Ming Dynasty: Zhu Biao's younger brother, the most rebellious son in history

The princess smiled slightly, with a hint of determination in her eyes: "Master Zhu, don't worry. I have made preparations for the worst. If I can really become the empress, it is God's will; if I fail, it is also destined."

Zhu Kai sighed, knowing that no amount of persuasion would help. He stood up and bowed deeply to the princess: "Your Highness, since you have made up your mind, I am willing to follow you until death. No matter what lies ahead, I will accompany you through fire and water."

A trace of gratitude flashed in the princess' eyes: "Master Zhu, thank you. With you by my side, I am more confident."

From that day on, the princess and Zhu Kai began to work more closely together, planning together how to gain more support in the court. The princess also began to contact the people more frequently, listening to their voices, trying to find more reasons to support her own ideas.

A month later, at a grand court meeting, the princess stood up and put forward her views on inheritance rights. The whole court fell into silence, and everyone looked at this brave woman in disbelief. Although the princess' voice was not loud, it penetrated everyone's heart, like a clear spring, washing away those old ideas.

"My fellow ministers, I stand here today not for personal gain, but for our common home. I am willing to take on this responsibility and lead our country to a brighter future. I ask you to give me a chance, so that we can create a new era together."

Zhu Kaixian kept the news about the princess in his heart.

At this time, a strange thing happened in the palace.

A eunuch died suddenly.

When Zhu Kai learned that a eunuch in the palace had died of unknown causes, he was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. On the one hand, he felt sorry for the dead eunuch, but on the other hand, he also vaguely felt that there might be a deeper conspiracy behind this incident. After all, every little movement in the palace could affect the interests of countless people. Zhu Kai knew that this investigation was not only a respect for a life, but also a test of his duties.

After Zhu Yuanzhang's order was issued, Zhu Kai immediately started to investigate the matter. He first came to the palace where the deceased was, which was a quiet courtyard with few people visiting on weekdays. The eunuch's body had been removed, but there was still a faint smell of blood in the air, as if telling the tragedy of the previous night.

Zhu Kai looked around, trying to find clues in every corner. He noticed that there were several pots of chrysanthemums in a corner of the courtyard, and the leaves and flowers of one pot seemed to be messier than the others, as if someone had knocked it over in a hurry. Zhu Kai leaned down and observed carefully, and indeed found some soil scattered on the ground, and some broken branches.

"What happened here?" Zhu Kai asked himself quietly, various possible scenarios appearing in his mind. He decided to ask the nearby palace maids and eunuchs first to see if anyone witnessed what happened last night.

A young palace maid named Chun Tao was brought to Zhu Kai. She looked a little scared and twisted her hands unconsciously. "Master Zhu, I... I only heard the noise from a distance last night, but I didn't dare to get close."

Zhu Kai comforted her gently: "Miss Chuntao, you don't have to be afraid. Just tell me everything you know."

Chun Tao relaxed a little, but there was still some fear in her eyes: "Last night, probably late at night, I got up to drink water, and when I passed by here, I heard someone arguing inside. The voices were very low, and I couldn't hear clearly what they were saying, but I remember one voice sounded very strange, not like the one in our palace."

Zhu Kai nodded and continued to ask: "Did you see who was arguing?"

Chun Tao shook her head: "No, I was afraid of being discovered, so I didn't dare to get too close. However, I vaguely remember that there seemed to be a figure running out from here, very fast, and I didn't see his face clearly."

"Okay, Miss Chuntao, thank you." Zhu Kai said, motioning her to leave. Then, he asked several eunuchs, but the information they provided was mostly similar. No one saw how the eunuch died, and no one knew who the strange voice belonged to.

Just when Zhu Kai was at a loss, a young eunuch rushed over and reported breathlessly: "Master Zhu, someone found something strange!"

Zhu Kai immediately followed the eunuch to the scene, only to see several palace servants busy in a small room. In the middle of the room was a shabby table with several seemingly ordinary small objects on it. Zhu Kai walked up and carefully observed these objects, including several copper coins, a silver needle, and an unopened letter.

Zhu Kai picked up the letter and felt that it was unusually heavy. He opened it and found a thin piece of paper inside. On it were a few lines of scribbled words: "Now that things have come to this, come and meet me as soon as possible. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences yourself."

Zhu Kai was shocked. This letter was obviously related to the eunuch's death. He carefully put the letter away and decided to follow the instructions in the letter, hoping to find more clues.

That night, Zhu Kai followed the letter to a remote courtyard. The courtyard was empty, with only a few dim lanterns swaying in the wind, which looked particularly strange. Just as Zhu Kai looked around, a deep voice sounded behind him: "Master Zhu, you are finally here."

Zhu Kai turned around and saw a man in black standing in the shadows. His face could not be seen clearly. The man continued, "I was entrusted to deliver a message. The eunuch's death was not an accident, but someone deliberately did it. The mastermind behind it is probably related to the princess' succession to the throne."

Zhu Kai was shocked, but he tried his best to remain calm: "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I don't want to see the princess implicated." The man's voice was a little helpless. "If you can find evidence to prove that all this is a conspiracy, maybe you can save the situation."

Zhu Kai nodded: "Thank you for telling me, I will find out the truth as soon as possible."

Zhu Kai returned to his mansion, full of doubts. Despite the hint from the man in black, the real mastermind was still like a flower in the mist, looming. He knew that things in the palace were much more complicated than they seemed on the surface, and every step was full of unknown risks. However, his concern and sense of responsibility for the princess drove him not to give up.

The next morning, Zhu Kai entered the palace again. This time, he decided to learn more about the power network in the palace and try to find any clues that could help him solve the mystery. He first found an old eunuch named Li Gonggong who had a lot of experience in the palace, hoping to get some useful information from him.

Eunuch Li was walking in the Imperial Garden, with a kind smile on his face, looking at the flowers blooming in the sun, as if they were also smiling at him. Zhu Kai bowed respectfully and said, "Eunuch Li, I have something to ask you, could you please give me some advice?"

Eunuch Li turned around, a hint of curiosity in his eyes: "Oh? Why is Lord Zhu so serious?"

Zhu Kai bowed slightly and said sincerely, "I have been investigating the eunuch who passed away a few days ago, but I still can't figure it out. I heard that Eunuch Li has been in the palace for many years and is knowledgeable. Maybe he can give me some inspiration." Eunuch Li sighed, and a trace of imperceptible worry flashed in his eyes: "Alas, things in the palace are a long story. That eunuch was an honest man when he was alive, and I didn't expect that he would encounter such misfortune. As for his death, I am also puzzled."

Zhu Kai followed up with a question: "Then in your opinion, who else in this palace might be involved in this matter?"

Eunuch Li was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "People in the palace have complicated minds, and everyone has their own secrets. If we really want to talk about it, I'm afraid that in addition to those obvious forces, there are also some people who act in secret. For example, the newly favored Concubine Liu, it is said that she has inextricable connections with many court officials."

Zhu Kai was moved after hearing this, but he did not show too much surprise. He continued to ask: "Does Concubine Liu usually have any unusual behavior?"

"It's unusual..." Eunuch Li thought for a moment, "She has been going out at night recently, and sometimes even leaves the palace and disappears. But these are just rumors, or they could be misunderstandings."

Zhu Kai nodded in thanks, and a new goal was already in mind. After bidding farewell to Eunuch Li, he decided to secretly monitor Concubine Liu to see if he could find any clues.

At night, when the moonlight filled the earth, Zhu Kai changed into a nightgown that was easy to move around, and quietly sneaked into the vicinity of Concubine Liu's bedroom. He hid behind a big tree and waited patiently. Soon, a figure really appeared in his sight. It was Concubine Liu. She was wearing a light gauze skirt, like a fairy in the moonlight, but with an indescribable sense of mystery.

Zhu Kai followed closely, trying not to make any noise. Concubine Liu passed through the palace walls and finally stopped in front of a remote pavilion. A man was waiting in the pavilion. Although he was far away, Zhu Kai vaguely recognized that the man was Shangshu Wang, who had been promoted to an important position not long ago.

After the two met, they began to talk in low voices. Zhu Kai cautiously moved closer, hoping to hear their conversation.

"How is the plan going?" Lord Wang asked, with a hint of urgency in his voice.

Concubine Liu replied: "Everything is going well. In just a few days, the matter will be completely resolved. By then, the princess's position will be shaken, and our chance will come."

Lord Wang nodded and said, "Okay, you must act cautiously and don't leave any handle for others to catch you."

Zhu Kai was shocked when he heard this, as it undoubtedly confirmed his guess - the eunuch's death was indeed related to the princess, and there was a bigger conspiracy brewing behind it.

Just then, a gust of wind blew, and the leaves rustled, alerting the two. Zhu Kai quickly dodged and hid in the bushes, holding his breath, and did not dare to show up until they left.

Back at the mansion, Zhu Kai fell into deep thought. He knew that the evidence he had now was not enough to reveal the truth, but he had found a possible clue. He decided not to alert the enemy for the time being, but to go back and sort out his thoughts and prepare for the next step.

However, just as he was about to rest, there was a knock on the door. A familiar voice came from outside the door: "Master Zhu, are you in the mansion?"

Zhu Kai's heart trembled, and he quickly adjusted his mood and opened the door. He saw that the person standing outside was Zhao Hu, the princess's personal guard.

Zhao Hu said with a serious face: "The princess asks you to come to the palace immediately to discuss something important."

Zhu Kai thought to himself, could it be that the princess had also noticed something? He had no time to think about it, so he could only follow Zhao Hu to the palace.

The princess sat in the study with a serious expression. Seeing Zhu Kai coming in, she immediately stood up and greeted him: "Master Zhu, you are back. I have heard about what happened in the palace recently. I need your help to find out the truth."

Zhu Kai nodded and said, "Princess, don't worry. I am working on this matter. However, there is no conclusive evidence yet, so it will take some time."

The princess said anxiously, "We can't wait any longer. I have a feeling that if we delay any further, the consequences will be disastrous. Lord Zhu, you are the person I trust the most. No matter what, we must find out as soon as possible."

Zhu Kai took a deep breath and answered firmly: "Princess, please rest assured. I will live up to your trust. But before that, I still need your support and cooperation."

The princess nodded, a look of determination flashing in her eyes: "As long as I can reveal the truth, I am willing to do anything."

Zhu Kai left the princess' study with a heavy heart. He realized that things were beyond his control. Returning to his residence, he immediately sent someone to invite the crown prince Zhu Biao. The two brothers grew up together. Although they had their own ambitions, they always supported each other at critical moments. At this moment, Zhu Kai knew that only the crown prince could give him more support.

Soon, the crown prince Zhu Biao hurried over. As soon as Zhu Biao entered the room, he saw Zhu Kai sitting in the study, frowning, as if he was lost in thought. The crown prince took a few steps closer and asked with concern: "Second brother, you called me here so late, is there something important going on?"

Zhu Kai looked up at Zhu Biao, his eyes revealing a trace of worry: "Brother, what happened in the palace today is very serious. The case that the princess ordered me to investigate is very involved, involving power struggles inside and outside the court. If it is not stopped in time, there may be a disaster."

When the prince heard this, his expression changed and his tone became serious: "Tell me what happened quickly."

So Zhu Kai told the prince everything he had seen and heard in the past few days, including the news he had learned from Eunuch Li and what he had overheard during the secret conversation between Concubine Liu and Lord Wang. As Zhu Kai narrated, the prince's face became more and more gloomy, his brows furrowed, and he was obviously shocked by this series of events.

After hearing Zhu Kai's words, the prince was silent for a moment, then stood up and paced back and forth in the study, obviously thinking about countermeasures. "Second brother, this matter is very serious. The collusion between Concubine Liu and Lord Wang is probably not just targeting the princess. We must be careful and not alert the enemy." (End of this chapter)