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

Chapter 716 Is there really no cure?

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Bai Su Zhen with gratitude in her eyes.

"Bai Suzhen, thank you," Zhu Xiong Ying said again.

"Your Majesty, this is what I should do," Bai Suzhen said softly.

Zhu Xiong Ying held Bai Su Zhen's hand, feeling her warmth, and was filled with emotion.

"Bai Suzhen, I..." Zhu Xiong Ying wanted to say something, but didn't know how to express it.

“Your Majesty, you don’t need to say anything,” Bai Suzhen gently interrupted him. “I understand your intentions.”

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Bai Su Zhen with eyes full of love.

He pulled Bai Suzhen into his arms and held her tightly.

"Bai Suzhen, I love you," Zhu Xiong Ying said affectionately.

"Your Majesty, I love you too," Bai Suzhen replied.

The two embraced tightly, feeling each other's warmth and love.

Suddenly, Zhu Xiong Ying felt a sharp pain in his body. He pushed Bai Su Zhen away and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Your Majesty!" Bai Suzhen exclaimed in surprise and quickly helped Zhu Xiong Ying up.

"I...I'm fine..." Zhu Xiong Ying said weakly, her face pale.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Bai Suzhen asked anxiously.

"I...I think I've been poisoned again..." Zhu Xiong Ying said with difficulty.

"Poisoned?" Bai Suzhen's expression changed. "How could that be? I've already detoxified you!"

"I don't know either..." Zhu Xiong Ying clutched her chest in anguish, "This feeling is even stronger than last time..."

Bai Suzhen looked at the suffering Zhu Xiong Ying, her heart filled with worry and doubt.

What exactly happened? Why was Zhu Xiong Ying poisoned again?
Is it really true that there is no cure for this "Dragon-Eating Powder"?

At this moment, there was a rush of footsteps outside the door.

"Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened!" A eunuch rushed in in a panic.

"What is it?" Bai Suzhen asked hurriedly.

"The Prince of Yan... the Prince of Yan... he has rebelled!" the eunuch cried out in terror.

"The Prince of Yan has rebelled?!" Zhu Xiong Ying sat up abruptly, the intense pain causing his vision to blur and nearly making him faint again. He gritted his teeth, struggling to steady himself, a fierce glint appearing on his pale face. "That Zhu Di! I have treated him well, yet he dares to..."

"Your Majesty!" Bai Suzhen held him tightly, her eyes filled with worry, "Your health is now..."

"I'm fine!" Zhu Xiong Ying pushed Bai Suzhen away and struggled to get out of bed. "The Yan rebels have rebelled, how can I remain in peace! Issue my decree to summon all civil and military officials to court immediately!"

He staggered towards the palace gate, each step feeling like walking on a knife's edge. The poison of the Dragon-Eating Powder raged through his body, threatening to devour him entirely. But he could not fall; the Ming Dynasty, its people, needed him!

The atmosphere in the Golden Palace was so heavy it was suffocating. The civil and military officials remained silent, their hearts filled with unease as they looked at the pale-faced, swaying emperor on the dragon throne.

"My esteemed ministers," Zhu Xiong Ying's voice was hoarse, yet carried an undeniable authority, "Prince Yan, Zhu Di, has amassed a powerful army and rebelled brazenly! Now his army is at the city gates. What strategies do you have?"

The assembled officials exchanged glances, none daring to speak first. The Prince of Yan's power was immense, and the court was already filled with trepidation. Many officials, secretly colluding with the Prince, were now even more silent, fearing for their own safety. Minister of War Li Jinglong stepped forward tremblingly, his voice shaking, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Yan is powerful. I believe… it would be better to negotiate peace…"

"Peace talks?!" Zhu Xiong Ying roared, coughing violently and spitting out a mouthful of blood that stained his dragon robe. "I am the Son of Heaven, how can I negotiate peace with traitorous ministers! Li Jinglong, as the Minister of War, instead of thinking about repelling the enemy, you dare to talk about peace talks. What is your punishment!"

Li Jinglong was terrified and immediately knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly: "Your Majesty, spare my life! I...I was just confused for a moment..."

"Foolish?!" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered. "I think you're getting senile! Guards, drag Li Jinglong away and execute him on the spot!"

An uproar erupted in the Golden Palace. Many officials trembled with fear, and their previous wavering in their support for the Prince of Yan shifted even further.

"Your Majesty! You mustn't!" An old minister stepped forward, trembling. "Although Li Jinglong misspoke, his crime doesn't warrant death! Besides, we are in dire need of capable people right now. Killing him will only make the court more anxious and fearful!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, please reconsider!" Other officials also knelt down and pleaded for mercy.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the kneeling officials and felt a deep sorrow. These people, who usually professed loyalty to the emperor and love for their country, were now cowering and afraid of death in the face of a formidable enemy!

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and slowly said, "I will temporarily remember Li Jinglong's crimes. Now that the Yan rebels have rebelled, do you have any strategies to repel them?"

The courtiers fell silent once more, none daring to speak.

Just then, Bai Suzhen stepped forward and bowed gracefully: "Your Majesty, I have a plan that may allow us to repel the Yan army."

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Bai Suzhen, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes: "My beloved concubine, what brilliant plan do you have?"

Bai Suzhen smiled slightly and whispered a few words in Zhu Xiong Ying's ear.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized what was going on and burst into laughter: "Excellent! Excellent plan! My beloved consort is indeed exceptionally intelligent! We will proceed according to your plan!"

……

As night fell, the Prince of Yan's residence was brightly lit. Zhu Di sat upright in the main hall, listening to the scouts' reports, a smug smile on his face.

"His Majesty is indeed seriously ill, and there is no one in the court who can be of use. This is the perfect opportunity for us!" Zhu Di raised his wine cup. "Generals, once I conquer the capital, wealth and glory will be within our grasp in no time!"

"Your Highness is wise!" The generals all raised their cups in agreement.

Just then, a soldier rushed in, shouting in a panic, "Report! Your Highness, something terrible has happened! A large army has suddenly appeared outside the city, carrying the banner of 'Jingnan,' and is attacking the city!"

"What?!" Zhu Di's expression changed drastically. "Jingnan? Where did this Jingnan army come from? Could it be..."

He suddenly remembered Bai Suzhen's words, and an ominous premonition rose in his heart.

"Quickly! Come with me and let's go out and see!" Zhu Di hurriedly got up and led his generals out of the main hall.

Outside the city, shouts of battle shook the heavens, and flames soared into the sky. Zhu Di climbed the city wall and saw a massive, dark army surging towards the city walls like a tidal wave.

The leading general was none other than... Zhu Xiong Ying!

"Zhu Xiong Ying! You...you weren't seriously ill?!" Zhu Di exclaimed in astonishment.

Zhu Xiong Ying, mounted on his horse, was pale, but his eyes were unusually sharp and filled with murderous intent: "Zhu Di! You traitorous minister! Today I will personally take you down!"

"Hahahaha!" Zhu Di laughed loudly, "Zhu Xiong Ying, do you think you can fool me by pretending to be sick? You are just at the end of your rope, and I will send you to your death today!"

Having said that, Zhu Di drew his sword, pointed it at Zhu Xiong Ying, and shouted sternly, "All soldiers, listen to my command! Kill him! Whoever takes Zhu Xiong Ying's head will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold!"

(End of this chapter)