Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 276 The Demon Queen cried out in shame

Autumn is high and fresh.

On both sides of the street, there are many shops and merchants, from silk from the south of the Yangtze River to furs from the north of the border, from pearls from the East China Sea to spices from the Western Regions. Envoys and caravans from various countries come in an endless stream, wearing exotic clothes or carrying rare treasures to exchange and trade here. Western travelers, with blue eyes and blonde hair, holding maps, politely ask the patrol guards for directions from time to time, and their words are full of curiosity and admiration for this oriental metropolis.

The patrol guards were dressed in uniform, with swords on their waists, and walked steadily among the crowd, looking both majestic and friendly. They not only maintained the law and order of the capital, but were also an indispensable part of the prosperous scene, ensuring that the capital was in order. Whenever a foreign guest asked for directions, the patrol guards always patiently guided them, showing the demeanor of the Ming Dynasty, a country of etiquette.

The autumn breeze brings a slight chill. In teahouses and taverns, people drink tea and discuss philosophy, or drink wine and chat happily, talking about world affairs or interesting stories in the market, with laughter and joy.

The Zhengtong Emperor and Yuan Bin were both dressed like merchants from the Western Regions, wearing turbans and covering their faces with scarves, revealing only a pair of eyes. The Zhengtong Emperor sighed, "If we were dressed like this before, we would definitely be called crazy. Now, the people are used to it."

"Your Majesty, I don't even recognize the capital city now." Yuan Bin also sighed, "This is more prosperous than the big cities in the Western Regions. Even Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, can't compare."

The orthodox emperor walked and looked: "Indeed, the fake emperor did a better job than I did."

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, that's not what I meant." Yuan Bin hurriedly explained.

"Sir, don't be nervous. I have to face reality." The orthodox emperor smiled, "It's not easy to come out once, let's take a good look."

After walking around for a long time, the Zhengtong Emperor stood on the street and sighed: "If I could achieve the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty today, my ancestors would be happy, right? The prosperous Tang Dynasty was just like this."

"Your Majesty, as long as you replace the fake emperor, all of this will belong to Your Majesty." Yuan Bin said.

The Zhengtong Emperor was in a good mood. He pointed to the Taibai Tower across the street and said, "Let's go and have a drink."

The two entered Taibai Tower, found a seat by the window on the second floor, ordered a table of food and wine, and began to drink slowly. The surroundings were very lively, and the diners were chatting about all sorts of things.

"Have you heard? The fleet from America is back, and they are loaded with gold and silver. Tsk tsk, it is said that there are mountains of gold and silver over there. Once you dig a hoe, you will be blinded by the light."

"The court is rich, no wonder. Your Majesty has reduced taxes in Henan, Shaanxi, Gansu and other places. The people in those places are blessed. They will live a good life following your wise Majesty."

"All the people of the Ming Dynasty have lived a good life with your Majesty. If it weren't for your Majesty's wisdom, how could the Ming Dynasty fleet go to sea? There would be no endless wealth."

"In the past few years, I've seen the capital undergo a huge transformation. Hahaha, we finally caught up."

"Fortunately, the fake emperor in Dunhuang was burned to death. Otherwise, he would have caused chaos in the world and we would have suffered."

"Whoever dares to touch the present emperor, the people will fight him to the death."

The orthodox emperor listened with gloom in his eyes. He didn't expect that when he first sneaked out to eat, he would hear praise for the fake emperor and contempt for himself.

"Don't listen to them, let's eat." Yuan Bin said.

The orthodox emperor smiled bitterly and spread his hands: "Interesting, first the fake emperor pretended to be me, if this succeeds, it will be me pretending to be him."

Yuan Bin snorted coldly: "This world doesn't belong to him."

He was worried that the Zhengtong Emperor might think too much, so he quickly finished his meal and left Taibai Restaurant. When he came to the street, he saw a team coming from a distance before he took a step forward. The people automatically made way and stood on both sides of the street.

"It's General Zhang who has returned to the capital. He is the fierce tiger of the empire. He has defeated the Japanese pirates and is now in charge of the southeast of the Ming Dynasty."

"Yes, that's him. He is also the younger brother of Concubine Xian."

The Zhengtong Emperor looked at the young man riding a fine horse in the lead and snorted, "Isn't this Zhang Lun? The grandson of the Duke of Ying. My current situation, after all, is all thanks to the Duke of Ying."

There was a flash of murderous intent in his eyes.

……

Qianqing Palace.

When Zhang Lun returned to Beijing, the first thing he did was to pay his respects to the emperor. Zhu Qizhen stood up from the throne, helped him up personally, patted his shoulder and said warmly: "Hey, you are finally back, I missed you."

"I miss your majesty, too." Zhang Lun said, "I often think of the days when I followed your majesty to Henan. It was so refreshing."

Zhu Qizhen laughed out loud and said, "Now you and I don't have the leisure time. We haven't seen each other for so long, we should have a good drink. So, you go to Changchun Palace to see your sister first, and then come to the Imperial Garden. I will drink with you and appreciate the flowers until we are drunk."

"As you wish." Zhang Lun bowed.

Then he left the Qianqing Palace and came to the Changchun Palace.

Concubine Xian knew her brother would come today and had been waiting for him. When she saw Zhang Lun coming in, she hurried over to him and helped him up, tears welling in her eyes: "Why are you so thin? And darker."

"Sister, what are you talking about?" Zhang Lun said, "Your brother is so heroic. He came back to find a wife. Why do you slander your brother as soon as we meet?"

When the siblings were young, they often quarreled. Now the virtuous concubine actually cares about her brother. She glared at him and said, "You haven't come back for so many years. Your parents have been missing you, and your grandfather misses you too."

"I, your brother, am now a fierce tiger of the empire and a high-ranking official. I have no choice." Zhang Lun was a little proud.

Xian Fei pulled him to sit down and said, "I know you are good. Come on, the dishes I made for you are all your favorites."

Zhang Lun picked up his chopsticks and started eating, wolfing down his food: "When I'm out here, I just want to eat the food at home."

The virtuous concubine cast her beautiful eyes on him and asked, "How long will you stay this time?"

"I don't think I can stay for long. There are a lot of things going on in the southeast. If His Majesty hadn't summoned me back to Beijing, I would probably only be able to come back once at the end of the year." Zhang Lun said.

The virtuous concubine lowered her eyes and said, "His Majesty said he would grant you a marriage. You will have to wait for two months."

"How long will it take to get married?" Zhang Lun raised his eyes. "It's not His Majesty who is granting me marriage. It's you, sister, who is whispering in His Majesty's ear, asking Him to grant me marriage? To the daughter of the Guo family? Will old General Guo Deng agree?"

The virtuous concubine smiled and said, "He has already agreed. Besides, His Majesty has granted the marriage, how dare he disagree?"

Zhang Lun put down his chopsticks and sighed, "Your Majesty is confident that our family will be married to a noble family."

"Yes, His Majesty didn't deal with Grandpa either." Concubine Xian sighed, "Grandpa is now an instructor at the Hongwu Military Academy and doesn't see anyone. When you come back, go and see him. He should see you."

"Okay." Zhang Lun stood up.

"Why don't you eat anymore? There is still so much." said the virtuous concubine.

Zhang Lun spread his hands and smiled: "His Majesty is hosting a banquet in the Imperial Garden and wants to get drunk with me. I have to go."

The virtuous concubine glared at him and stood up to see him off: "If you hadn't said so earlier, you would have gone to eat with His Majesty first. Let me tell you, although His Majesty values ​​you, you must pay attention to the difference between the monarch and his subjects. He...he is different now than he was back then."

"I understand. I'm leaving." Zhang Lun waved his hand.

……

In the Imperial Garden, the autumn colors are at their peak, but it is not bleak at all.

Although it is already autumn, the garden is still full of flowers, but the flowers are quietly tinged with the charm of autumn. The chrysanthemums stand proudly in the frost, welcoming every ray of autumn sunshine with the fullest attitude. The tiny flowers of osmanthus are hidden among the green leaves, exuding bursts of refreshing fragrance, which are blown gently by the wind.

Zhu Qizhen stood under the simple and elegant pavilion, his figure upright, his eyes gently cast towards the autumn sunshine shining through the sparse clouds. The sunshine was no longer as blazing as in summer, but became soft and warm. The mottled light and shadow fell on his face, adding a touch of gentleness to the emperor. He took a deep breath of the fresh air with the fragrance of flowers, feeling the passage of time.

"Your Majesty." Zhang Lun came over and bowed.

"Come, sit down." Zhu Qizhen held out his hand. "This is all made by the imperial kitchen. It's what you like to eat."

He also sat down and was about to pour wine. Zhang Lun quickly took the wine pot, poured wine for the emperor, and poured himself a glass, saying: "Your Majesty, I have been deeply favored by the emperor in these years. I thank your majesty."

"Why be polite between you and me?" Zhu Qizhen smiled.

The two began to drink slowly, and Zhang Lun reported the situation in the southeast. Zhu Qizhen listened and occasionally asked a few questions. Speaking of Ning Rongrong, Zhang Lun's eyes were full of admiration: "Your Majesty, the person you chose is really good. Who would have thought that a woman would become a hegemon. I met Bai Wuqi once at sea, and he was impressed."

Zhu Qizhen's heart trembled.

He chose Bai Wuqi and arranged him to be with Ning Rongrong. It would not be a good thing if he was conquered.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty." Zhang Lun saw the emperor's worry and said quickly, "Bai Wuqi is loyal to Your Majesty."

Zhu Qizhen laughed out loud: "I know that he keeps sending secret reports to me, so I can control the situation in Japan."

"Your Majesty, you are the strongest." Zhang Lun said, "Use Ning Rongrong to contain Japan, and it is possible to control Japan. The Ming Dynasty will no longer be in danger from Japanese pirates."

Zhu Qizhen glared angrily: "How did you learn to flatter when you were out there?"

Zhang Lun grinned.

Zhu Qizhen drank a cup with him and said, "Now that you are back, go see your grandfather."

"Yes." Zhang Lun nodded. "I apologize to Your Majesty on behalf of my grandfather."

"That's not necessary. I don't want to touch him. I stripped him of his title to protect him. To prevent people from the Junshan Society from looking for him and getting him involved." Zhu Qizhen sighed.

Zhang Lun frowned, "Junshan Association, hasn't been resolved yet?"

Zhu Qizhen smiled bitterly: "It's not that easy. When you come back this time, don't rush back to the southeast. I have something for you to do. I am still walking on thin ice now."

He summoned Zhang Lun back because he wanted to use someone who had been away from the capital for a long time to break the overly stable situation of the court and the government in the capital.

……

Hongwu Military Academy.

Duke of Xia Yu Qian, Duke of Zhong Shi Heng, and Marquis of Wu'an Zheng Hong were gathered in front of a huge sand table, rehearsing the war in the Western Regions.

"I think Yang Guifang will definitely march westward to confront the Timurid Empire head-on." Shi Heng said, "That guy is best at long-distance raids. Don't be surprised if we receive a victory report one day saying that he has invaded the Timurid Empire." Yu Qian frowned, "But if the Chagatai issue is not resolved, the rear will be unstable."

Shi Heng pointed to a spot on the sand table and said, "Didn't Zhu Yong leave Dunhuang? As long as Zhu Yong is here, Chagatai's remaining troops won't dare to move."

Zheng Hong threw down the stick in his hand and said, "What's the point of us three old guys discussing this? The way these young people fight is different from ours. Didn't Zhang Lun come back today? Call him over and see what he thinks. I guess Yang Guifang's ideas are similar to his."

"He just came back, shouldn't he meet his family?" Shi Heng stared.

"Yu Qian is considered his master, right?" Zheng Hong spread his hands. "He is the fourth young master of the Yu family. He must come to pay his respects to his master. Besides, the Duke of Ying is here too. He must come to pay his respects to Grandpa."

Yu Qian was annoyed: "He has to finish his worship. He is coming back to Beijing to get married. Don't go and discuss the war with him."

"This kid has made some progress now." Zheng Hong sighed.

"It is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty that there are more and more young people like him," said Yu Qian.

He also threw down the stick in his hand and said, "Let's go. It's not easy for the three of us to meet each other. Let's go to Taibai Tower for a drink. I'll treat you."

Shi Heng and Zheng Hong said in unison: "We must go."

Soon, the three of them arrived at Taibai Tower and asked for a private room. After the food and wine were served, they began to eat and drink. After three cups of wine, Shi Heng spoke: "I'm telling you something. Shi Biao mentioned to me last time that the so-and-so...the fake emperor might have returned to the capital from the West, and the Junshan Society might use him to replace Your Majesty. I don't care about others, but I definitely support Your Majesty. You two hold military power, and you have both made your sights. If you dare not take action after catching the person, I will do it."

Yu Qian and Zheng Hong looked at each other, and Zheng Hong rolled his eyes: "Brother-in-law, you're drunk after just three glasses of wine? Can you tell me about this?"

"What can't be said?" Shi Heng looked over and said, "You are not from the Junshan Society, so keep a close eye on them. I am mainly responsible for leading the new recruits, so I am not in the right position."

Zheng Hong raised his glass, looking helpless: "Okay, okay, we know what's going on, let's drink."

……

Dusk, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen drank a few cups of tea and sat on the imperial chair rubbing his head. He drank a little too much with Zhang Lun at noon, and now he has a headache. Xiyao came over with a cup of tea and said, "Your Majesty, have a cup of sobering tea."

"Go and get another cup." Zhu Qizhen took it and drank it all.

Xiyao went to fetch another cup and offered it to him, her beautiful eyes filled with doubt: "Your Majesty, since you are in this state, why don't you just stop reviewing the memorials? It's not like tomorrow won't be bright."

"What do you know? State affairs must be handled immediately, otherwise, things will be delayed." Zhu Qizhen said, rubbing his brows.

Xiyao pursed her red lips and sighed softly: "I used to think that being an emperor was the most comfortable thing, but I never thought that being an emperor like you, Your Majesty, is more tiring than farming."

"Yes, I get angry earlier than a chicken and sleep later than a dog." Zhu Qizhen was helpless. "There is nothing I can do. This huge world has fallen on me. The world is my world, and the people are my people. What can I do? I can't be a tyrant."

Xiyao seemed to understand, walked behind him, and said softly: "Your Majesty, let me give you a massage."

Zhu Qizhen closed his eyes and enjoyed the massage.

However, his mind was working rapidly. Another purpose of calling Zhang Lun back this time was to hope that he could find out about the Junshan Society from Zhang Fu.

"I am still too soft-hearted." He sighed, "If there is no other way, I can only give them some strength."

Xiyao blinked her big eyes: "Your Majesty, are you soft-hearted? I didn't see that."

"Go away." Zhu Qizhen sat up straight, picked up the pen and began to review the memorials quickly.

……

The setting sun falls on the military academy’s campus area.

Zhang Lun came to a small courtyard, took a deep breath, and opened the door. Looking up, he saw Zhang Fu doing boxing, his white hair flying in the wind, full of vigor.

"Grandpa, your grandson is back." Zhang Lun shouted.

Zhang Fu turned around and slapped him without saying anything. The grandfather and grandson fought back and forth for a while, and finally Zhang Lun grabbed Zhang Fu.

"Grandpa, you have been testing me since I was little." Zhang Lun said speechlessly, "You are already this old, and you are still testing me? Aren't you afraid of hurting your old waist?"

Zhang Fu glared at him and said, "You have made it. Now grandpa can't beat you anymore."

Zhang Lun looked proud and laughed, "Grandpa, I am now the commander of a faction. When you were my age, you were still serving as a guard beside Emperor Taizong, right?"

"Haha." Zhang Fu rolled his eyes. "You can only deal with a few Japanese pirates. How can you call yourself a tiger of the empire? You have never fought a big battle. Look at Yang Guifang. She is a real commander. You are one of the two pillars of the empire. You dare to be on the same level as them."

Zhang Lun was speechless. "That's because I didn't have the chance to fight a big battle. Besides, His Majesty told me that my main focus in the future would be the navy, commanding the Ming Invincible Fleet, which is different from Yang Guifang's approach."

"The navy is the navy, what's the point of the navy?" Zhang Fu looked indifferent, "What kind of war can be fought on the sea?"

Zhang Lun stepped forward to support him and said, "You don't know this. In the future, the Ming Dynasty will have expeditions mainly with the navy. Today, I discussed with your majesty that we should build a strong navy. Only those who dominate the ocean can be the real overlord."

"There's nothing on the sea." Zhang Fu spread his hands.

"Grandpa, you are old, let me talk to you." Zhang Lun helped him sit down.

……

It’s dusk at the palace on the top of the mountain.

In the hall, smoke rose from the incense burner, and the strange fragrance filled the whole hall. Zhu Qizhen and the witch queen sat opposite each other and drank tea. He came to this palace after reviewing the memorials, and there was still a faint smell of alcohol on his body.

The Queen was still graceful, beautiful and noble, with picturesque eyes and eyebrows, and her every move was refreshing. Even when she was simply brewing tea, it was so beautiful that people could not look away. Her long hair fell gently like a waterfall, showing her extraordinary and elegant temperament, which was indescribably noble and extraordinary.

"My lady, you are so beautiful." Zhu Qizhen said without hesitation.

Noticing his burning gaze.

The Demon Queen slightly raised her eyebrows, and with a hint of ferocity in her phoenix eyes, she glared at him, then slowly pursed her red lips, revealing an unspoken majesty and coquettishness.

"What are you holding in your hand?" Her eyes fell on the scroll in Zhu Qizhen's arms.

"I drew you." Zhu Qizhen said.

The Demon Queen was slightly startled, and then glared: "How did you draw it? You didn't even come to see me."

Zhu Qizhen admired her beauty, blinked his eyes, and said meaningfully: "I painted you in my mind. You are the most beautiful in my heart."

The Queen's charming eyes glared at him lightly, without the shyness of being teased. She was generous and elegant, and her red lips parted slightly, and she spoke softly, "Really? Then show me how you painted it."

The Queen possesses the graceful demeanor and elegant temperament of a mature woman, but deep in her heart, the pride and innocence of a young girl remain unchanged, perfectly blending the dual charm of maturity and tenderness.

Zhu Qizhen was well aware of this.

Perhaps it was because she married into the palace too early and faced intrigue and deception, so she matured quickly, but when facing her lover, her girlish heart was automatically revealed.

"Just show you this? Then all my hard work will be in vain?" Zhu Qizhen raised his eyebrows.

"My husband, just open it and show it to me." The queen opened her red lips slightly, her eyes flashed with a hint of playfulness, and she even acted like a spoiled child. Then she slowly pushed the tea she had brewed in front of him, her movements revealing an unspoken elegance and luxury. Her eyes were as soft as water, looking at him expectantly.

Zhu Qizhen slowly drank his tea and admired the beauty, feeling very comfortable.

The painting in his hand was indeed of the Demon Queen, but his mind was not pure, he asked Alena to paint it together, and the facial expressions and movements in the painting matched the Taoist health-preserving techniques that the Demon Queen practiced. He wanted to see the Demon Queen's reaction, whether she knew that she was practicing evil magic.

"Okay, I'll show you." Zhu Qizhen took out the scroll from his arms, placed it gently on the table, pushed it in front of her, and then stared at her with bright eyes.

The Demon Queen reached out and picked up the scroll, opening it directly.

The scroll slowly unfolded, and what came into view was not a single painting, but a series of beautiful chapters with her as the theme. Each of them depicted her in bold clothing and with different expressions, which aroused endless reverie. When she glanced at these pictures, a delicate blush rose on her pretty face in an instant, and her heart surged like a tide, almost collapsing. She suddenly covered the scroll tightly with her hands, and stared at him with shame and anger in her beautiful eyes.

"You...you are shameless." The Demon Queen glared angrily.

Zhu Qizhen pulled her into his arms and gave her a domineering kiss.

After a long time, the lips opened.

The enchantress's pretty face was stained with a rosy glow like rouge, her phoenix eyes half-closed, revealing some indescribable affection and confusion, staring at him closely. She slightly opened her red lips, biting her lower lip with her fine teeth, as if she had thousands of words to say but couldn't. Her body leaned forward slightly, nestling in his arms, and at that moment, her thoughts seemed to be pulled away, and her mind was blank.

"Why, why did you draw it? Am I so shameless in your heart?" She hugged his neck tightly with her arms, with tears in the corners of her eyes.

Zhu Qizhen didn't expect her reaction to be like this. Was she really hurt?

He felt like a scumbag in his past life, who took a short video of his girlfriend and saved it.

"No, no, no, if you have no shame, I will go to hell." Zhu Qizhen explained quickly, "I like it. If you don't like it, I will destroy it."

Tears hung on the demon queen's long eyelashes, and her beautiful face was full of doubts: "Is this love?"

"Of course. If it wasn't because he liked it, how could he paint it so delicately?" Zhu Qizhen said decisively.

"Are you trying to coax me?" The demon queen pursed her red lips.

Zhu Qizhen held her gently in his arms.

I thought, that’s not right, doesn’t she know what she is practicing?
(End of this chapter)