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

Chapter 774 What tricks are they playing?

"Kill! Save the Emperor!" Zhu Biao's roar resounded through the heavens and earth, and the Ming army charged towards the Oirat army like tigers descending the mountain, unstoppable. The Oirat army, whose morale was already low due to the fierce resistance of Zhu Xiong Ying and Consort Li, collapsed even more when faced with the sudden appearance of the Ming reinforcements, and fled in disarray.

Zhu Di's face turned deathly pale. He knew the situation was hopeless, and his previous arrogance vanished. He glared fiercely at Zhu Xiong Ying, then reluctantly turned his horse around and fled in panic.

"Your Majesty!" Consort Li cried with joy and quickly helped Zhu Xiong Ying, who had fallen to the ground, to his feet. Zhu Xiong Ying was still bleeding from his chest and his face was pale, but he endured the pain and managed a weak smile.

"It's alright, I'm fine..."

Zhu Biao rode up, dismounted, and knelt before Zhu Xiong Ying, his voice choked with emotion, "Father, I am late!"

Zhu Xiong Ying patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder, "Biao'er, you did a great job. I am proud of you."

Zhu Xiong Ying was then sent back to his tent, where the imperial physicians immediately began treating him. Consort Li stayed by his side without leaving his side, her eyes filled with worry and affection.

……

Several days later, Zhu Xiong Ying's injuries gradually improved. This near-death experience gave him new insights into life. He realized that he had previously pursued power and authority too much, neglecting the feelings of those around him. He began to reflect on his behavior and decided to become a more benevolent and considerate ruler.

Consort Li, on the other hand, cherished every moment she spent with Zhu Xiong Ying. She knew that she deeply loved this man and was willing to give everything for him.

One day, Zhu Xiong Ying and Consort Li were strolling in the Imperial Garden. The sun was shining brightly, flowers were in full bloom, and a gentle breeze carried their fragrance.

"Consort Li, I wish to..." Zhu Xiong Ying hesitated before speaking.

"What does Your Majesty wish to say?" Consort Li looked at him tenderly.

Zhu Xiong Ying took a deep breath. "I think I should make you empress."

Consort Li was stunned, her eyes filled with surprise and emotion. She hadn't expected Zhu Xiong Ying to propose making her empress at this moment.

"Your Majesty..." Consort Li choked up, unable to utter a single word.

Zhu Xiong Ying gently embraced her, "I know you have always silently sacrificed for me, and I owe you so much. From now on, I will treat you well and never let you suffer again."

Consort Li held Zhu Xiong Ying tightly, her tears soaking his clothes.

……

On the day of the empress's coronation ceremony, the entire palace was immersed in a festive atmosphere. Civil and military officials, as well as imperial relatives, came to offer their congratulations.

Zhu Xiong Ying, dressed in a dragon robe and wearing a crown, sat majestically on the dragon throne. Consort Li, on the other hand, wore a phoenix robe and a phoenix crown, exuding elegance, nobility, and captivating beauty.

"Today, I hereby establish Consort Li as Empress, to share the world with me and govern the country together!" Zhu Xiong Ying's voice was loud and powerful, resounding throughout the entire hall.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!" the civil and military officials shouted in unison.

Just then, a sharp voice suddenly rang out, "Wait!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw an old man in a Taoist robe slowly walking into the main hall.

The old man had white hair but a youthful face, and a sage-like demeanor. He was holding a whisk in his hand, and he looked quite like an immortal.

"Who are you? How dare you trespass into the palace!" a guard shouted sternly.

The old man smiled slightly, "I am a recluse, and I have come today to present Your Majesty with a congratulatory gift."

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the old man with great interest. "Oh? May I ask what gift you have for me, Immortal Master?" The old man smiled mysteriously and took out a pill from his sleeve. "This is the 'Eternal Life Pill' that I have refined. After taking it, one can prolong life and live forever."

An elixir of immortality? Zhu Xiong Ying's heart skipped a beat. Although he possessed immense strength, he was ultimately a mortal, unable to escape the fate of birth, aging, sickness, and death. If an elixir of immortality truly existed, wouldn't it allow him to rule the world forever?

"Is what you say true, Immortal Master?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked excitedly.

The old man stroked his beard. "How could I possibly deceive the Emperor? This elixir was made by me using thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum, ten-thousand-year-old ginseng, and various rare medicinal herbs. Its effects are extraordinary."

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the pill in his hand, his heart filled with longing. Just as he was about to take it, Consort Li suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Your Majesty, this matter is suspicious. Please reconsider." Consort Li's voice was filled with worry.

Zhu Xiong Ying frowned. "Empress, what do you mean by this?"

Consort Li looked at the old man, a hint of suspicion flashing in her eyes. "This immortal's origins are unknown, and the source of this elixir is also unknown. How can Your Majesty take it so easily?"

The old man's expression changed. "Is Your Majesty suspecting me?"

"I dare not," Consort Li said calmly, "but since it concerns His Majesty's safety, I must be cautious."

The old man snorted coldly, "Your Majesty the Empress is so suspicious, isn't that a betrayal of my good intentions?"

Consort Li's doubts made Zhu Xiong Ying hesitate. He looked at the pill in his hand, then at Consort Li's worried eyes, and couldn't help but feel hesitant.

"The Empress is absolutely right. I was indeed a bit too hasty." Zhu Xiong Ying placed the pills back on the tray. "I am very grateful that the Immortal has come from afar. However, this pill is of great importance, and I need to consider it carefully."

A fleeting, almost imperceptible shadow crossed the old man's eyes, but he quickly regained his smile. "In that case, I shall await good news."

After the old man left, Consort Li immediately dismissed everyone around her and nervously said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "Your Majesty, I feel that this old man is a bit strange. His appearance was too coincidental, and the elixir of immortality is too illusory. I am worried that there may be a trap involved."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded. "I feel the same way. What elixir of immortality is there in this world? He's probably just a charlatan."

"Your Majesty is wise." Consort Li breathed a sigh of relief. "I will immediately send someone to investigate the old man's background."

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered for a moment, then said, "No need. I'd like to see what tricks he's up to."

……

Three days later, the old man appeared before Zhu Xiong Ying again.

"I wonder what His Majesty's decision has been?" the old man asked with a smile.

Zhu Xiong Ying feigned deep thought, "I have considered this carefully, and what the immortal said makes a lot of sense. However, as the ruler of a country, how can I easily take unknown elixirs? What if something goes wrong? Wouldn't I become a laughingstock?"

The old man stroked his beard. “Your Majesty is overthinking it. This elixir was carefully refined by me and has absolutely no side effects. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you can have someone test it first.”

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered inwardly; this old fellow was indeed planning to pull this stunt. He had already arranged the person, just waiting for the old man to fall into the trap.

“Very well,” Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, “then I’ll have to trouble you, Immortal Master.”

Zhu Xiong Ying ordered someone to bring up a death row inmate. This inmate, named Zhang San, had committed murder and was sentenced to death.

(End of this chapter)