The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 708 A True Emperor's Talent

Zhu Yuanzhang walked up to him, reached out and checked Lianxing's breath, his face immediately darkening. "You unfilial son, you can't even protect your own woman!"

Zhu Xiong Ying felt a pang of pain in his heart. How could he not want to protect Lian Xing? But he was too tired; he was completely exhausted.

Seeing Zhu Xiong Ying's dejected appearance, Zhu Yuanzhang's anger intensified. He grabbed Zhu Xiong Ying by the collar and lifted him up, saying, "Look at yourself now! Where is the slightest trace of an emperor's bearing? How did I teach you back then? Is this how you repay me?"

Zhu Xiong Ying was suspended in mid-air by Zhu Yuanzhang, unable to move. He weakly protested, "Father, I have done my best..."

Zhu Yuanzhang roared, "Do your best? Is this what you call doing your best? Look at your empire, your women, how well have you protected them!"

He slammed Zhu Xiong Ying to the ground and pointed at Zhu Yunwen, saying, "Look at your good nephew, he has more of an imperial countenance than you!"

Zhu Xiong Ying collapsed to the ground, his whole body aching, but he could no longer feel the pain. His heart ached more than his body.

Zhu Yuanzhang walked up to Zhu Yunwen and helped him up. "Yunwen, you did very well. I was right about you. You are the true talent of an emperor."

A hint of joy flashed in Zhu Yunwen's eyes, and he quickly knelt down, saying, "Thank you for your praise, Father."

Zhu Yuanzhang helped him up, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Get up. From now on, this Ming Dynasty will be yours."

Zhu Xiong Ying watched this scene with despair in his heart. He never imagined that he would ultimately lose, defeated by his own nephew.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned to look at Zhu Xiong Ying, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. "Xiong Ying, I know you are not convinced. But, the victor is king and the loser is villain; this is destiny."

He paused, then continued, "I will give you a chance. If you submit to Yunwen, I will spare your life."

Zhu Xiong Ying gave a bitter smile, "Father, do you think your son would choose to live a life of ignominy?"

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head. "Since that's the case, then you can't blame me."

He raised his palm, and a golden light flashed. Zhu Xiong Ying felt a darkness before his eyes and lost consciousness.

……

When Zhu Xiong Ying woke up again, he found himself in an unfamiliar place. He looked around and found himself lying on a bed. The room was simply furnished, but clean and tidy.

He struggled to sit up, but felt completely weak. He looked down and saw that his body was wrapped in bandages.

"You're awake?" a gentle voice asked.

Zhu Xiong Ying turned her head and saw a woman dressed in white standing by the bed, holding a bowl of medicine in her hand.

The woman was beautiful and had an ethereal air about her, like a fairy descended from heaven.

Zhu Xiong Ying stared at her blankly, momentarily forgetting to speak.

Seeing his reaction, the woman smiled slightly and said, "I am Lianxing."

Zhu Xiong Ying then realized what was happening and quickly asked, "Lian Xing, are you alright?"

Lianxing shook her head. "I'm fine. I owe it all to this young lady for saving me."

She pointed to another woman in the room.

The woman was dressed in blue and had a beautiful face, but her complexion was somewhat pale.

"Thank you so much for saving my life, young lady," Zhu Xiong Ying said gratefully.

The woman in green smiled faintly, "It was nothing."

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the two women before him, his heart filled with confusion. He didn't know where he was or what had happened. Lian Xing seemed to sense his confusion and explained, "This is Mount Emei. We were rescued by Abbess Miejue, the leader of the Emei Sect."

"Mount Emei?" Zhu Xiong Ying was even more puzzled. He remembered that he was clearly in the palace, so how did he suddenly end up on Mount Emei?

Lianxing continued, "Your Majesty, you have been unconscious for three days and three nights. During your unconsciousness, a major event occurred..."

She paused, as if organizing her thoughts.

A sense of foreboding rose in Zhu Xiong Ying's heart. "What happened?"

Lianxing took a deep breath and slowly said, "Father... has passed away..."

"What?!" Zhu Xiong Ying was struck dumb; he couldn't believe his ears.

“Father… how could this be…” he murmured to himself, his eyes filled with sorrow and disbelief.

Lianxing held his hand and said softly, "Your Majesty, please accept my condolences."

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Lian Xing, then at the woman in green beside her, his heart filled with doubt. His father had passed away, and he was in Emei; what had happened?
He felt as if he had fallen into a huge mystery, and he desperately wanted to know the truth...

Zhu Xiong Ying felt a buzzing in his head, as if a hundred bees were fluttering in his ears. His father had passed away? How could this be! He clearly remembered that he was vying for the throne with Zhu Yunwen, so how could he suddenly be at Mount Emei, and how could his father have suddenly passed away?
"Father...how...how did he..." Zhu Xiong Ying's voice trembled as he uttered a few words with difficulty.

Lianxing's eyes reddened slightly as she gently stroked the back of his hand. "Your Majesty, it's...it's the Prince of Yan..."

"The Prince of Yan? Zhu Di?" Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly raised his head, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. It was him! It must be Zhu Di! He usurped the throne and even killed his father!

A surge of rage burned within Zhu Xiong Ying. He abruptly threw off the covers, intending to get out of bed.

"Your Majesty, your injuries haven't healed yet, you mustn't move around!" Lianxing quickly stopped him.

"I want to return to the capital! I want to kill Zhu Di and avenge my father!" Zhu Xiong Ying roared, his voice filled with murderous intent.

"Your Majesty, the capital is now under the control of the Prince of Yan. Going back will only lead to your death!" Lianxing advised.

"To die? I am the emperor! How could I be afraid of death!" Zhu Xiong Ying pushed Lian Xing away and staggered off the bed.

He had only taken two steps when he felt dizzy and his body went limp, almost causing him to fall to the ground.

"Your Majesty!" Lianxing quickly supported him, her eyes filled with worry.

The woman in green also came over and supported Zhu Xiong Ying on the other side, saying, "Your Majesty, it is important to take care of your health."

Zhu Xiong Ying took a deep breath, forcing himself to overcome his weakness, and said, "I must return to the capital! I must reclaim everything that belongs to me!"

The woman in green frowned slightly. "Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness, but you are now seriously injured, without troops or power. How can you possibly contend with the Prince of Yan?"

Zhu Xiong Ying fell silent. He knew the woman in green was right; his situation was indeed dire.

He looked around at the dilapidated room and the simple furnishings, a stark contrast to the splendor of the imperial palace. He, the former emperor of the Ming Dynasty, had fallen to such a state.

A deep sense of powerlessness welled up in Zhu Xiong Ying's heart. She slumped back onto the bed, her eyes vacant, as if she had lost all hope.

“Xiongying…” Lianxing looked at him with heartache and gently comforted him, “Don’t be discouraged, we will definitely think of a way.”

Zhu Xiong Ying didn't speak, she just stared blankly ahead.

“Your Majesty,” the woman in blue suddenly spoke up, “I know a place that might help you make a comeback.”

(End of this chapter)