Volume 1, Chapter 6: Betrayal from Those Closest

Yun Qi was neither a duke nor a marquis; he was Zhu Yuanzhang’s personal chief eunuch.

In the thirteenth year of the Hongwu reign, Chancellor Hu Weiyong claimed that a spring of fine wine had emerged from an old well on his ancestral property—an auspicious sign. He invited Zhu Yuanzhang to come and witness it.

Zhu Yuanzhang readily agreed. As he approached the West Flower Gate, Eunuch Yun Qi suddenly pulled on the reins, urgently gesturing toward the Hu residence. Sensing something amiss, Zhu Yuanzhang quickly turned around and ascended the city wall. From there, he saw dust billowing from Hu Weiyong’s mansion and immediately concluded that Hu was plotting rebellion.

This incident became the second largest case among the four major early Ming trials involving Hu Weiyong. Afterward, the Ming dynasty abolished both the Secretariat and the chancellorship. Yun Qi was rewarded for his service by becoming Zhu Yuanzhang’s personal chief eunuch.

Behind the wall, Zhu Yuanzhang had regained his composure. He fixed his cold gaze on Zhu Quan, who was strolling leisurely within the Qianqing Palace. His eyes were icy, as if looking upon a corpse.

Though deep down he knew he had erred in the matter of selecting the heir, the great Hongwu Emperor could never admit fault.

Not only did he refuse to acknowledge his mistake, but Zhu Yuanzhang also believed that if an heir were to be chosen among the princes, it should be from the remaining legitimate sons: Prince of Qin Zhu Biao, Prince of Jin Zhu Gang, or Prince of Yan Zhu Di.

The reason was simple: only these three were born of the empress.

According to Zhu Yuanzhang’s own rules of primogeniture among legitimate offspring, the heir should be Prince of Qin Zhu Biao. If judged by ability, it ought to be Prince of Yan Zhu Di. At worst, there was Prince of Jin Zhu Gang as a substitute. There was absolutely no place for Zhu Quan.

However, the sudden appearance of Deng Zhen and the Prince of Ning’s guards made Zhu Yuanzhang realize that if he went out now, Zhu Quan might turn his act into reality. Thus, despite his displeasure, he restrained himself for the time being.

“Your Highness the Prince of Ning.”

While Zhu Yuanzhang pondered how to deal with Zhu Quan at tomorrow’s court session, Deng Zhen led Yun Qi back into the Qianqing Palace.

Unaware of Zhu Yuanzhang’s feigned death plan or the events that had transpired inside the palace, Yun Qi was terrified to see Zhu Quan standing there without a trace of the emperor.

“Hmm!” Zhu Quan nodded lightly, then broke into a brilliant smile. “Eunuch Yun, I have a matter I wish to entrust to you. Are you willing to help?”

“Your Highness’s command is my duty. Yun Qi will do his utmost.”

“Not just ‘utmost,’ but absolutely!” Zhu Quan slapped Yun Qi’s shoulder so hard he nearly toppled him, though his smile never wavered. “It’s nothing major, just a small errand. I need you to visit the noble families and invite them to the palace.”

Sweat poured down Yun Qi’s face, but he gritted his teeth and replied, “It’s a small matter, yes! But summoning people to the palace at this hour requires the emperor’s decree. Does the Prince of Ning…”

He was loyal, still clinging to principle despite having long perceived the gravity of the situation.

Zhu Quan waved dismissively, unconcerned. “It’s just an imperial edict! That’s easy enough.”

He turned toward the imperial desk, casually took a blank decree, dipped his brush in ink, and began writing.

“Traitor! This traitor dares to forge an imperial edict!”

Behind the wall, Zhu Yuanzhang watched this scene, furious beyond measure. He spat on the ground with contempt but made no move to rise.

Fu Youde and Tang He, however, exchanged anxious glances after observing Zhu Quan for a moment.

After some silent communication, Fu Youde bowed and spoke cautiously, “Your Majesty, Prince of Ning… could he also be attempting to deceive others into the palace to trap and kill them?”

There was little choice; the Huai Xi nobles held military power, and just now Lady Lü had openly voiced this very concern.

“Hmph!” Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, then smiled faintly. “If that traitor truly intends such treachery, then so be it. Once I reveal myself, with Lan Yu and the others here, we can seize him immediately.”

Fu Youde and Tang He nodded, relieved. It was not a bad plan; after all, they could not stand idly by while their comrade was slaughtered by Zhu Quan’s hand.

Before long, Yun Qi left with the forged decree bearing the imperial seal, accompanied by several guards.

Zhu Quan then summoned another eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Unlike Yun Qi, this eunuch showed no fear. Upon entering, he immediately knelt before Zhu Quan and respectfully said, “Your Highness, I pay homage to you, your Highness of a thousand years.”

“Rise,” Zhu Quan smiled. “You’ve done well to spread the word under such circumstances. When the plan succeeds, I shall reward you handsomely. But now, I need you to assist me with one more task.”

“Your Highness, command me. Even if it means braving fire and ice, I will ensure your orders are fulfilled.” The eunuch’s face brightened with joy as he bowed deeply.

Zhu Quan whispered instructions in his ear, then waved him away.

Behind the wall, Zhu Yuanzhang finally understood why Zhu Quan had suddenly entered the palace, bringing the Prince of Ning’s guards along. It meant there was a traitor close by.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s already fierce desire for control flared in anger at this revelation. Only the calming words of Fu Youde and Tang He prevented him from losing his composure entirely.

What puzzled him most was why someone so close to him had become Zhu Quan’s accomplice, and moreover, how such acts could be committed under the watchful eyes of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Before he could ponder further, a raucous commotion erupted outside the Qianqing Palace. Among the voices, one familiar and brazen tone rang loudest.

“What’s His Majesty up to? Calling us all into the palace at this hour—could it be to reward us with something nice?”

The voice belonged to none other than Lan Yu, the recently honored Duke of Liang, famed for his martial prowess in the campaigns at Hanhai and Wolf’s Lair. No one dared make such a ruckus in the palace except him.

“Lan Yu has arrived,” Fu Youde whispered behind the wall.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly. He recognized Lan Yu’s voice and felt a flicker of joy, though his expression remained stern, as if displeased by Lan Yu’s brashness.

Consequently, Zhu Yuanzhang made no move to leave his seat, choosing instead to sit calmly and observe what schemes Zhu Quan might yet hatch.

“Prince of Ning? Why is it you? Where is the emperor?”

Among those entering Qianqing Palace with Lan Yu were many high-ranking nobles: Founding Duke Chang Sheng, Duke of Qi Kang Duo (eldest son of Kang Maocai), Duke of Lelang Pu Xu (eldest son of Pu An), Marquis of Changxing Geng Bingwen, Marquis of Yingyang Yang Jing, Marquis of Yongping Xie Cheng, Marquis of Huaiyuan Cao Xing, Marquis of Jingchuan Cao Zhen, and Marquis of Huining Zhang Wen...

Nearly twenty men in total, representing all the current marquises and above residing in Yingtian Prefecture. Except for Zhou Dexing, who remained at the palace gates, almost all were present.

Lan Yu entered and immediately spotted Zhu Quan, whose face bore a calm smile as he regarded the assembled nobles. Unable to hide his curiosity, Lan Yu voiced his question.

…