I, Zhu Yunwen of the Ming Dynasty, resurrected Empress Ma at the start.

The next day, at Fengtian Hall.

The civil and military officials stood in two rows, each with their heads bowed and eyes lowered, just as they always had.

But the atmosphere inside the hall was completely different.

On the dragon throne, Zhu Yuanzhang's face was ashen, his emotions unreadable.

Below the imperial steps, a young prince stood on either side.

On the left is Zhu Yunwen, dressed in a brand-new brocade robe. The scars on his face are carefully concealed with rouge, making them almost undetectable unless you look closely.

On the right is Zhu Yunwen, standing loosely and casually, even yawning absentmindedly.

The officials and civil servants all kept their eyes down, seemingly focused on their own thoughts, but their peripheral vision kept drifting towards the two of them.

What is Your Majesty's purpose in summoning both of your grandsons to attend court today?

The morning assembly began as usual.

The Ministry of Revenue reported on the amount of money and grain, the Ministry of War reported on the situation on the border, and the Ministry of Works reported on river works.

Everything proceeded according to the rules, seemingly calm and uneventful.

Zhu Yunwen stood tall and straight, his eyes fixed straight ahead, exuding an air of dignified propriety, befitting a crown prince.

But out of the corner of his eye, he kept glancing to the right.

Zhu Yunwen.

His jaw clenched slightly, a cold laugh echoing in his heart.

just wait.

You'll be in for a rough time.

He turned his head subtly and glanced at the assembled officials.

Minister of Rites Li Yuanming stood with his head bowed, his face calm, showing no sign of anything amiss.

But Zhu Yunwen knew in his heart that the real show was about to begin.

Zhu Yunwen continued to yawn, seemingly unconcerned.

How could he not notice Zhu Yunwen's sinister gaze?

I'm just too lazy to bother with it.

He's just a clown jumping around.

He was prepared.

Last night, someone secretly sent a message that the Lü faction had already colluded with court officials and was preparing to launch an attack in the court today.

Impeach him?

Oh.

Come on.

He wanted to see what kind of trouble these people could cause.

"His Majesty--"

A calm and steady report suddenly rang out.

Minister of Rites Li Yuanming stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"Your subject has something to report."

Zhu Yunwen's eyes suddenly lit up.

coming!

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly looked at Li Yuanming, his voice calm:

"Minister Li, what is it?"

Li Yuanming slowly raised his head, his expression solemn and serious.

"Your Majesty, the ceremony for the enthronement of the Crown Prince has not yet been completed, the auspicious time has passed, and the ceremony has been interrupted. This is not in accordance with the rites and is detrimental to the stability of the country."

"Your Majesty, I dare to ask when the grand ceremony will be resumed?"

As soon as the words were spoken, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone perked up their ears, and even their breathing became slightly softer.

This is the real highlight of today's court assembly.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the dragon throne, his face still revealing no emotion, but in his heart, a storm was raging.

When will it be rebuilt?

He himself has not yet reached a conclusion.

To this day, he still hasn't decided who to appoint.

Li Yunwen?

This son is kind, filial, and honest. He is well-versed in the classics and has a gentle temperament. Many officials in the court are biased towards him.

May I grant permission...

His gaze fell on his grandson, who was standing awkwardly on the right.

This kid can bring the dead back to life.

It could bring his Biao'er back, it could bring Chang Yuchun back, it could bring his parents back...

Did Zhu Yunwen possess such extraordinary abilities?

Moreover, yesterday...

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes darkened.

What was Yunhu doing at Lanyu's residence?

And he's holding the Empress's golden seal?

What does he want to do?

The more I thought about it, the more agitated I became.

He stared at Li Yuanming, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, "This matter... is not urgent. We have our own plans."

Li Yuanming was slightly taken aback, took a step forward, and refused to back down.

"Your Majesty! The appointment of the Crown Prince is a matter of national importance and the stability of the country."

"The sooner the Crown Prince is named, the sooner the country will be stable and the foundation of the nation will be secure."

"How can we not be anxious about something so important?"

He raised his eyes, his tone firm and resolute, exuding righteousness.

"Moreover, His Majesty has long favored Prince Yunwen, and the investiture ceremony should have been completed yesterday."

"Now that this has been interrupted without cause, there is much discussion and unrest throughout the court and among the people. I humbly request Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Before he finished speaking, several students in the class immediately stepped forward.

"I second that proposal!"

"Your Majesty, Minister Li is absolutely right! The position of Crown Prince cannot remain vacant for long!"

"The nation cannot be without an heir for even a day; Your Majesty, please make a decision as soon as possible!"

"Your Majesty, we humbly beg you to complete the investiture ceremony as soon as possible!"

……

One person after another, rising and falling.

The Censorate, the Ministry of Rites, and several senior officials echoed this sentiment.

Zhu Yunwen stood to the side, the corners of his mouth almost turning up, but he forcibly suppressed it.

Great! That's fantastic!

In the end, the courtiers stood on his side!

He secretly raised his eyes and looked at Zhu Yunwen beside him.

Zhu Yunwen, did you see that?

This is what the people truly want! His men are everywhere in the court!

Zhu Yuanzhang's face immediately darkened.

He gazed at the row of kneeling ministers below, his eyes so cold they could freeze.

"Are you... forcing us?"

All the ministers knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly.

"We dare not!"

"We are acting solely for the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the well-being of all its people!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhu Yuanzhang gave a cold snort.

Force the palace?

If this isn't a coup, what is it?

He was about to reprimand when a soft sneer sounded faintly from his right.

"Oh."

Zhu Yunwen took a step forward.

He tilted his head, looking at the people kneeling on the ground, his eyes full of undisguised mockery.

"You bunch of treacherous officials, how dare you openly force the emperor to abdicate in the imperial court?"

The voice was not loud, but every word was clear and resounded throughout the entire Fengtian Hall.

The expressions on those people's faces changed drastically.

Li Yuanming suddenly looked up and said urgently, "Your Highness! We were just..."

"Just what?"

Zhu Yunwen interrupted him coldly.

"Is it just to force the Emperor's grandfather to immediately establish an heir? Is it just to bring a group of people to kneel here and exert pressure?"

"You keep saying 'I wouldn't dare,' but don't you know what you're really up to?"

He took another step forward, looking down at him with a gaze as sharp as a knife.

"Minister Li, you speak of the Ming Dynasty at every turn, and of the nation at every turn."

"Then let me ask you this: with our imperial grandfather still alive, why are you so eager to enthrone a new emperor? Are you hoping for our imperial grandfather's early demise?"

These words caused an uproar throughout the court.

Li Yuanming's face turned deathly pale, and he felt as if his soul had left his body.

"Your Highness! I have absolutely no such intention! I have absolutely no such purpose!"

"No?"

Zhu Yunwen scoffed.

"Then why are you in such a hurry? Since Grandfather said he has a plan, then he has a plan."

"What are your intentions in repeatedly pressing me for answers?"

"Do you distrust your imperial grandfather, or do you think he is old and senile, and that it is up to you to dictate the affairs of the state?"

His gaze swept over the remaining kneeling ministers.

"And you, you all, so sanctimonious and full of talk about loyalty to the emperor and patriotism."

Before the Emperor had even finished speaking, people rushed out to echo his sentiments.

"What, you'd already conspired down there?"

The men's faces turned pale and then red, and they trembled all over, unable to utter a single word.

Zhu Yunwen withdrew his gaze, turned to look at Zhu Yuanzhang, and said with a disdainful expression.

"Grandfather, you have seen it all. These are the loyal ministers you rely on. Before the crown prince has even been decided, they are already rushing to take sides and form factions. Today they dare to force you to establish an heir, and tomorrow they will dare to force you to abdicate."