Zhu Yunwen's sudden appearance was like a savior to the county magistrate, who quickly knelt down and said:
"Your subject pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing the magistrate's words, the surrounding people looked at Zhu Yunwen in surprise, while Consort Deng, who was kneeling on the execution ground awaiting her execution, also showed a hint of panic on her face.
She had no choice but to panic. After all, it was Zhu Yunwen who gave the order to kill her. Now that the county magistrate didn't dare to kill her, things would be completely different if Zhu Yunwen came.
The local magistrate might be restrained by the power of the local area, but what did Zhu Yunwen have to fear?
Who in this world could make Zhu Yunwen feel afraid?
Obviously not, at least not in Xi'an Prefecture.
So if Zhu Yunwen insists on ordering her execution today, she probably won't be able to save her own life.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhu Yunwen sat down in the position of the executioner. His face was somewhat gloomy. He looked at some of the common people present, and then looked at the local powerful families who had stood up for Consort Deng to intimidate the county magistrate.
She then spoke calmly, "You have quite the nerve. You dare to intimidate the executioner when I ordered someone to be killed? Well then, if I personally oversee the execution today, will you intimidate me too?"
These words made the faces of the powerful families present turn somewhat ugly.
They harbored some resentment towards Zhu Yunwen.
Firstly, Zhu Yunwen wanted to kill their patron. If Consort Deng was no longer in Xi'an Prefecture, then these relatives of Consort Deng would have no background and could no longer run rampant in Xi'an Prefecture by using Consort Deng's name.
Furthermore, Zhu Yunwen's policy of abolishing land annexation also affected the interests of these powerful clans.
Therefore, it is entirely reasonable for them to dislike Zhu Yunwen.
Despite how annoying he was, when he actually faced Zhu Yunwen, he naturally dared not stand up and say anything.
After all, he was the grandson of the crown prince, and they knew what such a status represented.
The higher one's status, the greater the power and influence these high-ranking officials in the Ming Dynasty possessed.
After all, these people were able to grow and expand in Xi'an Prefecture by relying on the power of just one of the Qin King's concubines.
If it were the Crown Prince's own abilities and power, how terrifying would he be?
Therefore, they were afraid of Zhu Yunwen and other powerful families in Xi'an Prefecture, including Consort Deng herself, who was also very afraid of Zhu Yunwen.
Since Zhu Yunwen dared to beat Zhu Shuang to such an extent, it probably wouldn't be difficult for him to order his execution if he really wanted to.
As expected, after Zhu Yunwen sat down on the execution platform, he picked up the execution warrant, glanced at Consort Deng, and then said:
"Don't even think about having any chance to turn things around. I've said it before, you're going to die without a doubt, so just wait to die!"
After speaking, Zhu Yunwen picked up the order slip, preparing to throw it down.
However, at that moment, a voice rang out again from the crowd:
"stop!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked over and saw that Prince Qin, Zhu Shuang, was leading dozens of his household servants and soldiers, rushing towards them.
Zhu Yunwen frowned and looked at Zhu Shuang who was approaching, saying:
"Second Uncle, what are you trying to do? I want to kill him, are you going to openly defy me?"
After Zhu Shuang approached, he looked at Zhu Yunwen, took a deep breath, and then spoke:
"Since you call me Second Uncle, today I'll ask you frankly, could you give your Second Uncle some face?"
Zhu Yunwen smiled slightly, shook his head, and said:
"Absolutely not. Since we've said we'd kill her, we must kill her. No one can change that."
Zhu Shuang gritted his teeth, as if he had made a decision, and said:
"Since that's the case, I won't waste any more words. Things have come to this point, and I know I will inevitably face severe punishment afterward. But no matter what, my father won't kill me."
I have prepared for the worst. Today, I must save Consort Deng. Even if she is the Crown Prince, I absolutely cannot kill her. Whatever the consequences may be, I, Zhu Shuang, will bear them all.
Zhu Yunwen raised his head slightly, looked at the blue sky, and said:
"What a touching couple you are! It's a pity that your relationship is built on the lives and suffering of countless people."
I cannot be irresponsible towards those you have hurt just because you have a good relationship, because you love each other, and because you are husband and wife.
"Now that you're here, Second Uncle, I'll let all the people here, including you, know what exactly you've been doing."
Zhu Yunwen was well aware that it was one thing for the two to have a good relationship, but he could not let Consort Deng escape legal responsibility just because they had a good relationship.
What they did should not be overlooked just because they have a good relationship.
An Imperial Guard handed a piece of paper to Zhu Yunwen, which contained the results of an investigation that Zhu Yunwen had ordered the Imperial Guard to conduct the previous day.
He knew that to kill Consort Deng, he couldn't rely on the petitions submitted by those commoners at the government office.
After all, Consort Deng's status was special, and even if she wanted to give Zhu Yuanzhang an explanation, she would have to come up with more compelling crimes.
Only then could Zhu Yuanzhang be rendered speechless by Zhu Yunwen's handling of the matter.
Now is the perfect time to take it out and read it aloud to everyone.
Looking at the paper in his hand, Zhu Yunwen suppressed his anger and said calmly:
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