Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 298: The Demon Queen learns the truth about her youth and collapses

Yu Qian slowly raised his head and looked up and down at the current legitimate emperor. He was silent for a long time and sighed softly: "Your Majesty, since I am here, I will naturally help Your Majesty."

"Great." The Zhengtong Emperor was delighted. "I really can't believe it."

Yu Qian bowed and said, "The Queen Mother is right. The late emperor was very kind to me. Without him, I would have died long ago. With my character, I can only do things under the late emperor. Therefore, I must repay the late emperor's kindness."

The orthodox emperor looked serious and returned the greeting: "I understand. I hope to gain your trust in the future. I will work hard and will not lose to that fake emperor."

"Your Majesty, we will all work hard." Shang Lu said, "If a person pretending to be an emperor sat on the throne of the Ming Dynasty and passed it down to future generations, wouldn't that be a joke?"

The Zhengtong Emperor was deeply moved and said: "I leave it to you."

He asked everyone to sit down and said, "Mr. Shang, what should we do next? With Yu Qian, we have a better chance, right?" Wu Xingdao poured tea for everyone and asked with a smile, "Mr. Shang, what should we do next? With Yu Qian, we have a better chance, right?"

As he spoke, he and the Zhengtong Emperor looked at Yu Qian. Yu Qian was silent for a while, then raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask you for one favor first."

"What's the matter? Just tell me." The orthodox emperor waved his hand.

Yu Qian said seriously, "When your majesty regains the throne, please spare the life of the fake emperor. He has not enjoyed himself in these years. First, he fought against the powerful and recovered the annexed land for the people. Then he implemented the New Deal, managed the Yellow River, suppressed the Japanese pirates, and swept the northern desert..."

There was a flash of coldness in the eyes of the Zhengtong Emperor, but he interrupted with a smile: "I promise you, I know that the false emperor has done a very good job, even better than Emperor Taizong. The Ming Dynasty is prosperous and powerful today because of him."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yu Qian bowed again.

Shang Lu saw that the atmosphere was getting awkward again, so he changed the subject and said, "Your Majesty, as for the next action, we at Junshan will make arrangements. Please don't be anxious, after all, almost all the civil and military officials in the court support the fake emperor now."

"Yes." Yu Qian sighed, "The fake emperor has replaced almost all the people in the court in the past few years, and now they all obey his orders. We must plan carefully. Once it is leaked, it will be over."

The Zhengtong Emperor sat upright and nodded, "Please everyone, I am waiting for good news here. Don't worry about me, this little hardship is really nothing."

Yu Qian looked at him and nodded slowly.

……

At this moment, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen was summoning an envoy from the Ottoman Empire. This envoy came from Istanbul and was led by Reis. The purpose of their visit was to deepen the alliance and hope that the Ming Dynasty could contain the Timurid Empire.

Because now the Ottoman Empire is advancing westwards. After destroying the Byzantine Empire, it is facing the Holy Roman Empire. Although this old empire is already dying, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse and still has strong strength.

Zhu Qizhen was certainly willing to form a deeper alliance and destroy Timur first. As for whether the two empires would eventually confront each other, that was a matter for the future.

There is also the Aries Dynasty stuck in the middle, it is too early to fight, it is better to make friends with distant countries first and attack nearby ones. Zhu Qizhen thought that the young emperor of the Ottoman Empire probably had the same idea as himself.

As the emperor, Zhu Qizhen only said some general words, and the details were of course discussed by the people below. The Ottoman Empire also brought a group of international students this time, and Zhu Qizhen naturally welcomed them very much.

He noticed a woman, very beautiful, and her identity should be extraordinary, because Reiss was quite respectful to her. The woman was wearing a simple long dress, with a veil on her head, and a beautiful face, a pair of deep, heterochromatic eyes, like the blue waves of the Mediterranean Sea, and long, curled eyelashes, which could stir up ripples in people's hearts with a light flap. Her nose was straight and smooth, adding a bit of exotic charm to her.

Zhu Qizhen secretly praised in his heart, this is the typical Persian beauty, with unique soft curves, a waist as light as a willow, yet strong, and skin kissed by the sun turning into a warm wheat color.

After Reis' introduction, Zhu Qizhen knew that the woman's name was Aisha, and her identity was indeed extraordinary. She was the youngest concubine of the previous Osman emperor, and the emperor died a few days after she officially became a concubine.

In the Ming Dynasty, she would be the imperial concubine.

But she was actually only in her twenties, in the prime of her youth. The current Ottoman emperor allowed her to leave the Ottoman Empire and come to Ming Dynasty to study.

"It's heart-beating..." Zhu Qizhen hummed in his heart.

He had never seen such an exotic beauty. In his previous life, he had watched TV and was envious of Persian beauties. However, he was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, so of course he could not admire beauties without restraint.

……

Prince Run’s Mansion.

Zhu Zunyuan, the newly promoted Prince of Run, was sitting on a cushion made of precious silk, with two beautiful women on each side. They either lowered their eyebrows and looked affectionate, or smiled sweetly. Their laughter was as clear as a silver bell, which touched people's hearts. These two beauties were both the most beautiful ladies in Feiyan Tower in the capital. With their graceful dancing and stunning looks, they had attracted countless princes and nobles. But now, because of Zhu Zunyuan's lavish spending, they all gathered here just to make him smile.

In front of us, in an exquisite pavilion, seven or eight women in gauze and graceful postures were dancing to the melodious music. The gauze they wore was as light as mist, and as they spun, sometimes revealing their delicate skin, sometimes covering it up, sketching out a series of breathtaking pictures.

The music is sometimes passionate and sometimes lingering, and the women's dance steps also change accordingly. Sometimes they are as light and graceful as catkins in the wind; sometimes they are as passionate and unrestrained as a storm.

"Okay, okay, I'll take it as a reward." Zhu Zunyuan laughed, "It's better to come back. How can Nanyang be as fun as the capital?"

A man who looked like a housekeeper walked up to him and whispered something. Zhu Zunyuan's eyes flashed with disgust: "What is she doing here?"

He cursed, but still stood up and followed the housekeeper to the backyard. Xiyao was standing in the corridor, her face as cold as ice. Zhu Zunyuan walked towards her and spread his hands: "Hey, what gust of wind brought you here?"

Snapped!
Xiyao slapped him in the face, catching him off guard. Half of his face was visibly swollen. He touched his face, his eyes blazing with fire: "Zhu Xiyao, you dare to hit me?"

Snapped!
Xiyao slapped him again, her speed was so fast that Zhu Zunyuan couldn't dodge it at all.

"If you want to die, don't drag us down." Xiyao's eyes were like knives. "Let those women go back. You should behave yourself in the capital from now on. Otherwise, I will not only beat you next time."

Zhu Zunyuan lowered his head, murderous intent flashed in his eyes, but when he raised his head, he smiled: "It's just inviting a girl from the brothel to dance, can it still affect you?"

"You are a prince, how can you have so much money to spend like water?" Xiyao said coldly, "Do you think the Jinyiwei are all good-for-nothings? If you are targeted by the Jinyiwei, you will be finished."

"I am just an incompetent prince." Zhu Zunyuan spread his hands, "Okay, if you don't allow me to do it, I won't do it, okay?"

Xiyao's eyes were cold: "I warn you again, be honest, I will arrange for you to go to Fengyang as soon as possible."

"I'll listen to you, Queen." Zhu Zunyuan shrugged.

Xiyao glanced at him and turned away. Zhu Zunyuan watched her leave, and a cold smile appeared on his face: "You think you are smart! Haha, don't you know that my extravagant life is the way to survive. Don't worry, I will wait and see. If you are going to lose, I will betray you without hesitation."

……

Sunchon University, a small courtyard in the campus area.

Xiyao stood in front of the yard for a long time, thinking of the voice and appearance of her master Yao Sanxiao. At this time, Li Ling came over with Ding Xiu, and Li Ling shouted in surprise: "Xiyao, you are back?"

"Yes, come back and take a look." Xiyao turned around.

She glanced past Li Ling and landed on Ding Xiu, wondering, "Master Ding, have you found out the truth about my master's death?"

Ding Xiu looked at her, was silent for a while, and said in a deep voice: "Miss Xiyao, your master Yao Sanxiao died of poisoning."

"Ah?" Xiyao was shocked.

Ding Xiu frowned slightly: "It can't be said to be poisoning. The coroner checked and said that Mr. Yao had some heart problems. He drank a medicine before he died, which accelerated his heartbeat and caused sudden death."

Xiyao couldn't believe it: "What kind of medicine is this? Why would my master drink medicine?"

"Miss Xiyao, we still have to investigate. Anything is possible. Maybe your master drank that kind of medicine inadvertently and he didn't know it." Ding Xiu said, "So I came to ask you about the details of that day."

Xiyao nodded slowly and began to recall, talking as she recalled. Ding Xiu listened and ordered his subordinates to take notes. Half an hour later, he left with his subordinates.

After leaving the gate, the subordinate said, "Boss, I guess it was an accident. That kind of medicine is also commonly used by Yao Sanxiao, a doctor. He accidentally boiled it and drank it."

"It's impossible that he was murdered?" Ding Xiu asked.

The subordinate spread his hands and said, "According to Miss Xiyao, everything was normal after she got up, and no outsiders came. Then, she went out to buy vegetables, and when she came back, she saw Yao Sanxiao lying on the ground. We also checked, and no outsiders went to that yard during that period of time. If there is a murderer, it is either Yao Sanxiao himself or Miss Xiyao." "Maybe it is them?" Ding Xiu smiled.

"How is that possible? They are master and disciple, what hatred or grudge do they have?" The subordinate shook his head.

Ding Xiu smiled faintly: "You don't think it through. During the time Xiyao was away, someone might have entered the yard. There are so many people coming and going in this school area, we may not be able to find out."

"Well, just keep investigating." The subordinate sighed helplessly.

……

sunset.

The palace under the setting sun in winter was also somewhat desolate. The cold wind blew through the glazed tiles, making a long and subtle hum.

The palace gates were locked, and the vermilion color seemed particularly heavy in the twilight. Behind each door were countless unknown stories. The eunuchs and palace maids, dressed in thick cotton clothes and wearing warm hats, hurried through the huge palace. Their figures were elongated, casting mottled shadows on the cold stone road. Their faces were either numb or with a hint of imperceptible sadness, as if the winter cold had not only penetrated into their bones, but also quietly seeped into their hearts.

A thin layer of ice had formed on the pond in the palace. Occasionally, a few cold-resistant birds would fly over the water, leaving behind a few clear chirps, but they were quickly swallowed up by the silence of the vast palace.

The afterglow of the setting sun gradually faded, and the lights in the palace began to light up. Zhu Qizhen walked quickly towards Kunning Palace against the wind. After entering the door, it became much warmer instantly. The queen in a long dress lay lazily on the soft mat, with proud curves, her head slightly tilted up, and her skin under her slender neck was as white as jade.

"I'm hungry, hungry." Zhu Qizhen shouted.

The demon queen raised her beautiful eyes and glared at him: "Are you that hungry? How can you be so miserable as an emperor? You look like you are hungry."

Zhu Qizhen walked over and held her beautiful face with his cold hands, which made the queen grimaced. When she was about to curse, he lowered his head and kissed her.

After a rough French kiss, the demon queen calmed down, her face flushed: "Help me up, it's time to eat."

Zhu Qizhen smiled and pulled her up, and walked to the dining table, where Shuangxi had already served the food. He was really hungry, and immediately began to eat heartily, saying as he ate: "By the way, today the Jinyiwei reported that... Yao Sanxiao died of poisoning."

"What?" The Demon Queen was shocked. "How could it be? Who did he offend?"

Zhu Qizhen looked at her with a half-smile and spread his hands: "I don't know, the Jinyiwei is still investigating. How long has Yao Sanxiao been in Beijing? It's impossible for him to have enemies."

"What do you mean?" The Demon Queen snorted, "His death has nothing to do with me."

She actually said it bluntly. Zhu Qizhen nodded: "Of course, I believe you."

"Haha, do you believe me on this?" The Demon Queen said angrily.

"You don't have to lie." Zhu Qizhen said, "Besides, I have always believed in you."

He added in his heart, I don't believe you, you are a bad woman. If Yao Sanxiao's death has nothing to do with you, then it's strange, who would kill Yao Sanxiao? What hatred or grudge? Is it really an accident?

"I'm done eating and am leaving." Zhu Qizhen stood up, wiped his mouth, and strode away.

The Demon Queen wanted to call him back, but she didn't. She looked at his back with a sad look in her eyes, "He really just came to accompany me for dinner. Why does it feel like he's being more and more perfunctory?"

……

The night was cold and icy.

But the rooms in the harem were as warm as spring.

Zhu Qizhen lay on the couch, stretched out his hand to pull away Alena's hair that fell on his face, and brushed it back and forth, which was a bit itchy. Alena leaned over to look at him, with beads of sweat on her red cheeks, and smiled charmingly: "Your Majesty, are you ticklish?"

"Aren't you afraid?" Zhu Qizhen grabbed her waist a few times.

Alena twisted her waist and giggled, reaching out to throw her drooping hair behind her, and with her charming body, she said angrily, "Your Majesty, I want to go out of the palace for a walk, is that okay?"

Zhu Qizhen rested his head on his hands, admiring her beauty and snow-white skin, and said with a smile: "Sure, you can talk to Concubine Xian and send a few experienced eunuchs and palace maids to follow."

"That's great."

Alena blinked her eyes, lowered her head and kissed him on the face, then sat up, obviously very happy. Her black hair fell from her shoulders. Against the backdrop of the black hair, her skin looked even whiter and her temperament became even more charming.

Zhu Qizhen stretched out his hand and held her waist and said, "You help me, and I help you, and we each get what we need."

Alena pursed her red lips, leaned over to lean into his arms, and said softly: "Your Majesty, I still can't cure you, because Your Majesty, you don't have me in your heart. Our minds are different, and we can't reach the required level."

Zhu Qizhen probably understood what she meant. The state of spiritual fusion should be able to completely repair his spiritual soul. In the words of doctors, the spirit, energy and spirit will be complete.

"Who am I looking for?" he whispered, thinking of the Demon Queen in his mind.

Alena buried her head in his neck and said in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, you are worried about the consequences of the witch queen's magic, right? It's a pity. If I could see the magic, I should have a solution."

Zhu Qizhen frowned and cursed in his heart, wondering who had torn away the key part of the magic book.

……

The next day, Fahai Temple.

Inside the temple, ancient trees tower into the sky, with thin frost hanging on the branches. Occasionally, a breeze blows by, bringing down a few light frost flowers, which spin and blend into the tranquility.
In front of the incense burner, smoke curls up, believers put their hands together, their faces peaceful, praying devoutly, their figures lengthened in the morning light. In this land gently embraced by the winter sun, time seems to slow down.

In the backyard of the Zen temple, a bamboo forest swayed gently in the breeze, and the dew on the bamboo leaves sparkled. A bamboo leaf floated into a Zen room with the wind, and in the room, two women sat facing each other.

One wore a mouse mask and the other wore a fox mask.

"This thing is for you." The fox mask took out a notebook and pushed it in front of the mouse mask. "This is what Yao Sanxiao discovered before he died. It's recorded here."

The eyes of the rat mask flashed with surprise. He took it but did not open it immediately. Instead, he turned to the fox mask and asked coldly, "You killed Yao Sanxiao, didn't you?"

"Yes!" Fox Mask answered affirmatively.

Rat Mask said in a horrified and confused tone, "Why?"

The fox mask chuckled: "For you, because he discovered your secret, he will report it to the false emperor."

"Ah?" Rat Mask exclaimed.

The fox mask pointed to the book on the table and said, "You will know after you finish reading it."

The mouse mask no longer hesitated, and immediately opened it, and glanced at her quickly. Although he couldn't see her face, her hands were shaking constantly. Was she afraid? Was she nervous?
"You know everything too?" She asked coldly after closing the book after reading it.

Fox Mask spread his hands: "Do you think I want to know? But if I don't look at it, how can I know what he recorded? I guess he read the notes left by Yao Guangxiao and inferred it."

"Haha, you are worthy of being Yao Guangxiao's apprentice." Rat Mask snorted coldly.

Rat Mask stood up directly: "Let's go, you know what to do next."

……

The winter sun was still cold on the street, and it was completely unable to withstand the biting wind. A carriage passed slowly, and the driver was Shuangxi. Although she was a girl, she drove very steadily.

The Demon Queen, who was sitting in the carriage, did not feel the slightest bump. She was holding a notebook in her hand, frowning, and muttered to herself coldly: "Yao Guangxiao, it turns out that you are not doing this for the Zhu family. You are so cruel, and everyone has been deceived by you."

(End of this chapter)