I was to be executed by Zhu Yuanzhang, and Empress Ma smashed Zhu Yuanzhang's jade seal.

"Let's be brothers again in the next life!"

After saying that, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes, and he gripped the hilt of the knife tightly, ready to exert force!

"don't want!"

"Fifth Brother!"

"Fifth Brother!"

At that moment, everyone's heart was in their throat!

Zhu Biao and the others were so frightened that they scrambled forward as fast as they could.

Even Zhu Di, who had been observing from the sidelines, showed a look of panic for the first time.

He had foreseen everything, but he hadn't anticipated that his fifth brother would be so fiercely independent as to commit suicide on the spot in front of everyone!

"don't want!"

"Fifth Brother!"

"Fifth Brother!"

The roars of Zhu Biao, Zhu Di, and others rang out almost simultaneously, their voices filled with unprecedented terror and despair!

None of them expected things to turn out this way!

They never expected that their fifth brother, who had always been as invincible as a war god, would choose to end it all in such a tragic way!

Zhu Di reacted the fastest. He was the closest, and almost the instant Zhu Muying snatched the knife, he pounced like a cheetah.

His mind went blank, with only one thought remaining: He can't be allowed to die!

Absolutely not!

His hand gripped Zhu Muying's wrist, which was holding the knife hilt, and he used all his strength to try to remove the cold blade from his fifth brother's neck.

"Fifth brother! Are you crazy! Let go!"

Zhu Di's eyes turned red. He could feel the resolute force coming from Zhu Muying's wrist. The force was astonishing, unlike that of someone wearing shackles and seriously injured.

Prince Qin, Zhu Shuang, and Prince Jin, Zhu Gang, also reacted. They scrambled forward, one grabbing Zhu Muying's waist and the other trying to pry his other hand off.

"Fifth Brother! Calm down! Let's talk this out! You can't do anything foolish!"

Zhu Shuang, a man who was usually fearless, suddenly had a sob in his voice.

Zhu Biao was terrified. He staggered over, wanting to help, but didn't know where to start. He could only shout incoherently, "Quick! Someone come quick! Take the knife away! Imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician!"

The entire Meridian Gate Square was in complete chaos.

The executioners stood there dumbfounded, at a loss for what to do.

They came to kill, but now, the person they were meant to kill is committing suicide, while a group of princes are desperately trying to save him.

What exactly is going on here?

On the high platform, Zhu Yuanzhang froze, like a stone statue struck by lightning.

He stared blankly down at his sons, who were fighting over another son.

He looked at the bloodstain on Zhu Muying's neck, pressed by the blade; the blood stung his eyes.

Did he want to kill Zhu Muying?

miss you!

Just now, he wished he could tear this rebellious son who dared to challenge his imperial authority to pieces!

But did he want him to die like this?

Do not!

He doesn't want to!

He could order his execution; that's a ruler ordering his subject to die, it's only right and proper.

But what if Zhu Muying committed suicide in front of the whole world?

That was to prove one's innocence by dying!

Therefore, the blood test proves my innocence!

Then Zhu Muying would not be a criminal killed by the emperor, but a loyal minister forced to death by a tyrant!

He will become a tragic hero, a martyr, an object of sympathy for future generations!

And what about Zhu Yuanzhang?

He will be firmly branded as a "tyrant," nailed to the pillar of historical shame, and never be able to rise again!

He could still find excuses to kill meritorious officials.

He drove his own son to his death. What excuse could he possibly have?

Moreover, what did he see?

He saw all his sons, who stood together without hesitation at that moment!

There was no suspicion or estrangement between them, only the purest instinct to protect their family!

Isn't this exactly the "brothers united" that he has always wanted to see?

But this "unity" was actually a means to fight against his father!

"you!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that his vision blurred. He pointed at Zhu Muying and stammered for a long time, but he couldn't utter a single word.

He got it.

This rebellious son wasn't seeking death.

He's pushing him!

He was forcing him to personally retract his decision in front of the entire world!

He admitted he was wrong!

He wanted to completely and utterly humiliate the emperor!

So cruel!

What a Zhu Muying!

Zhu Yuanzhang's chest heaved violently, filled with anger, humiliation, terror, and regret...

A mix of emotions swirled within him, almost tearing him apart.

Just then, Xu Da, who had been kneeling on the ground, suddenly stood up.

He didn't look at the emperor again, but instead, facing the generals still kneeling on the ground, he roared in an extremely sorrowful voice, "My generals of the Great Ming!"

"Your Highness, you have fought for your country, risking your life countless times! Now, you would rather die to prove your loyalty than cause us, or Your Majesty, any trouble!"

"We are indebted to the Prince for saving our lives and for recognizing our talents! If we were to stand by and watch the Prince die on the spot, how would we face the hundreds of thousands of soldiers under our command? How would we face this bright and clear world!"

After saying that, he turned around abruptly, knelt on one knee in front of Zhu Muying, placed his right hand on his chest, and gave a perfect military salute!

"This humble general is Xu Da!"

"I am willing to live and die with Your Highness!"

After a brief moment of surprise, Chang Yuchun, Lan Yu, Li Wenzhong, and the others behind him instantly understood Xu Da's meaning!

One by one, their blood boiled, they stood up, abandoning all so-called rules and the distinction between ruler and subject!

They walked behind Zhu Muying, knelt down on one knee in unison, placed their right hands on their chests, and roared with the loudest and most resolute voices of their lives!

"This humble general, Chang Yuchun, is willing to live and die alongside Your Highness!"

"This humble general, Lan Yu, is willing to live and die alongside Your Highness!"

"We, your humble servants, are willing to live and die alongside Your Highness!"

This is no longer a military remonstrance.

This is a statement!

This is the most elite and core group of military generals in the Ming Dynasty, and they are telling the emperor with their actions: If you want to kill him, you can!

Then we'll die with him!

If you want this country to be unstable and the morale of the army to be low, then we will grant your wish!

Zhu Yuanzhang was utterly devastated by the shocking scene before him.

He looked at his sons, who stood protectively in front of Zhu Muying.

He looked at his generals, kneeling behind Zhu Muying.

He felt that he was the one who was isolated by everyone, a true loner.

"Okay...okay...okay..."

Zhu Yuanzhang said "good" three times, but two streams of turbid tears flowed down his face.

"You all want to die! We'll grant your wish!"

Zhu Yuanzhang drew his sword!

……

Right there in Meridian Gate Square, father and son confronted each other, the emperor and his ministers broke apart, and a storm was brewing to its climax.

At the other end of Yingtian Prefecture, the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace appeared exceptionally quiet.

Inside Yuqing Palace, the air was filled with the fragrance of incense, and the furnishings were elegant.

A young woman dressed in magnificent palace attire was holding a three- or four-year-old boy, sitting on a soft couch by the window, gently humming a lullaby.

The woman was beautiful, with a gentle and graceful demeanor reminiscent of women from Jiangnan. However, upon closer inspection, one could discern a subtle shrewdness and ambition hidden deep within her seemingly gentle eyes.

She was Lady Lü, a concubine of the current Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

And the person she was holding in her arms was her own son, the grandson of the emperor, Zhu Yunwen.

"Wen'er, be good, go to sleep now. When you wake up, Mother will give you some candy."

Lu's voice was so gentle it could melt your heart, but her thoughts had already flown to the distant Meridian Gate.

A personal eunuch walked in lightly from outside and silently gestured to Lady Lü.

A glint of light flashed in Madam Lü's eyes as she gently handed the already sleepy Zhu Yunwen to the wet nurse beside her.

"Keep a close eye on the little prince, and make sure he doesn't catch a cold."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

She stood up and walked into the inner hall. The young eunuch immediately followed her in, lowering his voice and excitedly reporting, "Your Majesty, it's done! It's all done!"

"Tell me quickly, what's going on outside?"

Lu tried hard to suppress her excitement, but her voice still trembled slightly.

"Your Majesty, it's exactly as you predicted!"

The young eunuch said excitedly, "That wicked Prince Ying was forced to commit suicide on the spot! Princes Qin, Jin, and Yan all went to force His Majesty to abdicate and defy him! Now, even old generals like Xu Da and Chang Yuchun have knelt down and resigned! The entire Meridian Gate is practically in chaos!"

"Great! That's wonderful!"

Upon hearing this, Lady Lü could no longer contain herself, and a wildly joyful smile spread across her face.

She clutched the silk handkerchief tightly in her hand, her body trembling slightly with excitement.

Zhu Muying!

This name, like a poisonous thorn, has been deeply embedded in her heart for a very long time.

She hates Zhu Muying!

This hatred did not stem from any personal grudges, but from the purest form of desire and jealousy for power.

She was the Crown Prince's concubine, but above her was the Crown Prince's principal wife, Lady Chang.

Who is the Chang family?

The founding heroine, the biological daughter of Chang Yuchun, the Prince of Kaiping!

He came from a distinguished family with a powerful background, and was deeply favored by Empress Ma and Zhu Yuanzhang.

More importantly, Lady Chang gave birth to the Crown Prince's eldest son, Zhu Xiong Ying!

Zhu Xiong Ying, that is the rightful eldest grandson of the emperor, the future crown prince!

As long as Zhu Xiong Ying is alive, her son Zhu Yunwen will never have a chance to rise in the world!

And that Prince Ying, Zhu Muying, happened to be extremely close to the Chang family!

Chang Yuchun was the senior whom Zhu Muying respected most in the army, and the two were like father and son.

Because of his affection for the Crown Princess Chang, Zhu Muying also took extra care of her, treating her like a sister-in-law.

Zhu Muying doted on his eldest grandson, Zhu Xiong Ying, to the core.

Every time he returned from the battlefield, he brought Zhu Xiong Ying all sorts of novelties, more than he brought to his own son!

With Zhu Muying, the "God of War Fifth Uncle" who held immense military power and had achieved unparalleled feats, as his backer, Zhu Xiong Ying's position was as stable as Mount Tai, and no one could shake it!

Lady Lü clearly understood that if she wanted her son Zhu Yunwen to ascend to the throne, she had to remove two major obstacles.

The first seat belongs to the eldest son, Zhu Xiong Ying.

The second one is the biggest backer behind Zhu Xiong Ying, Prince Ying, Zhu Mu Ying!

Zhu Xiong Ying is too young to move for the time being.

However, Zhu Muying's achievements were so great that they threatened the emperor's authority, which had already aroused the emperor's suspicion.

This is a golden opportunity!

So when she learned from her father, Lü Ben, that Zhu Yuanzhang was planning to take action against Zhu Muying, she was so excited that she couldn't sleep for several days.