Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 259: It is obviously a fake emperor, all the civil and military officials in the court are blind

Daming Trading Company was filled with joy. It turned out that today was Chao Xiaotian's wedding day.

Red lanterns were hung high up, stretching in rows along both sides of the spacious courtyard, swaying gently in the breeze. Each lantern was carefully painted with a golden “囍” character, which sparkled in the sun.

On the company's gate, a huge red silk couplet is hung on both sides. The upper couplet reads "Dragons soar and phoenixes dance together, uniting our hearts", and the lower couplet reads "Flowers bloom and the full moon reflects double happiness". The font is vigorous and powerful, revealing an extraordinary momentum, and the horizontal scroll reads "Happiness for a Hundred Years of Marriage" in golden light.

Entering the courtyard, a passage paved with flowers and red silk leads directly to the main hall. Various potted flowers are placed on both sides, and the air is filled with a faint floral fragrance, which makes people feel relaxed and happy. Guests shuttled between them, some wearing gorgeous clothes, some wearing red ornaments, with blessing smiles on their faces and talking.

The main hall was decorated with a festive atmosphere. Sitting in the middle was Zhu Qizhen, who represented Chao Xiaotian's parents today. The Demon Queen was also here, but in order not to attract attention, she stayed in the back room. If someone discovered her identity as the Queen Mother, it would be very troublesome. As for Zhu Qizhen himself, he came here on purpose. If he was recognized, that would be a good thing, so that they would know that the emperor was standing behind the Daming Trading Company.

As bursts of festive firecrackers rang out and the guests cheered one after another, Chao Xiaotian, wearing a luxurious red groom's suit, slowly walked into the hall hand in hand with the bride, who was wearing a wedding dress and a phoenix crown.

"Worship heaven and earth!"

Chao Xiaotian and the bride turned around and faced the door, bowing deeply. Chao Xiaotian was obviously very excited, but the bride was covered with a red veil, so his face could not be seen clearly.

"Two thanks to the high hall!"

The two turned to face Zhu Qizhen, who was sitting in the middle, and bowed deeply. Chao Xiaotian's eyes were full of gratitude. If it weren't for his master's endless support and love, he wouldn't be here today.

"Couple greetings!"

Chao Xiaotian and the bride stood face to face, they slowly bent down and gently touched their foreheads. At this moment, all the noise and prosperity faded away, leaving only two closely connected hearts.

As the three bows were completed, thunderous cheers rang out in the hall, and the guests gave the couple their most sincere blessings. Zhu Qizhen also stood up, walked in front of them, smiled and patted Chao Xiaotian on the shoulder and said, "Boy, you will have a family from now on, live a good life with your wife."

"Thank you, Master." Chao Xiaotian's voice choked with sobs.

"Don't cry, it's a happy day." Zhu Qizhen sighed, "In the blink of an eye, you've gotten married. Time flies."

At this time, the voice of the bride Qi Shu came from under the red veil: "Master, why haven't you seen Master's Wife?"

"She is at the back. She doesn't dare to see outsiders and doesn't like crowds." Zhu Qizhen smiled.

"No, we have to go and pay our respects to Master's Wife." Qi Shu said.

Chao Xiaotian also reacted, took Qi Shu's hand and walked inside, saying: "Yes, we have to pay homage to Master's Wife."

Zhu Qizhen did not stop them and took them to a room in the back hall. The witch queen, wearing a light pink dress, was standing in front of the window in a daze.

"My lady," Zhu Qizhen called out, "They must come to pay you homage."

The Demon Queen was obviously stunned. She didn't expect that they would come to the back hall to pay homage to her.

The bride and groom, wearing wedding attire, knelt down and kowtowed to her. Chao Xiaotian kowtowed and said, "Master's wife, I kowtow to you. Without you and Master, there would be no Chao Xiaotian today. From now on, I will have a family, and you will always be my relatives."

Qi Shu also kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Master's Wife."

Tears fell from the Demon Queen's eyes. She raised her hand and asked them to get up. She said, "Hurry up. Master's wife is so happy to see you get married. Live a down-to-earth life in the future. Don't learn from me and..."

"What are you talking about on such a happy day?" Zhu Qizhen glanced at him.

"No more talking." The Demon Queen reached out and grabbed Qi Shu's hand and said, "Be good to Xiaotian."

Qi Shu nodded obediently: "Yes, Master's wife."

……

After the newlyweds returned to their wedding room, only Zhu Qizhen and the Demon Queen were left in the room, and the Demon Queen was still crying. Zhu Qizhen gently took her into his arms and smiled: "Why are you still so moved? That's right, you are old now."

The demon queen was so angry that she slapped him a few times. She leaned in his arms, wiped her tears and said, "I'm happy. This is what they call a marriage. We were just playing house last time."

"If you dare, I can give you a bigger one." Zhu Qizhen spread his hands.

"Don't try to trick me." The Demon Queen pursed her red lips. "If we get married in public, we will be struck by lightning."

Zhu Qizhen held her beautiful face in his hands, gently wiped away the tears from her eyes, and smiled: "Why don't I change the dynasty? I will learn from Li Zhi."

The Queen's eyes were filled with love, and she stood on tiptoe and kissed him directly on the lips. She seemed very passionate, and kissed him passionately for a long time before letting go.

"I know you are just trying to coax me, but I am happy too." The Queen leaned into his arms and sighed, "Which man would really love beauty over the kingdom?"

You told the truth.

Zhu Qizhen complained in his heart, holding her waist with his hands, and said, "There's a banquet outside, aren't we going out?"

“I won’t go.” The Demon Queen shook her head. “There are too many people here. If we are recognized, it will be a big trouble. The history books of future generations will scold us. I don’t want to ruin your reputation.”

After saying this, her eyes dropped and her long eyelashes trembled slightly.

This was indeed a sincere statement. The emperor had finally brought the Ming Dynasty to its present glory. She did not want to ruin his reputation, not just because he was Zhu Qizhen, but also because he was Zhu Qizhen. "By the way, I have summoned the nobles to Beijing to hold a grand banquet." Zhu Qizhen said, "When the time comes, you must attend as the Empress Dowager."

The Demon Queen raised her beautiful eyes and asked in confusion: "What grand banquet?"

Zhu Qizhen spread his hands and said, "It's just a celebration. I have money now, so I'll treat everyone to a meal. Isn't that okay?"

The Demon Queen rolled her eyes and waved her hand: "I may not participate. I will go back to the palace on the mountain later."

……

The next day, Qianqing Palace.

Recently, nobles from all over the country have come to Beijing to attend the emperor's banquet. For example, there is Duke of Wei Xu Chengzong who came from Yingtian. He was once punished by Zhu Qizhen because of land issues, but now he is very honest.

Today, Zhu Qizhen wants to summon Mu Bin, the Duke of Qian, who has just arrived in Beijing. He is the grandson of Mu Ying, the Prince of Qianning. This grandson is not like other nobles who have been abandoned. He has the style of Mu Ying and is very brave.

He guarded the southwest of Ming Dynasty and kept the area safe. He once led a large army to the border of Myanmar and forced Myanmar to hand over the rebel Si Renfa who had fled to their side.

After that, he quelled several tribal rebellions in the southwest and made great military achievements. This time, he was able to go to Beijing because Yu Qian went to the southwest and he had time.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Mu Bin knelt in the hall.

"Hurry up and stand up." Zhu Qizhen walked out of the dragon chair and raised his hand. "Duke, you must have been exhausted from the journey. Come on, tell me about the situation in the southwest."

Mu Bin stood up, looked up at the emperor, his expression changed slightly, and then he bowed: "Those tribal leaders in the southwest are colluding with the Duan family. Although they have the intention to rebel, they don't have the courage. Even if they really rebel, I can suppress them. There is really no need for the court to mobilize troops and send Duke Xia to the south."

You're speaking so directly? You sound very emotional.

Zhu Qizhen complained in his heart, but smiled: "Duke Xia's expedition to the south is not only because of the tribes in the southwest, but also to prepare for the attack on Annan and the small countries in the south."

"Your Majesty, are you going to continue to lead your troops south?" Mu Bin was shocked.

"Of course!" Zhu Qizhen spread his hands, "Why not move the country's border southward?"

Mu Bin's face turned pale again, and he said, "Your Majesty, the war in the northwest is not over yet, right? Is the Ming Dynasty going to fight on two fronts?"

Zhu Qizhen chuckled: "No?"

In the future, the Ming Dynasty may start wars on multiple fronts, so he needs to test them first. Mu Bin listened and bowed: "I only know how to fight, and I will follow military orders."

"Very good." Zhu Qizhen said lightly. He found that Mu Bin didn't seem to trust him very much.

"Your Majesty, I would like to pay a visit to the Queen Mother. I brought her some gifts from the southwest." Mu Bin said.

The Mu family had a different relationship with the royal family, as they were royal relatives. In Taizu's "Huang Ming Zu Xun", it was clearly stipulated which families were royal relatives.

In addition to the Empress's family and the Imperial Concubine's family, there are five other families recognized by Taizu: the Duke of Wei, the Duke of Cao, the Duke of Xin, the Marquis of Xiping, and the Marquis of Wuding. The Marquis of Xiping is now the Duke of Qian.

"The Queen Mother is recuperating in the palace on the mountain. Please don't disturb her. Please leave." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand.

Mu Bin bowed and retreated.

Zhu Qizhen looked at his back, his eyes flashing coldly. One of the purposes of summoning Mu Bin to the capital this time was to see his heart. If he was disloyal, he would take away his military power.

……

Taibai Restaurant, private room.

Mu Bin was drinking with Xu Chengzong. They were both descendants of nobles, and they hadn't seen each other for a long time. After a few drinks, Mu Bin's face flushed as he asked, "Are all the civil and military officials in the court blind? The emperor is obviously a fake..."

"Shh!" Xu Chengzong hurriedly stopped him.

He looked obviously panicked, and even looked up at the window. Mu Bin threw the wine glass away and said, "Are you so timid?"

"You have been in the frontier for a long time, you don't know how cruel the emperor is. Not to mention ministers, even vassal kings, he can kill them at will." Xu Chengzong sighed helplessly, "We nobles may seem to be very glorious, but our wealth and honor are just a matter of a word from the emperor. If the emperor wants to punish us, it's easy. He can just find an official to impeach us, and we're done."

Mu Bin gulped down a glass of wine and said in a deep voice: "Our Mu family has been blessed by the emperor for generations. How can I worship a fake emperor? My grandfather is the adopted son of Taizu."

Xu Chengzong blinked and thought to himself, my grandfather might have been poisoned to death by Emperor Taizu.

dong dong dong~
There was a knock on the door, and both of them were startled. Xu Chengzong calmed down and shouted, "Who is it? Disturbing my drinking?"

"Is that the Duke of Wei?" a voice came from outside the door. "It's me, Sun Lian. I heard you were drinking here, so I came to offer you a toast."

Xu Chengzong and Mu Bin looked at each other.

Sun Lian? Marquis of Huichang, the nephew of the Queen Mother.

(End of this chapter)