The Duke of Wei had originally intended to settle the matter, but unexpectedly received news from Liang Quanbin.
Zhu Hong?
He had no impression of this person before.
After all, within the Thirteen Departments of the Grand Canal, he was merely a minor official, insignificant as dust in the Duke of Wei's eyes.
However, Liang Quanbin's letter stated that this person was a crucial witness who could bring down the First Prince, so he had to come and interrogate him overnight.
"You are Zhu Hong?"
"I go by no other name and have no other surname."
"You've got guts."
"What if I have guts, and what if I don't? Zhu is now ruined, his descendants extinct, so having guts is useless."
Zhu Hong had come with a resolve to die. Although Liang Quanbin was the one who harmed him, without the Duke of Wei's backing, he wouldn't have dared to be so presumptuous. Therefore, he held the Duke of Wei responsible for his deep-seated hatred.
His intention in deceiving Liang Quanbin into bringing him to the Eastern Capital was to drag the Duke of Wei down with him.
Thus, he hid his intention to assassinate the Duke of Wei in his eyes, but did not reveal it on his face.
Seeing Zhu Hong like this, the Duke of Wei pondered incessantly, could this person truly bring down the First Prince?
Having dealt with the First Prince's faction for so many years, if he had truly planted this thorn, Zhu Hong, in Jinling City, it would likely be to gather evidence of his embezzlement through the Thirteen Departments of the Grand Canal, as they were mortal enemies. Moreover, the First Prince never understood the meaning of lying low or striking a fatal blow.
"What evidence do you have? Speak freely. If the evidence is true, I will spare your life!"
Zhu Hong glanced around vigilantly. He was surrounded by guards, and he was alone. It was too difficult to make a move openly.
So, he lowered his voice and said.
"Really?"
"I have been an official in the court for so many years; my word is my bond."
"Then I want to speak with you alone. No one else is allowed to be present!"
The Duke of Wei frowned. Before he could speak, someone beside him said.
"Duke, do you think you can see him alone? I think you're refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. We'll put you through all eighteen tortures, and then we'll see if you talk!"
"Ridiculous. I am now alone. If you want to use torture, go ahead. At worst, it will be a mutual destruction. You won't get any evidence out of me!"
"You!"
The Duke of Wei stopped his subordinate and then said.
"Retire. I will speak with him alone."
Those people glanced at Zhu Hong and then retreated outside the door. They were not too far away, but if they spoke softly, they would not be able to hear.
"They're gone. Speak."
Zhu Hong gave a bitter laugh, recalling the rise and fall of his Zhu family over the past few decades. He felt a pang of bitterness.
If he hadn't embarked on this path due to greed, perhaps he wouldn't have ended up ruined and childless today.
Unfortunately, it was too late to regret. His only thought now was to drag the Duke of Wei to death with him, so that the forces behind him could retaliate against Liang Quanbin and avenge him.
"My connection with the First Prince was a single line. There's a reason I've been hidden in Jinling City for so many years."
"What reason?"
"The maritime trade held by the Chi family is a lucrative business. The First Prince has long planned to join it. Unfortunately, the Chi family is uncooperative, so I had to secretly arrange for people within the Chi family. This marriage alliance with the Chi family also has this intention."
There were no flaws in his words. When the Duke of Wei heard about the maritime trade, his interest was piqued.
In fact, not only the First Prince, but he also had his eyes on this piece of fat meat, the Chi family.
"So, what evidence do you have?"
"The evidence I have is..."
Zhu Hong beckoned the Duke of Wei, intending to whisper to him.
As the Duke of Wei stepped forward and was about to lean down, he saw a flash of silver from Zhu Hong's mouth. A silver needle shot out directly from his mouth, aiming for his vital point.
In the blink of an eye, the silver needle was fast and cunning. The Duke of Wei, seeing that he couldn't dodge, could only turn his head to the side. Coincidentally, the silver needle went straight into his eye. With a scream, blood flowed down his palm.
The guards heard the commotion and immediately rushed over.
They proceeded to break all four limbs of Zhu Hong, fearing any further movement from him.
His left eye. The Duke of Wei was injured in his left eye.
Now that the silver needle was gone, he dared not move and could only cover it. His right eye, looking at Zhu Hong, was filled with murderous intent.
"So you have no evidence at all, and you came today to kill me?"
"Hahahaha, you are indeed smarter than that fool Liang Quanbin! Old man! Since I dared to kill you, I am not afraid of your revenge. Anyway, there is no one left in my Zhu family for you to take revenge on. It was my mistake that I didn't kill you today. In the underworld, I will not let the Wei family and the Liang family go, just you wait!"
After saying this, he immediately bit his tongue and committed suicide.
By the time the people beside him reacted and tried to grab his mouth, blood was already filling his mouth, and he soon lost consciousness.
The Zhu family, one of the four great families in Jinling City, was wiped out, with the exception of Huo Chong, who had fallen into the hands of Prince Ding.
The Duke of Wei truly hated Liang Quanbin.
He thought Liang Quanbin was a clever person, but he didn't expect him to send such a scoundrel. If he hadn't dodged in time, he might have not only injured one eye but been killed on the spot.
So, he said with anger in his voice.
"Chop him up and feed him to the dogs!"
"Yes!"
After saying this, the Duke of Wei was helped back to his study. The hastily summoned imperial physician immediately went to examine his wound.
As his palm was removed, a silver needle was deeply embedded in his eye.
The imperial physician's face had never been so tense. He usually only treated minor illnesses and injuries, and had never seen such a serious situation.
So, he knelt down trembling and said.
"My Lord, this silver needle is embedded too deeply. I cannot remove it. I'm afraid we'll have to find an imperial physician from the palace to examine it, perhaps to save your eye."
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Wei became enraged.
"Quick, find the Director of the Imperial Medical Office. Tell him I've been assassinated."
The subordinates were all astute. Upon hearing this, they understood what needed to be done.
So, they arranged for the fastest runners to go and find an imperial physician, while the remaining ones at home began to beat gongs and drums, shouting about catching an assassin.
Some even disguised themselves as assassins and ran outwards.
The plan was seamless, truly a testament to the Duke of Wei's experienced subordinates.
Thus, Emperor Qi, who had just fallen asleep, was awakened again.
"The Duke of Wei has also been assassinated?"
Emperor Qi was greatly alarmed. When he heard about this, he didn't even put on his clothes before walking out of the hall.
Outside the city, it was dark, with only the area of the important officials' residences brightly lit.
"How is he now?"
"I heard the assassin's hand was extremely vicious, and the Duke was injured in the eye."
With the Ninth Prince's wedding imminent, the Duke of Wei was assassinated at this time. From any angle, Emperor Qi felt that this might be a staged event.