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

"Biao'er...brave!"

Upon hearing this, every single official in the court was completely stunned.

Completely bewildered.

Their minds were completely unable to keep up with the plot developments of this god.

This……

What's going on?

The emperor was disarmed in public by the crown prince, but instead of being angry, he praised his son for his "bravery".

This……

Is this still the same bloodthirsty, suspicious, and ruthless Hongwu Emperor?

Only Zhu Biao, upon hearing his father's words, could no longer hold back, and tears streamed down his face.

Empress Ma ignored Zhu Yuanzhang's complex and forlorn gaze. She simply spoke coldly, her voice not loud, but clearly carrying throughout the entire city tower.

"Invite him into the Fengtian Hall."

She emphasized the word "please" with extreme force, and the sarcasm and coldness in it sent a chill down the spines of all the civil officials present.

Fengtian Hall was the highest symbol of the Ming Dynasty's imperial power, and the place where court assemblies and national ceremonies were held.

The "trial" of the emperor there was far more ritualistic and devastating than that on the Chengtianmen city tower.

After speaking, Empress Ma slowly turned around.

The personal maid who had been standing behind her immediately understood, stepped forward, and gently draped a bright yellow cloak, embroidered with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix in gold thread, over Empress Ma's shoulders.

It was a dress that the queen would only wear on the most solemn occasions.

The moment the golden cloak symbolizing "the phoenix reigns supreme" was draped over her body, Empress Ma's entire aura changed.

The image of the woman who had been weeping and appeared somewhat frail because of her husband's betrayal vanished without a trace in an instant.

Instead, there was a dignified woman with a majestic gaze, an elegant demeanor, and an aura of imperial power—the Empress of the Ming Dynasty!

She was no longer Zhu Yuanzhang's wife, Ma Xiuying.

She is the Mother of the Nation!

Everyone present, witnessing this scene, instinctively held their breath.

At the same time, a thought popped into their minds: The world of the Ming Dynasty is truly about to change.

Empress Ma straightened the hem of her cloak, then stretched out her hands to the left and right.

To her left was Zhu Biao, dressed in the armor of a prince, holding the golden knife he had taken from his father, his face still bearing traces of tears.

To her right was Zhu Muying, dressed in white armor, who remained calm and composed throughout, as if none of this mattered to him.

One is the rightful heir to the empire.

One was a "rebellious son" who commanded an army of 500,000 and overthrew imperial power under the pretext of "purging the court of corrupt officials".

At this moment, these two brothers, who should have been sworn enemies, stood together because of their mother.

"Biao'er, Mu Ying."

Empress Ma's voice regained its motherly gentleness.

"Come with me."

Zhu Biao and Zhu Muying exchanged a glance, both seeing complex emotions in each other's eyes.

They didn't speak, but silently walked to their mother's side, one on each side, and each reached out and gently took her arm.

Thus, on the city tower of Chengtianmen, this astonishing scene, worthy of being recorded in history, appeared.

Empress Ma Xiuying of the Ming Dynasty, wearing a golden phoenix robe, resides in the center.

To her left was Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

To her right was Prince Zhu Muying.

The mother and her two children stood side by side, forming a power core that was so stable it was unsettling.

Seeing this, Xu Da's aged face showed a relieved smile.

He winked at Lan Yu, Chang Mao, and the others behind him.

Everyone understood immediately.

Xu Da, Chang Mao, Lan Yu, Feng Sheng, Fu Youde, Geng Bingwen...

These six remaining top-ranking founding generals of the Ming Dynasty silently walked behind the mother and her two children, like six unshakeable mountains protecting them.

A brand new power group, composed of the royal family's core members and military giants, was officially born at this moment!

"Let's go."

Empress Ma spoke calmly.

She took her two sons' arms and started walking.

The six dukes and marquises followed closely behind.

Behind them was Zhu Yuanzhang, looking utterly dejected, being "invited" by two bronze-masked figures.

Behind them were Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen, and a group of civil and military officials, their faces ashen and trembling with fear.

This strange and awe-inspiring procession, under the watchful eyes of countless people, slowly descended the city tower of Chengtian Gate, passed through the massive palace gate, and stepped onto the straight and wide white marble imperial road leading deep into the imperial city.

Below the city gate, the 500,000-strong army stood silently, utterly hushed.

All the soldiers looked up at the column.

They may not understand the power struggles within the court, but they can see who is currently in control.

When Empress Ma's figure, draped in a golden cloak, came into their view.

When they saw that their true military hero, Prince Ying, Zhu Muying, was guarding the Empress.

When they saw that all the generals they admired, such as Xu Da, the Duke of Wei, and Lan Yu, the Duke of Liang, were following behind.

They understood.

It's unclear who was the first to kneel down on one knee.

Then, the first domino was toppled.

"Whoosh—" The black tide spread in all directions.

At this moment, the 500,000-strong army, 500,000 men of unyielding spirit, all knelt down on one knee!

The knives and spears in their hands struck the ground with a uniform, dull thud.

"Thump!"

"Thump!"

"Thump!"

The sounds, converging like the resounding war drums and the tolling funeral bells, bid farewell to the emperor who once led them to conquer the land, but is now being "escorted" to the dock by his own wife and children.

Amidst the deafening drumbeats and the silent gaze of 500,000 soldiers, this army marched step by step, resolutely, toward the palace that represented the pinnacle of power in the Ming Dynasty.

Fengtian Temple.

The two vermilion palace gates, which were usually tightly closed, and several meters high, were now slowly opening to both sides.

Like a stage that has been waiting for a long time, it is finally about to welcome its true protagonist.

Empress Ma, arm in arm with her two sons, stepped over the high threshold without the slightest hesitation.

The Fengtian Hall was spacious yet imposing.

The enormous golden pillars with coiled dragons support the towering dome. Sunlight streams through the windows, casting dappled shadows on the smooth, mirror-like golden brick floor, adding a touch of solemnity and sanctity to this hall that symbolizes supreme human power.

When Empress Ma and her entourage entered, their heavy footsteps echoed through the empty hall, each step marking a pivotal moment in history.

Zhu Yuanzhang was "invited" to the very center of the main hall by the two bronze-masked men.

This is the spot where princes and ministers would kneel and bow to the emperor during court sessions.

But now, he himself stands here like a prisoner awaiting trial.

He subconsciously raised his head and looked towards the deepest part of the hall.

There, on the high steps of the imperial palace, sat a chair that he knew all too well.

Nine-Dragon Gold Lacquered Throne.

Dragon throne.

That was the supreme symbol he fought for his entire life, earned with the blood and lives of countless people.

But now, that chair is so close to him, yet so far away.

There was an insurmountable chasm between them, one that he could never cross.

Contrary to everyone's expectations, Empress Ma did not walk directly up the steps and sit on the dragon throne.

She simply walked with her two sons to the foot of the steps and stopped.

Then, she slowly turned around to face the man standing in the center of the hall, his expression complex.

Six generals, including Xu Da and Lan Yu, stood in a row behind her, like six silent gatekeepers.

The civil and military officials, including Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen, who followed in, stood trembling on both sides of the hall, not daring to even breathe loudly.

They all became witnesses to this unprecedented "trial".

Zhu Muying stood beside her mother, her gaze calmly surveying the hall that was both familiar and unfamiliar.

The last time he stood here was when he was crowned King of England.

At that time, he knelt below, full of pride, accepting his father's rewards and the congratulations of the court officials.

He never imagined that returning here would bring him to this scene.

He was no longer the kneeling subject, but the "plaintiff" standing above.

The father who was once high above and received his homage has now become a prisoner.

He glanced at the empty dragon throne, then at Zhu Yuanzhang standing in the center of the hall.

There was neither pity nor any pleasure in my heart.

Only indifference remains as the tide of time rolls forward, relentlessly crushing everything old.

"Zhu Chongba".

Empress Ma spoke.

Her voice sounded exceptionally clear and cold in the empty hall.

She did not call him "Your Majesty" or "Emperor".

She was calling the name of the penniless young man from Huaixi who had met her at Huangjue Temple.

This title, like the sharpest knife, instantly stripped Zhu Yuanzhang of all the aura of "emperor," revealing him to his true nature.

Zhu Yuanzhang was startled, and his eyes, which had been somewhat dazed, instantly blazed with fury again.

He stared intently at Empress Ma, his teeth grinding together.

"Ma Xiuying! How dare you insult me ​​like this!"

"I am the Son of Heaven! The Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty! You...you are committing treason! You are rebelling!"

He is still using his status as "Son of Heaven" to make a last-ditch effort.

Zhu Yuanzhang finally found a reason to defend himself, and roared hoarsely, "I did it for Biao'er! For our descendants to be able to sit on this empire peacefully!"

"What a noble cause for the country! What a noble cause for future generations!"

Empress Ma let out a cold laugh, a laugh filled with endless sorrow.

"Is it acceptable for you to indiscriminately kill innocent people just to seize power?"

"Does your selfishness justify framing and slaughtering loyal and virtuous people?"

"Of all the people you killed, how many truly deserved to die, and how many were killed simply because their contributions were so great that they kept you up at night?"

Empress Ma's voice grew sharper and more piercing with each sentence!