THE APOSTATE SON 3
Zhu Su and Zhu Youdun who were chatting casually in the park while enjoying the beauty of the lake and completely had no idea that Zhu Youxun was slandering them, were really shocked as finding the imperial soldiers on a massive scale had been standing before them.
"Zhou Wang, and Zhou Shi Zi, are proven to be committing treason against the legitimate government. Therefore, should be penalized with severe punishment. Both are demoted to be commoners, and must go into exile in Yunnan!"
Zhu Su and Zhu Youdun soon had their eyes widened.
"Commit treason to... legitimate government?!..." Zhu Su asked again, his voice became hoarse. "When do we launch a rebellion? Oh, my Heaven! For all this time what I've done is merely managing Kaifeng with full responsibility! And so is my son!"
The soldiers ignored Zhu Su's frustrated scream. They forcibly arrested those two royals at once.
"If you want to arrest us, you must give us distinct proof! What is the proof that we are committing treason to the Emperor?! What is your proof?!?" Zhu Youdun shouted angrily.
The general cackled cynically. "Proof? Witness is more than enough, Your Highness. Runan Jun Wang * has reported your movement to the Emperor. There is no way for you to make any excuses!"
"Youxun... you!" Zhu Su felt his anger now really reached up to his crown. All of this, was evidently Zhu Youxun's damn business! It was he who had the heart to slander both of them! And he seemingly knew the reason...
Just to quickly occupy the throne as Zhou Wang.
"Youxun you're an apostate son! How can you have the stomach to slander your own father and brother!" Zhu Su shouted in frustration.
"Only witness, no certain proof, how can you have the right to arrest us? What if this is all just Runan Jun Wang's conspiracy? The Emperor will arrest innocent people!" Zhu Youdun tried to argue.
The general's cynical smile widened. "Unfortunately, Your Highness, both of you are accused at the wrong time. The Emperor has intended to eliminate you from earlier. You will see then, the entire Fan Wangs of The Great Ming will be arrested and even sentenced to death shortly after. And both of you have the fastest turn, because there has been an opportunity for the Emperor to smooth his way!"
"W... what?! So from the beginning, Yunwen has planned to eliminate us?!" Zhu Youdun gawked. Then he screamed in frustration, "Zhu Yunwen! Huang Ye Ye used to praise you as a kind and pious child. It turns out that Huang Ye Ye has been fooled by your acting! You are actually a merciless person! Because you have the heart to punish innocent people just for the sake of maintaining your power!"
"Stop complaining! Don't blaspheme anymore! Or else you will endure more severe punishment!"
"What's going on?!?"
Feng Ruina had been standing in front of them, terror overtook her face.
"Your Highness... my son... What the hell are you doing with them?..."
The soldiers chose to ignore Feng Ruina. They were poking these poor father and child, to go out of the palace.
"Don't arrest them! Don't take my husband and son away once more!" Screaming hysterically, Feng Ruina tried to block the soldiers.
The general slipped her hands out harshly. "Don't block our way!"
"Ruina! Ignore us! Go, don't get involved with our problems!"
"No way! Your Highness, I want to go with you! I don't want to be separated from you like ten years ago!" Feng Ruina now faced the general, crying out for pleading. "General! Let me accompany my husband and son!"
"Ruina! Don't be crazy! Go away, quick!"
"Please permit me to accompany them, General!"
Tears began to shimmer in Feng Ruina's eyes. The general himself fully noticed that Zhu Su and Zhu Youdun were exiled because of cruel politics, and knew exactly that they were innocent after all. He quickly felt pity as seeing Feng Ruina's sobbing.
"Well then! You may join them! But this is not a kind of enjoyable voyage. You will get a very inhuman life in Yunnan later. Think about it carefully!"
Feng Ruina felt her body shook badly. She could not deny that she was very frightened. But she had been determined about her decision. Because she did not want to be separated from her husband for the second time, and moreover, this time his son would also be arrested.
"I am ready!" She shouted, full of determination.
"Alright!" The general turned around, took a step towards the palace gate. "Here we go!"
***
Standing on a rooftop, Xie Wang and Rumilie gazed at Zhu Su, his wife, and his son who was being forcibly dragged into exile. Xie Wang could not help laughing at his victory as he saw the person he hated so much was devastated.
"Zhu Su, because of you, I must live in shame and can't have children forever. This is indeed the most appropriate punishment for you! Betrayed by your own son! And Yunnan, which you say has brought happiness to you, will be the land where your body is buried!"
...
* Runan Jun Wang = the title for Zhu Youxun. Since he was the second son of a Fan Wang, and had no legitimate to ascend his father's principality throne, his status was lower than the Fan Wang born as Emperor's son.
Literally in Chinese, Zhu Su was entitled "Fan Wang" or "Qin Wang", while Zhu Youxun was entitled as "Jun Wang". "Qin Wang" was the prince born from Emperor, "Jun Wang" was lower a level than "Qin Wang". About Zhu Youdun, he was "Shi Zi" - the heir who would be the next "Qin Wang". For more detailed information, please check the ADDITIONAL PARTS: THE TERMS OF CHINESE ROYALTY.