Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 97: Investigating the case! Lao Zhu's decision!
In the small courtyard, the branches swayed slightly.

As the floating clouds passed across the sky, they just blocked the sun.

The sky and earth suddenly became dark.

It was naturally very painful when the palm of the hand hit the stone table.

But at this moment, Old Zhu was completely unaware of it.

The yard was filled with murderous intent.

Ji Yuan's heartbeat suddenly accelerated. He crawled on the ground, not daring to look up, and said anxiously: "Your Majesty, how about I capture that palace maid and interrogate her?"

"Stupid!" Old Zhu snorted coldly and said, "Don't alert the enemy yet, just continue to monitor."

"Apart from this one, are there any other discoveries?"

"What about those things I asked you to investigate? Have you made any progress?"

Yoshigaki hesitated for a moment, then said, "There is a suspicion, but there is no evidence."

"Speak!" Old Zhu Longyin's voice was majestic and cold.

"So during the time when the Crown Prince was ill, all the food he ate was provided by the Eastern Palace Food Bureau."

"The decoctions and medicines we take are all supplied by the Imperial Hospital."

"We have carefully checked the relevant records, procurement, production, and also verified every prescription written by the imperial physician. There are no problems."

"Every ingredient and every medicine was closely monitored by a dedicated person before it was presented to the late crown prince."

"Only His Royal Highness Prince Xian served the late Crown Prince day and night when he was seriously ill, and fed him personally."

"The food used was all cooked by Concubine Lu herself. It did not go through the Imperial Food Bureau or the Imperial Hospital, so there is no way to find the relevant records."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lao Zhu's eyes were filled with bloodshot, murderous intent, ferocious and terrifying.

"Why didn't you report this to us before?" Old Zhu took a deep breath and asked calmly.

Although the sound was neither loud nor soft, it sounded like a devil's voice.

The tone of his voice was completely different from when he normally spoke.

"The prince is seriously ill, so it is normal for the concubines to cook for him personally to show their filial piety to him."

Ji Yuan was terrified, but he suppressed his fear and said slowly: "Your Highness Prince Xian is the biological son of the late crown prince, and Concubine Lu was also the person the late crown prince loved the most during his lifetime."

"There is nothing wrong with them doing this, so naturally the servants won't have any doubts."

"Everyone just thinks that Prince Xian is filial and that Concubine Lu has deep feelings for the late Crown Prince."

Old Zhu slowly closed his eyes, looking extremely painful, and asked again: "So now you feel something is wrong?"

Yoshigaki remained kneeling on the ground, not looking up, and replied, "Your Majesty asked me to investigate, and I will do my best."

"I have looked through the medicines and food that Concubine Chang Niangliang drank before she passed away, and that His Royal Highness Prince Yu drank when he was seriously ill, and I found that they were all the same."

"Apart from the meals from the Eastern Palace's dining bureau and the medicine from the Imperial Hospital, only Concubine Lu has cooked for them."

Prince Yu refers to Zhu Yunhuan’s eldest brother, Zhu Xiongying, who died at the age of eight.

The title of King Yu was conferred upon him posthumously.

"These are the results of my investigation. I dare not fail to report them truthfully."

"But Concubine Lu and Concubine Chang have a deep relationship and are on good terms with each other. They also love His Royal Highness Prince Yu very much."

"It is reasonable for them to cook for them personally during their serious illness."

"It can't be said that there is necessarily any problem with this."

"But other than that, we haven't found any other problems."

Yoshigaki said this in a soft voice, and then he stopped talking and knelt quietly on the ground.

"Yeah, nothing can be found, nothing can be found..."

Old Zhu muttered to himself in a low voice.

The next moment, he suddenly roared loudly.

"But they are our most beloved sons and grandsons, as well as our daughter-in-law."

"How could they die in such an unclear way?"

With a "bang", Lao Zhu sat down suddenly.

He was breathing heavily.

It seemed as if there was a breath stuck in the chest, blocking my breathing and making it impossible to exhale.

Old Zhu pointed forward and said, "Go... go... go and take the Lu family..."

He didn't finish his words and put his hand down again.

Ji Yuan immediately understood what he meant and said, "I will send someone to arrest Concubine Lu right away!"

"What is Concubine Lu?" Old Zhu suddenly shouted again: "She is Lu's slave, a pig, a dog, not a human!"

"Is she worthy of being my son's daughter-in-law? Is she worthy of being Concubine Lu? Is she worthy?"

Ji Yuan kowtowed repeatedly and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty is right. She is not worthy. She is just a slave. She is not a human being, but a pig and a dog... I will take her away right away."

After he finished speaking, he stood up, bent over, and was about to leave when he was stopped by Lao Zhu.

"Wait!"

Yoshigaki turned around quickly.

Old Zhu took a deep breath and said, "You just said that she had a secret discussion with King Xian yesterday and avoided everyone."

"King Xian will go to King Wu's mansion today, under the pretext of visiting King Wu, and invite King Wu to attend Lu's birthday party in the near future."

"Is it right?"

Yoshigaki responded, "Your Majesty, this is indeed the case."

"How long has Biao'er been gone?" Old Zhu said coldly, "Instead of observing mourning, she actually wanted to hold a birthday party and even asked Prince Xian to personally invite him, fearing that Prince Wu would not go."

"What's the intention of this?"

Yoshigaki didn't dare to answer. He just stood there with his hands hanging down, not moving at all.

"We can't just arrest her like this without evidence." Old Zhu was obviously much calmer than before.

The tone of his speech was also gentle and calm.

The murderous intent in the dragon's eyes did not fade, but instead became stronger and stronger.

"After all, she has given us several grandchildren. The youngest, Xier, is only a little over a year old and is still in swaddling clothes."

"It's been so long since the incident happened. Even Biao'er has been gone for several months."

"Our grandson and daughter-in-law have been away for even longer."

"There was no sign of poisoning on them at the time."

"There were no records left. It would be impossible to find out anything if we check now whether there were any problems with the dishes she cooked at that time."

"There are no traces left, how can we investigate?"

Maybe he screamed so hard that his throat was broken.

Lao Zhu's voice was a little hoarse at this moment, but his thoughts were unusually clear.

Yang Shiqi said it well.

Once the seeds of doubt are planted, they will take root and sprout in people's hearts until they grow healthily.

Old Zhu is a suspicious person and never trusts anyone easily.

That is to say, he will trust his wife and son more.

But Lu was just a daughter-in-law, not a son.

This careful investigation did not find any evidence that she had poisoned and murdered someone.

But cooking by oneself became the biggest doubt.

It does make sense emotionally. The husband is seriously ill and the wife is heartbroken for him, so she cooks for him herself. What's wrong with that?

The same is true for Chang and Zhu Xiongying.

If someone is sick, can't you cook a few dishes yourself to show your care?

However, this move ultimately bypassed the Eastern Palace Food Bureau and the Imperial Medical Bureau, and circumvented strict supervision.

Who dares to say that there are no problems?
The basis for judgment is to see whether the person has a good heart.

However, is Lu's heart good?

Can it stand the test?
Old Zhu asked, "The maid who heard her say that she wanted to kill Hun'er is still in the East Palace now, right?"

Ji Yuan hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, she is still here. I will ask someone to bring the maid here secretly..."

Just now, Lao Zhu scolded him and told him not to catch it, so as not to alert the enemy.

Therefore, after listening to what Lao Zhu said now, Yoshigaki didn't know what to do.

"She is Lu's personal maid. If she is taken away from the East Palace, will Lu not know about it?" Old Zhu said coldly, "Let's go to the East Palace and see Lu in person."

Yoshigaki was startled and said quickly: "Yes!"

Soon, dozens of palace guards escorted a carriage slowly out of the palace and headed straight for the East Palace.

Of course, it was not announced to the public, but was done incognito.

Otherwise, the emperor leaving the palace would be no small matter.

Just the various ceremonial guards and escorts would require thousands of people, or even more.

This requires prior preparation, you can't just leave as you please.

……

……

……

East Palace.

Mrs. Lu was sitting and sewing clothes.

She has been feeling restless these days and her right eyelid has been twitching constantly.

I always think something big is going to happen.

A few days ago, Lu went to the palace overnight to inquire about the news, but unexpectedly, Concubine Hu warmly invited her to stay. She was forced to stay in the palace for several days.

Not only did he fail to find out any information, but he was trapped and unable to escape.

This made Mrs. Lu very depressed.

And what happened during this period made her even more heartbroken.

The situation in the court changed, and his son Zhu Yunwen's position as crown prince was snatched away by Zhu Yunhuan.

Although it has not yet been officially enthroned, His Majesty the Emperor has said so in front of all the civil and military officials, so enthronement is obviously inevitable.

Not to mention, the emperor immediately ordered the King of Wu to be regent.

These things, one after another, made her upset.

Although Zhu Yunhuan was also raised by her, even if Zhu Yunhuan succeeded to the throne, she, as his stepmother, should be regarded as the empress dowager according to etiquette.

But no matter what, how can it compare to having one's own son ascend the throne?

Which mother doesn’t favor her own son?

Moreover, Zhu Yunhuan was born to Chang, the one who had always suppressed her and bullied her, forcing her to be humble and force a smile to accompany him!

After Chang's death, she took good care of Chang's son and treated him well, just to put on a show for Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

She never expected that after playing the role for more than ten years, until Zhu Biao died and her own son was about to be appointed as the crown prince, she thought she had finally made it.

Unexpectedly, it was destroyed and intercepted by Zhu Yunhuan.

Whenever he thought of this, the hatred in Lu's heart surged like a tide and could not be calmed for a long time.

Zhu Yunhuan, she must get rid of him as soon as possible!
Fortunately, she still has one biggest advantage.

She was Zhu Yunhuan's nominal mother, although only an adoptive mother, but as the former Crown Princess, Zhu Yunhuan had to serve her like his own mother.

This is a gift!
Moreover, Zhu Yunhuan was only in his teens, not yet an adult, and had not yet performed the ceremony of coming of age.

As a mother, she has many ways to control a child, all with justification.

Etiquette is the sharpest knife in her hand.

However, she would have to take a high risk in doing so.

But in order for her own son to become the crown prince and inherit the Ming Dynasty, she would not hesitate even if it meant her own death.

While sewing clothes, Mrs. Lu was thinking about how to arrange and where to start the birthday party in the coming days.

That day will be the end of Zhu Yunhuan!

Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard the maid beside him shouting in panic, "Your Majesty!"

Mrs. Lu was startled and looked up suddenly, only to see that all the maids around her were kneeling on the ground.

Not far away, His Majesty the Emperor was standing there in casual clothes, smiling slightly.

She also quickly put aside the clothes she was sewing, knelt down and said, "Greetings, Father!"

"Get up!" Lao Zhu smiled casually and sat down on a chair in the room.

Mrs. Lu slowly stood up, leaned forward and asked, "How did your father find time to come to the East Palace today?"

"Why don't you send someone to inform me first, so that I can make some preparations."

"What are you preparing for?" Old Zhu smiled and said, "I've been bored in the palace for too long and want to go out for a walk."

"I was always busy with state affairs and had no time."

"Now that Hu'er is in charge of the government, we can have some free time."

"I just wanted to come to the East Palace to take a look at where Biao'er lived in the past."

He looked at the clothes that Lu had woven and said with a smile, "You sewed this dress very well!"

Mrs. Lu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are overpraising me. I am just bored and I am using this to kill time. I don't deserve your praise."

"If Your Majesty likes it, I will make one for you as well."

"That's not necessary." Old Zhu waved his hand and said, "Our clothes have certain etiquette specifications. We have many sets every year, which is enough for us to wear."

"If we ask them to do less, the officials from the Ministry of Rites will start to complain and say that it is not in accordance with etiquette. It is very annoying."

"We can only let them go."

“Save the clothes you made for those in need.”

"Don't waste it on us."

Mrs. Lu said hurriedly, "Father is the supreme ruler, so his food, clothing and expenses are naturally different from those of ordinary people."

"I know that father is always simple and frugal, but you can't be too frugal, or it will lose the royal family's atmosphere."

Old Zhu looked at her deeply and said, "You are good at talking and have a good temper and personality."

"It's a blessing for Biao'er to marry a wife like you!"

"What a pity, Biao'er is unlucky..."

Old Zhu's voice gradually faded away.

Lu also acted as if she was worried.

At this time, Lao Zhu suddenly changed the subject and said, "I heard that you can not only knit sweaters, but also cook delicious dishes. Is that true?"

"Father, you are joking!" Mrs. Lu said, "The saints have said that a gentleman should stay away from the kitchen."

"Although I am not a gentleman, I don't have much chance to cook on weekdays."

"How can I cook a good meal if I am not very good at cooking?"

"Come to think of it, the last time I cooked was when the prince was seriously ill."

"I am helpless and cannot help, but I feel uneasy, so I cook for him myself."

"It's not that I can cook better than the chefs in the food bureau, I just want to show my appreciation."

"pity……"

As she spoke, she began to sob and cry.

A gleam of light flashed in old Zhu Long's eyes, and then disappeared in an instant.

"This is God's will!" Old Zhu sighed, "You don't have to be too sad. Be careful not to hurt yourself."

"Xi'er is still young and needs your care as her biological mother."

After he finished speaking, he stood up and said to Lu who was about to see him off, "You don't have to see me off."

"I just want to walk around the East Palace alone."

"I don't want to be disturbed."

There was something wrong in Lu's expression, but she soon returned to normal.

It is understandable that the old father misses his son and mourns him in this way.

"Yes, your daughter obeys your command." Lu bowed.

Old Zhu walked out.

The East Palace is very big.

Old Zhu walked casually.

The guards dispersed in all directions, cleared out the idlers, and kept the original guards of the East Palace at a distance.

Before he knew it, Old Zhu arrived at a lotus pond in the backyard of the East Palace.

Yoshigaki was already waiting here, with a palace maid standing next to him, trembling with fear.

The guards had already cleared the area and did not allow outsiders to approach.

"Your Majesty, she is Concubine Lu... the personal maidservant beside Concubine Lu. She was the one who heard those words."

Yoshigaki almost uttered the words "Empress Lu" again, but swallowed his words back halfway through.

"Tell me, what did you hear?" Lao Zhu asked calmly.

The maid knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please spare my life! I...I heard nothing and know nothing."

She had originally only told this to her lover in private, but she never expected that her lover would actually tell on her and betray her.

At this moment, facing the emperor's majestic power, the palace maid was suddenly frightened and trembled.

"How dare you!" Yoshigaki shouted, "Tell His Majesty everything you heard. Do you still want to deceive the Emperor?"

"If you say anything untrue today, be careful or His Majesty will kill all your clans!"

Hearing that the entire family would be executed, the maid trembled all over and became even more frightened. She kept saying, "I will tell you, I will tell you... I will tell you everything."

She immediately poured out the words like pouring beans: "Empress Lu said that if she had known this would happen, she should have quietly strangled the King of Wu to death, so as to avoid raising a tiger to cause trouble like today."

Old Zhu Long's eyes flashed with brilliance, and he asked, "Are you sure you didn't hear it wrong?"

The palace maid hurriedly said: "I heard it clearly, there is no way I am wrong."

"There was another maidservant beside Concubine Lu at the time, as well as Master Huang."

"If Your Majesty doesn't believe it, you can call them both here and ask them and you will know the answer."

Lao Zhu's breathing suddenly became heavy.

At this moment, he was like a trembling tiger.

Although he was clearly trembling, the overwhelming pressure and murderous aura that was sweeping across the area made everyone around him shiver uncontrollably.

It seemed as if it would choose someone to devour in the next moment.

"Your Majesty!" Yoshigaki said softly, "Do you want me to capture the other palace maid who serves you personally and interrogate her as well?"

"No need!" Old Zhu said in a deep voice: "Catch another one, she won't be able to fail to notice it."

If the palace maid dared to say that, it could not be false.

It doesn’t matter whether other people are tried or not.

What's more, there will be opportunities at any time in the future, and Huang Zicheng is also a witness.

As to whether Lu had poisoned Zhu Biao, Concubine Chang, or Zhu Xiongying, it seems almost impossible to find out.

But as long as it is confirmed that Lu is not a good person and has evil intentions.

She had also circumvented supervision procedures and cooked for Zhu Biao, Chang Fei, Zhu Xiongying and others. So, does it still matter whether there is evidence to prove that she poisoned them?
At this point, Lao Zhu could only speculate all her motives with the greatest malice.

And this was exactly what Yang Shiqi had planted before.

Doubts will take root and sprout in people's hearts.

As long as it is proven that Lu has done a bad thing or had a bad thought.

Then, all the other things that cannot be clearly identified but may be related to the Lu family are really related to her!

"Then this maid..." Yoshigaki asked, "Should we let her go?"

Old Zhu glanced at the palace maid kneeling on the ground and said, "She looks so frightened. If we let her go back, she will definitely be exposed. Let her fall into the water."

"Yes!" Yoshigaki waved his hand, and soon a guard came over and took the maid away.

After a brief moment of trembling with anger, Lao Zhu's expression quickly returned to calm.

"Think of a way to tell Hu'er what Lu said."

"Don't say we told him."

"Also, remind him that there will be danger at Lu's birthday party in a few days, so tell him to be careful."

"As you command!" Yoshigaki responded, and then asked in confusion, "Your Majesty won't deal with it?"

"Let Huer handle it!" Old Zhu said slowly with a complicated tone and an even more complicated expression, "Huer will be the emperor in the future and will rule the Ming Dynasty. He will not only have to deal with state affairs, but also family affairs."

"Tell him all the information you have found and let him make his own decision."

"This matter is difficult for us, and it is even more difficult for Hu'er."

“But no matter how difficult it is, we have to shoulder the responsibility.”

"This is what a Son of Heaven must face!"

"The emperor should have personal feelings, but he should also be ruthless."

"Huer is a good child and will definitely be a good emperor."

"We believe him!"

"Let him handle it!"

……

(End of this chapter)