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

Day two!

Morning!

All the civil and military officials were present.

Among the literary figures are Hu Weiyong, Li Shanchang, and Liu Bowen.

In martial arts, there were Xu Da, Lan Yu, Chang Yuchun, and others!

Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned ashen.

"Today, three judges will jointly try the King of England for treason!"

"Bring the King of England."

As the shrill voice of the eunuch in charge of ceremonies rang out.

The sound of heavy iron chains dragging on the ground came from afar.

All eyes turned to that direction.

Zhu Muying, dressed in prison clothes with heavy shackles on his wrists and ankles, was escorted by two Imperial Guards as he slowly walked step by step toward the high platform.

He stood tall and walked with a steady gait, his face showing no trace of the dishevelment or fear of a prisoner.

His gaze calmly swept over the faces that held sympathy, curiosity, or schadenfreude, finally meeting the gaze of the person on the dragon throne atop the high platform.

The father and son looked at each other.

One was a founding emperor deeply suspicious of others.

One was a war god prince who was wrongfully imprisoned and awaiting trial.

He walked steadily, his back straight. He was not a prisoner walking toward the trial bench, but a marshal walking toward the command platform.

Finally, he stopped ten steps below the platform.

"Prisoner Zhu Muying, why do you not kneel before the Emperor!"

The eunuch in charge of ceremonies shouted at the top of his lungs.

Zhu Muying ignored him, simply raising her head and looking directly at Zhu Yuanzhang on the dragon throne, bypassing everyone else.

There was no hatred or resentment in his eyes, only an unfathomable calmness that made Zhu Yuanzhang inexplicably uneasy.

"Is this how you act as a son? You can't even kneel down in front of us?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was icy; he was trying to use the power of the emperor to crush his son's pride.

Zhu Muying finally spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly carrying throughout the entire square: "Your Majesty, I am guilty and should kneel. But I do not know what crime I have committed?"

He paused, then continued, "If it is a crime for me to fight for the Ming Dynasty's northern expeditions and expand its territory, to achieve the legendary feat of capturing the wolf's lair, then I shall kneel. If it is a crime for me to defend the borders, to fight bloody battles, and to survive countless near-death experiences, then I shall also kneel. If it is a crime for me to be loyal to the emperor and love my country, to respect my elder brother and love my mother, then I should kneel even more."

"However, before I kneel, I would like to ask Your Majesty to clarify which of these three offenses I have committed?"

These words were neither humble nor arrogant, but rather resounding and powerful.

The square fell silent instantly, then erupted into a buzz of discussion.

"Well said! How could His Highness the King be guilty!"

"Yes, this is hardly a crime; it's an immense achievement!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

He didn't expect that this kid would take the initiative right away, using his own achievements to shut him up and placing himself on the moral high ground.

"You scoundrel! You dare to argue?"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne. "You have secretly possessed five hundred sets of armor, intending to rebel. The evidence is irrefutable, yet you still dare to speak so eloquently here!"

He roared at Jiang Huan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard beside him, "Jiang Huan! Read aloud the evidence you've found in front of the whole world! Let everyone hear what good deeds our good son has done!"

"I... obey your order."

Jiang Huan stepped forward, trembling, holding a file in his hand, cold sweat streaming down his face.

He could feel countless gazes from all directions, like knives piercing him.

Especially the cold gaze of Crown Prince Zhu Biao, which made him feel as if his back was about to be pierced through.

He steeled himself, unfurled the file, and began to read in a trembling voice: "According to the confession of Wang Fu, the steward of the Prince of Ying's residence, Prince Zhu Muying, upon returning from the Northern Expedition, felt his achievements were unparalleled and harbored resentment. He then ordered Wang Fu to secretly contact blacksmiths in the capital to forge five hundred suits of armor, which were hidden in a secret room in the Prince's residence. He also said that when the time was right, he would... he would emulate Emperor Taizong of Tang and do... what happened at Xuanwu Gate..."

"boom!"

The moment the last few words were uttered, the entire square erupted in chaos.

The Xuanwu Gate Incident!

These four words are the deepest and most serious taboo for the rulers of any dynasty.

This means killing brothers and forcing the father to abdicate!

This crime is too great, so great that it could crush anyone.

Among the officials, some civil officials, led by Zhan Tong, the Minister of Personnel, turned deathly pale instantly.

They had previously tried to plead for the King, but now, upon hearing this charge, they all lowered their heads and dared not utter another word.

A rebellion might still have room for maneuver, but the "Xuanwu Gate Incident" was a direct confrontation with the emperor and the crown prince, an irreconcilable feud!

Meanwhile, the military generals, led by Marquis Geng Bingwen of Changxing and Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding, all had their faces flushed red, and their fists were clenched so tightly they cracked.

"fart!"

A hot-tempered young officer couldn't help but blurt out, "His Highness treats His Highness the Crown Prince with utmost respect, like a brother. How could he possibly do such a thing! This is absolutely a frame-up!"

"quiet!"

Zhu Yuanzhang roared, his eyes like knives, as he swept them toward the young general.

Geng Bingwen, who was standing next to the young man, quickly pressed him down and shook his head at him.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze returned to Zhu Muying, his voice filled with disappointment and heartache: "Zhu Muying, did you hear that? This is your steward, the old man who has served you for over ten years, who confessed himself! The evidence is overwhelming, what else do you have to say?"

All eyes were once again focused on Zhu Muying.

Faced with such irrefutable evidence, everyone felt that the King of England was likely unable to defend himself and was doomed.

However, Zhu Muying showed no sign of panic; instead, a faint smile appeared on her face.

He looked at Jiang Huan, who was trembling like a leaf, and slowly asked, "Commander Jiang, I only have one question for you: was this confession given willingly, personally, and signed by Wang Fuxin?"

Jiang Huan's heart skipped a beat. He dared not look Zhu Muying in the eye and could only force himself to answer, "Of course! In the main hall of the Northern Garrison Command, there are witnesses and physical evidence. He is completely convinced and has confessed to his crimes without reservation!"

"What a 'confessed' statement!"

Zhu Muying nodded, her smile deepening.

He suddenly raised his voice and declared loudly to Zhu Yuanzhang on the dragon throne, "Father! Your son does not confess! This confession was obtained under torture! It is a frame-up!"

"Your subject has evidence to prove his innocence!"

"Your Majesty, I also have evidence to expose the mastermind behind the 'Xuanwu Gate Incident,' who wanted to kill me and sow discord between us, father and brothers!"

His voice, like thunder, resounded over the Meridian Gate.

Everyone was stunned by his words.

He not only claimed he was wronged, but also wanted to expose the mastermind behind it all.

Zhu Yuanzhang's pupils suddenly contracted.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves thundered outside the palace gates!