His Highness Prince Zheng, My Idol!

Night, the third watch.

The capital, the Northern Command office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

This was the most terrifying place in all of Great Ming, the nightmare of every official.

Ordinary people wouldn't dare come in; they'd even go out of their way to avoid passing by.

Yet at this very moment, Zhu Zhanjun strode inside as though he were strolling through his own garden.

He toyed with a token made of pure gold, engraved with a fierce tiger descending a mountain.

Zhu Di had given it to him that day: the Golden Token bearing the words Ru Qin Qin Lin.

With this token, he could command every military force in the capital, enter any forbidden place, and execute first, report later.

"His Highness Prince Zheng!"

Commander of the Imperial Guard Ji Gang had been waiting at the entrance for quite some time.

When he saw Zhu Zhanjun, he immediately hurried over with a broad smile, bowing low.

Ji Gang was a clever man. Better than anyone, he understood that this seemingly carefree young prince was now the most powerful person in the Imperial Court whom no one could afford to offend.

Prince Han and Prince Zhao had fallen, His Highness the Crown Prince didn't involve himself in affairs, and the Emperor was advanced in years. The odds were that the future of Great Ming would fall into this prince's hands.

If he didn't cling to this powerful patron now, when would he?

"Commander Ji, where is he?"

Zhu Zhanjun got straight to the point, too lazy to waste words.

"Your Highness, we've already taken him to the deepest part of the Imperial Prison, the 'Heaven' cell."

Ji Gang hurried ahead to lead the way.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. We didn't dare use any severe torture. We only starved him for a day. He's still got a breath in him, so you can question him personally."

"Mm, well done."

Zhu Zhanjun nodded with satisfaction.

The two walked through a gloomy corridor, where a strange stench of blood and decay hung in the air.

From the cells on either side came the prisoners' pained groans and despairing wails, enough to make anyone's scalp crawl.

As they walked, Ji Gang cautiously studied Zhu Zhanjun's expression, only to find not the slightest discomfort on the young prince's face. Instead, he seemed accustomed to it all, even a little... delighted?

Ji Gang couldn't help shivering. His awe of His Highness deepened further.

Before long, they arrived at a solitary cell.

This cell was clearly much cleaner than the others, with even some straw laid out on the floor.

The assassin who had identified Zhu Zhanjun in the Eastern Palace that day was chained to the wall, looking listless.

"Your Highness, this is the man."

Ji Gang opened the cell door and gestured for him to enter.

Zhu Zhanjun walked in, dragged over a chair, and sat down in front of the assassin.

"Care to talk?"

He crossed one leg over the other, his tone relaxed.

The assassin raised his head. When he saw Zhu Zhanjun, a strange light suddenly burst from his cloudy eyes.

It wasn't hatred or fear, but a kind of... fervor and excitement?

"You... are you really His Highness Prince Zheng?"

The assassin's voice trembled with excitement.

"As real as they come."

Zhu Zhanjun raised an eyebrow, sensing that something was off.

"Wonderful! I've finally met you in person!"

The assassin struggled as if he wanted to kneel, but the chains held him fast, leaving him twisting helplessly where he stood.

"Your Highness Prince Zheng! You have to believe me! I never meant to harm you!"

"I was forced into it! That old scoundrel surnamed Fang threatened the lives of my whole family and made me slander you! I had no choice!"

As he spoke, tears and snot streamed down his face. He looked utterly aggrieved.

Zhu Zhanjun: "..."

Ji Gang: "..."

The two exchanged a glance, both completely dumbfounded.

This wasn't how the script was supposed to go!

Shouldn't they have tortured him, threatened him, and tried to tempt him, until the assassin either refused to talk to the death or finally broke and confessed?

How had he confessed everything before they'd even questioned him?

And what was with this? You'd think he and His Highness Prince Zheng were long-lost brothers!

"Stop."

Zhu Zhanjun raised a hand, cutting off his performance.

"Tell me, what did Fang Bin say to you?"

"Your Highness!"

The assassin immediately perked up and spilled everything like beans from a bamboo tube.

"That old scoundrel came to me a few days ago and said that you, His Highness Prince Zheng, were the Ziwei Star descended from the heavens, the true savior who could lead us poor folk to better lives!"

"He said you couldn't bear to see the people suffer and couldn't stand the treacherous ministers running amok and the Crown Prince's incompetence, so you were planning to Remove the Corrupting Influences Around the Emperor and take his place!"

"He said you needed an opportunity, one that would let you rightfully take command of the capital's Military Power and eliminate your enemies! And assassinating the Crown Prince was the perfect opportunity!"

"He said that if I pretended to assassinate the Crown Prince, then turned around and slandered you, I could make the whole affair blow up."

"Then you could use the excuse of proving your innocence to go on a killing spree and slaughter every treacherous minister who opposed you, like Prince Han and Prince Zhao—and even him!"

The more the assassin spoke, the more excited he became. A feverish flush spread across his face.

"Your Highness, don't worry! I slandered you, but I did it for your sake!"

"I'm giving my life to pave a broad road to the Imperial Throne for you!"

"I made a deal with Fang Bin: once you're enthroned, you'll posthumously grant me the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Valor!"

"And save me a place beside your imperial mausoleum!"

After hearing this passionate "speech," Zhu Zhanjun was utterly speechless.