Chapter 2: First, Seek Out the Granduncle

Upon hearing these words, Ma Sanbao’s face immediately lit up with joy, and he fell to his knees at once.

“Your Highness! Sanbao is willing to go through fire and water for you. Even if it means treading mountains of blades or seas of flames, I will accompany you without hesitation.”

On one hand, Ma Sanbao truly wished that his master would no longer remain so dispirited. Ever since he had entered the palace to serve Zhu Yunshang, he saw his prince each day acting with utmost caution, even walking with his head lowered, always keeping close to the wall, as if he feared offending everyone around him.

On the other hand, the principle that a servant’s fate is tied to the fate of their master was especially true in these times. Having spent many years with Zhu Yunshang in the Eastern Palace, Ma Sanbao knew better than anyone what kind of people Princess Consort Lü and Zhu Yunwen were. He understood all too well what fate awaited their master and servant should Zhu Yunwen ascend to the throne.

Thus, whether for his lord or for himself, Ma Sanbao had no reason not to throw himself wholeheartedly into Zhu Yunshang’s cause.

Moreover, his master had promised him that, should their efforts succeed, he would be granted titles and everlasting fame—a glory never before bestowed upon a eunuch. How could he possibly refuse to risk everything?

“Very well.” Zhu Yunshang was not surprised at Ma Sanbao’s reaction, and nodded lightly. “But I will not have you rushing into danger just yet. Go now to the Duke of Liang’s residence and find my grand-uncle. Convey a message to him for me.”

“To see the Duke of Liang?” Ma Sanbao was taken aback, but quickly realized Zhu Yunshang’s intention. Bowing, a hint of excitement in his eyes, he asked, “What message does Your Highness wish me to deliver?”

A faint, calm smile played at Zhu Yunshang’s lips. “Ask my grand-uncle for me: does he wish to live, or to die?”

Ma Sanbao was so startled he nearly fell to the floor. Though he served within the inner court, he would often sneak out to handle affairs for Zhu Yunshang and naturally knew of the Duke of Liang, Lan Yu, by reputation.

This was a man who had struck terror into the hearts of the Northern Yuan, and whose decisive victory at Buir Lake had utterly destroyed their power. To call Lan Yu Ming’s God of War, or the pillar upon which the court most relied, would not be an exaggeration.

Even if this formidable man was his master’s own grand-uncle, to approach him and ask such a question—“Do you wish to live, or to die?”—might well result in being cut down on the spot.

Ma Sanbao was not one to fear death, but he felt this approach was reckless. Not only might they fail to win the support of Lan Yu and the Huai West faction, but it could even backfire.

“What, are you afraid?” Zhu Yunshang looked at him with amusement, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

“No!” Ma Sanbao shook his head hastily. “Only, Your Highness, is this not a bit...”

“Too rash, you mean?” Zhu Yunshang’s smile widened.

Seeing that Ma Sanbao wished to speak but dared not, Zhu Yunshang relented and smiled. “If he means to kill you, just say it exactly as I told you. I guarantee you’ll come to no harm.”

After hearing Zhu Yunshang’s plan, Ma Sanbao’s eyes immediately sparkled with excitement, and the look he gave his master became rather strange.

After all, though he had aided Zhu Yunshang in many matters over the years—indeed, the reason he was able to obtain news so swiftly this time was due to the groundwork he’d laid in the palace—his understanding of Zhu Yunshang had never extended beyond this. He never suspected his master possessed such talent.

For a moment, Ma Sanbao could already picture his lord seated upon the dragon throne, with the masses of the realm kneeling in homage.

Yet joy was quickly replaced by concern. He asked, “Your Highness, if I go to the Duke of Liang, what about you? We are no longer in the Eastern Palace. Your safety...”

Though the imperial tomb was guarded, and by the elite Embroidered Guards at that, they were not Zhu Yunshang’s own trusted men. Ma Sanbao worried that, should he leave at such a tense moment, his master might come to harm.

Zhu Yunshang, however, waved his hand dismissively, smiling. “Go as I say. Achieving this task is the greatest help you can give me. As for my safety, you need not worry.”

“Yes, Your Highness! Even if it costs me my life, I will win over the Duke of Liang and the others for you.”

Seeing his lord’s confidence, Ma Sanbao knew further persuasion would be useless. He bowed deeply.

He then knelt and kowtowed three times before Zhu Yunshang. “Your Highness, please take care of yourself. I will bring the Duke of Liang and the others to you as quickly as possible.”

“Go on, then! Don’t act like a timid maiden. You are destined for honor and renown—show your spirit and do not disgrace me.”

With these final words, Ma Sanbao sprang to his feet and raced down the mountain.

He would hurry back to Ying Tian as fast as possible, then seek out the Duke of Liang and the others and persuade them, so as to help his lord achieve greatness.

Watching Ma Sanbao’s figure vanish into the descending night, Zhu Yunshang looked back once more at the tomb of Zhu Biao, his eyes flashing with a steely light.

“A sword honed for ten years, its blade yet untested; today I reveal it to you—who will speak for injustice?”

“Haha! Since Heaven has given me this chance, let the world at last behold the sharpness I have concealed for ten years!”

With laughter echoing through the night, Zhu Yunshang’s figure faded into the darkness, leaving only a pale silhouette under the moonlight, growing indistinct.

At that very moment—

Ying Tian Prefecture, Forbidden City.

Inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Since the passing of Empress Ma, this had become Zhu Yuanzhang’s resting place whenever he did not visit his concubines’ quarters.

Yet on this night, the Palace of Heavenly Purity seemed particularly eerie.

Silent and deserted, not a single eunuch or maid was present. Only a faint, flickering candle and the motionless body of Zhu Yuanzhang, clad in crimson dragon robes, lying on the couch, utterly still.

But behind this strangeness, behind a wall on the left side of the hall, another man stood—one who looked identical to Zhu Yuanzhang.

No, this was the true Emperor Hongwu of Ming, Zhu Yuanzhang. The figure lying on the dragon couch was merely a body double prepared in advance.

“Your Majesty, perhaps it is best to abandon this plan. You are the ruler of the realm—should word of this spread, you would become the laughingstock of the people.”

The speaker, an old man dressed in a scholar’s robe, sat across from Zhu Yuanzhang. His face twitched as he spoke, as though at a loss for words in the face of Zhu Yuanzhang’s absurd scheme.

This was none other than the last of Zhu Yuanzhang’s sworn brothers, the Duke of Faith, Tang He.

He ought to have been enjoying his twilight years in Fengyang, yet here he was in Ying Tian.

Beside Tang He sat the Duke of Song, Feng Sheng.

Compared to Tang He, Feng Sheng seemed far more composed—he had already voiced the same objections once before.

Even the Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, Su Xinglin, standing behind Zhu Yuanzhang, kept his eyes lowered, saying nothing.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and patted Tang He’s shoulder. “Second Brother, don’t try to dissuade me. It took me great effort to come up with this way to test Yunwen—I won’t give it up so easily.”

“But you needn’t worry. Once tonight has passed and I have made my decision, no one will ever know of this.”

“You’d best stay here and keep an eye on my eldest grandson. Now that Biao’er is gone, I have only Yunwen to inherit the empire I have built.”

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