After all, in their eyes, Zhu Yunwen was the master they wanted to support with all their might.
Only after Zhu Yunwen came to power did these civil officials have the opportunity to gain more power and status.
Therefore, it is not an exaggeration for these civil officials to regard Zhu Yunwen as their ancestor.
Zhu Yunwen's expression was not good, but he still forced a smile and appeared polite and humble to the officials.
This made the officials very happy.
It would be such a pity not to support such a grandson of the emperor, who has such a good mindset and temperament, as the emperor.
The main problem is that such people are easily controlled by civil officials.
After all, the officials present had been living in fear for far too long under the rule of Zhu Yuanzhang, this rough and uncouth military man.
They didn't want a future master, especially not such a rude and violent emperor.
In other words, Zhu Yunwen was also very good at disguising himself. He bowed to each of the officials and greeted them very humbly before walking to the front of the civil officials.
He stood there, gritting his teeth, the pain in his back causing a fine layer of sweat to appear on his forehead again.
Keep in mind that it was almost winter, and the officials present were shivering, yet he was sweating profusely, which shows just how excruciating the pain he was in.
However, even under these circumstances, Zhu Yunwen was still able to endure it and stand there, putting on a fake expression to face everyone. It has to be said that he was quite cunning.
This made Chang Sheng, one of the Chang brothers, frown slightly.
He thought to himself, "Such a deep and calculating guy is really hard to deal with."
Just then, a Vice Minister of Rites slowly walked to Zhu Yunwen's side and said:
"Your Highness, the wound on your back..."
Perhaps because of the severity of his injuries, traces of blood were already seeping from behind Zhu Yunwen.
In reality, he deliberately aggravated his wound before coming, letting the blood seep out. His purpose was simple: to stage a self-inflicted injury. Although this was the truth, he wanted to make it more conspicuous.
Zhu Yunwen, feigning suppressed grievance, said:
"Your Excellency, the Vice Minister of Rites, please don't take it to heart. I made some mistakes and received some punishment."
He had planned to use the opportunity before Zhu Yuanzhang arrived to deliver his prepared speech to the civil officials, so that they would have a chance to relay it to Zhu Yuanzhang later.
He wanted to use this morning court session to completely turn the tide.
As expected, Vice Minister Li of the Ministry of Rites immediately became puzzled and said:
"Your Highness is kind and benevolent, and usually acts with great care and caution. How could you possibly make a mistake? I really don't believe it. Your Highness may speak for yourself, and I will judge for myself."
Immediately, many civil officials echoed this sentiment.
They also wanted to know why Zhu Yuanzhang had defeated Zhu Yunwen.
Only if they knew the reason could they bring it up at the morning court session and find a way to defend Zhu Yunwen.
Having achieved his goal, Zhu Yunwen immediately spoke:
"Alas, it was indeed my fault. After my third brother Zhu Yunwen recovered from his illness, he was very disrespectful to my mother, Consort Lü, and even verbally abused her."
As his son, I couldn't bear it, and I wanted to argue with my third brother, but my mother stopped me. She said that he lost his biological mother at a young age, and it was normal for him to feel some resentment and make some inappropriate remarks.
His mother was so forgiving, but as her son, he could not bear to see his mother humiliated and beaten like this. His mother clearly meant well, wanting to teach Princess Yilun and Princess Jiangdu, yet his third brother was so ungrateful!
I was angry, so during this disaster relief trip, I asked some people to teach my third brother a lesson, to teach him a lesson, and to vent my mother's anger.
I thought that scaring him on the way would teach him what it means to respect elders and understand etiquette. But I didn't expect that after returning, he would still verbally insult my mother.
At the same time, I realized that finding someone to teach him a lesson on the way hadn't worked at all, and I regretted my actions. Little did I know that my grandfather might have found out and assumed I had intended to harm my third brother.
So they called me over and beat me up. To be honest, I went a bit too far. Although as a son, I should be angry and protect my mother when she's been hurt, insulted, and beaten, I should never have resorted to such terrible methods.
As Zhu Yunwen spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.
It truly shows the heartbreaking and helpless expression of a child.
That's why people say this guy is a good actor; he can almost completely distort the truth with just a few words.
At this moment, all the civil officials heard were a few simple words.
That is, Zhu Yunwen not only insulted Consort Lü, but also beat her.
Consort Lü swallowed her anger, but if her son Zhu Yunwen could also turn a blind eye, then he would be unfilial.
That's why Zhu Yunwen sent someone to teach Zhu Yunwen a lesson on the way.
However, out of filial piety and concern for his mother, he wanted to teach Zhu Yunwen, a disloyal, unfilial, and disrespectful scoundrel, a lesson, but instead, he was beaten by Zhu Yuanzhang.
In this matter, Zhu Yunwen downplayed his own mistakes while exaggerating the faults of Zhu Yunwen.
Furthermore, the civil officials present all supported Zhu Yunwen and also hated Zhu Yunwen.
They were filled with righteous indignation and were furious, and they all condemned Zhu Yunwen.
At the same time, he felt indignant on behalf of Zhu Yunwen.
The Vice Minister of Rites roared in fury:
"Zhu Yuntong is an utter scoundrel! He has committed such disrespectful, unfilial, disloyal, and unjust acts. He is utterly despicable. When His Majesty arrives, I will certainly impeach him and seek justice for you, my second grandson."
Others echoed his sentiments.
While the civil officials were speaking angrily, the military officers on the other side were not good at speaking. They all wanted to defend Zhu Yunwen, but they didn't know how to refute him.
After all, most of the military officers were rough and uncouth men, some of whom were barely literate. How could they possibly argue with these civil officials?
The one jumping the loudest at this moment was Vice Minister Li of the Ministry of Rites, who was in charge of etiquette and law.
Every word Zhu Yunwen uttered was filled with insults and beatings directed at Lady Lü.
This became a crucial point for him to exploit.
He continued speaking:
"Everyone here is responsible if we allow scum like Zhu Yunwen to live a life of ease and success."
Everyone nodded in agreement!
However, at that moment, Zhu Yunwen's voice rang out from outside the main hall:
"Which dog is barking so wildly in this hall?"
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