jingting felt a warm current slide down his throat, which instantly transformed into countless strands of heat that traveled through his limbs and bones.

The warmth grew stronger and stronger, like the gentle warmth of spring sunshine soothing every inch of my body.

The strangest thing was that his crippled leg seemed to be immersed in boiling spring water.

A burning sensation rose from the depths of his bones, giving him an indescribable sense of comfort.

"Lift up your trouser legs, let me see if there's any change," Zhu Houcong said hastily.

Xiao Jingting nodded and quickly lifted up the trouser leg of his lame leg.

Under everyone's gaze, Xiao Jingting's crippled leg, which had been atrophied for many years, was now wriggling, as if a withered tree had come back to life.

The four of them stared wide-eyed; they had never seen such an effective elixir before.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xiao Jingting's crippled leg, which had atrophied for many years, recovered completely at a speed visible to the naked eye.

He reached out and touched his leg, his hands trembling, his eyes filled with disbelief.

After confirming that it was not a hallucination, he suddenly stood up, first taking a few steps cautiously, then jumping and hopping around in the hall, and finally even excitedly spinning around.

"Father! Mother!"

Xiao Jingting's voice grew increasingly agitated.

"My leg is really healed, completely healed! Hahahaha!"

A hearty laugh echoed throughout the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

This prince, who had been gloomy and self-conscious for many years, finally showed the vigor appropriate for his age.

Consort Hui was already in tears and immediately knelt down.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace!"

Upon seeing this, Xiao Jingting immediately knelt down and kowtowed deeply.

"Your son thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness in saving him!"

Zhu Houcong, on the other hand, was all smiles.

"Get up! Get up! You are my own son. If I don't treat you well, who will?"

A meaningful glint flashed in his eyes: "Jingting, it's time for you to be made a king."

He then turned his gaze to Yan Song and said loudly.

"By imperial decree, the Third Prince Xiao Jingting is hereby granted the title of Prince Yu, and bestowed with ten thousand taels of gold and a thousand acres of fertile land. He is to establish his own residence and government office immediately."

The next second, a message entered my mind.

[The son is granted the title of Prince Yu, the role of Emperor Jiajing is added +1, and two Martial Arts Golden Pills are awarded as a reward.]

Chapter 11 Rebellious Sons Gather

The next day, the news that Xiao Jingting had been granted the title of Prince Yu exploded in Jinling City like a thunderclap, shaking the hearts and minds of all the civil and military officials.

Meng Zhi found Mei Changsu immediately.

Mei Changsu was stunned when he heard the news.

His brows were furrowed, and his fingertips tapped lightly on the table.

"Strange, Xiao Jingting has always been neglected due to his leg ailment, so why would His Majesty suddenly bestow a title upon him?"

Meng Zhi leaned closer, seemingly lost in thought.

"Xiao Shu, I heard that His Majesty spent the night at Consort Hui's place last night."

"what?"

A look of shock appeared on Mei Changsu's usually composed face.

"Emperor Liang is already quite old, are you sure the information is accurate?"

Meng Zhi replied solemnly, "Absolutely true."

Mei Changsu slowly got up and walked to the window.

"Strange, so strange."

When the news reached Zhaoren Palace, Consort Yue was doing her makeup.

Upon hearing this, he gritted his teeth, consumed by jealousy.

And suddenly, an overwhelming sense of crisis welled up in my heart.

"Well done, Consort Hui! I thought you were unassuming and didn't fight for anything, but I never expected you to secretly seize the opportunity to win His Majesty's heart. You won't succeed."

After saying that, she suddenly stood up, not even having time to re-tie her hair, and rushed towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation in a fierce manner.

Meanwhile, inside the Prince Yu's residence, Xiao Jinghuan slammed the chess piece he was holding onto the chessboard and hurriedly gave instructions.

"Prepare the sedan chair! We must proceed to the palace immediately!"

Crown Prince Xiao Jingxuan in the Eastern Palace also pushed away the beauty in his arms.

"Change your clothes! I must go see my father!"

This sudden imperial decree bestowing the title of king was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up countless waves.

All factions reacted swiftly upon hearing the news, and the entire imperial city was in turmoil because of this imperial edict.

The first person to arrive at the Hall of Mental Cultivation was Consort Yue. As soon as she entered the hall, she saw Consort Hui massaging Zhu Houcong's back.