Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 267 Yu Qian: The True Emperor Returns

Zhu Qizhen fell into a deep sleep. He hadn't had such a deep sleep for a long time. If the demon hadn't woken him up, he would have slept until dawn and missed the morning court.

Feeling an itch on his face, he suddenly opened his eyes and saw the Demon Queen sitting next to him, brushing his face with a lock of her hair. Seeing that he was awake, the Demon Queen smiled charmingly: "Awake?"

Zhu Qizhen looked at her and felt that this woman had become more beautiful again. Could it be an illusion because he hadn’t had his period for the past two months?
At this moment, her face was beautiful and gentle, giving people a feeling of elegance and tranquility, exuding elegance and calmness. She was wearing a light tube-top nightgown, the smooth fabric gently fit her skin, and the exposed neck and shoulders had smooth and graceful lines, just showing her graceful figure curves. The waterfall-like black hair fell softly, pouring down along her left shoulder, adding a bit of tenderness and charm to her. The whole picture was like a breathtaking painting of a lady.

"What happened to you last night?" Zhu Qizhen looked worried. "Is there some evil spirit on this mountain? Otherwise, why don't you go back to the palace?"

The demon queen's eyes were gentle, with a faint smile on her lips and a pair of charming eyes full of joy: "You will still worry about me after all."

"Of course." Zhu Qizhen held her hand, "After so many years, I have developed feelings for the dog."

Snapped!
The Demon Queen slapped him on the shoulder and glared, "Who is the dog? You are the puppy."

Zhu Qizhen's brows knitted instantly because the blow hit his wound. He said aggrievedly, "Isn't it obvious who the puppy is? Look how he bit me."

A look of distress flashed across the beautiful face of the Demon Queen. She gently stroked his wound and pursed her red lips: "Last night I...drank some medicine, and my mind is a little unclear."

"What medicine?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

"It's the prescription that the imperial master gave me back then." The demon queen's eyes were bright. "It's just for maintenance. Why are you asking so many questions about a girl's affairs?"

Zhu Qizhen was confused: "I suspect there is alcohol in the medicine? It made you drunk."

“Hahaha~” The Demon Queen was so amused that she trembled all over. She held his face with her hands and said, “Wake up, or you will miss the morning court.”

Zhu Qizhen also reached out and gently stroked her face, sighing: "If I had a concubine as beautiful as you, I would definitely follow the example of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and never attend court early in the morning."

"What are you talking about? Hurry up." The Demon Queen reached out and pulled him.

He lazily fell into her soft arms.

"Give me a kiss and I'll get up."

"Bah~"

"Okay? If you don't go down at night, you will be seen by the guards when it gets light."

"Then will you return to the palace?"

"Wait a while, and come back when it gets cold."

Zhu Qizhen left the palace. On the way, he suddenly realized that the imperial teacher the witch queen was talking about was the evil monk Yao Guangxiao? He was the one who taught the witch queen the Taoist health-preserving techniques and the strange prescriptions.

……

Fahai Temple, with its towering ancient trees and tranquility and solemnity, seems to be isolated from the hustle and bustle of the world. Only the sound of Sanskrit remains, echoing among the clouds, cleansing every corner of the soul.

A carriage with simple decorations slowly stopped in front of the temple. The dust rose lightly but quickly settled, as if it didn't want to disturb the tranquility. The door of the carriage opened slightly, and the Demon Queen slowly stepped out, wearing a deep purple dress, luxurious yet dignified, like a fairy from an ancient scroll, with every step she took showing elegance and majesty. Holding an exquisite fan handle, she led her personal maid Shuangxi and walked into the gate of the Zen temple that had experienced vicissitudes of life.

Inside the temple, the abbot, wearing a cassock and with a kind face, had been waiting for a long time with several monks, their eyes showing both awe and welcome. The Demon Queen gently waved her hand, indicating that there was no need for excessive etiquette: "Don't alarm the people, everything can be as usual. This time, I am still here to burn incense and pray for the brave soldiers on the front line, and may the Buddha's light shine upon them and protect their safe return."

"Yes, your Majesty, everything has been properly arranged." The host bowed his head and clasped his hands together, his tone full of respect and piety.

As the demon queen walked into the temple, the sun shone through the sparse clouds, adding warmth and holiness to the ancient temple. In the temple, the monks chanted in a low and long voice, like the sound of nature, which made people calm and forget the troubles of the world. In addition to the light sandalwood incense, the air was also intertwined with the unique fragrance of burning paper. It was not just the smell of fireworks, but more like a remembrance of the past and a blessing for the future. It slowly rose and drifted towards the boundless sky together with the Buddhist chants.

The Demon Queen stopped and asked in confusion: "Is someone performing a ritual?"

"It was Duke Xia," the host replied, "He returned from the southern expedition not long ago and performed a ritual for the soldiers who died in the battle."

The Demon Queen nodded slowly: "When the ritual is over, have him come to the Zen temple in the backyard to see me."

"Yes." The host nodded.

The Demon Queen sighed softly and said to Shuangxi behind her: "You go and look around by yourself. I will recite the scriptures myself."

Shuangxi bowed and walked out.

Noon.

The Demon Queen had finished her worship and was resting in the Zen room in the backyard. Shuangxi also came back and stood by the window, looking at the monks sweeping the yard. Then he came to the Demon Queen and nodded slightly: "The news has been spread, and the letter has been brought back."

“Keep it and look at it when you get back.” The Demon Queen whispered.

Shuangxi nodded, picked up the teapot and walked to the door, shouting, "Little Master, help me add some water."

Soon, a young monk came over and took the teapot from her hand. Not long after, the young monk came back with a teapot full of water, saying, "It's from the spring, so fresh."

"Thank you, young master. The spring water in the temple is most suitable for making tea." Shuangxi smiled brightly.

She returned to her room and slowly made tea. After a while, Yu Qian hurried in alone and bowed at the door: "I didn't know your majesty was here, please forgive me."

"I asked the host to wait until you finish the ritual before calling you." The Demon Queen smiled slightly, "Duke Xia, come in and talk."

Yu Qian bowed his head, entered the meditation room, and bowed again. The Demon Queen waved her hand and said, "Sit down and talk. Shuangxi, serve tea to the Duke."

Shuangxi brought the tea and placed it on the table in front of Yu Qian. The Queen sighed softly, "Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, you, Yu Qian, have been made Duke."

"I have not made any merit, it is all due to your Majesty's love for me," said Yu Qian.

"When the late emperor was alive, he kept pressuring you, saying that Yu Qian couldn't be made a high official, or it would kill him." The demon queen smiled faintly, "The late emperor was wrong. If you, Yu Qian, can be made a high official, then you will be granted the title of Duke."

Yu Qian's expression changed slightly, and he said, "The late emperor was very kind to me and he also understood me best."

"As long as you still remember it, that's good." The Demon Queen said in a deep voice.

"Of course I will always remember the late emperor's kindness," Yu Qian affirmed.

The Queen smiled and sighed, "I have been living in the palace on the mountain lately. It has been a lot quieter. I keep thinking of the past. The late emperor and you fought against Mahamu together. Those were turbulent times."

Yu Qian also recalled those past events and felt quite emotional.

Half an hour later, the Demon Queen led Shuangxi away, back to the palace on the mountain. Yu Qian looked at their receding backs and frowned deeply: "Is he back? The Queen Mother has begun to pave the way."

...Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen reviewed memorials for the whole morning, had lunch, and then rested in the side hall. Xiyao came in with tea and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, have some tea, this is a new attempt of mine."

Her pretty face was a little proud. After serving tea for a long time, she was no longer so afraid of the emperor, and the emperor even liked to tease her from time to time.

"Are you treating me as a guinea pig?" Zhu Qizhen said angrily.

Xiyao was confused: "Your Majesty, what is a little white mouse? Your Majesty, you are a dragon."

Zhu Qizhen held his forehead, took the teacup, took a sip, and smacked his lips: "Not bad, you can be bolder next time and make fruit teas of various flavors."

"Yes." Xiyao was in a good mood after receiving the praise.

Because she was favored by the emperor, the other eunuchs and palace maids in the Qianqing Palace all tried to curry favor with her. Even the eunuch chief Cao Jixiang was quite polite to her. Her life in the palace was much more comfortable.

"Come here and give me a massage." Zhu Qizhen patted the soft mat next to him and twisted his neck. "Ah, my neck hurt when I was sitting in the office in my previous life. I'm the emperor in this life, so I'll continue to work."

Xiyao didn't understand and sat down beside him obediently. Zhu Qizhen lay in her arms and closed his eyes: "Pinch my neck and the area around my eyes. I've written more than a hundred memorials in the morning. I'm so tired."

"Your Majesty, please don't rub it." Xiyao blushed slightly.

She stretched out her delicate hands and began to massage him. Zhu Qizhen seemed to enjoy it very much, because Xiyao's massage was really good, and he even asked her if she had learned it before.

It turned out that Xiyao had learned massage from a doctor when she was a child. At that time, she mainly wanted to massage her long-ill mother. She did not knead randomly, but pressed on specific acupoints.

"You are so capable, your master should be even more capable. Please ask him to be the imperial physician." Zhu Qizhen said.

"My master doesn't think highly of the imperial physician." Xiyao said proudly, "My master is a miracle doctor. He wants to travel the world to find a successor."

Zhu Qizhen rolled his eyes: "He must be a charlatan."

Xiyao was furious and put a little more strength in her hands.

She thought to herself, my master is the successor of the previous national master Yao Guangxiao, how could he be a charlatan?

……

Zhu Qizhen fell asleep in Xiyao's arms. This was the second woman who could make him fall asleep quickly. Seeing that he was snoring, Xiyao waved her little fist in front of him, but of course she didn't dare to really hit him.

Not only did she not dare to hit him, she also did not dare to move, which woke up the emperor. The emperor was in a bad mood and hurt himself. What should she do?
Cao Jixiang came over with a soft pillow, smiling, and whispered, "Miss Xiyao, use it to cushion your back, otherwise, you will have a backache."

"Can I put him on the mat to sleep?" Xiyao said pitifully.

"I wouldn't dare anyway." Cao Jixiang spread his hands.

Xiyao took the soft pillow, propped up her waist, and gritted her teeth: "Why am I so unlucky?"

Cao Jixiang held back his laughter, thinking that it was quite interesting to have such a lively person in the Qianqing Palace. Since her arrival, the Qianqing Palace was not as dull as before.

Xiyao didn't notice Cao Jixiang's expression. She looked down at the sleeping Zhu Qizhen, blinked, pursed her lips, and thought to herself, "Your Majesty is quite handsome. What a pity, you are His Majesty, otherwise I would have accepted you."

At this time, Zhu Qizhen turned around, and she was so scared that she sat up straight. Unexpectedly, Zhu Qizhen leaned inward and rubbed her front from time to time. She blushed and gritted her teeth: "I am so angry, I am not married yet."

Zhu Qizhen didn't sleep for long, because he still had a lot of work to do in the afternoon. When he woke up, he saw Xiyao's angry face. He blinked and said, "What's wrong? Who offended you?"

"Your Majesty, can you get up? I have no feeling in my legs." Xiyao said.

Zhu Qizhen sat up, stretched himself, and said in a very comfortable manner: "You slept so well. Now I am leaving. I am going to work as an ox or a horse. I allow you to rest on my dragon bed."

He stood up and walked out.

Xiyao waved her fist at his back, cursing in her heart: "You tyrant! I will beat you up sooner or later."

She patted her legs. How could she dare to rest on the emperor's couch? She put her feet on the ground, and before she could exert any strength, she cried out, "Numb, numb, really numb..."

Zhu Qizhen had already arrived at the main hall of the Qianqing Palace, washed his face, and began to review memorials. At this time, Shi Biao, the commander of the Jinyiwei, came in, and after paying his respects, he said, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother went to the Fahai Zen Temple to burn incense today."

"He finally came down the mountain, but didn't return to the palace." Zhu Qizhen frowned.

Shi Biao continued to report: "Coincidentally, today Duke Xia was at the Zen Temple to hold a memorial service for the soldiers who died in the Southern Expedition. The Queen Mother also summoned him, and the two chatted for half an hour."

"Huh?" Zhu Qizhen was slightly surprised.

"We don't know what they talked about specifically." Shi Biao lowered his head. "After all, she is the Queen Mother. Our people didn't allow it, and we didn't dare to deliberately eavesdrop, lest we be discovered. It could be a coincidence. Duke Xia also performed rituals for the fallen soldiers before, and they were all in Fahai Temple."

Zhu Qizhen nodded slowly; he still believed in Qian.

"By the way, how is the investigation of that matter going?" Zhu Qizhen asked.

Shi Biao immediately knew what the emperor was talking about and said, "Ding Xiu is mainly investigating that matter. We have people at all the docks. The people Ding Xiu brought back are also scattered all over the capital. We have also told Chao Xiaotian to pay attention to the people coming back from the West. There is no news yet. Your Majesty, don't worry. Unless he hides somewhere and never comes out, we will definitely find him."

"Capturing the false emperor is the most important task for your Jinyiwei recently." Zhu Qizhen simply made it clear.

"As you wish." Shi Biao nodded.

Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and Shi Biao retreated.

In his heart, he was actually hoping that the legitimate emperor would come. In that case, the problem could be solved once and for all, and there would no longer be any issues regarding the real or fake emperor.

"The fake emperor has returned to the capital. If he wants to replace me, he can only do so through the Evil Queen." Zhu Qizhen smiled. "Evil Queen, let's see who uses whom in the end."

Then, he lowered his eyes, sighed, and continued to review the memorials. Xiyao limped up with a teacup in her hand, with a stubborn expression on her face.

"You... don't have to do this, right?" Zhu Qizhen smiled.

"Your Majesty, you don't have to do this." Xiyao said, "Why don't you just give the memorial to the minister for review?"

Zhu Qizhen just laughed it off.

If the emperor wanted to firmly control the government and the country, reviewing memorials was one of the steps.

(End of this chapter)