Daming: After self-explosive time travel, Lao Zhu's mentality collapsed

At this moment, Chu Ze, who was in the Jinghe Hall, was in a leisurely posture. The emperor of the Ming Dynasty spread his wide bright yellow dragon robe on the finely carved golden chair, with one hand supporting his chin and the other hand gently playing with a jade pendant with a dragon pattern in emerald green. He was like a god looking down on all living things with dignity, untainted by dust, but making people feel uneasy.

"The time has come." He curled his lips slightly, and his voice floated in the air, light but with a slight tingling sensation like needles.

Your Highness, all the civil and military officials lined up in two rows, all of them were as quiet as cicadas, they only lowered their heads and dared not move. They had heard that the "Zhenbei Marquis case" would be decided today, but they did not expect that Your Majesty would personally inquire about it. Everyone felt a chill in their hearts. Will blood splash on clothes today? No one dared to speak rashly.

After a while, the guard dragged out a long voice and came into the hall to report: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Zhenbei is waiting outside the hall."

Chu Ze lowered his eyes, lowered his eyebrows and chuckled. He put the jade pendant back on the table, raised his hand, and whispered: "Xuan."

Outside the palace gate, drums were beating loudly, and rows of heavily armored soldiers blocked the entire palace with the force of thunder. Inside the palace, murderous intentions were secretly set up: the cold light of powerful crossbows flashed faintly, and the slender assassins in white clothes behind the secret door held soft swords, all ready to go. In this situation, even those who have been on the battlefield for a long time would have their breath held.

The Marquis of Zhenbei knew it very well, but if he didn't go in, he would be disobeying orders. He strode in with his head held high, his face still calm. However, when he bowed slightly, he could feel a pair of sharp eyes in the hall staring at his eyebrows.

"Your Majesty, I am Pei Zhan, the Marquis of Zhenbei, and I pay my respects to you."

"No need to be polite, Mr. Pei." Chu Ze narrowed his eyes, his gaze swept across the other's tall body like frost, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, "I heard that the Marquis of Zhenbei has been stationed on the border for a long time, sacrificed his life for the country, and is a role model for all the ministers. I wonder if Mr. Pei has brought me some 'new' things today?"

The word "novel" is not spoken loudly, but it seems to have a powerful impact, and the chill is like an axe chiseling into the bones.

Pei Zhan's face froze for a moment, and he replied with a bow: "Your Majesty, the border is safe and secure. I have been diligent in my duties, and I don't think there is anything unusual." His tone was crisp and steady, and it was obvious that he had been arranging troops for a long time, and he did not dare to speak rashly even in front of the emperor.

Chu Ze chuckled, brushed a memorial on the table, and threw it in front of the palace. "Is the border safe? Can't I see the twenty secret passages in the north? Or does the Marquis of Zhenbei think that I am a clay puppet in this Taijing City?"

After these words were spoken, the entire court fell silent and all the ministers held their breath.

Pei Zhan secretly tightened his fists, but still showed no emotion. He suppressed the trembling in his throat and replied steadily: "I don't know what your majesty is talking about. The construction of the border road is to prevent the navy from having difficulty in supply. It is all for the sake of the country, and there is absolutely no selfish motive!"

"Really?" Chu Ze stood up leisurely, and with every step, his dragon boots made a buzzing sound on the jade floor. He still had a calm smile on his face and a gentle tone, but everyone in the audience felt a chill that penetrated their bones.

He walked slowly towards Pei Zhan, looking down at him, his voice neither loud nor soft, but it made everyone breathless: "You didn't mean to do this, then why are the words 'Pei' on the small flags on the secret passages? It's really no coincidence."

Pei Zhan's eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of panic finally appeared in his eyes. He understood that Chu Ze's words were very important, and it was definitely not just a secret path. He quickly thought of a countermeasure, but unexpectedly Chu Ze suddenly smiled.

"Since the Marquis of Zhenbei is so loyal--" Chu Ze drew out his words, and his tone suddenly changed, his speech speed was as cold as a knife, "Then let me get to the bottom of it-all the accounts will be reviewed together, and hundreds of thousands of soldiers will be handed over to the Jinyiwei for personal trial! If it is really as Pei Qing said, I will definitely give you a 'clear name'!" He reiterated the word "innocent", but it made people sweat.

"No!" Pei Zhan finally lost his composure. He knelt heavily on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, "Your Majesty! I dare not hide anything at all. Please give me a chance..."

Chu Ze turned around and waved his hand outside the hall, "Chance? You didn't understand what I said just now? There are only two kinds of people in this world who can be pardoned by me: loyal ministers and dead bodies. You, choose one of them."

The early morning light outside the eaves finally fell on Chu Ze's back, but there was no warmth in his tone, as if what was reflected into people's hearts was no longer the sunshine, but a surge of murderous intent!
At this moment, a corner of the hall's curtain suddenly lifted, and a graceful goose-yellow figure slowly came in. Princess Changle appeared at this moment, carrying a breeze and fragrance, and her steps were light and graceful, as if she was unaware of the extremely tense atmosphere.

"Uncle Emperor, I am sorry to bother you and ruin your mood." She opened her red lips and smiled sweetly, but her clear eyes were cold.

Chu Ze turned around and saw the person coming. He showed a rare interest, "Changle? What are you doing here at this time? Could it be that you are also interested in this case?"

She bowed slightly, but there was a hint of coldness in her smile, "My niece had to interrupt, but seeing that things are changing so fast and the emperor's uncle seems to be angry, I couldn't help but feel worried, so I came to see him and seek reassurance."

"Heh." Chu Ze chuckled, and that laugh was even colder than the north wind. He approached Princess Changle, raised her chin with his hand, and looked at her wantonly and fiercely, "Are you worried about me or someone else?"

When this question was asked, the surroundings suddenly became empty, and everyone held their breath. Princess Changle paused, her smile faded a little, but her lips moved slightly, but she did not answer.

In the empty hall, the sound of the wind was like a sharp knife, cutting everyone's ears.

The atmosphere in the empty hall was still stagnant, as if covered by an invisible layer of frost. Chu Ze stood there, looking down at Princess Changle. He used a little force with his fingers to lift her slender chin, and looked into her mysterious phoenix eyes.

Princess Changle raised the corner of her mouth slightly, as if she was smiling but not smiling, her voice was gentle but uncompromising: "Uncle, your niece is naturally only concerned about you. As for others, how dare they seek your wrath?"

The words were respectful on the surface, but the ending tone was slightly raised, which seemed to hide a thousand layers of undercurrents. Her tit-for-tat response made Pei Zhan, who was kneeling on the ground beside her, even more uncomfortable. Beads of sweat flowed down his temples, but he didn't even dare to breathe.

Chu Ze raised his eyebrows when he heard this, his deep eyes were filled with interest, "Changle, it seems... you are smarter and more talkative than I thought." He loosened his hand slightly, but his voice was no longer gentle, but sharp as a knife and arrow, "But, people who are too smart often die too early. What do you think?"

Princess Changle put away her smile, and a trace of alert flashed across her eyes, but she soon returned to her innocent face. Her pretty face showed a fearless stubbornness, "Thank you for your reminder, uncle. However, I believe that your kindness and power are unparalleled in the world, and your subjects will naturally be convinced. Why should you be angry because of my insignificant cleverness?" (End of this chapter)