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

The head of the Queen's family said, "Zhu Kai's investigation is getting more and more intense. We can't let him ruin our plans."

His confidant said: "Should we send someone to kill him?"

The head of the family thought for a moment and said, "Don't act rashly, so as not to arouse Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion."

Zhu Kai also sensed the danger.

He said to his confidants: "We need to strengthen our defenses recently to prevent them from taking desperate measures."

The confidant said, "Your Majesty, should we continue?"

Zhu Kai answered firmly: "Of course, it has come to this point, we must not back down."

Just when Zhu Kai was about to present the evidence to Zhu Yuanzhang, an accident happened.

The crucial secret letter disappeared.

Zhu Kai was furious: "It must be them who did it. What should we do?"

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, don't worry, let's think of a solution."

Zhu Kai calmed down and thought about how to deal with the situation.

The mysterious man appeared in the darkness and said in a low voice: "Second Prince, I can help you."

Zhu Kai looked at him warily and asked, "Who are you? Why are you helping me?"

The mysterious man said: "I was persecuted by the Queen's family and I hate them to the core. I know where the secret letter is hidden."

Zhu Kai asked anxiously: "Tell me quickly, where is it?"

The mysterious man replied: "It is in the secret room of the Queen's mother's house, but it is heavily guarded there, so it is not easy to get it."

Zhu Kai pondered for a moment and said, "No matter what, we have to give it a try."

Zhu Kai and Gu Wen began to plan how to sneak into the secret room.

Gu Wen said worriedly: "Your Majesty, this is too dangerous. If we are discovered..."

Zhu Kai said firmly: "For the sake of Ming Dynasty and justice, the risk is worth it."

After careful preparation, Zhu Kai and others took advantage of the night to quietly approach the residence of the Queen's parents.

They avoided the patrolling guards and found the entrance to the secret room.

Zhu Kai said softly: "Be careful."

After entering the secret room, they looked around for the secret letter.

Just then, footsteps were suddenly heard.

Zhu Kai quickly signaled everyone to hide.

It turned out that the head of the Queen's family brought people in to check.

The head of the family said, "We must keep an eye on this place and not let Zhu Kai take advantage of the opportunity."

After everyone left, Zhu Kai finally found the secret letter.

He breathed a sigh of relief: "Finally found it."

However, their actions were discovered.

The guards rushed over and surrounded them.

Zhu Kai held a long sword and said, "Even if it costs my life today, I must take the evidence out."

A fierce battle unfolded.

Zhu Kai and others fought bravely, but as the enemy was numerous, they gradually fell into trouble.

At this critical moment, Zhu Kai's reinforcements arrived.

It turned out that these were people arranged by Gu Wen in advance.

Zhu Kai said, "Quick, follow me to the palace to see the emperor."

They rushed to the palace without stopping.

Zhu Kai knelt before Zhu Yuanzhang, presented the secret letter, and said, "Your Majesty, this is the evidence of the Queen's family colluding with foreign races. Please investigate carefully."

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious after reading it and said: "How dare you do such a treasonous thing? I will never tolerate it."

Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the arrest of all members of the queen's family.

In the process of clearing out the power of the Queen's family, Zhu Kai encountered a lot of resistance.

Some ministers who had connections with the queen's family pleaded for her.

The minister said, "Your Majesty, there may be some misunderstanding in this matter. Please think twice."

Zhu Kai retorted: "The evidence is solid, how can there be a misunderstanding?"

The minister said: "The Queen has been in the palace for many years. Even if she has no merits, she has worked hard. I hope Your Majesty will be lenient with her."

Zhu Kai said: "Everyone is equal before the law. We cannot let them off the hook just because they are from the Queen's family."

In the end, Zhu Yuanzhang made up his mind and severely punished the people from the queen's family.

Zhu Kai's prestige in the court further increased.

But he also understood that he had made more enemies.

Zhu Kai sighed: "Although the power of the Queen's family has been eliminated, the road ahead is still difficult."

Gu Wen said: "Your Majesty, as long as you have justice in your heart, you will be able to turn danger into safety."

While Zhu Kai was busy with court and civil affairs, undercurrents were surging in the harem.

The queen sat in her bedroom and said to her personal maid with a gloomy face, "Zhu Kai's prestige in the court is getting higher and higher. I'm afraid my position will be unstable."

The maid replied carefully: "Don't worry, madam, there will always be a way."

The queen snorted coldly: "Solution? Tell me about it."

The maid lowered her head and thought for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, why not win over the other concubines and work together to deal with Zhu Kai."

The queen shook her head: "Those concubines only think about their own interests, how can they really help me?"

At this time, the imperial concubine, who was favored by Zhu Yuanzhang, heard the conversation between the queen and the palace maid, and was secretly calculating in her heart.

The imperial concubine said to her maid, "The queen now regards Zhu Kai as a thorn in her side. This may be an opportunity for us."

The maid asked in confusion: "Madam, what do you mean?"

The imperial concubine smiled slightly: "If I can help the queen get rid of Zhu Kai at this time, the queen will definitely be grateful to me, and my status in the harem will be able to rise to a higher level in the future."

On the other side, a talented lady who had just entered the palace was also talking with her personal maid in her palace.

Cairen said worriedly: "I heard that everyone in the harem is planning to deal with Zhu Kai, and I don't know what the result will be."

The maid comforted her, "Don't worry, young lady. Let's wait and see the situation."

Cairen sighed and said, "It's not easy to keep yourself out of trouble in this harem."

Soon, the queen held a banquet in the palace and invited all the concubines.

At the banquet, the Queen said: "Sisters, Zhu Kai's power in the court is growing, and it may also affect the harem. We need to work together."

One of the concubines responded: "Your Majesty, what you said is very true, but I don't know how to proceed?"

The queen glanced at everyone and said, "Everyone, please say a few good words to His Majesty when you go back, so that His Majesty will feel resentful towards Zhu Kai."

The imperial concubine said, "My queen, this plan may not be a good idea. Your Majesty is wise and may not believe our words."

The queen's face darkened: "Then according to your opinion, what should we do?"

The imperial concubine took a sip of wine and said, "Why not start with Zhu Kai's family and find some evidence against him."

Everyone started talking.

After the banquet, each concubine began to act according to her own ideas.

The imperial concubine deliberately mentioned Zhu Kai in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, pretending to be casual and said: "Your Majesty, I heard that Zhu Kai has a high reputation among the people. I wonder what your Majesty thinks?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned: "Why do you say that, my beloved concubine?"

The imperial concubine said quickly, "I am just worried that Zhu Kai's achievements are so great that they may be detrimental to Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, his face becoming increasingly gloomy.

After some thought, the talented woman decided to report the plans of everyone in the harem to Zhu Yuanzhang truthfully.

The talented woman knelt before Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Your Majesty, I am guilty and I want to confess to your Majesty that everyone in the harem wanted to deal with Zhu Kai."

Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised and asked, "Is this true? Tell me quickly."

The talented woman told Zhu Yuanzhang everything about the Queen's banquet and the discussions. Zhu Yuanzhang was furious: "How dare these women in the harem interfere in the affairs of the court."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately ordered a thorough investigation of the matter.

The people in the harem were suddenly in panic.

When the queen learned that the talented woman had informed Zhu Yuanzhang, she angrily said, "How dare this bitch ruin my good deeds."

The maid advised: "Your Majesty, please calm down. The most urgent thing now is to find a way to deal with His Majesty's investigation."

The Queen gnashed her teeth and said, "It's all because of that Imperial Concubine's bad idea. What should we do now?"

The imperial concubine was also in a panic in the palace at this time.

The imperial concubine said to her maid, "I didn't expect things to develop to this point. If His Majesty knew that it was my idea, it would be the end of me."

The maid said, "My lady, why don't we put all the blame on the queen."

The imperial concubine hesitated and asked, "Will this work?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's investigation was carried out in full swing, and everyone in the harem was like a frightened bird.

The Queen was so anxious that she was running around in the palace. She said to her trusted maid, "What should I do? If His Majesty finds out the truth, I'm afraid my position will be in jeopardy."

The maid consoled him, "Your Majesty, don't panic too much. Maybe things can turn around."

The queen glared at her and said, "It's useless to say these things at this time."

At the same time, the imperial concubine was also fidgeting in her bedroom.

The imperial concubine said to the maid, "If His Majesty finds out about this, what should I do?"

The maid replied cautiously: "Your Majesty, perhaps we can first admit our mistakes to His Majesty and ask for His Majesty's mercy."

The imperial concubine shook her head: "It's not that simple. Your Majesty is angry and may not listen."

And that talented person was also feeling nervous at this time.

The talented woman said to her personal maid, "I wonder if it will be a blessing or a curse for me to tell His Majesty about this."

The maid said, "Your Highness did the right thing. I believe His Majesty will be able to distinguish right from wrong."

Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang's investigation produced results.

Zhu Yuanzhang called all the people in the harem together and said with a gloomy face: "As people in the harem, you don't serve me properly, but interfere in the affairs of the court. What crime should you be punished for?"

The queen knelt down immediately and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I know I was wrong."

The imperial concubine also knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I was confused for a moment and was misled by the queen."

The queen glared at the imperial concubine and said, "How dare you, you bitch, slander me."

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table and said, "Shut up!"

Everyone was as silent as a cicada.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Empress, as the head of the harem, you not only fail to restrain others, but also take the lead in causing trouble. I punish you by confining you to your room for three months and let you reflect on your mistakes."

The queen cried and said, "Your Majesty, I…"

Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted her: "No need to say more."

Then, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the imperial concubine and said, "You have evil intentions. I will punish you by reducing your monthly allowance and confining you to your home for a month."

The imperial concubine kowtowed and thanked him: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang said to the talented person: "You can tell the truth. I appreciate your honesty and reward you with jewels and silk."

Saito knelt down to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After this incident, the harem was temporarily quiet for a while.

However, it wasn't long before a new storm arose.

A concubine suddenly became pregnant, attracting everyone's attention.

The other concubines discussed in private.

The concubine said: "If this gives birth to a prince, it will be a big deal."

The concubine agreed: "Yes, we must deal with it carefully."

The pregnant concubine knew that she had become the target of public criticism, so she was very cautious in the palace.

She said to the palace maids around her: "You must be extra careful during this period and don't give anyone an opportunity to take advantage of you."

The maid nodded and said, "Don't worry, Madam, I will serve you carefully."

But even so, various accidents still happened.

She was found to have problems with her diet many times and almost fell down when walking.

The concubine said angrily: "Someone must want to harm me and the baby in my belly."

The maid said, "Your Majesty, we must report this to His Majesty."

The concubine hesitated and said, "But your majesty is very busy, will he take care of this matter?"

The maid advised: "This is about the heir to the throne, your majesty will not ignore it."

The concubine finally decided to complain to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious when he heard this: "How dare you be so presumptuous in the harem? Investigate for me and find out who is behind this."

Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a thorough investigation into the concubine's pregnancy scandal, and everyone in the harem was in a panic.

The eunuch in charge of investigating the matter visited everywhere in the palace and questioned relevant personnel.

The eunuch asked a palace maid in charge of food: "You have been in charge of the Majesty's diet these days. Is there anything unusual?"

The maid was so scared that she knelt down and begged for mercy: "Please spare my life, sir. I didn't do anything."

The eunuch snorted coldly: "Tell the truth, or you will be in trouble."

At the same time, other concubines were speculating on the results of the investigation in their respective palaces.

Concubine C said to the nanny beside her: "Do you think we can find out this time?"

The maid replied: "It's hard to say. The water in the harem is too deep."

After some investigation, the eunuch seemed to have some clues, but he did not dare to draw a conclusion easily.

He reported back to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, this matter is quite complicated and seems to involve many ladies."

Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily: "No matter who is involved, I will investigate it thoroughly."

At this time, another concubine complained to Zhu Yuanzhang that her jewelry was inexplicably lost and she suspected that she was framed.

Zhu Yuanzhang said impatiently: "Why is the harem so chaotic?"

A concubine who was under suspicion cried and said to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, I have been wronged."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at her coldly: "Whether she is wronged or not, we will tell you after we find out the truth."

The atmosphere in the harem became increasingly tense, and the relationship between the concubines became more subtle.

Some concubines began to blame each other and tried to shift the blame to others.

Concubine Ding accused Concubine Wu: "You were jealous of her pregnancy, so you murdered her."

Concubine Wu retorted: "You are talking nonsense. It is obvious that you have evil intentions."

The pregnant concubine also felt unwell due to being worried all day long.

After Zhu Yuanzhang learned about it, he went to visit him in person.

Zhu Yuanzhang comforted her: "Don't be afraid, my beloved concubine. I will definitely protect you and your child."

The concubine was moved and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After some twists and turns, the truth finally came out. It turned out that several concubines had joined forces to murder the pregnant concubine and the fetus in her belly.

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and ordered severe punishment: "These vicious women should be banished to the cold palace and never be allowed to stand up again."

After this incident, the harem became temporarily quiet.

However, the good times did not last long.

A flower-viewing banquet was held in the palace, and all the concubines gathered together.

A new concubine was favored and aroused the jealousy of other concubines.

While admiring the flowers, the concubine accidentally fell and had a miscarriage. (End of this chapter)