I, Zhu Yunwen of the Ming Dynasty, resurrected Empress Ma at the start.

Zhu Yunwen suppressed his anger, his face tense, and said coldly:

"If it weren't for your meddling and deliberate disruption today, I would already be the rightful Crown Prince! The ceremony would have been completed long ago!"

He raised his chin, displaying an air of certainty:

"In my grandfather's heart, the most suitable grandson of the emperor is me, not you. Every official in the court knows this!"

Looking at his self-important face, Zhu Yunwen immediately lost the will to argue.

It's a waste of energy to waste words on someone who can't understand things.

He said no more and took a step forward.

Zhu Yunwen spoke sharply, "So you should recognize your place; you're nothing more than—"

Before he could finish speaking...

Zhu Yunwen raised his leg and delivered a powerful kick!

"Bang!"

Zhu Yunwen was sent flying backwards and crashed heavily to the ground, landing on his back in a disheveled state.

"ah--!"

He let out a piercing scream, his face filled with horror as he stared at Zhu Yunwen in disbelief.

Zhu Yunwen stepped forward and kicked again.

"Keep talking, keep chattering away!"

Another foot landed.

"All you do is act coy and pretentious all day long, like a nagging old woman!"

Then kick again.

"I'll teach you a lesson today!"

"You think you can intimidate people with your empty titles!"

"How dare you be so insolent in front of me!"

Zhu Yunwen curled up on the ground, holding his head in his hands, wailing incessantly, tears streaming down his face.

"Aaaaaah!!!"

The palace maids and eunuchs around were all terrified, frozen in place, their eyes seemingly unable to move, and they dared not even breathe.

Who would have thought...

The usually docile and timid Prince Yunwen actually beat him up in front of Lady Lü!

Madam Lü was completely stunned. She stared at her son, who was rolling on the ground and wailing, with her mouth agape. She couldn't come to her senses for a long time.

"stop!!!"

She finally screamed in alarm and rushed forward like a madwoman, desperately protecting Zhu Yunwen.

"Zhu Yuntong! You're incredibly audacious!"

She glared at Zhu Yunwen, her eyes bloodshot, her anger almost bursting forth.

"This is the Crown Prince! The future heir apparent! How dare you assault him in public!"

"This is treason! This is chaos in the country! This is lawlessness!"

Zhu Yunwen slowly withdrew his foot, casually brushed the dust off the corner of his robe, looked down at the mother and son embracing on the ground, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"The Crown Prince?"

"It's not too late to say this after he has truly received the title, the seal, and the golden seal."

Zhu Yunwen huddled on the cold blue brick floor, his hands tightly covering his head, his whole body trembling.

In no time, his face was bruised and swollen, bloodshot eyes hung from the corners of his mouth, and his eyes were covered in dark circles. His once fair and refined face was now swollen like a pig's head, making him look utterly pathetic.

Lady Lü stood protectively in front of him, glaring at Zhu Yunwen with bloodshot eyes and a shrill voice that was almost cracking as she roared:

"Zhu Yunwen! You just wait!"

"I will go to the palace immediately to see His Majesty! I will ask him to uphold justice! Let the whole world see just how despicable you, this rebellious son, have become!"

"You assaulted the crown prince, you have no respect for your mother and elder brother! This is treason! This is rebellion!"

She screamed hoarsely, veins bulging in her neck, looking like a madwoman.

Zhu Yuntong looked down at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, his tone utterly indifferent.

"go."

"Let's go now."

"I'd like to see whether that old man believes your nonsense or listens to my grandmother's pillow talk."

Lu choked abruptly, her anger stuck in her throat, unable to rise or fall, and she almost suffocated.

At that moment...

Suddenly, a series of chaotic and rapid footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, approaching from afar with considerable force.

A large group of people poured into the courtyard.

The leader was an old eunuch who was close to His Majesty, followed by dozens of junior eunuchs. Behind them were rows of upright guards carrying large vermilion and gold-painted chests, their bodies inlaid with gold and jade. The heavy chests lined up in a long row, making one dizzy.

Lady Lü was stunned on the spot.

Zhu Yunwen forgot the pain and stood frozen in place, his face full of confusion.

What... what is this for?

The old eunuch walked steadily into the courtyard, his gaze quickly sweeping over the disheveled Lu mother and son on the ground.

Zhu Yunwen, who was standing calmly on the threshold, immediately put on a respectful smile, cleared his throat, and took out a roll of bright yellow silk from his sleeve.

"Imperial edict has arrived!"

As if by reflex, Lady Lü and Zhu Yunwen were about to kneel down.

But a fleeting glance from the corner of my eye.

Zhu Yunwen remained standing still, without even bending down.

The old eunuch quickly looked at Zhu Yunwen, his tone cautious:

"Your Highness, the imperial edict has arrived. Please... kneel and listen to the decree."

Zhu Yuntong raised an eyebrow slightly, looking completely indifferent.

"When you arrive, you've arrived."

"Just read it."

The old eunuch froze, then whispered a reminder: "Your Highness, according to the rules, one must kneel to receive this imperial decree..."

Zhu Yunwen suddenly laughed, a cold and arrogant laugh, with a touch of nonchalant arrogance.

"kneel?"

"I wouldn't even kneel before that old man sitting on the dragon throne, yet I'm expected to kneel before a piece of paper?"

He crossed his arms and leaned lazily against the door frame, exuding an imposing aura.

"If you want to read, then read aloud; if you don't want to read, then take your people and get out of this academy."

"Don't keep me from resting."

The old eunuch's face froze instantly, but he dared not utter a single word in rebuttal.

Who is this person before us? The one most beloved by His Majesty and Empress!

Even if he refused to kneel before the imperial edict, and even if the emperor cursed him, he could only listen with a forced smile.

We can't afford to offend them, not even in the slightest.

He quickly chuckled twice, trying to save face:

"Your Highness is joking... joking..."

"Then this old servant...shall I read it aloud?"

Zhu Yunwen waved his hand dismissively, too lazy to say anything more.

"read."

The old eunuch hurriedly unfurled the imperial edict, gathered his inner energy, and loudly proclaimed:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:!"

The grandson of the emperor, Zhu Yunwen, is of pure and filial character, kind and intelligent, and of profound virtue. He is hereby specially bestowed with one thousand taels of gold, ten thousand taels of silver, one hundred bolts of brocade, ten boxes of rare and precious antiques, and a number of imperial artifacts...

In addition, a Yongning Hall next to the Kunning Palace is specially granted, which is well-maintained and elegant, so that the Empress can serve nearby and visit her family every day, thus fully demonstrating her filial piety...

So be it.

After reading the imperial edict, the old eunuch slowly closed it and looked at Zhu Yunwen with a broad smile.

"Your Highness, congratulations! Congratulations!"

Zhu Yuntong nodded slightly, his tone casual.

"understood."

His gaze swept over the row of large vermilion chests, and he waved his hand.

"Leave your belongings; you may leave."

The old eunuch dared not have the slightest objection and repeatedly agreed. He immediately directed the guards to carry all the boxes into the courtyard, and then respectfully led everyone out quietly.

The courtyard returned to silence.

Lady Lü remained kneeling on the ground, her face a kaleidoscope of colors—blue, red, white, and purple—a truly spectacular sight.

Zhu Yunwen lay beside her, his face swollen beyond recognition, his eyes wide open, staring intently at the glittering boxes, as if he had gone mad.

A thousand taels of gold.

Ten thousand taels of silver.

One hundred bolts of brocade.

Ten boxes of rare treasures.

And... Yongning Hall next to Kunning Palace?

That was the place closest to the Empress and where she enjoyed the most favor!

He was beaten black and blue, forced to kneel on the ground in a sorry state, his dignity completely shattered.

And what about Zhu Yunwen?

He merely leaned against the door frame, without even kneeling, and yet he received immense wealth and unparalleled favor!

Why should I?!

Why should I?!

Zhu Yunwen suddenly looked up, staring intently at Zhu Yunhuo, his eyes filled with boundless hatred.