Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 274 The Queen of Demons said: Where did you learn this?

The harem courtyard.

Alena did not attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, although she wanted to go. But Qiqige was pregnant and it was inconvenient for her to go, and she was worried about leaving her alone in the courtyard. Recently, all the concubines in the harem came to visit Qiqige, which made her even more worried.

By the time Qiqige fell asleep, it was already late at night and the banquet in Xiyuan was over. After a comfortable bath, she wore a gauze pajamas and stood by the window looking at the full moon in the starry sky.

Soon, footsteps were heard.

Zhu Qizhen came to her in two steps, stretched out his hand to pull her into his arms, and with a little force, he hugged her slender waist and said, "Why didn't you go to the Mid-Autumn Festival? I thought you liked that kind of excitement the most."

Alena put her arms around his neck, her charming narrow eyes revealing sticky affection: "Your Majesty, you have drunk."

"Yes, I miss you." Zhu Qizhen looked at Alena affectionately.

Alena smiled slightly and shook her head: "Your Majesty, you are thinking about the person in the palace on the top of the mountain, right? You came to me because I look like her, right?"

You guessed it right.

Zhu Qizhen sighed in his heart, Alena is really a smart woman. After drinking today, he missed the witch queen very much, so he came to this harem courtyard to find Alena to calm his restless heart.

Alena seemed to understand everything. She hugged him tightly, stood on tiptoes and took the initiative to bite him.

"Your Majesty, I am not able to stay here today." Alena frowned.

"Relatives are here?" Zhu Qizhen held his forehead, "Then I will rest at your place."

He lay on the soft mat like a master, while Alena knelt on one side, serving him attentively. Her slender fingers gently picked up the fresh fruits and tenderly brought them to his lips. Her eyes seemed to be filled with tears, and her heart and eyes were filled with his figure. The deep affection almost overflowed, which was very touching.

This woman is very good at acting.

Zhu Qizhen was eating fruit while his mind was working rapidly.

Tonight's banquet, the Jinyiwei secret guards are mixed in, and there must be news. If the orthodox emperor is really hiding in the capital, I can't lure him out by myself, and I can still use the queen mother.

"How much do you know about the Taoist health-preserving techniques that the Queen Mother practices?" he asked in a deep voice.

Alena was stunned for a moment, then leaned forward slightly, revealing her two white cheeks and deep ravines, and said softly, "In fact, I can only tell that she practiced the evil Taoist magic, because it is similar to the shamanism I practice. As for the specific situation, Your Majesty, you can know it by trying it yourself, right?"

I'm so scared of death.

Last time, Qi Qi Ge said that Emperor Xuanzong died young, which might be related to the evil queen.

I am in a shadow now.

"I'm not in a hurry. I'll figure it out." He thought of Yao Sanxiao. That guy was Yao Guangxiao's disciple and might know the answer.

"Your Majesty, we must make the decision now." Alena's beautiful eyes moved slightly, and she said suddenly, looking at him with her beautiful eyes.

Zhu Qizhen listened and seemed to be thinking about something.

"Your Majesty, I have researched a new kind of tea that blends well with lip balm and has a unique flavor."

Alena stood up and brought a cup of tea. She slowly moved closer to him, her charming eyes full of affection.

"Oh? Let me try." Zhu Qizhen said with a smile.

"I'm here." Alena glanced at him seductively, and then, under his gaze, she took the tea in the cup into her mouth, pursed her thin lips, and leaned over to his lips.

……

The next day, as the morning light broke, all officials stood solemnly in the court.

After the court session, several ministers stepped out from the crowd, holding memorials in their hands, and their words were earnest, saying:
"I think that the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet hosted by the virtuous concubine is a symbol of prosperity. The banquet was brightly lit and full of laughter. The virtuous concubine made the people happy. Your majesty's benevolence was spread throughout the world through this banquet, which is truly a blessing for all the people in the world."

"Your Majesty's gentle demeanor shows your Majesty's love for the people. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, under the moonlight, amidst the feast, the subjects and the people are united and share peace. It is the wisdom and virtue of Your Majesty that have made this a story that will be passed down through the ages. I, your subjects, deeply admire you."

"Her Majesty the Virtuous Consort presided over the banquet, which not only demonstrated the grace of the royal family, but also spread your majesty's benevolence among the people. That night, the stars were shining and the people were happy. This was all because of your majesty's good planning. The grace of heaven was vast and the people were at peace. It was truly a great blessing for the country."

The words of all the ministers were full of respect and praise for the virtuous concubine, and for a moment, the court was filled with righteousness and peace.

Zhu Qizhen glanced over and smiled.

He knew that this must have been arranged by Xu Youzhen to pave the way for Concubine Xian to be made queen.

Having a few ministers who can figure out the emperor's intentions makes things easier, but the emperor cannot say this himself. However, if the ministers can completely figure out the emperor's mind, that is not a good thing.

After the next court.

Xu Youzhen followed Zhu Qizhen, walking on the imperial road in the morning sunshine. Zhu Qizhen said as they walked, "Lord Xu, didn't your son Xu Shiliang pass the imperial examination? Why is he still in Shuntian University?"

"Your Majesty, my son likes to study and is obsessed with Confucianism." Xu Youzhen smiled bitterly, "With his personality, he is not suitable for being an official. It would be a good idea for him to go to Shuntian University."

Zhu Qizhen smiled and waved his hands: "No, no, no, young people need experience. In this way, summon him to the Hanlin Academy. I also like Confucianism, and I can summon him to learn from him at any time."

"Your Majesty, how can my son compare to you?" There was a flash of panic in Xu Youzhen's eyes.

"I know it's inconvenient for you, and you're afraid that the court officials will say you have selfish motives, but you can't let your son suffer." Zhu Qizhen said, "Listen to me, summon Xu Shiliang to the Imperial Academy."

Xu Youzhen did not refuse and bowed respectfully: "I obey your order."

Zhu Qizhen stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the western sky.

He recruited Xu Shiliang to the Imperial Academy, not only to show favor to Xu Youzhen, but also to control him. If Xu Youzhen disobeyed, he could use his son as a scapegoat.

……

Ming Trading Company.

Bang!

The sound of a cup breaking came, accompanied by the anger of Chao Xiaotian: "Why?"

Ding Xiu, the Jinyiwei pacification envoy who had just entered, knocked on the door and said, "Excuse me, I didn't mean to eavesdrop on you. You two are arguing, and why don't you close the door?"

In the hall, cups were broken all over the floor, and Qi Shu was sobbing quietly. Ding Xiu walked in and said to Chao Xiaotian: "Bullying a woman is not a skill, Xiaotian."

"Brother Ding, I'm sorry to show you a fool." Chao Xiaotian suppressed his anger.

Qi Shu wiped her tears, bowed slightly to Ding Xiu, and said, "You guys chat, I'm going out, Xiaotian, I'm going back to my parents' home for a while."

Chao Xiaotian hesitated to speak: "You...I..."

Before he could say anything, Qi Shu had already hurried out of the hall, wiping her tears and going straight out of Daming Trading Company. When she reached the gate, she ran into Qi Feng who was getting off the carriage.

"Girl, what's wrong?" Qi Feng was shocked. "Are you crying? Who bullied you?"

Qi Shu pursed her lips and said, "Get in the car first."

She got on the carriage, Qi Feng followed behind her, and then the driver drove the carriage away. Qi Feng looked at his daughter who was crying continuously, and asked in a deep voice: "Did you find something about Xiaotian?"

"He went to Quanzhou this time to investigate our Qi family fleet." Qi Shu said.

"Ah?" Qi Feng was shocked. "What did you find out?"

Qi Shu shook her head: "He knows that we have concealed many things from him, but he has not yet found out who the fleet brought back. After all, only my second uncle and a few others knew about the return of the people."

Qi Feng breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

Qi Shu's eyes were filled with tears: "But, I feel like Xiaotian has begun to doubt us."

"If that's the case." Qi Feng's eyes flashed with murderous intent, "Then kill him, and you can take over the Daming Trading Company."

Qi Shu was horrified and her face turned pale instantly: "Kill...kill him?"

"Yes!" Qi Feng nodded affirmatively, "Don't you admire the Ning family? Then you have to learn her ruthlessness. According to my information, the Ning family is already a local tyrant in Japan."

Qi Shu was completely stunned.

...At this time, Ming Trading Company.

Chao Xiaotian asked Ding Xiu to sit down, and a maid came up to serve tea. He smiled apologetically: "Brother Ding, I'm sorry to have embarrassed you."

Ding Xiu took a sip of tea and waved his hand: "Although I am not married, I know that it is normal for couples to quarrel. But, little girl, please don't scare me by throwing the cup."

"I'm angry too." Chao Xiaotian said helplessly.

"What's the matter? Why are you so angry?" Ding Xiu asked.

Chao Xiaotian was about to speak, but shook his head again: "Hey, it's just a small matter. When Qi Shu calms down, I will go to Qi's house to pick her up. Brother Ding, you came to see me, what's the matter?"

He changed the subject. Ding Xiu put down the teacup and said with a smile, "It's nothing serious. I just came to see you when I passed by here. I heard you went to Quanzhou last time."

"Yes, there is a batch of goods going overseas." Chao Xiaotian nodded.

"Are you familiar with the fleets sailing to the West and South Seas today?" Ding Xiu asked.

Chao Xiaotian nodded affirmatively: "Of course, many of them were supported by my Daming Trading Company. Waiyang is huge, and my family can't eat it all."

Ding Xiu's eyes were full of praise: "Xiaotian, you are becoming more and more like a great man."

"That's not true. I am where I am today thanks to the support of my master and the brothers in Jinyiwei." Chao Xiaotian spread his hands, "Da Ming Trading Company is not owned by me alone, but also by my master and some of you Jinyiwei."

Ding Xiu sighed: "I came to see you today because of the same thing as last time."

Chao Xiaotian frowned, thought for a while and said, "There are too many people coming to our Ming Dynasty now, especially those from Southeast Asia. They look similar to us and it is hard to tell them apart. It is really difficult to check them all at once."

"You mean they can pretend to be from Southeast Asia?" Ding Xiu was shocked.

Chao Xiaotian shrugged: "It's not just the people from Nanyang, many people in the Western Regions are also very similar to us."

Ding Xiu held the teacup in his hand and kept repeating, "Impersonation? Impersonation?"

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen was summoning a man. The man knelt in the hall, raised his head and looked at the emperor, his face numb but with a little determination: "Your Majesty, I will call you Your Majesty again. You can kill me, but please let my family go."

"Why didn't you think about your family when you went to Dunhuang?" Zhu Qizhen asked coldly.

It turned out that the one kneeling in the hall was the King of Zhou who was escorted back from the Western Regions. Although he had been back for a long time, Zhu Qizhen had never summoned him, and he had been imprisoned in the Jinyiwei prison.

King Zhou didn't seem nervous or afraid. He just looked at Zhu Qizhen calmly and sighed, "I went to Dunhuang because I was concerned about my family. The true emperor is the biggest family member of our Zhu family. I am a descendant of the Zhu family, and I don't want to be ashamed to see Taizu and Taizong after I die. Haha, actually I know you won't kill my family. We lived together in Kaifeng for a while, so we know each other a little bit. It's true that you are cruel in some aspects, but you are a soft-hearted person at heart. I remember what you said, you can be shameless, but you must have a bottom line. You are a person with a bottom line."

"Do I really need your praise?" Zhu Qizhen didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

King Zhou shook his head and continued, "You would be a good king, but what would you do to us Zhu family members? If you were me, what would you do?"

Zhu Qizhen actually thought about it very seriously and said, "I shouldn't be as stupid as you."

"Hahaha, even a fake emperor like you can't do it, right?" King Zhou laughed, and then spread his hands, "Tell me, how do you want to deal with me?"

Zhu Qizhen walked up to him and said two words: "Eat."

Then, the eunuch took the King of Zhou to the side hall next door, where wine and food were already prepared. The King of Zhou was a little confused, but he sat down, picked up his chopsticks and started eating, because he hadn't had a good meal for a long time.

Zhu Qizhen sat down opposite him and stared at him speechlessly: "Why are you in such a hurry? There is another guest."

After he finished speaking, he clapped his hands, and the eunuch chief Cao Jixiang led Prince Ning in. The moment Prince Ning saw Prince Zhou, his expression changed drastically. When Prince Zhou saw him, he threw down his chopsticks and rushed directly towards Prince Ning.

"You scum of the Zhu family, I will beat you to death today." King Zhou roared.

"You are the scum of the Zhu family." King Ning was not afraid.

The two princes were wrestling with each other in the hall. Zhu Qizhen drank some wine and watched with interest. When he saw that both of them were about to bite each other, he waved his hand to stop them.

"Come and sit down." He waved.

Prince Ning and Prince Zhou then stopped, walked to the table and sat down, staring at each other with contempt. Zhu Qizhen smiled at the two of them and spread his hands: "I called you here because I want your help with something."

"What is it? Your Majesty, please tell me. I will do it even if it means climbing a mountain of swords." King Ning said.

"Haha." King Zhou looked contemptuous.

Zhu Qizhen smiled and glanced at the two people, saying: "Please help me find the fake emperor."

Obviously, both of them had a flash of astonishment in their eyes, and then they recovered in an instant. Prince Ning looked confused and asked, "Your Majesty, isn't the fake emperor dead? He was burned to ashes in a big fire."

King Zhou snorted, "Yes, I saw him light the fire with my own eyes."

Zhu Qizhen stood up and smiled faintly: "I won't guess riddles with you. Whoever finds the false emperor first can continue to be a vassal king. Whoever finds it later, I will help him and everyone in his palace to set it on fire. The descendants of the Zhu family should be like the first generation of Xiang Wang. Faced with injustice, the whole palace should be burned to death."

After saying this, he strode away, and the murderous aura seemed to still shroud the palace. King Zhou and King Ning did not dare to raise their heads, and a chill ran down their spines.

……

The night is intoxicating and the moonlight is as bright as a silk thread.

In the palace on the top of the mountain, the faint candlelight was swaying. The demon queen was wearing a flawless white long dress, the hem of which was flowing and gently dragging on the ground. Her slender waist was cleverly bound up by a light cloud belt, which made her look even more graceful, and her upper body outlined an exaggerated arc. A bright red hairpin was cleverly embellished in her bun, which made her face look as delicate and gorgeous as a newly blooming hibiscus. Her almond-shaped eyes were smiling and charming.

Suddenly, a figure slowly stretched out under the candlelight.

Zhu Qizhen jumped over from the window. He looked like he had just finished a shower, with his long black hair casually falling behind him. He walked to the window with a smile on his handsome face, whistled, and then slowly raised one arm and flexed his biceps to show off his strong physique.

"I know you are strong." The Demon Queen didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Zhu Qizhen did not stop, he raised his arms again and squeezed his biceps: "I am handsome, have a good figure, and am a young and handsome guy. Aren't you tempted?"

The Queen of Demons lightly blinked her eyelashes and froze for a moment, seemingly unable to come back to her senses. However, she soon understood what he meant and rolled her eyes at him playfully. She parted her cherry lips and uttered a slightly playful rebuke: "Are you saying that I am an old cow eating young grass?"

"You said it yourself. Come on, eat quickly. I'm ready." He put his hands on his hips and straightened his back.

The Queen knew that this guy was teasing her on purpose. Her beautiful eyes, filled with a hint of spring, gently swept across his strong and upright body. Her cold and beautiful face was unconsciously stained with a charming blush, like peach blossoms illuminated by the morning light, extremely charming, and inadvertently revealed a charming and enchanting demeanor that was heart-beating.

Zhu Qizhen directly hugged her in his arms.

"No, I just took a shower." The Queen's voice was filled with a bit of anger, "I don't want to be covered in sweat again."

"It's okay, I'll help you wash it later." Zhu Qizhen raised his eyebrows.

The Demon Queen bit her lips lightly, leaned in his arms, and said in a soft and lazy tone: "Don't mess around."

The tone was like that of an older sister scolding her younger brother, which was unbearable.

At the same time, the blush on her cheeks became more and more intense, and her thoughts drifted back to those absurd fragments of the past, causing her to purse her lips involuntarily. A touch of embarrassment quietly crept into her heart, and she could not hide the sweet yet embarrassing feeling.

"I don't know how those concubines in the harem managed to survive your clutches." She bit his shoulder lightly with a bit of coquettishness. The force was just like a spring breeze, and it was gentle as if a kitten was scratching him lightly and playfully with its soft claws, which expressed a little dissatisfaction while still being intimate and playful.

Zhu Qizhen hugged her gently, with a more intense smile on his face.

The Demon Queen also snuggled in his arms obediently, with a flash of worry in her eyes.

"It was so lively last Mid-Autumn Festival, but you didn't come?" Zhu Qizhen asked in a low voice.

"Forget it. I don't want to get involved in this anymore." The Demon Queen raised her beautiful eyes, "Aren't you planning to make Consort Xian your empress? Leave the harem to her."

Zhu Qizhen shook his head seriously: "No, she still has to help me give birth to another son, so she doesn't have the time."

"Could it be that I have it?" The Demon Queen glared.

"Ah?" Zhu Qizhen smiled, "Are you going to give birth too?"

The Demon Queen pursed her lips, stared at him and said, "It's not impossible."

(End of this chapter)