Ming: I am fake, walking on thin ice

Chapter 307 The True Emperor is in a state of panic: The back roads and backyards are all raided

In the early morning, a cold wind blew.

The harem courtyard was heavily guarded, and Qiqige had been taken to Changchun Palace by Concubine Xian. Zhu Qizhen sat on a chair, looking at Alena's body in front of him. He was not very sad, but he was also a little sad.

After all, this woman helped him find the cause of his illness and also found a cure. Also, after so many days and nights of living together, he still had some feelings for her.

Love grows over time!
After the Jinyiwei coroner finished the examination, he reported: "Your Majesty, judging from the wounds, the murderer is a martial artist. The first stab was accurate, and he stabbed her twice more. There was no violent struggle, so the murderer must have controlled her and stabbed her again. It can be seen that the murderer is very confident."

Zhu Qizhen frowned.

This is a harem, who can enter it? This is not a martial arts novel world where someone can fly over eaves and walls. How did the murderer get in?
"Your Majesty, I have sent people to the Imperial Guards to check." Shi Biao reported, "The gates of the Imperial City will record who comes in and out, and those who can enter the harem will be strictly checked. Your Majesty, this matter is very strange. Even the guards are not allowed to enter the harem. Only palace maids and eunuchs can enter and exit."

Zhu Qizhen thought thoughtfully: "Maybe it was done by someone in the harem."

"Your Majesty, the case happened in the harem, and it is not convenient for the Royal Guards to come in and investigate. Your Majesty's order is needed." Shi Biao bowed, "However, a murder has occurred in the harem, and it concerns the safety of Your Majesty and the ladies. I request that the Royal Guards be allowed to come in and investigate the case."

Zhu Qizhen pondered for a moment and waved his hand: "Forget it, don't disturb the ladies, let Cao Jixiang investigate this case. The murderer is most likely a eunuch or a palace maid."

"As you wish." Shi Biao nodded.

He actually didn't want to get involved in this mess, but he still had to give advice, saying, "I can assist Eunuch Cao and help him analyze it. For example, does Miss Alena have any grudges with anyone in the harem?"

Make enemies?
That shouldn't be the case, it's just that the Demon Queen doesn't like her. Demon Queen? Could it be her? It shouldn't be that bad, the Demon Queen's mindset. She wouldn't kill someone just because she doesn't like her.

Is it because Alena cured me? The witch queen doesn't want me to get better? So she killed her?

Zhu Qizhen frowned, his mind racing. After pondering for a long time, he waved his hand and said, "Shi Biao, you can take the Jinyiwei out of the harem. I'll leave this matter to Cao Jixiang."

Cao Jixiang came forward and bowed: "I obey your order. I will move the body away."

Zhu Qizhen's eyes fell on Alena and he waved slowly.

……

After coming out of the harem, Zhu Qizhen came to Changchun Palace.

Xianfei was comforting Qiqige, and when she saw the emperor coming in, she immediately went to greet him. Zhu Qizhen raised his hand, his eyes fell on Qiqige, and he said softly: "I will find the murderer, and you will temporarily live in Changchun Palace."

There were still traces of tears on Qiqige's face. She gently stroked her big belly and whispered, "Why would someone kill Alena? Was it for us? I just want the baby in my belly to be safe."

"Don't worry, that's my child too." Zhu Qizhen walked over and sat down beside her. "I will protect you and the child. Changchun Palace will be safe, don't worry."

Qiqige nodded silently. Concubine Xian called the palace maids and said, "Help Qiqige to rest in the room. Listen carefully and take good care of him. If you make Qiqige unhappy, I will hold you accountable."

Three palace maids came up and helped Qiqige away. Zhu Qizhen watched her enter the back hall and sighed softly: "She was also frightened."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will take good care of her in my palace." said the virtuous concubine.

Zhu Qizhen held her hand and gently said, "You have to be careful too. I never really care about the affairs of the harem. Now that a murder has occurred, I am very worried."

"Your Majesty~" Concubine Xian knelt down, "It is all my fault for not managing the harem well."

Zhu Qizhen pulled her up and said, "I don't blame you. I know your difficulties. The Queen Mother is no longer in charge and has handed the matter over to you. You are in a thankless position. Some people will scold you and say that you want to be the Queen. Hey, I also know a little about the right and wrong of the harem. I understand you."

After hearing this, Concubine Xian had tears in her eyes: "With your Majesty's words, everything I do is worth it."

Zhu Qizhen reached out and held her in his arms, comforting her: "You and I have been through hardships as husband and wife, and I have kept it in my heart. In this huge harem, you will suffer grievances in the future. I used to think that it was just jealousy between women, but I never thought that there would be a murder case."

Concubine Xian was slightly startled: "Your Majesty suspects that someone in the harem did it?"

"It's probably true. People from outside the palace can hardly enter the harem." Zhu Qizhen frowned, "You should also secretly check whether Alena has made enemies with others?"

The virtuous concubine nodded thoughtfully: "I obey your order."

"And Qiqige is left to you. Arrange a separate palace for her. I am worried about her." Zhu Qizhen said.

The virtuous concubine smiled gently: "It is the most suitable place for me. I have given birth to a child and can help her."

Zhu Qizhen smiled with satisfaction, and Concubine Xian snuggled in his arms, with a flash of surprise in her eyes.

……

Chagatai, Asu city.

It stood alone in the wilderness ravaged by the cold wind, like a small boat struggling in the endless winter waves. The cold wind whistled like a sharp blade, with a piercing chill that seemed to be able to cut through the thickest fur coat. The guards on the tower, even wearing heavy winter clothes, still could not withstand the cold from the north. Their figures shivered in the cold wind, like candles in the wind, swaying unsteadily.

Although the snow has stopped, the whole world is still covered by a thick layer of white snow, and there is endless silence and desolation under the silver. The sky is not the clear blue of the past, but is covered by heavy clouds, showing a depressing gray. Without the warmth of the sun, the air is filled with a lingering frost, and even breathing becomes difficult and heavy.

The walls of Aso City looked particularly weathered in this harsh weather, with unmelted ice and snow remaining between the cracks of the stones, like scars left by the years. The residents of the city also closed their doors and hid in simple houses, using the only warmth to resist the severe cold outside. The whole city fell into a dull and depressing atmosphere.

Suddenly, the earth shook.

In the distance, a black tide surged in. The guards on the tower shouted, "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

When the bell rang, the originally quiet city suddenly became a panic. Zhu Qiyu hurried out of the palace in the city, followed by Su Wang Zhu Shanyan, Min Wang Zhu Huiyan, Jin Wang Zhu Meigui, and Qin Wang Zhu Gongxi.

They hurried to the tower and saw that Boyan was already there. Boyan pointed at the overwhelming army and said solemnly, "It's the imperial army. I didn't expect them to show up in this icy and snowy weather."

"What should I do?" Zhu Qiyu was numb.

There were 50,000 troops in Asu City, but he knew that they would definitely not be able to withstand the attack of the imperial army. Before, he secretly sent people to contact Liu Dingzhi, the governor of Chagatai, to stabilize Liu Dingzhi and wait for the results from the capital before making a choice.

Now, the army is approaching the city. "Of course we have to fight!" Boyan's eyes are blazing, "As long as we can withstand three waves of attacks, they will definitely retreat. In this icy and snowy weather, they won't be able to hold out for long outside the city."

As they were talking, the army had already arrived at the city. This time the leader was a newcomer, Cao Qin, the adopted son of the great eunuch Cao Jixiang. He had arrived at Alima City before the heavy snow, escorting military equipment.

At this moment, he sat high on the horse, thinking about Cao Jixiang's instructions before he left: "You can make achievements in the army, but staying in the capital will only get mixed up. Your adoptive father is finding a way out for you, and it is also a way out for himself. Maybe I will rely on you in the future."

Because the Jinyiwei was investigating Cao Qin and suspected that he had had contact with Junshan, Cao Jixiang simply sent him out of the capital to stay away from disputes.

After Cao Qin arrived at Alima City, he was highly valued by Liu Dingzhi, because Liu Dingzhi saw this guy training his troops and found that he was a talented general. It was Cao Qin who suggested to Liu Dingzhi that they attack Asu City in this cold winter and catch them off guard.

"Shenjiying, bomb them for me!" He waved his hand and gave the order.

An hour later, the already crumbling walls of Asu City were already a sea of ​​fire, and Cao Qin led his army into the city. On a street, he saw a team of five people coming over.

The leading captain reported: "General, you are really smart. These people escaped from the west gate and were caught by us."

The five people who were tied up were Zhu Qiyu, the Prince of Qin, Zhu Shanyan, the Prince of Su, Zhu Huiyan, the Prince of Min, Zhu Meigui, the Prince of Jin, and Zhu Gongxi, the Prince of Qin. They wanted to escape from the west gate, but they were ambushed.

Cao Qin's eyes fell on the five people and he chuckled: "Do you think you can run away every time?"

"Who are you? How dare you speak to me like that?" Zhu Qiyu was furious.

"How dare a mere fake prince talk to this general like that?" Cao Qin drew out his long sword, "Do you believe I can chop you down with one blow?"

Zhu Qiyu immediately became timid: "Please spare our lives. Send us to the capital. We will be of great use to His Majesty the Emperor."

He knew in his heart that if he fell into the hands of these crude soldiers, his life would be in danger at any time. When he arrived in the capital, he could still save his life because of his status. Then wouldn't the King of Zhou be alive?
"It's okay to send it to the capital!" A smile flashed across Cao Qin's lips.

This time he captured Asu City, he had made great contributions, and also captured these vassal kings, and His Majesty would definitely reward him. He felt a little regretful, he should have left Beijing earlier, and when he arrived at the battlefield, he felt like a fish in water.

……

Beijing.

There was a murder in the harem, but the news did not spread. The court was still busy as usual, but it was all summary matters. It was the end of the year, and the ministers were all moving around.

During the morning court session, a piece of victory news shocked the court and the public. Chagatai Commander Cao Qin captured the city of Asu and captured five pseudo-kings alive. They were on their way to the capital.

"Congratulations to the Great Ming Dynasty, congratulations to Your Majesty!" All the ministers bowed together.

Zhu Qizhen was of course happy. He did not expect that Cao Qin was so capable. When Liu Dingzhi recommended him as the commander-in-chief of Chagatai Province, as an emperor, he hesitated.

For a moment, he even suspected Liu Dingzhi, was he trying to curry favor with Cao Jixiang? But he quickly denied it, Liu Dingzhi was not that kind of person, and besides, it would be too obvious to curry favor with him.

"Your Majesty, the five false princes have come to the capital, and from now on, the matter of the false emperor is completely over." Xu Youzhen bowed, "It would be best to behead the six false princes who supported the false emperor in the past to set things right."

The other ministers all gasped. Yu Qian was about to stand up and speak, but was stopped by Wu'an Marquis Zheng Hong, who gave him a look, meaning that the emperor would be suspicious if he spoke for the prince at this time.

"We'll decide after they are escorted to the capital and interrogated." Zhu Qizhen waved his hand.

He said calmly, as if the matter was not important to him. He changed the subject: "The Ministry of Rites needs a new Shangshu, and it must be decided as soon as possible. The imperial examination will be held after the new year. My dear ministers, do you have any candidates?"

The ministers looked at each other. Such an important position could not be obtained by recommendation alone. Zhu Qizhen actually had a candidate in mind, but he was just asking. After scanning the circle, he said, "Then let's choose Li Bing. From now on, he will be the Minister of Rites. You need to pay more attention to the imperial examinations."

"I thank Your Majesty for your great grace." Li Bing bowed.

Li Bing came back from Fujian and entered the cabinet as a university scholar. Now he is the Minister of Rites, which means his status is very different. The ministers all understood that the emperor still used a trusted minister.

……

Shuntian University, a strong wind is howling in the back mountain.

Under the deserted well, the Zhengtong Emperor frowned and looked at a corner under the wall. The place had obviously been dug and was stepped on tightly.

"Your Majesty, there will be no problem." Wu Xingdao advised, "We are all here, so there is no need to be afraid."

The Zhengtong Emperor shook his head and said, "I am not afraid of ghosts or gods, but should I tell Shang Lu about this? Let him be prepared. When school starts, if there is a student missing, he will be investigated, right?"

"Don't say it." Wu Xingdao spread his hands, "To avoid unnecessary trouble."

As the two were talking, Xu Bin and Shang Lu came in from the secret passage. Shang Lu looked solemn, and bowed before the Zhengtong Emperor: "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

"What... happened?" The Zhengtong Emperor couldn't help but feel nervous when he saw his expression.

"Your Majesty, the imperial army has already captured Asu City. Prince Zhu Qiyu of Qin, Prince Zhu Shanyan of Su, Prince Zhu Huiyan of Min, Prince Zhu Meigui of Jin, and Prince Zhu Gongxi of Qin have all been captured and are on their way to the capital." Shang Lu bowed, "At the morning court today, Xu Youzhen even suggested killing the six vassal kings who supported your Majesty."

The orthodox emperor stumbled: "What?"

He let Zhu Qiyu take charge of the army and came to the capital himself. He originally wanted to leave a way out for himself. If things really didn't work out, he would escape from the capital and find Zhu Qiyu. At least he would have a place to stand.

Now it seems childish.

The imperial court almost took over the entire Chagatai and established the Chagatai Province. The ambition of the pseudo-emperor surpassed that of Taizong and Taizu, and he would continue to expand the territory.

"If I am caught, won't I be dead?" he thought to himself.

Wu Xingdao began to persuade him, "I knew this would happen when we fled from the Western Regions. Your Majesty, King Qing and his men are actually useless. If they were killed by the fake emperor, they might still be able to help us and let the ministers see how cruel the fake emperor is."

The orthodox emperor smiled bitterly and nodded.

(End of this chapter)