Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 212 Wedding Night! The Demon Queen: Be a Real Couple

Haojing Island.

A large Portuguese merchant fleet arrived at the bay. They wanted to stay on the island temporarily under the pretext of "borrowing land to dry the flooded goods", so they bribed the Guangdong Provincial Criminal Investigation Department with silver.

However, it was rejected.

The Portuguese were so angry that they drove their fleet straight into the bay and tried to land on the island. The Portuguese leader, Lei Ge, did not take the Ming government seriously at all. Lei Ge's purpose was very clear, which was to occupy the island.

He led more than 30 ships into the bay, with more than a thousand soldiers, all armed with muskets, and the warships were equipped with cannons. This time, he wanted to land on the island by force. When they were about to reach the shore, they found that more than a hundred warships suddenly appeared behind them and blocked the bay.

"It's the Ming navy!" one of the subordinates exclaimed.

Lei Ge's eyes were full of disdain, and he immediately ordered the warships to move forward and prepare to meet the enemy. In his opinion, the Ming navy came at the right time, and if he defeated them once and for all, he would be able to gain a firm foothold on Haojing Island.

On the sea, the waves were rough and the warships of both sides were facing each other.

The Ming warships were majestic, their sails like clouds. On the bows, heavy cannons pointed their muzzles directly at the enemy ships. On both sides of the ships, Ming soldiers held muskets, their murderous intent exposed.

The Portuguese fleet was more flexible, their warships were small and fast, and equipped with advanced firearms. But in front of the huge fleet of the Ming Navy, they seemed so small.

The battle was about to break out, and the Ming navy took the lead. With an order, the cannons on the bow fired a volley, and the cannon fire cut through the sky like thunder, hitting the Portuguese warships directly. The shells drew a series of fiery tracks in the air, and finally landed on the enemy ships, exploding into a piece of water and fire.

The Portuguese fleet quickly adjusted their positions to try to avoid the Ming navy's artillery fire. However, the Ming navy's artillery fire was too dense and they could not avoid it. The warships were hit by shells and the soldiers on the deck fell one after another.

For a moment, the sea surface was ablaze, and blood dyed the sea red. Lei Ge stood at the bow, holding the long sword tightly in his hand, and screamed hysterically, but the situation was already over. He never expected that the Ming navy would be so terrifying and his side would be completely crushed.

……

Beijing, SF Express Escort Agency.

Chao Xiaotian was warmly entertaining a middle-aged man who was wearing a coarse linen shirt but exuded a refined temperament. He was Qi Feng, a famous wealthy businessman in Beijing, who had come to ask Shunfeng Escort Agency to escort him.

Behind Qi Feng stood a beautiful girl, his daughter Qi Shu. Chao Xiaotian's eyes would occasionally fall on Qi Shu, and although Qi Shu was shy, she would occasionally meet his gaze.

"Boss Chao, thank you for your help." Qi Feng stood up and prepared to leave.

Qi Shu stepped forward and said, "Dad, can I stay and ask Gang Leader Chao some questions?"

"Nonsense, you are just a girl." Qi Feng smiled awkwardly at Chao Xiaotian, "I am sorry to make you laugh, Boss Chao. I only have one daughter. If she wants to take over my business, I have to bring her out to show her face."

Chao Xiaotian waved his hands repeatedly: "Girls can also do great things. Mr. Qi knows the Ning family, right?"

Qi Feng smiled bitterly: "Of course I know, I was suppressed by the Ning family in the past two years. Haha, although I am a rival of the Ning family, I admire her in my heart. If my daughter can compare with the Ning family, I will not worry."

"Dad, how do you know I can't?" Qi Shu snorted.

"Forget it, if you want to stay and ask for advice, then go ahead." Qi Feng sighed softly, "You will have to take over the family business sooner or later anyway, you can't just be a lady from a wealthy family."

Chao Xiaotian agreed with a smile: "We are children of the underworld, and we don't care about those vulgar rules."

Qi Shu blinked her bright eyes: "That's right, Brother Chao."

The two looked at each other, and Qi Shu lowered her head quickly, her face slightly red. Qi Feng noticed this scene, and a smile flashed across his lips: "Boss Chao, I'm troubling you again, please send my daughter back when the time comes."

"Don't worry, Mr. Qi." Chao Xiaotian nodded.

Qi Feng strode away, and before leaving, he gave Qi Shu a look.

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen had in his hand the memorial submitted by Zhang Lun. After reading it, he praised loudly: "Well done! We wiped out all the Portuguese in Leigo to teach them a lesson! We welcome you to do business with the Ming Dynasty in the future. If you want to covet our land, you will die!"

He handed the memorial to Xu Youzhen, Li Xian and others. They passed it around and praised it. Xu Youzhen bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Lun has made great contributions in fighting against the Japanese invaders and defeated the Portuguese this time. Shouldn't he be rewarded? Transfer him back to the capital."

Zhu Qizhen understood what he meant. Next year, Yu Qian would lead the Northern Expedition, and the capital would need a reliable general to take charge. He thought for a moment and said, "Zhang Lun should stay in the southeast to control the situation in the southeast."

"Your Majesty, the capital city does need an experienced general to take charge next year," said Li Xian.

Zhu Qizhen pondered for a while, then spread his hands and said, "Isn't there still the Duke of Jing?"

Duke Chen Mao of Jing was the duke with the greatest contributions besides Duke Ying. He also followed Emperor Taizong in the Jingnan Campaign and led Taizong in five expeditions to Mobei. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, he quelled the rebellion of the Prince of Han. A few years ago, he also led his army to quell the rebellion in Fujian.

"The Duke of Jing is almost eighty years old." Xu Youzhen said.

"Just sit there, that's enough." Zhu Qizhen smiled, "If something really happens, there's still me."

Xu Youzhen and Li Xian no longer insisted. After all, His Majesty also fought in the battle to defend the capital.

"Why hasn't Lord Shang attended court these two days?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

"Oh, the elder is sick." Xu Youzhen explained, "It may be because of the cold weather. The elder is old and he caught a cold."

Zhu Qizhen was slightly surprised: "Why didn't you tell me earlier? I'll send the imperial physician to take a look."

"The doctor has checked it out, it's nothing serious." Xu Youzhen smiled, "I have checked it out, Lord Shang has gotten much better, but he still has a cough and is easily sleepy. He will be fine after a few days of rest."

Zhu Qizhen frowned.

He complained in his heart that the time set by Emperor Taizu for court proceedings was too damn early. How could some of the old ministers endure this bitterly cold winter?

……

Changchun Palace.

The layout here is just like the style of Concubine Xian, simple and elegant.

At this moment, Concubine Xian sat upright on a chair, her eyes fixed on the eunuch Wang Yao who was kneeling in front of her, and she asked calmly, "Is the deal with the Portuguese completed?"

"Yes, sir." Wang Yao bowed, "Five hundred thousand rolls of silk, a total of five million taels of silver. Governor Li Bing also sent a fleet to follow those Portuguese to the West, saying it was for an investigation."

The virtuous concubine frowned slightly and snorted, "This Li Bing is a man who knows how to be an official. Where is the five million taels of silver now?"

"Lord Li told me to take him back to the capital and let me handle the matter," said Wang Yao.

Xian Fei was shocked and interrupted him: "You agreed?"

Wang Yao shook her head repeatedly: "How dare I? Your Majesty, you asked me to supervise, not to interfere in local affairs. Although these 500,000 pieces of silk are related to the Weaving Bureau, it should be decided by the local government. I refused at the time, saying that this is the court's money, not the inner treasury's money."

After hearing this, Concubine Xian slowly breathed a sigh of relief: "You did the right thing. Even if the inner treasury needs money, His Majesty has to allocate funds through the Ministry of Revenue. Remember, do not privately transfer money directly to the inner treasury when you are outside."

"I understand." Wang Yao nodded.

Concubine Xian stood up, walked in front of him, and raised her hand to let him stand up. As she walked out, she said, "After the New Year, you will continue to go to the Weaving Bureau and manage it for me. His Majesty has opened the sea, and the business of the Weaving Bureau will become bigger and bigger. Don't let me down."

"I will do my best to serve you, Your Majesty." Wang Yao bowed respectfully, "Your Majesty, before long, you will be the master of the harem, and His Majesty will make you the queen."

The virtuous concubine glanced at him coldly and said, "Don't say a word of this from now on."

Wang Yao nodded immediately, feeling a chill down his spine. His original intention was to flatter Concubine Xian, but he didn't expect her to react like this. Everyone in the palace knew that the Queen Mother had handed over most of the affairs of the harem to Concubine Xian, clearly intending to make her the Queen.

Virtuous Concubine, all that’s left for you to do is give birth to a prince for His Majesty.

……

It snowed during the last court meeting of the year. The snowflakes fell in large numbers, like a fine curtain of beads sprinkled from the sky, pure and cold.

Zhu Qizhen walked out of the Fengtian Hall slowly, and the towering door slowly closed behind him, as if isolating the hustle and bustle and warmth of the world, leaving only silence and coldness. He was wearing a heavy dragon robe and a cloak embroidered with a golden dragon pattern on his shoulders, but it was still difficult to resist the bone-chilling cold in this winter. On the imperial road, the ministers walked fast or slow, and their figures left a series of footprints of varying depths on the snow, which were soon covered by the newly fallen snow. Everyone lowered their heads, either in deep thought or in a hurry, but no one dared to look up and look directly at the emperor who stood at the pinnacle of power. Zhu Qizhen's eyes swept over them, and he couldn't help feeling a sense of loneliness in his heart. Although these ministers were by his side, how many of them could he really trust?
Snowflakes continued to fall, landing on his dragon robe and the ends of his hair. Zhu Qizhen narrowed his eyes slightly, letting the snowflakes blur his vision and all the troubles in the world.

"This kind of weather is perfect for a few good friends to drink and chat, or to find a concubine to have a romance in bed." Zhu Qizhen muttered.

He still decided to go to Taibai Tower to drink. He wanted to find Yu Qian to join him, but then he thought better of it. It would be a different kind of experience to drink alone and enjoy the snow.

Half an hour later, he was already at Taibai Tower. Just as he was about to call the waiter to order food, he turned around and saw Chao Xiaotian sitting by the window.

He was surprised, not because he saw Chao Xiaotian, but because Chao Xiaotian actually brought a girl with him. The two of them looked shy, like a young couple.

"Is this guy trying to pick up girls?" Zhu Qizhen strode straight over.

Chao Xiaotian was talking nonstop. When he looked up and saw Zhu Qizhen approaching, he quickly stood up and said, "Master...Master?"

The girl also stood up with him. She was pure and beautiful, a beauty. Zhu Qizhen glanced at the two of them and smiled: "Who is this girl?"

"Her name is Qi Shu." Chao Xiaotian introduced her, "She is...my...emperor."

He was obviously a little flustered, but Qi Shu was much calmer than him. She bowed to Zhu Qizhen and said, "My humble self, Qi Shu, greets you... Master. I heard Xiaotian often mention you, saying that without you, he wouldn't be where he is today."

"Really?" Zhu Qizhen sat down. "Come, all of you sit down. Miss Qi, today I want to talk to you about Xiaotian. This guy is not a good person."

Chao Xiaotian: “!!!”

Master, please spare me.

……

evening.

The false emperor came back from outside and rushed into Kunning Palace in the cold wind. He shook off the snow on his body and said, "I am freezing to death, I am freezing to death."

As he spoke, he ran towards the Demon Queen who was leaning on the cushion. When the Demon Queen saw him rushing towards her, she felt that something was wrong, and she instinctively stood up to hide. Unfortunately, she failed to dodge, and the Pseudo-Emperor's cold hands held her beautiful face, making her grimace with cold: "I'm going to die, let me go!"

She waved her hands in resistance and slapped the false emperor. The false emperor let her beat him and lowered his head to bite her red lips. Soon, the demon queen stopped resisting and unconsciously hooked her hands around his neck, responding enthusiastically.

After a long while, the false emperor pushed the demon queen away and said, "Ah, it's finally calmed down."

The demon queen was so angry that she pounced on him with her teeth bared. He hugged her tightly in his arms, making her unable to move. The demon queen was so angry that she wanted to bite him.

"Do you know who I met today?" the fake emperor suddenly asked.

The demon queen stopped talking and asked curiously, "Who is it?"

The fake emperor spread his hands: "To Xiaotian."

The Demon Queen rolled her eyes and opened her mouth again to bite him. The Pseudo-Emperor quickly added: "That boy brought a girl with him, the eldest daughter of the Qi family. They looked like a couple."

"Really?" The Demon Queen instantly became interested.

Haha, women just like gossip.

No matter whether she was a modern woman in the previous life or a woman in the Ming Dynasty, even if she was the empress dowager, she was also curious about gossip.

"Qi family? Which Qi family? What does the girl look like? Is she a good match for Xiaotian?" The Demon Queen asked a series of questions.

The false emperor began to speak in a burst of words. After the demon queen listened, she waved her hand and said, "That's good! Although the Qi family is a merchant family, they are rich, and Xiaotian is also a merchant. They are a good match. Then we have to arrange this marriage for Xiaotian."

"They are still in the dating stage. They need to get to know each other first to see if they are suitable for each other." The fake emperor said speechlessly, "Why are you so anxious?"

The Demon Queen was really anxious: "What do you mean by dating? It's up to the parents and the matchmaker. Xiaotian has no parents, so of course you, as the master, have the final say."

"Free love, do you understand?" The fake emperor glared, "Arranged marriages will not lead to happiness."

The demon queen glared angrily: "Where did you see all this?"

The fake emperor spread his hands as if it was a matter of course: "It's always like this in my hometown. We start by dating, holding hands, kissing, and even living together to see if it's a good match. If not, we break up."

The demon queen waved her fist in anger: "You are being a hooligan!"

Suddenly, she realized, could it be that the fake emperor came from the future? Is this what their future will be like?
"Hey, isn't it time for a break?" The Demon Queen blinked her beautiful eyes. "Let's move to the small courtyard. It's just right. I want to learn more about Xiaotian's marriage."

The fake emperor held his forehead and said, "You can go, but don't force Xiaotian."

The Demon Queen stretched out her arms and hugged his neck, her beautiful eyes full of tenderness, with a beautiful smile on her lips: "We are going to get married, and then I will be your wife."

The false emperor put his arm around her waist.

Are you serious this time?
……

The capital city was covered in white after a heavy snowfall, and the patrolling guards of the Five Cities Army were sweeping the snow on the road.

On the bank of Gaoliang River, the small courtyard is filled with joy.

Above the gate of the courtyard hangs a pair of bright red lanterns with exquisite dragon and phoenix designs painted on them, symbolizing auspiciousness, happiness and contentment.

Above the door lintel, a carefully written couplet comes into view, with black characters and gold edges, and vigorous brushstrokes. The upper couplet reads "A happy marriage for a hundred years", the lower couplet reads "A perfect couple made in heaven will prosper forever", and the horizontal scroll reads "Happiness and satisfaction".

Entering the courtyard, the first thing that catches your eye is a wedding path paved with red silk. On both sides of the path are flower pots with auspicious meanings. Although there are no blooming flowers in the pots, the owner has skillfully tied the red silk into huge silk flowers.

In the middle of the courtyard, a carved mahogany table stood out. On the table was a pair of exquisite wedding candles, with intricate patterns carved on them. The candlelight flickered. Next to the table was an incense burner, with incense rising from it, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.

The walls were covered with ribbons and wedding stickers, the window frames were decorated with exquisite paper-cuts, and even the trees in the courtyard were wrapped in red silk, with small lanterns hanging on their branches.

The queen was dressed in a red dress, indescribably beautiful and gorgeous. She stood at the door of the room, looking at the layout of the yard, tears glistening in her eyes.

She is a bride today. Her long black hair is tied up behind her head with a hairpin. The scattered hair makes her look more like a young woman. Her beautiful face is even more charming and her facial features are extremely beautiful.

"Although there are only two of us." The Demon Queen looked at the false emperor standing in the yard and smiled sweetly, "But the ceremony must be completed."

The fake emperor couldn't believe it. After the wedding ceremony, they could become a real couple? Why not hurry up? These unnecessary procedures could be saved.

Shuangxi stood there solemnly and said, "The auspicious time has come, let's welcome the new bride."

The Demon Queen walked up to the fake emperor, her beautiful eyes filled with deep affection. She slowly raised a hand and handed it over. She opened her thin lips and whispered softly, "Husband."

"I am finally going to marry you." The pseudo-emperor reached out and held her hand, then took her hand and walked along the dark red carpet to the mahogany table.

After a set of procedures, she was sent to the bridal chamber.

The Queen sat elegantly beside the bed, with a graceful figure and curvy curves. Her waist was exquisitely tightened, showing her amazing slenderness and outlining a perfect arc. Especially her upright sitting posture, with her back straight, showing her elegance and dignity, and her temperament was extraordinary.

"Are you happy?" The Queen blinked her eyes, charming and seductive, and opened her red lips slightly. Her soft voice revealed a bit of dissatisfaction, and she said in a scolding tone, "I was the one who took the initiative to get married."

She slightly raised her chin, looked at him affectionately, and raised her jade hand to gently stroke his cheek. The false emperor grabbed her jade hand and pulled it into his arms. He was indeed a little impatient.

"We haven't even drunk the wedding wine yet." The Demon Queen glared at him, "I'm not running away, why are you so impatient?"

She walked to the table, picked up the wine jug, glanced at him with her beautiful eyes, and said, "Why don't you come over?"

The fake emperor walked over and toasted with her. At this moment, he saw tears in her eyes. Putting down the wine glass, he gently held her in his arms.

After a long while, he asked, "Can we have the wedding night now?"

(End of this chapter)