Ming Dynasty: Zhu Biao's younger brother, the most rebellious son in history

After leaving the imperial study, Zhu Biao felt much more relaxed. He knew he still had a lot to do, but he believed that as long as he insisted on justice, he would always find a way to solve the problem. He quickened his pace and prepared to go back to discuss the next plan with the princess.

When Zhu Biao returned to the East Palace, the princess had been waiting in the study for a long time. Seeing her brother return, she asked anxiously: "Brother Biao, what did the emperor say?"

Zhu Biao smiled and comforted him: "Father has understood everything. He said that we need to find a position suitable for you."

There was a flash of surprise in the princess' eyes, and then she was a little confused: "What kind of position?"

Zhu Biao sat down and held the princess's hand. "Father said that although it is unreasonable for a woman to rule, you have talent and should not be buried. He will consider giving you a position where you can use your abilities, such as participating in some cultural and educational work."

The princess nodded, tears glistening in her eyes: "Thank you, father. Thank you, brother Biao."

Zhu Biao patted the back of her hand gently: "We are a family, there is no need to thank each other. Let's work together to make Ming Dynasty a better place."

After learning about Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude, Zhu Biao temporarily put his mind at ease, but what he did not expect was that another storm was brewing between the princess and the second prince Zhu Kai. Although the princess accepted Zhu Yuanzhang's advice, her deep desire for power did not dissipate, and this desire, instigated by Zhu Kai, gradually evolved into coveting the position of crown prince.

"Princess, although the Crown Prince has the support of his father, it does not mean that he can rest easy." Zhu Kai persuaded the princess softly, "You are talented and deeply loved by the court officials. If you can seize this opportunity, you may be able to change the status quo."

The princess frowned slightly, with a hint of hesitation in her eyes: "But is this really a good idea? Brother Biao is my brother after all."

Zhu Kai smiled, with a sly look in his eyes: "Princess, do you want to be an unknown noblewoman, or do you want to be a hostess who can influence the future of the country?"

The princess was silent for a moment, and finally nodded: "You are right, I can't just give up. But what should we do?"

Zhu Kai moved closer and lowered his voice: "We can take this opportunity to stir up those ministers who originally supported you and let them raise questions in the court questioning the crown prince's governance ability. In this way, father may be forced to reconsider the choice of successor."

A glimmer of light flashed in the princess' eyes, but it was quickly replaced by worry: "But what if we are discovered?"

Zhu Kai said confidently: "Princess, don't worry, I will handle it without leaving any trace. We just need to make father doubt the ability of the prince."

The princess took a deep breath and made a decision: "Let's do it."

Therefore, in the following days, Zhu Kai began to secretly contact those ministers and incite their dissatisfaction with the prince. In the court, more and more voices began to question the leadership of the prince Zhu Biao, which made Zhu Biao feel unprecedented pressure.

One day, Zhu Biao was handling government affairs in his study when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door, followed by a guard's announcement: "Your Highness, the Second Prince wants to see you."

Zhu Biao looked up at the door, feeling somewhat puzzled: "Please ask him to come in."

Zhu Kai pushed the door open and walked in with a barely perceptible smile on his face: "Brother, there have been more and more unfavorable comments about you in the court recently. Do you know who is behind this?"

Zhu Biao put down the brush in his hand and looked up at Zhu Kai: "Do you have any clues?"

Zhu Kai pretended to be helpless: "In fact, I just found out that someone was secretly instigating those ministers to try to shake your position."

Zhu Biao frowned: "Who are you talking about?"

Zhu Kai hesitated, as if considering whether he should say it: "Actually, it's the princess. She thinks she has the ability to do better than you, so..."

Zhu Biao stood up in surprise: "Why would the princess do this? Hasn't she always supported me?"

Zhu Kai shook his head: "Brother, you may not know that the princess has always had a dream in her heart, that is to become a woman who can truly hold power. She feels that only in this way can she realize her value."

Zhu Biao was silent for a long time, and finally spoke: "I need to ask her in person to see if it is really as you said."

Zhu Kai nodded: "Well, after all, these are the news I heard. Maybe things are not as bad as I thought."

When Zhu Biao arrived at the princess's palace, the princess was sitting in the garden admiring the flowers. Seeing Zhu Biao coming, she was slightly startled, then stood up and greeted him: "Brother Biao, why are you here?"

Zhu Biao asked directly: "Princess, I want to ask you something. Recently, there have been more and more comments against me in the court. I heard that someone is pushing it behind the scenes. Is this person you?"

The princess's face turned a little pale, but she quickly regained her composure: "Brother Biao, I have no ill intentions. I just think I have the ability to contribute to the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Biao sighed: "Princess, I know you have talent, but if you do this, it will only complicate our relationship. I hope we can be honest with each other."

The princess lowered her head and whispered, "I'm sorry, Brother Biao. I just don't want to see you being treated unfairly."

In order to consolidate his position, Zhu Biao took a risky move - sending his trusted followers to secretly put pressure on the princess. The result of this move was beyond everyone's expectations. The princess was seriously injured in an accident, and the news spread throughout the palace, shocking everyone.

When Zhu Kai learned about this, his face turned pale. He went to Zhu Biao in a rage and said, "Brother Biao, you are going too far! What has the princess ever done to you? You actually sent someone to attack her!"

Zhu Biao was also shocked when he heard this. He had never thought that things would develop to such a serious level. "Zhu Kai, calm down. This was not my intention. I just wanted to give her some warnings, but I didn't expect..." His words seemed powerless in the face of the fact that the princess was injured.

"Warning?!" Zhu Kai almost roared, "Is this a warning? You are murdering the princess! The princess's life or death is uncertain, don't you feel any guilt at all?"

Zhu Biao was silent. He was struggling internally. On the one hand, he felt guilty towards the princess, and on the other hand, he was afraid of the consequences of his actions. He said slowly, "Zhu Kai, listen to me. I will take responsibility to the end. Let's go see how the princess is doing first, and then make plans."

The princess's palace was now shrouded in depression. The imperial doctors were coming in and out, and everyone's face was filled with tension and worry. The princess lay on the couch, her face as pale as paper, and her breathing was weak. The maids surrounded the bed, sobbing softly, and the air was filled with the smell of medicine and sadness. Zhu Kai pushed everyone away, walked straight to the princess, and held her cold hand. "Princess, you must hold on, everyone is waiting for you to wake up."

The princess' eyes trembled slightly, as if she heard Zhu Kai's words, but she couldn't open her eyes. Zhu Kai's heart became even heavier. He turned around and said to Zhu Biao who followed him: "Brother Biao, the princess is like this now, all because of you. You must take responsibility."

Zhu Biao nodded, knowing that any excuses would be futile at this moment. "I will confess everything to my father and ask him to pardon the princess. As for my own mistakes, I will bear all the consequences."

Zhu Kai looked at Zhu Biao coldly, with anger and disappointment in his eyes: "I hope you can do what you say. If anything happens to the princess, I will never let you go."

As the doctors continued to treat the princess, her injuries were finally under control, but her physical condition remained fragile. Zhu Kai stayed by the princess's side, while Zhu Biao began to deal with the impact of this incident.

A few days later, Zhu Biao came to Zhu Yuanzhang's imperial study. He knelt on the ground and said in a trembling voice: "Father, please forgive me for being unfilial. I have committed an unforgivable mistake."

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the dragon chair, his eyes sharp as a torch: "Stand up and talk, what happened?"

Zhu Biao stood up and recounted the entire incident word by word: "I was confused for a moment and sent people to cause trouble for the princess, but I didn't expect it to cause a disaster. Now that the princess is injured, I am willing to accept any punishment."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened. He was silent for a long time, and finally sighed: "You act too impulsively, Zhu Biao. The princess is your sister, how can you treat her like this?"

Zhu Biao lowered his head and said nothing, his heart full of regret. Zhu Yuanzhang continued: "However, since you have recognized your mistakes and are willing to take responsibility, I will give you a chance to atone for your sins. From now on, you must take care of the princess wholeheartedly until she fully recovers. In addition, you need to find out whether there are other forces behind this. I want the truth to be revealed."

Zhu Biao nodded heavily and said, "Thank you, father, for not punishing me. I will definitely live up to your trust."

After leaving the imperial study, Zhu Biao immediately went to the palace where the princess was. At this time, the princess had improved a little, she sat up reluctantly, and when she saw Zhu Biao, a complicated look flashed in her eyes.

Zhu Biao walked to the bedside and bowed deeply: "Princess, I am sorry for you. From now on, I will do my best to make up for my mistakes."

The princess said softly, "Brother Biao, it has already happened. Blaming you will not help. What is important is that we should work together to find the real culprit behind this."

Zhu Biao looked at the princess gratefully: "Thank you for your understanding, Princess. I will definitely find out the truth and give you justice."

When Zhu Biao learned that the princess's injury was not fatal, a complex emotion surged in his heart. He felt both relieved and a little uneasy. He was relieved that the princess did not die, but he was uneasy that this gave her a chance to fight back. However, driven by his desire for power, he decided not to show mercy and prepared to launch a new action.

At the same time, although the princess's condition has improved, she still needs to stay in bed. Zhu Kai stays by her side day and night. Whenever he sees the princess' pale and haggard face, his anger is hard to calm down.

"Princess, you must get better. You can't let those people succeed." Zhu Kai held the princess's hand tightly, as if this could give her strength.

The princess opened her eyes slightly, with a hint of fatigue in her eyes, but still firm: "Zhu Kai, thank you. But I can't always go on like this, I must stand up and face it all."

Zhu Kai nodded, but he knew in his heart that the princess's body was far from recovered to the point where she could fight against the conspiracy.

At this time, Zhu Biao issued another order, sending out more fierce men, intending to completely resolve this potential threat. As night fell, the moonlight sprinkled like water in every corner of the palace, but it also reflected the dark side of people's hearts.

A burst of hurried footsteps broke the tranquility of the night. Zhu Kai stood up from his seat and looked towards the door alertly. The door was suddenly pushed open, and several dark shadows rushed in. The leader was Zhu Biao's confidant. He sneered at the princess on the bed.

"Brother Zhu Kai, how are you?" the man said in a sarcastic tone, "We are just following orders, I hope you won't stop us, otherwise..."

Zhu Kai stood in front of the princess, his eyes as sharp as a hawk: "How dare you!"

The two sides were on the verge of a fight, and the air seemed to freeze. Just when the situation was about to explode, the princess' voice broke the deadlock: "Stop, Zhu Kai, let them go."

Zhu Kai looked back at the princess, only to see her barely supporting herself and sitting up, her eyes revealing a determination that did not belong to a weak person. "Princess, what are you doing..." Zhu Kai was puzzled, and his heart was full of worry.

"They are just pawns of others. The real enemy is still in the dark." The princess' voice was weak, but every word was precious. "What we need is to find out the mastermind, not to kill each other here."

After hearing the princess' words, the men in black seemed stunned for a moment. The leader hesitated for a moment, but finally chose to retreat: "Since the princess said so, we will take our leave first."

Zhu Kai heaved a sigh of relief after the men in black left, but he was still puzzled: "Princess, why did you let them go?"

The princess smiled softly, though her smile was somewhat weak: "Because they are not our target. We want to deal with the person hiding in the dark."

Zhu Kai was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Princess is right, but we must also be careful, the other party will not give up easily."

The princess closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I know. But as long as we unite as one, there is no difficulty that we cannot overcome."

A few days later, the princess's health improved slightly, and she began to walk around the palace, trying to collect more information about the incident. Zhu Biao, on the other hand, became more cautious and alert because of the failure of the first action. He realized that if he did not take action, the princess would probably become a stumbling block on his way to the throne.

One night, Zhu Biao stood alone in front of the window, looking at the silent palace outside the window, with mixed feelings in his heart. He knew that what he did was wrong, but the temptation of power made him unable to turn back.

"Princess, I'm sorry." Zhu Biao murmured softly, his voice drifting away in the night wind.

At the same time, the princess was meeting with several loyal ministers to discuss the next action plan. "We must find evidence as soon as possible to prove that Zhu Biao is the mastermind behind this." The princess said firmly. (End of this chapter)