Chapter 1

In the eighteenth year of the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty, inside the Qianqing Palace of the Forbidden City in Beijing, Emperor Zhu Youzhang, who had been diligent all his life, was only thirty-six years old but already had a face full of wrinkles. His life was about to come to an end, and his face was filled with a grayish hue. More terrifyingly, blood was continuously flowing from his nose, and no matter what, it could not be stopped. A young attendant by his side had to wipe it away from time to time.

Zhu Youzhang also felt that his end was near. He had previously summoned ministers such as Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian into the palace, entrusting them with the care of the crown prince and formally passing the throne to the crown prince, Zhu Houzhao, who was now the young attendant by his side. After that, Zhu Youzhang ordered everyone to leave the Qianqing Palace, leaving only Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao was only fifteen years old, with a tall and handsome figure. Although his face still retained some youthful innocence, it was clear that he would grow up to be a sunny and handsome man. However, at this moment, his face was full of sorrow as he helped his father wipe away the nosebleed and silently shed tears.

Seeing his son's tear-streaked face, Zhu Youzhang, who was in his final moments, extended his withered arm, seemingly wanting to wipe away Zhu Houzhao's tears. However, due to his impending death, the strength in his body was gradually fading, and lifting his arm had already exhausted all his remaining strength.

Seeing his father's condition, Zhu Houzhao quickly grabbed his father's hand and placed it on his cheek, while sobbing, "Father, I won't cry! I won't cry! I won't make you worry anymore!"

Although Zhu Houzhao said he wouldn't cry, the tears in his eyes only increased. After all, he was still just a fifteen-year-old boy, and he was usually very pampered and deeply dependent on his father. Now that his father was about to pass away, Zhu Houzhao felt an unprecedented sense of confusion and pain.

Feeling his son's attachment, Zhu Youzhang twitched his lips and tried to give a comforting smile. Then, he struggled to free his hand from his son's grip and extended a finger, first pointing to his own chest and then to Zhu Houzhao, his eyes bursting with a passionate emotion.

Understanding the meaning of his father's gesture, which only they could comprehend, Zhu Houzhao nodded heavily and, with tears in his eyes, said, "Father, rest assured. I understand your meaning. No matter what difficulties I encounter in the future, I will help you fulfill this unfulfilled wish!"

Hearing his son's promise, Zhu Youzhang, who could no longer speak, showed a look of relief on his face. He then made a great effort to extend his finger, wanting to wipe away his son's tears one last time. However, just as his finger touched Zhu Houzhao's eye, his body suddenly relaxed, and everything before his eyes turned black. He felt his body become incredibly light, as if he were flying at that moment.

Zhu Houzhao felt his father's body become heavy in his arms and then fall silent. The young Zhu Houzhao immediately understood what had happened and burst into tears. The ministers outside the hall also received the news and mourned loudly.

On the seventh day of the fifth month of the eighteenth year of the Hongzhi era, Emperor Zhu Youzhang of the Ming Dynasty died at the age of thirty-six due to a cold and the accidental ingestion of medication, which caused continuous nosebleeds. His temple name was Xiaozong, and his posthumous name was Jian Tian Ming Dao Chun Cheng Zhong Zheng Sheng Wen Shen Wu Zhi Ren Da De Jing Huangdi.

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