Seeing his silence, Zhu Yunwen sneered and said:

"You wanted to kill me after talking to him. Isn't that being used by him? Isn't it the act of a treacherous villain to disregard your life and use your death to eliminate dissidents?"

"It's pitiful that you were used, risking your own life and even the lives of your entire clan. And yet you're here protecting such a treacherous villain. How pathetic, truly pathetic."

The postmaster's expression turned somewhat grim.

Although he was a bit stubborn, he wasn't stupid after all. He was capable of becoming a minor official, so he must have some intelligence.

He also understood some of the deceit and treachery in officialdom.

After hearing Zhu Yunwen's words, she gradually realized that she seemed to have been intentionally or unintentionally led astray.

"Do you still think that Zhu Yunwen is the kind and benevolent person you described?"

The postmaster lowered his head, then looked up again after a moment and said:

"Even if he lied to me, it is undeniable that you are indeed inferior to him. If he becomes emperor, the Ming Dynasty has a future. If you become emperor, I'm afraid this country will be destroyed in an instant."

Zhu Yunwen was not angry, and at the same time stopped Zhao Qingzhu, who wanted to speak up for him.

Then, with utmost calmness, he said:

"Based on what has just happened, Zhu Yunwen used such despicable means to try to harm me with your life. What can such a person accomplish as emperor?"

Not only did I easily see through this, but I also patiently analyzed it with you here, without a single thought of killing you. To whom should this kindness and generosity be applied? To whom should we describe refinement, wisdom, and courage?

The postmaster looked at Zhu Yunwen, and at that moment he seemed somewhat dazed.

Yes, after this analysis, Zhu Yunwen doesn't seem as bad as people say.

And Zhu Yunwen doesn't seem to be as good as the rumors suggest.

Seeing that the postmaster was beginning to doubt life, Zhu Yunwen continued:

"The world has never lacked people like you who think that just because they have passion, they can risk their lives and become victims in other people's struggle for power and profit."

As you said, death can be as light as a feather or as heavy as Mount Tai. If you were to truly kill me and support a ruthless ruler, would that really earn you a reputation heavier than Mount Tai?

The postmaster fell silent, his hands trembling slightly. Clearly, Zhu Yunwen's words had made him realize that he had been used and that he had almost been tricked into falling into an abyss.

Zhu Yunwen didn't want to say anything more, and simply said:

"You may leave now. Take these dishes away and replace them with a table of dishes that are not poisonous."

The postmaster looked at Zhu Yunwen in surprise and said:

"You won't punish me, yet you dare ask me to change your meal?"

Zhu Yunwen: "You are merely a sword that has been misled and used by others. You are innocent if you did not harm my sword. The guilty one is the one wielding the sword."

The postmaster slowly knelt on the ground, saying with some regret:

"This subject was foolish... What Your Highness said just now is absolutely right. My death will not bring me a good reputation. My so-called illustrious name is indeed just wishful thinking."

"I truly regret my actions. Forgive my frankness, but I did not understand Your Highnesses before. But after tonight, I understand. Kindness, generosity, and exceptional wisdom—this describes the Third Prince, not the Second Prince Zhu Yunwen."

Zhu Yunwen placed his hands behind his back and spoke calmly:

"It's good that you understand. As for your crime, in my opinion, it's insignificant. Perhaps I'm ultimately not as ruthless as my good second brother."

He can make someone as upright as you sacrifice your life to harm me and eliminate his rivals. But I cannot kill you just because you've been used.

This is not to say that Zhu Yunwen was really so benevolent. In fact, if it were a real person from ancient times, he might have really killed this postmaster.

But as a time traveler, how ruthless could Zhu Yunwen really be?

At least for now, we cannot arbitrarily kill an innocent person who has been exploited.

The postmaster slowly withdrew and prepared a new meal.

Then he poured himself a drink, trying to apologize.

Perhaps to prove to Zhu Yunwen that there was no poisoning this time, the postmaster wanted to take the initiative to drink a cup first.

However, Zhu Yunwen did not pay attention and drank the wine at the same time.

The postmaster was somewhat surprised, and at the same time, he was shocked and moved by Zhu Yuntong's confidence in his own judgment and his trust in him, the postmaster who had come to his senses.

The postmaster put down his wine cup and knelt down again, saying:

"Thank you, Your Highness. From now on, my life belongs to Your Highness. I will go through fire and water for you."

Zhu Yunwen sighed helplessly and said:

"A man of integrity is still a man of integrity. The temperament of you civil officials is both exasperating and somewhat endearing. Get up."

Although the postmaster didn't quite understand Zhu Yunwen's words, he still managed a slight smile.

After having a good meal and drinks in the evening, Zhu Yunwen rested at the post station. After all, he was not in a hurry to return to the capital and did not need to worry about wasting too much time.

Meanwhile, in a small village dozens of miles away from this post station.

Zhu Yunwen sat alone in a small room of a farmhouse.

A moment later, a voice rang out from outside:

"Your Highness, it seems to have failed, but there is no other movement at the post station. The postmaster clearly poisoned the food, yet there has been no conflict between the two sides."

Zhu Yunwen slowly opened his eyes and then said:

"It's alright, I didn't have much hope anyway. In the middle of the night, let those bandits on the northern mountain go down and plunder the post station."

Remember, regardless of success or failure, the local county government must ultimately lead its troops to wipe out those bandits, no matter the cost. Leave no evidence whatsoever.

A sound came from outside:

"Understood."