Chapter 7: The Ancestral Emperor Manifests His Spirit

The entire court erupted in chaos.

“Don’t forget—though you share no marital ties with Xizhi, you are kin to me. If he falls, I am implicated, and how could you escape unscathed?”

“Fang Xiaoru, oh Fang Xiaoru, why must you be so unwavering! Are you not dooming us all?”

Most civil and military officials were interrelated by marriage; thus, while only five or six were directly within the nine familial circles, their networks spread so widely that nearly half the ministers found themselves within the ten clans.

A chill ran through them all.

“Your Majesty, I shall take my leave!” Suddenly, a venerable white-haired minister cried out in despair, dashed his head against a marble column, and collapsed unconscious, blood pouring forth.

This sent the whole gathering into utter turmoil.

“To force your ministers to death before the ancestral hall—such filial impiety, Zhu Di! The historians will record this deed with a heavy hand, and your infamy shall last for generations!”

The crowd seethed, spittle flying; those who saw death as inevitable cursed the rebel of Yan with such fierce words and sharp tongues as history had seldom witnessed.

Zhu Di swept his gaze over them, silently observing as the chaos intensified, making no attempt to intervene; in his eyes flickered a hint of anxious anticipation.

Within the Hall of Offering—

“Father, the situation outside is spiraling out of control. I fear something unforeseen may happen. Perhaps you should make an appearance?” Zhu Biao urged.

“That rascal, Fourth, never behaves. He knows perfectly well how to handle this, yet insists on debating with Fang Xiaoru! Isn’t it just an excuse to force me to legitimize him? Let him keep dreaming!” Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly.

“I believe, Grandfather, it would be best for you to step out and defend the ancestor’s name. Otherwise, when we return, who knows how many ministers may die, and if it affects the people, it would be a grave loss,” Zhu Youjian advised.

Zhu Yuanzhang paused, nodding in agreement. “My great-grandson speaks wisely! I’d forgotten about that. I shall go out, then.”

Zhu Biao was taken aback. “Eh?”

…

“Silence, all of you! What are you trying to do—rebel?!”

“You, Liu’s family, stop feigning ignorance and wipe the vermilion from your forehead!”

The deep, commanding voice thundered before the Hall of Offering.

The clamor of the ministers faded, replaced by a deathly silence.

“My heavens!”

The unconscious white-haired elder on the ground suddenly sprang upright, his face full of panic, nothing like a man past sixty.

“Th—the Grand Emperor?” The ministers gaped, for that fiery red dragon robe was dazzling. Many present were veterans of two reigns, accustomed to court discussions with the elderly Zhu Yuanzhang during his later years.

For a moment, it seemed they had returned to four years prior: no abolishment of feudal lords, no Jingnan campaign, harmony reigned during the old emperor’s tenure.

Because each department of the Six Ministries had only three or five members, burdened by heavy duties and a boss fond of executions, the officials were pitifully few, and there was no factional strife…

Of course, none of that mattered now.

The key was—the Grand Emperor had not died?

Or rather, he had feigned death and lived in seclusion, watching the fate of the realm unfold?

Given the Grand Emperor’s history of cunning plots, the ministers unanimously concluded that this must be the truth!

And so, the abdication by the Jianwen Emperor—did Zhu Yuanzhang really allow it!?

This… how could it be possible? As for the notion that Zhu Di forced Old Zhu—such a possibility never occurred to them. Even if every minister lent their courage to Zhu Di, would he dare utter a word in Old Zhu’s presence?

The ministers gathered their thoughts, but fell into confusion.

Gradually, they regained their composure, for however unbelievable, the abdication to Zhu Di was now an undeniable fact.

“We bow before the Grand Emperor!”

Fang Xiaoru’s eyes reddened, and he called out in a trembling voice.

He understood well the significance of Zhu Yuanzhang’s appearance, but showed no fear. Even if Zhu Di was now regarded as legitimate, it still violated proper rites; he wished to argue for the Jianwen Emperor.

But Zhu Yuanzhang gave him no chance—a single glance quelled all the words Fang Xiaoru had prepared, leaving only a sigh.

He did not fear death, but this abdication left him full of regret for Emperor Wen.

“We bow before the Grand Emperor, honoring the divine manifestation of His Majesty!”

The ministers finally came to their senses, kneeling in reverence; even the Yan princes and their soldiers at the sides of the spirit path followed suit, though their hearts were uneasy.

The Yan generals, Zhu Neng and others, turned pale and lay flat on the ground, not daring to move.

“Rise, all of you.”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked down from above, full of feelings. In the blink of an eye, familiar faces had aged twenty years; just days before, he had met Fang Xiaoru of the fifteenth year of Hongwu, finding him upright and severe, telling Zhu Biao he was a talent to be used for a lifetime.

But in an instant, he saw Fang Xiaoru of the future, confirming his own judgment: a sharp-tongued scholar.

Unfortunately, Fang Xiaoru had just cursed Zhu Di fiercely and even damned future emperors of the Zhu clan to mutual slaughter. Keeping him was pointless.

Old Zhu’s gaze turned icy.

“Fourth, find me a reason to execute Fang Xiaoru, Qi Tai, and the others.”

“Yes, Father, I understand!” Zhu Di replied immediately, his spirit shaken.

Zhu Yuanzhang, now resolved, let his commanding voice ring out:

“Summon Tie Xuan and Sheng Yong to return to the capital. Seven days hence, they are to appear at the Hall of Offering.”

“We obey the Grand Emperor’s decree!”

The ministers bowed low in response.

Old Zhu turned and gave a few final instructions: “Keep this matter clean—I’ve seen too many drownings lately. Make sure they are careful.”

“Father’s instruction is received.” Zhu Di nodded respectfully, his face glowing with delight.

Then, Zhu Di asked in puzzlement, “May I ask why Father wishes to bring Tie Xuan and Sheng Yong? These two conduct themselves in strange ways—unorthodox, mysterious. When they hung your spirit tablet on the city wall at Jinan, it forced me to hold my fire, showing their audacity and disrespect for divine authority. Truly, they show no regard for the law!”

“So, these two are quite capable,” Zhu Yuanzhang mused, ever selective in what he believed of Fourth’s embellished accounts.

Zhu Di opened his mouth, then closed it in frustration—his schemes to hoodwink his father had failed.

“Fourth, do not worry. These two will be taken by my great-grandson, leaving no hidden threat.” Zhu Yuanzhang saw through his thoughts, pointing to Zhu Youjian within the hall, eyes full of affection:

“That is my immortal great-grandson. If you speak of mysteries, you have met a true spirit.”

He then recounted Zhu Youjian’s origins, how he arrived in the Hongwu era, and how he brought everyone here, embellishing even those things he himself could not comprehend, leaving Zhu Di thoroughly stunned.

In the end, Zhu Di looked upon his descendant with awe and reverence.

Being a man of keen intellect, he immediately understood that his own legitimate ascension was entirely orchestrated by this immortal great-grandson.

With everything arranged, Zhu Yuanzhang said no more, turning back to the Hall of Offering.

As for whether he needed to explain to the ministers why Zhu Yunwen abdicated to Zhu Di—he had never had such a habit. Having ruled for so many years, did he need others to tell him how to act?

Did they think imperial intent was mere decoration?

With Zhu Di’s orders, the ministers withdrew, each bearing terror, disbelief, and suspicion.

“Why would the Grand Emperor order His Majesty to abdicate? This act violates propriety and the rites! Minister Chen, your Ministry of Rites should admonish the Grand Emperor to follow ritual!”

“Rites? How should I observe rites? If you dare to speak frankly before the Grand Emperor, I will salute you as a true man!” Minister Chen Di of the Ministry of Rites looked upon him with utter disdain.

“Heh, Minister Chen, you jest…” The other man replied awkwardly, not daring to say more.

…