Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 119: The Fake Emperor's Wedding, Wedding Night

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen summoned Shi Biao and asked, "Yesterday, the Prince of Qing came to protect a man, saying that he was a military officer in charge of the Yangzhou Judicial Department. Do you know what the situation is?"

Shi Biao recalled and nodded: "I know that this judicial officer is called Shen Cong. It was Liu Dingzhi who arrested him in Henan last time. It was because of smuggling salt."

"A judicial officer from Yangzhou went to Henan to smuggle salt?" Zhu Qizhen was puzzled.

"I don't know what happened specifically." Shi Biao frowned, "It seems that many officials have asked to protect him, saying that he is a good official and was wrongly accused. Why did they ask the King of Qing to come forward?"

Zhu Qizhen felt something was very wrong. A judicial officer had alarmed a prince. He frowned and said, "I have already promised the Prince of Qing to pardon the judicial officer. Send someone to keep an eye on him. I feel something is amiss. Also, tell Liu Dingzhi to avoid him from submitting a petition."

"As you command." Shi Biao nodded. He seemed to remember something and said, "Your Majesty, Shen Yihuan, the richest man in Jiangnan, visited King Qing a few days ago. Could it be that he asked King Qing to come? King Qing's mansion is very cautious now, and the hidden pawns of his subordinates are useless. We don't have any specific information about what King Qing talked about with Shen Yihuan."

Zhu Qizhen thought thoughtfully: "This Shen Yihuan is still in the capital, so high-profile."

Shi Biao nodded: "He has contacts with the Weaving Bureau and many ministers in the capital. As the richest man, he is very popular."

There was sarcasm in Zhu Qizhen's eyes.

Why don't those ministers maintain their nobility as scholars now? Why do they interact with merchants?

No, Shen Yihuan really can't be considered a businessman. He was also an official. After resigning from office, he cooperated with the Weaving Bureau and gradually became the richest man in Jiangnan.

"Keep an eye on him." Zhu Qizhen ordered.

……

The Lantern Festival is here in a blink of an eye.

The palace begins lighting lanterns on the eighth day of the first lunar month and continues until the seventeenth day. Various exquisite lanterns are placed throughout the palace. These lanterns are ingeniously designed and have various shapes. There are traditional lotus lanterns, fish lanterns, as well as dragon and phoenix lanterns, unicorn lanterns, etc. that incorporate palace characteristics.

On the Lantern Festival, the palace was decorated with lanterns inside and outside. Various colored lights and red lanterns made the palace look picturesque, creating a festive atmosphere. As the emperor, Zhu Qizhen took his concubines to enjoy the lanterns in the harem.

He and the Queen Mother had not seen each other for six days. When they met on the Lantern Festival, they both seemed to be resentful. However, Zhu Qizhen still bowed and said, "Happy Lantern Festival, mother."

The queen mother's cold eyes flashed a trace of melancholy, and her eyes drooped: "I hope that this beautiful night, every household will be happy."

They naturally sat in the main seats, with the concubines and concubines around them, admiring the beautiful lanterns. There were also acrobatic performances in the middle, which attracted bursts of amazement.

The Queen Mother lowered her head and frowned from time to time, seeming to dislike the atmosphere in the venue.

"Your Majesty, the time has come." The eunuch chief Cao Jixiang came over and said.

Zhu Qizhen stood up and suddenly raised his arm and slammed it down: "Begin!"

Suddenly, a crisp explosion pierced the night sky, and then, colorful fireworks bloomed over the palace. They pierced the darkness like shooting stars, and bloomed in the sky like flowers, decorating the night sky of the palace like a dream.

The fireworks come in various shapes, some are like giant dragons soaring into the sky, majestic and powerful; some are like phoenixes spreading their wings, gorgeous and colorful; and some are like fairies scattering flowers, sprinkling countless brilliant spots of light to the world.

Everyone in the palace was looking up at the grand fireworks display; even the Queen Mother stood up unconsciously.

Zhu Qizhen walked up to her and said softly, "There is no entertainment without the moon and no spring without the moon. When spring comes, people are like jade, and the moon is like silver under the lights."

The corners of the Queen Mother's mouth rose slightly, and then disappeared in an instant.

"Your Majesty, I have granted you the marriage. Let's get married next month." She looked up at the fireworks in the sky and said, "I... will not stop you."

Having said that, she turned and left.

……

During the Lantern Festival, the imperial palace is bustling and the capital city is even more bustling.

There are shops lining both sides of the street, and all kinds of lanterns vying for beauty, including lifelike zodiac lanterns, delicate and exquisite revolving lanterns, and auspicious lotus lanterns, which attract tourists to stop and watch and marvel.

The hawkers' calls could be heard one after another, selling hot rice dumplings, crispy and delicious sugar paintings, and a variety of Lantern Festival snacks. The air was filled with tempting aroma, making people salivate.

Children were playing among the crowd, holding lanterns and smiling innocently. Young men and women were enjoying the lanterns, whispering to each other or smiling at each other, full of affection. In the night sky, fireworks were blooming from time to time, like shooting stars streaking across the sky, dazzling and brilliant.

In a loft in Taibai Restaurant, an elegant man in white was sitting in front of a zither, playing the "Rainbow Skirt Song".

The big strings are like a rain, and the small strings are cut like a whisper.

Cut the wrong bullets, and the big beads are falling into the jade plate.

When the song was over, the people in the attic praised it loudly. The man in white waved his hand and said, "Everyone go down. Shen Cong stays."

All the men and women went downstairs, leaving only a man in blue. He bowed to the man in white and said, "Shen Cong thanks the Fourth Master for saving my life."

The man in white walked to a table of prepared food and wine and sat down, waving his hand: "We are all members of the Shen family, so there is no need to be polite. I am the head of the family, so I will naturally protect you."

It turned out that he was Shen Yihuan, the patriarch of the Jiangnan Shen family. He was dressed in a flowing white robe, elegant and calm, with a high and upright nose and bright eyes. With his unparalleled stature and bearing, one could tell at first glance that he was a leader.

"If it happened in Jiangnan, this wouldn't have happened." Shen Cong said.

"So, we still have to work hard." Shen Yihan stared at Shen Cong and asked, "You should have some experience after coming out this time, right?"

A cold light flashed in Shen Cong's eyes, and he nodded heavily: "Our Shen family needs to continue to grow. Fourth Master, my suffering this time is nothing, but it makes me sober."

"Very good!" Shen Yihuan pointed to the bustling capital outside the attic, "Sooner or later, our Shen family will come here."

A sneer appeared on Shen Cong's lips: "The emperor in the palace doesn't know that Jiangnan belongs to our Shen family, right?"

Shen Yihuan stood up, leaning against the railing, looking at the huge palace in the distance, and chuckled: "When I, Shen Yihuan, resigned from office, I told myself that even if I don't jump into the Dragon Gate, or become a general or a prime minister, I can still call the wind and rain! Humph, treating officials as a joke and looking down on the king's laws, isn't that great!"

"Fourth Master, I heard that the emperor is going to implement new policies in Jiangnan." Shen Cong frowned.

"That depends on who has the final say." Shen Yihuan's eyes flashed, "Jiangnan will bury his new policies, and even bury the new emperor! Humph, the officials of the capital, big and small, are just pawns."

He stretched out and clenched his hands, as if everything was in his control.

……

The palace was preparing for the emperor's wedding. However, this was not the emperor's first wedding. The twelve prisons, four departments, and eight bureaus in the palace, collectively known as the 24 yamen, all knew what to do and were not panicked.

There hasn't been a wedding in the palace for a long time, and the atmosphere has become much more relaxed.

Zhu Qizhen himself did not think it was that important, and his mind was focused on government affairs. Today, he summoned Xu Youzhen, Li Bing, Ke Qian and Shen Manqing, because the four of them were going to Jiangnan to take up their posts tomorrow.

After some explanation, Zhu Qizhen's eyes fell on Shen Manqing and said with a smile: "Tanhua Lang, you are a local, you must show your hospitality when you go there. Use your connections and resources that you can use to help Xu Youzhen."

Shen Manqing was not nervous at all. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my best to assist Master Xu. If he wants the most beautiful women from all over Jiangnan, I will help him find them."

"When you play the preface, please be careful with your words." Xu Youzhen glared.

Zhu Qizhen laughed out loud: "Well, well, with a rich young man like you, I can save some money. Tanhualang, your family is the richest in Jiangnan, how much money do you have?"

Shen Manqing spread her hands: "You'd have to ask my dad! I really don't know, he guards his son like a thief."

"You're quite funny." Zhu Qizhen asked with a smile, "What if, if your father is really a big thief, what would you do?"

Shen Manqing shrugged: "Then I will definitely tie him up and show my filial piety."

Zhu Qizhen nodded with a smile: "What a filial son!"

He laughed loudly, turned his gaze to Ke Qian, and said, "Top Scholar, your essay is well written. I have read it several times. This time, follow Lord Xu and learn well."

"I obey your order." Ke Qian bowed.

Zhu Qizhen glanced at the four people and said, "When you go to Jiangnan, write more memorials to me. You can tell me anything."

The four of them bowed again and then left the hall.

Zhu Qizhen looked at their backs and was actually very nervous. He didn't know whether this four-person group could implement the new policy in Jiangnan.

……

British government.

Today is the day of Naji and Nazheng. The Queen Mother sent the chief and deputy celestial officials. They entered the Duke of Yingguo's mansion holding Fengjie and Fengzhao in their hands, accompanied by a guard of honor and a drum band.

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, decrees that, I have heard that emperors since ancient times have been prudent and virtuous, and have kept the palace in order to assist in internal affairs. I would like to ask you, Xu, the granddaughter of Duke Zhang Fu of England. You are filial and respectful by nature, and have a good manner. I will dedicate you with gold and seal you as the virtuous consort." Zhang Jingshu, who was dressed in a red phoenix robe, bowed.

"Conferring the certificate!"

The Heavenly Official presented the Book of Virtuous Consort to Zhang Jingshu, and she reached out and took it in her hand.

"bye!"

Zhang Jingshu bowed and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."

This was considered the canonization ceremony, and after that, they would get married on a fixed date. After seeing off the two heavenly officials, Zhang Jingshu came to her grandfather Zhang Fu's room.

"Grandpa, it's settled now. Don't worry about it anymore," she said softly.

Zhang Fu's cloudy eyes were filled with tears: "Jingshu, you have suffered so much."

Zhang Jingshu shook her head and smiled: "This is all for the Zhang family. Only in this way, no matter who wins in the future, the Zhang family can be preserved. As for my granddaughter, I am willing to sacrifice myself for the Zhang family."

"It's all grandpa's fault." Zhang Fu cried, "And now it implicates you too, cough... cough... cough..."

Zhang Jingshu quickly walked behind him and patted his back gently.

She secretly said in her heart, Grandpa, I will help the fake emperor to secure the throne. Only in this way can the Zhang family be preserved. You are a little too loyal.

……

February 19th is a good day for weddings, opening of new businesses, groundbreaking, and praying for blessings.

Today is the day of the emperor's wedding. At dawn, the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City sparkle in the sun. Above the palace gate, a large red lantern hangs, swaying gently in the wind. The red carpet stretches from the palace gate all the way to the front of the Qianqing Palace. On both sides stand civil and military officials in gorgeous court robes, holding tablets and looking respectful, waiting for the arrival of the newlyweds.

The interior of the Palace of Heavenly Purity was decorated in a magnificent manner, with a specially designed dragon and phoenix wedding hall in the center, covered with brocade embroidered with dragon and phoenix patterns, and all kinds of rare treasures placed around it.

Inside and outside the palace walls, the fragrance of flowers filled the air. Palace maids walked around with flowers in their hands, and from time to time they gently scattered the petals in the basket into the air, and the petals fell like rain.

Finally, the newcomer arrived.

Zhu Qizhen wore a crown with a five-clawed dragon pattern and a flat crown with twelve tassels on his head, looking majestic and noble.

Zhang Jingshu and Sun Zhenzhen wore nine-green and four-phoenix crowns on their heads, and wore wedding gowns with four-sided auspicious cloud patterns, as well as blue-red shawls with golden and beautiful cloud and phoenix pearl patterns, looking dignified and elegant.

Zhu Qizhen held Zhang Jingshu's hand with his left hand and Sun Zhenzhen's hand with his right hand, and walked slowly towards the main hall. In the main hall, the empress dowager was wearing a Yanju crown and clothes, looking at the approaching new couple.

"Let's perform the ceremony of marriage in the same carriage." The female official's words fell melodiously, and the wedding ceremony officially began.

In the middle of the hall, a red table stood out, with several exquisite plates on it. Zhu Qizhen, Zhang Jingshu, and Sun Zhenzhen walked towards the table together, each picked up a piece of food from the plate in the middle, and tasted it together, symbolizing that they were now one.

Afterwards, the palace maids came forward with fine wine in their hands and slowly poured the wine into the double-mouthed wine glasses prepared for the ceremony. Zhu Qizhen first picked up the wine glass, took a sip from one side of the glass, and then passed it to the palace maid. The palace maid then passed the double-mouthed wine glass to Zhang Jingshu and Sun Zhenzhen on the other side, who also tasted the wine from the other side of the glass, implying that the three of them shared the joy and blessings of the moment.

"Restore your position." The female official's voice sounded again, and the three of them changed from sitting to standing, preparing for the next step of the ceremony.

"Bow!" Following the female official's instructions, Zhu Qizhen, Zhang Jingshu and Sun Zhenzhen raised their hands and bowed their heads to each other at the same time, expressing mutual respect and love between husband and wife.

After the couple bowed to each other, it was time to pay respects to their parents. The three of them turned to face the Queen Mother and bowed respectfully.

"Respectfully present dates and chestnuts." The ceremony continued, and the three of them held up a flower bowl. The Queen Mother personally grabbed a handful of red dates and chestnuts and put them into their bowls, implying a blessing for them to have a son soon.

Finally, the female official sang loudly: "The ceremony is over, send her to the bridal chamber."

The Queen Mother looked at the backs of the newlyweds, with a fake smile on her beautiful face. Suddenly, a pain surged in her chest, and she almost lost her balance. Shuangxi, who was standing beside her, supported her.

"Empress Dowager~" Shuangxi shouted nervously.

"It's okay." The Queen Mother gritted her teeth.

……

Changchun Palace.

This is the bedroom of Concubine Zhang Jingshu. Zhu Qizhen entered the bridal chamber, and the red candles added a romantic atmosphere. His eyes fell on the bride, whose curves were graceful and exquisite, and whose waist was bound very slenderly, showing a desirable perfect curve. Especially her sitting posture, with a straight back, showing elegance and nobility.

"My wife~" Zhu Qizhen lifted the red veil.

Zhang Jingshu looked up. She was wearing a phoenix crown and a red robe. She was bright and beautiful. Her eyes blinked, captivating. She opened her red lips slightly: "Husband~"

Zhu Qizhen's heart moved, he stretched out his hand to pull her up, and held her in his arms: "Today is our big day, we have to drink the wedding wine."

The two raised their glasses, crossed their arms, and looked at each other. After drinking the wedding wine, Zhang Jingshu helped him go behind the screen and said, "Husband, wash off the smell of alcohol on your body first."

She was gentle and considerate, and Zhu Qizhen felt that he finally had a wife. He lay in the bathtub, with his eyes slightly closed in the mist, his heart filled with happiness.

The sound of footsteps came quietly into Zhu Qizhen's ears. He looked over and saw that Zhang Jingshu had changed out of her dignified wedding dress and was wearing a white underdress. Her pair of white and tender feet stepped lightly on the ground, and she tiptoed slightly, making her figure look taller and more graceful, and her skin was as delicate as cream.

The long black hair was skillfully coiled behind her head with a hairpin, and a few strands of hair fell carelessly, adding a touch of young woman's charm to her. Her beautiful face looked even more moving at this moment, and her facial features were extremely beautiful.

"You are so beautiful."

Zhu Qizhen pulled her directly into the bathtub.

Soon, ripples appeared on the water surface.

……

Kunning Palace.

The Queen Mother stood in front of the window. All the candles were blown out. She stood in the darkness. A huge emptiness and loneliness came over her, as if to swallow her up.

"I am the Empress Dowager of the Ming Dynasty!"

She kept reminding herself in her mind to get rid of the distracting thoughts that kept coming in. She squatted down and curled up under the window, her black hair messed up by her.

However, those damn distracting thoughts kept coming back to her, and the more she tried not to think about it, the clearer the picture became.

torment!

It was not until late at night that she fell asleep in extreme exhaustion.

At this moment, Yonghe Palace.

Sun Zhenzhen sat in her bedroom in her wedding dress until late at night. She knew the emperor would not come tonight. She slowly got up and prepared to wash up.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open and Zhu Qizhen walked in, his voice full of apology: "Sorry for the long wait. There is nothing I can do."

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty understands." She said in a low voice.

Zhu Qizhen walked up to her and lifted her red veil. There were traces of tears on Sun Zhenzhen's beautiful face. She smiled brightly at the emperor: "Your Majesty, you are here. I thought you would be with Sister Jingshu."

"Well, today is also our wedding day." He pointed at the wine glass and said, "Come, let's drink to each other's cups."

Sun Zhenzhen pursed her red lips, picked up the wine glass, the two looked at each other, crossed their arms, and drank the wedding wine. Zhu Qizhen spread his hands and smiled: "Then from today on, you are my concubine."

"Yeah." Sun Zhenzhen nodded shyly.

Zhu Qizhen rubbed his waist.

On such a happy day, the bride cannot be neglected. No matter how hard or tiring it is, you have to persevere.

……

The next day.

Zhu Qizhen brought Zhang Jingshu and Sun Zhenzhen to Kunning Palace to pay respects to the empress dowager. This was a courtesy. The maid Shuangxi hurried forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, the empress dowager...she is not feeling well, so there is no need to pay respects today."

"Ah? What's wrong? Have you called the imperial physician?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

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(End of this chapter)