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

These words were like a sharp blade, piercing Nihuang's heart.

Nihuang staggered back a step, tears silently streaming down her face.

She opened her mouth, but said nothing, and turned to leave the Su residence.

Mei Changsu stood there, watching Nihuang's retreating figure, and suddenly coughed violently.

"How exactly did Marquis Yan die?"

Li Gang sighed softly, "He was... torn apart by six horses."

"Dismembered by six horses?"

With red eyes, Li Gang recounted the entire story of how Marquis Yan entered the palace to assassinate him, and then dismembered him at the execution ground.

Upon hearing that Yan Que had been torn apart by six horses while naked, Mei Changsu could no longer hold on and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Qi Min, Yan Song!"

"I, Mei Changsu, hereby swear that I will make you pay for your crimes in blood!"

"Tell Gong Yu to deal with Minister of Personnel He Jingzhong according to plan."

"This time, I'm going to make Qi Min perish in here too."

At this moment, all that remained in Mei Changsu's eyes was overwhelming killing intent.

Chapter 101 Interrupting Spellcasting

“The daughter of the Yuwen family is gentle, virtuous, and kind. She is hereby conferred the title of Consort Xi and granted residence in Yongshou Palace.”

After the investiture ceremony concluded, a storm brewed in the imperial harem.

Yuwen Nian was merely a princess from a foreign land, yet she rose to the rank of Imperial Concubine upon entering the palace.

The Yue family, Consort Hui, and even Consort Jing all felt a deep sense of crisis.

The reason is simply that Yuwen Nian is younger and more beautiful.

At the study, Zhu Houcong put down his vermilion brush and eagerly closed the last memorial.

His cerebellum had long controlled his brain, and now his mind was filled with Yuwen Nian's image, and he had long since lost interest in politics.

I recall that fleeting glimpse in the Fengtian Hall that day.

Although Yuwen Nian wore a plain white veil, her exposed eyes revealed a pure and clear innocence, as if she were unaware of the ways of the world.

Those innocent eyes alone, and that slender figure that even the red palace dress couldn't hide.

He was already certain in his heart that this woman was a beauty that could topple kingdoms.

Zhu Houcong had a fondness for innocent young girls, and the thought of them would inexplicably stir a burning desire within him.

"His Majesty."

Yan Song cautiously called out, "Would you like the meal served?"

Zhu Houcong then came to his senses.

Yeah!

It's time to eat!

He coughed lightly: "No need."

"Has Consort Xi moved into Yongshou Palace yet?"

"Your Majesty, Consort Xi entered the palace at Shenshi (3-5 PM) and is currently waiting at Yongshou Palace."

"Um."

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly and then suddenly stood up.

"Prepare the carriage for Yongshou Palace."

After taking only two steps, he suddenly stopped.

He instructed, "Also, keep a close eye on that Yuwen Xuan. Make sure he doesn't escape."

"This servant understands, but..."

Yan Song hesitated, as if he wanted to speak.

"explain!"

Yan Song quickly said, "Yue Xiuzhe, the Grand Master and Imperial Attendant of the Southern Chu Emperor, has also come to the capital with Yuwen Xuan this time."

"If he insists on leaving with his men, the people we sent might not be able to stop him."

Zhu Houcong immediately understood Yan Song's concerns.

He also knew Yue Xiuze's importance.

This grandmaster, ranked fifth on the Langya Masters List, is second only to Zhuo Dingfeng of Tianquan Manor.

The strength cannot be underestimated.

"Yue Xiuzhe, you don't need to worry. Someone will be keeping an eye on him."

It just so happens that Zhuque is still in the capital, so it would be perfect to control him to monitor Yue Xiuzhe.

Zhu Houcong had just finished arranging everything and was about to go to the battlefield when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the palace.

"Your Majesty, Qi Min, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, requests an audience!"

Upon hearing the sound, a hint of impatience flashed in his eyes, but he still chose to let Qi Min in.

What if they really have something important to do?

I am not a tyrannical and debauched ruler like Jie or Zhou.

This matter still needs to be dealt with.

"Announce."

Qi Min bowed and hurried into the hall, holding a memorial in her hands.

"Your Majesty, the case of Duke Qing has been concluded. This is the closing report; please review it."

Zhu Houcong stared at the memorial, his face falling.

I'm about to launch a full-scale attack, and you're interrupting my spellcasting at this crucial moment.

It's still about such trivial matters.

That's so inconsiderate.

"Give it to me."

Zhu Houcong coldly extended his hand.

Since you, Qi Min, insist on coming here to invite trouble, then I will make things difficult for you, you old codger.

He immediately decided to find fault with the memorial to vent his anger.

Qi Min nervously handed over the memorial, completely unaware of what the emperor was thinking.

If he knew, he would probably burst into tears on the spot.

Who the hell knew you were planning to commit adultery in broad daylight?!

Zhu Houcong strolled back to the dragon desk, a calculating glint in his eyes.

He casually flipped open the memorial, his gaze sweeping over the details of the case.

He didn't even bother to glance at the charges of colluding with cronies and framing loyal officials.

My finger flipped directly to the most crucial position, staring intently at that number.

The total value of the confiscated property was 3.1 million taels of silver, and the amount of farmland and shops was countless.

It is said that a clean prefect can earn 100,000 taels of silver in three years.

The Duke of Qing and his cronies certainly did not disappoint.

He squinted, as if he could already see the Chaotian Temple rising from the ground.

After the completion of Wanshou Palace, the construction of Chaotian Temple will begin, and this windfall has come at just the right time.

He was calculating the amount of money needed to repair Chaotian Temple, but his face remained completely expressionless.

He slowly flipped to the end of the memorial, his gaze suddenly pausing on a name.

Yan Maoqing!

Ok?

Why does this name sound so familiar?

Yan Maoqing… Yan Maoqing…

???

He couldn't help but be stunned.

Suddenly, the image of that ruthless parasite who boasted, "The emperor gets one boatload, I get one boatload; the emperor takes one million, I take two million," came to mind.

Yan Maoqing, a notorious corrupt official who "gave away three silver coins in one transaction".

Aren't these three characters homophones?

Isn't this a coincidence?

Zhu Houcong squinted and carefully examined the man's official title.

A fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Justice.

Ah...

A fifth-rank official, and in such a lucrative position as the Ministry of Justice.

They must have made a lot of money over the years!

So he turned back to look at the glaring numbers.

"Three million one hundred thousand taels and eight thousand five hundred taels".

There are both zeros and whole numbers.

The numbers that were just a moment ago were gratifying, but now they seem particularly glaring.

He squinted and glanced at the paltry one million taels that the imperial treasury had only received.

His resolve to bring down Yan Maoqing and the Ministry of Justice only strengthened.

It's been a while since I've received a reward, so I might as well use this person as a scapegoat.

"Qi Qing."

Zhu Houcong tapped his fingers heavily on the memorial, his voice carrying a hint of doubt.

"The Duke of Qing's cronies are everywhere in the court and the country, and they only found this little bit of silver?"

Qi Min, unaware of the situation, respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, it is indeed only three million taels. The Ministry of Justice, together with the Court of Judicial Review, has verified it three times."

???

Zhu Houcong was speechless for a moment, and a rare look of embarrassment appeared on his face.

He subconsciously touched the tip of his nose, somewhat at a loss for what to do.

Over this period of time, he had become accustomed to dealing with intelligent people like Yan Song and Zhao Mengjing.

They can understand each other with just a glance.

Now, suddenly encountering a blockhead like Qi Min, he was at a loss as to how to deal with her.

Even after all that, this idiot still can't understand the implied meaning.

Zhu Houcong is now filled with regret. How could he have acted so impulsively and put such a fool into the cabinet?

If it were Lou Zhijing, that old fox, who was also a cabinet minister, he would have already understood the hidden meaning in the words.

He couldn't be bothered to say anything more to Qi Min, that idiot.