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

It's obvious to everyone that His Majesty is backing Qi Min up.

He was demoted and then immediately joined the cabinet.

This is clearly telling everyone that everything is up to me; I can fight or promote anyone!

The aroma of tea wafted through the Zheng family's study.

Yan Maoqing took a sip of fragrant tea, a hint of teasing in his smile.

"Brother Zheng, you've miscalculated this time, haven't you?"

Zheng Bichang looked up and stared at Yan Maoqing as if she were looking at an idiot.

"Brother Yan, do you really think so?"

"Isn't that right?"

Yan Maoqing put down his teacup and counted on his fingers, saying, "In the end, this case didn't involve the Crown Prince or Prince Yu at all; all that was done was the death of Yan Que."

"As for Lord Qi Min, although he was flogged fifty times and lost his position as Minister, it is clear to everyone that he is favored by the Emperor!"

"Otherwise, if those fifty strokes of the cane were really applied to someone, it could be fatal."

Yan Maoqing became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke.

"And then what happened?"

"In the blink of an eye, he entered the Grand Secretariat, becoming a Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall, taking another step closer to the Emperor!"

"This ending is completely different from what Brother Zheng originally predicted!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Bichang remained silent, a look of disdain flashing in her eyes.

This idiot can only see the immediate gains and losses, but he can't see the future.

He had long anticipated that Qi Min, as a civil official in the outer court, would inevitably meet a bad end by cooperating with Yan Song in this way.

There's no need to explain these things to an idiot.

Seeing that he remained silent, Yan Maoqing felt a sense of satisfaction and a look of pleasure appeared in his eyes.

I gave so much silver to ask for your advice last time, but I never expected that I would be so mistaken.

The person in front of me is nothing but a pretty face pretending to be a big shot!

However, he didn't forget his main task.

Suppressing his contempt, he finally revealed the purpose of his visit.

"Brother Zheng, shall we discuss the matter of that sum of money in the Qingguo case again?"

Chapter 100 This time, I'll make Qi Min perish in there too.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Bichang suddenly slapped her forehead, as if she had just realized something.

"Oh dear, Brother Yan, I'm so sorry."

"I suddenly remembered that I still have a few urgent official documents to process..."

He stood up as he spoke, clearly intending to see the guest out.

Yan Maoqing's expression immediately turned somewhat ugly.

How could he not see that this was just an excuse?

In my mind, I cursed Zheng Bichang a thousand times over.

At this moment, Zheng Bichang had already reached the door of the study and even opened the door for him.

Not only did he always have a smile on his face, but he also spoke with perfect tact.

"Brother Yan, I will definitely pay you a visit another day so we can discuss things in more detail."

Having said all that, Yan Maoqing couldn't stay any longer.

His face was ashen, he gave a heavy, cold snort, and turned to leave.

Zheng Bichang quickly stepped forward, feigning concern, and said, "Brother Yan, please take care. I won't see you off any further."

As soon as Yan Maoqing's figure disappeared outside the mansion gate, Zheng Bichang's smile vanished instantly.

He shook his head and let out a long sigh of relief.

Luckily, I reacted quickly and got rid of this idiot.

At the same time, he secretly made up his mind.

I must never associate with such a fool who doesn't know his own limits again, otherwise I'll be harmed by him sooner or later!

Yan Maoqing had just turned the corner when he suddenly turned back and began to curse loudly.

"Pah! You despicable person!"

He gritted his teeth and said, "I refuse to believe that I can't handle this without you, Zheng Bichang!"

After saying that, he slunk away.

In this bombing incident, Yu Bozhong may have only lost Yan Que, but in reality, the other forces also suffered heavy losses.

On the Eastern Palace side, Xie Yu was fortunate enough to survive, but he was severely weakened.

All ten fingernails had been plucked out, and there wasn't a single piece of good flesh left on his body.

When this old fox was released from prison, he had lost all his former swagger.

His back was hunched, and he could barely walk properly, looking like a frail old man.

Most importantly, he not only lost the position of commander of the Imperial Guards that he had just obtained, but also had his patrol battalion, which he had built up over many years, stripped of its power by the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Although he still holds the title of a second-rank military marquis, he is in reality a tiger with its teeth pulled.

The situation wasn't much better for Prince Yu.

Qi Min received fifty strokes of the cane, which appeared to be a demotion but was actually a promotion, though undercurrents were brewing beneath the surface.

Although he entered the cabinet, he was gradually isolated within the civil service.

His colleagues looked at him with a sense of distance and wariness.

This Vice Minister of Justice now seems to be standing on the edge of a cliff; if he is not careful, he will be pushed into the abyss.

Even Prince Yu now feels disgusted when he sees Qi Min.

He knew, of course, that if he continued to get too close to Qi Min, he would incur the resentment of more civil officials.

However, Qi Min held great power in the Ministry of Justice and was an indispensable general in his court.

So now he's like someone who's taken a stimulant for his thesis defense.

Even though it felt incredibly disgusting, I had no choice but to keep eating.

Even if he were to abandon Qi Min now, those officials who had received favors from the Yan family would never turn to his side.

Those people had already rallied behind Prince Jing.

A few days ago, Prince Yu had considered doing what Prince Jing did and forcing the emperor to abdicate.

But in the end, he didn't have the guts.

I've just cleaned up this mess myself, I can't afford to anger my father again.

But Prince Jing was different.

His upright and unyielding nature was known throughout the court, so it was only natural that he would do something so outspoken and daring.

Although he lost the emperor's favor as a result, he won the support of a large number of officials.

Prince Jing's power in the court has suddenly increased dramatically.

"Your Highness, please save me!" Qi Min pleaded pitifully.

Upon hearing this, Prince Yu slammed his hand on the table.

What can I say to you?!

He pointed at Qi Min's nose and scolded her with exasperation, "Yan Song is going to kill someone, why are you getting involved?"

Qi Min shrank back and stammered, "This humble official was also confused for a moment."

"Confused?"

"The son of Grand Tutor Yan, Marquis Yan, who enjoyed immense prestige among the literati, was humiliated to death by you all!"

"As the saying goes, killing someone is just a matter of beheading them, but you two have to do such a despicable thing!"

"Now, among all the officials in the court, who would even give you a second glance?"

He got angrier and angrier as he talked.

Qi Min's forehead was covered in cold sweat: "This...this was all Yan Song's idea..."

"Can you compare to Yan Song?"

"Yan Song is a lackey of the inner court. No matter how big the storms in the outer court are, they cannot harm him in the slightest."

"But what about you?"

Prince Yu immediately launched into a tirade of curses.

Finally, he rubbed his temples and let out a long sigh.

"That's it... When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out; even the deepest friendships and connections will fade with time."

He stared intently at Qi Min and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"During this time, you better keep a low profile and don't give anyone any leverage against you."

"Your humble servant understands."

Qi Min sighed inwardly.

That’s all.

I hope no one takes this opportunity to mess with me!

Unfortunately it backfired.

Unbeknownst to him, Mei Changsu was plotting how to kill him.

With Yan Que's confession, he was naturally cleared of suspicion.

Therefore, he was also released.

At this time, he was also covered in wounds.

Even his once handsome face was now covered with hideous whip marks.

As soon as he stepped into the mansion, he grabbed Li Gang and questioned him in a hoarse voice.

"Li Gang, why was I suddenly released?"

"This..." Li Gang looked troubled, hesitating to speak.

Nihuang stepped forward and said, "It's not Li Gang's fault. I forced him to reveal the matter of gunpowder."

"If we don't save you now, you'll..."

Upon hearing this, Mei Changsu turned and glared at Princess Nihuang, shouting, "But have you considered that doing this is tantamount to personally forcing Marquis Yan to his death!"

"Lord Yan and my father were like brothers, and I have regarded him as an uncle since childhood. How can I just watch him die?"

As soon as he finished speaking, tears instantly welled up in Nihuang's eyes: "Then you should die in his place?"

She grabbed Mei Changsu's arm.

"The real culprit in the bombing remains unknown, and Yan Hou is the prime suspect. If he doesn't die, you'll be wrongly accused and executed!"

"I can't just watch you die!"

Mei Changsu closed his eyes in pain.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke.

"Nihuang, you are now engaged to Jingyan, so don't come here again."