The final decision

Huang Zicheng and the others calmed down and finally found an opening to attack.

Li Liangping and Lan Yu's other adopted sons really had done those things. They had refused to obey Zhu Yuntong's orders and listened only to Lan Yu. Everyone had witnessed it; many had seen it with their own eyes. This was no false accusation against Lan Yu, but something that had truly happened.

As Lan Yu listened, he realized that, at this point, he could no longer refute them.

Nor did he have any excuses left.

Earlier, he could claim that he had kept so many adopted sons, some of whom maintained private soldiers of their own, for the late crown prince's sake.

Yet those adopted sons would not even show respect to the late crown prince's legitimate son. In their eyes, there was only Lan Yu. It was plainly a sign of rebellion.

Lan Yu might not have harbored rebellious intentions, but the conduct of the adopted sons under his command was already fatal to him.

"Lan Yu, how else can you explain this?"

Zhan Hui asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.

They had finally found a question that could stump Lan Yu. How could they not be excited?

Lan Yu thought for a long while, then sighed. "I have nothing to say."

Zhang Zhou immediately said, "We were the ones who showed contempt for everyone. It had nothing to do with the Duke of Liang."

Li Liangping said, "I am willing to bear all the blame myself. There were many things the Duke of Liang knew nothing about."

Tang Da echoed him. "Exactly. The Duke of Liang had no idea what we were doing."

The three knew they had caused a terrible disaster and might even get Lan Yu killed. At last, fear struck them, and they hurried to take the blame.

They were now consumed by regret. Had they known it would come to this, they would never have acted that way. But it was too late for regrets.

"Your Majesty!"

Zhan Hui ignored their words and turned to ask, "As you can see, the Duke of Liang has nothing to say. He has admitted everything. Zhang Zhou and the others have committed grave treason, disregarding rank and station. They acknowledge only Lan Yu, not His Highness the Third Imperial Grandson. They intend to rebel..."

"A capital offense!"

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke flatly.

At his words, the civil officials were overjoyed.

At last, a capital offense! At last, they could get Lan Yu killed. Had they not been in the court hall, they would have cheered aloud in delight.

The faces of Chang Sheng, Fu Youde, and the others changed drastically. If Lan Yu truly died, His Majesty would surely find ways to kill them next.

In the end, they still could not save him. What were they to do?

What could they do now?

They could only look toward Feng Sheng, but he did nothing, merely lowering his head.

"Imperial Grandfather!"

Zhu Yuntong knew his moment to act had arrived. He knelt before Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Your grandson begs you to spare Lan Yu."

"Oh?"

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes and asked, "Lan Yu is rebellious. His subordinates refuse to acknowledge even you, yet you still want to plead for him?"

"You often teach your grandson to be benevolent and filial."

"Lan Yu is one of Mother's few remaining relatives, and her uncle as well. Your grandson begs you to spare him. Even if you strip him of everything, please do not kill him."

"He has indeed committed a grave offense, but he did it to support Father."

"When Father was still alive, your grandson could see how well he treated Father and how deeply he respected him. He never harbored the slightest disloyalty."

"Could you spare him?"

Zhu Yuntong lowered his head. His voice was not loud, but everyone could hear him clearly.

Many had already guessed that Zhu Yuntong would try to protect Lan Yu, so they were not surprised.

Zhu Yuanzhang, however, remained rather cold. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "What gives you the right to ask us to release him?"

Zhu Yuntong continued, "As long as Imperial Grandfather spares Lan Yu, your grandson... is willing to give up everything. I will relinquish my status as a legitimate son and stop contending for the succession. I will yield everything to Zhu Yunwen and become a commoner alongside Lan Yu. Please grant my request, Imperial Grandfather."

He was offering his own status in exchange for a chance for Lan Yu to live.

Everyone present froze at his words.

Zhu Yunwen, who had only just recovered his composure, felt his eyes light up when he heard this.

Zhu Yuntong was actually willing to abandon everything for Lan Yu. This was precisely what Zhu Yunwen most wanted to see. He kept repeating inwardly, Imperial Grandfather, agree! Hurry and agree! Once you do, all of this will be mine.

Huang Zicheng and the other civil officials clearly had not expected Zhu Yunwen to make such a sacrifice for Lan Yu either.

But this was a good thing!

All it would take was a slight nod from Zhu Yuanzhang, and everything would be settled. Yet they knew he would not nod so readily.

In truth, Lan Yu and the others were the most shocked of all.

How could he abandon everything because of him?

Even though Lan Yu knew Zhu Yuntong was trying to save him, this was still an enormous risk.

Zhu Yuntong had made the offer himself. If those damned civil officials fanned the flames and Zhu Yuanzhang gave the slightest nod, Zhu Yuntong would be left with nothing.

He was willing to give up his chance to become emperor and risk everything to save him.

At that thought, Lan Yu's eyes reddened again.

He nearly broke into tears on the spot.

Had the late crown prince not protected him in just the same way when he was alive?

Now the crown prince was gone, but his legitimate son was still willing to use his own rank and status to protect him and save his life.

He owed the crown prince far too much.

Feng Sheng and the others were also stunned. Anxious though they were, they did not know how to begin persuading him.

Thinking back over Zhu Yuntong's words, they too were deeply moved. If he was willing to save Lan Yu, he could save them as well. As long as they stood firmly by Zhu Yuntong's side, their futures would surely be secure.

"No!"

Lan Yu declared loudly, "I need no one to save me. I did all of it myself. I am willing to confess my crimes. Your Majesty, please grant me death."

He, too, had to protect Zhu Yuntong. Even if he died, he could not let Zhu Yuntong surrender his rank and status or abandon his chance to become emperor.

Otherwise, when he reached the world below, how could he face the crown prince and Crown Princess?

"I am willing to die! Your Majesty, please grant me death!"

Lan Yu's cries echoed through the hall.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuntong thought, This should be enough to win Lan Yu's allegiance. He said, "Imperial Grandfather, please allow your grandson to save Lan Yu."

"Ah..."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, sounding deeply resigned.

"Take Lan Yu and the others back and keep them confined for now. Everyone else, disperse!"

Zhu Yuanzhang had not killed Lan Yu immediately, which meant he still had a chance to live. Then he added, "Yuntong, come back with us."

"Yes!"

Zhu Yuntong answered.

And so the matter was suspended, pending further orders from Zhu Yuanzhang.

Unable to see how it would end, they could not help growing anxious. This also concerned the great matter of choosing the legitimate heir. They desperately wanted Zhu Yuanzhang to agree and strip Zhu Yuntong of everything, but pressing for it would be highly improper.

Whether to strip him of it was Zhu Yuanzhang's decision.

It was not their place to point fingers and dictate. Whoever dared would die.

Even Zhu Yunwen could not make such a request.

The crowd could only disperse regretfully. They wanted to fathom the emperor's intentions, but lacked the ability. Zhu Yuanzhang's heart was something they could never read.

Only after everyone had left did Zhu Yuntong follow Old Zhu back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.