The Ming Dynasty began in the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign.

With the words of the founding emperor pressing down on him, Chongzhen finally made a decisive move and immediately got up and rushed to Kunning Palace.

Kunning Palace

Upon seeing the emperor's arrival, Empress Zhou smiled and stepped forward to greet him:

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Chongzhen reached out to support the virtuous empress of the Ming Dynasty:

"Your Majesty, there's no need for such formalities. I have something to discuss with you. Please dismiss everyone else."

Seeing Chongzhen's solemn expression, Empress Zhou sensed that something big was about to happen and immediately dismissed the eunuchs and palace maids.

After everyone withdrew, Emperor Chongzhen took Empress Zhou's hand and sat her on the phoenix couch, gently stroking her pretty face...

Emperor Chongzhen was extremely busy with state affairs and often didn't go to bed until midnight. In recent years, he rarely visited Empress Zhou.

He was behaving very strangely today. Not only did he hold Empress Zhou's hand tightly, but he also gently stroked her pretty face, causing Empress Zhou's heart to pound wildly...

Influenced by Zhu Cilang's words, Chongzhen felt that it would be difficult to reunite with his beloved wife in the future, which is why he inadvertently revealed his true feelings.

Empress Zhou did not ask any questions. She knew that her husband had not come to have sex with her, but must have something very important to discuss.

Emperor Chongzhen gently stroked Empress Zhou's pretty face and sighed, saying:

"Empress, the rebels have gained considerable strength, and the capital may not be able to be defended. Tomorrow, you and your sister-in-law should take the children to your hometown of Suzhou for temporary accommodation. If the capital is safe, I will send someone to bring you back..."

"What?"

Empress Zhou was shocked upon hearing this, her pretty face turning deathly pale. She stared wide-eyed at Chongzhen in disbelief:

"Your Majesty, why do you say that? Has the situation become so dire?"

Chongzhen nodded:

"The rebels have breached Ningwu Pass and entered Xuanfu, advancing with unstoppable momentum. The Ming army is powerless to resist and will soon approach Juyong Pass..."

Empress Zhou felt as if struck by lightning, and was momentarily at a loss for what to do...

She felt like she was dreaming; it was all so unreal. How could bandits actually threaten the safety of the capital?

Previously, it was always the government troops chasing after the bandits, who were too busy hiding to even have a chance. Why has the situation reversed...?

Realizing what had happened, Empress Zhou sadly hugged her husband's arm and said:

"Your Majesty, let my sister-in-law lead the Crown Prince and the others south. I will live and die with my husband..."

Seeing the Empress's tearful face, Chongzhen felt even more pain in his heart and held her tightly in his arms...

Although he didn't say it, he knew in his heart that the Empress had suffered a lot. Since he ascended the throne, Empress Zhou had always been with him through thick and thin.

The bandits captured Fengyang and dug up the ancestral graves of the Zhu family. Henan and Shaanxi provinces also suffered severe droughts, and the area around Chibi in both provinces was littered with corpses of the starving.

Emperor Chongzhen decided to abstain from meat for three years.

Empress Zhou didn't say a word, followed Emperor Chongzhen in eating vegetarian food, and led the palace maids in weaving cloth in the palace. She personally sewed most of the children's and Chongzhen's everyday clothes.

As Empress, she was a model of virtue for the nation, yet she managed to do so much!

Throughout the Xia Dynasty, no empress could achieve this. Although Emperor Chongzhen could not be considered a wise and virtuous ruler, Empress Zhou was undoubtedly a virtuous empress.

Emperor Chongzhen was worried that Empress Zhou would not leave, so he could only persuade her:

"The emperor guards the nation's gates, and the monarch dies for the state. I cannot leave for the time being. You go ahead first. If the capital is truly in danger, the crown prince and I will lead the civil and military officials to move south."

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhou shook her head and said firmly:

"No, I won't leave. Let the Crown Prince and my sister-in-law go first. I will never leave unless my husband does!"

Emperor Chongzhen had guessed that the Empress would not leave easily, but he had not expected her to be so resolute. In order to persuade the Empress to go south, Chongzhen hardened his heart and said solemnly:

"Don't be ridiculous. This is my decision, and no one can defy it. If the Empress disobeys, I will commit suicide in front of you..."

"My husband..."

Empress Zhou knew Chongzhen's temper; once he made up his mind to do something, nothing could change it. She sighed helplessly.

"Very well, after I leave the capital, my husband must take good care of his health and our son."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen smiled and nodded.

"Very well, I'll go visit my sister-in-law. I'll return to Kunning Palace tonight to retire..."

Not knowing how long it would be before she saw her husband again after tomorrow's parting, Empress Zhou hugged him tightly for a while before reluctantly letting go...

As he left Kunning Palace, Chongzhen's smile gradually turned cold. He felt ashamed to face his sister-in-law Zhang Yan, but he had no choice but to go.

Empress Yi'an played the most crucial role in Chongzhen's ascension to the throne. Without her strong support, Zhu Youjian might not have been able to become the emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, Emperor Chongzhen respected his sister-in-law very much. In his heart, Empress Zhang Yan was both his sister-in-law and his mother!

Upon arriving at the Cining Palace, Emperor Chongzhen lingered outside the gate for a long while before finally entering...

Empress Zhang Yan, also known as Empress Yi'an, is hailed as one of the most beautiful empresses in history. Even in her thirties, she remained stunningly beautiful.

During the Tianqi reign, although she was the empress, she was repeatedly suppressed and framed by Wei Zhongxian and Madam Ke, who even caused the death of her son and unborn child...

After Chongzhen ascended the throne, Zhang Yan was highly respected and existed like an empress dowager.

Although Zhang Yan held a high position, she lived a very simple life, with only a few palace maids and eunuchs serving her, and she did many things herself.

The weather was lovely today, and Zhang Yan was watering the flowers herself when she heard footsteps. She turned around and saw that the Chongzhen Emperor had arrived.

She stopped what she was doing and looked at Chongzhen in surprise. In her memory, Chongzhen had rarely come to Cining Palace in the more than ten years since he ascended the throne.

Seeing that even in a simple white dress, her alluring figure and stunning beauty could not be concealed, Chongzhen sighed inwardly and, steeling himself, slowly stepped forward and bowed, saying:

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Yan smiled gently:

"The Emperor is so busy with state affairs, what brings him to the Cining Palace today?"

Emperor Chongzhen lowered his head, not daring to look directly at his sister-in-law, and said softly:

"I need to discuss this with my sister-in-law!"

"Oh……"

Empress Zhang and Empress Zhou strictly adhered to the rule that the women of the inner palace should not interfere in politics, and she had no idea what Chongzhen was discussing with her.

"Please come in, Your Majesty!"

Although Zhang Yan was surprised, she decisively ordered the palace maids and eunuchs to leave, and the two entered the main hall of Cining Palace.

Zhang Yan slowly spoke after personally brewing a cup of tea for Emperor Chongzhen:

"What business does the Emperor have?"

Emperor Chongzhen sighed and bowed again. Zhang Yan was startled and quickly stepped aside...

Just kidding! Chongzhen was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Although Zhang Yan had done Chongzhen a favor, even the emperor could not bow to her. Zhang Yan dared not accept it!

"Your Majesty, I have failed your expectations and Your Majesty's trust. The capital may not be able to be defended. Please prepare yourselves. Tomorrow, you and the Empress will travel south. Afterwards, I will send someone to bring you back to the capital..."

Emperor Chongzhen bowed to Zhang Yan, startling her. His next words struck her like a thunderbolt, leaving her speechless...

It took Zhang Yan a long time to react, and she hurriedly said:

"Since the capital cannot be defended, we request that the Emperor march south together, and in the future, regroup and retake the capital..."

Zhang Yan thought that Emperor Chongzhen was going to move the capital, unaware that Emperor Chongzhen and the Crown Prince were not leaving.

Emperor Chongzhen did not offer much explanation. He was worried that his sister-in-law would not leave, and upon seeing that she had agreed to go south, he immediately turned and left.

As she watched Chongzhen's figure gradually disappear, tears streamed down Empress Yi'an's delicate face...

Upon returning to the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Chongzhen summoned Crown Prince Zhu Cilang once again.

Zhu Cilang was worried that Chongzhen would not believe his nonsense, and he was constantly uneasy.

Upon seeing the young eunuch arrive, just as Erxi was about to ask him a question, he hurriedly bowed and paid his respects.

"Greetings, young master!"

Zhu Cilang waved his hand:

"No need for formalities. What brings you to see me?"

"His Majesty summons you. Please accompany me to the Qianqing Palace."

"Is the Emperor summoning me?"

Zhu Cilang was secretly delighted upon hearing this, knowing that his father's summons at this time must be related to his plans.

If the Emperor had been more decisive and agreed to send the Empress Dowager and the others south, Zhu Cilang would have changed their fate.

Not daring to delay, Zhu Cilang immediately followed the young eunuch to the Qianqing Palace...