Please call me the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty

Zhu Youjian secretly summoned Lu Xiangsheng.

Before leaving, Lu Xiang-sheng suggested to Zhu Youjian: "To ensure Your Majesty's safety, please reduce your outings and refrain from hunting or traveling."

The guards of the Qianqing Palace must be strengthened to prevent any unforeseen events.

Zhu Youjian listened and felt that Lu Xiang-sheng's words made sense.

Lu Xiang-sheng continued, "Your Majesty, you must not only strengthen the defenses of your own side, but also the defenses of those close to you."

"Alright, I understand."

It was around midnight.

Zhang Yan's bedroom.

Zhang Yan placed her hands in front of her abdomen and paced back and forth in the hall, lost in thought.

She thought to herself, "My life is really miserable!"

Back when I was still unmarried in my hometown, my father, Zhang Guoji, treated me like the apple of his eye.

Give them whatever they want.

Even if she wanted the moon, her father would find a way to get it for her.

Just as Zhu Youxiao ascended the throne, he was to select concubines from across the country.

She didn't want to participate in this selection of a concubine.

However, the local officials in Kaifeng, Henan, knew of her beauty and virtue.

They submitted her name, but unexpectedly, there were 5000 people selected nationwide.

After going through four rounds of selection, she was finally chosen as empress.

This was something she had never dared to even think about before.

This incident caused a sensation in her hometown, and her Zhang family became the focus of national attention.

Zhang Guoji was originally just a scholar, but he also benefited from the situation, getting promoted and making a fortune.

It should be said that Zhu Youxiao loved her very much.

However, Zhu Youxiao was a good-for-nothing.

Ever since that time he went swimming with Wei Zhongxian and Madam Ke, and fell into the water, swallowed a lot of water, and his body began to swell after he got ashore.

Zhu Youxiao spent all his time working as a carpenter, and apart from occasionally laughing and joking with Madam Ke, he never actually touched her.

I never imagined that someone as beautiful as me would become nothing more than a decoration.

Later, she met Zhu Youjian.

She wondered why she hadn't married Zhu Youjian but had instead married Zhu Youxiao.

She wasn't the kind of woman who was particularly power-hungry.

She felt that the most important thing for a woman was to have love and be with the man she loved.

But now, Zhu Youxiao has passed away, and Zhu Youjian has Zhou Ling'er.

She had already expressed her feelings to Zhu Youjian, but Zhu Youjian seemed not to take her words to heart at all.

I'm still so young. Does this mean I'll be relegated to the sidelines from now on?

She was lost in her own thoughts when suddenly she heard a creak, the door opened, and someone walked in.

The man then closed the door behind him.

Zhang Yan was startled.

She glanced at him and saw that the man was dressed in black, tall, and masked, so she couldn't see his face.

However, Zhang Yan recognized the knife he was carrying at his waist; it was an embroidered spring knife.

Zhang Yan became more alert, wondering who this could be.

Her face darkened, and she asked, "Who are you? What brings you to my palace?"

To everyone's surprise, the man wasn't afraid at all. He took two steps forward and said, "My beauty, such a beautiful day, aren't you too lonely by yourself? I'll keep you company."

That's the voice of a filthy man.

"How dare you! Who do you think you are? Get out of here right now!"

But the man showed no sign of backing down and took two more steps forward: "My beauty, a moment of spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

With such a great figure and such beauty, wouldn't it be a waste to leave you here to waste?

Since Zhu Youxiao is already dead,

Well, someone always has to cultivate the wasteland.

After he finished speaking, the man let out bursts of lewd laughter.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan's face turned bright red with anger.

She glanced around, looking for something that would suit her.

There was a teapot on the table.

She grabbed the teapot from the table and smashed it.

The man dodged to the side, spilling tea all over the floor, some of which splashed onto his neck.

The water was so hot that it scalded the man's neck, causing two blisters.

"Ouch, that hurts so much!" The man in black clutched his neck, furious. "You bitch! You're really asking for trouble. I'll skin you alive today."

As he spoke, he suddenly leaped forward and hugged Zhang Yan tightly.

Zhang Yan was just a woman, powerless and weak, how could she possibly resist?

The man suddenly lifted Zhang Yan onto the bed and reached out to tear at her clothes.

Zhang Yan panicked and reached out her right hand to pull the hairpin out of her hair.

Then, it suddenly stabbed towards the head of the man in black.

The man in black was very alert.

He grabbed Zhang Yan's right wrist with his left hand and squeezed it slightly. Zhang Yan was in so much pain that the hairpin fell onto the couch.

"Are you trying to murder your husband?"

The man in black chuckled.

He had already torn off Zhang Yan's coat.

Zhang Yan was wearing underwear, her skin as white as snow.

Zhang Yan was filled with shame and wondered if she was really going to die at this man's hands today.

She immediately cried out, "Help! Help!"

In the still of the night, the sound carried far.

The man quickly covered Zhang Yan's mouth with his hand: "You slut, if you scream again, I'll kill you!"

If you do not obey me, you will only face death.

Tears streamed down Zhang Yan's face.

Zhang Yan felt a pang of sadness.

At that moment, she glanced to the side and saw a pair of scissors on the bedside table.

She reached out her left hand to grab the scissors, and the man in black saw it too, kicking the scissors far away.

Zhang Yan realized that she had no other weapons left to deal with him.

The masked man in black was about to kiss her neck.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhang Yan bit his left shoulder and with a forceful bite, tore off a piece of flesh.

The man in black cried out in pain.

He raised his right hand to hit Zhang Yan.

If he had hit her, Zhang Yan would have been in serious trouble.

However, at this critical moment, someone suddenly shouted from behind, "You beast!"

Immediately afterwards, the man kicked the man in black in the buttocks, knocking him off Zhang Yan's bed.

Zhang Yan quickly covered her chest with a blanket.

Zhang Yan glanced at him and saw that the person who had come was none other than Gao Wencai.

It turned out that Zhu Youjian was worried and sent Gao Wencai to Zhang Yan's place for inspection.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yan really got into trouble.

Gao Wencai then began fighting with the man in black in the room.

In desperation, the masked man in black drew his embroidered spring knife.

The blades gleamed, and a chilling aura filled the air.

It has to be said that the man in black's kung fu was truly remarkable.

The two fought for more than 10 rounds in the room, with no clear winner.

Gao Wencai's dozen or so personal guards heard the sounds of fighting and ran over from the corridor, making a noisy commotion.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the man in black smashed open the window and escaped.

Gao Wencai wanted to chase after her, but it was too late.

The man in black leaped onto the rooftop and disappeared into the night with a few quick leaps.

At this moment, Zhang Yan had already dressed herself.

Gao Wencai returned to the room and knelt down: "Greetings, Your Majesty! I am late in coming to Your Majesty's aid, please forgive me."

Zhang Yan was also terrified just now.

She steadied herself and raised her right hand: "Gao Wencai, you've come at just the right time. I don't blame you. Get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gao Wencai stood up and stood respectfully to the side.

Just then, Zhu Youjian arrived.

It turned out that Gao Wencai's personal guards had reported the situation here to Zhu Youjian.

Zhu Youjian was worried about Zhang Yan's safety, so he rushed over.

"Sister-in-law, are you alright?"

Zhang Yan saw that Zhu Youjian had arrived.

Her eyes reddened, and tears fell.

She stammered as she recounted what had just happened.

Zhu Youjian was also shocked and broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this.

He never expected that someone in the palace would dare to be disrespectful to the Empress, or even attempt to assassinate her. This person was truly audacious.

He asked Gao Wencai, "Then can you confirm the other party's identity?"

Gao Wencai shook his head: "The only thing that is certain is that he used a embroidered spring knife as his weapon, and he had two burns on his neck and a piece of flesh bitten off his left shoulder by the Empress."

"Brotherhood of Blades?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian was secretly alarmed. He thought to himself, "Isn't the Embroidered Spring Blade the exclusive weapon of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Could it be that someone in the Embroidered Uniform Guard is plotting against the Empress?

Zhu Youjian waved his hand, and Gao Wencai bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him.

At this moment, only Zhu Youjian and Zhang Yan were in the room.

Zhang Yan threw herself into Zhu Youjian's arms without hesitation: "Dejou, I thought I would never see you again. I was so scared just now."

Zhu Youjian quickly pushed her away and took two steps back: "Baozhu, you mustn't do this."

Zhang Yan slumped into a chair, secretly shedding tears, and said resentfully, "Since I entered the palace, I have been careful in everything I do, and I have never offended anyone easily."

In any case, I never expected that so soon after Zhu Youxiao's death, someone would dare to plot against me, or even threaten me with death.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian felt extremely guilty: "Baozhu, I was too careless. I should have anticipated this and sent someone to protect you and ensure your safety."

Have you ever wondered who that man in black might be?

Zhang Yan shook her head: "I don't know either. I only know the weapon he used."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian thought to himself that this matter must be investigated thoroughly.

At this moment, Zhang Yan took out a soft armor from the document drawer: "This soft armor was made by someone at great expense. It is impervious to swords and spears. I was just planning to give it to you. Now that you're here, you can try it on to see if it suits you."

Zhu Youjian was deeply moved upon hearing this: "Baozhu, you can keep this soft armor."

"No, no, no! It makes no difference whether I, a weak woman, wear this soft armor or not. You are now the emperor, and the life of the Ming Dynasty is in your hands. You cannot afford any mishaps."

Wei Zhongxian has many followers; it's hard to know what methods they will devise to deal with you.

Therefore, you must wear this soft armor under your clothes to protect your entire body.

You can't take it off, day or night.

Then, cover it with clothes, and no one will be able to tell.

Zhu Youjian thought to himself that his sister-in-law was truly wonderful to him, thinking of him in every way.

So Zhu Youjian took off his outer garment and put on the soft armor, which fit perfectly.

Zhang Yan looked at it and nodded slightly: "I'm relieved to see you wearing this soft armor."

Zhu Youjian then dressed himself neatly.

He picked up the teapot from the ground and placed it on the table.

He glanced at it and saw that the teapot was quite sturdy; it hadn't broken.

Zhang Yan looked at Zhu Youjian with her beautiful eyes: "Your Majesty, there is something you should do."

"What is it?"

"You should make Zhou Ling'er your empress. She is devoted to you and would give anything for you."

Zhu Youjian listened and agreed: "It's just that I have just ascended the throne and there are too many things to do, so I haven't had time yet."

At the same time, I intend to bestow upon you the honorific title of "Empress Yi'an".

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan understood that Zhu Youjian's arrangement meant that a relationship between her and him was impossible.

"You are the emperor, you decide what to do."

Didn't they say your mother is still alive?

"Yes. Then you should give her a title, and then bring your mother to live in the palace."

Zhu Youjian shook his head: "No, I have already spoken to Mother about this. She is not willing to return to the palace to live for the time being. She feels that now is not the right time."

Zhang Yan listened and felt that what he said made sense.

"Wei Zhongxian and his group are plotting against you. Your mother having connections outside the palace also has its advantages and makes things easier," Zhang Yan paused, then continued, "So, what are your thoughts on the matter of the Minister of War?"

Zhu Youjian did not hide anything and told her, "I have already summoned Lu Xiang-sheng."

"So, what did Lord Lu say?"

He said there was a "master thief" named Ma Pianpian in Daming Prefecture.

He has to go back to suppress the bandits and is currently unable to leave.

He then recommended Yuan Chonghuan to me.

Zhang Yan pondered for a moment: "I've also heard of Yuan Chonghuan's great name. He was indeed a very capable man."

He was a civil official who passed the imperial examination, possessing both literary and military talents, and was skilled in riding and archery.

Initially, he served as a county magistrate in Fujian, but later volunteered to guard Shanhaiguan.

He achieved great victories at Ningyuan and Ningjin, and also killed Nurhaci.

He made significant contributions, but some people said he negotiated peace with the Later Jin.

So, he voluntarily resigned and returned to his hometown to study behind closed doors.

You'll have to decide that yourself.

Zhu Youjian nodded: "I will seriously consider this matter."

Furthermore, have you obtained evidence of Choi Seong-soo's crimes?

Zhu Youjian shook his head: "Not yet."

Lu Xiang-sheng said he had colluded with the Later Jin.

Zhang Yan was quite surprised: "Colluding with the Later Jin, isn't that a capital offense?"

Zhu Youjian crossed his arms over his chest: "According to the laws of the court, this is how it is."

However, sufficient evidence has not yet been obtained.

"Are you planning to send Gao Wencai into the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I meant."

Zhang Yan gently smoothed her slightly disheveled hair: "This is a great idea. Gao Wencai is very loyal to you, and besides, he is highly skilled in martial arts."

He is also very smart.

After joining the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he used his authority to easily collect evidence of the crimes committed by Wei Zhongxian and Cui Chengxiu.

Once you have sufficient evidence, you can hand it over to the Dali Temple.

This way, a single, fatal blow can be delivered.