Chapter 2: An Inversion of the Natural Order

The one who benefits the most is the one responsible.

Zhu Yunxu raised this accusation, directly pointing the blame at Zhu Yunwen and his mother for the deaths of Lady Chang and Zhu Xiongying.

In order to sabotage today’s investiture ceremony, Zhu Yunxu had already torn off the mask—there was no turning back, and he no longer cared about the consequences.

“Mother and elder brother are dead; next in line is the grandson.”

Holding his long sword with both hands, Zhu Yunxu stepped forward two paces and said, “Since the Emperor Grandfather wishes for this grandson to die, this grandson hopes to die by his hand. I ask the Emperor Grandfather to grant this.”

“Enough!”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice thundered, shaking everyone’s hearts.

He had long harbored suspicions about the deaths of Lady Chang and Zhu Xiongying and had even ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate, but the findings revealed no issues, dispelling his doubts.

Zhu Yunwen was kind and filial, and Lady Lü had behaved admirably these past years—gentle and virtuous. Zhu Yunxu and his two sisters were all raised by Lady Lü. Zhu Yuanzhang had observed this and would not be swayed by Zhu Yunxu’s words.

“Someone, take the Third Imperial Grandson away.”

Afraid of this grandson, Zhu Yuanzhang dared not let him speak further.

He feared that if left unchecked, he would speak recklessly and wildly, so it was best to remove him first and deal with this rebellious little grandson later.

Several nearby guards moved to carry out the order, but Lan Yu, seeing Zhu Yuanzhang lightly dismiss the matter of the Crown Princess, could not hold back any longer and shouted, “Wait!”

The Crown Princess Chang was his niece, and Zhu Xiongying his grandnephew. Since their deaths were suspicious, Lan Yu did not want to let the matter pass so lightly.

Lan Yu challenged, “Until this matter is clarified, the Third Imperial Grandson shall not leave. I wish to know how the Crown Princess and Prince Yu Huai died, but Your Majesty turns a blind eye. Are you protecting someone?”

His voice was loud and clear, and like Zhu Yunxu, he stared directly at Zhu Yuanzhang without the slightest hint of subservience.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised an eyebrow. This old fool was courting death!

He had long been displeased with Lan Yu.

And now Lan Yu dared to question him openly? This was a death wish!

Noticing the murderous intent in Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes, Zhu Yunxu felt a wave of despair.

He had expected Lan Yu to be reckless, but he never imagined Lan Yu would openly challenge Zhu Yuanzhang, confronting him head-on. This was courting death.

The more arrogant and insolent Lan Yu became, the less likely Zhu Yuanzhang would give Zhu Yunxu any chance.

The struggle for succession would become even harder.

Lan Yu and his faction would perish even faster.

Even if Zhu Yuanzhang were indeed shielding someone, Lan Yu had no right to question it so brazenly before the court.

Zhu Yunxu did not want to see a repeat of the Lan Yu case. He also hoped the military generals from Huai West could be brought under his command, but on second thought, this was precisely an opportunity to prove himself.

If Zhu Biao were still alive, he would have been able to control Lan Yu and the others, and likely would not have died.

Now that Zhu Biao was gone, whether the old Zhu wanted to appoint Zhu Yunwen or Zhu Yunxu, Lan Yu and his faction would have to die.

With this in mind, Zhu Yunxu sized up the tall and robust Lan Yu. At only fourteen years old and still growing, he couldn’t reach Lan Yu’s face, so he said, “Duke of Liang, lower your head and come here.”

“What is it?” Lan Yu asked, puzzled, bending down.

But before he could react, Zhu Yunxu raised his hand and slapped him across the face.

A crisp, clear smack echoed through the hall.

Feeling the sharp sting on his cheek, Lan Yu was stunned on the spot.

Everyone else was equally dumbfounded.

What had just happened?

The grandnephew dared to strike his great-uncle?

This was a reversal of the natural order!

“Zhu Yunxu, how dare you hit me? You—”

Lan Yu roared in fury, but was cut off by Zhu Yunxu.

“I’m hitting you!”

Zhu Yunxu’s expression was serious. “You’re just a duke, yet you dare to shout at the Emperor Grandfather? Even my father wouldn’t dare do that. How dare you?”

“I…” Lan Yu realized his anger had clouded his judgment, and he had just insulted the old Zhu.

“Slapping you is lenient. If you’re still not convinced, I’d like to kill you!”

Zhu Yunxu’s face was stern as he said coldly, “Usually, you’re arrogant and reckless, but only in the outside world. Today, here, in front of the Emperor Grandfather, you dare to disregard rank and yell like that? Do you intend to issue orders in the Emperor Grandfather’s stead? I am a Ming imperial grandson, and you are merely a duke. You dare to call me by my name? This is the court—you must address me as His Imperial Highness the Imperial Grandson!”

Though his face was still somewhat youthful, it was filled with solemnity and an authority beyond his years.

Lan Yu had never seen such a serious Zhu Yunxu before and was momentarily cowed.

“Kneel!”

Zhu Yunxu commanded.

At that moment, Lan Yu felt a chilling gaze upon him. Breaking out in cold sweat, he knelt down with a thud and kowtowed, “I acknowledge my mistake. I have offended Your Majesty and deserve a thousand deaths. Please punish me.”

Seeing the once arrogant and overbearing Lan Yu kowtow and plead for mercy, everyone was astonished—they had not expected Zhu Yunxu to have such power.

Chang Sheng was even more thrilled. Zhu Yunxu was truly different now. He believed Zhu Yunxu had previously hidden his talents, but today, forced to reveal himself, he was giving them new hope.

Even if today’s investiture didn’t fail, and Zhu Yunwen was still appointed, as long as Zhu Yunxu held onto this ambition, Chang Sheng was certain he would, without hesitation, emulate Emperor Taizong’s Xuanwu Gate Coup to seize the throne for Zhu Yunxu.

“Enough!”

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