Chapter 31: Zhu Yunwen: Imperial Grandfather, Save Your Grandson

Page 1/3

When they heard that Ye Sheng’s son was to be brought in, Lan Yu and the others grew anxious. Since their capture yesterday, they had been held separately. They had never seen Ye Sheng’s son, nor had Zhu Yunxu, and there had been no communication between them. This made the claim of collusion during the recent credit-grabbing attempt immediately suspect.

Yet there was no turning back now; the words were already spoken and had to stand. Lan Yu felt uncertain, silently wondering how to handle the situation once Ye Sheng’s son arrived.

None dared to look at Zhu Yunxu. Today’s interrogation would not offer much help from him. Zhu Yunxu was only responsible for the capture and knew little about Lan Yu and the others’ circumstances. Even if he wished to assist, he could not. The first hurdle had to be crossed by Lan Yu alone. But as a Duke of Liang, Lan Yu was no fool—perhaps impulsive and rash, but certainly not brainless. This was evident from his demeanor just now.

Whether he could save himself depended solely on Lan Yu. Once he got past this step, they would see what came next.

Others were getting excited. When Ye Sheng’s son was brought in, whether they would claim credit or not would become clear at once. The civil officials were already prepared to counter Lan Yu and suppress these military generals.

The rivalry between civil and military officials was nothing unusual.

Moreover, behind all this lay the struggle for succession.

Zhu Yunwen was truly obeying Lady Lü’s orders, silent today, saying nothing, merely watching the drama unfold. All matters were entrusted to Huang Zicheng and his group.

As long as he kept quiet, if anything unexpected happened later, it would be Huang Zicheng’s fault, not his.

The Jinyiwei soldiers, having received Zhu Yuanzhang’s order, immediately went to fetch Ye Sheng’s son, Ye Yangde.

“Your Majesty!”

An official stepped forward anxiously, “What if Ye Sheng’s son has colluded with Lan Yu and the others?”

Zhu Yuanzhang found this a reasonable concern and asked, “Is there a possibility they have colluded?”

Jiang Guan quickly replied, “Since their capture yesterday, Ye Yangde and Duke Lan Yu have been held separately. They have not met.”

Just the fact they were held separately explained everything.

They waited as the Jinyiwei brought the person in.

Zhang Zhou and the others now deeply regretted their words, knowing they might have condemned Lan Yu.

Lan Yu, on the surface, appeared composed, but inside he was overwhelmed with anxiety.

“Ye Yangde has arrived.”

After a while, someone outside called out loudly.

Then, two Jinyiwei brought in Ye Yangde, shackled.

He immediately knelt and saluted Zhu Yuanzhang.

Casting a quick glance at Lan Yu and the others, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of panic.

“Ye Yangde!”

Zhan Hui, the chief interrogator, spoke loudly, “Quickly explain in detail how Lan Yu saved you. Make it clear—perhaps you’ll suffer less.”

Ye Yangde glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang, then at Lan Yu again, biting his lip slightly: “What saving? Lan Yu never saved me. And that villain Zhang Zhou—bah! He saved me? Ha…”

Lan Yu and the others were stunned.

Page 2/3

Zhu Yunxu was also surprised but kept his expression calm, thinking, “It can’t be such a coincidence, can it?”

Ye Yangde actually wanted to save Lan Yu. But just as he finished speaking, he suddenly realized he might have said something wrong and corrected himself, “No, it was Zhang Zhou who saved me, who helped Lan Yu save me. They are all remnants of the past. I confess and accuse them. Your Majesty, please execute them quickly.”

“This man isn’t exactly stupid!”

Zhu Yunxu thought, this hurdle was passed—not by Lan Yu’s own doing, but because Ye Yangde actively helped him.

The two conflicting statements left everyone bewildered.

“Your Majesty, this…”

Zhan Hui hesitated and looked to Zhu Yuanzhang.

“You say they saved you, then say they didn’t.”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s imperial aura radiated as he said coldly, “Did they save you or not?”

The weight of this question made even Huang Zicheng and the others feel a tightening in their chests.

Zhu Yunxu’s eyes brightened—this was the aura that came with being a sovereign, overwhelming and majestic.

Old Zhu’s aura was so powerful it made people tremble.

“Saved… no… didn’t save.”

Ye Yangde lowered his head nervously, clearly frightened. Then he added, “Zhang Zhou didn’t save me. He… he wanted to hide it from Duke Lan Yu and offer me as a prize to the Jinyiwei.”

After saying this, he swallowed hard.

In truth, he was lying, uncertain himself, but this was the only way he knew to save Lan Yu. He decided to risk everything since death was inevitable.

And quite cleverly, his reasoning matched Lan Yu’s.

Because this was the only way to avoid punishment, they both clung to this narrative.

If it wasn’t saving him, they wouldn’t die.

Lan Yu and the others were also taken aback.

“Jiang Guan,” Zhu Yuanzhang asked, “Are you certain there was no collusion?”

Jiang Guan answered firmly, “Absolutely impossible!”

“Grandfather Emperor!”

Zhu Yunxu said, “It seems the Jinyiwei’s intelligence gathering was insufficient.”

Jiang Guan hurriedly said, “My fault, Your Majesty, please punish me.”

“Then can this matter be closed? Duke Lan Yu did not save him.”

Zhu Yunxu asked.

“No!”

Huang Zicheng couldn’t help but speak, “If Duke Lan Yu was innocent from the start, then why did he still follow the Third Imperial Grandson back? He should have explained himself and petitioned Your Majesty, not surrender without resistance.”

Page 3/3

“I second that!”

“I second it—this is definitely not so simple.”

“I request further investigation!”

Other ministers, seeing Huang Zicheng raise this doubt, loudly echoed his words.

Zhu Yunwen, seeing them support Huang Zicheng, felt deeply comforted. The civil officials in court still stood firmly behind him.

“That’s because he is the Third Imperial Grandson.”

“The late Crown Prince’s legitimate second son, grandson of the King of Kaiping.”

“Don’t say he wanted to arrest me—even if he had given me a sword yesterday to take my own life on the spot, I would have cut my throat without hesitation.”

“If the Third Imperial Grandson comes to arrest me, no matter the reason, I will surrender.”

This was Lan Yu’s voice—low but solemn.

Each word echoed through the great hall.

He was making clear his current mindset.

He affirmed his loyalty to Zhu Yunxu and made his stance known.

Zhu Yuanzhang listened, narrowing his eyes.

“No matter what Yunxu commands you to do, you are willing to obey—even if it means death, even if you must die immediately, you are not afraid?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Lan Yu replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, “Yunxu, give him an order—let’s see if Lan Yu is truly that loyal.”

Zhu Yunxu no longer held back, shouting, “Guards, release Lan Yu’s hands and feet, bring a sword!”

The Jinyiwei immediately complied, placing the sword before Lan Yu.

“Kill Zhu Yunwen.”

Zhu Yunxu said directly.

Everyone was stunned.

Zhu Yunwen was shocked.

“What the hell does this have to do with me?”

Before anyone could react, Lan Yu decisively picked up the sword and strode toward Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen saw that Lan Yu was serious before the old emperor, his legs went weak, and he couldn’t move. He could only shout, “Grandfather Emperor, save your grandson…”