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

Chapter 765 How Should We Respond?

"I...I'm fine..." Zhu Xiong Ying said, forcing himself to endure the discomfort.

"Father, you don't look well. You should rest for a while," Zhu Biao advised.

"No, I have important matters to discuss with you all," Zhu Xiong Ying insisted.

"Father, state affairs are important, but your health is even more important!" Zhu Biao advised again.

Zhu Xiong Ying hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and said, "Alright, let's rest for a bit first."

Zhu Biao helped Zhu Xiong Ying leave the main hall and head towards the bedroom.

Chang Yuchun watched the two figures disappear, his mind filled with doubt. His Majesty's health had always been excellent; why would he suddenly feel unwell? Could it be…? He suddenly remembered the words the man in black had spoken when he vanished: "The plan needs to be moved up…"

Could it be that His Majesty has been poisoned?

Thinking of this, Chang Yuchun was startled and quickly gave chase...

Chang Yuchun strode forward and grabbed Zhu Biao's arm: "Your Highness, please wait! I have important matters to report!"

Zhu Biao frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes: "General Chang, what is it?"

Chang Yuchun glanced at Zhu Xiong Ying and said in a low voice, "His Majesty seems to have been poisoned!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying's expression changed, and she angrily shouted, "Chang Yu Chun, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Ignoring Zhu Xiong Ying's reprimand, Chang Yuchun continued, "Your Highness, I saw with my own eyes that the man in black said something like 'The plan has to be brought forward' before he disappeared. Moreover, Your Majesty has always been in good health, so why did you suddenly feel unwell? I suspect that the man in black poisoned Your Majesty!"

Zhu Biao's expression also turned serious. He looked at Zhu Xiong Ying and said in a deep voice, "Father, this matter is of great importance. It would be best to have the imperial physician examine him."

Zhu Xiong Ying cursed Chang Yu Chun for being nosy in his heart, but he couldn't refute him at the moment, so he could only say, "Alright, then summon the imperial physician."

Soon, the imperial physician arrived at the palace and took Zhu Xiong Ying's pulse.

A moment later, the imperial physician stood up with a grave expression and said, "Your Majesty, you have indeed been poisoned!"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the palace immediately became tense.

Zhu Biao hurriedly asked, "Imperial Physician, what kind of poison is it? Is there an antidote?"

The imperial physician shook his head and said, "This poison is extremely rare; this old minister has never seen it before. It will take some time to research an antidote."

Upon hearing this, Chang Yuchun became even more certain of his guess. He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I suspect that this matter is related to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Biao's expression changed drastically, and he roared, "Chang Yuchun, you're spouting nonsense!"

Ignoring Zhu Biao's angry rebuke, Chang Yuchun continued, "It's too much of a coincidence that His Highness the Crown Prince arrived so timely! Moreover, why wasn't His Highness by His Majesty's side when he was assassinated? Why did he only arrive afterward?"

Zhu Biao sneered, "General Chang, are you doubting me? When I heard that my father had been assassinated, I was extremely anxious and rushed here to protect him. Is that wrong?"

Chang Yuchun refused to back down, saying, "Your Highness, your words are far-fetched! I implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter and clear my name!"

Zhu Xiong Ying felt a splitting headache at that moment, but he endured the discomfort and said, "Alright, stop arguing! I will investigate this matter myself!"

After saying that, he closed his eyes and ignored everyone else.

Zhu Biao and Chang Yuchun exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with hostility. The atmosphere in the palace grew even more tense.

After leaving his palace, Chang Yuchun immediately summoned his confidants and told them his suspicions.

"General, could it really have been His Highness the Crown Prince who did it?" a trusted aide asked.

Chang Yuchun shook his head and said, "It's not certain yet, but His Highness the Crown Prince is indeed highly suspicious. We must investigate secretly and find evidence to prove His Highness's crimes!"

"General, how should we investigate?" another confidant asked.

Chang Yuchun pondered for a moment and said, "First, we need to find out the identity of the man in black and see if he has any connection with His Highness the Crown Prince. Second, we need to find out the source of the poison that His Majesty was poisoned and see if it is related to His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Yes, General!" the trusted men replied in unison.

At the same time, Zhu Biao returned to his residence.

He sat in his study, his face grim, his heart filled with anger and unease.

Chang Yuchun's suspicion filled him with immense fear.

He knew that if Chang Yuchun really found the evidence, he would be doomed!
"That damned Chang Yuchun!" Zhu Biao said through gritted teeth, "I must get rid of him!"

He immediately summoned his confidants and told them about Chang Yuchun's suspicions.

"Your Highness, what should we do?" a trusted aide asked.

A ruthless glint flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes as he said, "Since Chang Yuchun suspects me, I'll shut him up forever!"

As night fell, undercurrents surged both inside and outside the palace.

A conspiracy is quietly unfolding...

Chang Yuchun's scouts reported that the man in black seemed to have vanished without a trace, leaving no clues. As for the poison Zhu Xiong Ying had been afflicted with, the imperial physicians remained helpless, only stating that it was an extremely rare and potent poison requiring further research. This only increased Chang Yuchun's anxiety; he felt as if he were struggling in a giant spider web, unable to find a way out.

What unsettled him even more was the discovery of many unfamiliar faces around his residence, secretly monitoring his every move. He realized that Zhu Biao had begun to target him.

That night, wind and rain raged, and thunder rumbled. Chang Yuchun sat alone in his study, a dagger gripping his hand tightly, his eyes filled with resolute determination…

A fierce storm raged through the palace, large raindrops pounding against the glazed tiles with a crackling sound, as if echoing Chang Yuchun's inner turmoil. He abruptly hurled the dagger in his hand against the wall, making a dull thud. "Is it really going to come to this?" he muttered to himself, his voice so low it was almost drowned out by the thunder.

Just then, a dark figure appeared silently at the study door, like a ghost. Chang Yuchun looked up abruptly, his eyes sharp as knives, "Who?!"

A dark figure slowly approached, and in the dim light, a familiar face appeared—Zhu Xiong Ying.

Chang Yuchun was taken aback at first, then his face paled in shock. "Your Majesty! How could you..." He hurriedly stood up, wanting to bow, but was stopped by Zhu Xiong Ying raising his hand.

"Chang Qing, I know you have doubts in your heart." Zhu Xiong Ying's voice carried a hint of weariness, yet it remained authoritative. He walked up to Chang Yu Chun, staring intently at him. "You suspect the Crown Prince did it?"

Chang Yuchun remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded, "Your subject dares not speak rashly, but various signs..."

Zhu Xiong Ying waved his hand, interrupting him, "I know, I understand." He walked to the window, looked at the torrential rain outside, and said in a low voice, "Biao'er is indeed a bit too impatient."

(End of this chapter)