Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 180 Your Majesty, the Emperor of Ming! How Can You Kill Your Mother?

Prince Qing's Palace.

Zhu Qiyu hurried to the backyard and found Wu Xingdao reading in the pavilion. A cool breeze blew by, and Wu Xingdao did not stand up to salute, but just raised his head and greeted him, "Your Highness." Zhu Qiyu did not think he was rude, he respected this military advisor very much.

However, he looked solemn and did not speak after sitting down, as if he was thinking about something terrible. Seeing this, Wu Xingdao put down the book and laughed loudly: "Your Highness, at this time, you need to be low-key and steady. Don't be anxious no matter what happens."

Zhu Qiyu turned to look at Wu Xingdao and said in a deep voice: "I went to the palace to pay my respects to the Queen Mother and learned that the false emperor sealed the Queen Mother's Kunning Palace and the Queen Mother was under house arrest."

"What?" Wu Xingdao stood up suddenly and asked anxiously, "The fake emperor sealed the empress dowager's palace? How could this be? He... the fake emperor is too bold, isn't he?"

Zhu Qiyu shook his head: "I don't know what happened. The spies in my palace don't know the details. I only know that the fake emperor and the queen mother had a big fight."

Wu Xingdao, who was always calm, panicked and asked anxiously, "Is the fake emperor going to attack the queen mother?"

Zhu Qiyu was shocked: "If he kills the Queen Mother, then no one in our Zhu royal family will be able to escape."

"Your Highness, we can't let him kill the Queen Mother." Wu Xingdao panicked, "Otherwise, the next person he'll kill is you, and the other princes of the Zhu family. The fake emperor wants to kill all the Zhu family members and secure his throne."

Zhu Qiyu was also frightened by what he said, and spread his hands: "But what can I do?"

Wu Xingdao pondered for a moment and said, "It can still be saved. The fake emperor must admit to the outside world that he is a descendant of the Zhu family, otherwise, he will not be able to sit on the throne. Then he must do things according to the rules. He wants to kill the queen mother, what crime has the queen mother committed? She is the queen mother, and nominally his mother. Prince, you have to unite the ministers and force the fake emperor to release the queen mother and respect her."

"Most of the ministers in the court nowadays were promoted by the false emperor. Will they listen?" Zhu Qiyu frowned.

"Of course!" A cold light flashed in Wu Xingdao's eyes. "Throughout history, which emperor dared to seal the empress dowager's palace? Does the fake emperor want to learn from Cao Rui, a rebellious son, and kill the empress dowager? The ministers will not agree with it, and the people of the world will not agree with it. The fake emperor dare not risk the world's disapproval!"

Zhu Qiyu stood up suddenly and said, "I will go to discuss with the ministers right away. I will first go to the chief minister Shang Lu, and then go to the crown prince's assistant Yu Qian."

He left in a hurry. After Wu Xingdao watched him leave, he fell into a chair, his eyes full of fear.

……

The lobby of the Ministry of War.

As soon as the King of Qing left, Yu Qian, with a gloomy face, came out and walked on the stone road outside the hall, and ran into Shang Lu. The two looked at each other and asked in unison: "Has the King of Qing looked for you?"

The two sighed and walked side by side on the stone road for a long time without speaking. Finally, Shang Lu spoke first: "Your Majesty, this is not okay. We have to persuade you."

Yu Qian's eyes were sharp: "Is he really going to kill the Zhu family royal family?"

Shang Lu was so scared that he looked around and lowered his voice and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Before your Majesty... makes a mistake, we have to go and persuade your Majesty. How can you seal the Queen Mother's palace? The Queen Mother is the mother of the Son of Heaven. Isn't your Majesty committing treason?"

"Why did they suddenly seal off the palace?" Yu Qian wondered, "Before, Your Majesty and the Queen Mother were at least at peace on the surface. Now that the Ming Dynasty is facing internal and external troubles, we need them to continue to maintain peace."

Shang Lu was furious: "How would I know? The key now is to stop His Majesty. If he really kills the Queen Mother, it will be a big trouble. It is unjust."

Yu Qian turned around and stared at Shang Lu and said, "You go first, I'll go last."

Shang Lu was stunned: "Why? Let's go together and put some pressure on His Majesty."

"You go and try first!" Yu Qian spread his hands. "If it doesn't work, I'll go and scold His Majesty directly. Do you dare?"

Shang Lu agreed decisively: "Okay, I'll go first. If your majesty insists on doing it his own way, no one in the court will agree."

Having said that, he left in a hurry.

Yu Qian stared at his back and stood there for a while, frowning: "Your Majesty and the Queen Mother are not impulsive people, why did you suddenly explode?"

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen was reading a memorial from Zhang Lun of the Southeast when the eunuch Cao Jixiang reported that Shang Lu, the chief minister of the cabinet, wanted to see him. Zhu Qizhen put down the memorial and guessed why Shang Lu came.

Shang Lu was an impatient person. After he came in to pay his respects, he went straight to the point: "Your Majesty, I heard that the Queen Mother is ill?"

"Yes." Zhu Qizhen remained patient. "She needs to rest. Ministers should not go to Kunning Palace to disturb the empress dowager while she is recuperating."

Shang Lu continued to ask: "What disease is the Queen Mother suffering from? Have you asked the imperial physician to see her?"

Zhu Qizhen began to get impatient: "It's an old illness, just rest and it will be fine."

"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has made great contributions to the Ming Dynasty and is the mother of the Emperor. Her illness is a big deal." Shang Lu said, "How can the imperial physician not go to treat the Queen Mother? Even if she needs to rest, she must follow the imperial physician's advice..."

Zhu Qizhen interrupted directly: "Medicine is three-quarters poison, the Queen Mother does not need to take medicine, just take care of it."

Shang Lu also became anxious and asked, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother is recovering from illness, why did you seal off Kunning Palace?"

Zhu Qizhen sneered in his heart.

He knew that the news of sealing Kunning Palace would spread sooner or later, but he didn't expect that even the Prime Minister knew about it so quickly. He waved his hand fiercely: "I don't want anyone to disturb the Queen Mother."

"Your Majesty, we are not three-year-old children anymore." Shang Lu became more and more courageous. "You sealed up the Queen Mother's palace. Why? Did the Queen Mother commit a heinous crime? Then you have to announce it to the world. Otherwise, if you seal up the Queen Mother's palace at will, Your Majesty... you are unfilial!"

Snapped!
Zhu Qizhen slammed the imperial table and was furious: "You want to meddle in my family affairs?"

Shang Lu said in a coaxing voice: "The emperor has no family affairs!"

Zhu Qizhen: “!!!”

Damn you! You dare to contradict me directly? If I were a tyrant, I would have your head in a minute.

"Shang Qing, the Queen Mother is tired. She just needs to rest for a while. You can go back." Zhu Qizhen's tone softened.

"How long do you need to rest? The imperial physician must give you a prescription and a time limit. All of this needs to be recorded, Your Majesty." Shang Lu said.

Zhu Qizhen waved his hands in anger and said, "Okay, I'll ask the imperial physician to see it tomorrow and give me a prescription, okay?"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Shang Lu bowed respectfully and was about to leave.

Zhu Qizhen stopped him and asked, "Have you in the cabinet read Zhang Lun's memorial? What are the rules?"

Shang Lu said calmly: "The fight against the Japanese is of great importance, so of course it has priority. If you need food, give it to us, and if you need people, give them to us."

Zhu Qizhen smiled and said, "Very good. Go back and give me a detailed report on where the food and people come from."

"As you say." Shang Lu stepped out.

He hurried back to the cabinet to discuss Zhang Lun's memorial with the ministers. At this time, the eunuch chief Cao Jixiang came and said to them: "Your Majesty has given an oral order."

Everyone knelt down and listened to the order.

Cao Jixiang continued to announce the decree: "Shang Lu, the chief minister of the cabinet, is the head of all the ministers, but he does not know etiquette. When he entered the room, he stepped with his left foot first. This is extremely disrespectful. He will be fined for three months."

Shang Lu: “???”

……

dusk.

Zhu Qizhen came to Kunning Palace as usual, and stopped at the gate. Shuangxi came out of the palace, and when she saw him, she was overjoyed and bowed: "Your Majesty, you are here, I have prepared dinner."

"How is the Queen Mother these days?" he asked.

"Well... not very good." Shuangxi lowered his head.

Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly: "Not eating again? Then you have to let her eat."

Shuangxi pursed his lips and shook his head: "It's not that I don't eat, the Queen Mother is just too busy. She gets up early in the morning and takes a walk in the garden, then eats, and then picks up the flowers and plants. She eats again at noon, takes a short nap, reads and writes, and then eats dinner."

Zhu Qizhen was slightly surprised and snorted, "Isn't this good?"

"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother is too normal, which is abnormal." Shuangxi's big eyes were full of worry. "In the past, when you quarreled, the Queen Mother either refused to eat or got angry."

Zhu Qizhen rolled his eyes: "It means she has figured it out."

Shuangxi took a few steps forward and pleaded, "Your Majesty, just go and coax the Queen Mother. Women need to be coaxed. The book says that it is normal to have some bumps in life."

Zhu Qizhen held his forehead and said, "You should read less idle books. I am leaving, please take good care of the Queen Mother."

Shuangxi wanted to pull the emperor away, but she didn't dare. The emperor was furious and gave her a marriage to a soldier, so she had to leave the queen mother. She watched the emperor leave, sighed softly, and returned to the palace.

The Queen Mother supported her head with one hand, leaning lazily on the cushion reading a book, her long hair cascading down behind her. Her skin looked even whiter against the backdrop of her black hair, and her temperament was noble and graceful.

Shuangxi envied the queen mother's beauty. He slowly walked to her, offered her a cup of hot tea, and said, "Queen Mother, His Majesty just came."

The Queen Mother suddenly turned her head and looked towards the entrance. She didn't see the familiar figure. Her eyes dropped and a sad look flashed across them: "Come to see if I'm dead? Tell him that I'm fine."

Shuangxi nodded weakly: "The servant said so."

Queen Mother: “???”

What a stupid servant! No wonder he didn't come in even when he was at the door. You have to make him worry about me.

"His Majesty still cares about the Queen Mother. He asked if you had eaten and ordered me to take good care of you." Shuangxi continued, "I can see that His Majesty actually cares, but he looks angry."

The Queen Mother sighed softly, "This time it's not just a matter of anger."

……

Hall.

Merchants coming to Beijing would stay here, so it was very lively.

As the president, Ning Rongrong was busy with business every day. The weight of her words as a member of the Ning family could influence all the wealthy merchants. The bigwigs of the Huizhou merchants, Shanxi merchants, Fujian merchants, and Jiangsu merchants all gave her some face.

At this moment, Ning Rongrong was having a secret conversation with Liu Molin of Weiyuan Escort Agency. Although he was the chief escort, Liu Molin was extremely respectful to Ning Rongrong and said, "Mr. Ning, we are sending escorts to the northwest again. It is not a good thing for us to be too involved in the court's affairs." Ning Rongrong smiled slightly, "What can we do? We have no choice. However, we have to make some arrangements. They are sending escorts to the northwest, and we have to get in touch with the person in the northwest."

Liu Molin's eyes lit up: "What should we do?"

Ning Rongrong pondered for a while and said, "We need to have a branch in Dunhuang and place our people in Dunhuang."

Liu Molin nodded slowly: "This is easy to handle. The people in Dunhuang are hoping that we can have someone directly in contact with them. But... the inspection in Shaanxi and Gansu is very strict. If something goes wrong..."

Ning Rongrong spread her hands and said, "What are you afraid of? The bigwigs in the court will help us solve it. Besides, we have all kinds of travel permits and all the qualifications. If the government wants to investigate, they should check the court first."

Liu Molin didn't hesitate and clasped his fists: "I will listen to Mr. Ning."

Ning Rongrong smiled slightly. At this time, there was a knock on the door and the maid's voice came: "Miss, Master Zhu is here."

"Take him to my room and serve him tea. I'll be there later." Ning Rongrong said.

Liu Molin was secretly shocked. Who was this Mr. Zhu? He went directly to the Ning family's boudoir?
Ning Rongrong didn't care about Liu Molin's expression, and continued to explain the precautions for this escort, and finally emphasized: "If something goes wrong, let the people below take the responsibility first."

"Don't worry, Mr. Ning. If things really don't work out, my Weiyuan Escort Agency will take care of it and will never implicate you." Liu Molin said affirmatively.

Ning Rongrong waved her hand and Liu Molin stepped out.

……

Zhu Qizhen was drinking tea in Ning Rongrong's boudoir. This was not the first time he had come in, so he was quite familiar with it. Ning Rongrong's boudoir, like her, had a simple and elegant temperament.

The light in the house is soft. Through the intricately carved window frames, a few rays of warm sunlight lazily sprinkle on the smooth floor.

In a corner of the room, there is an antique pearwood desk, on which are neatly stacked several thread-bound books, the scent of ink faintly emanating from the pages. Beside it, a blue-and-white porcelain brush washer lies quietly, and next to it are several carefully selected brushes, the tips of which lightly touch the paper.

There is an elegant ink painting hanging on the wall. In the painting, mountains and rivers are interdependent, surrounded by clouds and mist, and the artistic conception is profound, just like the feeling Ning Rongrong gives people, with both extraordinary temperament and gentleness and delicacy. Next to the painting, there are two lines of clear and beautiful small regular script inscriptions, with beautiful handwriting, revealing the extraordinary talent of the owner.

On the other side of the room was a simple yet elegant embroidered couch, covered with a soft quilt embroidered with elegant orchid patterns. Beside the couch, a small copper incense burner was emitting a wisp of smoke, and the air was filled with a light sandalwood scent, which made people feel peaceful.

By the window, a pot of orchid is quietly blooming, its leaves are as green as jade, and the flowers are pure white, which contrasts beautifully with the breeze and bright moon outside the window, adding a bit of nobility and elegance.

Zhu Qizhen sat at a small table by the window, holding a cup of warm tea in his hand. For some reason, he felt more peaceful here than anywhere else in the palace.

crunch~
The door was pushed open, and Ning Rongrong, wearing a light blue dress, walked in and bowed to Zhu Qizhen: "I, a commoner, pay my respects to Your Majesty."

The long skirt dragged on the ground, and the slender waist was bound with a thin belt, making her look more graceful. Her soft waist was slightly bent, waiting for Zhu Qizhen's instructions.

Zhu Qizhen walked over and picked her up.

A wife is worse than a concubine, and a concubine is worse than a thief.

Zhu Qizhen has been somewhat obsessed with this feeling recently, although he can't be considered stealing.

Half an hour later, Zhu Qizhen hugged Ning Rongrong tightly, and the two of them were wrapped together in the quilt. Ning Rongrong's skin was rosy, and she looked more charming than usual, and her elegant and cold temperament made her even more attractive.

However, there was a complex expression of weakness and resentment between his brows. Zhu Qizhen stretched out his hand and wiped it, saying: "Don't be sad, we are already de facto husband and wife, maybe you will have my child in your belly."

Ning Rongrong panicked for a moment, then touched her belly with a more complicated expression. She raised her eyes and said, "If I really have a child, I won't go to the palace. I will raise it myself."

Zhu Qizhen had a strange smile.

This woman is really nice. She doesn't ask for alimony or any property.

"Your Majesty, have you been coming to my place too often recently?" Ning Rongrong raised her head, her black hair falling down.

"I miss you." Zhu Qizhen said without hesitation.

Ning Rongrong said shyly with tears in her eyes: "Can you not be so fancy next time?"

Zhu Qizhen laughed out loud, thinking that there were still more movements that needed to be unlocked. The teachers in the C drive of the computer in his previous life had taught him many postures.

"Let me ask you something. When the King of the Chamber of Commerce ships goods to the northwest, to whom are they delivered?" he asked.

Ning Rongrong leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "It's just normal trade. Although the Silk Road is not as prosperous as it was during the Han and Tang Dynasties, it is still open. Our goods will be sold to the Western Regions. Your Majesty, in fact, whether it is the Western Regions or the West, the East, or the South, they all need our Ming silk, tea, porcelain, etc."

Zhu Qizhen nodded slowly: "Trade is a foregone conclusion. Emperor Taizu took it for granted that he could just box in the Ming Dynasty and develop on his own. Closing the country to the outside world will kill future generations. Trade and opening the sea are both necessary."

Ning Rongrong's arms, as white as lotus roots, were around his neck, and she said, "Your Majesty is wise."

She pursed her lips, her eyes revealing a hint of weakness and resignation.

Say she likes Zhu Qizhen?
When he was still Zhu Wusi, he might have had a good impression of her, but it was not to the point of love.

Now that they have physical contact, she will always remind herself that the person in front of her is a fake emperor.

For her, emotional matters are a luxury.

She just wants revenge!
If she could get revenge, she would be willing to sacrifice herself.

……

Half a decade had passed, and the Empress Dowager's Kunning Palace was still sealed. The ministers could no longer hold back. Even if the Empress Dowager was recuperating, there had to be a rule. How could the palace be sealed?
The censors of the Censorate submitted memorials one after another. Starting from the Hongwu Emperor in the early Ming Dynasty, the censors were given extensive and important powers in the system, such as admonishing the emperor, influencing the public opinion, impeaching officials, and inspecting the local areas.

These censors all had a great ambition, which was to leave their names in history. In order to leave their names in history, it would be better if they were beheaded by the emperor. Facing these censors who were willing to risk their lives, Zhu Qizhen could only appease them.

He really had no reason to seal the Empress Dowager's palace, and the censors were still under control. This matter was considered treasonous. But he just wanted to punish the Empress Dowager, and it would be best to lock her up in Kunning Palace and prevent her from causing trouble.

Besides, he also wanted to calm down, playing with the Queen of Demons, he felt like he was about to get himself into trouble. The Queen of Demons' extremely mature woman's charm made this passionate young man unable to control himself.

After the morning court, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen read more than a dozen memorials in a row, all of which were about the Empress Dowager. He threw them down and said, "Is there no government affairs in my Ming Dynasty?"

At this time, the eunuch Cao Jixiang came to report: "Your Majesty, the Duke of Ying wants to see you."

Zhu Qizhen was stunned. Why did this old man come? Wasn't he dying of illness?

"Xuan!" He waved and sat up straight.

After a while, the white-haired Duke of England came up to the palace. After paying his respects, he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I have something important to report. Please dismiss your attendants."

Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, and the eunuchs and maids on his left and right retreated. Then, the Duke of Ying, who was kneeling in the hall, stood up, walked straight to Zhu Qizhen, and asked angrily: "You sealed the Queen Mother's palace, what do you want to do?"

"What?" Zhu Qizhen looked coldly, "I have encountered three assassination attempts. Who planned it? Who knows my whereabouts?"

The Duke of England sneered: "That's your own fault. What does it have to do with the Queen Mother?"

Zhu Qizhen stood up suddenly, stared at the Duke of Ying coldly and asked: "Junshan Society, is it related to her? Is it related to you? The Jinyiwei couldn't find the assassin who assassinated me. Haha, there is also Junshan Society, and the Jinyiwei couldn't find it either. Who in the Ming Dynasty has such a great ability?"

"You are incompetent, so you put all these things on the Queen Mother?" The Duke of England was not afraid at all. "Humph, you can't kill the Queen Mother. Otherwise, you will be finished! The civil and military officials in the court will not support you, and the people of the world will not support you either."

Zhu Qizhen said fiercely: "I have soldiers in my hands!"

Duke Ying laughed loudly. He stared at Zhu Qizhen and said, "How can the emperor of the Ming Dynasty kill his mother? Who would be loyal to such a rebellious emperor? Who dares to be loyal to him?"

Zhu Qizhen also sneered: "I am not that stupid. People can die in many ways."

"Your Majesty, if you have the guts, try it!" Yingguo said. "The whole court is full of civil and military officials, and the people of the world are all fools. The history books of later generations will not forgive you. Don't tell me that you are a false emperor. Don't you want to make it come true? Then you will bear the infamy of Zhu Qizhen for all eternity!"

Zhu Qizhen was startled.

I am Zhu Qizhen, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

No! I am the fake emperor! Why would I care so much?
"Ah~" He suddenly felt a tearing pain in his head.

The Duke of England stood in front of the imperial table, with an imposing manner: "Your Majesty, I call you Your Majesty. If you want to kill me or rob me, I will wait for you in the mansion. Queen Mother, you can't touch me!"

After saying that, he turned around.

……

Night, Changchun Palace.

Zhu Qizhen lay in the soft arms of Concubine Xian, enjoying the massage of her jade hands, with his eyes slightly squinted.

"Jingshu, you also think that I shouldn't seal the Queen Mother's palace, right?" he asked softly.

"Yes." Concubine Xian nodded. "This is actually not good for your Majesty. The Queen Mother is no longer the regent, so there is no need to worry about her. Almost all the ministers in the court and the country support your Majesty. If your Majesty appoints the Queen Mother, it will have the opposite effect. They are all ministers who have read the books of sages and are benevolent and filial. They will not betray the words of the sages, at least not on the surface."

Zhu Qizhen rubbed his eyebrows.

The idea was to trap the aspiring scholars and put all the smart people in the world into the cage of eight-legged essays, so that they could study the chapters and sentences and study the classics until they were old. By setting rules for scholars, they were also setting rules for the emperor.

In the eyes of scholars, there is already a clear definition of what a sage monarch should be like. Emperor, you can't be a sage monarch, and you still want to rebel? Then they will rush in.

"Are you going to make me bow my head?" Zhu Qizhen snorted.

"Your Majesty, how about I go and see the Queen Mother first?" Concubine Xian smiled, "If the concubines go and pay their respects to the Queen Mother first, the court officials won't have such big opinions."

Zhu Qizhen nodded: "Anyway, this time, I will not compromise and cannot let the Queen Mother leave the palace."

The virtuous concubine frowned slightly, as if she was thinking about something.

……

Ps: I will write one chapter today. I have to go to the hospital soon. Every time I look for a doctor on Baidu, I get numb. I'll go to the hospital and check it out.

(End of this chapter)