Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 162 Harem Storm
After Luo Sigong left, Zhu Changluo returned to his kind and lazy self.

"Wei Chao." Zhu Changluo called softly with a smile.

"I'm here." Wei Chao was originally squatting on the ground, sorting out the memorials that were thrown out. When he heard the emperor's voice, he knelt down again.

"What are you doing? Are you scared?" Zhu Changluo teased, "I'm not attacking you, what are you afraid of?"

"My master's majesty is extremely powerful. Even if it is just the aftermath, I cannot bear it." Wei Chao stacked several memorials together.

"Get up." Zhu Changluo shook his head and chuckled softly. "No matter how much charcoal is burned, the ground will still be cold."

"Yes." Wei Chao felt warm in his heart.

"Wang An." Zhu Changluo tilted his head and asked, "Whose names were filled out on the confession just now?"

Wang An didn't need to ask to know that the emperor wasn't referring to the implicated officials, but rather the military officers handling the case. "Eastern Office Commander Hai Zhentao, Captain Lu Wenzhao, Small Bannermen Lu Jianxing and Shen Lian, Lieutenants Yin Li, and Hai Zhentao's son Hai Bokang." When mentioning Hai Bokang, Wang An deliberately prefixed his name with "relationship" rather than "official title."

"Is Haibokang involved?" Zhu Changluo asked.

"No." Wang An shook his head.

"Is this son useful?"

"It's hard to say that the disciple is better than the master."

"Since it's already been written, let him benefit from my brother-in-law's influence. After the matter is over, everyone except Hai Zhentao will be promoted to a higher level. The Imperial Household Department will decide on the reward." Zhu Changluo thought about it.

Hai Zhentao was a 4th-rank deputy commander, and the next higher rank was a 3rd-rank deputy commander. Generally speaking, the Jinyiwei could have many 3rd-rank commanders with honorary titles, but only two deputy commanders were appointed to assist in guarding matters. These were usually accompanied by 4th-rank pacification officials, assigned to the Southern and Northern pacification offices. Currently, the Jinyiwei had no shortage of deputy commanders.

"As you wish." Wang An took out the memo and started writing.

"Luo Sigong's son. How is he?" Zhu Changluo asked again.

"He has been working in the company for a long time, and his writing is quite good." Wang An said with a double meaning.

"Make a note and remind me to find him something different to do next spring."

"As you wish." Wang An continued writing.

"The New Year is coming soon. Tell Lu Wenzhao to lift the restrictions on Zhang's mansion. As long as Zhang Shirui doesn't leave Beijing, we won't care about anything." Zhu Changluo said finally.

"This task was assigned to Luo Sigong. Wouldn't it be inappropriate to give orders directly to Lu Wenzhao?" Wang An reminded.

"There's nothing wrong with that. I just want to see how these two people react."

"As you wish." Wang An quickly finished writing the last stroke.

"I'm tired. Let's leave it at that for today." Zhu Changluo tilted his head left and right and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Master, which palace will we rest in tonight?" Wei Chao asked as usual.

"It's in the Qianqing Palace, but I want to go to the Western Factory first." Zhu Changluo replied.

"I will send someone to inform Wei Zhongxian right away." Wei Chao thought that the emperor was going to the Western Factory to inquire about something.

"Why should we notify Wei Zhongxian? I'm not looking for him." Zhu Changluo left the imperial desk and walked towards the door. Wang An and Wei Chao immediately dropped their work and followed him.

------

In the West Factory, in a side hall near the Taiye Lake in the back of the main office, Mi Mengshang, a third-rank inspector, was concentrating on processing the pile of documents on her desk.

The surveillance of Jinyiwei and Dongchang, the escalating Donglin Party case, the recent serial murders, and the internal monitoring of Xichang
There were so many things going on that she was practically overwhelmed with news and reports coming in every day.

If she wasn't a concubine and had to return to the Forbidden City every day before court dismissal, Mi Mengshang would have loved to sleep and eat in the Western Depot, saving the time traveling back and forth. Since the Emperor wasn't coming anyway, why would she go back?

With this in mind, Mi Mengshang rarely dressed up. Since she always wore Feiyu clothing, she simply treated herself like a court lady and didn't even bother to put on light makeup. It saved her time, effort, and worry.

Mi Mengshang put down the document she had just finished reading and reached out her right hand to touch the teacup. The tea was completely cold, its aroma frozen in the cold, leaving only the most intense bitterness. Mi Mengshang didn't mind, and didn't even call for the attendant palace maid to change her cup.

Drinking tea is just to refresh yourself, it’s better if it’s a little bitter.

After finishing the remaining tea in one gulp, Mi Mengshang continued to work. Even if she couldn't finish it today, it would be good to save some trouble for tomorrow.

There was a sudden movement outside the door, but it soon died down. Therefore, Mi Mengshang didn't pay much attention to it and didn't even raise her head.

Suddenly, the door opened. A gust of cold wind blew in, further messing up Mi Mengshang's haggard temples. She raised her hand and used her slender little finger to pull back the drooping hair, but the cold wind continued. It was all in vain.

"Remember to close the door!" Mi Mengshang frowned slightly.

boom.

The door closed, but something even more unpleasant happened immediately afterwards. The person walked around the screen and stood beside her, blocking out the already dim light.

"Don't block it, I can't see." Mi Mengshang said, casting a dissatisfied look at the person who came. But just when she raised her head halfway, a big hand climbed onto her head and rubbed it a few times in a very rude manner.

"Your Majesty?" Mi Mengshang's tone was confused and a little panicked. This was the first time she had seen the emperor outside the Qianqing Palace. "Did something go wrong?" She wanted to kneel down to greet him, but she couldn't even stand up because the emperor's hand was still on her head, and she would have to push it away to stand up.

"You did your job well, there's nothing wrong with it." Zhu Changluo paused when he heard that. "I just wanted to see you."

Mi Mengshang was still preoccupied with her task, her mind still shrouded in confusion. A few breaths later, she suddenly grasped the meaning of the words. She subconsciously tried to force a flattering smile, but the curve of her eyes was filled with weariness.

"Let's take a break today." Zhu Changluo said softly.

"If we stop now, we'll have to wait until tomorrow." Mi Mengshang regretted her words halfway through. She hurriedly explained, "That's not what I meant."

"It's okay, someone will help." Zhu Changluo interrupted her and said gently, "For the rest of the day, you only have one job. That is to accompany me, Wang An!"

"I'm here." Wang An walked out from behind the screen and cast a resentful look at Mi Mengshang.

"I'll leave these things to you." Zhu Changluo pointed to the documents piled on his desk. "They'll eventually have to be submitted to the Imperial Household Department for compilation anyway, so let's save the trip today." As he spoke, he pulled Mi Mengshang up from her chair. She didn't even have to kneel.

"As you wish." Wang An accepted the order and took over the position.

Mi Mengshang's height was between the petite Park sisters and the tall Li Zhulan, exactly a head shorter than Zhu Changluo. "I'm not wearing any makeup," she said, her ears flushing in shame as Zhu Changluo embraced her. She heard a thumping sound, but she couldn't tell if it was her own heartbeat.

"It's okay. You look good with or without makeup." Zhu Changluo grabbed a scarlet cloak from the wooden rack and draped it over Mi Mengshang. "Let's go back. Someone's watching here."

"Thank you, Master Wang." Mi Mengshang turned around and winked at Wang An.

"This is what I should do." Wang An responded with the kindness of an elder. But after the emperor left, Wang An still sighed: "Even if Wei Chao did it."

------

"This is Yuxi Palace. When the Wanshou Palace caught fire, Emperor Jiajing moved here to live temporarily." Passing through Lingxing Gate is Yuxi Palace.

"Is it here?" Mi Mengshang passed by here every day, so how could she not know.

"If not here, then somewhere else." Zhu Changluo did not stop, but continued to pull Mi Mengshang towards Jinhai Bridge.

"." Mi Mengshang then realized that she had misunderstood. She quickly lowered her head to prevent the emperor from looking back and seeing her embarrassing appearance.

The closer they got to the Forbidden City, the more nervous Mi Mengshang became. She didn't dare initiate the conversation, and it almost became a conversation where Zhu Changluo spoke one sentence and she followed it up.

Passing through the Xuanwu Gate is the Forbidden City, but if you want to actually enter the living area of ​​the inner court, you have to pass through the nearby Shunzhen Gate.

Shunzhen Gate, located at the north end of the central road of the inner court, was originally called Kunning Gate. Like other buildings, it was first built during the Yongle reign. In the 14th year of the Jiajing reign, it was renamed Shunzhen because it was moved to the center of the north corridor behind Kunning Palace.

To the left and right of Shunzhen Gate are two east-west glazed gates, named Yanhe and Jifu respectively. These three gates are connected by a low glazed wall, forming a small courtyard in front of Shunzhen Gate.

"Open the gate." Unlike the Yanhe and Jifu Gates, the Shunzhen Gate, which led directly to the palace's rear garden, was forbidden from being opened without cause. Even if Wang An wanted to leave the Forbidden City through the Xuanwu Gate, he would have had to take a detour. However, for the emperor, the Forbidden City was unrestricted; Zhu Changluo could proceed however he pleased.

After a while, Shunzhen Gate was opened again.

"This is my first time in the palace." Mi Mengshang smiled. "I never thought I would have the honor of entering the palace with the Emperor."

"The palace garden was originally built for the concubines to rest and enjoy. You can come whenever you want." Zhu Changluo said jokingly, "Oh, I forgot, you are usually not free."

"It's all the emperor's fault~" Mi Mengshang said coquettishly, and her restraint became less severe.

"Want to change your job?" Zhu Changluo asked with a smile.

"I don't want to. It's better to be busy." Mi Mengshang blinked obediently and said cunningly: "This way, my heart will only feel empty at night." She regained her composure.

"Haha. You only know how to say nice things." Zhu Changluo wanted to reach out and rub Mi Mengshang's head again, but his action was interrupted by the voices of two children.

"Emperor Father!" Upon seeing her father, Zhu Huiti immediately left her playmates and ran over excitedly.

"Father." His playmate Zhu Youjian was much more shy.

Zhu Changluo sighed silently in his heart: I shouldn't have taken this path.

But he still let go of Mi Mengshang and took the initiative to greet her. "You guys are here too!"

"Emperor Daddy!" Zhu Huiti opened her arms for a hug.

"Okay." Zhu Changluo picked up Zhu Huiti and spun her around in the air. His physical condition had improved a lot, and he no longer felt dizzy from such movements. "Do you want to try it too?" Zhu Changluo put Zhu Huiti down and looked at Zhu Youjian.

"Let's just forget it." To Zhu Youjian, his father was not only a kind father, but also a strict teacher who came to supervise his lessons every day. Moreover, his brother said that boys should not act like spoiled brats.

"Since you're here, then..." Before Zhu Changluo finished speaking, he saw two women walking towards him, one in front and one behind. He raised his eyebrows and thought: Damn! They really came.

"Your Majesty, I, Li Zhulan, greet you!" Li Zhulan came forward happily.

"Your humble concubine Li Qinfang greets His Majesty." Li Qinfang's expression and tone were so respectful that they could be described as distant.

"Everyone, get up." Zhu Changluo looked Li Qinfang up and down. This was the first time he had seen her.

Li Qinfang, then 33 years old, was arguably one of Zhu Changluo's earliest women. She entered the palace in the 26th year of the Wanli reign and spent a full 22 years there. Yet, to this day, Li Qinfang has not even a single child who died in infancy. If it weren't for the birth of Zhu Huiyi, who died at just 100 days old, she likely wouldn't have even had an adopted son.

Li Qinfang was beautiful, otherwise she wouldn't have caught the eye of the lecherous Crown Prince and been taken into his harem. But her personality was too dull. To put it nicely, she was kind, frugal, simple, and reserved. To put it bluntly, she was melancholy and cold, rarely smiling. Compared to the fiery Li Zhulan, Li Qinfang was like a cold jade that was difficult to warm.

Crown Prince Zhu Changluo has never been a loyal person. Since Li Qinfang was unable to provide comfort to the crown prince who was in urgent need of warmth in the palace of Emperor Shenzong, she could only be ruthlessly trampled under the feet of Li Zhulan, who was also a selected concubine.

"Hello, sisters." Mi Mengshang was very polite.

"Who is your sister?" Li Zhulan asked knowingly.

"The talented lady Ms. Mi was born in the 32nd year of the Wanli reign and is currently working at the Western Investigation Factory." Mi Mengshang still smiled.

A single word can lead to three provocations. She is a seventh-rank talent and an eighth-rank selected official, holding a high position; born in the 32nd year of the Wanli reign, she is ten years younger than Li Zhulan; currently employed at the Western Investigation Bureau, she is favored and has a real job.

"Sister, you are really young, but you are still a little immature in dressing. Come to the West Warm Pavilion anytime when you are free, and I will teach you." Li Zhulan's counterattack came quickly without any expression.

"Sister, you are right. I will definitely come if I am 'free'." Mi Mengshang emphasized the word "free", her face full of sadness.

Li Zhulan was startled: Here comes a master!
Li Zhulan squatted down and gently stroked her daughter's head. "Go play."

"I want to stay with the Emperor for a while longer." Zhu Huiti started to act like a child.

"Be good." Li Zhulan glanced at Mi Mengshang.

The position where she squatted was chosen very cleverly. Unless she lowered her head deliberately, the emperor, whose personality had changed, would not be able to see her eyes at all.

After a night of passion, Li Zhulan no longer worried about the emperor's behavior. Rather than dwelling on these meaningless and potentially deadly questions, she felt it would be more practical to adjust her mindset and change her strategy. Since the emperor disliked aggressive women, she would try to smooth things over with the other concubines. If possible, she could form an alliance against the women officials of the Western Factory.

She was acutely aware that this plain-looking country girl in front of her would probably be on everyone's mind, which was something Li Zhulan could not tolerate no matter what.

As for the two Korean women who had recently been blessed, not only did it not matter, but they could even be potential partners.

Zhu Youjian felt the atmosphere was strange, and he couldn't explain why. But no matter what, the best strategy was to flee. However, this time, he was very loyal and didn't abandon his sister like he had abandoned his brother and ran away. "Ti'er, let's go play somewhere else."

When the snipe and the clam quarrel, the fisherman often benefits. Zhu Changluo did not participate in this obviously tense conversation. He walked straight to Li Qinfang, who remained silent, pinched her face, and whispered, "Are you a bitter melon? Smile."

(End of this chapter)