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

He had just been speculating that Emperor Liang's purpose in bestowing upon him the title of Prince of Five Pearls was to seize his military power, but now that thought vanished.

If they really wanted to weaken him, why would they have betrothed Princess Nihuang, who commanded 100,000 soldiers, to him?

Why not?

Zhu Houcong bent down to help Xiao Jingyan up and said earnestly.

"You are my son, and it is your duty to share my burdens."

"To tell you the truth, that girl Nihuang has always been a source of worry for me."

"Both of your elder brothers are married. Besides you, who else can share my burdens? You are my son, and I trust you."

Although he said that, Zhu Houcong was secretly sneering.

Mei Changsu, oh Mei Changsu.

I want to see what you will do when you find that the woman you love most is to be betrothed to the brother you intend to serve.

If the goal is to help Prince Jing strengthen his power, marrying Princess Nihuang would be the best choice.

But would you, Mei Changsu, personally send your woman away?

Even if he were to give her away, given Prince Jing's personality, he would absolutely never marry his brother's woman.

To refuse to marry is to deceive the emperor.

How will Mei Changsu persuade him then?

Zhu Houcong was already eager to see this good show.

Xiao Jingyan was rendered speechless by these "heart-to-heart" words.

His Adam's apple bobbed up and down several times before he finally managed to open his mouth with difficulty.

"Your Majesty... Your subject has no feelings for Princess Nihuang, and I humbly request Your Majesty to rescind your decree."

Zhu Houcong slapped him hard on the shoulder, the force so great that the armor made a dull thud.

"Silly child, royal marriages are never about mutual affection."

He lowered his voice, but everyone in the hall could hear him clearly.

"I have already set up a martial arts contest at Yingfeng Tower to choose a husband. If you don't participate, are you just going to stand by and watch those barbarians from Northern Yan marry a first-rank military marquis from my Great Liang?"

Seeing that Xiao Jingyan was still about to refuse, Zhu Houcong continued.

"I urgently summoned you back to the capital so that you could preside over the arena. If the person from Northern Yan is the ultimate victor, not only will Great Liang lose face, but Princess Nihuang will also have to be married off to a harsh and cold land."

"How can you be so heartless?"

"I…"

Xiao Jingyan's fists clenched so tightly at his sides that they cracked.

Yes!

Are we really going to just stand by and watch Xiao Shu's beloved woman marry a foreigner?

No!

We must not allow her to fall into the hands of others!

A gilded candlestick not far away suddenly burst into flame, making the resolute look in his eyes even clearer.

"Your subject...accepts the decree."

A satisfied smile spread across Zhu Houcong's face.

At the same time, glancing at the gloomy faces of the Crown Prince and Prince Yu out of the corner of his eye, he felt even more delighted.

Didn't you want to win over the newly promoted Prince of Five Pearls?

Now that he's going to marry Nihuang, let's see how you guys can still pretend to be brothers!

He knew his two sons' thoughts all too well.

The title of Prince can be tolerated, but if Xiao Jingyan truly gains the support of 100,000 iron cavalry from Yunnan, then I'm sorry, even brothers aren't immune to the possibility of death.

Zhu Houcong was well aware of this, and he would not allow Nihuang to actually marry Xiao Jingyan.

If that day ever comes, all you need to do is reveal to Xiao Jingyan that "Mei Changsu is Lin Shu".

Given his brotherly affection for Lin Shu, how could he possibly marry his best friend's sweetheart?

Jie Jie Jie!

I want to see how you, Xiao Jingyan, will choose when the time comes.

Mei Changsu, Xiao Jingyan, watch how I'll torment you to death.

"Cough cough..."

Thinking of this, Zhu Houcong couldn't help but cough twice to cover his smile, but he couldn't hide the sinister look in his eyes.

Upon seeing this, Consort Hui quickly stepped forward with a cup of warm tea and asked softly, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

"It's alright."

Zhu Houcong took the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

"You three may leave now. Remember to visit Jingting."

"Your subject takes his leave."

Watching the three figures disappear into the distance, Zhu Houcong laughed and said, "Look, Jingyan is back, and Jingting's leg is healed too."

"Our whole family is finally reunited."

Consort Yue's eyes sparkled as she said sweetly, "Indeed, but Jingyan is such a straightforward boy; I was worried he might offend His Majesty."

As she spoke, she subtly moved closer to Zhu Houcong.

"Oh?"

Zhu Houcong raised an eyebrow at her, a half-smile on his face.

"My beloved concubine is now behaving like a proper concubine."

"I was just trying to share Your Majesty's burdens."

Zhu Houcong laughed and pulled her close around her slender waist.

"If you could give me another little prince, that would be the best way to relieve my burden."

Consort Yue nestled into his arms.

"Then Your Majesty, why don't you move to Zhaoren Palace today? I've recently acquired a Persian cat that can do somersaults; it's so interesting!"

"well!"

Zhu Houcong nodded repeatedly, then turned to Consort Hui: "And you, my beloved consort?"

Consort Hui blushed instantly, twisting her handkerchief between her fingers: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

She hesitated, her eyes filled with both anticipation and a touch of shyness.

Even for the sake of Jingting's future, she had to compete for his favor.

Moreover, Zhu Houcong was exceptionally brave and skilled in martial arts, wielding a spear even more skillfully than Zhao Yun.

Who wouldn't love such a fierce general?

However, being the dignified woman she always was, she simply couldn't bring herself to say something as explicit as Consort Yue.

Zhu Houcong looked left and right, a smile gradually spreading across his face, as an even more absurd idea came to mind.

Chapter 14 Establishment of the Imperial Horse Administration

As the saying goes, Wu Song fought the tiger with great skill and courage.

The current Emperor Zhu Houcong of the Great Liang Dynasty is twice as brave as Wu Song.

If he didn't become emperor, but instead joined Liangshan Mountain, he could still become the leader.

At dawn the next day, Zhu Houcong stepped out of Zhaoren Palace feeling refreshed. Behind him, in his sleeping quarters, Consort Yue and Consort Hui were still fast asleep.

He squinted and looked in the direction of Yingfeng Tower.

Today is the first test of the martial arts contest to choose a husband, but he has no interest in going to watch the competition.

After all, every step of this grand scheme had been meticulously planned by that brilliant strategist.

The plot of the original novel flashed through Zhu Houcong's mind.

Mei Changsu first sent his subordinate Baili Qi to impersonate an envoy from Northern Yan and sweep through the arena.

He then publicly declared that "it would only take three children to defeat this person," causing an uproar among the audience.

Finally, Bailiqi feigned defeat and took the opportunity to rescue Xiao Tingsheng from the inner palace.

What a brilliant scheme!

Zhu Houcong sneered and turned his gaze to the heavy military tally in his hand.

After dismissing everyone, he flicked his finger, and the black iron weapon talisman flew into the air, drawing an arc in the void.

Then he flicked his long sleeves.

Clang!

A crimson sword aura appeared like a startled swan.

As the sword flashed, the military tally snapped in two, the two halves falling to the bluestone ground with a clear, ringing sound.

The cut was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting Zhu Houcong's cold and stern features.

"Call Chen Chun here."

"Slave, go now."

Before long, Chen Chun bowed and entered the hall, his forehead almost touching the ground.

"This servant greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well."

"Get up!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Houcong casually tossed out a martial arts golden pill that shimmered with golden light.

"Here you go, it's a reward for you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Chun hurriedly caught it, only to feel a burning sensation in his palm.

The golden pill swirled in his palm with a gilded halo, and the medicinal fragrance it emitted made every pore on his body open up.

This... could this be the martial arts elixir that Cao Zhichun ate?

Thinking of this, Chen Chun's hands trembled uncontrollably.

"Indeed, this is the Golden Core of Martial Arts."

Zhu Houcong looked at him with a half-smile, as if he could see right through him.

"Take it."

"This servant kowtows to thank my master for his heavenly grace!"

Chen Chun held the golden elixir in both hands, his fingertips trembling slightly with excitement.

The golden pill felt warm and smooth to the touch, with a crimson light seemingly flowing between its veins.

The medicinal fragrance made every pore on his body relax.

He took a deep breath and eagerly swallowed the golden pill.

This elixir is incredibly effective, capable of instantly elevating an ordinary person to the ranks of a sixth-grade martial artist.

He was already at the fifth rank, so if he took it…

Chen Chun unconsciously swallowed.

The moment the golden elixir entered his stomach, Chen Chun's whole body trembled violently!

boom!