Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 170 Bloodshed at Fengxian Hall! Blood Sacrifice at Yingtian Prefecture! [Bonus Chapter 7 & 8 for Monthly Tickets]

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has gone to Fengxian Hall with his sword."

Inside a small Buddhist hall in the inner palace, a woman dressed in plain robes was kneeling before a Buddha statue, offering devout prayers, giving off a solemn and dignified feeling.

Behind her, an old nanny was reporting to her in a low voice.

However, the woman did not answer her, but calmly continued to complete her 'process'.

Only after all the 'procedures' were completed did she stand up from the prayer mat with the help of the old nanny, and ask indifferently, "Does Consort Guo know about this?"

The old nanny said softly, "They may not know that our spies are faster than anyone else's."

"What about Consort Li and Consort Ge?"

"It's all in the past."

"Then let's add fuel to the fire and send her on her way."

"Yes."

The old nanny responded, then suddenly seemed to remember something and reminded her, "The prince sent someone to tell you to burn less incense and pray to Buddha recently, and to take better care of your health."

Upon hearing this, the woman's eyelashes twitched almost imperceptibly, then she said calmly and indifferently:
"I understand. You go down first."

On the other side, in the palace where Consort Guo Ning resided.

The air inside the hall was filled with the fragrance of incense, yet it could not dispel the invisible oppressive atmosphere.

Consort Guo Ning sat upright in the main seat. Although she was over forty years old, the heroic spirit and composure of her youth could still be seen between her brows.

At this moment, however, her brows were tightly furrowed, and her fingers unconsciously twirled a string of smooth Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist.

The news that the King of Qin, the King of Jin, and the King of Zhou had been urgently summoned back to the capital and placed under guard spread like wildfire throughout the palace.

With the court in turmoil, how could the inner palace remain unscathed? Especially these three princes, whose identities are special, as they are involved in the momentous matter concerning the late Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

Consort Guo Ning felt as if her heart was being roasted on a fire.

Having managed the affairs of the six palaces for many years, she knew that "the empress dowager must not interfere in politics" was an ironclad rule and a way to protect herself.

The emperor is in a fit of rage; to speak rashly at this moment would be like a moth drawn to a flame.

Just then, a series of hurried and slightly flustered footsteps came from outside the hall.

Immediately afterwards, the curtain was lifted, and Consort Li Xian and Consort Ge Li entered almost one after the other.

Both of them looked anxious and lost their usual composure.

"Sister Ningfei!"

Consort Li was younger and more impatient; before she was even seated, she spoke:

"Have you heard? The Prince of Qin, the Prince of Jin, and the others... His Majesty is furious this time. What if... what if they do something irreversible in their rage?!"

Her words were tinged with obvious anxiety, and her eyes darted around.

Everyone in the palace knew that Consort Li had received a lot of respect and favors from the maternal families of Prince Qin and Prince Jin, so she was naturally extremely anxious at this moment.

Consort Ge Li was closer to Consort Guo Ning, and although she was also worried, her tone softened and became more earnest:

“Sister Ning, His Highness Prince Zhou is gentle and weak-willed; he would never do such a treasonous thing.”

“His mother and I had a certain degree of affection when she was alive, and I really couldn’t bear to see him suffer such an undeserved disaster.”

"Sister, you have always been prudent and respected by the Emperor. Could you... could you find an opportunity to offer some advice? Even if you can't save Prince Zhou, you should at least save Prince Qin and Prince Jin! After all... after all, they are all the Empress's offspring!"

She deliberately mentioned Empress Ma, who was an extremely special figure in the harem and even in the heart of Emperor Zhu.

Empress Ma was virtuous and deeply loved by Emperor Zhu. Naturally, the sons she bore held a special place in Emperor Zhu's heart.

Zhu Biao has passed away. If the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Jin were to meet with misfortune, Empress Ma's lineage would be left without any sons.

As for the King of Zhou? If the Kings of Qin and Jin could be pardoned by Zhu Yuanzhang, what would happen to the King of Zhou, who had committed the least crime?
【Why! 】

Upon hearing this, Consort Guo sighed heavily in her heart.

How could she not understand this principle? Empress Ma had been kind to her back then, and before her death, she had vaguely instructed her to take good care of the princes in the palace.

Especially after her son, Prince Lu Zhu Tan, died young, in order to appease her, the old Zhu had Prince Qin and Prince Jin perform the rites of adoption. Although it was not a formal adoption, it still conveyed a sense of kinship.

However, it was precisely this affection and entrustment that made her even more caught in a dilemma.

She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the two anxious concubines, her voice steady yet carrying an undeniable refusal:
“I understand how my two sisters feel. But it is precisely because this matter is of great importance that we cannot act rashly.”

"His Majesty is in a fit of anger. The affairs of the court are unpredictable and treacherous, beyond the comprehension of us women in the inner palace, let alone our ability to interfere. 'The inner palace must not interfere in politics' is an ancestral precept and the foundation for self-preservation."

"To speak rashly at this moment would not only be of no use, but might even anger the Emperor and bring trouble upon ourselves."

She paused, her tone becoming even more serious:
"As for the three princes... His Majesty is their biological father. Even a tiger wouldn't eat its own cubs; His Majesty will make the final decision."

At this point, her expression became extremely serious:
"For us concubines to make unfounded speculations or even attempt to influence His Majesty's will is truly unwise and disrespectful."

Consort Li and Consort Ge were speechless after hearing her words, their faces showing disappointment and resentment. However, seeing Consort Guo Ning's resolute attitude, they dared not say anything more, and the atmosphere in the hall became tense for a moment.

Just then, a young eunuch scrambled into the hall, his face ashen, his voice trembling with sobs, completely disregarding etiquette:

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! The Emperor...The Emperor is carrying a sword and heading towards Fengxian Hall! His face...His face is terrifying!"

"what?!"

The three concubines were so startled that they stood up almost simultaneously!

Fengxian Hall!
That is the place where the emperor's parents, ancestors, and empress are worshipped!

The Emperor's intention in drawing his sword and going to the Fengxian Hall at this time was self-evident.

He was about to make a significant, perhaps even bloody, decision before the ancestral tablets.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, do you really intend to..."

Consort Li was so frightened that she trembled all over and could not even speak properly.

Consort Ge also turned pale and subconsciously grabbed Consort Guo Ning's sleeve.

Guo Ningfei's heart sank suddenly, and her composure was instantly shattered.

Her worst fears seem to be turning into the worst possible outcome.

If the Emperor were to punish the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Jin in a fit of rage before the ancestors... then Empress Ma would truly be without an heir!

Consort Guo, who had once received favors from Empress Ma and had been subtly comforted by the Emperor, how could she possibly face Empress Ma in the afterlife?!
Once the Emperor calms down, will he also take his anger out on her, the mistress of the six palaces, for 'failing to advise him'?

The previous rationality of 'the empress dowager must not interfere in politics' was instantly shaken by the immense fear of 'Empress Ma's childlessness' and the possibility of being implicated.

She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and her eyes became resolute.

"Change!"

Guo Ningfei's voice trembled slightly, but remained unusually firm:
"Prepare the sedan chair! We're going to Fengxian Hall!"

"Sister! What's wrong...?"

Consort Li Xian and Consort Ge Li were both surprised and delighted.

"I cannot stand by and watch the Emperor do something he will regret in his rage, and I will have no face to face Empress Ma's spirit in heaven!"

Consort Guo Ning walked quickly towards the inner room, saying in a deep voice:

"Even though interfering in politics is a crime, I must go today! At least... at least I must ensure that the Emperor doesn't... bleed on the spot in the Fengxian Hall!"

Her words carried a sense of tragic desperation.

The outcome of this journey is uncertain, but she has no other choice.

Soon, Consort Guo changed into a more elegant palace dress, boarded a sedan chair, and hurriedly headed towards the Fengxian Hall.

Consort Li and Consort Ge exchanged a glance, a faint smile appearing on their lips, which vanished in an instant.

Consort Li Xian glanced discreetly at the young eunuch who had reported the matter. The eunuch immediately understood and quietly left the area, heading towards the Buddhist hall in the inner palace.

Meanwhile, inside the Fengxian Hall.

Old Zhu stood with his back to the gate, like a cold statue, before Zhu Biao's memorial tablet.

His sword was already sheathed, but the chilling killing intent in his hand was even stronger than when it was drawn.

The candlelight cast his long shadow on the cold ground, making him look like a demon from the deepest hell.

In the empty hall, only the crackling of burning candles and his heavy, suppressed breathing could be heard.

The sound of footsteps came from far to near.

The first person brought in was Qin King Zhu Shuang.

He was practically staggered as he was pushed in. Seeing Old Zhu's back and the hall full of memorial tablets, especially Zhu Biao's, his knees buckled, and he knelt on the ground with a thud, his voice trembling with tears.

"Father... Your son... Your son pays his respects to Your Majesty... and kowtows to my elder brother..."

He kowtowed repeatedly, rambling incoherently; his previous rage had been replaced by sheer terror.

Old Zhu didn't turn around, his voice as cold as ice scraping the ground: "Second brother, how did your eldest brother treat you when he was alive?"

Zhu Shuang trembled and hurriedly said, "Elder brother... Elder brother has treated me extremely well! He has protected me since I was a child, and he always thinks of me when there is something good..."

"Father, even if I were the most despicable son, I would never harm my eldest brother! Someone must have framed me! It must be the third brother! Yes! It must be the third brother!"

He habitually tried to shift the blame onto Zhu Gang.

Just then, Prince Zhu Gang of Jin was also brought in.

He walked steadily, and upon entering, he first respectfully bowed deeply to Old Zhu's retreating figure and Zhu Biao's memorial tablet, his voice filled with sorrow:

"Your unfilial son, Zhu Gang, pays his respects to Father Emperor... Elder brother... Gang'er has come to see you..."

He even managed to squeeze out a few tears at the right moment, making it seem like he was truly moved.

Upon hearing Zhu Shuang's accusation, he did not immediately refute it. Instead, he raised his tearful eyes, looked at Old Zhu's retreating figure, and spoke with a hint of grievance and helplessness:

"Second brother... why do you say that? Heaven and earth can bear witness to my deep respect and love for my elder brother!"

“During my elder brother’s serious illness, I was worried day and night in Taiyuan. I searched for famous doctors and ancient books, hoping to help my brother’s condition. How could I have any ill intentions?”

King Zhu Su of Zhou was the last to be dragged in. He was so frightened that he could not stand and collapsed on the ground, sobbing and unable to speak properly.

"Father, Emperor"

Old Zhu slowly turned around.

His gaze was like two red-hot irons, sweeping across his three sons’ faces in turn—faces filled with terror, sophistry, or collapse.

"Okay, everything is fine."

Old Zhu's voice wasn't loud, but it made the temperature in the entire hall drop sharply: "They are all brothers, and they are all loyal."

As he spoke, he suddenly took a step forward, first fixing his gaze on Zhu Shuang:
"Second brother, tell me! What exactly did you put in the 'Western Regions Tranquilizing Incense' you presented to your eldest brother?! Why do the Imperial Medical Academy records show that your eldest brother's pulse worsened after using what you gave him?!"

"I am innocent!"

Zhu Shuang kowtowed repeatedly, as if pounding garlic:
"Those are all top-quality goods collected by my subordinates! Your son is only acting out of filial piety, how could I possibly harm my elder brother!?"

"Someone below must have tampered with it! Or... or maybe those incompetent people in the Imperial Hospital don't know how to use it!"

Old Zhu ignored him and turned his gaze to Zhu Gang:

"Third brother, you've always been meticulous. When your eldest brother fell ill in Shaanxi, the people you sent to take care of him were truly 'dedicated'!"

"How come we heard that your favored concubine has connections everywhere, even getting close to the old eunuch who serves your elder brother? What's she up to?!"

Zhu Gang was deeply shocked, but his face showed just the right amount of astonishment and fear:

"Your Majesty, you are wise! I only recently learned that Lady Deng has been doing many things behind my back! It's all my fault for misjudging people! I fell for that vile woman's wicked scheme!"

"But it wasn't just me who sent people to serve them; the fourth brother also sent people to serve them..."

He shifted the blame to the vague claims of his "bedmate" and "the fourth prince, Zhu Di, framing him."

Finally, Old Zhu's gaze fell on the limp Zhu Su, his tone seemingly softening slightly, yet even more chilling:

"Fifth Brother, we heard you've become quite capable, improving some kind of pill formula, I think it's called 'Red Lead Immortal Pill'? Why don't you send us some too? Zhou Ji is so powerful with your formula. He's turned our harem upside down!"

Zhu Su was so frightened that his soul almost left his body, and he cried out:

"Father! Your son is innocent... Those are not 'elixirs of immortality'! They are just some tonic prescriptions for strengthening the body!"

"Your subject did not give it to Zhou Ji, and your subject does not know where he got it from! Your subject knows nothing!"

Three sons, three different reactions: shifting blame, making excuses, and crying.

Looking at them, Old Zhu felt a surge of anger and disappointment, like molten lava.

He didn't believe their nonsense at all.

"Don't know? Wrongfully accused? Framed?"

Old Zhu's voice suddenly rose, booming like thunder in the Fengxian Hall: "Are you all treating us like three-year-old children?!"

He suddenly drew his sword, the tip pointing directly at his three sons, his voice trembling with extreme rage:
"Biao'er is lying right there! Watching you!"

"How dare you speak so eloquently and flatteringly before our ancestors?!"

"If you don't give us a proper explanation today, no one is leaving this Fengxian Hall!"

The chilling sword light illuminated Old Zhu's ferocious face and the deathly pale faces of his three sons.

"emperor."

Just as the four men were locked in a stalemate, Yunming's trembling voice rang out from outside the door: "Commander Jiang has handed over a memorial..."

"Have him bring it in himself—!"

Old Zhu gave a cold shout.

Jiang Huan and Yun Ming exchanged a bitter look outside the door, then Jiang Huan took a deep breath and pushed open the palace door.

He quickly handed the petition to Old Zhu.

Old Zhu silently took the document and unfolded it to examine it.

The document contained a detailed record of every word Zhang Biao uttered, which ignited a fierce glint in his eyes. However, he did not immediately retaliate but instead looked at his three sons.

"Zhang Biao has written quite a lot."

Old Zhu's tone suddenly became extremely calm:
"Regarding the mess in Shaanxi, regarding...some strange things about Biao'er's illness in Shaanxi back then."

"Father!"

Zhu Shuang's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat. He looked up abruptly and said urgently:
"That madman is talking nonsense! Your son is utterly loyal to your elder brother! When your elder brother was in Shaanxi, your son did everything in his power to serve him, inviting famous doctors from all over the country, and dared not neglect him in the slightest!"

"Really?"

Old Zhu's gaze was like two icicles, slowly piercing Zhu Shuang:

"Then tell me, why did Biao'er's carbuncle suddenly 'improve' after several days of recuperation at your Qin Prince's Mansion in Xi'an? Why was he able to continue his investigations, only to suddenly worsen on his way back to Beijing and die from his injuries?"

This question was like a poisoned needle, precisely piercing the core of Zhu Shuang's most feared memories.

"Your subject...your subject does not know!"

Zhu Shuang's face turned deathly pale, and he spoke incoherently:
"At that time, my elder brother was seriously ill and in unbearable pain. I was extremely anxious and summoned all the famous doctors in Shaanxi, but they were all helpless!"

"Later...later my elder brother said he needed to return to the capital for medical treatment, so I prepared the best carriage and guards..."

His explanations were weak and feeble, his eyes darted around, and he dared not meet Old Zhu's gaze.

Old Zhu didn't interrupt him, he just watched coldly.

Prince Zhu Gang of Jin, standing to the side, rolled his eyes and suddenly spoke:

“Father, I can also testify to what my second brother said. At that time, my eldest brother’s condition was fluctuating, which was indeed strange. Perhaps… perhaps the journey had aggravated his condition…” He tried to muddy the waters and lead the conversation to something unexpected.

The youngest, and always timid and cowardly Prince Zhu Su, knelt there trembling, wishing he could shrink into a crack in the ground.

But Old Zhu's gaze shifted from Zhu Shuang, swept over Zhu Gang, and finally landed on Zhu Su, his tone suddenly turning icy: "Fifth Brother!"

Zhu Su was so frightened that he almost collapsed to the ground: "Father...Father Emperor..."

"We're giving you one last chance! Who else did you give that 'elixir' to besides Zhou Ji? Explain yourself, or we'll skin you alive!"

"Father, spare my life!"

Upon hearing that Old Zhu intended to dismember him, Zhu Su was terrified, his mental defenses crumbled instantly, and he kowtowed, tears streaming down his face, saying:
"I bought the elixir formula from outside... I read some miscellaneous books and thought about improving it. Later, it showed initial success, so I refined some and gave them to my second and third brothers for their evaluation."

"Second brother, third brother! You still dare to say you know nothing?!"

Old Zhu gave Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang a cold look.

The two brothers were so frightened that they trembled all over and cursed the fifth brother as a spineless coward in their hearts.

However, since things have come to this point, they have no choice but to admit it.

But the third brother spoke first:

"Father, I remember now! I did receive some elixirs from the Fifth Prince, but I did not take them."

"Later...later I heard that my second brother liked to eat this and also liked to play with it, so I sent someone to deliver it to him. As for whether my second brother ate it or not, or who he gave it to, I have no idea!"

"You little brat, even now! You still want to frame me?!"

Zhu Shuang was furious and started cursing at Zhu Gang, pointing his finger at his nose.

But Old Zhu did not stop him.

Then he angrily retorted to Zhu Gang, "I didn't take any of those pills you sent!"

"What about the one that Lao Wu sent? What did you do with it?"

Old Zhu interrupted abruptly:
"Was this among the so-called 'tribute' you offered to your elder brother back then?! Tell me—!"

"Boom!"

Zhu Shuang felt as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind.

Long-buried memories surged forth like a flood bursting its banks.

When Zhu Biao suffered a severe carbuncle on his back, he was in excruciating pain and was truly terrified.

He feared that his elder brother would die in his own fiefdom, that his father would be furious, and that his elder brother had already found evidence of his and his third brother's collusion and embezzlement of military funds.

Just when he was at his wit's end, his most beloved concubine, Lady Wang, a woman who seemed gentle but was actually cunning, whispered in his ear:

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince's illness... seems rather strange. I've heard that the 'Red Lead Elixir' sent by Prince Zhou might have miraculous effects... Even if it doesn't work, it's still a token of Your Highness's goodwill, isn't it?"

Besides, if His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't believe it, he naturally won't use it... so you don't need to worry...

He was bewitched at the time, harboring a sliver of hope that it might work, and perhaps even deeper, the fear that Wang Shi had hinted that the Crown Prince might be faking illness to investigate the case. So he actually mixed a few "red lead elixirs" into the tribute, and even deliberately implied that they were "the fifth brother's gift".

He originally thought that with his elder brother Zhu Biao's shrewdness and caution, he would never take such a thing.

He just wanted to make a statement, or test whether his older brother was faking illness.

But soon after, his older brother's condition actually 'improved'.

Although still somewhat weak, the pain seemed to have lessened, and she was able to manage things with difficulty.

He was secretly relieved, thinking that it was Brother Tianyou who had helped him, and perhaps the 'elixir' really worked? Or perhaps his brother had just been faking it?

Looking back now... that wasn't an improvement at all!

That's the effect of the 'Red Lead Elixir'!

Just then, King Zhu Su's tearful explanation pierced through the fog like a bolt of lightning:
"Father! That red lead elixir... besides being an aphrodisiac... does indeed have a strong hallucinogenic and analgesic effect!"

“Ancient records state that a noblewoman in the previous dynasty suffered from severe pain from malignant sores and took a small amount of this medicine to relieve the pain… However, this medicine is potent and prolonged use can harm the body. I have only been researching it and have never considered giving it to my elder brother!”

"Hallucination...analgesia..."

Old Zhu muttered those two words repeatedly, his bloodshot eyes suddenly widening as if struck by lightning.

In an instant, all the clues, like shattered pieces of glass, were forcibly pieced together.

Zhu Biao's carbuncle on his back suddenly worsened in Shaanxi...

The so-called 'elixir of immortality' presented by the King of Qin...

After a brief 'improvement,' Zhu Biao's pulse became increasingly strange...

He concealed this from the imperial physician after returning to the capital...

And before his death, he privately dismissed his close attendants who knew the truth, and may even have... tacitly approved of 'silencing' certain people!
It wasn't a premeditated murder!

It was a helpless choice made under the torment of illness! It was a desperate act of 'drinking poison to quench thirst'!
Zhu Biao, his son who was always kind and steady and regarded as the perfect crown prince, actually took such a potent drug in secret to relieve the unbearable pain!
He dared not let anyone know, especially his strict father!
He was afraid of being seen as weak and of losing his authority as the crown prince!

That's why he had to cover it up!

That's why those actions that seemed like 'silencing' occurred!

He was upholding his last shred of dignity as the crown prince!
"Ho...ho..."

Old Zhu made a sound like a broken bellows coming from his throat. He staggered back a step, and the sword in his hand fell to the ground with a 'clatter'.

He looked at Zhu Shuang in disbelief, his voice hoarse and distorted:
"So, second brother, when you presented that 'elixir'... what did you tell your eldest brother?!"

Zhu Shuang was already terrified. Now, under his father's murderous gaze, he blurted out:

"Your subject said it was an elixir refined by the Fifth Prince, which might alleviate the pain... Let the eldest brother... give it a try..."

"But I was misled by Wang's slander; I never imagined my elder brother would eat it."

"Try it?! You didn't expect him to eat it?!"

Old Zhu's voice suddenly became sharp, filled with endless grief, indignation, and mockery:

"He tried it! He really ate it! And then his illness 'got better'! So you believe your concubine's words even more, and think your elder brother was faking his illness to deceive you, right?!"

Zhu Shuang's face turned ashen, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to utter another word.

Old Zhu then suddenly looked at Zhu Gang, his eyes as cold as knives:

"Third brother! You've always been shrewd! Didn't you notice anything? Didn't you advise your eldest brother?! Or... were you happy to see it happen?!"

Zhu Gang lay prostrate on the ground, his body trembling almost imperceptibly. He knew that any attempt at sophistry was futile at this moment, and he could only bang his head against the ground.

"Father, you are wise! Your son... Your son has indeed heard that my elder brother is suffering from unbearable pain, and I have even written to comfort him... But I truly did not know that my elder brother would... would actually resort to such a desperate measure!"

"If I had even the slightest suspicion, I would have stopped them with my life!"

He absolved himself of all responsibility, admitting only to 'negligence'.

Finally, Old Zhu's gaze returned to Zhu Su, who was crying so hard she was almost fainting. His gaze no longer held murderous intent, but rather a bottomless sorrow and helplessness.

"Fifth brother... your elixir... is truly a 'good thing'..."

Old Zhu's voice was filled with weariness and desolation:
"It didn't take your life... but it took your older brother's..."

The truth is so tragic, ridiculous, and hateful!
A crown prince tormented by illness, a foolish prince bewitched by his concubine, a prince who is clever but is used instead, a bookish prince who studies pharmacology, and a tragedy brewed by a series of coincidences, fear, suspicion and despair!
Zhu Yuanzhang, who dominated the world and swept away all the heroes, thought he could control everything, but he was unaware of how his most beloved son was gradually destroyed!
"puff--!"

Overcome with anger and anxiety, a mouthful of blood suddenly spurted from Old Zhu's mouth, splattering in front of Zhu Biao's memorial tablet, a shocking sight.

"Father!"

"Your Majesty!"

Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, Zhu Su, and Yun Ming exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

"Ho...ho..."

A sound like a broken bellows came from Old Zhu's throat. The cruel truth was like a red-hot pair of iron pliers, cruelly crushing his last shred of reason.

He staggered back a step, but the next second, a more violent and destructive rage surged from the depths of his heart to the top of his head like a volcanic eruption.

It wasn't direct murder, but it's more hateful than murder!
It was these idiots, these scoundrels, these so-called 'miracle cures' who drove his son to his doom!

"what--!"

Old Zhu suddenly let out a beastly roar that sounded inhuman, his eyes instantly turning blood red, almost dripping with blood.

He suddenly grabbed the sword from the ground again and charged towards Qin King Zhu Shuang, who was closest to him, like a madman.

"You fool! You listened to a woman's words and caused Biao'er's death! We'll make you pay with your life!"

The sword light, accompanied by a piercing whistle that tore through the air, slashed straight at Zhu Shuang's face.

Zhu Shuang was already terrified, but his survival instinct made him instinctively roll to the side, while screaming desperately:
"Father, spare me! Your son didn't know!!"

He instinctively reached out to block the deadly sword.

"Second Brother, no—!"

Prince Zhu Gang of Jin, standing to the side, paled and cried out in alarm. He instinctively reached out to grab Zhu Shuang's arm, trying to stop his act, which was tantamount to rebellion.

However, it's too late.

"Pfft——!"

Blood splattered.

A severed arm flew out, accompanied by Zhu Shuang's extremely shrill scream.

Zhu Shuang fell heavily to the ground, blood gushing from his severed arm, instantly staining the gold bricks beneath him.

Seeing that Zhu Shuang dared to resist, Old Zhu's madness intensified, and his killing intent burned like a tangible flame.

"You unfilial son! You dare to block my way?! We'll clean house today!"

He raised his blood-dripping sword, ready to plunge it into Zhu Shuang's chest as he rolled and screamed in agony on the ground! If this sword struck, Zhu Shuang would surely die!

"Your Majesty! Spare his life!"

Just at this critical moment, a shrill female voice came from outside the palace.

Consort Guo rushed in without regard for her own safety. She had heard the wind and knew that the princes were in imminent danger, so she risked her life to stop them.

She rushed to Old Zhu, tightly embracing his arm that held the sword, tears streaming down her face:

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Prince Qin and the others are the Empress's own flesh and blood! How can my sister rest in peace after you kill them! Your Majesty—!"

The words "Empress Ma" stung Zhu like a needle, causing him to pause slightly.

But then, an even greater rage swept over him.

He abruptly shoved Guo Ningfei aside, pointed the tip of his sword at her, his voice distorted with extreme hatred:
"Their own flesh and blood?! When they killed Biao'er, did they ever think of brotherly affection?!"

"And you! Your good-for-nothing son! Zhu Tan! That bastard! What kind of bullshit elixir did he concoct! Even in death, he continues to harm people!"

"You Guo family! You're all a menace! You've ruined our Biao'er—!!"

At this moment, both old and new grudges erupted completely.

The old grievances of Prince Lu Huang Zhu Tan's obsession with elixirs and his absurd early death, along with the overwhelming hatred for Zhu Biao's death today, were all poured onto Consort Guo Ning and her family.

"No...Your Majesty...Tan'er, he..."

Consort Guo was terrified by Old Zhu's crazed gaze and piercing words, and still tried to defend herself.

But Lao Zhu had completely lost his mind.

"Go down there and keep your good son company!"

With a roar filled with resentment and madness, Old Zhu plunged his longsword into Consort Guo's chest without hesitation.

"Uh……"

Guo Ningfei stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the sword blade embedded in her body, then at the crazed Old Zhu, before slowly collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

Blood spread from beneath her.

Inside the Fengxian Hall, there was a deathly silence.

All that remained were the groans and spurting blood from Zhu Shuang's severed arm, and the hoarse sounds of Prince Jin, Zhu Gang, and Prince Zhou, Zhu Su, as if they were being choked, born of extreme fear.

Zhu Su was so frightened that he fainted, and his crotch was soaked.

Old Zhu stood in a pool of blood, his face and dragon robe splattered with the blood of Consort Guo and Zhu Shuang. He held a blood-dripping longsword, like a demon crawling out of a blood pool in hell.

He slowly turned his head, his cold, crazed, and inhuman gaze first sweeping over the dying Zhu Shuang on the ground, and then landing on the pale-faced, trembling Zhu Gang.

"Hehe...hehe..."

Old Zhu let out a chilling chuckle.

He tossed aside his blood-stained sword and, in an unusually calm tone, yet more chilling than any roar, issued a decree that was utterly cold and cruel:
"deliver an imperial order--!"

"King Zhu Shuang of Qin is foolish and muddleheaded. He listened to slander and indirectly caused the death of the crown prince. His crime is heinous!"

"His title of King of Qin is hereby revoked, and he is demoted to a commoner! His arm is severed, for he brought this upon himself! He is to be escorted to Xiaoling Mausoleum to guard the tomb for the Crown Prince!"

"He shall never leave the mausoleum for the rest of his life! After death, he shall not be buried in the imperial mausoleum, but shall be thrown into a mass grave to be eaten by wild dogs!"

"All members of the Prince of Qin's household, except for the heir apparent, who are involved in the Crown Prince's affairs, whether they knew about it or not, shall be arrested, their families confiscated, and their clans exterminated!"

"Concubine Wang, her entire family is to be imprisoned and executed by slow slicing!"

"Prince Zhu Gang of Jin, as the elder brother, sat idly by and watched his younger brother commit a grave mistake, knowing full well but failing to report it, harboring treacherous intentions. He is hereby stripped of his princely title and imprisoned within the high walls of Fengyang, never to be released again!"

"Prince Zhu Su of Zhou has been studying evil arts and has presented us with potent and dangerous medicines. Although this was not his intention, his crime is unforgivable! He shall be stripped of his princely title and imprisoned in his former palace. He shall not be released until he is executed!"

"The late Prince Zhu Tan of Lu was absurd and tyrannical. He left behind alchemical formulas that caused chaos in the palace and indirectly led to the death of the crown prince. His crimes are beyond redemption!"

"His royal title is hereby revoked, and the Lu Huang Royal Palace is to be destroyed! His sons and grandsons are to be removed from the imperial clan register, demoted to commoners, and never to be employed again!"

The imperial edicts, like hail in the dead of winter, shattered the soul of the surviving Zhu Gang.

After saying this, Old Zhu didn't even look at the corpse on the ground or his deposed son. He turned around, stepped over the blood-soaked ground, and walked step by step towards the outside of Fengxian Hall.

His silhouette, amidst the pool of blood and candlelight, appeared incredibly tall, yet also incredibly lonely and insane.

As he walked, he gave orders in that chillingly cold voice to Yun Ming and Jiang Huan, who were kneeling like stone statues outside the hall:
"All officials, eunuchs, and physicians involved in the Crown Prince's trip to Shaanxi..."

"All those who knew the Crown Prince had taken elixirs but failed to report it..."

"All those... who might be laughing at us, or even secretly rejoicing..."

"Investigate them one by one..."

"Better to kill three thousand innocent people than let one guilty person go free!"

"We want this Yingtian Prefecture... to use blood... to commemorate our Biao'er!"

The blood-stained imperial decree, accompanied by the frantic yet resolute footsteps of Emperor Zhu, resounded throughout the deathly silent palace.

A bloody purge, more brutal and far-reaching than the Hu Weiyong case, is about to begin.

All of this stems from a father's deepest and most distorted love for his son, and an emperor's most thorough and ruthless hatred.

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(End of this chapter)