Zhu Yunwen was truly ruthless; this plan caused Zhu Shuang immense suffering.
Not only was Zhu Shuang beaten and subjected to severe torture, but he was also accused of such disrespect and unethical conduct.
If this matter were to reach Zhu Yuanzhang, the consequences would be predictable.
After all, this was unreasonable and illogical, so Zhu Shuang was terrified and didn't know how Zhu Yuanzhang would punish him.
He wanted to beg Zhu Yunwen to spare him, but it was clear that Zhu Yunwen would not let him go.
So he could only look helplessly at Zhu Yunwen, and only at this moment did he truly realize just how terrifying Zhu Yunwen was.
After the officials in the hall had left, and the officials and commoners who had accused Zhu Shuang had also departed, leaving only Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Shuang, Zhu Shuang looked at Zhu Yunwen with some despair and asked:
"Why?"
Zhu Yunwen looked at Zhu Shuang as if he were a fool and asked in return:
"Why what?"
Zhu Shuang: "Why are you doing this to me? Why are you trying to kill me?"
Zhu Yunwen laughed: "Second Uncle, you're exaggerating. I'm just seeking justice for the people and for myself. How can you say I'm trying to kill you?"
Zhu Shuang stared at Zhu Yunwen and said, "If Zhu Yunwen had become the crown prince, he would never have treated me like this."
Zhu Yunwen narrowed his eyes and sneered:
"Whether I or Zhu Yunwen become the crown prince, how will you treat me in the end? Or how will you treat him?"
This question stumped Zhu Shuang, who looked at Zhu Tong with a puzzled expression.
Zhu Yunwen stood up, slowly walked to Zhu Shuang, and then said:
"There's no one else here, just you and me, so let's speak frankly. I know what you're thinking. If Zhu Yunwen becomes the crown prince, you'll surely rebel the day he ascends the throne."
Perhaps it's not just you; other vassal kings might do the same, but you'll definitely be the most ambitious. Similarly, will you spare Zhu Yunwen's life when the time comes? Absolutely not, right?
In other words, now that I've become the Crown Prince, don't you also want to rebel? And you probably won't let me off the hook then either. So, Second Uncle, now that you're asking me why I want you dead, why don't you ask yourself if you've ever considered wanting me dead?
Zhu Shuang was speechless for a moment. Now that he had spoken frankly, his questioning of Zhu Yunwen seemed somewhat ridiculous.
After all, everyone probably knows what kind of people they really are, but Zhu Yunwen added another sentence:
"Actually, your third uncle is similar to you in some ways. He also thought about rebelling, but I didn't intend to kill him. Because having ambition is a normal thing, but it shouldn't be too bad."
At least Uncle San has his own bottom line. He wouldn't act so recklessly in his fiefdom.
But you have gone too far. The crimes you have committed are so heinous that even a thousand deaths wouldn't be enough to atone for them. So why do you still ask me why I want you dead?
Zhu Shuang's body trembled slightly as he spoke to Zhu Yunwen:
"You mean, it's not that you want to kill me, but that I brought this upon myself?"
Zhu Yunwen nodded and said, "That's right, that's why you're in this situation now. If you hadn't harmed so many people, they wouldn't be here today suing you, and I wouldn't have had the chance to punish you."
If you hadn't tolerated your men abducting women in the streets, including my future Crown Prince's consort, you wouldn't be facing what's to come. So instead of asking me why I want you dead, ask yourself why you so recklessly courted death.
Zhu Shuang was speechless after hearing Zhu Yunwen's words.
He just stared at Zhu Yunwen, unable to utter a single word for a long time.
Zhu Yunwen slowly turned around, put his hands behind his back, and said calmly:
"The conflict between you and me may not be because of your secret collusion with Zhu Yunwen, but rather because your actions in this fiefdom have gone too far. At least my relationship with my third uncle has not deteriorated to this extent."
After saying this, Zhu Yunwen turned and left, leaving Zhu Shuang standing there dumbfounded.
Then came the worry, the first being how Zhu Yuanzhang would punish him.
Secondly, he was worried about how he would deal with such a formidable enemy as Zhu Yunwen.
When Zhu Shuang last met Zhu Yunwen, he was very confident that he could deal with Zhu Yunwen.
But now my thoughts are completely different.
He was no match for Zhu Yunwen, and Zhu Yunwen was no match for Zhu Yunwen either.
Even if the two joined forces, they would be no match for Zhu Yunwen. Therefore, Prince Qin, Zhu Shuang, roughly realized at this moment that it seemed unlikely he would be able to contend for the supreme throne in the future.
After all, he couldn't possibly defeat Zhu Yunwen. If he couldn't defeat him, how could he possibly obtain that position?
Furthermore, my current situation is already quite precarious. Even self-preservation is a problem; any other thoughts seem superfluous.
Thinking of this, Zhu Shuang felt somewhat helpless. Only at this moment did he truly realize that he was the clown.
Meanwhile, Zhu Yunwen moved into Xi'an Prefecture. He had already sent someone to report what had happened there to Nanjing, ostensibly to ask Zhu Yuanzhang for a decision.
In reality, Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice but to punish Zhu Shuang severely.
Firstly, because Zhu Yuanzhang now values Zhu Yuntong highly and has identified him as his successor, it is necessary to stand on Zhu Yuntong's side.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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