The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 391 The Truth Behind the Lottery

At this moment, Yuan Cidi looked at his wife in front of him and said comfortingly.

"Don't worry, it's all up to fate. If something really happens, being able to see the Crown Prince beforehand will be worth it!"

Subsequently, Yuan Cidi secretly followed the official to the residence where Zhu Xiong Ying was located.

At this moment, two people were sitting in the main hall. One was Zhu Xiong Ying, and the other had a effeminate appearance. He must be Yu Hua Tian, ​​the director of the West Depot.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said as she looked at Yuan Ci Di in front of her.

"So you are Yuan Cidi? A native of Shuozhou, you once served under the Marquis of Linjiang. You were brave and skilled in battle, and quickly achieved great merit. The Marquis of Linjiang saved your life, and you fought alongside him through thick and thin. After the Marquis of Linjiang, Chen De, passed away, you followed the current Marquis of Linjiang, Chen Yong!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cidi gave a wry smile.

"As expected of the West Depot's intelligence agency, their investigation is indeed very thorough!"

"You're right, I did commit suicide this time. I have to take responsibility for my actions. Just kill me!"

After hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying said something meaningful.

"I'm very curious why you want to kill me. It seems like we don't know each other and there's not much of a connection between us!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cidi gave a bitter laugh, seemingly relieved, and said...

"What else could it be? Of course, it's because of money!"

“Someone paid me to kill you, so of course I did it without hesitation. Money is a good thing; people will do anything for it, won’t they?”

“I had some smuggling business, but because of the crackdown in the north, I couldn’t continue these smuggling operations. Naturally, I was filled with hatred and anger, so I came to assassinate you!”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying burst into laughter.

"You know what, this story is actually quite interesting, it's just a pity you're still a fool!"

“I know you’re not like those people. I’ve seen them smuggling contraband to the grasslands and bullying men and women, but I’ve never stooped to their level. No wonder they’ve made you their scapegoat!”

Yuan Cidi looked incredulous upon hearing this.

How could Zhu Xiong Ying know so much? Could it be that one of them betrayed them and knew so much detail? Thinking of this, his eyes were filled with panic.

"What are you saying? I don't understand a word you're saying."

I did all those things voluntarily, so what scapegoat?

I don't know what you're talking about!

Zhu Xiong Ying then glanced at Yu Hua Tian beside her.

Yu Huatian nodded and took out a stack of papers from his pocket.

"These are all things that happened that day. Of course, besides what you know, there are also things you didn't know after you left that are written down here!"

Yuan Cidi took the papers and was incredulous when he saw their contents. The entire document was drawn, and it contained every single word of what they had said, including even the details of the mysterious man in black.

So their every move was within Zhu Xiong Ying's observation range. Thinking of this, he was extremely frightened. Encountering such an enemy was truly terrifying.

However, when he saw what came next, his eyes were filled with rage.

He threw all the papers in his hand to the ground and said angrily.

"Damn it, they conspired to frame me!"

“I’m not afraid of death, but these people actually dared to treat my family like this, they deserve to die!” “I have been loyal to the Marquis, is this how it ends?”

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said after hearing this.

"So now, do you still think what you did was worthwhile?"

Yuan Cidi looked at Zhu Xiong Ying with disbelief and confusion in his eyes.

"I don't think I've ever offended them, so I don't know why they're framing me!"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said.

"This matter is not simple at all. I can't believe you haven't even thought these things through!"

"There's only one truth: you're not on their side. They smuggled goods northwards, even trafficked people—they did all sorts of things, but you're completely different from them!"

“Never doing such a thing is tantamount to excluding them!”

"If anything happens, you'll be the most unstable factor, so we have to get rid of you before anything happens. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cidi gave a bitter smile. So that's how it is. He never imagined that he had been excluded all along and had been sold out without even realizing it.

At this moment, his face was full of struggle as he looked at Zhu Xiong Ying in front of him and knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Your Highness, I have committed a crime and deserve to die. Please, Your Highness, save my family!"

"I am guilty, but my wife and children are innocent. They knew nothing about this, so please spare them!"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said.

"I have no intention of killing them. You've probably seen their situation clearly now. So, what do you say? Do you still want to continue associating with them?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cidi's eyes were filled with struggle.

"Even if I want to leave, what can I do? These people will never let me go. I already know too much!"

"Even if they all come after me, it's no big deal. I've already repaid the life I owed you, Lord Marquis!"

"Now it's all worth it," he thought, bursting into laughter.

Zhu Xiong Ying stared intently at the person in front of him as he spoke.

"These smugglers deserve to die. If I asked you to help me get rid of them, would you be willing?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cidi was taken aback and frowned as he spoke.

"Why is Your Highness helping me!"

At this moment, Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile.

"It's very simple. I think your martial arts skills are quite good, and you have potential. I've also heard some things about you. Although you're not famous, you're extremely brave in battle. In terms of bravery, you're no less than Chen De back then. It's just a pity that since you followed the current Marquis of Linjiang, Chen Yong, you've been suppressed and have completely lost your former heroic spirit!"

"Therefore, I hope you can return to your former self. In the future, our Great Ming Dynasty will likely continue to wage wars against foreign powers, and there will naturally be many opportunities to make meritorious contributions. At that time, it is not impossible for you to be ennobled as a marquis or duke!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cidi was somewhat surprised, his eyes filled with joy, but he also spoke with some doubt.

"But, Your Highness, the identity of the assassin has not yet been determined. Aren't you afraid that I might be the one who tried to assassinate you?"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled upon hearing this, then gave Yu Hua Tian a look, which Yu Hua Tian immediately understood.

(End of this chapter)