Chongzhen's domineering

Chapter 20 The Harem's Stunning Beauty is a Feast for the Eyes

The sun sets and the sky is filled with red clouds.

In the kitchen of Kunning Palace, a pretty girl of sixteen or seventeen and a stunning beauty in her twenties, dressed in their finest attire, sat around a large round table, but their minds seemed to be completely elsewhere than on the delicious food on the table.

They were all staring at the empty doorway.

"Your Majesty has arrived."

After an unknown amount of time, a message finally came from outside.

The two quickly stood up and stood respectfully.

Before long, Zhu Jue strode over with the air of a dragon and the gait of a tiger.

According to official historical records, Emperor Chongzhen had a fair complexion, a radiant and lustrous appearance, long eyebrows that reached past his eyes, pupils as black as lacquer, red lips and a beautiful mustache, a voice as loud as a bell, and an extraordinary and handsome appearance, making him an unparalleled figure.

According to unofficial historical accounts, he was the most handsome among the emperors of the Zhu family, and many people coveted his unparalleled good looks!

When Princess Zhou saw it, her eyes lit up and her face flushed with shyness.

When Empress Yi'an saw it, she couldn't help but show a hint of amazement.

Xiao Wu has finally grown up; he's so handsome and dashing!

The two women quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects."

Zhu Jue glanced at it and couldn't help but reveal a hint of amazement.

Empress Zhang Yan of Yi'an truly deserves her place as one of the five most beautiful empresses in history; she was indeed stunningly beautiful and captivating.

Originally, Zhu Youjian did not have this feeling, because when Empress Yi'an entered the palace, Zhu Youjian was not even ten years old, just a little kid. He was raised by Empress Yi'an, and his feelings for her were somewhat maternal.

Now, Zhu Jue sees it differently; Empress Yi'an is an absolute beauty!

Princess Zhou Huimin was actually quite beautiful.

Historical records indicate that Empress Zhou, who was filial, virtuous, kind, and intelligent, had a face like jade and skin as white as snow. She was so beautiful that even without makeup, she was still radiant and had a striking resemblance to Emperor Chongzhen.

At this point, although she was just a pretty young woman, she didn't seem like the kind of person who wouldn't dare to hurt someone.

Zhu Jue silently assessed the situation before raising his hand and saying, "We're family, no need for formalities. Come, sit down and let's talk."

After saying that, he stepped into the main seat and sat down.

Seeing this, Empress Yi'an and Princess Zhou sat down to join them.

Zhu Jue was used to grand occasions, and he didn't feel restrained at all with two beauties by his side.

His every move exuded the unique aura of a superior, confident and composed, a leader among men. Even something as simple as ordering a meal or inviting Empress Yi'an and Princess Zhou to eat a few bites could inspire a sense of natural obedience in others.

This kind of temperament is most attractive to women.

Princess Zhou felt her heart pounding like a rabbit's, and her face flushed with embarrassment.

Upon seeing this, Empress Yi'an couldn't help but say with satisfaction, "Your Majesty truly possesses the qualities of Yao and Shun, a blessing to the Ming Dynasty!"

My brother should be like Yao and Shun.

This was Emperor Tianqi's dying wish for Emperor Chongzhen.

She certainly remembered.

Such praise from a stunningly beautiful woman would make most men feel like they were floating on air.

Zhu Jue, however, remained calm and asked, "Why did my sister-in-law summon me?"

It seems you've forgotten the most important thing. As your sister-in-law, if I don't remind you, it's unlikely anyone else will.

Empress Yi'an, seeing that her fifth brother was still incredibly kind to her even after becoming emperor, said without any hesitation, "Your Majesty's diligence in state affairs is truly a blessing for the Ming Dynasty, but the foundation of the nation is also of paramount importance. I dare to remind Your Majesty that you should also visit Kunning Palace more often."

Kunimoto?

Zhu Jue was stunned for a moment before he realized what was happening.

The crown prince is the foundation of the nation; it is because of the crown prince that a dynasty can continue smoothly.

This means that he should come to Kunning Palace more often to have children with Princess Zhou, who will be the future empress.

Sigh, having a baby.

In his past life, he was too busy to think about having children.

This child definitely needs to be raised; a dynasty can't function without a crown prince.

Historically, when Emperor Tianqi died without an heir, the Ming Dynasty entered its countdown to destruction.

If he hadn't come, the Ming Dynasty would have surely perished!

He sighed inwardly, then slowly nodded and said, "Your Majesty is right. I will indeed have to come to Kunning Palace more often in the future."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhou blushed deeply and said, "Oh dear, what are you saying?"

Empress Yi'an nodded with a look of relief and said, "It's good that Your Majesty remembers the foundation of the nation. By the way, I heard that Your Majesty has ordered the selection of consorts. When does Your Majesty plan to officially appoint the Empress?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhou's blush vanished instantly, replaced by a look of extreme tension and even fear. Was she afraid that I wouldn't like her and therefore wouldn't make her Empress?

I was just too busy and forgot. Look how scared you were.

We need to find an excuse to cover this up; we can't exactly say that I've forgotten about you, can we?
That would be too hurtful.

In his past life, he had no feelings, or rather, he didn't have time to consider feelings.

In this life, he might have to reconsider; standing alone at a high place can sometimes be quite lonely.

Zhu Jue thought for a moment, then explained, "I intend to appoint an empress after my elder brother's funeral."

My husband has passed away.

Upon hearing this, Empress Yi'an's face fell, and she was on the verge of tears.

Oh dear, why bring up something you shouldn't be talking about!

Zhu Jue quickly turned his head and changed the subject to Princess Zhou, saying, "Xiao Hui, you are my only principal wife. Are you afraid that you will run away as empress? By the way, how old are your younger brothers?"

Oh, so you want to wait until after the late emperor's funeral before bestowing titles upon me?

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhou was relieved.

Thinking of her younger brother, she couldn't help but say with a warm smile, "Your Majesty, Xiao Jian is almost fifteen and should get married. Xiao Xuan is only twelve, Xiao Huan is not even ten years old, and Xiao Zhong is only seven."

He's a bit young.

However, we can keep him by our side and train him properly; in a few years, he will be able to be entrusted with important responsibilities.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly and then asked, "Do they study?"

Princess Zhou recalled, "Xiao Jian and Xiao Xuan read some medical books, while Xiao Huan and Xiao Zhong only knew how to play."

Are both of the emperor's brothers-in-law studying medicine?
Upon hearing this, Zhu Jue asked in surprise, "Medical book? Isn't your father a fortune teller? Is your family a family of doctors?"

How much money can you make from fortune telling?

Princess Zhou sighed softly, "These days, most people can't even get enough to eat, so there's no such thing as fortune telling. My father had no choice but to learn some medical skills to earn money and supplement the family income."

This isn't very important; just learn it, it's fine. You don't necessarily have to be a doctor.

Zhu Jue then asked, "How good is your father's medical skill?"

He's a self-taught individual, so what can he do?
Princess Zhou shook her head slightly and said, "My father's medical skills are not very good, he can only make a living. But now many people are asking him to tell their fortunes. He boasts everywhere that he predicted that he would be very rich after he turned fifty. And now that his daughter has just turned fifty, she is indeed going to become the empress. He makes it sound so miraculous."

The emperor's father-in-law has neglected his duties and become a charlatan!
This is not okay.

He needs to get the Emperor's father-in-law's family to take charge of developing a profitable business.

Making money in pharmaceuticals is a pretty good business.

If you make it in this line of work, it can be very profitable.

Zhu Jue thought about it carefully, and then decisively said, "Tomorrow, let your parents and your younger brothers move into the palace. They can live in the Yangxin Hall. I will have the imperial physicians teach them properly."

We must not let the officials of the outer court corrupt the relatives of the emperor. In the future, any relatives of the emperor who are to be given important positions must live in the palace.

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhou exclaimed with delight, "Oh my, my parents and younger brother are moving into the palace! That's wonderful!"

Empress Yi'an said sadly, "Your Majesty, it is time for me to move out of Kunning Palace."

Why are you moving out?

Even if it's hard to make a move, beauty is still food for the eyes.

I feel that my appetite is much better when I eat with you.

No, I need to find a reason to keep you here.

Zhu Jue thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Sister-in-law, Xiao Hui is still young. I'm afraid she'll feel anxious living alone in such a large Kunning Palace."

"And right now, Liu Ruoyu, the head of the Inner Palace, is already extremely busy. I intend to entrust the management of the Imperial Treasury's funds to Xiao Hui. She doesn't know anything about it yet, so you should stay and teach her."

Princess Zhou nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, yes, sister, if you move away, how will I live alone?"

She personally chose Zhou Shi, and they were very compatible, like sisters. In addition, she also needed to teach this younger sister how to manage the inner treasury's money, so it would be really inappropriate for her to move away.

Empress Yi'an thought about it carefully before slowly nodding and saying, "Alright, I will stay here to keep my sister company."

Great.

Sometimes, beauty is truly a feast for the eyes.

Zhu Jue had a great appetite and ate until his belly was full.

The saying goes, "When people are well-fed and clothed, they think of other things," and those other things need no further explanation.

There was no talking all night until dawn.

(End of this chapter)