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

Xiao Jingyan fought and retreated, his figure moving like a dragon through the palace.

He always narrowly escaped fatal attacks.

The gap between Xiao Jingyan and Bailiqi is just like the gap between Bailiqi and Xiao Jingrui.

Then Xiao Jingyan switched from defense to offense.

After dozens of moves, Xiao Jingyan suddenly seized the opportunity when Bailiqi's punch missed.

With lightning speed, his right hand gripped the wrist and pulled with the force of the movement.

Bailiqi lost his balance and stumbled forward.

Xiao Jingyan spun around and struck him hard in the back with his left elbow.

"snort!"

Bailiqi groaned, but did not fall down.

Instead, he used the momentum to roll over and counterattack with a sweeping leg kick.

Xiao Jingyan leaped into the air and delivered a flying kick straight for Baili Qi's chest.

Bang!

Bailiqi crossed his arms to take the kick head-on, but was so shocked by the impact that he staggered back several steps and his back slammed into a pillar with a thud.

An uproar erupted in the hall.

Bailiqi was breathing heavily, and a serious look finally appeared in his eyes.

He shook his numb arm and suddenly burst into laughter: "His Highness Prince Jing truly lives up to his reputation."

Having said that, he clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, "I concede."

Xiao Jingyan stood still, his python robe not even wrinkled in the slightest.

"You flatter me."

Zhu Houcong clapped his hands and laughed: "Excellent, excellent! Jingyan's martial arts have improved so much, I am very pleased."

His gaze swept over the assembled officials, finally settling on the Northern Yan delegation.

"It seems the so-called warriors of Northern Yan are nothing special after all!"

The Northern Yan envoy looked extremely grim and immediately led Bailiqi away from the palace.

Zhu Houcong's gaze then slowly turned to Princess Nihuang, his eyes filled with an irresistible sense of pressure.

He asked slowly and deliberately, "Nihuang, how is Jingyan's strength?"

Princess Nihuang's knuckles tightened slightly, and her lips were pressed into a thin line.

His eyes swirled with emotion, yet he ultimately remained silent.

She knew better than anyone that Xiao Jingyan had been a martial arts prodigy since childhood.

Even though she ranks high on the Langya List, in a real fight, she might not be able to last a hundred moves against him.

Seeing her silence, Zhu Houcong's smile deepened, and he made the final decision.

"In that case, there's no need to continue the competition. Jingyan is the winner. Does anyone have any objections?"

"No objection. His Highness Prince Jing's strength is outstanding, and he deserves the title of champion!"

"Yes, we are ashamed of our inferiority and admit defeat!"

The top ten experts echoed this sentiment respectfully.

His Majesty has already made the decision unilaterally; who would dare to invite trouble?

Zhu Houcong nodded in satisfaction, his gaze returning to Nihuang, his tone gentle yet brooking no refusal.

"Nihuang, why don't you step in now and personally test Jingyan's martial arts skills?"

He would never give her a chance to delay, much less give her the opportunity to settle accounts with Xiao Jingyan in private.

Before the two of them can react, let's make it official!

Nihuang's fingertips trembled slightly. After a long silence, she finally whispered.

“I am no match for Prince Jing.”

Zhu Houcong laughed loudly and clapped his hands, saying, "Good! Since that's the case, the matter is settled."

“Jingyan is a prince of the Five Pearls of my Great Liang, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and handsome. Nihuang, you are also a woman who is no less capable than men. I think the two of you are a perfect match, a match made in heaven.”

As he spoke, he turned to look at Yan Song, his tone light and cheerful: "Yan Song, when is the most auspicious day recently?"

Yan Song understood perfectly; he had long known that Emperor Liang would not allow Xiao Jingyan to actually marry Nihuang.

After all, Mei Changsu was right.

If Xiao Jingyan's power increases significantly, it will not be a good thing for Emperor Liang's country.

Asking him now is just telling him to drag things out!

He quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it is already late winter. If we want to choose an auspicious day, the earliest we can do so is next summer."

Zhu Houcong frowned slightly, as if he had some regret.

He sighed and said, "Alright, let's tentatively set it for next summer."

"You two should take this opportunity to get to know each other better."

The emperor's words are as powerful as imperial edicts.

The marriage is settled, and there is no turning back.

After the banquet at Fengtian Hall ended, Princess Nihuang stopped Xiao Jingyan as soon as she stepped out of the palace gate.

"Xiao Jingyan, you really impressed me today in the main hall!" Princess Nihuang mocked.

"What do you mean by that?" Xiao Jingyan asked, puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

Nihuang sneered, her eyes filled with disdain.

I want to ask you, do you think your actions today are worthy of Lin Shu's trust?

Chapter 21 The Crown Prince is unfit for important tasks; you should encourage him.

"One must not deceive one's brother's wife."

As they turned past the palace wall, Nihuang's voice, cold as frost, drifted over, each word sharp and piercing.

Xiao Jingyan stiffened slightly and stopped in place.

Looking up, I saw her standing in front of the palace gate, her eyes as cold as ice.

"Has His Highness Prince Jing completely forgotten Lin Shu after what he did today in the Fengtian Hall?"

"How could I possibly forget Xiao Shu!"

Xiao Jingyan's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly tried to explain.

"It's all for Xiao Shucai—"

"For Xiao Shu?"

Nihuang interrupted Xiao Jingyan loudly, her eyes flashing even colder.

She walked slowly forward, her blue skirt brushing against the jade steps, each step seeming to touch the heart.

"Xiao Jingyan, you disgust me."

"Back then, I made a vow with Lin Shu to grow old together, with heaven and earth as our witness. Now, Lin Shu's body is not even cold, and you are asking His Majesty for my hand in marriage."

"If Lin Shu could know this in the afterlife, he would certainly not let you off the hook."

"you--"

Xiao Jingyan felt a tightness in his chest, and a surge of anger welled up in his heart.

I did all this for you and Xiaoshu, why can't you understand me?

"Do you really not understand what happened in the palace today?"

"If I don't intervene, Bailiqi will surely win the championship, and then you will have to marry far away to Northern Yan."

"Does Xiao Shu's spirit in heaven truly wish to see his beloved submit to the enemy, suffering beneath another's legs...?"

Snapped!

Before he could finish speaking, Nihuang slapped him hard across the face.

A crisp sound rang out in front of the empty palace gate.

Xiao Jingyan tilted his head, his cheek burning with pain, and a trace of crimson blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

His pupils dilated rapidly, his face filled with disbelief.

Nihuang's hands trembled, her eyes blazing with fury. She gritted her teeth and said, "Xiao Jingyan, you are shameless!"

Xiao Jingyan slowly raised his hand to wipe the blood from his lips, then suddenly chuckled softly.

That smile carried a chilling undertone.

"rest assured."

He took a step back, his tone as cold as iron.

"I, Xiao Jingyan, have acted with a clear conscience before Heaven and man, and naturally I will not fail Xiao Shu."

"I have absolutely no interest in you, and even if we were to marry, I would never lay a finger on you."

Having said that, he turned and strode away.

Nihuang stood still, her chest heaving violently, her nails digging deep into her palms, yet she felt no pain whatsoever.

Xiao Jingyan did not leave the palace, but instead strode quickly toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

At this moment, inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhu Houcong was leaning against a soft couch with dragon patterns, playing with the elixir he had obtained from the Hall of Heavenly Worship that day.

Under the glow of the gilded candlestick, the three pills in my hand gleamed with different colors.

[Youth-Preserving Pill:]

This elixir was crafted by a celestial flower fairy using the Jade Pool Dew as a guide and gathering the essence of hundreds of flowers.

After taking this elixir, one can preserve one's muscles and bones in their prime and maintain one's appearance at its most beautiful.

This pill can only be taken once in a lifetime; taking more will have no effect.

The color-fixing pill is as lustrous as pink jade, with patterns resembling layered flower petals.

In addition to the Youth-Preserving Pill, he once again obtained the Golden Elixir of Medicine, which could cure all diseases.

The third one is the remaining martial arts golden pill from the last one.

In just a few days, they reaped a great harvest.

A flash of excitement crossed Zhu Houcong's eyes, which was replaced by a deep look of contemplation.

How can one best play the role of "Jiajing" to reap greater benefits?

He slowly got up, put his hands behind his back, and walked to the window.

Emperor Jiajing of history did not attend court for more than 20 years, yet he firmly controlled the court.

Yan Song and his son controlled the government, and the upright officials and those from poor families suffered severe suppression.

This emperor, however, hid deep in the palace practicing Taoism and alchemy, coldly observing the power struggles among his ministers.

"If you're going to act, then act thoroughly."

A sharp glint flashed in Zhu Houcong's eyes.

"The Jiajing Emperor reigned for forty-five years. If I could also sit firmly on this throne for forty-five years, I might truly become an immortal."

He decided that, starting today, he would learn from the character of "Jiajing"—suspicious, sinister, and capricious.

It has become the number one non-stick pan in Daliang.