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

Chapter 156 Old Zhu: Ten Thousand Years is Too Long, Kill in the Morning and Evening [Bonus Chapter 2 for Alliance Leader AyeSire7]

Zhu Yunwen was taken to the Fifth Northern Institute.

The heavy doors of the Huagai Hall slowly closed, extinguishing the last ray of light and shutting out the glaring bloodstains and the terrifying commotion outside.

Inside the hall, deathly silence returned, but it was even more oppressive than before, as if the air itself had solidified into heavy blocks of lead.

Old Zhu remained standing in the same spot, his back to the palace gate. His tall figure cast a long shadow in the empty hall, revealing a rare hunchback and loneliness.

He slowly raised the hand that had just slapped Zhu Yunwen, his fingertips trembling slightly, as if the warmth and bloodstains of his grandson's cheek still lingered on it.

The hatred for the murderer of one's father is irreconcilable.

Zhu Yunwen's hoarse yet resolute question echoed repeatedly in his mind like a demonic voice.

Each time it was louder and sharper than the last, it struck his imperial heart, which was shrouded in layers of power struggles and suspicions.

He clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles making a soft cracking sound.

Yes. If someone were to harm our father, what would we do?

The answer to this question doesn't require any thought at all.

He will use the most ruthless and cruel methods to grind the murderer and his entire family to dust!
He will let the whole world know what the consequences will be for anyone who touches Zhu Chongba's family!
So, where's the target?

Biao'er is our son, the heir to whom we have poured countless efforts and entrusted the entire empire!

If Biao'er was truly murdered, what should we, as his father, do?

An indescribable emotion, a mixture of immense grief, overwhelming anger, and a trace of shame that even he himself was unwilling to acknowledge, churned and burned within his chest like magma.

All his previous anger was directed at the loss of control of the court, the possible disloyalty of his sons, and Zhang Biao's reckless provocation.

But at this moment, Zhu Yunwen used the most tragic method to lay bare before him the most primal grief and desire for revenge that should accompany the identity of a 'father'.

He slowly turned around, his gaze falling on the imperial desk.

There lay the blood-stained iron box, and a freshly copied copy, its ink still wet.

His eyes became extremely complex, a mixture of longing, fear, anger, and suspicion.

He knew that once he opened the book, there might be no turning back.

But he knew even more that if Zhu Biao had truly died unjustly, and his father, out of fear of the truth or to protect the so-called 'big picture,' chose to downplay the seriousness of the matter, how could he face his son Zhu Biao after his death? How could he face his wife?
Yoshihisa
As if he had made a firm decision, all hesitation in his eyes was forcibly suppressed and replaced by that icy imperial will.

【What do you mean by "forever and ever"?!】

[Ten thousand years is too long, we'll kill in the blink of an eye!]

He walked back to the dragon throne step by step, but did not sit down immediately. Instead, he instructed his trusted eunuch, who was standing by and dared not utter a sound, "Summon Song Zhong!"

Song Zhong quickly returned, still carrying the chill from outside the palace, and respectfully bowed his head: "Your Majesty."

With Jiang Huan gone, this commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was essentially Zhu Yuanzhang's new henchman.

But then Old Zhu asked calmly and indifferently, "Where are Tang He and Chang Sheng?"

"Your Majesty, we have received the imperial decree and are on their way at full speed. They are expected to enter the palace through the Xihua Gate within a quarter of an hour."

"Ah."

Old Zhu nodded, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest of the dragon throne: "Where is the imperial physician?"

"They have all arrived at the side hall to await your instructions. As you commanded, they are being guarded separately, and no one is talking to each other."

"it is good."

Old Zhu's gaze swept over the iron box:

"Send an absolutely reliable person to the Bureau of Investigation to deliver the copy and tell those examiners that we want their 'eyes' and their 'mouths,' not their 'hearts'!"

"Once you've read it, just give us a 'read' confirmation. No more questions, and absolutely no discussion!"

"I understand!"

Song Zhongxin felt a chill, knowing that the emperor wanted to keep the number of people who knew about this to a minimum.

"besides!"

Old Zhu's eyes suddenly became incredibly sharp:
"Keep a close watch on the Crown Prince's palace! We need to know even if a fly flies in or out!"

"Keep a close eye on the Lü family, especially!"

"Investigate thoroughly the backgrounds of everyone serving Yunwen! Anyone who has had any unusual contact with people outside the palace recently should be arrested immediately!"

His suspiciousness and ruthlessness were on full display at this moment.

Zhu Yunwen's words were like a thorn in his side. Although he didn't believe them entirely, they were enough to make him extremely wary of the Crown Prince and Lady Lü.

He even suspected that Zhu Yunwen's actions today might be partly due to Lü Shi's deliberate indulgence or even coercion, as if she wanted to use someone else to do her dirty work.
After all, the Lü family had already given themselves away before!

"Yes! I will take care of it immediately!"

Song Zhong felt immense pressure, knowing that a real bloodbath was about to begin.

After Song Zhong left, Old Zhu did not immediately look at the copy.

He needs to wait, wait for Tang He and Chang Sheng.

These two men were, one a meritorious old brother who had almost helped him conquer the country and knew his temperament well, and the other the younger brother of Zhu Biao's wife and Yun Teng's maternal uncle.

With them witnessing, they can not only help him verify the authenticity, but also, to some extent, act as an invisible constraint and pressure.

This forces him, the emperor and father, to face the possible consequences fairly.

This waiting is agonizing.

The candlelight crackled inside the hall, each slight sound seeming to strike his heart.

His gaze kept sweeping over the iron box, his mind involuntarily flashing back to Zhu Biao's voice and smile, his frail appearance during his illness, the evasive words of the imperial physicians, the 'auspicious' reports from Shaanxi, and the news of the Second Prince's repeated misdeeds in his fiefdoms but being let off lightly.
Countless previously overlooked details now surged into my mind like a tide, colliding with each other and trying to piece together a terrifying outline.

His face grew increasingly gloomy, and the rhythm of his fingers tapping on the armrest quickened.

at last!

An announcement came from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, the Duke of Xin and the Duke of Kai have arrived."

"Xuan!"

Old Zhu abruptly stopped pointing, sat up straight, and all the hesitation on his face vanished instantly, leaving only the coldness and majesty of the Hongwu Emperor.

Tang He and Chang Sheng strode into the hall. Both of them were clearly aware that something big had happened, and their expressions were extremely solemn.

Chang Sheng, in particular, felt his eyelids twitch uncontrollably when he saw the iron box on the imperial desk and the bloodstains at the palace gate that had not yet been completely cleaned up.

"Your Majesty, your subjects Tang He and Chang Sheng pay our respects!"

"Get up."

Old Zhu waved his hand, without any further pleasantries, and pointed directly to the transcribed copy on the imperial desk:
"Here are some things that concern the cause of Biao'er's death. You two, show them to us now, look carefully! After you've looked, tell us what you think."

His tone was calm, yet carried an immense weight.

Tang He and Chang Sheng were shocked. They looked at each other and saw utter horror in each other's eyes.

They dared not ask any more questions, and immediately stepped forward, each picking up a copy, and began to read it intently by candlelight.

Only the rustling of papers turning and the increasingly heavy breathing of the three people remained in the hall.

Old Zhu's gaze was like that of a hawk, fixed intently on the faces of the two men, not missing a single subtle change in their expressions.

He is observing and judging.

Determine the authenticity of this evidence.

They were also judging the truest reactions of the two people in front of them when they saw things that could potentially shake the foundations of the nation.

The emperor's suspicion and distrust never ceased.

And at the heart of the storm, the iron box, its secrets are being slowly revealed in this suffocating silence.

On the other side, at the Prince of Yan's residence.

"Young Master! Something terrible has happened!"

Just as Zhu Gaochi hid the hot potato-like iron box in the most secret compartment under his desk, the steward's terrified voice and hurried footsteps rang out outside the study:
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard! Commander Jiang Huan has personally arrived with his men! They've reached the front hall! They say they're here on imperial orders to see you!"

They're here?! How did they get here so quickly?!

Zhu Gaochi's heart clenched, and the fear he had just suppressed surged back up his head.

He almost subconsciously glanced at the place where the iron box was hidden, and only after confirming that there were no flaws did he force himself to calm down.

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui's expressions also changed drastically. They looked at each other and saw the panic in each other's eyes.

Zhu Gaoxu even clenched his fists and tensed his body slightly, assuming a defensive posture.

"Why panic?!"

Zhu Gaochi rebuked his two younger brothers in a low voice, both to them and to encourage himself:
"Take a deep breath and stay calm! Remember what I just said! Read my signals!"

After saying that, he took a deep breath, trying to force a just-right look of surprise and unease onto his fat face, straightened his slightly disheveled robes, and gave Zhu Gaosui a wink.

Zhu Gaosui immediately understood and opened the study door.

Outside the door, the butler was pale and sweating profusely.

Zhu Gaochi tried his best to appear as if he was merely startled by the sudden arrival of the Imperial Guards, and said with a hint of fear:

"Commander Jiang's arrival in person must mean something important. I'll go to the front hall now. Second brother, third brother, you two come with me."

He needed to keep both of his younger brothers within his sight to avoid giving himself away during individual questioning by the Imperial Guards, and it was also a silent show of weakness:

Look, we brothers are all honest men.

Soon, the three brothers, filled with great trepidation, headed towards the front hall.

Every step felt like walking on a minefield.

The iron box that had just been hidden seemed to radiate an invisible, deadly heat behind them.

lobby.

Jiang Huan, dressed in a dark python robe, stood upright with his hand on his sword, his face as cold as ice, devoid of any expression.

Behind him stood four sharp-eyed, cold-blooded Imperial Guards, standing like statues on either side, their powerful presence making the spacious front hall feel unusually cramped.

Upon seeing Zhu Gaochi and the other two emerge, Jiang Huan merely clasped his hands in a slight gesture, the movement precise yet utterly devoid of warmth, his voice icy and devoid of any inflection:
"By order of the Emperor, I will question Zhu Gaochi, the heir of the Prince of Yan's residence."

Zhu Gaochi immediately bowed, his plump face filled with respect and a perfectly measured hint of fear:

"Your subject, Zhu Gaochi, respectfully listens to Your Majesty's edict."

His voice even trembled slightly, perfectly portraying the reaction of a prince who was suddenly summoned by the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Jiang Huan's gaze, sharp as a hawk's, slowly swept over Zhu Gaochi's face, which was trying to remain calm but could not hide his panic. It then swept over Zhu Gaosui behind him, who was obviously nervous and had evasive eyes, and Zhu Gaoxu, who was trying to remain calm but was leaning forward slightly, revealing his wariness.

"Your Majesty asks—!"

Jiang Huan spoke in a clear, resonant voice, his words as distinct as ice beads striking the ground:
"Why did his second younger brother, Zhu Gaoxu, happen to be near the procession of Prince Yuntang, Princess Mingyue, and Princess Mingyu today? Your Highness must answer truthfully about his whereabouts today, what he did, and who he met?"

"Play them one by one!"

The first question is direct and incisive, hitting the nail on the head!

Zhu Gaochi's heart pounded wildly.

But his face showed just the right amount of surprise and a hint of annoyance.

He turned his head, gave Zhu Gaoxu a reproachful glare, before turning back to Jiang Huan and saying apologetically:
"Reporting to the Commander, this matter is entirely my fault for not disciplining my children properly!"

"My second brother is impetuous and reckless, only knowing martial arts and neglecting etiquette!"

"They must have been unable to bear the loneliness of the mansion and secretly slipped out to spar with others or stroll around the market, thus disturbing Your Highness's carriage!"

He cleverly characterized Zhu Gaoxu's whereabouts as reckless playfulness and a chance encounter, never mentioning any possible deliberate behavior, and downplaying the rescue as a disturbance.

"Oh? Just strolling around?"

Jiang Huan turned his gaze to Zhu Gaoxu, scrutinizing him: "Second Prince, tell me yourself, where did you go today after leaving the manor? Who did you meet?"

Zhu Gaoxu felt the pressure. Following his elder brother's prior instructions, he braced himself and, feigning composure while also sounding somewhat impatient, said:

"I didn't go anywhere! I was just feeling cooped up in the manor, so I went out through the west side gate, intending to go to the drill ground in the west of the city to see if I could spar with any acquaintances. But on the way, I encountered a mad bull that had sprung a horrific scare, so I just beat that beast to death! What's wrong with that? Did I make a mistake by saving someone?"

He deliberately emphasized the West City Military Training Ground, speaking in a reckless tone, consistent with his usual image.

Jiang Huan stared at him for a few seconds, seemingly trying to find a flaw in his eyes, but Zhu Gaoxu suppressed his guilt and stared back at him with his neck stiff.

After a moment, Jiang Huan withdrew his gaze, no longer pressing for details, and instead posed a second question, his tone still calm, yet revealing a greater murderous intent:
"Your Majesty asks again: Recently, the court has been in turmoil. Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, and others are corrupt and have formed cliques. The evidence against them is irrefutable. Furthermore, they have made outrageous accusations and slanders in court, even involving princes, which is shaking the foundation of the country. As the Crown Prince, who has been living in the capital region for a long time, what is your opinion on this?"

This problem is even more serious!

Directly inquiring about his political stance and forcing him to make a statement could even be a test to see if the Prince of Yan's residence is connected with Fu Youwen and others!

Zhu Gaochi's heart was in his throat. He knew that if he didn't answer well, he might be doomed.

His face immediately showed indignation, and his voice rose slightly, filled with a sincere excitement:
"Reporting to the Commander! Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, and others have committed heinous crimes of embezzlement, corruption, and forming cliques!"

"Although I live a secluded life, I have heard about it and am deeply shocked and indignant!"

"These vermin dare to slander and attack the Prince in court, defiling his reputation. Their crimes are even more serious, and they deserve to die!"

He first unequivocally criticized Fu Youwen and others, then subtly shifted his tone, defining the remarks concerning the prince as slander and accusation.

In this way, they both distanced themselves from the vassal kings and implicitly defended their own side.

"His Majesty is wise and insightful, and his decisions are absolute. He will surely be able to eliminate the treacherous officials and restore order to the court!"

"We, your humble servants, are only willing to uphold our duties in our fiefdom, be loyal to the emperor and love our country, and have absolutely no disloyal intentions!"

He did not forget to express his loyalty at the end, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Jiang Huan listened quietly, his face expressionless, making it impossible to tell whether he was satisfied with the answer.

After a brief silence, he asked the third, and most meaningful, question:
"The Emperor's final question"

Jiang Huan's voice softened slightly, but it was even more unsettling:

"His Majesty is deeply saddened by the fright suffered by His Highnesses Yunwen, Mingyue, and Mingyu today."

"However, Zhu Gaoxu has rendered meritorious service in saving the emperor, and should be rewarded or punished accordingly. What do you think, Your Highness, would be the proper way to reward your second brother?"

Here it comes! The most critical problem!
This question, seemingly asking for a reward, is actually a test:

1. How did the Prince of Yan's mansion view Zhu Biao's lineage? Was it out of pity? Favoritism? Or to avoid suspicion?
2. How did the Prince of Yan's Mansion evaluate Zhu Gaoxu's actions? Did they feel he had rendered meritorious service and deserved a generous reward? Or did they feel he had meddled and should keep a low profile? 3. Or was it even a test to see if the Prince of Yan's Mansion intended to use this opportunity to deepen its ties with Zhu Biao's faction?
Zhu Gaochi broke out in a cold sweat again, his brain racing.

Offering a large reward? That would seem too eager and arouse suspicion.

Not rewarding him? That would seem guilty, or like he was indifferent to the grandson of the emperor.

He hesitated for a moment, a troubled and fearful look on his face, and said cautiously:

"Commander, please understand! Gao Xu was reckless and disturbed Your Majesty first. Although he was fortunate enough to subdue the mad bull and prevent a major disaster, his behavior was still impetuous. How dare he claim any merit, let alone any reward!"

He first characterized the faults as outweighing the merits, and then continued:

"His Majesty is kind and compassionate towards Prince Yuntong and his sister; this is the affection of the imperial family."

“As a member of the imperial family, it is Gao Xu’s duty to protect His Highness. If he is rewarded for doing so, it may cause controversy and is not the way His Majesty rewards and punishes fairly.”

"Therefore—!"

Zhu Gaochi drew out his words, then bowed deeply and said, "In my humble opinion, this matter should not be rewarded."

"If Your Majesty feels that Gao Xu needs to be appeased, it would be better for me, as his elder brother, to return to the palace and strictly discipline him, making him reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors, and to be more careful in his words and deeds in the future, so as not to fail Your Majesty's grace!"

His words were perfectly watertight.

This not only expressed concern for Zhu Biao's children, but also delivered a scathing critique of his "disobedient" younger brother, Zhu Gaoxu, thus completely dispelling any suspicion that he was using this opportunity to curry favor or get close to Zhu Biao's lineage.

This behavior of keeping a low profile perfectly fits the persona of a fearful and anxious prince who only wants to protect himself.

After listening, Jiang Huan stared at Zhu Gaochi in silence for a long time.

The front hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; the only sounds were the thunderous heartbeats of the three Zhu brothers.

After a long silence, Jiang Huan finally spoke, his tone still revealing neither joy nor anger: "I, the commander, will report to His Majesty word for word what the Crown Prince said! However..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three of them again, and said calmly:
"Recently, there have been many troubles in the capital, with petty villains causing chaos. His Majesty is concerned and requests that everyone in the Prince of Yan's residence remain in their proper place and not leave the residence without imperial decree, so as to avoid being taken advantage of by treacherous individuals or causing unnecessary misunderstandings."

House arrest! Our imperial grandfather has actually placed us under house arrest!
Zhu Gaochi's heart skipped a beat, but on the surface he could only feign gratitude and respectfully accept the order:

"Your Majesty, I will obey your decree! I will certainly restrain everyone in the palace and dare not go out even a step, lest I cause Your Majesty worry!"

Jiang Huan said no more, gave a slight bow, and led the Imperial Guards away. They came quickly and left quickly.

Only after Jiang Huan and the others had completely disappeared outside the mansion gate did Zhu Gaochi finally breathe a sigh of relief. His legs went weak, and his obese body could no longer support him, causing him to collapse backward. Fortunately, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui held him firmly on either side.

"Brother--!"

The two brothers exclaimed in surprise.

Zhu Gaochi's face was deathly pale, and his whole body was soaked in cold sweat, as if he had just been pulled out of the water. He was panting heavily and couldn't utter a single word.

The brief exchange just now was no less dangerous than a battlefield with flashing swords.

Three questions, three traps—he racked his brains and walked on thin ice to barely get through them.

Grandfather's suspicions were deeper and more direct than they had imagined!
He simply doesn't believe it.

Zhu Gaochi was panting, his voice trembling: "He just can't find the evidence yet."

"Brother, what do we do now?" Zhu Gaosui asked, his voice trembling with tears.

Zhu Gaochi gazed in the direction Jiang Huan had left, his eyes filled with lingering fear and deep worry, and murmured:
"Wait for Father's instructions...or...wait for an opportunity to completely divert this trouble away."

But the iron box hidden in the study was like a bomb that could explode at any moment, filling their wait with unknown fear.

at the same time.

Jiang Huan, emanating a chill from his body, had just stepped out of the gates of the Prince of Yan's residence, mounted his horse, and was preparing to return to the palace to report back.

suddenly!

A fast horse galloped from the end of the long street like a madman, the sound of its hooves so rapid it was heart-stopping.

The knight on horseback was dressed in the uniform of the palace guards, his face was pale, and he even had a hint of panic.

The knight, seeing Jiang Huan in the distance, felt as if he had seen a savior and shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Commander! Commander! Something terrible has happened! A sudden upheaval has occurred in the palace!!"

Jiang Huan's heart sank, and he pulled on the reins: "What's the matter?! Is it the Emperor?"

"No, it's not the Emperor!"

The imperial guard tumbled off his horse, almost falling in front of Jiang Huan's horse, panting heavily, his voice trembling: "It's the Hall of Imperial Canopy! His Highness Yunheng..."

"What happened to His Highness Yunwen?!"

Jiang Huan demanded an answer, and an extremely ominous premonition instantly gripped him.

The guard swallowed hard, his face filled with disbelief and horror, and said in a trembling voice:

"For some unknown reason, His Highness Yunhu suddenly seized a knife and killed Sun Ren, the head eunuch serving Consort Lü!"

"At this moment, he is holding a sharp blade, covered in blood, and kowtows outside the Hall of Literary Glory! He demands to see the Emperor and report the grave injustice suffered in the death of the Crown Prince!!"

"what?!"

Even someone as seasoned and ruthless as Jiang Huan felt a wave of dizziness upon hearing this earth-shattering news, and nearly fell off his horse.

A knife-wielding murder?! In front of the Hall of Literary Glory?! And the victim was a close confidant of Consort Lü?! Claiming the Crown Prince's death was unjust?!
This...this is absolutely outrageous!
It's a hundred times more terrifying than Zhang Biao's street cursing and the sounding of the petition drum!
How dare Zhu Yunwen, that timid and taciturn third grandson?!

What exactly did he get?! How could he be driven to such a desperate and insane state?!

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Jiang Huan's mind.

[The iron box? Is it that iron box? It actually ended up in Zhu Yunwen's hands?]

What exactly was inside? What could drive a child to such madness? Was it because of Consort Lü's men? Was it a murder to prove his innocence?

"Quickly! Back to the palace! Back to the palace immediately—!"

Jiang Huan could no longer care about the Prince of Yan's residence. He suddenly cracked his whip, and his warhorse, in pain, neighed and galloped towards the palace like an arrow.

Meanwhile, a servant who had been hiding in a corner of the gate of the Prince of Yan's mansion rushed back to the front hall where the three Zhu brothers were, his face pale.

At this moment, Zhu Gaochi had just been helped to sit down by his two younger brothers and had downed a mouthful of hot tea to calm his nerves. His pale face had not yet regained its color when his trusted servant, whom he had sent to scout the door, rushed in, his voice distorted with extreme fear:
"Your Highness! Something terrible has happened! A major incident has occurred in the palace!!"

The teacup in Zhu Gaochi's hand shattered on the ground with a 'crack'.

He suddenly stood up, his voice trembling: "The palace? What happened in the palace?! It's Grandfather!"

"No, it's not the Emperor!"

The servant was so frightened that he spoke incoherently, gesturing wildly:

"It's the Hall of Literary Glory! His Highness Prince Yunheng! He's gone mad, he snatched a knife from a member of the Imperial Guard and stabbed Eunuch Sun, who was serving Consort Lü, to death on the spot!"

"Right at the entrance of the Hall of Literary Glory! Blood was everywhere!"

"what?!"

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui exclaimed in shock at the same time, their eyes widening in disbelief!

Zhu Yunwen? That guy actually dared to kill someone?! And right in front of the Hall of Literary Glory?!
Zhu Gaochi was struck dumb, his obese body swaying twice. He suddenly grabbed the servant's arm, his nails almost digging into the servant's flesh.

"Explain yourself! Why did Yunhu kill someone?! What happened to him afterward?!"

"This servant...this servant heard the imperial guard who came to deliver the message shout that His Highness Yunheng was covered in blood, holding a knife, kneeling outside the palace and crying out for justice!"

The servant was terrified, stammering as he recalled, "They said there was a huge injustice regarding the Crown Prince's death, and they wanted to report it to the Emperor! They also said... they also mentioned an iron box."

The words "iron box" struck the three Zhu brothers like a thunderbolt!
Zhu Gaochi abruptly released his grip, staggered back two steps, and slumped back into his chair.

The color drained from his face instantly, leaving only boundless terror and horror!

"The iron box. It really is that iron box. Once it got into his hands, he actually..."

He muttered to himself, his voice broken and fragmented.

Suddenly, he realized what was happening.

opportunity!

right here!

When the Emperor receives the iron box, he will definitely check it!

Moreover, it will definitely be discovered that a part is missing!

No more hesitation!

"Quick! Second brother, third brother! Grab the stuff! We're after Commander Jiang!"

Zhu Gaochi shouted urgently.

The two brothers, Zhu Gaosui and Zhu Gaoxu, were completely bewildered, but their elder brother's orders were law.

"Second Brother! Go prepare the horses! I'll go get the things!"

"it is good!"

Clatter, clatter, the horse gallops swiftly.

"Commander Jiang! Wait—!"

Just as Jiang Huan led his men to the palace gate, a hurried, even strained, shout came from behind.

Zhu Gaochi dismounted and, disregarding all decorum, rushed over, panting heavily, clutching the hem of his robe.

His fat face was no longer filled with fear, but with a complex expression of extreme anxiety and determination; he was even unaware that he had lost a shoe.

"Prince?"

Jiang Huan abruptly pulled on the reins, looking down at the distraught prince with a hint of surprise and impatience in his eyes.

With such a major upheaval in the palace, how could he possibly have time to pay attention to the Prince of Yan's residence?

Zhu Gaochi, disregarding everything, rushed to Jiang Huan's horse. His words were incoherent from running and fear, yet he shouted with unusual clarity:
"Commander! Wait!"

"My second brother, Gao Xu, just recalled that during the chaos of subduing the mad bull today, it seemed... it seemed that someone also slipped an oilcloth package into his arms!"

"He thought it was just some debris that had been knocked over and didn't pay any attention to it until he got home and realized something was amiss!"

As he spoke, he suddenly pulled out an object wrapped tightly in ordinary oilcloth from his sleeve. Judging from its square shape and heavy feel, it was an iron box.

Zhu Gaochi held the oilcloth package high with both hands and presented it to Jiang Huan, his face filled with lingering fear and honesty:

"This item's origin is unknown! Gao Xu's dullness almost led to a disaster!"

"My brother thought about it and was terrified! How could he dare to keep such an unknown object in the house?"

"This should be submitted to the Commander immediately for verification and then reported to His Majesty! This is to prevent... to prevent treacherous individuals from using this to frame the loyalists of the Prince of Yan's residence!"

He spoke very quickly, his tone earnest and even slightly tearful, perfectly portraying the image of a prince who was afraid of being drawn into the vortex and eager to distance himself from the situation.

This turn of events was completely unexpected by Jiang Huan.

His pupils suddenly contracted as he looked at the oilcloth package in Zhu Gaochi's hand.

Another metal box?!
And it was stuffed into Zhu Gaoxu's arms when he subdued the mad cow?

The time and place coincidentally matched the process by which Zhu Yunwen obtained the iron box in the palace!

Is it true or false? Is it a deliberate misdirection by the Prince of Yan's residence? Or is there really more to the story?

Jiang Huan's brain was working at lightning speed.

The iron box in the palace has stirred up a huge storm, its contents pointing directly to the Eastern Palace.

If the iron box in the Prince of Yan's residence is something similar, or even if its contents are related or supplementary.
He broke out in a cold sweat instantly!
Regardless of whether it's real or fake, this metal box must be taken into custody immediately!
We must not let it remain out there or be disposed of by the Prince of Yan's residence!
Jiang Huan almost immediately dismounted, snatched the oilcloth bag from Zhu Gaochi's hand, and found it heavy, indeed box-shaped.

His gaze was sharp as a knife, fixed on Zhu Gaochi's eyes: "Your Highness, is this true? Did you really only just remember this? And haven't you opened it yet?"

Zhu Gaochi trembled with fright and quickly swore an oath: "It is absolutely true! If there is even a sliver of falsehood in it, may I be struck by lightning and forsaken by gods and men!"

"Please, Commander, understand this clearly. If my brothers had any ulterior motives, why would they willingly hand over this source of trouble?"

"It is precisely because the Prince of Yan's mansion is loyal and devoted to the Emperor that we dare not conceal anything!"

The expression of fear and injustice on his face was incredibly vivid.

Jiang Huan stared intently at him, trying to find a flaw in his performance, but Zhu Gaochi's performance was flawless.

At least on the surface, the actions of the Prince of Yan's residence were entirely in line with the logic of 'avoiding disaster'.

"it is good!"

Jiang Huan no longer hesitated, clutching the oilcloth package tightly in his hand, mounted his horse, and said coldly:

"Your Highness, I will report today's events to the Emperor truthfully. Whether your Prince Yan's mansion is loyal or treacherous, the Emperor will make his own judgment!"

"Until the Emperor's decree arrives, no one in the mansion is allowed to leave the house!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Your Majesty, I understand! Your Majesty, I obey!"

Zhu Gaochi felt as if he had been granted a pardon and bowed repeatedly.

Only after Jiang Huan led his men and the newly acquired iron box away like a whirlwind did he feel as if all his strength had been drained, and he collapsed, only to be supported by Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui who rushed over in a panic.

"Brother, did he believe it?" Zhu Gaosui's voice trembled.

Zhu Gaochi stared at the direction where Jiang Huan had disappeared, his face ashen, and murmured:

"I don't know, but this is our only option. Handing it over voluntarily is better than being found out; at least it can temporarily clear our names of 'concealment'."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but sigh.

[Yunwen, with this move, have you driven yourself to a dead end, or have you driven your grandfather to a dead end?]

[Grandpa, what would you choose?]

Father, whether it's a blessing or a curse, your sons can only bear it for you this far.

……

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　[Just to clarify, this chapter counts as yesterday's. My recent standard is 4000 words per update, and yesterday I updated 16000 words, which is 4 updates. Two updates per day is normal, and two more updates per day.]

　　[According to the previously established bonus chapter rules, the Alliance Leader will receive 3 bonus chapters, and the Silver Alliance will receive 20 bonus chapters.]

　　[However, I forgot to mention a special case: if the guild leader donates again, an extra chapter will definitely be added, but the previous rules cannot be applied, so only one extra chapter will be added.]

　　[In conclusion, there are currently two more bonus chapters due for the Alliance Leader, which will be arranged as soon as possible.]

　　
　
(End of this chapter)