YONGLE EMPEROR 2

"Wait a moment!" He shouted. "Move the stake of Sir Fang first, so he can see by himself how his entire family and disciples die!"

And the order was soon carried out. An executioner approached the first convict, raised his sword, and beheaded him. The first victim had been executed.

"One of your family has died because of you, Fang Xiaoru," Zhu Di said icily. "It's your choice; only one person has to die, or the other 872 people must die in vain?"

Instead of answering, Fang Xiaoru showed a sullen face and pulled his gaze away arrogantly.

Zhu Di's anger exploded. "Go on!" He yelled in fury.

And the execution went on. So strange, even though the convicts kept losing lives in vain, Fang Xiaoru remained untouched. He was able to close his eyes and ignore the horrible execution of his family and disciples. Even though they were all busy begging for mercy, and pleading Fang Xiaoru to apologize to Zhu Di, Fang Xiaoru still ignored their sobs. Heaven knew what had made his heart be as hard as a rock like that. Just because of blind loyalty to the Lord who had even vanished.

Loyalty was indeed important... it was really important. Without loyalty, the world will be filled with betrayal. The good things would always be returned with bad things. Great works would never be accomplished. The nations would not be able to survive, let alone to prosper their people.

However, is it good if loyalty goes blind? Like Fang Xiaoru, if only he died alone, then his loyalty should be given two thumbs up and be respected for eternity. But just because of the defying he did only by himself, then 873 innocent people had to become victims - that was very unfair to those 873 people.

Fang Xiaoru should have completely realized, who Zhu Di actually was. Zhu Di was a cold-hearted leader. He had the heart to kill his own brother-in-law - Minister Mei Yin - who was loyal to Zhu Yunwen, by pushing him to sink into the river, and forced his own sister to live in widowhood. Even worse, he had the heart to confine Zhu Yunwen's son - Zhu Wengui, who was only two years old at that time - in Guang'an Palace, forbade him to get out of there for the next 55 years. He could do such cruelty towards his own family, moreover towards Fang Xiaoru who was an "outsider". Thence, after exterminating his 873 family members and disciples, Zhu Di mercilessly executed Fang Xiaoru by waist chop.

In the conclusion, if you want to say that Zhu Di was inhuman, then you should give Fang Xiaoru the same label. Both of them, were equally ruthless.

And, Zhu Di was completely undaunted by Fang Xiaoru's curse. He even ran a reign of terror to other Zhu Yunwen's ministers, of course including Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng, since both of them were the most vocal in suggesting the Politics of Xuefan. The execution they must endure was no less cruel to what Fang Xiaoru suffered.

As for Zhu Di becoming emperor by rebelling the legitimate government, many scholar bureaucrats refused to recognize the legitimacy of his claim to the throne. Some of them opposed openly, for example Fang Xiaoru, but those who opposed silently were much more in total. This situation caused Zhu Di to get agitated. He was so agitated that he could no longer trust Jinyiwei - since Jinyiwei had been programmed in such a way to be loyal only to Zhu Yunwen. thence, he formed other special secret agents - Dongchang and Xichang (in English it is translated as "eastern deport" and "western deport"). Dongchang and Xichang arrested so many officials who were believed to be loyal to the Jianwen Emperor, so executions and torture got snowball during this time.

On the other hand. Zhu Su had realized that Zhu Di started to have his eye on him. Since the outbreak incident in the outskirts of Jiangsu, both Zhu Su and Zhu Di had found out the big difference in each mindset. Then, Zhu Su healed Zhu Yunwen and his empress, it made Zhu Di's suspicion more intense. And it reached its peak when Fang Xiaoru said that "Yan Wang was worse than Zhou Wang who repents by helping His Majesty". Zhu Su knew it very well that Zhu Di was somehow antipathy with him.

Nevertheless, Zhu Su was also very grateful to his fourth brother. After Zhu Di officially usurped the throne to become Yongle Emperor, he returned Zhu Su to his original position as Zhou Wang. Totally similar to prior, that he became the Head of Kaifeng, just like the situation when his father was still alive.

The inauguration ceremony Zhu Su had as Zhou Wang was very magnificent and majestic. The experts chose for the good day of inauguration very carefully, so that the moment when the ceremony was being held was at a very bright, nice, and beautiful day. Kaifeng Palace was decorated luxuriously. Officials and dignitaries from all over Kaifeng and also other cities were invited to view this magnificent ceremony.

The luxurious robe had been embroidered. A grand ceremony had been prepared. The best dancers, singers, and musicians from all over Kaifeng had been invited. But something was still missing there.

The existence of Fan Wang's companion - Wang Fei.

"Your Highness, it will be improper if you are only by yourself in the inauguration ceremony. An Emperor needs an Empress. It is also the same with you. Maybe you have made your choice, who is the right partner to accompany you on the following day?"

When Qu You asked, Zhu Youdun nid-nodded behind him. All of them had indeed agreed to persuade Zhu Su not to hesitate anymore and could openly declare his true intention.

"Eh... partner..." Zhu Su was stunned. "I haven't thought about it..."

"Fu Wang... My goodness! What's wrong with you?!" Zhu Youdun whispered, looked impatient.

Zhu Youdun impatient whisper immediately induced Zhu Su to realize what actually his son meant. He automatically turned his gaze at Hu Nayin, who instead of staring back at him, she even bowed her head. Zhu Su could feel his cheeks blushed. He was sure that his face was turning red right now.

But... Ruina dies because of me... how can I do this to repay her deep love for me?...

Nevertheless, when Zhu Su was busy hesitating, suddenly the flashes of memories crossed his mind. The memories of his moments with Hu Nayin. When he first met Hu Nayin, from the beginning Hu Nayin had been very helpful to him. Hu Nayin followed him fearlessly to Xie Wang's headquarters, then tried to take medicinal herbs for his father in the abyss even though she might possibly lose her own life. Then when he was exiled for the second time and almost beheaded, Hu Nayin participated in saving him. Using her connections with the nobles, Hu Nayin helped him find information. At that time he was totally ruined, and vice versa, Hu Nayin was in a world of glamour and splendor. And even more, Hu Nayin followed him willingly to Mogaung and Ava as escapees, leaving her entire family behind. But Hu Nayin did not care about it all, she was still eager to help him, walking with him through various kinds of forging life.

If it was said that he owed Feng Ruina a favor, then he was also very indebted to Hu Nayin. He had the obligation to repay Hu Nayin, giving her the happiness commensurate with all of her kindness and sacrifice for him.

"... An Emperor needs an Empress, and it's the same with you..."

Slowly, Zhu Su approached Hu Nayin. Then held both of her hands.

"Nayin... if you don't mind... uh... are you willing to be my life partner? To be my Wang Fei?"