Upon hearing that Zhu Guobi had led his troops into the palace, Zhang Rong hurriedly urged: "Your Highness, please leave this place with me quickly, otherwise it will be too late."

Zhu Cilang was hesitant.

He didn't want to abandon his wife and children and go away alone.

Zhang Rong knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "It's not too late to leave now. If you don't leave now, you will never have another chance."

Zhu Cilang hesitated for a long time, then got up and prepared to leave with Zhang Rong.

Ni Yuanlu suddenly said, "Zhang Rong, if you follow the emperor's orders, you can still live. If you forge the order and deceive the emperor, I'm afraid your entire clan will be in danger."

Zhang Rong was stunned.

Ni Yuanlu's words just now gave him a feeling that he knew everything.

He wanted to get to the bottom of the matter, but the situation was urgent and he had to give up.

Zhang Rong looked at Ni Yuanlu with some complex feelings: "This happened suddenly, and we had no choice but to do this."

Ni Yuanlu glared at Zhang Rong and said, "Nonsense! You have been the governor of the East Factory for such a long time, but you don't understand the principle that if you do something, you should do it well."

At this time, the sound of weapons clashing could be heard not far outside the door.

It was the sound of Zhu Cilang's personal guards fighting with Zhu Guobi's men.

Zhang Rong was completely anxious.

He growled at Ni Yuanlu: "So what do you say we should do?"

Ni Yuanlu did not answer this question, but whispered: "Zhang Rong, you leave the imperial city immediately and let your people wait in the Xiaoling Mausoleum."

Zhang Rong was stunned: "Xiaoling? What are you waiting for?"

"Wait for the prince and his family."

"But..."

Ni Yuanlu looked towards the door and said, "You still have time to leave now. If you don't leave now, you will have no chance."

The sounds of fighting outside the door were getting closer, which meant that Zhu Guobi was getting closer.

In order to avoid being discovered by the other party, Zhang Rong could only leave hurriedly through the back door.

Zhu Cilang looked at Ni Yuanlu: "Mr. Ni, Zhu Guobi..."

Ni Yuanlu waved his hand and said, "Don't panic, Your Highness. You don't need to say anything. I will do everything for you."

Zhu Cilang nodded vigorously: "Okay!"

A moment later, the main door of Chunhe Hall was opened from the outside.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Guobi rushed in with his men.

He looked around and finally his eyes fell on Zhu Cilang.

Zhu Guobi quickly walked to Zhu Cilang and knelt on one knee: "I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhu Cilang asked coldly, "Zhu Guobi, are you planning to rebel by bringing your troops into the palace?"

Zhu Guobi quickly explained: "I dare not! The enemy troops have already reached the outskirts of the city, and Nanjing City could change hands at any time. For your safety, Your Highness, I will lead the troops into the palace to escort you south."

Zhu Cilang snorted coldly and looked at Ni Yuanlu.

Ni Yuanlu asked directly: "How is the battle outside the city?"

Zhu Guobi deliberately frowned and replied, "Liu Kongzhao is resisting the enemy army, but he won't be able to hold out for long."

"Where does Lord Zhu plan to move south?"

Zhu Guobi pointed to the southeast: "Fujian!"

Ni Yuanlu nodded: "Many ministers in the court have proposed moving to Fujian, and Lord Zhu agrees with those people."

"So what does Mr. Ni mean?"

"Considering the current situation, going to Fujian is the best option."

Zhu Guobi was very surprised by Ni Yuanlu's attitude.

In his expectation, Ni Yuanlu would definitely oppose going to Fujian.

The result is just the opposite.

Not only did Ni Yuanlu not object, but he supported going to Fujian.

This made Zhu Guobi very happy.

However, the happiness only lasted for a moment, and Zhu Guobi became worried again.

You have to know that Ni Yuanlu is an absolute old fox.

Be on your guard at all times.

Otherwise, you will be sold out by the other party and have to help them count money.

He nodded to Ni Yuanlu to express his gratitude, then looked at Zhu Cilang again: "What do you think, Your Highness?"

Zhu Cilang's eyes kept moving between Ni Yuanlu and Zhu Guobi, and hesitantly said, "This... this..."

Ni Yuanlu quietly winked at him and said, "This is the best strategy. Your Highness, please pack your bags immediately and prepare to leave the city with your family."

"Okay." Zhu Cilang sighed and gave the order.

The eunuchs and maids in the palace packed up the valuables as quickly as possible.

The guards took this time to prepare the war horses and carriages.

Other ministers also returned to their mansions to pack their luggage, preparing to move south with Zhu Cilang.

In order to prevent any fraud, Zhu Guobi stayed by Zhu Cilang's side.

After everything was packed up, Zhu Cilang stood up and walked towards the first carriage outside the hall.

Zhu Guobi followed on his left.

Ni Yuanlu was behind him, neither far nor close.

When he was about to get into the carriage, Ni Yuanlu suddenly said, "Your Highness, I don't know when I will be able to return from Nanjing this time. I suggest that we go to Xiaoling Mausoleum to pay homage to Emperor Taizu Gao before we leave."

Zhu Cilang turned around and nodded: "Mr. Ni reminded me that I should indeed go to the Xiaoling Mausoleum."

Zhu Guobi objected, "The enemy troops will arrive soon. Going to the Xiaoling Mausoleum to pay respects at this time may delay the time and be detrimental to the safety of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Ni Yuanlu refuted coldly: "Master Zhu, this is wrong! Our Ming Dynasty has always been governed by filial piety, and it is natural for His Royal Highness to go to the Xiaoling Mausoleum to worship his ancestors. As for the safety of His Royal Highness, it should be decided by the Prince himself, not by others."

Zhu Guobi didn't want to agree at first, but after thinking about it carefully for a while, he had to agree.

His men did take over the defense of the imperial city.

But they did not take over the defense of Nanjing City.

As long as the prince shouts for help when leaving the city, there will inevitably be a fight.

Win or lose, it will waste his time.

Zhu Guobi clasped his hands towards Zhu Cilang and said, "Then please hurry up and pay your respects, Your Highness."

Zhu Cilang nodded and got into the first carriage.

Crown Princess Ning got into the second carriage with her child.

Ni Yuanlu got into the third carriage.

Others rode horses or took carriages.

The team left the Forbidden City from Donghua Gate in a mighty manner.

After continuing forward and passing through Chaoyang Gate, the team turned north and headed towards Zijin Mountain.

Xiaoling Mausoleum is located in Nanjing, on the southern foot of Purple Mountain.

The mausoleum is built against the mountain, facing north and south.

The team stopped when they were still some distance away from the Xiaoling Mausoleum.

Zhu Guobi asked loudly: "What's going on? Why did you stop?"

The soldiers in front quickly sent a message: "It's the Xiaoling Guards who have blocked our way."

"Tell them that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to pay respects to the Xiaoling Mausoleum and that they must not block his way."

The news soon reached the ears of Mei Chun, the commander of the Xiaoling Guard.

He hesitated for a moment before giving the order: "Everyone put on your armor, take up your weapons, and line up at the Great Golden Gate."