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

Chapter 810 Scared to the point of death
Zhu Xiong Ying lay on the ground, his body aching all over, but he did not give up hope. He knew he couldn't just sit and wait to die; he had to find a way to escape!
He struggled to sit up, leaning against the cold wall, and began to think of a solution. He knew that the most important thing now was to figure out where he was and who had captured him.

He carefully recalled everything that had happened before he lost consciousness, trying to find some clues. That palace maid, that cup of wine... could someone have poisoned the wine?

Who wants to harm him? He has many enemies, but who has the audacity to attack him in the palace?
Could it be...

Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly thought of someone, someone he had always overlooked.

His imperial uncle, Zhu Shuang!
Zhu Shuang had always harbored resentment towards him and coveted the throne. Moreover, he possessed sufficient power and means to eliminate him within the palace.

"It must be Zhu Shuang!" Zhu Xiong Ying thought to himself. "Besides him, who else would hate me so much?"

Thinking of this, a fierce rage ignited in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes. He vowed that if he could escape, he would make Zhu Shuang pay the price!
Just then, the dungeon door opened again, and this time it wasn't the man in black who entered, but a middle-aged man dressed in ornate clothing.

Zhu Xiong Ying recognized him at a glance; it was Zhu Shuang!

"Royal Uncle, it really is you!" Zhu Xiong Ying roared.

Zhu Shuang walked up to Zhu Xiong Ying, a sinister smile on his face. "Nephew, you never thought you'd end up like this!"

"Why did you do this?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

"Why?" Zhu Shuang laughed loudly. "For the throne, of course! Do you think you deserve this position? You're nothing but a greenhorn!"

"I am the successor appointed by the late emperor. What right do you have to question me?" Zhu Xiong Ying retorted angrily.

"Qualifications?" Zhu Shuang scoffed disdainfully. "The victor is king, the loser is villain. I am now the emperor of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Don't even think about it!" Zhu Xiong Ying struggled to his feet, glaring at Zhu Shuang. "I will never let you succeed!"

"Is that so?" A hint of murderous intent flashed in Zhu Shuang's eyes. "Then don't blame your Imperial Uncle for being impolite!"

Zhu Shuang clapped his hands, and two men in black walked in and pinned Zhu Xiong Ying to the ground.

"Uncle, what do you want to do?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked in a panic.

Zhu Shuang pulled a dagger from his pocket, held it to Zhu Xiong Ying's neck, and sneered, "What do you say?"

The chill of the dagger instilled fear in Zhu Xiong Ying, but he did not yield.

"You dare not kill me!" Zhu Xiong Ying said, forcing himself to remain calm. "I am the emperor. If you kill me, the whole world will despise you!"

"Is that so?" Zhu Shuang sneered. "Once I've secured my throne, who will remember you?"

After saying that, Zhu Shuang suddenly plunged the dagger in his hand down...

Zhu Xiong Ying did not feel the expected pain. The dagger stopped just short of his neck, about to pierce his skin. Zhu Shuang's face no longer held a mocking smile, but rather an incredulous terror.

"You...you..." Zhu Shuang pointed behind Zhu Xiong Ying, his voice trembling, as if he had seen something terrifying.

Zhu Xiong Ying, puzzled, slowly turned her head. At the dungeon entrance stood a man in a black dragon robe, his face cold and stern. He stood with his hands behind his back, radiating a powerful aura, like an emperor descending upon the land, making it impossible for anyone to look him directly in the eye.

"Father?!" Zhu Xiong Ying exclaimed in surprise. He couldn't believe his eyes. The late emperor had been dead for several years; how could he be here now?

Zhu Shuang was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground, the dagger in his hand falling to the floor with a crisp sound. "Brother...you...you're not..."

"I'm not dead yet, and you're already so eager to seize the throne?" The man's tone was icy, devoid of any emotion.

Zhu Shuang trembled all over, stammering as he explained, "Your Majesty, I dare not... I only..."

"Just what? Just want to kill my son and take his place?" The man approached Zhu Shuang step by step, each step feeling like a blow to his heart.

Zhu Shuang was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly, blood streaming down his forehead. "Your Majesty, spare my life! I know I was wrong! I will never dare to do it again!" The man snorted coldly, ignoring Zhu Shuang, and walked to Zhu Xiong Ying, asking with concern, "Ying'er, are you alright?"

Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head, his heart filled with immense excitement. He hadn't expected that his father was still alive!

"Father, where have you been all these years? Why..."

The man waved his hand, signaling him not to ask any more questions. "We'll talk about this later. Let's leave here now."

After saying that, he turned to the two men in black behind him and said, "Take Zhu Shuang away and keep a close watch on him!"

"Yes!" The man in black accepted the order and dragged Zhu Shuang, who was slumped on the ground, out.

After leaving the dungeon, Zhu Xiong Ying eagerly asked, "Father, where have you been all these years? Why...?"

The man sighed and said, "Back then, I was framed by a villain and poisoned. I had to fake my death to escape and secretly investigate the truth."

"A villain? Who is it?" Zhu Xiong Ying was burning with rage.

"This matter involves far-reaching implications, and now is not the time to tell you." The man paused, then continued, "Now that I have ascertained the truth, it is time to reclaim everything that belongs to me!"

"Father, I am willing to lend you my assistance!" Zhu Xiong Ying said firmly.

"Good!" The man patted Zhu Xiong Ying on the shoulder with satisfaction. "My good son!"

In the following days, the man secretly gathered his old followers and prepared to start an uprising. Zhu Xiong Ying also actively participated, demonstrating remarkable talent and leadership.

However, things did not go as smoothly as expected. Zhu Shuang's faction was powerful and had already controlled most of the court.

One day, the man was discussing important military matters with his generals when a soldier suddenly rushed in in a panic.

"Report! Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Zhu Shuang has led a large army to attack the palace!"

"What?!" Everyone was shocked.

"Father, what should we do now?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

The man pondered for a moment and said, "Ying'er, you lead the Imperial Guards to defend the palace. I will personally go to confront Zhu Shuang!"

"Yes!" Zhu Xiong Ying accepted the order and immediately went to mobilize troops.

Outside the palace, shouts of battle shook the heavens. Zhu Shuang led his army, launching a fierce attack on the palace.

Zhu Xiong Ying, clad in armor and wielding a long sword, stood on the city wall, directing the Imperial Guards in resisting the enemy's attack.

"Soldiers, for the Ming Dynasty, for our homeland, let us fight to the death!"

"Kill!" The Imperial Guards were in high spirits and fought bravely against the enemy.

However, the enemy forces were numerous and their offensive was fierce. The Imperial Guards gradually became overwhelmed and suffered repeated defeats.

Just then, a deafening battle cry came from afar.

"It's Father!" Zhu Xiong Ying was overjoyed.

The man led his army like a divine warrior descending from the heavens, charging into the enemy ranks. His martial arts were unparalleled; wherever he went, enemy soldiers fell one after another.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Zhu Shuang was terrified and turned to run away.

(End of this chapter)