Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 304: The Demon Queen's Secret Technique, This Woman Actually Knows It

Night falls.

The last rays of sunset in the sky were quietly swallowed up by the biting cold wind. The winter wind, like a sharp blade, whistled through the streets and alleys of the capital, rolling up waves of withered yellow leaves.

Pedestrians on the street hurried home. Only the city patrol guards were still patrolling. Now the capital of the Ming Dynasty was flourishing, and the number of foreigners was increasing. The court attached great importance to public security, so the city patrol guards would patrol day and night.

Ding Xiu was holding a pancake in his hand, hiding under a tree, his eyes fell on the Yang Mansion opposite. A carriage stopped in front of the Yang Mansion, and Yang Shan, the Minister of Rites, got out of the carriage and hurried into the mansion.

"Boss, aren't you going to arrest anyone?" a subordinate came over and asked in a low voice.

Ding Xiu shook his head: "Your Majesty doesn't want us to arrest him now. After all, this is a Shangshu."

The subordinate spread his hands and said, "For us Jinyiwei, it is easy to accuse him of a crime. Besides, how many of these first and second rank ministers have clean bottoms?"

"I also told His Majesty to keep an eye on him for a while. If he doesn't get anything, then arrest him." Ding Xiu's eyes were sharp. "If he enters our imperial prison, I don't believe he won't tell anyone."

He remembered what the emperor said, that although Yang Shan usually seems like a big talker and is good at arguing with people, his rudeness is only on the surface, and in fact he is cunning and good at eloquence.

When he reported to the emperor, he only said that Yang Shan was suspected to be the bull mask of Junshan Society, but he was not sure. The emperor was surprised at first, but later he thought that the bull mask was Yang Shan.

Ding Xiu didn't know that it was because Zhu Qizhen remembered the record in the History of Ming Dynasty that Yang Shan was the one who brought back the orthodox emperor, relying on his mouth. Later, this guy participated in the coup, was promoted to the title of Zhuguo, and was also responsible for Yu Qian's death.

"Boss, you go back. Our brothers are watching here." said the subordinate.

Ding Xiu waved her hand: "Let's go together. Didn't we all get here this way in the northwest back then?"

"Alas, it was freezing cold when we were in the northwest." The subordinate shrugged, "I'm still freezing when I return to the capital."

Ding Xiu patted him on the shoulder and said, "You have suffered a lot following me, the boss."

"Boss, that's not what I meant." The subordinate held his forehead with his hand.

……

The next day, the sky cleared up.

Xiyao returned to Shuntian University. She could stay in school for another five days, and still lived in Yao Sanxiao's courtyard. Before she entered the door, she looked at Shang Lu's courtyard next door, and there was no one there.

"Sister Ling should also be going to class." She said to herself and pushed open the door of the courtyard.

The sun went down and it was finally not so cold anymore. Xiyao went back to her room to tidy up, took out a pile of books and put them in the yard to dry.

Then, she lit a brazier in the corridor, made a cup of hot tea, and drank it while reading a book. She was flipping through the notes left by Yao Guangxiao.

"The mechanism of creation cannot be without life, nor can it be without control. Without life, there will be no way for development; without control, it will be excessive and cause harm. The cycle of life and death is endless." She looked at the book in her hand and read in a low voice, with a flash of sarcasm on her lips, "You are indeed a demon monk, a monk who learned the art of yin and yang. However, my master's master didn't teach you everything."

She closed the book, looked across the yard, and said calmly, "Yao Sanxiao, before you, I had a master in Nanyang. Speaking of which, he had a lot of connections with your master. My master was Xi Yingzhen's apprentice. Haha, Yao Guangxiao learned the art of Yin and Yang from Xi Yingzhen, right? In this respect, you and I are of the same generation."

It turned out that she was actually the descendant of Xi Yingzhen. Xi Yingzhen was proficient in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, especially in the Book of Changes, and had a lot of experience in the art of yin and yang.

"Yao Guangxiao, Yao Guangxiao, I roughly know what your purpose is." Xiyao sneered, "But you didn't expect a fake emperor to appear, did you? And you didn't expect there would be me, did you?"

She picked up the teacup and took a sip slowly.

At this time, footsteps were heard outside, accompanied by the laughter of a young girl. She looked up and saw Li Ling and Isabella walking by together. She stood up, restored her innocent look, and called out, "Sister Ling~"

"Xiyao, you're back." Li Ling was overjoyed.

"Come in, I'm making a fire." Xiyao called out.

Li Ling and Isabella entered the courtyard together and came to the corridor. Isabella looked at Xiyao, full of curiosity: "I just found out that you are a maidservant beside the emperor. I haven't even met the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. What kind of person is he?"

"A bad guy." Li Ling curled her lips.

She recalled the days when Zhu Qizhen teased her. Xiyao smiled slightly: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful. You will have a chance to meet him."

Isabella was full of curiosity about the Ming Emperor and the Ming Palace: "It would be great if I could go into the palace and take a look."

"That's difficult." Xiyao blinked her beautiful eyes, "Ordinary people can't enter the palace."

Li Ling sat down and drank tea and said, "There's nothing to see. It's almost impossible to enter the palace, but if you want to see the emperor, it's easy. He comes to the university from time to time. He hasn't come recently, maybe it's because the weather is cold."

Isabella nodded expectantly.

"I'm going to the market to buy vegetables later. You can come to my yard to eat barbecue in the evening." Xiyao invited.

Li Ling said excitedly: "Okay, okay, Xiyao's cooking skills are the best, I will go shopping with you."

"No, no." Xiyao waved her hand.

……

The three of them were chatting happily, but in the back mountain of their school area, under a deserted well, Emperor Zhengtong, Xu Bin and Wu Xingdao were obviously in poor spirits.

Anyone who lives in this deserted well for a long time will become decadent. However, the orthodox emperor kept encouraging himself and providing emotional value to Wu Xingdao and Xu Bin.

Wu Xingdao and Xu Bin were both delighted. His Majesty the Emperor had become more mature. In the past, His Majesty the Emperor would definitely not have survived such a day. This was different from the hardships of the grassland. This was a life without sunlight.

"Mr. Wu, today we are going to play five games of chess." The Zhengtong Emperor said loudly, "On the eve of the Battle of Feishui, Fu Jian of the Former Qin led a million troops to attack the Eastern Jin Dynasty. At this time, Xie An was playing chess with his friends. That was the style of a famous scholar."

"How can Xie An compare with Your Majesty?" Wu Xingdao looked at him sincerely, "Your Majesty's chess skills are improving by leaps and bounds. It's hard for me to win now."

"Come, come, I can't wait to watch." Xu Bin came over with the chessboard in his hand. "Even though we don't see each other, we still use our minds as soldiers. Calculating others often wants to kill, but taking care of yourself is greedy for life. Taking advantage of the situation to invade and swallow up the distant, taking advantage of the danger to rob and win. Sometimes when you meet an enemy, the situation will last until the end of the night. Your Majesty, your chess skills these days are quite like those of a great military strategist."

The three of them laughed out loud and started playing chess.

While playing chess, the Zhengtong Emperor asked calmly, "Is there any new news from the Junshan Society?"

Xu Bin looked at the chessboard and said, "He gave us some silver and told us to keep waiting."

"I am curious about the identity of the new fox." The orthodox emperor smiled.

Xu Bin sighed softly: "I guess only Boss Rat knows her identity."

"The Junshan Society is very cautious. Not only did they not tell us, they even kept it a secret from their own people." The Zhengtong Emperor said calmly.

Wu Xingdao raised his eyes and said, "That's right. It means that the fox's identity is extremely special and no information can be leaked."

The orthodox emperor nodded slowly: "The military advisor is right."

……

At this moment, Fahai Temple.

In the backyard Zen room, two masked women stood facing each other, one wearing a rat mask and the other wearing a fox mask. The fox mask chuckled and said, "Boss Rat, aren't you afraid of the Jinyiwei?"

"Don't worry, no one can come in here." Rat Mask asked coldly, "What do you want to talk to me about?"

Fox Mask took a few steps closer and said, "To make a long story short, I am worried about the Jinyiwei. There is one person you can give up on, and that is the Bull Mask from Junshan Society."

"Why?" The Rat Mask's voice was filled with surprise.

"He must be Yang Shan, the Minister of Rites, right?" Fox Mask said calmly, "His identity has been discovered by the Royal Guards."

The Rat Mask's beautiful eyes flashed with panic: "Are you sure?" The Fox Mask spread his hands: "Of course, and it happened three days ago. The Jinyiwei didn't move because I guess they were trying to catch a big fish."

"Then why didn't you pass on the news earlier?" A murderous look flashed in the eyes of the Rat Mask.

Fox Mask shrugged helplessly: "I don't have a chance. Well, I've got the message. I'm leaving."

After saying that, she turned around and left without any hesitation. Rat Mask looked at her back and whispered to himself: "You don't have no chance, you are just waiting and watching, right?"

She took off the mask, her face was as cold as ice, and at that moment, she regretted conspiring with the fox.

Fox Mask came out of the back door of the Zen temple and got on a carriage. Her beautiful eyes flashed with sarcasm: "If you Junshan Society has no ability, then you can only be my stepping stone. Rat Boss, you are still not cruel enough. I have another secret, that is, I can also do the Taoist magic you know. It seems that I still have to rely on myself and be like Wu Zetian! In this way, I can't kill His Majesty, I can also help His Majesty cure his illness and let him die young."

There was a glimmer of pride in her eyes, but soon, murderous intent was revealed: "If that's the case, Boss Rat and all the women in the harem should die."

……

Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen summoned the ministers of the Ministry of War and the generals of the Five Military Commanderies today.

He held up a memorial and said, "This is the last memorial sent from the Western Regions since the beginning of winter. Our army is now stationed in our Gancheng. Yang Guifang's original plan was to quickly capture Samarkand. However, the heavy snow there came early, making it inconvenient to march. The Timurid Empire has united with some small countries and deployed heavy troops on the western border of our Gancheng. From the current perspective, the war will take place in the early spring of next year."

Yu Qian, the Duke of Xia, stepped forward to add: "The Timurid Empire invited the Black Sheep Dynasty as foreign aid, and they had the legendary Persian Immortal Legion. Haha, the name is quite scary."

"The Black Sheep is still there." Shi Heng frowned, "I thought it was killed by the White Sheep."

Duke Chen Mao of Jing was puzzled. "Why is the name of the Western Region Kingdom so strange? Two sheep fighting each other?"

"It's just two sheep fighting each other." Wu'an Hou Zheng Hong said, "The White Sheep Dynasty is now allied with the Ottoman Empire. I think we are not in a hurry, so let them fight first."

Everyone had a lively discussion.

Zhu Qizhen finally made the decision that there was no time to wait, and the army would continue to advance westward after the spring, first destroying the Timurid Empire, then slowing down and preparing for a decisive battle with the Ottoman Empire.

"The memorial from Chagatai Governor Liu Dingzhi to me mentioned the power of the Ottoman Empire." Zhu Qizhen smiled, "Everyone, we can't take it lightly."

Liu Dingzhi's analysis shows that the current Ottoman Empire is very similar to the Ming Dynasty. The expansion of the Ottoman Empire even far exceeded that of the Ming Dynasty. After they destroyed Byzantium, they became the overlord of the West.

The young emperor was wise and brave, and he worked hard to govern the country. The Ottoman government and the people were united. They also had a powerful imperial army, and even worse, they used slaves and prisoners of war to form a terrifying death squad.

In terms of economy, the Ottoman Empire controlled the East-West trade fortresses at sea and on land, bringing them a steady stream of wealth.

"We make money, and they make money too." Zheng Hong spread his hands, "This is too infuriating."

Yu Qian said arrogantly: "From now on, what's theirs is ours."

Zhu Qizhen was very satisfied when he saw everyone's excitement. What he wanted was for everyone to be united.

"Your Majesty, I will lead reinforcements to the Western Regions after the spring." Yu Qian bowed.

Zhu Qizhen was stunned. He did not expect Yu Qian to take the initiative. It was really a bit sudden. Before he could answer, Wu'an Marquis Zheng Hong stepped forward and reported: "Your Majesty, Duke Xia cannot be allowed to go to the Western Regions. He is needed in the capital."

Duke Chen Mao of Jing also agreed: "Yes, Your Majesty, I am old now, and the Five Military Commanders' Office must be handed over to Duke Xia."

Yu Qian looked at the two of them speechlessly, then bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, then let Duke Zhong go to the Western Regions. The Western Regions are now full of young generals, and I am really worried."

Shi Heng, who was watching the show on the side, was very upset and bowed, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go, but I still need some time to train the new recruits in the military academy. I want to take them to the battlefield with me!"

"It's the same if you practice on the battlefield," said Yu Qian.

Shi Heng looked tangled: "Of course I know this, but I raised these new soldiers with my own efforts. They are all my treasures. If they go to the battlefield without being well prepared, I will be heartbroken if anyone dies."

Zhu Qizhen looked strange.

I didn't expect Shi Heng to be so dedicated in training his troops.

……

dusk.

Inside the palace walls, there are towering ancient trees with branches covered with white frost. Occasionally, one or two dead leaves tremble and fall in the wind.

Zhu Qizhen walked quickly along the path in the harem. The cold wind whistled like a sharp blade, not only blowing up his bright yellow dragon robe, but also seemed to penetrate through layers of brocade and reach his bones, making people shiver involuntarily.

Arriving at Kunning Palace, the room instantly became warmer, with candlelight flickering inside. Shuangxi was the only one cleaning up, and the Queen Demon was nowhere to be seen. He stepped forward, held Shuangxi's delicate face with both hands, and asked, "Where is your Queen?"

Shuangxi shivered from the cold, but didn't dare to curse. He just pursed his lips helplessly and said, "The queen is going to take a bath."

"Yoshi~" Zhu Qizhen let go of her and walked directly to the demon queen's room at the back, saying with a smile, "I'm not hungry, I'm going to see the beauty coming out of the bath."

When he arrived at the Demon Queen's boudoir, the candlelight was swaying and the light was dim, but he did not hear the sound of water. He raised his eyes to look at the phoenix couch and saw the Demon Queen was already lying inside.

"Are you going to bed so early?" He lifted the bed curtain.

The Queen of Demons was wearing a light white gauze undergarment, lying lazily on the gorgeous phoenix couch, with one of her slender legs gently bent, outlining a graceful curve. Her charming and mature eyes contained endless charm and charm. At this moment, she was staring at Zhu Qizhen who was slowly approaching, with a bold and shy look in her eyes. Her thin lips were tightly pursed, as if she was suppressing her breath that was about to come out, and her face was stained with a faint blush, like a newly blooming peach blossom, both delicate and attractive. Her heartbeat was very fast, and she looked reluctant but also welcoming.

"What kind of rules are these?" Zhu Qizhen smiled, "Seducing me? This is a bit sudden."

He sat down beside the bed, a smile on his face, reached out and held the Queen's delicate hand, and kissed it. It smelled so good.

The demon queen looked at him with burning eyes, made way for him, and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum: "You come up first."

She covered her heart with one hand, her brows showing a hint of nervousness. This was a bold invitation.

Zhu Qizhen did not move. He was more alert now. After all, he was no longer the hot-blooded teenager. He said in a teasing tone, "Is spring here?"

"You..." The Demon Queen glared. She was also an experienced person, so of course she understood what he meant.

Seeing her embarrassing state, Zhu Qizhen couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Okay, I'm not in a hurry. Don't stop at the critical moment like before. I'm younger than you and you're not old, so I can wait."

The Queen was slightly disappointed, and a sad look flashed across her beautiful eyes. She didn't want to sacrifice herself or anything, but she just wanted to hug him to sleep because she saw that he was tired recently. In the past, he always slept soundly in her arms.

"Why are you still so cute?"

Zhu Qizhen stretched out his hand and pinched her cheek. Her skin was as white as jade. At this moment, her eyes were a little dull, but it added a bit of naive charm. This look was indescribably interesting and cute. It was completely different from the noble, cold, and scheming queen in the past. They were two completely different people. At this moment, she revealed a rare innocence and romance, which made people feel pity for her.

"Go away." The Demon Queen's beautiful eyes drooped.

Her heart suddenly tightened, as if she was pricked by something sharp, and then she felt an indescribable sense of emptiness, as if an important part of her life had been quietly lost, leaving a void. Her beautiful eyes suddenly became dark and complicated, as if there were thousands of words intertwined in them, but she didn't know where to start. She bit her tender lips unconsciously, and the subtle pain seemed to keep her awake. When she spoke again, her voice unconsciously had a bit of coolness, like the morning breeze in early spring, which was not biting, but made people feel a clear sense of distance.

"Hey, you unreasonable woman." Zhu Qizhen leaned over.

He kissed her domineeringly for a long, long time, almost suffocating her, before letting her go. The enchantress blushed, her eyes full of affection: "I'm not angry, I just feel that we are not as... as... as before..."

"There is a long way to go." Zhu Qizhen gently held her little hand.

The Queen nodded slowly, and Zhu Qizhen kissed her on the forehead again, then stood up and said, "I'm going to the cabinet to encourage the ministers on duty."

Zhu Qizhen left. The Queen looked at his back, her eyes filled with complexity. There were thousands of words and emotions flowing quietly in the depths of her eyes, but they were elusive. It was a mixture of reluctance, expectation, worry and relief. She sighed and said to herself: "You must know something, if you are so close yet so far away."

(End of this chapter)