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

Chapter 820 How Dare They Deceive the Emperor?

"Enough!" he said in a deep voice. "I don't want to hear your arguments. I just want to know the truth!"

He turned to Zhang Sanfeng and asked, "Grand Preceptor, what evidence do you have to prove that the Crown Prince intends to rebel?"

Zhang Sanfeng smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, the evidence is in the Crown Prince's study."

Zhu Xiong Ying frowned and immediately ordered a search of the Crown Prince's study.

Soon, the guards found a letter in the prince's study.

Zhu Xiong Ying took the letter, opened it, and her expression changed drastically.

The letter read:

"My son Biao'er, I have decided to abandon the pursuit of immortality and focus on governing the country. However, many ministers in the court are bewitched by the pursuit of immortality and may not obey my orders. Therefore, I wish to pass the throne to you, hoping that you can lead the Ming Dynasty to prosperity. Remember, do not be hasty, but proceed slowly. When the time is right, we will abolish the policy of cultivating immortality and revitalize the court."

The signature is Zhu Xiong Ying.

After reading the letter, Zhu Xiong Ying trembled all over and pointed at Zhu Biao, roaring, "You unfilial son! How dare you forge my handwriting and plot a rebellion!"

Zhu Biao's face turned deathly pale. He never expected to find such a letter in his study. He immediately knelt down and cried out, "Father, I am innocent! This letter was not written by me. Someone must have framed me!"

"Framed?" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered. "The handwriting on this letter is exactly the same as mine. What else do you have to say?"

Zhu Biao raised his head and looked at Zhang Sanfeng, his eyes filled with anger and hatred. He knew that all of this was Zhang Sanfeng's conspiracy!
"Zhang Sanfeng, you are so vicious!" Zhu Biao said through gritted teeth, "You actually used such despicable means to frame me!"

Zhang Sanfeng remained calm and said, "Your Highness, the victor is king and the loser is villain; this has always been the way of things. You lost, so you should accept your fate of defeat."

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Zhu Biao, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes. He had always placed high hopes on Zhu Biao, but he never expected him to be so ambitious and treacherous.

"Guards!" Zhu Xiong Ying shouted, "Throw the Crown Prince into the imperial prison and await his fate!"

The guards immediately stepped forward and took Zhu Biao away.

After Zhu Biao was taken away, Zhu Xiong Ying slumped onto the dragon throne, his heart filled with grief and helplessness. He never imagined that his most beloved son would betray him.

Zhang Sanfeng walked up to Zhu Xiong Ying, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, now that the Crown Prince has been captured, you should restore the national policy of cultivating immortality as soon as possible to revitalize the court."

Zhu Xiong Ying raised his head, looked at Zhang Sanfeng, and a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

"The Grand Preceptor is absolutely right," he said slowly. "I will immediately issue a decree to restore the national policy of cultivating immortality!"

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Zhang Sanfeng's face. He knew his plan had succeeded.

However, at that moment, a sharp voice suddenly rang out: "Your Majesty, you must think this through! If we reinstate the policy of cultivating immortality, our Great Ming Dynasty will be doomed!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw an old man dressed as a eunuch slowly walk out; it was none other than the Grand Eunuch Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong walked up to Zhu Xiong Ying, knelt down, and said, "Your Majesty, this old servant dares to speak, but cultivating immortality is a scourge to the country! Please reconsider!"

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Wang Zhong, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. Wang Zhong had always been loyal and had never interfered in court affairs, so why did he suddenly stand up to oppose the cultivation of immortality today?

"Wang Zhong," Zhu Xiong Ying asked, "why do you oppose cultivating immortality?"

Wang Zhong raised his head, his face filled with grief and indignation, and said, "Your Majesty, this old servant has personally witnessed how many families have been torn apart and wives and children separated by the cultivation of immortality! This old servant has personally heard how many loyal ministers and generals have been turned into bloodthirsty demons by the cultivation of immortality! This old servant..."

As Wang Zhong finished speaking, he suddenly coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Zhu Xiong Ying was shocked and quickly stepped forward to support Wang Zhong. "Wang Zhong, what's wrong?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked anxiously.

Wang Zhong raised his head and looked at Zhu Xiong Ying, his eyes filled with reluctance and helplessness.

"Your Majesty..." Wang Zhong said with his last ounce of strength, "This old servant...this old servant is sorry..."

After saying this, Wang Zhong closed his eyes and left this world forever.

Looking at Wang Zhong's corpse, Zhu Xiong Ying was filled with grief and anger. He finally understood that he had been deceived by Zhang Sanfeng!
He suddenly raised his head and looked at Zhang Sanfeng, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Zhang Sanfeng!" Zhu Xiong Ying roared, "How dare you deceive the emperor!"

Zhang Sanfeng's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected Wang Zhong to suddenly appear and ruin his plans.

He immediately knelt down, crying out, "Your Majesty, spare my life! I was just confused for a moment and did something so foolish!"

"Foolish?" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered. "Do you think I would believe your nonsense?"

He stood up, walked up to Zhang Sanfeng, looked down at him, and said, "Guards! Seize Zhang Sanfeng and execute him by slow slicing!"

The guards immediately stepped forward and took Zhang Sanfeng away.

After Zhang Sanfeng was taken away, Zhu Xiong Ying slumped onto the dragon throne, his heart filled with regret and self-reproach. He never imagined that he would be so easily manipulated by a charlatan.

He looked up at the bright moon in the sky, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

"Father..." a timid voice suddenly rang out.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked in the direction of the sound and saw Zhu Biao standing at the entrance of the hall, looking at him with a nervous expression.

Zhu Biao stood timidly at the palace gate, head bowed, not daring to look Zhu Xiong Ying in the eye. His clothes were tattered, and his hair was unkempt, a stark contrast to his former image as the prince, who was adorned in fine clothes and lived a life of luxury.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at his pitiful son, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He sighed and beckoned, "Biao'er, come here."

Zhu Biao then slowly raised his head, carefully walked to Zhu Xiong Ying, knelt down with a thud, and choked out, "Father, I know I was wrong!"

Zhu Xiong Ying helped Zhu Biao up and sat him down beside him. He looked Zhu Biao over carefully and noticed that he had lost a lot of weight and his face looked more weathered.

"Biao'er, you've suffered so much," Zhu Xiong Ying said with heartache.

Zhu Biao shook his head, tears streaming down his face: "Father, I don't blame you. It was all my fault for being confused and falling into Zhang Sanfeng's trap."

Zhu Xiong Ying sighed and patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder: "It's all over now, it's alright."

The father and son sat quietly, enjoying this moment of peace.

However, this brief period of calm was soon shattered.

A guard rushed into the hall in a panic, knelt down and reported: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Outside the city... a group of demonic beasts has suddenly appeared outside the city and is heading towards the capital!"

Zhu Xiong Ying's expression changed, and he abruptly stood up: "Demon beasts? How many?"

"Your Majesty, they are numerous, densely packed, and countless!" The guard's voice trembled, clearly terrified.

(End of this chapter)