Chapter 34: The Final Decision

(Page 1 of 3)

Huang Zicheng and the others finally calmed down and found a point they could press.

Li Liangping and the other adopted sons of Lan Yu had indeed committed those acts. They ignored Zhu Yuntong’s orders and obeyed only Lan Yu. Everyone had seen it with their own eyes; many had witnessed it firsthand. This was no slander against Lan Yu, but something that had truly happened.

Lan Yu listened in silence. At this point, he had no way to refute them.

Nor did he have any excuse left.

A moment ago, he could still claim that he had raised so many adopted sons, and that those adopted sons had in turn maintained private troops for the sake of the late Crown Prince.

But those adopted sons had not even shown respect to the late Crown Prince’s legitimate son. They had only Lan Yu in their eyes, making it plain that they intended rebellion.

Lan Yu might not have harbored rebellious intentions, but the fact that his subordinates’ adopted sons had behaved this way was already fatal to him.

“Lan Yu, how else can you explain yourself?” Zhan Hui asked, unable to conceal his excitement.

At last, they had found a question that could corner Lan Yu. It was difficult for them not to feel exhilarated.

Lan Yu thought for a long while before sighing. “I have nothing to say.”

Zhang Zhou immediately said, “We were merely arrogant and insolent. This has nothing to do with the Duke of Liang.”

Li Liangping added, “I am willing to bear all the blame myself. The Duke of Liang knew nothing about many of these matters.”

Tang Da quickly agreed. “That is right. The Duke of Liang had no idea what we were doing.”

The three men knew that they had caused a terrible disaster and might even bring about Lan Yu’s death. At last, they understood fear and began taking responsibility for their crimes.

They regretted it bitterly now. If they had known this would happen, they would never have acted as they did. But regret could no longer change anything.

“Your Majesty!”

Ignoring their words, Zhan Hui turned and said, “As you can see, the Duke of Liang has nothing to say and has admitted everything. Zhang Zhou and the others have committed treason, shown no regard for rank or propriety, and refused to acknowledge His Highness the Third Imperial Grandson, recognizing only Lan Yu. They intend to rebel—”

“Death,” Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly.

At those words, the civil officials were overjoyed.

At last, a death sentence. At last, they could destroy Lan Yu. Had this not been a court of law, they would have been unable to restrain themselves from cheering aloud.

Chang Sheng, Fu Youde, and the others went pale. If Lan Yu truly died, then the Emperor would certainly find a way to kill them next.

In the end, they still could not protect him. What were they to do?

They could only look toward Feng Sheng, but Feng Sheng did nothing. He merely lowered his head.

“Imperial Grandfather!”

(Page 2 of 3)

Zhu Yuntong knew that the moment had come for him to act. He knelt before Zhu Yuanzhang and said, “Grandfather Emperor, I beg you to spare Lan Yu.”

“Oh?” Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes. “Lan Yu has rebelled, and even his own men refuse to acknowledge you. Yet you still wish to plead for him?”

“You have often taught me that I must understand benevolence and filial piety.”

“Lan Yu is one of Mother’s few remaining relatives, and her maternal uncle besides. I beg you to spare him. Even if you strip him of everything he possesses, that would be acceptable. Please do not kill him.”

“He has indeed acted with the utmost treason, but he did so to support Father.”

“When Father was still alive, I saw how well Lan Yu treated him and how deeply he respected him. He showed not the slightest trace of disloyalty.”

“Could you spare him?”

Zhu Yuntong lowered his head. His voice was not loud, yet everyone present could hear him clearly.

Many had already guessed that Zhu Yuntong would protect Lan Yu, so they were not surprised.

Zhu Yuanzhang, however, remained somewhat cold. After thinking for a moment, he said, “What makes you think I should release him?”

Zhu Yuntong continued, “If Grandfather Emperor is willing to spare Lan Yu, then I… can give up everything. I will no longer be the legitimate heir, nor will I contend for the throne. I will yield everything to Zhu Yunwen and live as a commoner alongside Lan Yu. I beg Grandfather Emperor to grant my request.”

He intended to exchange his own status for Lan Yu’s chance to live.

Everyone present froze when they heard this.

Zhu Yunwen, who had only just recovered from his shock, could not help but brighten at once.

Zhu Yuntong was actually willing to abandon everything for Lan Yu. This was precisely what Zhu Yunwen most wished to see. He silently repeated to himself, Grandfather Emperor, agree quickly. Agree now. Once you do, everything will belong to me.

Huang Zicheng and the other civil officials had clearly never imagined that Zhu Yuntong would make such a sacrifice for Lan Yu.

Yet this was a good thing!

As long as Zhu Yuanzhang gave the slightest nod, everything would be settled. But they knew that Zhu Yuanzhang would not agree so easily.

Lan Yu and his men were the most shocked of all.

How could Zhu Yuntong give up everything because of him?

Lan Yu knew that Zhu Yuntong was trying to save him, but this was far too dangerous.

Zhu Yuntong had made the offer of his own accord. If those damned civil officials fanned the flames, and Zhu Yuanzhang gave even the slightest indication of consent, Zhu Yuntong would lose everything.

He was willing to abandon his chance to become Emperor and risk everything to save Lan Yu.

At the thought, Lan Yu’s eyes reddened once more.

He almost could not stop himself from bursting into tears right there.

Had the late Crown Prince not protected him in exactly the same way when he was alive?

(Page 3 of 3)

Now the Crown Prince was gone, yet his legitimate son was still willing to use his own status and position to protect Lan Yu and preserve his life.

Lan Yu owed the Crown Prince far too much.

Feng Sheng and the others were equally stunned. Though they were anxious, they did not know how to advise him.

As they recalled Zhu Yuntong’s words, they were deeply moved. To save Lan Yu was also to save themselves. So long as they remained faithfully at Zhu Yuntong’s side, they would surely be safe in the future.

“No!”

Lan Yu raised his voice. “I do not need anyone to save me. Everything that happened was my own doing. I am willing to confess my guilt. Your Majesty, I beg you to grant me death.”

He, too, intended to protect Zhu Yuntong. Even if he died, he could not allow Zhu Yuntong to surrender his status and position, or abandon his chance to become Emperor.

Otherwise, how could he face the Crown Prince and Crown Princess in the world below?

“I am willing to die! Your Majesty, I beg you to grant me death!”

Lan Yu’s cry echoed through the courtroom.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuntong thought to himself that he should finally be able to win Lan Yu’s allegiance. He said, “Grandfather Emperor, I beg you to permit me to save Lan Yu.”

“Alas…”

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed. His voice sounded full of helplessness.

“Take Lan Yu and the others back and keep them confined for now. The rest of you may leave.”

Zhu Yuanzhang had not ordered Lan Yu’s immediate execution, which meant that Lan Yu could still survive. He continued, “Yuntong, come back with me.”

“Yes,” Zhu Yuntong replied.

That was how the matter ended for the moment, suspended until Zhu Yuanzhang issued further orders.

No one could see how things would conclude, and they grew increasingly anxious. The matter also concerned the succession of the legitimate heir, and they desperately wanted Zhu Yuanzhang to agree to strip Zhu Yuntong of everything. Yet doing so would be deeply improper.

Whether to strip him of his status was Zhu Yuanzhang’s decision.

It was not for them to meddle. Anyone who dared would die.

Even Zhu Yunwen could not raise such a proposal himself.

The assembled officials could only disperse regretfully. They wished to discern the Emperor’s intentions, but they lacked the ability. Zhu Yuanzhang’s heart was something they would never be able to read.

Only after everyone had departed did Zhu Yuntong follow the old emperor back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.