Volume One, Chapter Four: Hierarchy and Respect—Do You Even Deserve It?

Creak—

As the sound echoed, the tightly shut doors of the Palace of Heavenly Purity swung open once more, casting a long shadow beneath the lantern light.

Whether it was Madam Lü and her son or the three figures hidden behind the wall with Zhu Yuanzhang, all eyes were fixed intently on that shadow, their minds racing to guess who the visitor might be.

It certainly wasn’t Jiang Wan; as a high-ranking official, Jiang Wan would never have dared to utter such a mocking tone just now.

But at this hour, and under the strict guard of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who could possibly dare to intrude?

Thud—

Before anyone could clearly make out the visitor’s face, a large, heavy bundle was hurled through the doorway, landing heavily on the golden bricks of the Palace of Heavenly Purity after several heartbeats.

Hiss—

“Could it really be Jiang Wan? Who in the palace could have knocked him unconscious like this?”

Seeing the figure sprawled on the ground, Fu Youde couldn’t help but gasp.

He knew Jiang Wan’s prowess well; if he weren’t formidable, he wouldn’t have held the position of commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Yet now Jiang Wan was thrown inside like a dead dog...

“You... you... you are Zhu Quan?”

The three men behind the wall still wondered who could have subdued Jiang Wan, but Madam Lü and Zhu Yunwen had already recognized the newcomer.

He wore a vibrant red dragon robe, his hair casually tied in a topknot, with a rebellious lock falling beside his alabaster, resolute face, adding a touch of rakish charm.

“Heh! I never thought you, a mere concubine, would recognize me,” Zhu Quan sneered, striding to the center of the palace. Then, kicking Jiang Wan a few times, he taunted, “What’s the matter? Weren’t you looking for Jiang Wan? I’ve sent him to you—aren’t you going to thank me?”

“You... you...” Madam Lü’s fingers trembled, whether from fear or rage, she bit her teeth fiercely and said, “Zhu Quan, I am at least your elder sister-in-law, and yet you speak to me like this? Is there no respect for seniority or rank?”

“Respect?” Zhu Quan sneered with disdain, casting her a sideways glance. “In my heart, only Sister Chang was my brother’s lawful wife. She is my true elder sister-in-law. You, a mere concubine, shouldn’t even wet yourself to look at yourself.”

This time, Madam Lü was truly enraged. Her trembling fingers shook even more violently, and with a fierce expression, she nearly shouted:

“Zhu Quan! I am the Crown Princess Consort, I am—”

“Chang, that wretched woman, is dead. I am the Crown Princess Consort personally appointed by His Majesty the Emperor.”

Behind the wall—

Zhu Yuanzhang, already irritated by Zhu Quan’s sudden arrival, was further angered by Madam Lü’s words. His chest rose and fell rapidly.

He was about to push open the secret door and command that both Madam Lü and Zhu Quan be arrested and imprisoned in the imperial prison, awaiting execution.

The world said that to Zhu Yuanzhang, only Zhu Biao was truly his son; the others were merely princes.

But in truth, in Zhu Yuanzhang’s heart, Chang—the mother of his eldest grandson—was also his only daughter-in-law.

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang was about to act decisively, Fu Youde and Tang He held him firmly back.

“Your Majesty, please don’t act rashly! If you go out now, your feigned death will be exposed,” Fu Youde urged.

Tang He added, “Indeed, Your Majesty. The Prince of Ning’s late-night palace intrusion and his brazen attitude clearly show he knows you are ‘dead.’ He surely didn’t come alone. If you reveal yourself now, who knows what he might do?”

Zhu Yuanzhang didn’t care about exposing his ruse; after all, Zhu Quan was also his son. At worst, he would issue a sealing order, reprimand him, and send him back to his fiefdom, forbidding any response.

But Tang He’s words made him shudder.

His ‘death’ had only been a little over an hour ago, yet Zhu Quan had already stormed the palace with such arrogance. Tang He’s suspicion that Zhu Quan’s intentions were more sinister felt chillingly accurate.

If Zhu Quan had brought others in, and Jiang Wan was already subdued, the other Embroidered Uniform Guards and palace guards might not yet know what was happening.

If Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly revealed himself now, Zhu Quan—fully prepared—might do something disastrous.

After all, only the three old men remained in the vast Palace of Heavenly Purity, along with Madam Lü and Zhu Yunwen. At worst, Zhu Quan could turn a fake into reality.

With that thought, Zhu Yuanzhang’s tense body slackened, and he sank back into his chair, eyes coldly fixed outside.

He had feigned death to test Zhu Yunwen, never expecting this unexpected turn of events. Now, he had to consider how to salvage the situation.

Tang He seemed to sense Zhu Yuanzhang’s worry and whispered soothingly, “Your Majesty, there’s no need to worry. We only need to wait for tomorrow’s morning court. Then, whether it’s the Prince of Ning or the Second Imperial Grandson, they will surely appear to calm the people. When that happens, if you show yourself in court, all will settle.”

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang finally calmed completely, a glimmer of expectation shining in his eyes.

“Old Seventeen, you! I just left, and you’re already scheming to usurp the throne. Wait until I return tomorrow—I’ll show you how to deal with you!”

With these thoughts in mind, Zhu Yuanzhang again fixed his gaze outside.

Inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity—

Madam Lü seemed utterly enraged by Zhu Quan’s words, abandoning all composure and lunging at him with claws bared.

Bang—

But as she approached, a kick sent her flying backward, her elaborate hair ornaments scattering across the floor.

Falling to the ground, Madam Lü brushed her tangled hair aside, glanced back at the petrified Zhu Yunwen, and a flicker of hope stirred in her heart. She turned and glared furiously at Zhu Quan, shouting, “Zhu Quan! Don’t spout nonsense here! I am the Crown Princess Consort, and my Yunwen is the eldest imperial grandson, the most legitimate heir of the Ming Dynasty.”

“You traitorous rebel, breaking into the palace at night and laying hands on me—is your aim to usurp the throne?”

...

“Heh!”

Zhu Quan couldn’t suppress a cold chuckle, casting a look of utter contempt at Zhu Yunwen before grinning widely.

“Ha ha ha! Interesting, truly interesting!”

After laughing, he suddenly grew serious again, mockery glinting in his eyes.

“Madam Lü, do you really think no one knows what you’ve done?”

“W-what do you mean?” Panic flashed in Madam Lü’s eyes. She shook her head repeatedly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Yet her confidence was clearly lacking. She dared not meet Zhu Quan’s gaze and instead dodged to the side.

Behind the wall, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned deeply, whispering, “What exactly did she do that the traitor is so afraid of when it’s mentioned?”

He was genuinely curious.

Since the death of Crown Princess Chang, Madam Lü had always presented herself as dutiful and modest before everyone. That was why Zhu Yunwen had gained Zhu Yuanzhang’s favor.

Over the years, in Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes, Madam Lü had been a good daughter-in-law and mother, not only raising Zhu Yunwen well but also managing the son left behind by the Chang family’s maid, Zhu Yunlong.

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang’s curiosity peaked, he saw a sneer flash across Zhu Quan’s face inside the palace once more.

“Madam Lü! Even now, you still put on airs?”

“It seems I must remind you. On the night of November 29th, in the tenth year of Hongwu...”