THE THIRD DEATH THREAT 1

Xiang Yugong's patient and empathetic behavior made Yan San get acquainted. Xiang Yugong also came to Yan San persistently. He knew that it was impossible for somebody to open himself just for one or two meeting times. It took time to become familiar and get easy in persuading and controlling his preys. Just like a brainwash that would not succeed by doing it only once or twice, it needed even several months to get the expected result. Thus Xiang Yugong kept approaching his prey patiently. He was so patient, so persistent. He did not care even if it took weeks or even months, he would stop at nothing to get his goal. To reveal Zhu Su's secrets.

But since Zhu Su had no even the slightest intention of rebelling, was there any secret Yan San had to reveal?

"Actually, you approach me just to get proof that His Highness is rebelling, right?" At last, it was ended up Yan San revealed Xiang Yugong's hidden intentions.

Xiang Yugong could not hide his embarrassment. He was indeed exhausted, he had tried for months, but in the end, his efforts ended in failure. Even worse, his intention was exposed by his prey.

Once again, he failed.

"His Highness doesn't rebel! No matter how insistent you force me to reveal, but the reality is he doesn't rebel! I mustn't slander an innocent person, especially if there's no evidence! If I do wrong, I will get into trouble!" Yan San grumbled.

With his head bowing down, Xiang Yugong reported his failure to Zhu Di.

"I fail, Sire. Even Yan San protects Zhou Wang. Once again, I have no evidence of Zhou Wang's rebellion. I apologize, Sire!"

Zhu Di looked at the languid-looking Xiang Yugong. He took a deep breath. "Apparently the lucky star protects my brother so much that the subordinate who hates him is even willing to protect him!"

"Or maybe... Zhou Wang really has no intention to rebel?"

Zhu Di quickly shook his head. "No! He really has that intention! Otherwise, how can he make Yuan Gong Ci whose theme stands up for Yuan Dynasty? He makes fun of my government. That's why he published it at the meeting of the Fan Wangs earlier!" He put his hand on the table and supported his chin. "Can you tell me how you interrogated Yan San? Why did you fail? Who knows, I can correct your mistakes."

Xiang Yugong was sure that the investigation he carried out was flawless, however, he did not dare to say it in front of the emperor. Thus he told everything, from the beginning to end.

Zhu Di listened to Xiang Yugong's story seriously. When the Head of Dong Chang finished, he asked, "Yan San said, he will get into trouble if he slanders Su but his slander is not proven?"

"Yes, Sire."

"What if he has the proof?"

"What do you mean, Sire? I don't understand..."

"Such a troublesome if we are too clean in investigating Su. I plan to put some false evidence and with that, we will trap Su with treason charges!"

"But?! Sire, then we will subject Zhou Wang to false accusations?!..."

"Of course."

Xiang Yugong widened his eyes in horror. He shuddered as he found that Zhu Di could even say it so calmly. Even though the emperor would slander his own younger brother, and would presumably take his life?!... His whole body was immediately covered in a cold sweat. Nevertheless, he was forced to listen obediently to the plans that Zhu Di was about to carry out.

***

Zhu Su was enjoying a cup of warm tea. It was sunset, and the evening sun made the sky start to be covered in a mix of blue, orange, and red. The evening sun was beautifully reflected on the surface of the lake. Hu Nayin was sitting beside him.

"The geese are very beautiful, Your Highness." Hu Nayin praised. She smiled broadly, took a deep breath. "So beautiful. Watching this beautiful nature, I feel very grateful to Heaven."

Zhu Su took a sip of the tea. "Yes, I am also very grateful to be blessed with such this good fate... You know, earlier I sometimes doubted whether I would be able to enjoy days again or not..."

"And it turns out, that you can enjoy it now."

"I don't want to pass through such terrible times." Zhu Su's eyes wandered toward the twilight sky. "Not anymore."

The unnatural footsteps came to his ears. Hearing those heavy and powerful footsteps, Zhu Su instantly knew that the owners of these footsteps were not just anyone. Is it San Hu Wei?! Because these must be soldier's footsteps. What's going on?! Zhu Su stood up, turned around. A group of soldiers was standing in front of him. Zhu Su guessed it right, they were military soldiers. However, their faces were unfamiliar. Even though Zhu Su was sure that his San Hu Wei numbered about tens of thousands, he was sure that none of those faces were in his army.

Zhu Su's instincts rang immediately. These soldiers had bad intentions. "Who are you?... And, what's your purpose by coming here?..."

Xiang Yugong stepped forward. "Let me introduce myself, I am Xiang Yugong, Head of Dong Chang,"

Dong Chang?! The emperor's new secret agent?! "Why does Dong Chang look for me?" Zhu Su's voice started to tremble.

"To implement His Majesty's order; To take you to Forbidden City."

The Dong Chang quickly approached Zhu Su, and began to treat him in disrespectful manner, as if they were arresting him. Hu Nayin screamed. "What are you doing?! You will arrest His Highness?! Why?! His Highness doesn't do anything at all!"

No one cared with Hu Nayin. Zhu Su himself, was totally limp in a sudden. He could feel nothing but a blind terror. Before he just thanked Heaven for freeing him from terrors, but now he had to experience it once again?! His clogged brain made him walk like a zombie without life. Leaving Hu Nayin, who was starting to sob alone beside the lake.

The evening sun kept falling down... and kept falling down... until it finally sank completely under the lake. And the sky changed, turned blackish blue.