Chapter 333: The Demon Queen Becomes a Clingy Little Wife
Zhu Qizhen gently held her little hand and asked, “Do you remember how you got here?”

The demon queen frowned slightly, bent her head and thought for a long time, holding Zhu Qizhen tightly with her hands, and said anxiously: “Husband, I don’t remember anything.”

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, your husband is here.” Zhu Qizhen held her in his arms.

He thought to himself, is the witch pretending or is she really like this? Does she remember nothing? She only remembers that I am her husband? I will have to ask the imperial physician to take a look later.

“Ruo Wei, you came here to play and accidentally fell, and then you passed out.” Zhu Qizhen gently stroked her back and comforted her, “It’s good that you woke up. I was so worried during this period of time.”

The Demon Queen leaned in his arms, her eyes drooping: “I am sorry to have made you worried, my husband.”

“If you don’t wake up, your husband will want to die.” Zhu Qizhen smiled.

The demon queen raised her beautiful face, full of happiness, leaned over to kiss his cheek, and pursed her lips: “Husband, I’m hungry.”

“Just lie down first. I’ll have someone prepare food for you.” Zhu Qizhen called out to the outside, “Shuangxi, come in quickly. Madam is awake.”

Shuangxi rushed in and saw that the demon queen had woken up. Tears immediately flowed down her eyes. She was about to kneel down and shout, but Zhu Qizhen stopped her with a look and said, “Go and prepare some food. Although the lady has woken up, she doesn’t remember anything.”

“Who is she?” The demon queen looked at Shuangxi and asked.

Zhu Qizhen observed her expression and saw that it didn’t seem fake, so he introduced her, “This is Shuangxi, your personal maid.”

Shuangxi bowed and said, “Madam, you are finally awake.”

“You look so friendly.” The Demon Queen smiled slightly, “Shuangxi, no need to be so polite next time.”

Shuangxi burst into tears: “Madam, just lie down and I will prepare food for you.”

“Send…an order to ask Doctor Tan to come here.” Zhu Qizhen ordered.

“Yes.” Shuangxi stepped out.

The Demon Queen rubbed her head and said, “I still can’t remember anything.”

“Then don’t think about it.” Zhu Qizhen hugged her in his arms again.

……

Soon, Shuangxi came up with a plate containing soup, a bowl of rice, and two dishes, all of which were the Queen’s favorites. Zhu Qizhen took them and fed them himself.

“Shuangxi, did you make all this? It’s so delicious.” The Demon Queen’s beautiful eyes flickered.

“Madam, if you like it, I will do it every day from now on.” Shuangxi wiped the corners of his eyes.

After finishing the meal slowly, the envoy Tan arrived. It was obvious that Shuangxi must have given him instructions. He came in without kneeling, but just bowed and said, “Master, I am here to check Madam’s pulse.”

“Hurry, she doesn’t remember anything.” Zhu Qizhen described the current situation of the Demon Queen.

After the doctor felt the pulse, he was about to speak, but Zhu Qizhen interrupted him and said to Shuangxi, “Help Madam finish the soup, I’ll see the doctor off.”

He led the envoy to the outside of the palace and said, “Tell me, what is the Queen Mother’s current condition? Has she really lost her memory?”

Academician Tan nodded, pondered for a moment and said, “This pulse is unusual, obviously caused by a severe brain injury. When I recall the past, it is like a cloud covering it, with only fragments left, like a morning star twinkling in the dark night, and the whole picture is no longer there.”

“Will she remember it in the future?” Zhu Qizhen asked.

“It’s hard to say. Maybe I’ll suddenly remember it at some point, or maybe I’ll never remember it.” Tan Yuanshi said.

Zhu Qizhen nodded slowly and waved his hand: “Back off.”

The envoy of Tan Yuan bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Qizhen frowned.

If the demon queen could never remember, that might be a good ending, forgetting all the grudges and living like this for the rest of her life. In that case, she couldn’t stay in the palace, as it would stimulate her to think of the past.

He pondered for a moment, then quickly returned to the palace. Shuangxi came over, bowed and said, “Your Majesty, the queen fell asleep quickly after drinking the soup.”

“Very good.” Zhu Qizhen ordered, “Well, pack up and we’ll move.”

“Moving?” Shuangxi was surprised.

“Let’s go to the courtyard by the Gaoliang River. The imperial physician said that such an environment would help her condition.” Zhu Qizhen said, “Remember, don’t call her Empress. She only remembers that I am her husband now.”

Shuangxi nodded repeatedly: “Yes, I will go and clean it up right away.”

……

early morning.

The sun was setting on the bank of Gaoliang River, and there was a hazy fog. On the bank of the river, there was a small courtyard, plain and simple, but with its own simple and elegant charm.

In the courtyard, Shuangxi was taking lotus steps and washing leisurely beside the bluestone well. The clear water gurgled around her fingers, creating ripples. Around the courtyard, green bamboos swayed gently, as if whispering; a few wild flowers did not compete for the spring scenery, but added a bit of vitality.

crunch~
The Queen walked out slowly. Her long black hair fell to her waist like a waterfall under her unpainted face. Her unadorned charm was even more beautiful. Her waist was slender and could be held in one hand, like the most flexible willow branch in spring, swaying gently and showing her gracefulness.

She was wearing a snow-white long dress that trailed gently on the ground. It was embroidered with a few delicate pink flowers. She was both elegant and gentle. She looked like she had walked out of a painting, exuding a fairy-like otherworldly temperament.

“Mom… Madam, you’re awake.” Shuangxi greeted with a smile.

“Where is the master?” asked the demon queen, looking around.

Shuangxi quickly explained: “The master went to the shop early in the morning and will not be back until he is done.”

The Demon Queen walked to the bluestone well and reached for the rippling clear water with her delicate hands. She seemed to like it very much: “Shuangxi, it’s so cool.”

“Madam, take a sip. This spring water is so sweet.” Shuangxi handed her a ladle.

The Demon Queen took it, took a sip, and her beautiful eyes lit up instantly: “It is a little sweet.”

Shuangxi felt complicated, it seemed that the queen really had lost her memory.

“What a nice weather.” The Demon Queen glanced outside the courtyard, “Shuangxi, after dinner, shall we go boating?”

Shuangxi looked hesitant: “Madam, you are still recovering, so why don’t you go boating?”

The demon queen came over and took her arm, saying pitifully, “Go ahead, just for a while. I can’t lie down for too long.”

Shuangxi smiled dotingly, thinking that the queen had lost her memory and was like a child. She nodded and said, “Madam, you can only go for a while, otherwise, the master will blame me if he finds out.”

“He dares!” The Demon Queen smiled slyly, “Besides, you know what I know.”

Shuangxi was helpless. He filled a basin with water, took out a towel and said, “Madam, you wash first. I will go and prepare breakfast.”

The witch queen used a towel to wash her face. Drops of water remained on her beautiful face, as bright as flowers. Shuangxi was stunned.

……

Qianqing Palace.

After the morning court session, Zhu Qizhen convened a small court meeting. There was an important matter to discuss today. He received an urgent letter from Japan early in the morning. It said one thing: the Eastern Army of Hosokawa Katsumoto and the Western Army of Yamana Mochitoyo started fighting in Kyoto. The war spread from Kyoto to all parts of Japan, and many guardian daimyo were involved.

Zhu Qizhen knew that this was Japan’s “Onin War” and that Japan’s Warring States period was coming, which would be an opportunity for the Ming Dynasty. It was time for Ning Rongrong, the chess piece, to play a big role.

“I should have let her give me a child.” Zhu Qizhen muttered in his heart, “That way, she would be much easier to control.”

He asked the ministers to circulate the urgent memorial from Japan. Next, he would definitely make plans for Japan. After reading the memorial, Xu Youzhen snorted, “Japan is in turmoil. Will the Japanese pirates in the southeast rise again?”

“The Ming fleet dominates the ocean, so where do the Japanese pirates come from?” Li Xian said, “Your Majesty is wise and has made plans for Japan early on. I think we should make Japan a province of ours.”

Zhu Qizhen glanced over and smiled, “Next, let’s discuss how to take advantage of the internal chaos in Japan. We need to use Ning Rongrong, but we also need to be on guard against Ning Rongrong.”

“Send Zhang Lun’s fleet into the East China Sea.” Shi Heng said.

“We can’t go now.” Xu Youzhen said, “The Ning family is still watching the fight from the mountain. We are not in a hurry. We will go after they have consumed most of their internal energy.”

Li Bing nodded repeatedly: “Don’t rush to intervene. Those Japanese daimyo will definitely come to us to buy muskets and artillery. What I mean is to let the arsenal produce a batch of old-style ones for them to use and let them consume them.”

“Hahaha, that’s right, let’s make some money first.” Zhu Qizhen laughed, “Watch them consume, then we can take action.”

He led everyone to discuss the details.

……

Zhu Qizhen processed the memorials quickly, but he still finished them at dusk. In the vast Ming Empire, there were too many government affairs to deal with.

He hurried back to the small courtyard by the Gaoliang River and saw a few people standing at the door from afar, who seemed to be arguing. He walked closer and looked at the scene in front of him with a frown on his face.

The demon queen, wearing a simple long dress, put one hand on her slender waist and pointed at an old lady with the other, cursing: “Your chickens stole our vegetable seedlings.”

“What’s wrong with eating a vegetable of yours?” the old lady said in a very aggressive tone, “You look so good, why are you acting like a shrew?”

The witch queen was so angry that she jumped up and down: “Who are you calling a shrew? You are a shrew, and your whole family is a shrew.”

She rushed forward while scolding her, and Shuangxi quickly pulled her back. The aunt over there was not a good person either, and she rushed over with her teeth bared. Zhu Qizhen quickly went up to separate them.

“We are all neighbors. We will see each other sooner or later.” He said to the aunt, “Calm down. My wife has just recovered from a serious illness.”

When the aunt saw him, she smiled brightly: “You are the owner of this house. Wow, you are much more polite. How did you find such a daughter-in-law?”

“What’s wrong with me? I’m so mad at you!” The demon queen kicked him.

Zhu Qizhen grabbed her waist and dragged her back to the yard. She was so angry that she wanted to rush out, and said angrily: “Husband, why are you helping an outsider? Why don’t you help me?”

“She is just a woman, why are you competing with her?” Zhu Qizhen consoled.

The demon queen became even angrier, with her hands on her hips, and said angrily: “What’s wrong with me, a woman? I…”

Before she could finish her words, she was blocked. Zhu Qizhen kissed her directly, very domineeringly. The witch queen moaned, hooked her hands around his neck, and responded passionately.

After a long time, the lips opened.

She gently raised her delicate and enchanting face, and gazed at him affectionately with her gentle and seductive eyes. She was wearing a simple long dress, which could not hide her pure and elegant appearance. Her skin was as white as the first snow, and the mature and royal sister charm that radiated from the inside out was still intoxicating.

“Husband, was I too rough just now?” She blushed slightly.

“No.” Zhu Qizhen pinched her cheek, “She’s quite cute.” The Queen nestled in his arms, smiling happily. Zhu Qizhen whispered in her ear, “Let’s go to the river to watch the sunset. Shuangxi will be cooking dinner for a while.”

“Okay, okay.” The Demon Queen nodded.

The two walked out of the courtyard, and the Demon Queen snuggled up to him, as if she didn’t want to be apart for a moment. That attachment was like a long stream of water, gentle and long. They strolled to the riverside and sat side by side on a boulder. The setting sun poured down in the sky like molten gold, dyeing the sky orange-red. A few leisurely clouds were coated with a layer of gold, beautiful and intoxicating.

The river sparkled in the setting sun, and the breeze, carrying the water vapor from the river and the fragrance of the flowers and plants on the shore, gently blew across their faces, bringing a hint of coolness.

She leaned on his shoulder, her eyes were deep and gentle, and she watched the sunset with him quietly as it gradually sank into the horizon. The afterglow of the sunset sprinkled on them, covering the couple with a layer of golden veil, and everything seemed so harmonious and beautiful.

“Husband.” The demon queen called out gently.

“Yeah.” Zhu Qizhen gently hugged her waist.

The demon queen’s eyes seemed to be filled with a thousand turns of tenderness.

“Master.”

“Ah.”

“Master.”

“Ah.”

The two of them shouted and answered each other.

……

As night fell, they returned to the courtyard.

The courtyard wall is covered with green vines, dotted with tiny flowers, and occasionally a few naughty little flowers poke their heads out.

In the middle of the yard, an old locust tree stands proudly, with dense branches and leaves, like a huge green umbrella, shielding the yard from the noise and dust of the outside world. The light shines through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled shadows.

There are many lush flowers on both sides of the stone path, emitting bursts of fragrance. When a breeze blows, the fragrance of flowers drifts with the wind. The whole courtyard is filled with a faint fragrance, and even the air becomes soft.

In the corner of the yard, there are several rattan tables and chairs covered with white tablecloths. Next to them, a lazy cat is curled up on the windowsill, occasionally opening its half-closed eyes.

Shuangxi had thoughtfully prepared dinner. Lanterns were swaying gently in the yard, illuminating every corner of the courtyard.

The three of them sat around a wooden table in the yard, which was filled with delicious food, steaming hot and fragrant. They ate and talked, and their laughter and conversation echoed in the yard.

The night breeze blows gently, bringing a hint of coolness. At this moment, this is home.

After finishing the meal, Shuangxi went to the kitchen to work. Zhu Qizhen and the Demon Queen lay on the rattan chair, admiring the moon. A gentle breeze blew, and the Demon Queen stood up and lay directly in Zhu Qizhen’s arms.

“If you’re cold, go back to the house.” Zhu Qizhen put his hand on her slender waist.

“Hold me, I won’t be cold.” The Demon Queen leaned on his chest.

They looked at each other and kissed passionately.

After a long while, the demon queen’s face turned red, and she said in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s: “Husband, let’s go back to the room.”

“Okay.” Zhu Qizhen was about to stand up.

“Hold me.” The demon queen tilted her beautiful face up with a blushing look.

Zhu Qizhen picked her up and carried her back to the room. At this time, Shuangxi came to the window and reminded: “The hot water is ready. Madam, you have been walking all day today, take a bath.”

“Well, Shuangxi, you should go back and have some rest.” said the Demon Queen.

Listening to Shuangxi’s footsteps fading away, Zhu Qizhen winked at her and said, “Madam, can your husband help you wash?”

“No, go to the courtyard and wash.” The demon queen shyly pushed him away, “Come in after you’re done.”

Zhu Qizhen raised his eyebrows: “Then hurry up.”

“Why are you so impatient?” The Demon Queen glared.

……

Zhu Qizhen took a shower with well water. In fact, he always used cold water to wash, even in winter.

Emperors need to live longer.

After washing up, he stopped for a moment, looked up at the bright moon, and enjoyed the caress of the moonlight. Then he slowly turned around and walked towards the inner room lightly. When he entered the house, with the help of the swaying candlelight, a breathtaking picture came into his eyes.

The Queen was sitting in front of the dressing table, gently combing her silky hair. She was only wearing a light bathrobe. Her graceful figure was even more graceful under the candlelight, as if no clothes could completely conceal her unique charm and elegance.

Zhu Qizhen’s heart suddenly warmed.

In the bronze mirror.

The queen was bare-faced, meticulously grooming each strand of hair, her movements revealing endless elegance. In front of her, her white and delicate skin, like a snowy mountain, was faintly visible in the dim light, arousing endless reverie.
“My lady, you are so beautiful.” Zhu Qizhen took the bath towel from her hand and helped her wipe her hair.

The demon queen’s eyes were full of affection: “Husband~”

She blinked her beautiful eyes slightly, a little dazed, leaned back slightly, and leaned into his arms.

Zhu Qizhen gently put down the towel in his hand, and slid his palm down, gently wrapping around her slender waist. He slowly approached, his face close to her ear, and savored the elegant fragrance wafting from her hair.

At the same time, his other hand also moved quietly, gently holding her legs, the movement was gentle, as if he was holding the most precious treasure in the world. As he exerted his strength, she was held up steadily by him, the whole movement was smooth and full of affection.

“Husband~” The Demon Queen moaned and snuggled in his arms. Her beautiful eyes were gentle and her love seemed to be overflowing.

Zhu Qizhen held her in his arms, came to the soft couch, and rolled up.

However, he did not take the next step.

The Demon Queen didn’t refuse this time. He was not in a hurry because he was afraid of irritating her. If he did that, she would remember everything. That would be the end of her. He had to wait until her amnesia stabilized.

In the darkness, the Demon Queen looked at him with her beautiful eyes. The tenderness and affection in her eyes seemed to overflow, and her warm lips leaned forward.

After Zhu Qizhen responded, he put his arm around her waist and said softly, “Go to sleep. You haven’t recovered yet. We have a long way to go.”

“Pah~” The Demon Queen blushed and spat.

……

The next day, morning.

Zheng Bi Zang, who returned from America, reported on the current situation in America.

The Inca Emperor Yupanqui had passed away, and the crown prince Huayna ascended the throne and continued to make peace with the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty further expanded its territory in the Americas.

Many Ming merchants had huge farms there, growing food and selling it to Ming, Southeast Asia, and the West. Ming’s gold and silver mines there were still increasing.

Zhu Qizhen was very satisfied. The Ming Dynasty needed a large amount of gold to stabilize the Ming Bank and strengthen the world status of Ming Baochao. All these matters were handed over to the Ministry of Revenue.

“Old Zheng, I heard that the emperor of the Inca Empire would be turned into a mummy after his death?” Xu Youzhen asked curiously.

“It should be called a mummy,” Zheng Bizang explained. “That’s their custom.”

The ministers didn’t understand why there was such a strange custom.

Zhu Qizhen interrupted them and said in a deep voice:

“The gold we brought back this time will be deposited into the national treasury. The Ministry of Revenue will make good use of it and then submit a memorial. The Ming Bank will also need to submit a memorial. I said last time that a large amount of gold and silver will flow in to prevent inflation.”

“The Ministry of Rites must entertain the Inca Empire’s envoys well. If necessary, I will personally meet them.”

After explaining the situation, he retired from court.

He called Zheng Bizang alone and walked back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity with him. Along the way, he asked about the current situation in America because he was thinking about a question.

Now, it is not good to kill and deal with the princes of the Zhu family. However, they can be divided into overseas places, far away, and dealt with later.

If we don’t deal with them, they will integrate into the local community after many generations.

“Zheng Bi Zang, the territory of America is getting bigger and bigger, it looks like a kingdom now.” Zhu Qizhen said, “I will send a vassal king there, what do you think?”

“That’s great.” Zheng Bizang nodded, “This way, the Ming Dynasty will have one more vassal state.”

……

After dealing with the memorials, Zhu Qizhen returned to the harem first. He couldn’t stay with the evil queen all the time.

When he arrived at Changchun Palace, he saw the queen teaching Zhu Jianyang to read. She was very strict, like a strict mother. In fact, Zhu Qizhen was quite satisfied with this son.

Zhu Jianyang has been hardworking since he was young, well behaved, and has the bearing of a prince. He recalled that when he was studying in his previous life, he was much more indulgent than this. However, he also knew that a prince should be strictly educated, because when he was released in the future, he would have to guard a place.

“Your son pays homage to His Majesty.” Zhu Jianyang bowed respectfully to Zhu Qizhen.

“Go back to your room, I want to talk to your mother.” Zhu Qizhen waved his hand.

Zhu Jianyang went back to his room obediently. The queen sighed softly, “I’m afraid he will slack off.”

“As for children, we can’t be impatient.” Zhu Qizhen smiled, “Don’t you want to have another one? Recently, we will try our best.”

The queen blushed slightly: “I am leading the harem now, and I am afraid that it will delay things.”

Zhu Qizhen stretched out his hands and held her in his arms, saying: “It’s time to make Yang’er the crown prince. I will give him a good teacher, and you won’t have to work so hard.”

The queen was overjoyed. As she was now the queen, it was perfectly legitimate for her to make her son the crown prince.

“I have thought about it. Not only will I assign him different teachers,” Zhu Qizhen said, “in the future, I will also send him to a military academy and then train him in the army. My son must be strong in everything.”

The queen’s eyes were filled with worry: “Is it too bitter?”

“The princes are the dragon veins of the dynasty. Only when they thrive can the Ming Dynasty continue to thrive.” Zhu Qizhen said seriously, “A loving mother often spoils her son. You must remember this.”

“Yes.” The queen nodded slightly and leaned in his arms.

(End of this chapter)