Huangming

Chapter 201 The Demise of the Noble Clan, Bloodshed in the Duke's Mansion (Bonus Chapter for 400 Monthly Tickets!)
Inside the underground chamber.

Although Zhu Chunchen was puzzled, he still subconsciously leaned closer and listened intently.

In that instant, a cold glint appeared!

Zhu Chunchen felt a chill in his abdomen, followed by a tearing pain.

He staggered backward, looked down, and saw a short blade deeply embedded in his abdomen, blood gushing out like a spring, staining his crimson ducal robes.

He looked up in disbelief, meeting Zhu Chengzong's trembling yet resolute eyes.

"you!"

Zhu Chunchen covered his wound, blood gushing from between his fingers, his voice distorted by the excruciating pain.

"Why?!"

Zhu Chengzong's hands were still trembling, initially from fear, but soon the trembling turned into frenzied excitement.

A twisted smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, his voice hoarse and shrill: "Why?"

He suddenly raised his voice, almost roaring.

"Because you're taking the entire Duke Cheng's mansion to its death! Taking your son to its death!"

He approached step by step, his eyes flashing with madness: "His Majesty's divine might is boundless, why do you insist on rebelling? Rebellion is one thing, but knowing you will surely fail, why do you still drag your entire clan down with you?!"

Zhu Chunchen's face turned deathly pale. He staggered backward, leaving a shocking trail of blood on the stone floor of the secret chamber.

Zhu Chengzong became increasingly agitated as he spoke, his voice almost roaring: "I want to live! I want to carry on the bloodline of the Duke of Cheng's family! Therefore..."

He gripped the short blade tightly, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"The only option is for Father to die!"

"You unfilial son! You utterly rebellious beast!"

Zhu Chunchen's eyes were bloodshot, and he forced himself to rush forward despite the excruciating pain, raising his fist to strike.

However, his years of indulgence in wine and women had already hollowed out his body, making him no match for Zhu Chengzong, who had diligently practiced martial arts in the noble camp.
Zhu Chengzong dodged easily with a quick movement, and with a backhand push, Zhu Chunchen fell heavily to the ground.

“That cup of tea was already poisoned. If Father had been willing to drink it, you and I could have saved some face.”

Zhu Chengzong looked down coldly at his dying father, his voice chilling.

"But you insist on forcing your son to kill his father with his own hands!"

Zhu Chunchen felt his life slipping away rapidly, and fear finally overwhelmed his anger. He struggled to crawl towards the iron door of the secret chamber, screaming for help: "Help! Help!"

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Chengzong's eyes. He took a step forward, grabbed Zhu Chunchen by the collar, dragged him back to the center of the secret room, and then kicked him hard in the chest.

Zhu Chunchen let out a muffled groan and collapsed completely to the ground.

Outside the secret room, the steward and guards stood like statues, completely oblivious to the screams and struggles inside.

This secret chamber, built of bluestone, was originally intended to isolate all sound.

Zhu Chunchen's body twitched involuntarily, and the light in his eyes grew increasingly dim.

After a moment, it stopped moving completely.

Zhu Chengzong slowly bent down, his fingertips trembling as he reached under Zhu Chunchen's nose.

His breathing almost stopped, and there was no longer any warmth brushing against his fingertips, only a deathly coldness.

"died."

His lips twitched, then suddenly a twisted smile appeared, like a taut string snapping or a boulder that had been pressing on his heart finally rolling away.

But before the smile could fully bloom, it froze on his face.

He staggered back two steps, his legs gave way, and he fell heavily onto the cold ground.

弑父
The thought struck him like a thunderbolt, making him tremble all over.

"I actually killed my father."

Fear surged over him like a tidal wave, instantly engulfing him.

He stared at his blood-stained hands, his knuckles white from the exertion, and dark red bloodstains still lingering under his fingernails.

In a daze, he seemed to see again the incredulous look in his father's eyes before he died, and hear that heart-wrenching cry of "You unfilial son!"

My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest.

Fear, pain, regret—countless emotions intertwined and tore at him, almost driving him insane.

But soon, these emotions were swallowed up by another, stronger emotion—

hatred!
"Why?!"

He clenched his fist tightly, his nails digging deep into his palm, but he felt no pain at all.

He studied diligently in the Noble Camp, becoming skilled in archery and horsemanship. He could have risen through the ranks based on his military achievements and brought glory to his family.

But what about the father?

They insisted on taking the risk and plotting rebellion!

What's even more ridiculous is that, knowing defeat was inevitable, they still wanted to drag their entire clan down with them!

"You're the one who ruined my life!"

He let out a low growl, his voice hoarse like that of a trapped beast.

"You're the one who ruined my life!"

Anger erupted like a volcano, completely overwhelming reason.

He grabbed the short blade lying to the side and pounced on Zhu Chunchen's corpse like a madman, slashing once, twice, three times.
The dull thud of the blade piercing flesh echoed in the secret room, blood splattering and staining his robes, even splashing onto his face.

"Why...why do you have to force me?"

He mechanically repeated the actions until Zhu Chunchen's chest was stabbed and bloodied, until his arms went weak and powerless, until all his hatred was drained away with his blood.
Finally, he stopped.

The room was eerily quiet, with only his heavy breathing as the only sound.

He looked down at his father's corpse, the madness in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a cold indifference.

"ended."

He muttered to himself, his voice eerily calm.

Zhu Chengzong slowly got up, took off his blood-stained outer robe, casually tossed it aside, and then took out a brand new brocade robe from a hidden cabinet in the secret room and put it on.

He moved calmly, as if the madness he had just experienced had never happened.

After straightening his clothes, he took a deep breath and pushed open the heavy iron door of the secret room.

Outside the door, the steward was waiting anxiously. Seeing him come out, he hurried forward and asked, "Young Master, where is the Master?"

Zhu Chengzong remained calm and said indifferently, "Father has gone to sleep inside."

I'm physically asleep, the kind of sleep where I can't wake up at all.

The manager, unsuspecting, asked with concern, "The assassins have all assembled. What should we do next?"

Zhu Chengzong's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "The matter of the uprising has not yet been leaked. Pass on my order: everyone lay down their weapons, return to their positions, and do not make any rash moves."

Upon hearing this, the steward breathed a sigh of relief and quickly bowed to accept the order: "Yes, I will do it right away!"

After the steward left, Zhu Chengzong stood alone under the corridor.

At this moment, he was filled with emotion.

But he put all his feelings aside.

He thought to himself: I will use your life, Father, to give me a chance to live!

Not long after Zhu Chengzong came out.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot surrounded the Duke of Cheng's mansion.

With Zhu Chunchen's death, the Duke of Cheng's mansion was left leaderless. Although the guards in the mansion had assembled, they were at a loss as no one gave the order to advance or retreat.

Zhu Chengzong had already secretly communicated with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Seeing that the time was ripe, he immediately opened the gates of his mansion and let the Embroidered Uniform Guard cavalry swarm in.

"By imperial decree, we are investigating and confiscating the property of those who rebel. Anyone who dares to resist will be executed without exception!"

Luo Sigong, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, gave a cold shout, and drew his Embroidered Spring Blade, its cold light gleaming.

Seeing that the young master was personally leading the way, how could the guards in the manor dare to stop him?

In a short while, the entire Chengguo Duke's mansion was completely under control.

Zhu Chengzong, with a cold expression, led the Imperial Guards straight to the secret rooms and hidden stores in the mansion, and searched out the list of assassins kept by Zhu Chunchen, the armor and weapons he had privately stored, and the secret letters exchanged with meritorious officials.

He pulled out a list, handed it to Wei Zhongxian, and whispered, "Eunuch Wei, this is a list of the generals of the Beijing Garrison that my father colluded with, as well as the nobles who participated in the rebellion."

Wei Zhongxian took a look, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes: "Good, very good!"

The list of Duke Dingguo Xu Xigao, Marquis Huaining Sun Chengmeng, Marquis Wu'an Zheng Weixiao, and others was surprisingly included!

Wei Zhongxian squinted his narrow eyes, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, and slowly walked up to Zhu Chengzong. His high-pitched voice carried a hint of approval: "Young Duke, you have upheld justice by putting aside your own family and rendered a great service. The title of Duke of Cheng will be yours in the future!"

Zhu Chengzong immediately bowed and saluted, his posture extremely humble: "To serve Your Majesty to the death is Chengzong's blessing! I dare not speak of merit."

His voice trembled slightly, carrying both the relief of surviving a disaster and a barely perceptible fear.

Wei Zhongxian was incredibly astute; he saw right through Zhu Chengzong's thoughts.

He chuckled and patted Zhu Chengzong on the shoulder, lowering his voice to say, "The Duke of Cheng was killed by his servants in a chaotic attack. I will report this truthfully."

These words struck Zhu Chengzong like a thunderbolt, making him tremble.

He suddenly looked up, a flash of wild joy in his eyes.

If he could pin the blame for patricide on a servant, he could not only keep his title but also continue to serve as an official in the court!

But then he thought about it again, and a cold sweat broke out on Zhu Chengzong's back.

Since His Majesty can cover up this matter for him, he can naturally bring the charges back at any time.

Moreover, he had already offended the entire court of powerful figures by implicating so many nobles, ministers, and local tyrants.

Now he is like a kite with a broken string, with no other way out but to cling tightly to the emperor.

Thinking of this, Zhu Chengzong felt a tightness in his throat.

He took a deep breath and bowed deeply again: "Chengzong is willing to serve Your Majesty with his life, even unto death!"

At this moment, in his heart, the emperor was the brightest sun, and he could only forever follow the light of that sun.

Even if you get burned, you must not deviate even slightly.

Wei Zhongxian nodded in satisfaction, and as he turned to leave, his wide python robe fluttered in the wind.

Zhu Chengzong watched his retreating figure, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. He
He knew that from now on he would live forever in the emperor's shadow, but in order to survive and preserve the foundation of the Duke of Cheng's mansion, he had no other choice.

"Somebody come!"

Zhu Chengzong straightened his back, and his voice regained its former authority.

"Pass on my order: immediately prepare the entire manor to receive the imperial decree!"

The servants in the mansion responded one after another, but none of them noticed that the future Duke of Cheng's hands were clenched tightly in his sleeves, his nails digging deep into his palms.

the other side.

Inside the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, Xu Xigao was pacing anxiously in the hall when he suddenly heard the thunderous sound of horses' hooves and the incessant clanging of armor outside the mansion.

His heart tightened, and he quickly walked to the window, lifted the curtain, and looked out.

Outside the mansion, a dark mass of soldiers from the Beijing garrison, clad in armor and armed with weapons, stood. Under the torchlight, their blades gleamed menacingly, exuding a palpable aura of killing intent!
"what happened?!"

Xu Xigao's expression changed drastically, and he sternly questioned the guard beside him.

"Why are the Beijing Garrison surrounding my residence?!"

Before the guards could answer, deafening shouts of battle erupted outside the mansion, followed by a deafening crash—the mansion gates were smashed open!
"Report!"

A servant stumbled into the hall, his face ashen. "My lord! Something terrible has happened! The Chengguo Duke's mansion has been ransacked by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Zhu Chunchen is dead!"

"what?!"

Xu Xigao was struck as if by lightning. His whole body trembled, and he staggered back two steps before collapsing into the armchair.

His lips trembled as he murmured, "It's over. It's all over."

With Zhu Chunchen dead, the plot to rebel will inevitably be exposed, and none of his accomplices will escape!
The shouts of battle outside the mansion grew closer and closer. The soldiers of the Beijing Garrison had already rushed into the front yard. Amidst the flashing swords, the guards inside the mansion were forced to retreat in disarray.

Xu Xigao gave a bitter laugh and slowly drew the sword from his waist. Under the cold light, his face looked even paler.

"To think that I, Xu Xigao, the dignified Duke of Dingguo, have fallen to such an end."

He suddenly held the sword to his neck and slashed it fiercely—

"Pfft!"

Blood spurted out, staining the vermilion pillars of the hall red, and also staining his magnificent brocade robe.

His body slowly slid down, finally collapsing into a pool of blood, his eyes wide open, dying with unresolved grievances.

Meanwhile, inside the residence of the Marquis of Huaining.

Sun Chengmeng was having a private discussion with several trusted confidants when he suddenly heard a commotion outside the mansion, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.

He frowned and demanded sharply, "Who dares to be so insolent?!"

Before he could finish speaking, the door was kicked open!

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is acting on imperial orders to arrest someone! Marquis Huaining, Sun Chengmeng, has colluded with the Duke of Cheng in a treasonous plot, a crime deserving of death!"

Sun Chengmeng was shocked and stood up abruptly, shouting angrily, "Insolence! I am a nobleman of the imperial court, who dares to touch me?!"

The leading commander of the Imperial Guards sneered and waved his hand, saying, "Take him down!"

Several elite guards pounced on him like wolves and tigers. Before Sun Chengmeng could even draw his sword, he was kicked to his knees, his arms were tied behind his back, and the iron chain clattered around his neck.

"How dare you?! I demand to see His Majesty! I am innocent—!"

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard sneered, "Injustice? The truth will be revealed in the imperial prison! Take him away!"

Inside the Marquis of Wu'an's residence, Zheng Weixiao was also not spared.

He had just put on his clothes and stood up when the gate of the mansion was smashed open, and the Imperial Guards filed in and surrounded him.

"Zheng Weixiao, you've been exposed!"

Zheng Weixiao's face turned ashen, and he laughed angrily: "Fine! Very well! The moment the Duke of Cheng died, you couldn't wait to arrest him?!"

"Cut the nonsense!"

A member of the Imperial Guard stepped forward, kicked him in the back of the knee, forcing him to kneel, then chained him and dragged him out of the mansion.

"I refuse to accept this! I demand to see His Majesty!"

However, no one paid any attention to his roar.

The night was deep, and only the clattering sound of chains dragging on the ground echoed in the quiet streets.

A long-planned rebellion by nobles collapsed like a paper lantern under the iron hooves of the Embroidered Uniform Guard before it could even stir up any trouble.

The blood of Duke Zhu Chunchen of Cheng State had not yet dried, but the carefully woven network of treason he had meticulously woven had already been exposed to the light of day.

However.
This is merely the prelude to a grander drama.

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(End of this chapter)