Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 258 The Demon Queen's legs softened slightly, enduring the pain
She was wearing a neat, elegant palace dress, with dignified makeup and graceful manners, except for the faint freckles on her face. She walked lightly to the emperor, bowed slightly, then held up the teacup with both hands, with the handles facing the emperor.

Zhu Qizhen raised his eyes, reached out to take the teacup, took a sip, looked at the palace maid with a half-smile, and suddenly snorted coldly: "Do you know your crime?"

The palace maid was so frightened that she knelt down immediately.

The eunuch chief Cao Jixiang, who was not far away, was shocked, thinking that the maid had served tea improperly and offended the emperor. He was about to step forward and reprimand her, but was stopped by Zhu Qizhen.

"I... your servant... don't know, um, no, your servant... admits her guilt, please Your Majesty..." The maid was obviously panicked.

Zhu Qizhen smiled slyly: "Weren't you very brave last time? Are you scared now?"

It turns out that this maid is Xiyao. She is the only one in the harem who calls the emperor "little eunuch". Xiyao lowered her head, her face was pale, and her voice was trembling: "Your Majesty, the last time I saw Your Majesty, I felt like the sun was shining on my head. I was so scared that I spoke nonsense."

"Haha, you're just fooling me... keep fooling me." Zhu Qizhen held his forehead with his hand, "You're still under the scorching sun, where did you learn that?"

Xiyao raised her head bravely: "It's in the book, Your Majesty, I don't know, and ignorance is not a crime."

She complained in her heart, who knew that you, an emperor, would wander around? You didn't even bring your maids and eunuchs with you. I mistook you for a eunuch, I am wronged, okay?
Alas, my youth is going to be wasted in this deep palace. Serving you tea? I never served tea to my parents when I was an emperor. You are so great, emperor.

"Okay, not guilty, get up." Zhu Qizhen raised his hand.

Xiyao's bright eyes blinked again and again. She thought she was finished and complained a lot in her heart, but she didn't expect that the emperor would really spare her.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." She stood up and bowed.

Zhu Qizhen looked at her with interest and said, "Go back and wash off the freckles on your face. If you don't show your true face to the emperor, it will be a crime of deceiving the emperor, and you will be executed along with your entire clan."

"Ah?" Xiyao was startled.

Zhu Qizhen glared at him and said, "What? I heard everything you and Jingwen conspired under the tree that day when you called me little eunuch."

Xiyao's face fell: "Your Majesty, you said you were fine, why are you wandering around? You have changed my whole life, I am so wronged..."

"Cough cough!" Cao Jixiang was so scared that he interrupted by coughing.

Xiyao reacted and knelt down hurriedly: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have spoken nonsense again."

Zhu Qizhen was very upset: "You are lucky to have met a wise emperor like me, otherwise, you will not survive one episode."

"Ah?" Xiyao raised her bright eyes, full of confusion.

"Go away." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand speechlessly. He was going to continue reviewing memorials.

……

Xiyao retreated.

Zhu Qizhen winked at Cao Jixiang, meaning don't punish her. The maids in this palace are too well-behaved, and he thinks it's not bad to have a rebellious and cute one occasionally.

"Which ones need urgent approval?" he asked, pointing at the table full of memorials.

Cao Jixiang quickly took out a few books and handed them to the emperor. Zhu Qizhen reviewed them very seriously, knowing that his comments would be a big deal in the local area.

The last one was Ning Rongrong's secret report. He suddenly realized that Ning Rongrong hadn't made a secret report for a while, and he had been busy with the war in the northwest recently and hadn't paid attention.

In the memorial, Ning Rongrong introduced the current situation. She has actually controlled Kyushu, but she did not come to the fore, but controlled three puppets, namely the Otomo clan, the Ryuzoji clan, and the Shimazu clan.

She didn't want to attract the attention of other daimyo in Japan, or the attention of the Kyoto Shogunate. Her current identity was still a merchant, doing business with daimyo from all over the country.

After reading it, Zhu Qizhen agreed very much.

Ning Rongrong was an outsider after all. If she stood out too much, she would definitely attract the attention of other daimyo and the shogun, who would unite to destroy her. She needed to be patient for a few more years until the Onin War, when all parts of Japan were in chaos, and that was when she would show her strength.

Having Jiuzhou as our base is enough. We should accumulate strength in secret first.

At the end of the letter, Ning Rongrong mentioned Chao Xiaotian's Daming Trading Company, saying that their forces in Nanyang were willing to fully cooperate, and she even wanted to invest in Daming Trading Company.

"This woman is really smart." Zhu Qizhen said after reading it, "She is also very accurate. Following the Ming Trading Company, her caravan will become more and more powerful."

He pondered for a long time, then picked up his pen to write a reply to Ning Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong might not be controlled in the future, but at least she could still be used now to contain Japan. Also, she hoped that the Jianwen clan could return to the Central Plains, and she could use this to control her.

"If you really become the queen of Japan, I won't be able to do anything to you." He muttered to himself.

……

Ming Trading Company.

The territory was expanded again, and a large area was acquired by Xiaotian, because the number of people in the company increased. The number of people coming and going was almost the same as that in the East Market, but it was in an orderly manner.

Chao Xiaotian was meeting guests. He usually didn't meet guests now, and those he wanted to meet were distinguished guests. The person he met today was Qi Feng, the head of the Qi family and Qi Shu's father.

"The route to the Western Regions has been cut off, so I have stockpiled all my goods." Qi Feng sighed.

"Uncle Qi, don't worry. We can go by sea. My current fleet can go to Southeast Asia and the West." Chao Xiaotian said arrogantly, "I will take care of all your cargo."

Qi Feng was overjoyed, but there was still a look of regret on his face: "There will be no access to the Western Regions in the future? Didn't the imperial court conquer Dunhuang? It should be better than before."

He leaned closer to Xiaotian and lowered his voice, "Because the imperial court is preparing to use military force against Chagatai, they must not allow the supplies to pass through."

"Can you really command troops? I thought it was just a rumor." Qi Feng said in surprise.

"Of course I will use troops!" Chao Xiaotian said proudly, "I'm just telling you, this is what the Jinyiwei told me. So, I now use sea transportation."

Qi Feng nodded slowly, and then smiled: "Thank goodness for you, Xiaotian."

"Uncle Qi, why are you being polite to me? We are a family..." Chao Xiaotian stopped here.

Qi Feng looked at him and said with a smile, "We are a family, right? Xiaotian, I am willing to sacrifice my dignity. What happened between you and Shu'er? You are both not young anymore, right?"

"Uncle Qi, I will definitely marry Miss Qi." Chao Xiaotian said affirmatively, "But I have to wait for my master to come and propose marriage for me. I don't have parents, so my master and his wife are my parents. They have been busy recently, and they said they will arrange my marriage in the first half of the year."

Qi Feng listened and nodded in agreement: "You should listen to your master and mistress. I will meet them when the time comes. We will be a family from now on."

"Yes, Uncle Qi." Chao Xiaotian said happily.

……

In a house somewhere in the west of the city.

In the secret room, Rabbit Mask came in and saw Deer Mask sitting there alone. He asked, "Why, you see me alone again? I'm the weakest in Junshan Society, why do you keep looking for me?"

"Because you are the most useless." Deer Mask spread his hands, "Can you interfere in the affairs of the court?"

Rabbit Mask sat down speechlessly and nodded: "I can't do anything about the court, Brother Lu, you should give the order, what is it?"

"Doing business, big business." said the Deer Mask.

"What business? Why are we still doing business? The emperor has fled to Chagatai, so we, Junshan, will give up, right? It's time to do business? That's great." The Rabbit Mask was excited.

Deer Mask sneered and his voice became serious: "Doing business is also for the purpose of bringing back the emperor. Go do business with Daming Trading Company and build a good relationship with Chao Xiaotian. You are good at this."

Rabbit Mask was even more confused and asked, "What does this have to do with Chao Xiaotian?"

"Chao Xiaotian's current caravan can go to Southeast Asia and the West." Deer Mask said in a deep voice, "When the time comes, we can bring the emperor back to the capital from the sea without anyone noticing."

"Ah?" Rabbit Mask was shocked.

The cloudy eyes of the Deer Mask suddenly became sharp.

In his heart, he admired Boss Rat. He had planned two moves, and the emperor could choose either one of them and return to the capital quietly.

"Should I continue with the vassal king's side?" asked Rabbit Mask.

"You just need to pass the message and wait." Deer Mask chuckled, "Those vassal kings of the Zhu family are the most entangled. They must be on the side of the true emperor in their hearts."

Rabbit Mask snorted disdainfully: "Bullshit, I feel like they are only doing it for themselves."

The eyes of the deer mask flashed with sadness.

……

The night was intoxicating, and the Defei's bedroom was filled with a faint fragrance like orchid.

The white curtains swayed violently with the wind blowing from the window. After a while, they slowly calmed down and swayed slightly.

On the phoenix couch, the beauty is as white as jade.

De Fei was like a soft octopus, nestling on Zhu Qizhen's broad chest, with a silky light flowing in her eyes. She raised her beautiful face, full of deep tenderness and love. She spoke softly with a lazy and charming tone, with a hint of resentment: "I am afraid that Your Majesty has forgotten me. I only see the new people laughing, but never hear the old people crying."

Her jade-white fingers rested lightly on his arm, as if she wanted to pinch it to show her dissatisfaction, but she couldn't bear to do it. In the end, she could only gaze at him resentfully with her affectionate eyes.

Like a resentful woman, she bit her lips lightly and said, "The newly appointed concubines are all younger and prettier than me, right? Your Majesty, you haven't come to my palace for a long time. Fortunately, Chao'er is here to accompany me."

Is this... jealousy?
That’s good. If no one in the harem is jealous of me, how can I show my charm as an emperor?
He complained in his heart but glared at her unhappily. He slapped her on the butt, which made Defei feel painful. He snorted, "I am the emperor. I can't be sentimental every day. Besides, I also need to be restrained, otherwise my body will easily collapse." "I understand. I just miss Your Majesty." Defei blinked her beautiful eyes, and her soft black and white eyes were misty.

Zhu Qizhen was curious. Emperor Taizu had more than twenty sons and more than a dozen daughters. He also reviewed memorials until late at night every day. How did he live so long?
He is worthy of being called the model worker Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Your Majesty, I've cooked some soup for you to nourish yourself." Concubine De lay in his arms with a tender and affectionate look on her face, her eyes full of spring.

"Want to do something bad again?" Zhu Qizhen slapped her again, making her fair skin turn red.

"No." De Fei exclaimed softly, pursed her lips, and said with a little cry: "I am concerned about your majesty. Your majesty works hard day and night. You need to take care of your health."

Zhu Qizhen had a smile on his face.

He came today to comfort Concubine De. She had also given birth to a prince, and he couldn't let her feel that the emperor had forgotten her just because he had a new concubine.

"Your Majesty, it's a rare occasion for you to come to my palace."

Concubine De gazed at him affectionately with a pair of hazy and seductive eyes, then she stood up slowly and gracefully, and gently held his hand with her slender jade hand. Her neck was raised, and her graceful lines were as proud and pure as a white swan. Her waterfall-like black hair swayed gently in her movements, and every strand of it exuded endless charm and style.

……

The sun shines brilliantly on the winding and undulating mountains like fine brocade, and pays special attention to the palace hidden in the green. Around the palace, mountain flowers are in full bloom. Looking around, this is not the mortal world, but a fairyland lost in the world.

In this colorful sea of ​​flowers, the Queen of Demons is running and playing in a plain long dress. The dress is light and elegant, swaying gently in the wind, contrasting with the gorgeous flowers around it, yet still retaining its unique elegance. Her hair, which is not overly decorated, is as smooth as silk and falls casually to her waist, adding a bit of casual charm and agility to her.

The Queen of Demons has a graceful figure, strolling among the flowers, occasionally caressing the delicate petals, with a gentle smile and a crisp laugh, and her eyes are full of tenderness. In this blooming mountain flower, she is not only not overshadowed by the brilliance of the flowers, but she is even more beautiful than the flowers. The breeze in the mountains and forests seems to become more gentle because of her, blowing gently, carrying the fragrance of flowers.

"Shuangxi, come here quickly." The Demon Queen waved to Shuangxi who was in a daze in the distance, "This flower is so beautiful, I'll bring it to you."

Shuangxi was stunned for a moment, then walked over and got in front of the Demon Queen. She raised her eyes slightly and looked at the Demon Queen in front of her. Her skin was rosy and tender, and there was not a single wrinkle on her beautiful face.

The sunlight fell on her, creating a circle of light.

It was so beautiful that she was stunned.

The Queen put the flower on her head, stretched out her hand to pinch the dazed Shuangxi, and said with a smile: "Why are you like him, drooling over me?"

Shuangxi's pretty face instantly turned red, and she said hurriedly: "This servant... is rude."

Damn~
The Demon Queen held Shuangxi's cute face in her hands, kissed him, and said, "Why are you so nervous? Do we need to worry so much about each other? Shuangxi, I have to thank you for always staying by my side."

"My queen, can I hug you?" Shuangxi stared at her and said.

"Ah?" After a moment's surprise, the Demon Queen opened her arms.

Shuangxi reached out and hugged her, resting her head on her shoulder, tears welling up in her eyes, and she swore in her heart: "My lady, I will definitely protect you."

"Alright, Shuangxi." The Demon Queen gently pushed her away, "You've made me embarrassed."

Shuangxi smiled and said, "Madam, let's go make some cakes."

"Okay." The Demon Queen took her hand and ran towards the palace.

Back at the palace garden, the two began to make cakes. When they were done, the sun had already set. The demon queen took Shuangxi to the palace hall to admire the sunset.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report to you." Shuangxi's eyes dropped, "The eunuch who delivered the food today brought news that the imperial army has already conquered Dunhuang."

The Demon Queen was slightly surprised: "Did you catch anyone?"

Shuangxi shook his head and said, "Dunhuang is an empty city."

The Demon Queen didn't seem surprised at all, and said calmly, "They must have gone to Chagatai. They naively thought that they could use the Timurid Empire and the Golden Horde to stop the imperial army."

"Can't this be stopped?" Shuangxi asked.

The Demon Queen didn't seem to be worried. She spread her hands and said, "It can't be stopped. The Ming Dynasty is now truly at its peak. No one can stop it!"

Shuangxi frowned, and the Demon Queen smiled and patted her on the shoulder, saying, "Let's go and have some cakes. This is the first time I've made them myself."

The two returned to the yard and saw a man squatting on the steps with a freshly baked pastry, eating it in big mouthfuls. Shuangxi was surprised: "Your Majesty?"

The demon queen rolled up her sleeves and pounced on him with her fangs and claws bared: "Little thief, give me back my cakes!"

……

Dark as ink.

Zhu Qizhen sat up from the couch and rubbed his face with his hands: "I slept till night."

He came to the palace on the mountain in the evening, and had some fun with the Demon Queen, Shuangxi, and played with water in the yard. When the Demon Queen was soaked, he became furious and was about to use violence.

Seeing that she was about to be in trouble, the demon queen pulled out Shuangxi and pushed him and Shuangxi into the room. Alas, poor Shuangxi, who had been tormented for an hour. Now he was sleeping soundly with a frown on his face.

Zhu Qizhen got off the bed quietly, put on a robe and went to the front hall.

The purple curtains fluttered in the wind, and a faint fragrance wafted from the exquisite incense burner.

A soft and silky blanket covered half of the hall. At this moment, the demon queen, wearing a white gauze undergarment, leaned elegantly on the soft mat, her figure graceful and curvy. Her white wrists, as white as snow and frost, gently stretched out, supporting a beautiful and charming face. Her beautiful eyes were wandering, and she was flipping through an ancient book with a bit of laziness and casualness. Perhaps because the content of the book did not arouse her interest, a faint boredom appeared on her face.

The noble temperament that she inadvertently revealed was breathtakingly beautiful, especially the mature charm she exuded, which made men fascinated and unable to control themselves.

Zhu Qizhen, who walked in, happened to see this scene. He was immediately attracted by her temperament. He walked over quietly, came to her side and admired her.

The Queen, who was reading quietly, had a special charm. She showed a unique style and charm. When ordinary women read, they might reveal the beauty of intellectuality and gentleness, and a quiet and elegant temperament; but at this moment, the Queen exuded an indescribable grace and elegance. This extraordinary demeanor was obviously not something that could be created overnight, but only after many years of life as a Queen Mother, it could be slowly precipitated and accumulated.

Because of this, the beauty of the queen has not been eroded by time, but has become even more radiant, bright and beautiful, making people fall in love with her.

The demon queen saw the shadow and discovered him.

Zhu Qizhen quietly sat down behind her, gently extended his arms and wrapped them around her slender waist, gently holding the lying beauty in his arms, and spoke with full respect: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"How dare you, little thief, blaspheme me!"

The enchanting queen was held in his arms, her beautiful eyes instantly flashing with tenderness, but she did not offer any resistance. Instead, she nestled in his broad arms, slightly opened her red lips, and spoke coquettishly with the unique majesty of a queen mother.

Zhu Qizhen raised his eyebrows, his heart trembling at the word "blasphemy" from the witch queen's mouth. He unconsciously increased the strength of his hands and hugged her tightly: "How dare I be rude to the queen mother? It's just that I saw that the queen mother was exhausted and felt pity for her, so I came to serve her a little."

"Little thief, how are you going to serve me?" The Demon Queen casually threw the book in her hand aside, and took the initiative to wrap her arms around his neck. She raised her beautiful face slightly, close to his ear, and raised her eyebrows teasingly, as if she was provoking, but also tempting.

"I will do my best and devote myself to your service!" Zhu Qizhen spoke righteously, and then his fingers unconsciously reached out to the thin belt that bound her waist, wanting to gently untie it.

Snapped!
The Demon Queen reached out and opened his hand, glaring at him: "Little thief, I knew you had bad intentions. Shuangxi can't satisfy you? Why do you still want to tease me?"

"How can Shuangxi compare to you?" Zhu Qizhen bit her red lips.

After a long time, the demon queen was as pale as mud, her face flushed red: "Little thief, you are still quite honest, stand still, sister will help you."

She knelt up, raised her mature and charming face and glared at him in a charming way.

After a long time.

The Demon Queen pushed him away, stood up, ran to the side with her long legs, and drank some clean water with both hands.

Zhu Qizhen stood there in a neat and tidy manner, adjusting his clothes while saying solemnly, "I still have to go back to review memorials."

"Are you so busy?" The Demon Queen washed her face with clean water, walked over, leaned on his back, and put her slender white arms around his waist.

Zhu Qizhen turned around and hugged her gently.

He felt that the Demon Queen seemed to be becoming increasingly insecure, and she seemed reluctant to leave during these visits.

"I am the emperor of the Ming Dynasty." He explained softly.

"I know." The Demon Queen's legs softened slightly, and she endured the pain and leaned closer.

Zhu Qizhen slapped her buttocks, which hurt her. Her charming eyes were full of reproach. He glared at her, "You spendthrift woman, what do you know? The empire is so big now, and there are so many things to do. I can't be a tyrant."

"What does it have to do with me?" The Demon Queen felt pain and bit her lips lightly. She twisted her graceful and beautiful body in his arms and said in a soft voice.

Zhu Qizhen was very upset: "Hey, you don't care about anything now?"

The Queen sighed: "I am a spendthrift woman, what can I do? What else can I do?"

She had a feeling in her heart that this fake emperor didn't seem to want her as urgently as before. Was it because he had a new concubine? Did he lose interest in me?
"Or else, I'd better move back to the palace," she said.

"Ah?" Zhu Qizhen was startled.

Seeing his expression, the Demon Queen stretched out her hands and slapped him repeatedly, snorting, "I knew you didn't want me to go back, and you wanted to leave me on this mountain."

Zhu Qizhen had no choice but to grab her hands and do a domineering wall-bang, and only then did she calm down.

(End of this chapter)