Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 290 The Demon Queen is pitiful: I have no choice
"Why is there a part missing? Was it torn away by someone?"

Zhu Qizhen held up the book in his hand and asked Yao Sanxiao anxiously.

Yao Sanxiao nodded quickly: "I don't know either. When I got it, the part that was torn away was the most critical part."

Zhu Qizhen frowned.

Without seeing the torn part, we would not know the specific evil spell and its specific consequences. Who tore it away? Obviously, it was most likely the Demon Queen, because before Yao Sanxiao went in, only the Demon Queen had seen it.

"It may not be the Queen Mother." Yao Sanxiao saw the emperor's thoughts and bowed, "It is also possible that my master tore it away himself. He did not want this evil magic to be passed down to future generations."

Zhu Qizhen snorted coldly: "He didn't want to pass on his legacy to future generations until he died?"

Because he knew that Yao Guangxiao had passed it on to the Demon Queen. But why did he pass it on to the Demon Queen? The purpose of this evil monk was hard to figure out.

"But don't tell me that you have calculated something through the Yin-Yang prophecy. I definitely don't believe it." Zhu Qizhen thought to himself, "There is no one in the world who can predict the future."

He pondered for a while, then said to Yao Sanxiao, "Go back, and don't mention this to anyone."

"I understand." Yao Sanxiao bowed.

Just as he was about to leave, Zhu Qizhen remembered something and stopped him, saying, "Wait a minute, Xiyao wants to see you, take her away and let her stay at your place for a while."

"Ah, that's great." Yao Sanxiao smiled, "I haven't seen that girl for a long time. I received a letter from her father a few days ago."

Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly: "Is there something bothering Xiyao at home? Is she not welcomed at home?"

Yao Sanxiao had a puzzled expression: "What did the girl say to His Majesty? She is very favored at home."

Zhu Qizhen frowned.

He was thinking of the tune Jingwen played, which was said to be taught by Xiyao, but the tune was truly sad.

"Oh, that's all right." Zhu Qizhen shouted outside, "Xiyao, come in."

Xiyao walked in quickly, bowed, and then her eyes fell on Yao Sanxiao, and she said happily: "Master, I was just about to ask for leave from His Majesty and go find you."

"I agree." Zhu Qizhen smiled, "Follow your master to Shuntian University and feel the academic atmosphere."

Xiyao nodded repeatedly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

……

Jinyiwei, imperial prison.

Surrounded by high walls and mottled stone walls, the cold wind, with the biting chill unique to late autumn, blew through the hall, not only whistling in the narrow alleys, but also mercilessly penetrated the thin wooden doors of the cells, reaching the hearts of every prisoner.

In the cell, the dim lights flickered, casting mottled shadows. The prisoners shivered, their eyes full of despair. The Jinyiwei, wearing flying fish clothes and embroidered spring swords on their waists, walked around in this cold dungeon with no expression on their faces.

The prisoners were chained to the wall or huddled in corners, their thin clothes barely enough to protect them from the severe cold of late autumn. Their wails and sobs echoed in the cold stone caves.

On the cold stone floor, a few faint rays of sunlight can occasionally be seen shining through the narrow window gaps, but they cannot warm this cold and cruel space at all. Instead, they make the light seem particularly ironic.

Huichang Marquis Sun Lian was taken out of the cell and into a room with a blazing charcoal fire, which made it much warmer as soon as he entered. On the table in the room was a table full of delicious food.

In the past, he didn't care about this. As the Marquis of Huichang, he had eaten all kinds of delicious food. But now, he almost drooled.

"Sit down and eat." Shi Biao called.

Marquis Huichang sat down, but didn't dare to eat. He looked up at the Jinyiwei commander and asked, "Master Shi, if you have anything to say, just ask me. I'll tell you everything. You've suddenly been so nice to me, and I feel like this is our last meal."

"Eat it boldly, it's your reward." Shi Biao waved his hand.

"Really?" Sun Lian was skeptical.

Shi Biao's face suddenly turned cold: "You still don't believe what I said?"

"Then I won't be polite." Sun Lian grabbed a chicken leg and started to chew it.

While chewing the meat in his mouth, he picked up the wine glass with his other hand and took a swig. He sighed, "Oh, I haven't drunk in a long time. This wine is Nilingzui from Taibai Tower."

"You have some skills to be able to drink this out." Shi Biao smiled.

"When it comes to eating and drinking, I'm better than anyone else." A look of pride flashed across Sun Lian's face.

Shi Biao took a sip of wine slowly and smiled: "Of course, after all, you secretly married the wine-making girl."

Sun Lian's expression changed drastically, and the chicken drumstick in his hand suddenly lost its fragrance. He knelt down suddenly and said, "Master Shi, please spare Xiao Cui and her son. They know nothing."

"I didn't expect you to be such a romantic." Shi Biao chuckled, "Junshan Society is using them and their son to threaten you?"

Sun Lian looked dejected and nodded: "Yes! If I don't cooperate, I will never see them again. Lord Shi, have you found them?"

"Not yet." Shi Biao smiled, "But now that we have a clue, we can find them with the ability of our Jinyiwei."

Sun Lian secretly gave up, it turned out that the Jinyiwei had not caught them yet. But he looked unconvinced: "Can you find them? I don't believe that you can't find the people hidden by Junshan Society. Otherwise, you would have found Junshan Society long ago."

"Haha." Shi Biao sneered, "Very good, whether I can find it or not also requires your cooperation."

"If I find it, won't I be controlled by you again?" Sun Lian raised his eyes.

"Do you think you still have a choice? If we don't rescue the mother and child as soon as possible." Shi Biao spread his hands, "Do you think they will still be able to survive? You betrayed the Junshan Society."

Sun Lian's face turned pale instantly. He was silent for a while and said, "I have told you everything I know."

"Really? Think about it carefully. I'm not in a hurry anyway." Shi Biao picked up the wine glass, "Come on, Lord Hou, let's have a drink. Oh, I still have to go and interrogate Yuan Bin."

After drinking, he got up and left, leaving Sun Lian to eat alone.

Shi Biao came to the next room, which was also burning with charcoal, and was very warm. There was also a table full of delicious food, and Yuan Bin, who was covered in wounds, was eating with big mouthfuls.

"You really have the style of a great general." Shi Biao said with a smile.

Yuan Bin asked without even looking up: "Is this the last meal?"

"That depends on whether you cooperate or not. If you cooperate, you can eat like this every day from now on." Shi Biao spread his hands.

Yuan Bin bit a piece of meat fiercely, raised his head and sneered: "What if I don't cooperate?"

Shi Biao approached him, a grim smile flashing across his lips: "This will be the last meal, and you will be executed at Caishikou tomorrow."

……

In a house in the west of the city.

In the secret room, the Junshan Society was holding a meeting. The Deer Mask sat in the middle, looking at the Ox, Tiger, and Wolf Masks, and said in a deep voice: "The Rat Boss will have the latest plan, we just need to follow his orders."

The Bull Mask sighed, "We don't know how long this will last. Huichang Marquis has been arrested. We don't know what else this rabbit knows. We should meet less often to avoid being caught by the Royal Guards."

"We don't know each other's identities, so what are we afraid of?" said Tiger Mask.

"I don't know." Bull Mask looked around, "But we can guess, right? He just guessed a few randomly, what if he got it right?"

Deer Mask waved his hand to interrupt, saying: "After this meeting, we will not see each other for a while, and keep quiet for a while. It will also make the outside world think that His Majesty... was really burned to death."

Wolf Mask said calmly: "Are we just deceiving ourselves? The Royal Guards will definitely not believe it."

"It's okay. Anyway, we don't know where His Majesty is hiding now." The Bull Mask smiled, "Old Deer, you have to hide them well."

Deer Mask sighed: "I am also doing my best. I guess the Jinyiwei will soon have new methods and will find us."

"Since you have chosen, you should be prepared to die." Wolf Mask said indifferently, "It's just a death, it's okay, right? I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."

As he spoke, he walked out of the door, followed by Ox and Tiger. Deer Mask looked at them and whispered to himself, "We are all unwilling, so why bother?"

……

At dusk, the autumn sunset hangs in the sky.

Bulma closed the door and did not allow the maid to approach. She no longer had the wildness she once had, and became more dignified and elegant. She was wearing a white long dress that wrapped around her plump and graceful body. She lay lazily on a soft mat, with charcoal burning in the brazier beside her.

She recently fell in love with reading the Zhongyuan novels. The stories in them made her addicted and temporarily forget her troubles. She was so absorbed in reading that the door was pushed open and Zhu Qizhen came in and immediately closed the door. "It's so cold. It's not even winter yet, but it's already so cold." He walked up to Bulma and asked, "Sister-in-law, is it even colder in Dunhuang now?"

Bulma pursed her lips and lowered her head: "Yes, it's much colder than here."

Zhu Qizhen stepped forward, held her delicate hand, and asked with concern: "Are you used to it? If not, go to the Qianqing Palace and find a house. There are underground heating systems there."

Bulma bit her lip and tried to pull her hand back, but Zhu Qizhen held it tightly. She hated and was angry but helpless: "Thank you, Your Majesty, but it's not necessary. I'm fine here alone."

"Aren't you worried about your son?" Zhu Qizhen raised his eyebrows.

Bulma was slightly startled, and then she panicked: "What's wrong with him?"

"I'm just trying to scare you. He's fine. He's in a room with a floor heater, which is warmer than yours." Zhu Qizhen squeezed her hand. "Just put your heart in your pelvis."

Bulma's beautiful face showed a hint of weakness, and she couldn't help but hold his hand tightly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhu Qizhen smiled playfully: "How do you thank me?"

Bulma sat up slowly, faltered for a moment, and then leaned into his arms. Zhu Qizhen put his arms around her waist and gave her a domineering, suffocating French kiss, and the beauty in his arms soon softened.

Half an hour later.

Bulma leaned against him with tears in her eyes. Zhu Qizhen hugged her tenderly, pressed against her back, and sighed, "Why are you crying again? It's as if I bullied you."

"Isn't it?" Bulma pursed her lips.

Zhu Qizhen buried his head in her fair neck and said, "In our Central Plains, this is called love."

Bulma pursed her lips, her eyes revealing a bit of weakness and resignation, she leaned obediently in his arms, not saying a word.

……

Sunchon University.

The sky was covered with a thin layer of leaden clouds. The cold wind was biting as it blew between the quaint eaves and lush trees, picking up fallen leaves that danced lightly in the air and eventually returned to dust.

The golden ginkgo leaves and fiery red maple leaves make the campus gorgeous. Students dressed in various Confucian robes, holding books or wearing cloaks, walk hurriedly in the drizzle.

Shang Lu had just walked out of a teaching building with flying eaves and looked up at the sky. The drizzle was like silk, gently falling, adding a bit of warmth to this cold autumn. The raindrops dripped along the ancient eaves, making a crisp and pleasant sound.

Although he was already the president, he often thought that this was a university in the Ming Dynasty. Today's imperial examinations are no longer limited to Confucianism, but are inclusive of mathematics, engineering, medicine and many other technical subjects.

"Master." A crisp voice came.

Li Ling held an umbrella and another in his hand, and walked quickly to Shang Lu, handed it to him and said, "Master, I knew you would forget to take the umbrella."

Shang Lu took the umbrella, opened it, walked into the rain, and said to Li Ling beside him: "Ling'er, you have been in the Ming Dynasty for several years, right? Many famous families have come to ask me if you are willing to get married."

"Master~" Li Ling glared, "I won't marry. I will return to Goryeo eventually."

"It's too dangerous for you to go back alone." Shang Lu said.

Li Ling had a stubborn expression and snorted, "I will ask His Majesty to lend me troops, Master. I will find a way and His Majesty will definitely lend me troops. Then, I will be able to help my brother regain the throne."

Shang Lu held his forehead with his hand.

Borrowing troops is not that easy. The Ming Dynasty and Goryeo have a good relationship now, so they will not rashly start a war. However, the emperor did mention that Goryeo's new king, Li Yu, is a man of great talent and ambition.

"Master, Mr. Yao made dumplings in his yard today and asked us to eat them together." Li Ling said excitedly, "Mr. Yao's apprentice, Miss Xiyao, is so beautiful."

Shang Lu smiled slightly and said, "Then let's go eat dumplings."

Soon, the master and the apprentice arrived in front of a small courtyard and pushed the door open. Xiyao stood in the corridor and called out, "Mr. Shang, Sister Ling, come quickly, we are waiting for you."

Xiyao led the two into the house, where a big fire was burning in the brazier, which instantly warmed up a lot. Yao Sanxiao was already sitting at the table, with a few bowls of dumplings on the table in front of him.

"Mr. Shang, come and try my apprentice's cooking." Yao Sanxiao called out.

"I know you have a powerful disciple." Shang Lu glared unhappily.

The four of them sat down to eat. Xiyao and Li Ling had only recently met, but they hit it off right away and were as close as sisters. After eating the dumplings, Li Ling rushed to wash the dishes.

"We're still short of some ingredients for tomorrow's dishes. I'll go to the market to buy some." Xiyao said.

"Sister, please come back soon." Li Ling called.

Xiyao responded, holding an umbrella and went out, walking out of the campus, watching the drizzle. She turned a few streets and came to the Chamber of Commerce, stunned for a while, and then walked in.

Roujia looked at her, her expression changed drastically, and then she bowed and said, "Your Highness, you are here."

Xiyao raised her hand. At this moment, she was no longer as cute and bright as usual, but more majestic. She said in a cold voice: "Don't call me Your Highness. What kind of Your Highness am I?"

"Everyone in Ning has been waiting for your news." Roujia stood up.

"That's good. She still remembers me." Xiyao smiled faintly. "Tell me, what have you been busy with recently?"

……

Qianqing Palace.

After Zhu Qizhen finished reviewing the memorials, he felt pain in his neck. Normally, he would ask Xiyao to massage it. The girl had studied medicine and became more and more skilled at massage, which was very comfortable.

Xiyao is not here today.

Zhu Qizhen had no choice but to go out for a walk. He hadn't been to the Imperial Garden for a long time, so he strolled to the Imperial Garden. As soon as he entered the door, he heard Mingmei's laughter. He looked up and was numb.

The Demon Queen, the Virtuous Consort, the Virtuous Consort and Bulma were all in the same exquisite pavilion. The laughter just now was from the Virtuous Consort. Zhu Qizhen turned around and was about to leave, but the Demon Queen called him: "Your Majesty, since you are here, come and sit down?"

Isn’t this a Shura field?
Zhu Qizhen complained in his heart, but he still walked over generously and asked, "Why are you guys together?"

The Queen of Demons has a gentle and charming demeanor, with endless tenderness in her eyes and a faint smile at the corners of her mouth, showing her unparalleled charm. She is also graceful and elegant. She is undoubtedly a stunningly beautiful person.

Sitting opposite her was Consort Xian. Her skin was whiter than snow, and her eyes were as clear as a spring. Just by sitting quietly, she naturally exuded a fresh, refined, virtuous and gentle temperament.

They sat opposite each other, their eyes exchanged with each other, but it was extremely peaceful. The virtuous concubine still maintained respect for the witch queen, not daring to act rashly, but she also had the sharpness of a latecomer.

The bright and beautiful Concubine De is a bit like a demon queen, a mature queen, but she is heartless and doesn't feel the open and secret struggles between women. Bulma is much more docile, lowering her head, listening silently, with a quiet and elegant temperament.

Zhu Qizhen walked over and drank his tea calmly while observing them. He smiled and said, "It's getting cold. You should be careful not to catch a cold."

He laughed and compared secretly in his mind.

If we were to say who is the most beautiful among all the beauties, it would still be the Queen. She is enchanting, charming and mature, especially her noble status, which is incomparable to that of the Virtuous Concubine. The elegance that she inadvertently reveals, especially the mature charm, is unmatched.

This is related to the fact that she has been in a high position for a long time, and no one else has this opportunity.

The virtuous concubine used to be a little eccentric, but now she is like a cold and aloof female CEO, because she has to take charge of the harem and start to move towards becoming the queen of a country.

Although Defei appears to be passionate on the outside, she has a gentle heart on the inside. In most matters, she always complies with Zhu Qizhen's wishes and rarely disobeys, just like an affectionate and doting elder sister who dotes on her naughty younger brother, with a warm embrace that makes people linger.

As for sister-in-law Bulma, she has lost the fierceness of a woman from outside the Great Wall. She is a typical classical woman. She is easy-going and content with the status quo. She always accepts the arrangement of fate calmly and accepts it. If she is lucky enough to meet a good man, she will definitely become a virtuous and good wife; but if she is unlucky and meets a bad man, she will just bear it silently and become a pitiful punching bag. Her gentleness and quietness are like a song, melodious and beautiful, which makes people unable to stop and feel pity.

"What are you thinking about?" asked the Queen.

Zhu Qizhen came back to his senses and smiled: "I feel very happy because I have you."

The demon queen's tender eyes blinked slightly, and her voice was sultry and gentle: "Really? Including me?"

Zhu Qizhen was secretly shocked. Is the witch queen so bold now? Is she no longer estimating her identity?
"I dare not." He waved his hands awkwardly.

The virtuous concubine moved lightly, like a clever cat, and came to his side silently. Her eyes sparkled with charming and seductive feelings, and her fingers gently slid across the back of his hand, with a bit of coquettish meaning in her behavior: "Your Majesty, you go to the Queen Mother's every day, what do you eat?"

Zhu Qizhen held his forehead and asked, "Are you provoking her?"
"That belongs to him alone." The Demon Queen answered quickly.

A smile appeared on her lips, and she became bolder and bolder as she spoke, because she had no choice.

(End of this chapter)