Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 252 The Demon Queen’s eyes were filled with tears: You are bullying me again!

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen sat on the dragon throne, his eyes swept over the cabinet ministers and the ministers of the Ministry of War. He smiled slightly and said, "There are rumors coming from Dunhuang recently. Look, they are scolding me again, and they are quite sharp."

He winked at Cao Jixiang, who then handed the prepared memorial to the ministers in the hall for circulation. Zhu Qizhen drank his tea leisurely, seemingly unperturbed.

"Your Majesty, I don't believe a word of this rumor. Where are the six vassal kings? They are all fake, just like the fake emperor." Xu Youzhen bowed, "Your Majesty, you have a kind heart, but the people in Guanxi took advantage of your kindness and slandered you again and again. This is intolerable! Your Majesty, send troops to pacify Guanxi and completely wipe out those traitors."

Zhu Qizhen laughed secretly in his heart.

He is worthy of being my trusted minister. He understands my intentions very well and can even find a reason to send troops to Guanxi.

"Your Majesty, I second the motion." Duke of Jing Chen Mao bowed.

Then, Shi Heng, Yang Guifang, Li Xian, Li Bing, Ke Qian, Chen Xun, Yang Shan and other ministers all seconded the proposal. Zhu Qizhen was still very pleased, at least these Ming officials supported him on the surface.

Yu Qian, who had been silent the whole time, spoke up: "Your Majesty, I request to lead the army to attack Guanxi."

Zhu Qizhen was slightly surprised that Yu Qian really volunteered.

"Your Majesty, Duke Xia is old, and the northwest is bitterly cold, so please let us young people take charge of the battle. I request to lead the army." Yang Guifang bowed.

Shi Heng also stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please let me go. Duke Xia has to stay in the capital. Yang Guifang, don't come and compete with me."

Zhu Qizhen secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, these two people jumped out to argue, otherwise he really didn't know how to reject Yu Qian. He smiled and waved his hand: "There is no rush. Let me think about it. You go back and prepare first."

As he spoke, he stood up and spread his hands: "Don't worry, I don't really care. After so many years, I believe that the people of the world have their own judgment. Although, they scolded quite harshly, which also shows that they are guilty."

The six vassal kings listed seven major crimes against this fake emperor.

One is to pretend to be the emperor; two is to kill the royal family; three is to kill officials; four is to suppress the gentry; five is to exploit the people; six is ​​to be murderous; seven is to disrupt the harem.

Behind each major charge, there are evidences listed. To sum up, the false emperor should be executed along with his entire clan.

-

At dusk, the gorgeous sunset fell on the palace. Inside the palace, all kinds of flowers were more dazzling under the reflection of the setting sun, emitting bursts of fragrance, a scene of flowers blooming and golden splendor.

Zhu Qizhen walked on the imperial road, but felt an indescribable loneliness. In the empty courtyard, every stone slab, every carved beam and painted building seemed to be whispering. The afterglow of the setting sun stretched the shadow of the palace wall, deep and distant.

The wind gently passed through the well-arranged palace, bringing a hint of coolness. The palace gate was lightly closed, and light came through the cracks. Zhu Qizhen frowned and came to Kunning Palace.

The Queen was wearing a dress embroidered with blue and white flowers, standing by the window, she was more beautiful than the flowers. When she saw Zhu Qizhen coming in, she blinked her bright eyes and said, "Let's go to Jingyi Garden to play for a few days, okay?"

Zhu Qizhen walked over, hugged her waist from behind, buried his head in her fair neck, kissed her, and said, "Not recently, too busy, you can go with Shuangxi, it is said that there are already mountains and fields of flowers over there, very beautiful."

"So busy? What happened?" The Demon Queen turned around, hooked her fair wrist around his neck, and looked at him with tenderness in her beautiful eyes.

Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "I can't hide it from you, just take a look."

As he said this, he took out a book and handed it to the Demon Queen. The Demon Queen's expression changed slightly, and she picked it up and looked at it. After scanning it, her eyes dropped and she sighed softly: "This day has finally come, and we will have to fight face to face after all."

"Yeah." Zhu Qizhen nodded.

The demon queen lowered her head, her hair falling on her beautiful cheeks. Her skin under her slender neck was as white as jade. A breeze blew past, and bursts of fragrance came. She raised her eyes and asked, "Can I ask you for a favor?"

"Speak." Zhu Qizhen nodded.

"When the time comes, can you spare his life?" the Demon Queen asked in a low voice.

"No!" Zhu Qizhen answered straightforwardly.

The Demon Queen was stunned for a moment, looking at him with tears in her eyes. She smiled sadly, "I knew it."

"Of me and him, only one can survive." Zhu Qizhen spread his hands. "If I fail, do you think he will let me go?"

The Queen opened her arms and hugged him, with tears in her eyes, charming and weak, and her mature charm was fascinating. Zhu Qizhen went forward to hug her, but she stepped back and said, "Go ahead, I'm going to Jingyi Garden today, I want to be quiet, I don't want to know these news."

Zhu Qizhen paused and nodded: "Okay!"

After saying that, he turned and left. The Demon Queen raised her head and looked at his back, two lines of tears streaming down her face.

-

The next day, morning.

Zhu Qizhen announced that he would conquer Guanxi, and all his ministers supported him.

He also announced the news from Dunhuang in the court. These things could not be concealed, so he simply announced them to see the attitude of the ministers.

All the officials cursed the fake emperor of Dunhuang and the so-called six vassal kings, saying that they were definitely fake. Zhu Qizhen felt that it was absurd because he was the fake one, but he was still very relieved. At least the situation in the court and the country was basically in his favor. These years were not in vain.

After leaving court, he first summoned Shi Biao, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In recent years, Jinyiwei has vigorously cultivated the navy and has a complete set of routines to control public opinion. Zhu Qizhen ordered Shi Biao to take action, just to say that the legitimate emperor of Dunhuang and the six vassal kings were fake. As for how to make up the story, it depends on them. There can be many versions, and they must spread all over the country.

"Your Majesty, don't worry, I will do it immediately." Shi Biao said confidently, "No one in the people below will believe what is happening in Dunhuang. Besides, they have lived well these years because of Your Majesty. As long as we tell them a story, they will firmly believe in Your Majesty."

Zhu Qizhen nodded in satisfaction and explained more. Just as Shi Biao was about to leave, Chen Mao, the Duke of Jing, came to the palace in a hurry, holding a spy report in his hand, and reported: "Your Majesty, there may be trouble in the southwest. The local tribal leaders are colluding with the Duan family of Dali, and they want to take advantage of the court's march to the northwest, and Your Majesty is caught in the dispute between the true and the false. They are going to start a war."

"Someone actually responded." Zhu Qizhen's face was as cold as ice.

"Your Majesty, we have to be on guard." Duke of Jing Chen Mao said, "They certainly don't dare to start an army right away. They have to wait and see what happens in the northwest."

Zhu Qizhen was not flustered. He tapped the table with his fingers, his eyes lit up and he said, "In this way, I order Yu Qian to be the commander-in-chief of the southern expedition and lead the new army southward."

His purpose was to transfer Yu Qian away and prevent him from going to the northwest. Moreover, he could train new soldiers at the same time. He was sure that the chieftains and the Duan family in Yunnan would not dare to rebel at this time, so he could use Yu Qian to frighten them.

-

Late at night, Changchun Palace.

After some tossing and turning, Zhu Qizhen hugged Concubine Xian and slept together. Concubine Xian leaned against him tightly, her charming eyes were full of spring, and there was a strange sticker on her belly.

That thing is used for contraception. Zhu Qizhen only learned about it recently. It is considered to be a new knowledge. That thing is called a belly patch, which contains musk and can be used for contraception.

Zhu Qizhen was a time traveler and knew that there should be at least two or three years between the first and second births, otherwise it would be bad for a woman's health. However, he also knew that musk should not be used frequently.

But in this era, the contraceptive methods are either medication or massage, but massage techniques are not necessarily effective. Another way is to use condoms, but Zhu Qizhen really doesn't want to use the crudely made condoms.

"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has gone to the Jingyi Garden Palace." Concubine Xian said softly.

"Well, if she wants to go, let her go." Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly, "Otherwise, it will save us from quarrels. Now that you are in charge of the harem, it's just right, so that I can have a reason to support you as the queen in the future."

Xian Fei pursed her lips and said, "Your Majesty, while the Queen Mother is away, do you want to start the selection of concubines?"

Zhu Qizhen was stunned. He didn't expect that Concubine Xian would take the initiative to bring it up. He chuckled and said, "That's fine. That will be hard work for you."

In order to prevent the interference of foreign relatives in government affairs and strengthen the imperial power, the Ming emperors preferred to select concubines from the common people rather than from the families of court ministers. This practice was intended to reduce the interference of the harem in government affairs and ensure the stability of the imperial power.

The system of selecting concubines is strict and complicated, and usually includes the following steps:

Open Selection: When the emperor decides to select a concubine, he will immediately announce it to the world and stop all civil marriages. Then, he will send eunuchs to various places to select young girls of appropriate age, usually 5,000 people. These girls will go to the capital with their parents for selection, and the travel expenses, accommodation, food and other expenses during the period will be borne by the Ministry of Revenue.

After arriving in the capital, these women will undergo a preliminary selection. The preliminary selection is mainly conducted by eunuchs, who will eliminate women who do not meet the requirements in terms of height, weight, body shape, etc. through visual inspection and simple physical examination. Usually about a thousand people will be eliminated at this stage.

The women who passed the preliminary selection would enter the re-selection stage. The re-selection was more detailed, and the eunuchs would carefully observe the women's facial features, hair, skin, etc. They would also ask the women to report their age and place of origin to check their voice and manners. About two thousand people would be eliminated at this stage.

The women who passed the re-selection will enter the selection stage. This stage mainly examines the women's temperament, gait, charm, etc. The eunuchs will use a ruler to measure the size of the women's hands and feet and observe their gait and behavior. At this stage, about a thousand people will be eliminated, and the remaining about a thousand people will become palace maids.

After becoming palace maids, these women will undergo more rigorous physical examinations to ensure that they are healthy and free of disease. At the same time, they also need to be observed in the palace for more than a month to examine their temperament, style, intelligence, stupidity, and virtue. During this stage, women will be further eliminated, and finally about 50 people will be left.

The remaining fifty people will be personally selected by the Empress Dowager or the Concubine Dowager, and a few will be chosen from them for the Emperor to appoint.

"In the end, it was the Queen Mother who came out." Zhu Qizhen frowned.

"Your Majesty, don't forget that there is a dowager concubine in the harem." Concubine Xian smiled slyly.

-

Zhu Qizhen thought that he would need to persuade Yu Qian to lead the southern expedition, but Yu Qian readily agreed. He led 30,000 new troops and set out with the Western Expedition Army.

Zhu Qizhen personally went to see him off, and the two said goodbye at the city gate. Yu Qian, sitting on horseback, bowed to Zhu Qizhen on the dragon chariot and said, "Your Majesty, I promise that there will be no chaos in the southwest. Your Majesty, please take care of yourself."

At this moment, Zhu Qizhen felt that Yu Qian's words were full of meaning. However, it was not a good idea to ask more questions in this situation. He smiled proudly and said, "I believe in Duke Xia. I am in the capital, waiting for your triumphant return." Yu Qian clasped his fists and led the army to set off.

The ministers who came to see him off were all confused. Didn't the chieftains and the Duan family in Yunnan rebel? Why did they march south? Besides, there was the Mu Mansion in Yunnan. Their family had been guarding Yunnan for generations, so nothing serious would happen.

Zhu Qizhen looked at the army going away and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Yu Qian left, Yang Guifang would definitely be the commander-in-chief of the Western Expedition. Then everything would be easy to control.

On the way back to the palace, Zhu Qizhen passed by the Hongwu Military Academy. He got off the dragon chariot and went to the Hongwu Military Academy. Duke of Jing Chen Mao, Duke of Zhong Shi Heng, Marquis of Wu'an Zheng Hong and Yang Guifang followed him.

After inspecting the area, Zhu Qizhen said, "I suggest that the military academy also select a team to participate in this Western Expedition, and let them go to the battlefield to gain experience."

"Pay attention to this." Yang Guifang clapped her hands.

Duke Chen Mao of Jing nodded and said, "Then I will select a group of people to train those little brats."

Zhu Qizhen was extremely excited and hoped that more talents would emerge from the Hongwu Military Academy.

-

Jingyi Garden, a palace on the mountain.

The Queen stood in front of the palace with a graceful figure. The spring sunshine gently shone on her body, dignified and elegant. She raised her hand slightly, and her fingertips seemed to touch the light mist floating above the capital, and seemed to be able to capture the trace of prosperity drifting from the city.

Looking down from the top of the mountain, the capital city is grand and prosperous. The magnificent palaces, the well-arranged buildings, and the bustling streets are all shining brightly in the sun. The carriages and horses shuttling through the streets, the bustling crowds, and the laughter floating in the air are a picture of prosperity and prosperity.

The demon queen's eyes wandered over the capital, and she couldn't help but feel an inexplicable emotion in her heart. This city has witnessed countless rises and falls, and she knew very well that behind this prosperity, there were countless secrets and disputes.

"Should I destroy it?" she asked herself.

Once the war breaks out and the Dunhuang army really arrives at the gates of the city, the people will still suffer. She shook her head vigorously and smiled bitterly: "How is it possible? The current imperial army is no match for the Guanxi army. What I should worry about is Dunhuang's poor and cowardly son."

The breeze blew, blowing up her soft hair and fluttering her long skirt. She was as beautiful as a fairy. Shuangxi was stunned for a moment before walking in and bowing: "Your Majesty, there is news from the mountain that His Majesty has started to select concubines."

"Choosing a concubine?" The witch queen frowned slightly and snorted, "I've only been here for a few days, and he can't wait."

Shuangxi continued, "It was Concubine Xian's idea, and the reason she gave is understandable. Your Majesty needs to expand his family. Taizu had more than 20 sons, and Your Majesty has always taken Taizu as a role model."

The Demon Queen snorted and waved her hands: "Forget it, I can't stop them, so let them choose. In the end, it's still up to me, the Queen Mother, to decide."

Shuangxi pursed his lips and continued, "There is one more thing. Duke Xia led his army to the south today."

"I deliberately sent Yu Qian away." The demon queen's eyes were cold, "Yu Qian must be eager to leave the capital, which is a dangerous place. Alas, how many people really want to help the real emperor?"

Shuangxi lowered his head and dared not answer. After a moment of silence, he said, "My lady, it's windy here. Let's go into the palace."

"It would be better if you were sick." The Demon Queen said in an angry tone.

Shuangxi stepped forward to support her and said softly, "Your Majesty will be busy for a while and will come to see the queen."

The Queen sighed and shook her head: "Shuangxi, I really don't want him to come this time. Shuangxi, if I live in the temporary palace and stay away from all the troubles, will you accompany me?"

"Of course." Shuangxi nodded affirmatively.

-

The Queen stood there for a while, wrapped herself in her outer clothes, and returned to her room in the palace, ready to sleep. As soon as she entered the room, she felt something was wrong. There was steam coming out from behind the screen, and there was the sound of water.

She was not afraid, but raised her lips slightly and went straight behind the screen. As expected, Zhu Qizhen was lying comfortably in the bathtub, blinking at her: "Bathing in this mountain is a different feeling."

"Why are you here?" The Demon Queen glared.

"Of course I miss you. When we had a quarrel, I was the one who took the initiative to comfort you. You have never taken the initiative once." Zhu Qizhen said angrily, "Why are you standing there? Come and help me rub it. Alas, I am so tired recently."

He placed his arms on the edge of the tub and closed his eyes.

The Queen smiled and walked behind him, stretched out her delicate hands, and gently pressed his shoulders. The water in the bathtub was very hot, and the steam made her wet.

"I'm so sleepy." Zhu Qizhen tilted his head back and looked at the Demon Queen.

She was wearing a thin white long dress, which seemed to be wet at the moment, revealing her plump and beautiful figure. Her mature and charming cheeks were flushed with a blush, not sure if it was due to the heat or shyness, but her eyes were full of tenderness, and her soft little hands were kneading his shoulders.

"How long will you stay here?" Zhu Qizhen reached out and held her little hand, asking gently.

"I don't know. Maybe I won't return to the palace. Anyway, the harem won't need me anymore." The Queen's long eyelashes trembled slightly.

Zhu Qizhen looked very aggrieved: "That won't work. If you're not here, where can I eat dinner? I haven't eaten yet today."

The demon queen raised her lips slightly and asked, "Are you hungry?"

Zhu Qizhen looked into her beautiful eyes and smiled evilly: "I'm hungry, let me eat your bottom."

The demon queen glared at him, her eyes dodging: "Wait a moment, I'll let Shuangxi give you the bottom."

"I want your bottom." Zhu Qizhen did not let go, his eyes burning.

The demon queen bit her lips lightly, her beautiful eyes filled with shame, anger and helplessness. She glared again and said, "Don't bully me. I have come to hide in this palace."

Wow!

Zhu Qizhen stood up and hugged her in his arms. The queen was reluctant to resist, but she was also willing to accept him. Her pretty face was flushed, and her body was extremely delicate. She seemed light as a feather when he held her.

"You missed me a lot, right?" Zhu Qizhen put his arm around her slender waist with a smile on his face.

"No!" The demon queen reached out and grabbed Zhu Qizhen's dishonest hands, glaring at him with her beautiful eyes.

Zhu Qizhen smiled playfully, and held her tightly with his arms, saying, "If you don't miss me, I'll go find Shuangxi."

His palm slid over and squeezed her waist hard. The Demon Queen was in so much pain that tears welled up in her eyes and she collapsed in his arms.

"Stop it, you are here to bully me, right?" The demon queen said tenderly, as if she was acting like a spoiled child.

Suddenly, Zhu Qizhen let go of his hands in disappointment, pushed her away, and said in a tired tone: "Well, I shouldn't have come."

The demon queen staggered back a few steps, almost losing her balance. The sadness and loss in her heart intertwined into an indescribable shame and anger. She stared with tears in her eyes, with both helplessness and accusation. For a moment, she was at a loss, neither standing nor sitting. She could only stare at the ruthless and shameless enemy in front of her with her beautiful eyes!

She bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, and in her pair of charming eyes that seemed to be able to captivate people, there was a mixture of shame and anger. This emotion made her even more irresistible. The charm revealed between her brows was enough to turn everyone upside down, especially at this moment when she was wronged. The charm contained in her anger was even more heart-moving.

Her long skirt was completely wet by Zhu Qizhen's hug, outlining her perfect curves and revealing her spring beauty.

"Then go away." The Demon Queen said angrily.

Women just like to say one thing and mean another.

Zhu Qizhen did not blame her this time. He stood up and put on his clothes. He glanced at the demon queen leaning against the wall and said, "Don't worry about living here. I will ask the inner court to provide you with food and clothing."

Having said that, he went out.

The Demon Queen looked at his back, slowly squatted down, held her face in her hands, and sobbed softly.

-

In the imperial palace, in the courtyard.

Zhu Qizhen came down from the palace on the mountain and came directly here to find Alena. He was so angry that he had no place to release it. Alena encountered a violent storm, but fortunately she was gifted and withstood it.

Half an hour later, the house gradually became calm.

Alena sat up and looked at Zhu Qizhen beside her with resentment. Her long legs stretched out from the curtain and fell to the ground.

At this moment, it was dark, and the bright moonlight quietly passed through the window lattice, gently sprinkled on her body, with a soft glow. Her long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, casually draped behind her, setting off her elegant face with a bit of mature charm. A touch of shyness on her face added a bit of moving charm. Her beautiful eyes were shy, and there was a hint of charm flowing in the corners of her eyes, like a light mist, adding a touch of mystery and confusion. A light gauze dress outlined her graceful figure, but it could not hide the beauty that was about to burst out, which was really breathtaking.

Zhu Qizhen supported his head with one hand, and stared at Alena who was standing up slowly. Her posture was really beautiful, so beautiful that it was breathtaking. She was like a mature and charming older sister, especially the enchanting temperament emanating from the inside out, which made people tremble.

"You've just come back from the Queen Mother?" Alena raised her eyebrows. "Did she reject you again?"

Zhu Qizhen said coldly: "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, otherwise, you won't live long in this harem."

Alena blinked: "Do you want me to teach you? I know women best. The queen mother must be subdued. We have many shamans..."

Snapped!
Zhu Qizhen slapped her on the beautiful face, and five red handprints appeared in the blink of an eye.

(End of this chapter)