Chapter 667
: Since ancient times, kings have been unfaithful, and the most ruthless are the imperial
In the main hall of Kunning Palace, candlelight flickered, and light and shadows swayed freely among the exquisitely carved beams and painted buildings.
Zhu Yuanzhang was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and sitting upright with his back straight.
The golden dragon on the dragon robe looks lifelike in the candlelight, as if it will take off into the sky at any time.
I saw that his brows were slightly frowned and his expression was serious.
There was a hint of majesty in his deep eyes as he quietly looked at the people below.
Zhu Gang had taken a small step forward and was about to speak when he caught a glimpse of Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze, which was like a bottomless pool, suddenly sweeping over him.
At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang's originally peaceful face suddenly became serious, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
Like a falcon hidden in the night, locking onto its prey.
That look was filled with an innate, unquestionable majesty and warning, like the biting frost in a cold night, chilling to the bone.
This gaze shot out from the corners of the eyes, like an invisible yet indestructible shackle.
With tremendous force, he instantly crossed the short distance and locked Zhu Gang tightly.
Zhu Gang only felt a powerful and cold breath rushing towards him, as if he was suppressed by an invisible mountain and could not move at all.
He only felt his breathing stagnate, and his heart seemed to be tightly grasped by this momentum, and its beating became disordered.
Under the pressure of this gaze, Zhu Gang's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.
His heart was filled with awe and fear, as if any slight movement would bring unbearable consequences.
"Third brother, don't act rashly. This is definitely not the time to say too much."
Zhu Yuanzhang raised his chin slightly, and his voice was low and powerful, echoing faintly in the empty hall, with an irresistible lingering aftertaste at the end.
As soon as Zhu Gang encountered such a gaze, his body trembled violently.
It was like being hit by a heavy hammer, my heart suddenly shrank and my heart suddenly started to tremble.
The words that were on the tip of my tongue, meant to comfort my second brother.
In an instant, it seemed to turn into a sharp fishbone, like a fishbone stuck in the throat, causing unbearable pain.
The expression on his face froze instantly, his muscles twitched slightly, and his heart was filled with fear and helplessness.
Although Zhu Gang's lips moved, he could only swallow the words back in the end.
"Father, son and minister..."
Zhu Gang stammered, his hands unconsciously clenching the corners of his clothes.
Even though his knuckles turned white from the exertion, he didn't dare to say another word.
"Humph!"
Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, leaned back slightly on the dragon throne, folded his hands on the armrests, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
“Dad understands the bond between you brothers.
But what we are discussing now is an important matter in the imperial court, and we cannot allow you to chat here."
Empress Ma, who was sitting beside Zhu Yuanzhang, frowned slightly when she saw the scene, just like a spring mountain gathering a light sorrow.
A complex look of heartache and helplessness instantly flashed in those watery eyes.
Her eyes fell gently on Zhu Gang, and she felt sorry for her son trembling in fear under the majesty of his father.
When he looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, his eyes were filled with helplessness. He knew that the emperor's authority was hard to defy, but he couldn't bear to see his son so frightened.
This subtle change in expression is like a breeze blowing across the calm lake.
In this solemn and serious atmosphere, a ripple of warmth quietly emerged.
Queen Ma just sighed softly and leaned forward slightly.
She said with a somewhat helpless tone: "The old third brother was both civil and military, and he always acted boldly and spoke out.
But as a father, you have taken many precautions against him, which has resulted in the child being restricted in everything he does.
If you really don't like Tan Er, you might as well let him go overseas, maybe he can make a new career."
As she spoke, Queen Ma shook her head slightly, her eyes full of pity for Zhu Gang.
Queen Ma's words were like a sharp arrow hitting the bull's eye, accurately expressing what Zhu Yuanzhang was thinking.
The expression on his face suddenly froze, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, just like a calm lake suddenly rippled when a stone was thrown into it.
A slightly embarrassed look suddenly appeared on his originally calm and dignified face.
Zhu Yuanzhang tapped his fingers twice on the armrest, as if trying to hide his inner panic.
“Sister, the children are watching here.
Please let us finish the business first, and it is safer to discuss the matter of the third brother in private."
Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and straightened his body slightly.
He secretly adjusted his mind and tried to calm his emotions.
At the same time, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flickered slightly, and he subconsciously avoided Queen Ma's gaze.
After a brief pause, Zhu Yuanzhang slowly turned his neck, neither fast nor slow.
Then he cast his sharp gaze towards Jiang Li who was kneeling in front of him.
This gaze seemed to be real, like two cold sharp blades, piercing straight at Jiang Li.
Zhu Yuanzhang leaned forward slightly, his eyes full of scrutiny and majesty.
Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was filled with unquestionable majesty, and he spoke word by word: "Jiang Li, since you took up the position of Commander-in-Chief, you have been responsible for the internal inspection of the Jinyiwei.
What kind of person is Qi Anyi? Please tell us in front of everyone today."
Jiang Li's body trembled violently under this gaze.
I felt like a thorn in my back and dared not even breathe.
His body trembled slightly and his head lowered even lower.
His hands were pressed tightly to the ground, his knuckles slightly blue from the force, and his heart was filled with awe and trepidation.
"Your Majesty, Qi Anyi..."
There was a subtle change in Jiang Li's eyes. Those eyes were like ripples on a calm lake, and a hint of hesitation quietly emerged.
He bit his lip slightly, as if thinking about how to start speaking.
Zhu Chong took a step forward, his eyes wide open, and immediately shouted, "Jiang Li, if you conceal anything from your father, you will be guilty of deceiving the emperor.
Not only will your life be in danger, but even your family will suffer!"
He clenched his fists, the veins on his arms bulged slightly, and his face was full of anger.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened instantly and his lips were tightly pursed into a line.
His nostrils flared slightly, and then he snorted coldly from his nose.
This cold snort was like a sharp wind in a cold night, carrying with it fierce majesty and dissatisfaction.
It echoed faintly in the hall, making the air seem to tremble slightly.
"Your Highness Prince Qin, we have long heard that you are arrogant and domineering in your fiefdom, and no one dares to disobey you.
Now he is showing off his power in Kunning Palace. He has really grown stronger and more capable!"
There was a strong sense of dissatisfaction in Zhu Yuanzhang's voice, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's as he stared at Zhu Chong.
Zhu Chong keenly sensed the implicit blame in Zhu Yuanzhang's words, and his heart skipped a beat, and he felt a chill running down his spine.
Without time to think, he knelt heavily on his knees with a "thump", splashing some dust.
"Father, please calm down. I know I was wrong.
I am just anxious and want Jiang Li to report the truth. I have no intention of offending the emperor."
Zhu Chong leaned forward with his head almost touching the ground.
His hands hung naturally at his sides, trembling slightly, and his face showed a look of willingness to accept the punishment.
In this tense atmosphere, the air in the hall seemed to have frozen.
Everyone subconsciously lowered their heads, curled up their bodies slightly, and dared not make the slightest sound.
I was afraid of offending the emperor again and bringing about an unexpected disaster. (End of this chapter)