Volume 1, Chapter 17: The Morning Court Begins

A single sentence from Zhu Yuanzhang left both Tang He and Fu Youde speechless. Instinctively, they wanted to admit they did not know what to do, yet as loyal ministers, such words could not escape their lips.

After a heavy silence, Fu Youde was the first to clasp his fists in respect and say, "Your Majesty, I believe it would be best if you left the palace. This would not only help you escape the current predicament but also allow you to observe Prince Ning’s subsequent actions."

"Leave the palace? Where could I possibly go?" Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head slightly. "If that rebellious son fails to manage things, how am I to restore order? Should I just stand by and watch my sons destroy the realm of the Ming dynasty in their fight for the throne?"

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang’s sudden despondency, Tang He felt a pang of sympathy. "Your Majesty, you could first come to my younger brother’s residence. Though he has lived in Fengyang these past years, his mansion in the capital still has servants attending to it. Moreover, there are few people there, and others would not suspect a thing."

"If Prince Ning truly loses control, my brother and Wei Xue can stand with you to prove your identity..."

"Alas! For now, that is all we can do. I shall go to your residence first," Zhu Yuanzhang sighed deeply.

Remaining in the palace was too risky, with too many eyes and ears. Leaving was indeed a wise choice. It would also allow him to evade Zhu Quan and everyone else’s watchful gaze. If Zhu Quan failed to control the situation, Zhu Yuanzhang could then reveal himself, claiming that Zhu Quan had imprisoned him under suspicion of rebellion.

With the testimonies of Tang He and Fu Youde, both founding dukes, no officials or ministers would doubt the truth or suspect that it was Zhu Yuanzhang himself feigning death and getting caught up in his own deception.

"After tomorrow’s court assembly, I must also report some matters to Jiang Duan," Zhu Yuanzhang planned swiftly. Jiang Duan knew too much and must be briefed thoroughly.

At the moment Zhu Yuanzhang made his decision, Chen Jing had already completed the minor rites with the officials from the Ministry of Rites.

"Enter the hall and pay respects to the late emperor."

As Yun Qi’s slightly sharp voice rang out, the officials began filing into the Palace of Heavenly Purity to bid farewell to the deceased Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.

One by one, the officials paid their respects until it was nearly the end of the early dawn hour. They then started moving toward the Hall of Heavenly Harmony, preparing to begin court.

However, the officials leaving the Palace of Heavenly Purity clearly formed several groups. At the front were the generals from the Huai West region, laughing and chatting. Behind them were some relatively neutral civil and military officials.

Further back were Ren Hengtai and his group, now accompanied by a few others: the Minister of Justice Kai Ji, Minister of War Qu Shan, Left Deputy Minister of War Qi Tai, Hanlin Academician Huang Zicheng, and the Crown Prince’s tutor Fang Xiaoru.

Among them, Huang Zicheng and Fang Xiaoru were instructors appointed by Zhu Yunwen; barely a few steps in, their curiosity got the better of them.

"Minister Ren, Minister Chen... With His Majesty’s passing, why has the Crown Prince not appeared?"

Ren Hengtai glanced back at the two but said nothing. His silence meant Chen Jing, Zhan Hui, and Fu Youwen also remained quiet as they continued with the procession toward the Hall of Heavenly Harmony.

Along the way, Minister of War Qu Shan could no longer restrain himself and tugged on Zhan Hui’s arm. "Zhan, what exactly is going on? Why is it Prince Ning who is in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, not the Crown Prince?"

Zhan Hui stopped and looked around cautiously before glancing once more toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Then, he lowered his voice.

"Brother Qu, do not mention the Crown Prince anymore. The Ming dynasty no longer has a Crown Prince..."

Without giving Qu Shan a chance to respond, he hurried toward the Hall of Heavenly Harmony.

Qu Shan stood rooted to the spot, stunned, his pupils dilated, unable to find words.

After some time, Huang Zicheng unexpectedly stepped beside him and whispered, "Minister Qu, what do you make of this?"

Qu Shan, who had once been an official in the Crown Prince’s household and a steadfast supporter of Zhu Yunwen, shook off his daze with a sorrowful expression.

"Alas! Prince Ning... he is too ruthless."

He swayed, nearly collapsing, but Huang Zicheng was quick to steady him.

Yet Huang Zicheng himself looked equally desolate and distraught. It was clear both had misunderstood the situation. Qu Shan believed Zhan Hui meant that Zhu Yunwen had been secretly executed, while Huang Zicheng assumed that Zhu Quan was the one who ordered the execution.

They stood there in their shared despair for a long while before finally regaining their composure.

Huang Zicheng’s face was full of grief and fury as he clenched his teeth. "No! The Crown Prince cannot be allowed to perish so mysteriously. We must seek justice for him and, above all, must never allow the cruel Prince Ning to usurp the throne."

With that, he released Qu Shan’s arm and strode quickly toward the Hall of Heavenly Harmony.

"What are you doing?" Qu Shan asked weakly, trying to steady himself.

Without looking back, Huang Zicheng left but left behind a solemn vow.

"I will contact Brother Fang and the other ministers. Even if it costs my life, I will not let the Crown Prince die without truth."

...

At the Hall of Heavenly Harmony, the officials stood in place, but the atmosphere was far from solemn. Instead, it was noisy and chaotic, resembling a bustling marketplace.

The military faction, led by the generals from Huai West, were all smiles, while the civil officials, led by Zhan Hui and others, stood at the front. Behind them, three small groups continuously argued among themselves.

"Prince Ning has arrived! All rise and be silent!"

At that moment, a sharp voice rang out from above the hall. Normally, any communication among the officials would instantly quiet the crowd—but today, there was no sign of silence; instead, the noise intensified.

"What? Is it really Prince Ning presiding over court?"

"Why Prince Ning? He is not the heir apparent—on what grounds does he lead the assembly?"

"Where is the Crown Prince? Has Prince Ning truly murdered him?"

"No! I must know the truth. The Crown Prince was His Majesty’s designated heir."

...

Amid the uproar in the Hall of Heavenly Harmony, Zhu Quan appeared, wearing a bright red dragon robe, hands clasped behind his back. Ignoring the myriad glances from below, he walked directly to the dragon throne that had long been prepared and sat down.

"The late emperor has passed; the heir remains undecided."

"My elder brothers are far in their fiefs. Today, I act on behalf of our late father to conduct the court session. If anyone wishes to present a matter, please proceed."

The design of the Hall of Heavenly Harmony was exquisite, allowing the occupant of the throne to hear even the faintest sounds throughout the hall and to project their voice clearly to all present.

In an instant, the hall fell into profound silence, all eyes fixed on Zhu Quan.

"Prince Ning, where is the Crown Prince?"

Just as the officials were still recovering from the shock, a loud voice, tinged with indignation, suddenly rang out, drawing everyone’s attention.

From the middle of the civil officials’ group, a man stepped forward, glaring fiercely at Zhu Quan without even bowing.

...