Volume One, Chapter 18: The Cause of Empress Ma’s Death Is Connected to the Crown Prince!

Jiang Lin understood that if he nodded now, he would be irrevocably bound to Old Zhu’s entire family.

Even having seen countless beauties in his previous life, Jiang Lin had to admit that Zhu Yourong’s temperament and appearance were rarely matched by anyone.

It was hard not to be captivated by her!

On one hand, there was the sweet, delicate little princess; on the other, a blissful, carefree life.

How was he supposed to choose?

As Jiang Lin hesitated, Empress Ma waved her hand.

“Yourong, don’t say such things. You’re putting too much pressure on Jiang Lin.”

“Mother can see you have feelings for Master Jiang. If you agree now, I will arrange everything for you two!”

“Afterward, you should have a child soon so that before I pass away, I can see my grandchild and rest in peace as a grandmother!”

“Pah! Mother, don’t say such gloomy things,” Zhu Yourong quickly spat.

After some hesitation, a faint smile curved Jiang Lin’s lips.

Hmph! Only children make choices; as an adult, I want it all!

“Your Majesty, I do have one request…”

“What request? Just say it, and we will definitely fulfill it!” Old Zhu responded eagerly.

“Your Majesty, the princess and I prefer peace and quiet. We don’t want to be disturbed!”

Upon hearing Jiang Lin’s request, Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression instantly changed.

What did that mean?

Was he indirectly saying they found the whole family bothersome?

In Old Zhu’s mind, Jiang Lin was a man from the future, harboring countless unknown secrets, and he must find a way to use him for his own purposes.

Now... things were a bit complicated!

Old Zhu said nothing but looked at Jiang Lin as if he could devour him.

Jiang Lin ignored Old Zhu’s gaze and turned to Empress Ma.

“Your Majesty, although your illness is not recorded in the annals, I suspect it might be related to Taisheng.”

“Hm? Xiaoxiongying? What connection could my illness possibly have with him?” Empress Ma asked, puzzled.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head in disbelief. “Jiang Lin, don’t talk nonsense.”

“Since what you said is only speculation, I won’t blame you,” he added.

“Xiaoxiongying may be mischievous, but he would never harm the Empress,” Zhu Yourong insisted firmly.

Seeing that no one believed him, Jiang Lin sighed and clarified, “I never said Xiaoxiongying harmed the Empress.”

“I meant... that the cause of her death is closely related to Xiaoxiongying.”

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were stunned.

What?

What did that mean?

Could Empress Ma’s death really be connected to Xiaoxiongying?

The four of them turned to Jiang Lin in unison, their eyes filled with astonishment.

Prepared for this moment, Jiang Lin began slowly:

“Zhu Xiongying, the legitimate eldest grandson of Zhu Yuanzhang, was the maternal grandson of Chang Yuchun, the Loyal and Brave King of Kaiping. His father was Crown Prince Yibin Zhu Biao, and his mother was Crown Princess Jingyi Chang.”

“He passed away in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu era, in May. After his death, he was posthumously titled King Yu, with the posthumous name Huai, and was buried at Zhongshan. Later generations referred to him as King Yu Huai.”

Bang!

With a loud crash, Zhu Biao staggered back several steps, then lost his footing and fell heavily to the ground.

“What? The fifteenth year of Hongwu... that means... eight years old!”

“Eight years old! He was only eight! How... how did he die?”

Muttering to himself, Zhu Biao clearly found it impossible to accept.

His face turned ashen, drained of all color, his lips pale as well.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood as if petrified, his eyes slightly reddened. He opened his mouth laboriously but made no sound.

Why...

Was heaven so unjust?

To take away his grandson, the Empress, and the Crown Prince one after another — all his most cherished family.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness, are you both alright?” Jiang Lin cautiously asked.

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Jiang Lin with a dark, angry face. “What do you think?”

“Hmph! The moment you spoke, my loved ones began to leave me one by one, leaving me all alone.”

“Um... Your Majesty, I won’t say anything more. Is that better?”

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang’s complaint, Jiang Lin awkwardly pursed his lips.

Old Zhu glared at Jiang Lin. “No, you can’t stop now!”

Despite his grievances, having this opportunity to learn about future events piqued his curiosity deeply.

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