Chapter 7: Zhu Yunxu: Guess How I Entered the Palace

The voice belonged to Zhu Shou, Marquis of Zhulu, the most impatient among the nobles of Western Huai, but all eyes also turned toward Lan Yu. Yet Lan Yu did not even glance back; his footsteps continued steadily toward the rear, while a seemingly calm yet laced-with-rage and murderous intent voice drifted into the ears of the onlookers.

“Let’s go get the armor!”

“That venomous woman dared to harm our niece and great-nephew; we must enter the palace immediately to protect Yun Teng.”

Upon hearing this, the generals of Western Huai instantly reacted. They were not completely without support now; their gaze shifted to Ma Sanbao.

Without the Chang family and Zhu Xiongying, they still had Zhu Yun Teng! He was the crown prince’s legitimate son, also the Chang family’s nephew. If he could ascend to that position, wouldn’t he become the pillar of support for all the Western Huai generals?

The Western Huai nobles looked at Ma Sanbao with excitement, as if eager to carry him into the palace to rally support for the king.

But just as Ma Sanbao felt increasingly uneasy under their gazes, a voice suddenly reached their ears.

“Little eunuch, I have a question to ask you.”

All eyes swiftly turned toward the speaker.

“Please, Marquis of Huaining, ask away. I will answer everything,” Ma Sanbao said, frowning as he cupped his hands toward Zhang Wen.

Zhang Wen’s face showed no excitement, only faint worry as he spoke: “May I ask, what is Third Prince doing entering the palace at this hour?”

The atmosphere stiffened; the main hall of the Duke of Liang’s residence instantly felt like a cattle pen holding dozens of beasts.

This was because Zhang Wen had asked the very question on everyone’s mind.

Under countless gazes, Ma Sanbao’s lips curved slightly upward, his back straightening as he said, “My lord naturally enters the palace now to reclaim what is rightfully his. Otherwise, why risk this alone at such a time?”

Reclaim… what is rightfully his?

Hearing this, the Western Huai generals flushed with excitement, as if they were witnessing yet another opportunity to achieve glory by following the dragon’s rise.

If this succeeded, their families might enjoy prosperity for centuries, even hundreds of years.

And even failure would only hasten the events likely to unfold if Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne—none would differ greatly in outcome.

“Well said! Truly the nephew of our Lan Yu, bold and resolute.”

As everyone grew more animated, a thunderous voice echoed through the main hall again:

“Since Yun Teng wants to reclaim what is his, then this uncle will lend him a hand.”

With that, Lan Yu’s towering figure reappeared before them.

But now he was clad in armor, a deadly weapon hanging at his waist, looking every bit the commanding general about to march into battle.

...

Meanwhile, in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Zhu Yuanzhang, after being calmed by his loyal brothers Feng Sheng and Tang He, regained composure and, through hollow eyes, gazed out at the world.

Lady Lü had long since ceased her panic, her gaze cold and filled with hatred as she looked at Zhu Yun Teng.

“Hmph! Zhu Yun Teng, you’ve hidden well all these years, even deceiving me.”

She laughed, a sound mingled with many emotions—self-mockery and scorn for Zhu Yun Teng.

“Ha! What a pity, truly a pity! If you had stayed hidden until my son ascended the throne and allowed you to be sent away as a vassal, you might have posed a threat to him.”

“But since you’ve been reckless enough to enter the palace now, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Zhu Yun Teng’s expression did not waver; instead, he showed a hint of amusement, looking at Lady Lü as if she were a fool.

“Ruthless? I’d really like to see just how ruthless you intend to be.”

He glanced at Jiang Duo on the floor, his expression mocking.

“Planning to have Jiang Duo arrest me again?”

“Hmph! Don’t be so arrogant. Jiang Duo is nothing to me,” Lady Lü sneered, her eyes filled with anticipation and urgency as she looked toward the half-open door of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

“Don’t forget who guards the palace tonight. With my order, even if you can suppress Jiang Duo, do you think you can come and go freely among thousands of troops?”

Her confidence was not unfounded, for tonight the palace interior was guarded by Marquis of Jiangxia, Zhou Dexing.

Lady Lü hailed from the Lü family of Jiangnan, and her father, Lü Benhe, was Zhou Dexing’s brother-in-law.

In terms of seniority, Lady Lü should call Zhou Dexing “uncle,” and Zhu Yunwen should address him as “uncle-in-law.”

With such connections, once Zhou Dexing learned what was happening in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, he would surely bring troops—this was beyond doubt.

Lady Lü raised her chin, looking at Zhu Yun Teng as if she already held victory in her hands.

“Heh heh!”

But the response was not Zhu Yun Teng’s nervousness, fear, or worry—it was a mocking laugh.

“Do you think I just walked into the palace at midnight?”

This utterly indifferent remark stunned Lady Lü in place, and even Zhu Yuanzhang, Tang He, and Feng Sheng behind the wall were taken aback.

No one knew better than Zhu Yuanzhang how complicated the procedures were for entering the palace at midnight. He also knew Zhou Dexing would never allow Zhu Yun Teng in without cause.

So how did Zhu Yun Teng appear inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity?

Had Zhou Dexing been bribed?

Though Zhu Yuanzhang knew the Western Huai nobles were greedy, Zhu Yun Teng had lived in the Eastern Palace until just a month ago. How could he have bribed Zhou Dexing?

With money or power?

Zhu Yuanzhang could not fathom it. At least, Zhu Yun Teng surely could not offer Zhou Dexing money sufficient to tempt him. What power could compare to the merit of supporting the dragon’s rise?

After all, given Zhou Dexing’s relationship with Zhu Yunwen, once Zhu Yunwen ascended, Zhou would become the most powerful imperial in-law of the Ming dynasty and be entrusted with great responsibilities.

Could Zhu Yun Teng offer greater power than that?

Not only Zhu Yuanzhang was puzzled, but Lady Lü and Zhu Yunwen were even more so.

“How… how exactly did you enter the palace?” Zhu Yunwen almost trembled as he asked.

“Heh heh! Guess!” Zhu Yun Teng flashed a broad smile, revealing eight pearly white teeth.

As he spoke, his gaze suddenly fell upon the weapon rack against the wall. He strolled over slowly.

Clang—

The sharp ring of a sword broke the heavy silence of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

In Zhu Yun Teng’s hand, the long sword effortlessly traced a flower pattern, the cold gleam aimed at Lady Lü and her son.

“Tell me, what will the court look like tomorrow if I kill you?”

Behind the wall, Zhu Yuanzhang’s fury reignited. His dragon-like eyes dilated with rage, and he shouted coldly:

“Traitorous grandson! What does this rebel intend to do? It’s one thing to seize the throne, but does he also plan to pit brother against brother?”

...