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

Inside the Hall of Imperial Sacrifices, the atmosphere was solemn and chilling, the gilded roof pressing down on the hearts of all the officials.

On the dragon throne, Zhu Yuanzhang's face was cold and stern, his eyes carrying the imposing aura of a seasoned emperor. His gaze was fixed on Zhu Muying, who was dressed in prison clothes, below the steps in the hall.

Zhu Muying knelt on the ground, her hair slightly disheveled, shackled, the heavy iron chains grinding her wrists until the skin was red, yet her back remained straight, her spirit unbroken. Even in dire straits, she showed no trace of flattery or cowardice.

The hall remained deathly silent for a long time before Zhu Yuanzhang's deep, heavy voice, filled with thunderous anger, finally rang out. Each word struck the floor tiles, making everyone's eardrums vibrate.

"Zhu Muying, I ask you! With witnesses and evidence piling up, and widespread criticism from both the court and the public, do you know your crime?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall froze instantly.

The civil officials, who had been holding their breath and watching, seized the opportunity, straightened their hats, stepped forward, bowed, and stood solemnly. A chorus of impeachments suddenly erupted, resounding throughout the Fengtian Hall.

The Minister of Rites, holding his official tablet, shouted in a loud and impassioned voice, each word sharp and scathing, pointing directly at Zhu Muying: "I impeach Prince Zhu Muying for ten major crimes! First, he privately stockpiled armor and soldiers, secretly raised assassins, harbored rebellious intentions, and coveted power! Second, while guarding the border, he embezzled grain and provisions, enriched himself, and mistreated his soldiers! Third, he was arrogant because of his achievements, disrespected the court, repeatedly defied His Majesty's will, and showed no regard for the emperor!"

Following closely behind, several officials from the Six Ministries stepped forward one after another, taking turns listing the crimes. Their voices, layer upon layer, carrying overwhelming malice, pressed down hard on Zhu Muying below the steps.

"Fourth, he befriended foreign officials, formed cliques, and stirred up factional strife in the court! Fifth, he falsely reported military achievements, fraudulently claimed rewards, deceived His Majesty, and misled the emperor! Sixth, he allowed his cronies to harass and harm the people, exploit and oppress them, and tarnish the reputation of the court!"

"Seventh, he secretly colluded with neighboring vassals, exchanged letters, and engaged in ambiguous and transgressive acts! Eighth, he disregarded etiquette and regulations, overstepping the bounds of a prince's authority! Ninth, he suppressed colleagues, framed loyal officials, eliminated dissidents, and was narrow-minded! Tenth, he harbored rebellious intentions and plotted treason; his crimes are unforgivable and he should be executed according to the law!"

The ten major crimes were all directly related to treason, and each word carried the penalty of beheading.

The entire court was shocked and turned their heads in disbelief. Countless gazes were fixed on Zhu Muying, some filled with suspicion, some with indifference, and some with the ruthlessness of kicking someone when they're down, but there was not a trace of pity.

The power struggles and intrigues within the imperial court were laid bare at this moment.

Jiang Huan stood among the ranks of the Imperial Guards, his eyes filled with barely concealed elation. A slight smile played on his lips as he confidently declared: with the ten major charges laid out, the irrefutable evidence was in place. Prince Zhu Muying was doomed to die this time, with no chance of a comeback.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the dragon throne, his face ashen and silent. His deep gaze fell on Zhu Muying, who remained motionless and silently impeached, as if he were waiting for him to retort, or as if he had already made up his mind.

Just as the impeachment clamor in the hall had not yet subsided and Zhu Muying was condemned to death, a deafening sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from outside the palace. The iron hooves pounded the bluestone imperial road with a powerful clang, breaking the deathly silence of Fengtian Hall as they approached from afar!

"Thump—thump—thump—"

The heavy, rapid hoofbeats, carrying a chilling, murderous aura, broke straight through the palace gates and echoed throughout the entire imperial city.

The entire court of civil and military officials instantly paled, filled with astonishment and uncertainty, and an overwhelming sense of fear rose in their hearts.

The Ming Dynasty had a strict system of etiquette. In the forbidden area of ​​the Imperial City, especially in front of the Fengtian Hall, it was strictly forbidden to ride horses at high speed, and it was even more forbidden to enter while wearing armor and carrying weapons!

This is an ironclad rule, and no one dares to transgress it!

Who is it today who dares to be so presumptuous, to disregard imperial authority, and to disrupt the court?

The officials all turned to look outside the palace, their eyes filled with a mixture of surprise, panic, and fear. A chilling thought suddenly exploded in the minds of countless people: Could someone be forcing the emperor to abdicate?

Could it be a change in the Crown Prince's plans?

Is Crown Prince Zhu Biao planning a rebellion?!

A cacophony of speculations rippled through the hall, causing widespread panic among the officials. Even the civil servants who had stepped forward to impeach the officials froze in place, their words stuck in their throats, their faces ashen.

Only Zhu Yuanzhang, seated on the dragon throne, showed no anger upon hearing this. Instead, his tense brows relaxed, and the gloom in his eyes vanished, replaced by a look of satisfaction and appreciation. A slight smile played on his lips as he uttered a deep, resounding praise that echoed throughout the hall: "Well done! Biao'er is brave!"

Before the words were even finished, a tall and imposing figure appeared outside the gate of Fengtian Hall!

Looking into the distance, dawn breaks outside the palace gates, golden light spills down, and a figure in dark armor stands on horseback, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his back as straight as a mountain peak. His iron armor gleams coldly, and each piece of armor reflects a chilling light in the daylight, making him look fierce and intimidating.

The current Crown Prince, Zhu Biao!

He was no longer the gentle, modest, and refined crown prince of the past. Today, he was clad in heavy armor, with a jade belt around his waist. He was tall and upright, with broad shoulders and a straight back, exuding an aura of supreme authority.

The horse beneath him stood proudly, its mane flying, exuding an extraordinary aura.

The most awe-inspiring thing was that he gripped a long sword with a chilling gleam in his right hand. The sword was half an inch out of its sheath, and the fierce sword energy broke through the stagnant air around him, sweeping across the entire scene with a murderous aura.

His dark hair fluttered slightly in the wind, his eyebrows and eyes were sharp as knives, all his former gentleness and softness had faded away, leaving only the domineering power of the crown prince, the ruthless decisiveness, and the resolute determination to protect his brothers!

The sight of the Crown Prince, clad in armor, riding a horse, and wielding a sword, storming into the palace was a sight never before seen by the officials of the Ming Dynasty!

With his sharp edge and overwhelming domineering aura, no one can stop him!

The next instant, Zhu Biao dismounted with a swift and decisive movement, flowing smoothly without the slightest hesitation.

With each step, the metal armor clashed, producing a crisp, resounding clang. Every step on the bluestone imperial path was steady and powerful, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

He carried a sharp sword, his steps firm and resolute. Ignoring the panicked imperial guards on both sides and the horrified civil and military officials in the hall, he walked alone, armored and sword in hand, step by step into the solemn and majestic Fengtian Hall!

The officials in the hall were utterly terrified, instinctively taking a half-step back. Their faces were deathly pale, their breaths stopped, and their eyes were filled with extreme shock and fear.

The Crown Prince entered the Fengtian Hall in full armor and carrying a sword—a sight never before seen in history!

Today's events are completely out of control!

The Crown Prince's fierce and imposing demeanor clearly indicated that he was about to unleash his anger in court and forcefully take charge!

Jiang Huan froze, the ecstasy on his face shattered and vanished, his pupils suddenly contracted, a chill ran through him, and he instantly realized that something terrible was about to happen.

Those civil officials who had just delivered their impassioned speeches and listed Zhu Muying's ten major crimes were now trembling and their legs went weak. They dared not look up at the domineering figure walking into the hall.

The hall was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Under the watchful eyes of thousands of terrified people, Zhu Biao walked straight ahead, neither bowing nor kneeling, ignoring the emperor's throne, and went directly to Zhu Muying, who was bound in shackles at the foot of the steps.

The brothers looked into each other's eyes, and Zhu Muying's eyes, which had been filled with exhaustion and grievances, surged up instantly. However, he still tried to remain calm and composed. Looking at his brother, who was dressed in iron armor and had come to the palace for him, his heart was filled with warmth.

Before Zhu Muying could speak, Zhu Biao had already raised his hand, and the cold-looking longsword in his hand was suddenly drawn!

"Zheng—!"

The crisp, sharp sound of the sword echoed throughout the hall, resonating deeply in everyone's hearts!

A sharp sword light flashed by, swift as thunder and unstoppable!

With two crisp "crack" sounds, the heavy and sturdy iron shackles were cut straight through by Zhu Biao's sword!

The shackles binding Zhu Muying's neck and wrists shattered with a crash, the scrap metal falling to the ground with a clang as they completely disintegrated!

The shackles that bound him were shattered in an instant, and Zhu Muying felt a sense of relief. The depression and repression that had accumulated over many days dissipated as the broken pieces of iron fell to the ground.

Zhu Biao sheathed his sword, its blade gleaming coldly. He stood before Zhu Muying, his iron armor imposing and his posture upright. With his own body, he firmly protected his unjustly accused younger brother behind him, his domineering aura radiating outwards, his imposing presence shaking the entire Fengtian Hall.

His gaze was sharp and piercing, sweeping coldly over the entire court. His voice was resounding and deafening, carrying boundless rage and absolute authority, each word booming through the hall: "Who dares to slander my fifth brother again?!"

"Who dares to fabricate false evidence, concoct charges, and frame loyal border guards again?!"

"Today, I, as the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, swear that anyone who dares to tarnish Zhu Muying's reputation is an enemy of my Eastern Palace and an enemy of me!"

His domineering and awe-inspiring words, carrying an undeniable resolve, crushed all the conspiracies and schemes in the hall.

None of the civil and military officials dared to respond or raise their heads, all trembling with fear at the sight of the Crown Prince, who stood guard over his brother in iron armor and exuded an overwhelming aura of dominance.