Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 295 She betrayed the fake emperor, and the real emperor got help

Qianqing Palace.

An hour later, Ding Xiu hurriedly asked for an audience. He brought Yao Sanxiao's body back to Jinyiwei and asked a special coroner to perform an autopsy. After completing all this, he rushed to the palace to report to the emperor.

Yao Sanxiao was introduced to Shuntian University by the emperor. Now that he died for no reason, Ding Xiu naturally had to report to the emperor. Zhu Qizhen was reviewing memorials without even looking up: "Any progress in the whereabouts of the fake emperor?"

Ding Xiu hesitated for a moment, bowed respectfully, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Yao Sanxiao is dead."

Bang!

Zhu Qizhen dropped the teacup in his hand to the ground, stood up suddenly, and asked in astonishment: "Yao Sanxiao? Why did he die suddenly?"

Ding Xiu briefly recounted the entire process, and then told the coroner what he had found out after the autopsy: "There were no wounds, and it didn't look like poisoning. The coroner suspected it was a sudden death."

"I haven't heard that he has any old illness." Zhu Qizhen calmed down.

As a time traveler, he could understand it better. When people get older, if they have some underlying diseases, they are more likely to die suddenly. In his previous life, he saw many cases of working cattle and horses dying suddenly.

"I have sent people to investigate." Ding Xiu seemed to be thinking about something. "I always feel that his death is unusual."

Zhu Qizhen frowned.

Someone wants to kill Yao Sanxiao? Why? This old man has only been in the capital for a short time and has not offended anyone.

"Oh, Your Majesty," Ding Xiu continued, "When Yao Sanxiao died, the Empress Dowager also sent a eunuch to convey her decree, saying that she wanted to summon Yao Sanxiao."

Zhu Qizhen was shocked: "Ah?"

He had to think more about whether Yao Sanxiao knew something he shouldn't know. That was the notebook of his master Yao Guangxiao, and the notebook had to be given to the Queen Mother.

"Could it be that the secret is also recorded in those notes?" Zhu Qizhen muttered in his heart, "That's not right. The Queen Mother knew the notes first. If there was a secret, she shouldn't have left it to Yao Sanxiao."

Ding Xiu noticed the emperor's strangeness and asked, "Your Majesty, is this... a clue?"

What he actually wanted to ask was whether to investigate the Queen Mother. Zhu Cheji pondered for a while and nodded: "This is indeed a clue. You may not know that Yao Sanxiao is the apprentice of the former national teacher Yao Guangxiao. And Yao Guangxiao left a room full of notes in Fahai Zen Temple. The notebook was left for... the Queen Mother..."

Ding Xiu listened to what the emperor said, his eyes widened: "Then there must be a connection."

Zhu Qizhen nodded slowly: "But this is about the Queen Mother, you know what to do, right?"

"I understand. Your Majesty, please rest assured that everything will be investigated in secret." Ding Xiu bowed.

After the two discussed for a while, Ding Xiu left. Zhu Qizhen sat alone on the dragon chair and pondered, thinking, could it be that the Queen Mother killed Yao Sanxiao to silence him? Why? Later, she remembered that there was a bigger secret in the notes?
……

At this time, Kunning Palace.

The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict had already returned to the palace to report to the Queen Mother, telling her about Yao Sanxiao's death. The Queen Mother had not yet recovered from her shock, and her face was filled with disbelief: "How could he die so suddenly?"

Shuangxi stood aside and sighed: "Maybe it's because I'm old."

"What a coincidence." The Queen Mother frowned slightly, "When I wanted to summon him, he died. Could it be that someone didn't want him to see me?"

Shuangxi shook her head and said with a wry smile: "My lady, only I know about summoning Yao Sanxiao."

"Of course I don't doubt you." The Queen Mother glared at him, then sighed faintly, "Maybe I'm overthinking it. Hey, he's old, so it's not surprising that he died."

Shuangxi handed over a cup of tea, hesitated, and said, "Your Majesty, this matter may cause you trouble. Now it seems that Yao Sanxiao must have said something to His Majesty. Just when Your Majesty sent someone to summon him, he died. This may make His Majesty suspicious."

"Does he doubt me?" A complicated expression flashed across the Queen Mother's eyes. "Well, if he wants to doubt me, then let him doubt me."

Shuangxi pursed his lips and said, "These days, if we leave the palace, we must be careful. Those Jinyiwei secret guards may target us."

"Humph, it's not the first time." The Queen Mother snorted coldly, "It's just right to let them follow for a while. We should be silent during this period of time."

Shuangxi nodded: "I also hope that the Jinyiwei will find out as soon as possible who harmed Yao Sanxiao."

The Queen Mother seemed tired, and slowly lay down on the soft mat, supporting her head with one hand, which highlighted her proud curves. She sighed lightly: "Shuangxi, prepare the ingredients, I will cook for myself tonight."

"Yes." Shuangxi understood that the Queen Mother wanted to make food that His Majesty would like to eat.

……

Shuntian University, small school courtyard.

"Didn't you always say that the cycle of life and death is the natural law of heaven and earth, and nothing can escape it. Although we are deeply saddened, the deceased has rested in peace, and his love still exists. We should remember it in our hearts and turn it into strength to move forward."

Li Ling comforted her for a long time before Xiyao slowly recovered and stopped crying. She wiped her tears and said, "Well, thank you, Sister Ling. I won't cry anymore. I'll go back and pack up Master's belongings."

"Shall I accompany you?" Li Ling asked.

Xiyao stood up and waved her hand: "Don't worry, Sister Ling, I'm not afraid."

Li Ling no longer insisted, because it was inappropriate for her, an outsider, to follow them as they went back to collect their belongings. Xiyao returned to the yard alone and stayed in the corridor for a while.

She then entered Yao Sanxiao's room, sighed softly, and began to clean up, muttering in a low voice:
"Master, I still remember the first time I saw you when you were a child, in Southeast Asia. You were stranded there like a beggar, and I was the one who saved you."

"Because of you, our family later moved to Jiangnan. It's been more than ten years. At that time, I asked Master not to run around, but you didn't want to."

As she was talking, she stood in front of a bookshelf in a daze, her originally sad face turned fierce. Her expression was extremely strange, with tears in her eyes and a cold smile on her lips.

"Master, you won't blame me, will you?" A cold light flashed in her eyes.

At this moment, footsteps were heard outside. She instantly regained her sad expression and walked out. Seeing someone entering the yard, she was surprised: "Your Majesty? Why... are you here?"

Zhu Qizhen looked up at her and sighed softly: "The Jinyiwei reported the situation to me, so I came to see you."

"I'm fine." Xiyao pursed her lips and wiped her eyes. "It's just that I can go back to the palace later to deal with Master's funeral before returning to the palace."

Zhu Qizhen walked forward, gently embraced her in his arms, and said softly: "It's okay, you can go back whenever you want."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xiyao said softly, leaning on his shoulder and sobbing quietly.

Zhu Qizhen patted her back gently for a while, then asked, "Did your master bring back a batch of books from Fahai Zen Temple?"

"Yes." Xiyao took a step back and pointed to the bookshelf in the room. "It's right there. I was just about to clean it up. I was wondering if these relics should be buried with the master."

Zhu Qizhen held his forehead with his hand and said, "No, no, these can be passed down to future generations."

He walked into the room, came to the bookshelf, picked up a book and started reading.

……

At dusk, Zhu Qizhen came back from Shuntian University and came to Kunning Palace.

The demon queen was wearing an elegant purple long dress, outlining her graceful and exquisite figure. She was cooking, and her slender waist swayed, exuding infinite charm.

"It will be ready soon." She greeted Zhu Qizhen.

Zhu Qizhen sat down on the chair, drank the tea brought by Shuangxi, and admired the beauty of the witch. He was also surprised that after so many years, he still didn't seem to get tired of looking at her.

The Queen is not only beautiful in appearance, but also has noble and elegant temperament and occasionally yandere personality, which makes people like her.

Soon, all the dishes were served. Zhu Qizhen picked up his chopsticks and tasted them. They were indeed delicious. He praised the Queen, "Sometimes I have to admire you. You can succeed in everything you want to learn and do."

"Humph." The Demon Queen said proudly, "This is talent."

The two of them ate face to face. The Queen was as elegant as ever, and Zhu Qizhen was as voracious as ever. He asked as he ate, "Yao Sanxiao is dead. I heard you were going to summon him. Is there something wrong?"

The Demon Queen drank her soup and nodded slightly: "He is also a junior brother. I went to talk to him about the master, but I never thought that he would die. Alas, life is unpredictable. Maybe one day, I will suddenly pass away too."

"Good people don't live long, but evil people will live for thousands of years." Zhu Qizhen blinked, "You are a demon queen, you still have a long life ahead of you."

Bang!

The Demon Queen threw her chopsticks on the table, stared at him with her beautiful eyes, and said with a smile: "Really? Then won't you, the fake emperor, live longer?"

Zhu Qizhen spread his hands and said, "So, the two of us are a perfect match."

The demon queen's cheeks turned slightly red: "Pah! Who wants to be a couple with you?"

Zhu Qizhen finished eating quickly, wiping his mouth while looking at the Demon Queen, and said: "The Jinyiwei said that Yao Sanxiao might have been murdered. If that is true, I will help you, my junior brother, to avenge him."

The Demon Queen did not even raise her head and said calmly, "Thank you very much, Your Majesty."

Zhu Qizhen smiled and left. The Queen put down her chopsticks, sadness flashing in her eyes: "He really does suspect me, haha, does he distrust me so much now?"

……

Fahai Temple.

The cold wind, with its biting chill, gently brushed across the quaint eaves and mottled stone paths. Frost quietly descended, covering every inch of land like a veil, killing all the grass. The once lush and vibrant plants were now withered and yellow, drooping their heads.

Every brick and tile of the temple adds an indescribable sadness to this silence.

Because the old host passed away.

The old abbot passed away peacefully, just like the cold wind of early winter, quietly taking away the warmth and peace in the temple. His departure cast a heavy atmosphere of sadness over the entire Zen temple, and every breeze and every fallen leaf seemed to be telling of the nostalgia and reluctance to part with him.

The monks walked around the temple with heavy steps and sad faces. The Queen Mother came to see the old abbot off in person. She walked in the Zen temple, smelling the faint incense in the air, listening to the heavy bells, and tears fell.

"Madam, the cremation is about to begin." Shuangxi came over, "They have a ceremony, will you go, Madam?"

The Queen Mother wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "Of course I will."

The ceremony to send off the old abbot was very long and it lasted until the afternoon. The sky was gray and it seemed to be night. In front of a Zen room in the backyard of the Zen temple, a woman wearing a fox mask knocked on the door.

"Come in." A cold female voice came from inside.

The fox mask pushed the door open and immediately closed it. When he looked up, he saw a woman wearing a rat mask. The two looked at each other, and the fox mask spoke first: "Boss Rat, I finally see you."

"I've read your letter." Rat Boss said calmly, "I'm looking forward to the gift you'll give me."

The fox mask took a few steps towards her and said with a smile: "I myself am that great gift."

After that, she took off her mask.

The moment Rat Boss saw the face clearly, he was obviously shocked, his beautiful eyes widened: "It turned out to be you! It turned out to be you!"

"Isn't it a surprise?" Fox Mask put on the mask again.

After being surprised for a moment, Rat Boss quickly came to his senses and spread his hands and said, "Even so, what can you do to help me?"

The fox mask chuckled and said, "You want to help the True Weather replace the False Emperor. I can help you. My role is second only to yours, right? Or maybe even greater than yours."

"Why are you helping us?" Rat Boss asked coldly.

The fox mask took a few steps closer, stared into Rat Boss's eyes and said, "You are asking even though you already know the answer. After reading my letter, you should know that I am also a member of the Zhu family. How can the Zhu family's kingdom fall into the hands of outsiders?"

Rat Boss came close to her and said with a smile: "Your eyes are very charming."

"That can't compare to your charming eyes, which have charmed two generations of emperors." The fox mask held up the Rat Boss's aura.

Rat Boss stared for a while, then suddenly smiled and held out his hand: "Okay, from now on, we are allies, and you can tell me what you want."

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen was discussing the establishment of a university with the cabinet and the six ministers. Shang Lu, who was late, came in hurriedly. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I went to Fahai Zen Temple to see the old abbot off for the last time. I am late."

"Sit down and talk." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand. "The old abbot is a great monk. Have you sent my condolences?"

Shang Lu nodded: "The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict arrived early, and the Empress Dowager also went there in person today."

"The Queen Mother often goes to Fahai Zen Temple, and the old abbot always comes to greet her in person." Zhu Qizhen sighed softly, "I guess the Queen Mother will be sad for a while."

After talking about the old host, everyone continued to discuss the construction of the university. An hour later, Zhu Qizhen took Shang Lu to the corridor outside the palace.

The wind was cold and chilly. Zhu Qizhen looked at the elderly Shang Lu and asked with a smile, "Mr. Shang, can you handle this? If you don't want to be the principal anymore, I will find a successor for you."

"I am still strong and can hold on." Shang Lu rubbed his hands and said, "I feel uncomfortable staying at home without work. I will do something for the Ming Dynasty while I am still strong."

Zhu Qizhen smiled and nodded. Shang Lu took a few steps forward and said, "Your Majesty, the debate between Confucianism and the arts in the school is getting more and more intense. I am a little worried that it will have a bad impact."

"The light won't light up if you don't turn it on, and the truth won't be clear if you don't argue." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand, "Don't worry, the bigger the debate, the better. By the way, go back and inform them that I will go to Shuntian University in three days. I want to do an experiment."

"What experiment?" Shang Lu asked curiously.

Zhu Qizhen smiled and said, "Let me ask you, if a 20-jin iron ball and a 5-jin iron ball are dropped from a ten-story building, which one will hit the ground first?"

Shang Lu thought for a moment and said, "Of course the heavier ones will land first."

(End of this chapter)