Zhu Yunwen slumped on the steps inside the Golden Throne Room.
His Face was filled with despair; he hadn't expected things to turn out this way.
"Your Majesty, if we go to Jiangnan and re-establish the court there, we still have a chance, there's still a chance," Law Ming advised.
"No chance, no chance…" Zhu Yunwen smiled bitterly and shook his head, his gaze at Law Ming incredibly complex.
Because things had come to this point, Law Ming had also played a significant role.
But he couldn't bring himself to blame him; after all, he had largely agreed with Law Ming's proposals.
Moreover, even at this very moment, Law Ming still remained by his side.
"Leave here," Zhu Yunwen pushed Law Ming away. "Go back and look after Princess Hanshan; she can't do without you."
"Your Majesty, we haven't lost yet! There's still a chance."
Zhu Yunwen shook his head, his eyes empty: "Alas… Since things have come to this, I have nothing more to say."
"If that's the case, I will go to the Yellow Springs with Your Majesty."
At the same time, Li Jinglong had already opened the gates of Yingtian Prefecture.
Zhu Di, riding a tall horse, was the first to charge into the city, followed closely by his brothers Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui, with the main army quickly taking over the city defenses behind them.
Zhu Di rode all the way to the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City, where the Imperial Guards had already given up resistance.
The Imperial Guard Commander, Lee Yuan, stepped forward: "This humble officer, Lee Yuan, greets Your Highness, Prince Yan."
Zhu Di waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to take over the Meridian Gate.
"Has that brat Zhu Yunwen escaped?"
"No."
"Immediately seal off the Forbidden City! No one is allowed in or out," Zhu Di commanded.
At the same time, Zhu Di, full of vigor, walked into the Forbidden City, while Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui were so excited they were practically beside themselves.
When they reached the foot of the steps leading to the Golden Throne Room, they saw a person standing there.
Zhu Di raised an eyebrow, Rosen, he was actually here.
Zhu Gaoxu, however, was already a step ahead of Zhu Di: "Where did this dog of a thief come from, still daring to block the way? You're asking for death!"
Then Zhu Gaoxu raised his saber and swung it at Rosen.
Seeing Zhu Gaoxu attack him, Rosen immediately grabbed Zhu Gaoxu's wrist, forced him to drop his saber, and then kicked Zhu Gaoxu to the ground, followed by two, then three more kicks.
"Quick… quick, kill him for me…"
Zhu Gaoxu, his Face bruised and swollen from the beating, frantically called out behind him.
When Zhu Gaosui saw his second brother being beaten, he immediately moved to help, but Zhu Di waved his hand, instead crossing his arms and watching with interest as his son was beaten.
After kicking Zhu Gaoxu until he was unrecognizable, Rosen finally stopped.
"Zhu Di, greetings, Mr. Rosen."
Seeing Zhu Di's demeanor, everyone looked at Rosen in surprise.
"Zhu Old Fourth, long time no see."
"How dare you…" Zhu Gaosui immediately shouted loudly.
"Get lost! I'm here, why are you making such a fuss?" Zhu Di slapped Zhu Gaosui across the Face, then turned to Rosen: "Mr. Rosen, what are you doing here?"
Zhu Gaosui sat on the ground, covering his Face, looking bewildered, not understanding why his father had hit him.
"I want to have a wager with you," Rosen said.
"How does Mr. Rosen wish to wager?"
"I'll put up ten million taels as the prize. If anyone in your army can defeat me, I'll give you ten million taels."
"And if I lose?"
"I'll take that brat, Zhu Yunwen, with me."
Zhu Di frowned slightly: "Mr. Rosen, why do you keep changing sides?"
"If Zhu Yunwen dies, my son will probably never escape the Shadow for the rest of his life and will be utterly disheartened."
Zhu Di laughed: "Mr. Rosen, his current predicament is entirely your doing."
"He is my son. If I tell him to go east, he must go east. If I tell him to go west, he must go west. If he defies me, I must let him know that his father will always be his father," Rosen said with a chuckle. "But I didn't intend to destroy him, so please give me some Face."
"Father, where would this old man get ten million taels? I think he's just stalling for time."
"This wager is unnecessary. If Mr. Rosen wishes to protect that brat Zhu Yunwen, I will give Mr. Rosen some Face, but I also ask Mr. Rosen to agree to one condition."
"Please state it."
"You must not leave the capital for the rest of your life."
Rosen generally understood Zhu Di's thoughts; he was beginning to fear him.
Compared to Zhu Yunwen, who was already at his wit's end, he feared Rosen more.
"I can promise you not to leave the capital for thirty years."
"Good," Zhu Di laughed. "Where is that brat Zhu Yunwen?"
"He's in the Golden Throne Room. My son is with him, planning to go to the Yellow Springs together." Rosen stretched: "Oh, and that ten million taels, you can come get it from me anytime you want."
With that, Rosen strode out of the Forbidden City.
"Father, who was that guy?" Zhu Gaosui asked, getting up and rubbing his Face.
"He's the father of Law Ming, the Minister of Revenue."
"Oh, you mean that favored minister of Zhu Yunwen? Why be so polite to him? I think it would be better to just kill them all."
Zhu Di, full of authority, walked into the Golden Throne Room, only to see Law Ming holding a long sword, shielding Zhu Yunwen behind him, and pointing the blade at Zhu Di.
"Yan Rebel, prepare to die!"
"Disarm My Lord Luo's sword, but do not harm him," Zhu Di waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to act.
"Let go of me, let go of me… Your Majesty, this humble subject cannot protect you. Today, I shall prove my loyalty with my death…"
As Law Ming spoke, he suddenly broke free from the soldiers' grasp and directly charged towards a pillar in the Golden Throne Room.
Zhu Di's pupils suddenly contracted: "Stop him quickly!"
He didn't want to make a mortal enemy of Rosen. The soldiers, hearing this, rushed forward and embraced Law Ming.
Zhu Gaosui, who had just been slapped by his father, now completely vented his anger on Law Ming, walking towards him with his saber drawn.
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