Chapter Sixteen: Duke of England, Are You Completely Mad?

After finishing these tasks, the sky outside had begun to lighten faintly. Judging by the time, it was just past six in the early morning.

The palace cleansing had also concluded. Hundreds of corpses were secretly transported out of the city and then burned in a secluded area. Half of these dead palace maids and eunuchs had resisted, while the other half were spies planted in the palace by nobles and civil officials.

Zhu Cilang could not tolerate their presence and decided to deal with them all at once. Though ruthless, it was necessary for his own safety.

“Everyone, go rest and have something to eat first, then prepare for court!” Zhu Cilang said, looking at Zhang Zhiji and the others.

“We thank Your Highness, the Crown Prince!” they replied respectfully, trembling as they left.

Zhu Cilang gazed at the distant sky gradually turning red, his eyes glinting with anticipation.

At last, the Ming Dynasty would soon be his!

In a side hall, the young eunuchs brought an assortment of tea and snacks to Zhang Zhiji and the others. Yet, none of them had any appetite at that moment.

Li Guozhen seemed about to speak, but was silenced by a look from Duke of England Zhang Zhiji. Since Zhu Cilang’s personal guards still stood watch at the nearby entrance, it was best to remain silent when possible.

So they sat in uneasy silence, awaiting the coming morning court.

Unless something unexpected happened, after this court session, they would become the enemies of all the nobles...

Time passed quickly, and soon daylight filled the air.

With the ringing of the bell, officials began to enter the palace.

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, ministers filed in as usual, standing on either side to await the emperor’s arrival.

This routine happened almost every day, so no one noticed the palace atmosphere was slightly off.

But soon, they were shocked.

Because the one who appeared before them was not the emperor, but the Crown Prince!

Under the gaze of the civil and military officials, Zhu Cilang shakily took a seat beside the dragon throne.

The ministers gaped in disbelief.

Before anyone could say a word, Zhu Cilang spoke first.

“Esteemed ministers, last night the emperor suddenly fell gravely ill and is no longer able to manage state affairs. Therefore, I have been appointed as regent.”

“Wang Cheng’en, proclaim the decree!” Zhu Cilang ordered.

Wang Cheng’en stepped forward and read aloud the imperial edict:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I am suddenly unwell and temporarily unable to govern. From now on, all state matters shall be handled by the Crown Prince. So it is ordered!”

As soon as the decree ended, the entire court erupted in chaos.

Prime Minister Zhou Yanru was the first to question:

“Your Highness, when did this happen? The Emperor was well just yesterday. How could he become gravely ill overnight?”

Others quickly joined in.

“Yes! His Majesty was fine yesterday. How did he fall ill so suddenly?”

“Crown Prince, please allow us to see His Majesty!”

Though puzzled, the ministers did not suspect Zhu Cilang. After all, he was only a thirteen-year-old boy and the legitimate heir; it was unthinkable that he would rebel.

Ignoring the uproar, Zhu Cilang gave a subtle signal to Duke of England Zhang Zhiji.

Understanding immediately, Zhang Zhiji stepped forward, shouting:

“This is my fault!”

Simultaneously, Earl of Xiangcheng Li Guozhen and Earl of Xinjian Zhang Xiantong knelt as well.

“I am guilty!”

“I am guilty!”

This stunned the entire court into an eerie silence.

Everyone looked at the three nobles in disbelief.

What nonsense is this?

What does the emperor’s illness have to do with them?

Before they could ask, Zhang Zhiji spoke first.

“Your Highness, I discovered by chance that corruption is rampant in the Five Armies Command, the Capital Garrison, and many noble officers are involved in embezzling military funds.”

“Some have even infiltrated the Embroidered Uniform Guard, threatening imperial authority.”

“Deeply disturbed, I, along with Earl of Xiangcheng and Earl of Xinjian, informed His Majesty last night.”

“Upon learning this, His Majesty was overwhelmed with anger and collapsed.”

“This is my fault; I beg Your Highness to punish me.”

After these words, Zhang Zhiji kowtowed deeply.

Li Guozhen and Zhang Xiantong followed suit.

In that moment, the court was deadly silent; one could hear a pin drop.

Zhang Zhiji’s accusation was like a deep-water bomb, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

Civil officials were relatively unscathed, as embezzlement was not their domain.

But the nobles present were terrified.

Duke of England, what madness is this?

The Five Armies Command, Capital Garrison, Embroidered Uniform Guard—all implicated, and you are involved in all of them!

And you dared to inform the emperor?

Are you out of your mind?

If you want to die, fine—but why drag us all down with you?

Fueled by anger, several nobles rushed forward to attack Zhang Zhiji and the others, but palace guards blocked them.

“You bastard! Do you want to kill us?”

“If you want to die, go ahead! But why drag us down too?”

“You traitor, damn you!”

As curses grew louder, the court descended into chaos.

Zhu Cilang paid no heed, ordering the guards to seize the rebels, then turned to Wang Cheng’en.

“Continue reading the decree!”

Wang Cheng’en took another scroll and declared:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

“Duke Dingguo Xu Yunzhen is guilty of embezzlement and infringing on imperial authority. Effective immediately, he is confined to his mansion and shall not leave without imperial permission.”

“His property is forfeited, and his ducal title shall be inherited by his eldest son.”

“Duke Chengguo Zhu Chuncheng is guilty of embezzlement and infringing on imperial authority. He is sentenced to death.”

“His property is confiscated, his ducal rank reduced to marquis, and the marquisate shall pass to his eldest son.”

“Marquis Dingxi Jiang Bingzhong is guilty of embezzlement and infringing on imperial authority. He is sentenced to death; his property is confiscated, and his rank reduced to count, inheritable by his eldest son.”

“Marquis Funing Zhu Guobi is guilty of embezzlement; his property is confiscated, and his rank reduced to count, inheritable by his eldest son.”

“Marquis Linhuai Li Hongji is guilty of embezzlement and infringing on imperial authority. He is sentenced to death; his property is confiscated, and his title revoked.”

...

A series of such announcements resounded, silencing the entire court.

All those named were dumbfounded by the decree.

Then, thuds sounded as several of the implicated nobles fainted.

Others remained on their knees, weeping with snot streaming, pleading:

“Your Majesty, I am innocent!”

“Your Majesty, I know my fault! Please spare me!”

“Your Majesty, give me one more chance! I am willing to surrender all my property!”

Feigning sorrow, Zhu Cilang said:

“This matter was reported to the emperor by Duke of England, Earl of Xiangcheng, and Earl of Xinjian. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has already investigated, and the evidence is conclusive.”

“Throughout history, our emperors have treated you well, and so has my father. Why repay kindness with betrayal?”

“The situation is beyond remedy; I can no longer help you!”

No sooner had he spoken than a squad of palace guards entered, dragging away all the nobles named in the decree.