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

Chapter 788 No one may act without authorization

Zhu Xiong Ying's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that enemies from the martial arts world were seeking revenge? But Mu Wan'er was just his concubine and had never been involved in the martial arts world. How could she have offended someone from the martial arts world?
"Master Zhang, immediately send people to investigate. You must find out the source of this 'Seven Deadly Powder' and who has been in contact with Mu Wan'er."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhang Sanfeng accepted the order and left, while Zhu Xiong Ying stood alone by Mu Wan'er's bedside, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

Mu Wan'er's death filled him with a profound sense of powerlessness and fear. He, the emperor, couldn't even protect his own concubine; how could he face the people of the land?
He suddenly remembered Dongfang Yu'er. In his anger, he had driven her away, but now he thought it might have been a bit too much. After all, Dongfang Yu'er had only danced, and it shouldn't have been related to Mu Wan'er's death.

Thinking of this, Zhu Xiong Ying couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

"Someone come here!" Zhu Xiong Ying shouted.

A eunuch rushed in, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"Go and invite Consort Dongfang here."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The eunuch obeyed and left. Zhu Xiong Ying turned his gaze to Mu Wan'er again, his heart filled with grief and anger.

He vowed to find the murderer and avenge Mu Wan'er!
Before long, Dongfang Yu'er arrived at the palace. Upon seeing Zhu Xiong Ying, she immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness, "Your Majesty, I know my crime."

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Dongfang Yu'er before him, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He sighed and said, "Get up. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you just now."

Dongfang Yu'er raised her head, her eyes filled with tears, "Your Majesty, I know you are sad, I..."

"I'm fine," Zhu Xiong Ying interrupted her. "Wan'er...she's dead."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yu'er's expression changed drastically. She covered her mouth, staring at Zhu Xiong Ying in disbelief, "How could this be? How could this be..."

"I don't know either." Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head. "I will definitely find out the truth and avenge her."

Dongfang Yu'er walked to Mu Wan'er's bedside, looked at her pale face, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

"Sister Wan'er, you left so suddenly, I'm so reluctant to part with you..."

Zhu Xiong Ying felt even more grief-stricken as he looked at the weeping Dongfang Yu'er. He walked to her side, gently put his arm around her shoulder, and comforted her, "Don't cry, I will stand up for you."

Dongfang Yu'er nestled in Zhu Xiong Ying's arms, crying even more bitterly.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the palace, and a guard rushed in in a panic.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jiang Huan... Jiang Huan... he's dead!"

Dongfang Yu'er sobbed in Zhu Xiong Ying's arms, her delicate shoulders trembling slightly. Zhu Xiong Ying felt a faint fragrance waft into his nose, making him feel momentarily disoriented. He gently stroked Dongfang Yu'er's hair and softly comforted her, "Yu'er, I know you and Wan'er were like sisters. Now that she has suddenly passed away, I understand your grief. But with such a major event happening, you must take care of yourself."

Dongfang Yu'er raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears, but she forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand. It's just... I really can't understand, who could be so cruel as to want to harm my sister Wan'er?"

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes, "I will definitely tear this man to pieces!"

At this moment, the guard said again, "Your Majesty, Jiang Huan has led troops to surround the palace, saying... saying he wants to purge the court of corrupt officials!"

"Purge the court of corrupt officials? What a fine 'purge the court of corrupt officials'!" Zhu Xiong Ying laughed angrily. "He's really going to do this! Does he know that I alone can defeat his million-strong army?" Dongfang Yu'er's face turned pale, and she tightly gripped Zhu Xiong Ying's sleeve. "Your Majesty, the situation in the palace is unclear. You must not act rashly!"

Zhu Xiong Ying patted her hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, Jiang Huan is nothing, he can't cause any trouble. I'll go and meet him now and see what tricks he's up to."

Having said that, Zhu Xiong Ying stood up, his eyes gleaming, and an aura of domineering arrogance emanated from him. He strode out of the palace, leaving Dongfang Yu'er alone, her heart filled with unease.

When Zhu Xiong Ying arrived at the palace gate, he saw a dense mass of Imperial Guards surrounding the palace, with the leader being none other than Jiang Huan, the commander of the Imperial Guards.

Jiang Huan, dressed in a flying fish robe and with an embroidered spring knife at his waist, had a stern expression. Upon seeing Zhu Xiong Ying, he knelt on one knee and loudly proclaimed, "Your subject Jiang Huan pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"Jiang Huan, what is your intention in leading troops to surround the palace?" Zhu Xiong asked in a cold tone, carrying the majesty of an emperor.

Jiang Huan raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes, "I am doing this to purge the court of treacherous officials, to execute the corrupt ministers, and to restore a bright and just world for Your Majesty!"

"A treacherous official? Who is the treacherous official?" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered. "Are you referring to me?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not!" Jiang Huan hurriedly replied, "The treacherous official I am referring to is Consort Dongfang! This woman is a seductive enchantress who bewitches Your Majesty, corrupts the court, and deserves to be executed!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes flashed with murderous intent. "Jiang Huan, how dare you! You actually slander my Imperial Concubine!"

"Your Majesty, every word I have spoken is true! Not only does Consort Dongfang bewitch you, but she also colludes with evil sects in the martial arts world, plotting to harm Consort Mu. The evidence is irrefutable!" Jiang Huan pulled a letter from his robes and held it high above his head. "This is a secret letter I intercepted. It clearly states that Consort Dongfang colluded with evil sects in the martial arts world to plot the poisoning of Consort Mu!"

Zhu Xiong Ying took the letter, quickly glanced through it, and his face turned terribly grim. The contents of the letter indeed pointed to Dongfang Yu'er colluding with evil sects in the martial arts world to plot the poisoning of Mu Wan'er.

He suddenly raised his head, his gaze sharp as a knife, and stared directly at Jiang Huan. "Where did you get this letter?"

“I intercepted this from a江湖人士 (jianghu person),” Jiang Huan replied.

"A江湖人 (jianghu person)? Who is it?" Zhu Xiong Ying pressed.

"This man has already been killed by me," Jiang Huan said calmly, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

Zhu Xiong Ying's heart sank. He realized he might have fallen into a trap. This letter was most likely forged, intended to frame Dongfang Yu'er.

However, now that Mu Wan'er is dead, the appearance of this letter makes him unable to help but suspect Dongfang Yu'er.

He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Jiang Huan, what you've said is of great importance, and I need time to verify it. You may leave now. Without my order, no one is to act without authorization!"

"Your Majesty!" Jiang Huan was about to say something when Zhu Xiong Ying interrupted him, "Step back!"

Jiang Huan gritted his teeth and finally accepted the order and withdrew.

Zhu Xiong Ying turned and returned to his palace. Dongfang Yu'er saw his gloomy face and felt uneasy. "Your Majesty, what has happened?"

Zhu Xiong Ying handed the letter to Dongfang Yu'er, saying, "Read it yourself."

Dongfang Yu'er took the letter, and after reading it, her face turned deathly pale. "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I have never done such a thing!"

Seeing her panicked state, Zhu Xiong Ying became even more puzzled.

(End of this chapter)