Zhu Su's emotions turned chaotic once more. His anger, also changed all of a sudden.
Into sadness.
This sadness, inevitably made him smile. He did not know why it happened. After all, his brain had totally turned vacant.
"Only for power... only to become emperor forever... You have the heart to punish your own brother... even though he is innocent..."
"In power, the matter of family relation no longer exists. Even the relationship between parent and child no longer exists, let alone the relationship of brothers. I am an emperor, my fate is different from ordinary people. I have to defend the throne and power at all costs! No one... no one can stop me! No one can stop me from maintaining my power as the Ming Emperor!"
Zhu Su looked straight into Zhu Di's eyes. Very long, and very deep.
"The emperor is different from ordinary people... family relation is no longer important..."
"You get it, Su!" Zhu Di brandished his sword. "Therefore, accept your fate. Accept your fate that you and your entire family must die, so that the Ming throne can be maintained forever!"
"My family?…" Zhu Su gasped. "You... also want to kill my entire family?!?"
"Definitely! That's why Nine Familial Extermination is used to punish whoever commits treason?! So that no one in his family will take revenge and create new chaos?!"
Once again, Zhu Su felt his world spun. His gaze turned dark, so surprised as he heard that his entire family would be executed. Then... Youdun... Youjue... Nayin... and... and my entire family... will die?!?...
Zhu Su's knees faltered. He could no longer hold his weight. And now, he was prostrating on the floor.
"You said, for an emperor, blood relation no longer matters." Zhu Su's voice sounded so pitiful. "Then, may this despicable servant begs for mercy from Your Majesty, to free my entire family..."
Zhu Su's lips trembled. Then, he touched his forehead to the ground.
He kowtowed to Zhu Di. Humbling himself so despicably, just to get the mercy for his entire family.
Zhu Di's eyes widened. His heart was beating fast. It turned out that he did not expect his brother to do such action. Apparently, no matter how cruel Zhu Di was, he still had a kind heart, and now this kindness was being knocked. As he watched his full brother - the brother of the same father and the same mother - kowtowing and humbling himself to such an extent, even though his younger brother was worshiped so much and possessed great power - he was even afraid of his power, to the extent that he could this cruel thing - he could not help but being touched.
"Alright, Su. Don't be like that... you know, you really make me feel bad!" Zhu Di growled, waved his hand roughly. "Get up! I'm not going to kill you or your entire family... alright! I'll release you!"
Zhu Su raised his head slightly. "Re... really, Sire?!"
"Yes!" Zhu Di threw himself into a chair. "Alright! I will not extend this case! Go back to Kaifeng! Or, now it's night, you can stay here first?..."
"Thank you very much... for your kindness!"
And, Zhu Su returned to prostrate, touching his forehead to the floor. Thanking Zhu Di for his generosity, like a commoner thanked his emperor.
***
"Your Highness! Heaven, I am so happy! You are alright!"
Hu Nayin welcomed Zhu Su eagerly. She was so worried since the soldiers sent by the emperor dragged his husband away. She was very worried about Zhu Su's fate, after all he had experienced two bad things because of the emperors' punishments. She was very worried that this time Zhu Su would be punished as cruelly as before. If His Highness is to be exiled again... He has been old, he would never be able to endure such severe torture... this time, he will die for sure! Heaven, please hear my prayer! Please, save His Highness! He's been in so much pain, please don't torture him anymore!
So of course Hu Nayin was very happy to find Zhu Su standing in front of her again. Even though his face was pale and haggard, at least he was in good health.
Zhu Su forced a smile. "Yes, Nayin, I'm fine. So, don't worry anymore, okay?"
Hu Nayin gave a happy smile. "Of course, Your Highness!"
Zhu Su kept smiling He was supposed to feel very happy. Not only because Zhu Di was willing to spare him and his entire family, but also because he had decided to do one thing. A very important thing.
He would relinquish his power as Zhou Wang.
He knew what actually made Zhu Di so afraid of him to the point that he could even be eager to kill him and his entire family. That was, his San Hu Wei. In the past, the Hongwu Emperor gave military power to all of his sons. He was one of the Fan Wangs whose San Hu Wei numbered the most. San Hu Wei's strength allowed a Fan Wang to launch rebellion. If a Fan Wang did not own military power, he was like a toothless tiger who could not do anything. Now he had distanced himself from people, so what Zhu Di was afraid of him was indeed the power of San Hu Wei.
And that was what he would give to Zhu Di.
Losing San Hu Wei would make him lose his power as a Fan Wang. He would become a powerless Fan Wang, people would neither respect nor fear him anymore. But instead of being sad, he was very happy about this decision.
It was precisely his power that became the chain which bound him with suffering. Everyone knowing nothing about it lusted after this power, but he had fully understood. Fully understood, that the power led him to suffer instead of happiness. By giving up this power, he was like a bird that had just been released from a cage.
He could fly freely in the sky. And no one could catch him, for eternity.
Zhu Su sent a letter to Zhu Di; "The Great Ming is now very prosperous. Your Majesty's great blessings have greatly prospered this country. Ming is very safe and secure. I feel safe right now, so I don't need the guard from San Hu Wei anymore. Now, I am returning San Hu Wei's power to you."
As Zhu Su expected, Zhu Di immediately accepted the offering happily. This was exactly what he wanted!
Thus, San Hu Wei had now changed their lords. They all had to leave Kaifeng, to Beijing.
Except a man. Wu Qi.
Zhu Su was confused as he saw Wu Qi still stood in front of Kaifeng Palace Gate. "Why are you still here, Wu Qi? Is there anything left?"
Wu Qi bowed in respect. "From a long time ago, you are my lord. And it won't change forever. I will be loyal only to you, forever."
Since Zhu Su spared his life even though he committed a big crime by taking Hu Nayin away and even cooperating with Bai Lian Jiao, Wu Qi had sworn to be loyal to Zhu Su whatever it took, to repay his kindness. Moreover, Zhu Su appreciated him by reappointing him as Chief Commander. Wu Qi was not the one who cherished a viper in his bosom. He was someone who held loyalty so tightly. He was determined, to only give his loyalty to Zhu Su. Despite everything, and for eternity.
Zhu Su stared at Wu Qi, he was deeply touched. People said, when we fall, look at those who are still willing to accompany us, then you will know that the person is really good to you. Zhu Su was like a person who had fallen into the bottom of a ravine. He was completely powerless, and everyone would leave him as soon as they could. But Wu Qi did not do the same. He continued to be loyal, accompanied him here.
Zhu Su said hoarsely. "Thank you very much, Wu Qi... for your deep loyalty..."
Yes. He was very grateful. Some people were still loyal to him even at this time.
Although in fact, power had left him from long ago.