Chapter Sixty: The Search-Saving the Ming Dynasty with a System(The sounds of summer unfold like a painting.)

The imperial guards who accompanied Guo Zixuan trembled when they saw he truly intended to execute the Fifth Prince, son of the reigning Emperor. Fear seized them; they dared not witness the prince’s blood spilled once more. Whatever punishment Guo Zixuan might face in the future when the Emperor awoke, they knew that if such a calamity occurred, every ordinary soldier present would likely be buried alongside the prince. With this in mind, the guards stepped forward, apologizing to Zhu Hao, “Forgive us, Your Highness!” Then they began to bind him.

Just then, a sharp, feminine voice rang out: “How dare you! Have you lost your senses? By whose orders do you seize the Fifth Prince, son of the Emperor? Do you all wish to die?” A poised, elegant woman emerged—none other than Zhu Hao’s mother, Lady Liu.

Her arrival and stern rebuke froze everyone in place. Within the palace, all knew Lady Liu was the Emperor’s most favored consort, and with the Empress already confined, Lady Liu might soon supplant her. No one wished to offend a woman who could very well become the next Empress of Ming.

Guo Zixuan, though unafraid of Lady Liu—and indeed, harbored resentment toward her because of his own sister, the Empress Guo—knew he possessed only an imperial order to search the palace, not to arrest Zhu Hao. To seize him by force would be indefensible.

Despite his displeasure, Guo Zixuan dared not disregard the proper etiquette between subject and sovereign. He bowed and said, “Your Ladyship, I am here by imperial decree to search the palace. The Fifth Prince obstructed my duty, and I had no choice but to detain him. I beg Your Ladyship’s pardon.”

Lady Liu cast a cold glance over the assembly, her tone devoid of emotion as she replied, “Since you act by imperial command, neither I nor the Fifth Prince will hinder you. But remember this, Marquis: though I am but a woman of the harem, I am not one to be bullied by anyone.”

She then turned to Zhu Hao and said, “Step aside; let them search.”

Guo Zixuan, eager to avoid escalation, hurriedly replied, “Your Ladyship, you speak too severely. No one would dare harm you.” Then, turning to the imperial guards, he barked, “Search every corner! Leave nothing untouched!”

Zhu Hao, intending to protest, was silenced by his mother’s stern gaze and could only withdraw quietly. As the guards began their search, Zhu Hao’s anxiety mounted—not for himself, but for Guo Mengdie, still hiding in the locked cabinet. If the search continued, she would surely be discovered, and the situation would become difficult to explain. Time ticked by, and soon several guards returned to report:

“My lord, nothing found!”

…

“My lord, apart from a locked cabinet, nothing else remains unsearched!”

With this final report, Zhu Hao’s entire chamber had been scoured. Guo Zixuan, listening, fixed Zhu Hao with a mocking gaze, as if he had caught him in the act. “Your Highness, I carry imperial authority. Please unlock the cabinet for inspection, so I may finish my duty and report back.”

The locked cabinet was precisely where Guo Mengdie was hiding. Zhu Hao had locked it before opening the door, fearing discovery.

Hearing Guo Zixuan’s demand, Zhu Hao refused, “The cabinet contains my private belongings. I cannot unlock it.”

Guo Zixuan replied coldly, “Forgive me, Your Highness. I am bound by imperial command—no place may be exempt. Please unlock the cabinet.”

Zhu Hao shook his head, resolute, “Impossible.”

Guo Zixuan, seeing Zhu Hao’s reluctance, became convinced the cabinet held secrets. He sneered, “Why such resistance, Your Highness? Is it the forbidden objects we seek? If not, then open it for inspection.”

Lady Liu, hearing Guo Zixuan’s insinuations, interjected to clear her son’s name, “Step aside. We have nothing to hide. Open the cabinet and let them check.”

Zhu Hao could only smile bitterly to himself, thinking, “Mother, if I could let them see, why would I have resisted? Alas…” He sighed inwardly, knowing he could not prevent the cabinet from being opened today. Still, he protested, “I cannot find the key. If you wish to open it, do as you please.”

He hoped his royal status might persuade them to relent, to avoid making the situation irreconcilable. If it were ordinary guards, perhaps his words would have worked; but today he faced Guo Zixuan, son of the venerable Guo Prime Minister, a spoiled and reckless Marquis of Pingnan.

Convinced the cabinet concealed something illicit, Guo Zixuan sneered, “That’s easily solved!” Drawing his sword, he struck the lock with great force. His blade, forged by a master craftsman from the finest materials, sliced through iron as though it were mud. The simple lock stood no chance. With a metallic clang, the lock broke.

Guo Zixuan shot a disdainful look at Zhu Hao, as if to say, “Your petty tricks are useless against me.” He eagerly opened the cabinet, but in that instant he seemed petrified, his pupils contracting, mouth agape in horror as if witnessing something monstrous. After a moment, he cried, “Mengdie? Why are you here?”

Guo Mengdie, knowing she was at fault, leapt from the cabinet with her head bowed, unable to meet Guo Zixuan’s gaze. She murmured in a small voice, “Uncle…”

Guo Zixuan’s eyes, now bloodshot, flashed coldly at Zhu Hao. He pointed his sword and shouted, “You vile scoundrel! How dare you abduct a maiden and hide her in your chamber! Today, even if it costs my life, I will spill your blood to avenge the insult you’ve brought upon my family!” With that, he lunged at Zhu Hao, sword raised.

Lady Liu, seeing Guo Zixuan had lost all reason, moved swiftly to shield her son, crying out coldly, “Do not harm my child! Marquis of Pingnan, mind your station and control yourself!”

Guo Zixuan, now fully convinced Zhu Hao had defiled his niece, was deaf to all pleas, only increasing his speed as he charged. The suddenness caught everyone off guard. Fortunately, at the crucial moment, Guo Mengdie recovered her composure, grabbed a nearby vase, and hurled it at Guo Zixuan. Just as his sword was about to strike Lady Liu, the vase hit the sword’s tip, deflecting it enough to spare her.

As the vase crashed to the floor, Guo Mengdie cried, “Uncle, stop! Do not harm the innocent!” She darted between Lady Liu and the sword.

Guo Zixuan’s murderous intent only intensified; he looked like a demon escaped from the depths, his voice harsh, “Mengdie, stand aside! This scoundrel has wronged you, and our whole family. I will not let him live!”

Guo Mengdie did not retreat but explained, “He did nothing to me! Uncle, please, do not make things worse for him!”

Guo Zixuan, consumed with rage, ignored her words, “Mengdie, I know you are kind-hearted, but this villain must pay, else our family’s honor is lost!”

Seeing her uncle unmoved by any plea, Guo Mengdie resorted to her last defense, “If you will not believe me, then kill me as well!” With measured steps, she pressed herself toward the tip of his sword.

Guo Zixuan, seeing her approach, cried out in anguish, “Mengdie, don’t force me! Don’t force me!” He stepped back, terrified of harming her.

His frantic shouts did nothing to stop her advance. Guo Zixuan kept retreating, his steps faltering, perhaps overwhelmed by emotion. He stumbled, barely keeping his balance, but unable to avoid her. In a flash, with a sickening sound, his sword pierced Guo Mengdie’s body.

Guo Zixuan collapsed instantly, raising his voice in a heart-wrenching cry, “Mengdie…” Tears flowed uncontrollably as he withdrew his sword and cast it aside, staring blankly at her blood-soaked form.