Chapter 41

"Those civil officials and scholar-physicians? Killing two of them at random would wipe out ten Jurchens!"

Emperor Sizong Lie:

"Great-Grandfather, he is after all my father-in-law; at the very least, we must leave him his life."

Taizu Gao Emperor:

"Leave his life? Leave a hammer! His method of scooping silver shows he doesn't consider himself an outsider at all!"

"No, he is actually treating himself too much like an outsider, aiming to hollow out our Zhu family!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's brows tightened.

He is merely the Emperor's father-in-law!

Even if he were granted a noble title.

He commands no troops and holds no power.

What method could he possibly have to scoop up money?

A mere titular imperial relative possesses a fortune of five hundred thousand taels of silver.

Then what must the entire court of Chongzhen, that young man, look like in terms of 'integrity'!"

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang was still immersed in shock.

Zhu Yunwen quietly entered the great hall.

He knelt before Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Imperial Grandfather..."

Zhu Yunwen hesitated, about to speak but stopping.

Finally, he solemnly knelt on the ground and kowtowed once to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head in surprise.

Looking at Zhu Yunwen, he asked,

"What is wrong with you, boy?"

Zhu Yunwen spoke in a low voice,

"Imperial Grandfather, Yunwen, Yunwen perhaps is not fit to be the Crown Prince."

"Yunwen begs Imperial Grandfather to establish Fourth Uncle as the Crown Prince!"

Hearing Zhu Yunwen say this.

Zhu Yuanzhang's jaw nearly dropped in shock.

Is this still my beloved eldest grandson?

However, Old Zhu quickly came to his senses.

Staring fiercely at Zhu Yunwen, he asked,

"Did Su Qiao say something to you?"

Zhu Yunwen nodded and said,

"Yes, Su, Mr. Su said Yunwen cannot control the hundred officials."

Mentioning this.

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately became alert.

Staring fiercely at Zhu Yunwen, he asked,

"What?"

Zhu Yunwen spoke in a low voice,

"Mr. Su said, if Imperial Grandfather, if Imperial Grandfather passes away, Yunwen might be manipulated by the ministers."

"If it were Fourth Uncle, the civil officials would not be able to manipulate Fourth Uncle so easily..."

With a "Bang!"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stood up.

Staring fiercely at Zhu Yunwen, he asked,

"Did Su Qiao truly say this to you?!"

"Yes..."

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression tightened; he immediately roared loudly toward the outside of the hall,

"Quick, summon Su Qiao to the palace!"

The eunuchs nearby looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with confusion.

Before the several young eunuchs could speak.

Zhu Yuanzhang roared loudly again,

"Are you all deaf? Can't you hear us ordering you to quickly go and find Su Qiao for us!"

"Yes!"

The eunuchs of the Qianqing Palace dared not delay.

They immediately mounted their horses and rushed out of the palace.

Outside the Qianqing Palace.

Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai, who had originally been running all the way to chase after the hall, could only watch helplessly as Zhu Yunwen entered the great hall.

Watching the eunuchs of the Qianqing Palace gallop away on horseback.

The hearts of the two men immediately went "Thump!"

It's bad.

Could Your Majesty truly have taken the heart to depose and replace the heir?!

The two exchanged glances outside the Qianqing Palace.

But in the end, they had no choice but to steel themselves and burst into the great hall.

No sooner had they stepped into the Qianqing Palace.

Huang Zicheng let out a "thud" as he fell to his knees.

Weeping, he looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said,

"Your Majesty, we failed in our duty of care. The Crown Prince was merely misled by Su Qiao, spouting nonsense. Your Majesty, please do not take it seriously."

Zhu Yuanzhang lifted his head in a foul mood.

He roared fiercely at Huang Zicheng,

"You still know you failed in your duty of care?!"

Zhu Yunwen turned around with a confused expression, looking at Huang Zicheng and said,

"Mr. Huang, the Imperial Grandfather has already sent people to summon Mr. Su to the palace for questioning."

Upon hearing this, Huang Zicheng was instantly stunned.

Summon Su Qiao to the palace?

Is it not to depose the Crown Prince?

Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai immediately showed joy on their faces.

If the Crown Prince is not deposed,

then this means they are sending Su Qiao to his death!

Huang Zicheng, excited, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and clasped his hands, saying,

"I beg to report to Your Majesty: I said long ago that this youth, Su Qiao, is licentious, arrogant due to his talent, and deceives the sovereign; he should have been killed long ago!"

Qi Tai also chimed in from the side,

"Your Majesty, if one hesitates when it is time to cut, one will only suffer chaos, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly lifted his head and roared loudly at the two of them,

"Did I ask either of you? If you are so eager to speak, tomorrow roll up your bedding and go to the Censorate; I will let you speak your fill!"

Old Zhu's voice was exceptionally loud.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than all that remained in their ears was a "buzzing" hollow ringing.

Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai dared not say another word.

They hurriedly fell to their knees and fell silent.

At Su Qiao's home.

Su Qiao, who had just returned from the Donggong, had not yet had a sip of tea.