Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 145 Arrest Me? This Marquis has told the Emperor's fortune! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

That bastard said we killed Biao'er?

What does it mean?
Could Biao'er's death be related to us?!
impossible! Absolutely impossible!
The more Old Zhu thought about it, the darker his vision became, and he gripped the dragon table tightly with both hands.

He couldn't imagine such an outcome, nor did he dare to think about it any further.

But the seeds of suspicion are spreading like poison.

Unbeknownst to them, the atmosphere in the entire Huagai Hall had become as oppressive as a tomb.

Jiang Huan and Yun Ming knelt on the ground, their foreheads pressed tightly against the cold floor tiles, barely daring to breathe.

After a long while, Old Zhu finally managed to calm himself down and quickly shifted his attention.

The package embroidered with dazzling peonies lay on the imperial desk, like a gaping abyss, exuding a suffocating and ominous aura.

Old Zhu didn't open it immediately.

He just stared at it intently, his chest heaving violently, his bloodshot eyes churning with raging fury, extreme humiliation, and a kind of madness driven to the brink of despair.

What a disgrace! What a disgrace!

In his entire life, when had Zhu Yuanzhang ever been subjected to such open and blatant provocation and coercion?!
This is not just a scandal; it is the most direct trampling of his imperial power!
Whatever it may be, this matter itself has already pushed the emperor to the brink of a desperate situation where he must react immediately!

Finally, Old Zhu slowly raised his head, his gaze shooting towards Jiang Huan like lightning. His voice was hoarse and low, yet carried a chilling calmness:

"Have you found out anything? What's the background of that old litigious lawyer? Who ordered him to do it?"

"Reporting to... Your Majesty..."

Jiang Huan's voice trembled: "That old lawyer took money to do his job, and the people who instructed him... left no clues, as if... as if they disappeared into thin air."

"good very good……"

Old Zhu let out a chilling chuckle: "So you're all playing dirty tricks on us, aren't you? You're all using us as pawns, aren't you!?"

"Bam—!"

As he spoke, he slammed his hand on the imperial desk, causing the package to jump.

"Zhang Biao! It's all that bastard Zhang Biao's fault!"

Old Zhu roared, "If it weren't for his audit, how would these demons and monsters have been discovered?! If it weren't for those little bastards under his command, how would they have dared to expose this to the heavens?! If it weren't for his charlatanry in the prison, how would these monsters and demons have been attracted?!"

The root of everything, the source of all the chaos, is that madman in the imperial prison!

He's starting to regret not killing Zhang Biao sooner.

However, now that things had come to this, he was like a lion that had been completely enraged, with only a frenzied killing intent and a kind of obsession with thoroughly understanding and controlling everything in his eyes.

"Investigate! Investigate every lead meticulously! We need to know the whole truth!"

"But the emperor..."

Jiang Huan forced a smile and said, "It involves the palace, so perhaps..."

"There is no 'yes' or 'no'!"

Old Zhu abruptly interrupted him, his gaze sweeping across Jiang Huan's face like a sharp blade:

"Anyone! Anything! If there's even the slightest suspicion, investigate it! We want to see just how many demons and monsters are still lurking in this world!"

"Yes!"

Jiang Huan accepted the order with a start, completely terrified.

He knew that a massive purge sweeping across the government and even within the palace was inevitable.

After watching him leave, Old Zhu solemnly gave another order: "Yunming!"

"Yes, ma'am."

Yunming's voice was trembling uncontrollably.

But then Old Zhu said coldly, "Pass on my decree: immediately order the Five City Garrison to seal off the nine gates, allowing entry but not exit! All those who gathered to watch the Dengwen Drum today must be registered, and anyone who dares to spread rumors will be punished for treason!"

"Furthermore, effective immediately, Hanlin Academician Liu Sanwu will temporarily take charge of the Ministry of Revenue, Duke Xu Yungong of Wei will temporarily manage the Ministry of War, Mei Yin will assist in the management of the Ministry of Works, and I will personally oversee the Ministry of Personnel!"

"During the thorough investigation, all officials of the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers shall remain in their positions. If anyone dares to form cliques, engage in favoritism, or deceive us again, Fu Youwen and his ilk will meet their end!"

"promise!"

Yunming acknowledged and quickly bowed before leaving the main hall.

Meanwhile, in the East Palace, at the Chunhe Hall.

The hall was filled with the fragrance of incense and had an elegant furnishing, attempting to maintain a semblance of tranquility isolated from the turmoil of the outside world.

Ms. Lü was sitting calmly by the window, trimming the leaves of a pot of orchids, but her slightly trembling fingertips and occasional absent-minded gaze betrayed her inner turmoil.

Zhu Yunwen sat not far away, holding a scroll in his hand, but did not turn a single page for a long time.

His handsome face bore a lingering worry, his brows furrowed, clearly indicating that he was unable to concentrate on his reading.

The drums of petition sounded, forbidden drugs were found in the palace, an old case from Shaanxi was uncovered, and four high-ranking officials, including Fu Youwen, were imprisoned on the spot...

This series of earth-shattering news, like thunderclaps, had already penetrated the palace walls and reached the Eastern Palace.

Even though they tried to avoid it, the whispering palace maids and eunuchs, and the tense atmosphere in the air, constantly reminded them that a momentous change was taking place outside that could overturn everything.

A trusted eunuch strode in silently, leaned close to Lady Lü's ear, and whispered a few words, bringing in the news that Fu Youwen and others had been making accusations at the court meeting, even vaguely implicating the princes, and that the emperor was furious and had ordered a thorough investigation into the 'treason'.

As Ms. Lü was pruning the flower branches, her hand suddenly trembled, and with a 'snap,' a tender branch that shouldn't have been pruned was accidentally cut off.

Her face turned pale for a moment, but she quickly regained her usual gentle expression, though a hint of fear, which she tried hard to conceal, flashed deep in her eyes.

"I understand, you can go down."

She waved away her trusted eunuch, trying to keep her voice steady.

Once again, only the mother and son remained in the hall, but the atmosphere was even more tense than before.

Zhu Yunwen put down his book and looked at his mother with worry: "Mother, has things really gotten to this point outside? How could Minister Fu and the others......"

There was a hint of barely perceptible panic in his voice.

Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, and others usually treated him, the "prospective crown prince," with great respect and were very courteous during holidays.

Although he did not participate in politics, he knew that they were important officials in the court.

To have ended up like this, even being accused of 'treason,' is a huge shock to him.

Lady Lü took a deep breath, put down the silver scissors, walked to Zhu Yunwen's side, gently patted the back of his hand, and tried to calm herself down by saying:

"Wen'er, don't panic. The affairs of the court are ever-changing, and your imperial grandfather will make the final decision. We, being in the inner palace, only need to do our duty and observe the situation quietly."

Her words seemed comforting, but in reality they carried a subtle warning and a sense of distance.

She knew all too well that in this deep palace, one wrong step could lead to an abyss.

However, Zhu Yunwen's brows did not relax. He said in a low voice, "But Mother, what the Dengwen Drum said... about forbidden drugs in the palace... also involves Father..."

When he spoke of his father, his voice choked up: "Grandfather... he must be extremely heartbroken and furious. Your son wishes to go see Grandfather and offer some words of comfort..."

"No!"

Lady Lü abruptly stopped her, her voice slightly hurried, before softening her tone:

"Your grandfather is currently in a fit of rage and needs to be alone to handle state affairs. If you and I go there, we will not only fail to comfort him, but may also cause him trouble."

"Remember, at this moment, it is better to remain still than to act."

Her concerns went far beyond that.

The words "forbidden medicine in the palace" were like a poisonous thorn, stuck in her heart.

In the depths of the palace, there are always many secret affairs. Although she is confident and acts cautiously, who can guarantee that no one will take the opportunity to slander or even smear her?
The emperor's paranoia has reached its peak; what if...?

And then there's the 'Shaanxi old case,' which involves the late Crown Prince... This is an extremely sensitive topic.

Although her son Wen'er is the beneficiary, who can guarantee that the emperor, in his rage and suspicion, won't have some terrible thoughts?

A faint yet chilling fear crept into Lü's heart.

Beneath her carefully maintained composure lay a palpable sense of trepidation, as if she were walking on thin ice.

She understood better than Zhu Yunwen that the terrifying thing about this storm was that it might not develop in the way anyone expected, and it would drag everyone into it, whether you stood by and watched or were in the eye of the storm.

Zhu Yunwen looked at his mother's solemn expression, nodded as if he understood, and did not insist, but the worry in his eyes deepened. He vaguely sensed that his mother seemed to know something, or was afraid of something, and that it was the darkest side of the deep palace that he had never encountered before.

The mother and son remained silent for a moment, sitting facing each other in the hall.

The sky outside the window remained the same, but what shrouded the Forbidden City was a dense, oppressive cloud.

All they seemed to be able to do was wait, in this suffocating silence, for the unknown fate that might sweep everything away to descend.

That slight worry, like the lingering incense in the hall, quietly permeated and seeped into my heart.

the other side.

Jiang Huan received Zhu De's edict, which contained boundless rage and icy killing intent. As if holding a death warrant, he led the most elite Imperial Guards to search for clues everywhere.

Although there wasn't much in the package, the Imperial Guards were always professional in their investigations.

They can trace the source even to the slightest clue.

Finally, they found clues about the banned drugs in a pharmacy in the east of the city.

This clue points directly to Zhou Ji, the son of Zhou Dexing, the Marquis of Jiangxia.

Therefore, Jiang Huan immediately led his men, without stopping, and rushed towards the residence of Marquis Zhou Dexing of Jiangxia like a black tide.

At the entrance of the Marquis's residence, the gatekeeper was terrified to see that the person who had arrived was actually the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and that the men behind him were menacing. He immediately went inside to report.

A moment later, the gates of the mansion swung open, and Marquis Zhou Dexing of Jiangxia walked out in his marquis's robes, his face grim.

He was old, but still had a robust physique and a fierce, martial air about him.

Upon seeing Jiang Huan, he was initially surprised, but quickly regained his composure and even adopted the airs of a marquis.

"Commander Jiang?"

Zhou Dexing's voice was loud and clear, tinged with displeasure: "Why are you making such a fuss, surrounding the gates of my manor? Does the Emperor have another decree that requires my service?"

He tried to take the initiative by invoking the emperor's name.

Jiang Huan remained expressionless, gave a slight bow, and spoke in a cold, hard voice: "My lord, by imperial decree, we are investigating a major case and require the cooperation of both you and your son, Zhou Ji."

"Oral message?"

Zhou Dexing frowned, his eyes filled with even more vigilance: "What important case requires Commander Jiang to come and investigate personally? And to interrogate my son? Is there an imperial decree?"

He was deliberately making things difficult, hoping to get away with it and trying to buy time.

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Huan's eyes. He no longer held back, taking a step closer and lowering his voice, each word piercing Zhou Dexing like an ice pick:

"My lord, are there some things that I must say in front of so many people? About... some 'spices' that shouldn't be in the palace, and... some 'dealings' that shouldn't exist?"

Although he didn't explicitly use words like "harem" or "debauchery," the words "spice" and "travel," combined with his icy gaze and pointed tone, instantly shattered all of Zhou Dexing's hopes.

Zhou Dexing's face turned deathly pale in an instant, his body swayed visibly, and his forced composure collapsed instantly.

Of course he knew what Jiang Huan was referring to!
Could it be... could it be that the disgraceful deeds committed by that rebellious son have come to light?! And have they even alarmed the Emperor?!
"You...you are so slanderous!"

Zhou Dexing hissed, his voice trembling uncontrollably, his tone fierce but his words betraying his underlying fear:
"I followed the emperor in raising an army and made outstanding contributions! I even predicted the emperor's destiny, and I am a meritorious official of the Ming Dynasty!"

"You, a mere commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, dare to slander nobles without any evidence! I demand to see the Emperor! I want to plead my case before His Majesty in person!"

He tried to use his past achievements and his 'special relationship' with the emperor to pressure people in a last-ditch effort.

Jiang Huan looked at his outwardly strong but inwardly weak appearance and sneered inwardly, but her face remained cold:
"My lord, you may see the Emperor, of course. But I am acting on the Emperor's orders! Proof?"

Jiang Huan suddenly pulled out the package embroidered with dazzling peonies from his bosom and flashed it in front of Zhou Dexing:
"This is the evidence! Does Your Excellency wish for me to open it here so that everyone can see it?!"

The familiar peony pattern was like a red-hot branding iron, burning Zhou Dexing's eyes widened and his soul almost left his body.

He panicked completely, no longer caring about his dignity as a marquis, and his voice became pleading:
"Commander Jiang! Lord Jiang! There must be some misunderstanding! Someone must be framing my Zhou family! Please allow me to see your superior..."

"enough!"

Jiang Huan interrupted him sharply, having completely lost his patience.

The emperor's rage and the pressure had pushed him to the brink of collapse, leaving no room for sentimentality.

"The Emperor has decreed: Investigate thoroughly! Anyone who obstructs this will be punished as an accomplice!"

Jiang Huan suddenly waved his hand: "Guards! Invite the Marquis to rest! Everyone else, come with me into the manor! Search! Find Zhou Ji for me!"

"You dare?!"

Zhou Dexing tried to stop them, but was held firmly by two fierce-looking guards on either side and dragged aside to be watched over. No matter how much he screamed and struggled, it was to no avail.

"Jiang Huan! You lackey! The higher-ups will not let you get away with this! I am a meritorious official..."

Zhou Dexing's curses were quickly silenced.

Jiang Huan didn't even glance at him, and led a large group of men, charging into the luxuriously decorated Jiangxia Marquis's mansion like tigers and wolves.

The mansion was thrown into chaos, with screams from maids and servants, shouts from the Imperial Guards, and the sounds of rummaging through chests and cabinets filling the air.

With a clear objective, Jiang Huan headed straight for Zhou Ji's residence in the backyard.

As soon as I reached the gate, I smelled a strong, pungent, decadent odor wafting out, a mixture of alcohol and a strange, sweet fragrance.

The faint sounds of men and women laughing and making obscene noises could be heard from inside the courtyard.

"Bam—!"

Jiang Huan's face darkened further, and he kicked open the door.

The sight before him made even the seasoned head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard feel nauseous.

The room was a mess, with bottles, fruit pits, and torn clothes scattered everywhere.

Zhou Ji, the heir of the Marquis of Jiangxia, was disheveled, his face flushed, and his eyes unfocused. He was entangled on the bed with three equally scantily clad and wanton women. Clearly, he had been given extremely potent drugs and was already out of his mind.

In the incense burner next to it, the strangely colored incense that emitted a sweet and cloying fragrance was still burning!
It was one of the banned drugs mentioned in the package!

"Take it!"

Jiang Huan waved his hand dismissively.

The imperial guards rushed forward like wolves, roughly dragging the screaming woman and the struggling Zhou Ji away, and splashing them with cold water to wake them up.

Zhou Ji was slightly sobered up by the cold water. When he saw the room full of Imperial Guards and Jiang Huan with a livid face, he was stunned at first, then so frightened that his whole body went limp, and his crotch was instantly soaked and smelled foul.

"Lord Jiang... Lord Jiang... spare me... spare me..."

Zhou Ji was in tears, kowtowing repeatedly, showing no semblance of a nobleman's heir.

Jiang Huan didn't bother to waste words with him. His sharp gaze swept across the room, and he quickly found more unused banned drugs and several letters with ambiguous handwriting and cryptic signatures in a hidden compartment by the bedside.

The evidence is irrefutable! The perpetrators have been caught red-handed!
Looking at the depraved and absurd scene before him, and smelling the nauseating stench, Jiang Huan felt a chill in his heart.

Marquis Jiangxia... is finished.

[It's not just about the emperor indulging in debauchery in the harem; it's likely... this could really uncover a massive scandal.]

He could almost see the emperor's extreme rage upon learning of this situation, and how he would unleash a bloody storm upon it.

"Lock everything up! Seal all evidence! Enter the Marquis's residence, but no one is allowed to leave!"

Jiang Huan gave the order coldly, his voice devoid of any emotion.

The Imperial Guards dragged the limp Zhou Ji and the pale-faced women away like prisoners on death row.

The once illustrious Jiangxia Marquis's mansion is now completely shrouded in the shadow of death.

Standing in the messy courtyard, Jiang Huan looked at the old Marquis Zhou Dexing, who was being controlled by the imperial guards and whose face was ashen. Instead of feeling relieved, he felt even heavier.

He knew this was just the beginning.

Pulling up a radish brings out a whole lot of mud; who will Zhou Ji's connection implicate? The one in the harem? Or someone else involved?
A storm far more terrifying and dirty than the Shaanxi corruption case has already arrived.

And he was right at the very center of the storm.

"Wasn't Mao Xiang's experience nothing more than this back then?" Jiang Huan thought to himself, then waved his hand and said, "Take Zhou Ji away!"

The pharmacy only provided the ingredients for the banned drugs; the formula was Zhou Ji's own.

Jiang Huan, of course, did not believe that Zhou Ji could come up with such a banned drug formula; there must be someone else behind him.

Thinking about the person behind it, Jiang Huan had already made some guesses, but he dared not guess any further.
Everything could only be decided by the emperor.

(End of this chapter)