Chapter 329: The False Emperor Finally Captures the True Emperor, and the Two Dragons Meet

However, the moment she approached Zhu Qizhen’s chest, she stopped.

Zhu Qizhen slowly opened his eyes and asked coldly: “Why don’t you do it?”

He felt his neck getting hot. It turned out to be the Demon Queen’s tears falling, drop by drop, on his neck. The Demon Queen held the hairpin tightly in both hands, looked at him, bit her red lips and said, “If you die, I will die too.”

After saying that, she thrust both her hands down.

Zhu Qizhen grabbed her hands, lifted them up, flipped her onto the couch, and knocked the hairpin out of her hand.

“You want to kill me?” His eyes were about to burst, “Can you kill me?”

The Queen was lying on the couch, her beautiful figure was curvy and her tears were falling from the corners of her eyes, running down her beautiful cheeks. Her hair was scattered in disarray, and her skirt was also untied, revealing her round shoulders and her long white legs were curled up.

“Kill me if you can.” She smiled sadly, “You’re going to kill anyway.”

Zhu Qizhen’s eyes burned with anger: “Want to die? It’s not that easy. The two of us are destined to be entangled for the rest of our lives. We haven’t even become husband and wife yet.”

He held her shoulders with both hands and kissed her domineeringly.

The demon queen closed her eyes, tears streaming down her beautiful face like a spring, wetting the pillow.

Hey~
Zhu Qizhen tore her skirt, but she still didn’t react. Zhu Qizhen seemed to be crazy, biting her and unbuttoning his robe.

“Your Majesty, do you want the Queen to die?” Shuangxi rushed in.

It was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, and he completely woke up. Looking at the Demon Queen lying there, she was just crying silently, with her eyes closed, tears all over her cheeks.

“Humph, I will never allow you to die.” Zhu Qizhen got down from the couch and said viciously, “If you dare to die, I will kill the Zhengtong Emperor.”

The Demon Queen reached out to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, slowly opened her eyes, and chuckled: “He is dead, died a long time ago.”

“He’s not dead!” Zhu Qizhen’s eyes were cold. “I have a way to find him. I will put Bulma and his child in prison and spread the news. If he doesn’t come out, I will kill his wife and the child.”

The demon queen’s expression changed drastically, and she sat up suddenly: “Are you crazy?”

“Crazy?” Zhu Qizhen sneered and spread his hands, “Isn’t that what happened when the Emperor Qin forced Lao Ai out?”

The demon queen looked panicked. She got down from the couch, threw herself into his arms, and begged, “I beg you, please let them go. They are innocent.”

Zhu Qizhen looked at her in panic and sneered, “That’s not what you taught me back then. You should know where the Zhengtong Emperor is, right? Tell him that if he doesn’t come, I will behead not only Bulma and her child, but also Yu Qian, Shang Lu and others. Aren’t they loyal to Zhengtong? Then let them die together.”

“Mad man!” The demon queen pushed him away. “Who among the ministers in the court would dare to be loyal to you if you act like this?”

Zhu Qizhen was murderous: “Then I will kill them all. Can’t my Ming Dynasty find people to replace them?”

The demon queen’s body was shaking. Her clothes were disheveled and torn in many places, exposing large areas of her fair skin. Her once charming eyes no longer had any tenderness at all, and she looked pitiful and helpless.

“If that’s the case, you can just wait to collect my corpse.” The Demon Queen said angrily.

She seemed to have exhausted all her strength and slowly squatted down. Shuangxi came over with a blanket and put it on her. Shuangxi’s eyes were filled with tears and he said to Zhu Qizhen: “Your Majesty, the queen has suffered enough for you, so please don’t make her angry anymore.”

“Shuangxi, take good care of your wife.” Zhu Qizhen said in a deep voice, “If she dies, I will kill you too.”

After saying that, he turned and left without looking back.

……

The next day, morning.

The hall was as silent as death, with only the occasional sound of robes rubbing against each other and the low hum of the night watch in the distance echoing in this depressing space.

Zhu Qizhen sat on the high dragon throne, exuding an unspoken majesty and coldness. His eyes were like knives, slowly sweeping across the ministers standing below the steps, silently, but with a heavy weight. That gaze, without any emotion, was enough to make every soul touched by it tremble.

In the court, the ministers stood in their positions, but all of them felt the invisible pressure. Their expressions were different. Some pursed their lips tightly, their eyes flickered, and they were obviously experiencing a fierce struggle in their hearts; some lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the emperor, and the fine beads of sweat on their foreheads flickered faintly in the weak morning light, revealing their inner panic and anxiety. Some even clenched their hands tightly, and their knuckles turned white due to the force.

Although no one spoke, the tension and fear in the air weighed heavily on everyone’s heart. The ministers might have factional disputes and disagreements on weekdays, but at this moment, facing the emperor’s silent anger, everyone remained silent tacitly, fearing that they would accidentally become the spark that ignited the atmosphere.

Time passed slowly in this suffocating silence, and every second seemed unusually long. Zhu Qizhen still did not say a word, but just sat there quietly, using his silent power to shroud the entire court in depression and uneasiness.

Duke Chen Mao of Jing took a deep breath, stood up, and reported: “Your Majesty, the Jinyiwei said that Yu Qian rebelled? I don’t believe a word of it. In the battle of the capital, it was Yu Qian who turned the tide.”

Everyone’s eyes fell on him, secretly admiring him in their hearts, still a veteran and brave. Zhu Qizhen’s eyes also fell on him, and he said coldly: “This has nothing to do with rebellion.”

“Yes!” Duke Zhongguo Shi Heng stood up, “Your Majesty, Yu Qian is a member of the Junshan Society, the evidence is irrefutable, he himself admitted it. The Junshan Society intends to rebel, the evidence is also irrefutable, the crime of treason, how can we forgive it lightly?”

Zhu Qizhen stood up suddenly and said: “I have made up my mind. Anyone who dares to plead for Yu Qian will be punished with the same crime as Yu Qian.”

The court was instantly silent, and the ministers dared not speak. Duke Chen Mao of Jing shook his head and smiled bitterly, looking at Shi Heng and said, “Why is it so, Shi Heng!”

……

After court, Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qizhen still held a small court meeting, but only summoned a few ministers from the cabinet.

“During this period, the court may be a little chaotic.” He said in a deep voice, “But your cabinet must maintain efficient operation, government affairs cannot be delayed, and it cannot affect the local areas.”

Xu Youzhen nodded: “Your Majesty, rest assured. The new policy has been implemented for so many years. People in various positions understand their responsibilities and what they are assessed for. If the cabinet is not in chaos, there will be no chaos below.”

“I am more relieved about the Cabinet.” Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly, “I am worried about the Five Military Commandery. Many people there followed Yu Qian.”

Li Bing pondered for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, let Shi Heng take the post of Minister of War and also serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army. With him, we can keep the situation under control.”

“I second the motion.” Li Xian stood up and said, “Yang Guifang is leading the army in the western region, and Zhang Lun is leading the army in the southeast. They are both from different families, but they are more loyal to Your Majesty. If there is no chaos in the front and Shi Heng is in the back, the overall situation will not be in chaos.”

Zhu Qizhen nodded slowly: “I’d better write to Yang Guifang and Zhang Lun in person.”

These two men were both from the four young masters of the family, and they definitely admired Qian. Zhu Qizhen thought it would be better to appease them personally.

“I’ll go seal the letter as well,” said Li Bing.

He was also one of the four young masters of the Yu family. He stood up at this time to show his loyalty to the emperor and to show his attitude. Zhu Qizhen smiled and nodded: “Okay, you are all Yu Qian’s disciples.”

Li Bing bowed slightly, his face gloomy.

After Zhu Qizhen gave some instructions, they withdrew.

“Your Majesty, Lord Shi is waiting.” Cao Jixiang came to report.

Zhu Qizhen rubbed his eyebrows and said, “Go and bring Bulma and her child to Fengtian Palace.”

“Yes.” Cao Jixiang stepped out.

Shi Biao, the commander of the Jinyiwei, came in. After paying his respects, Zhu Qizhen said to him, “Shi Biao, I want to hand over two people to you, Bulma and her child.”

“She…they? Leave them to me?” Shi Biao was shocked.

“Yes, put them in prison.” Zhu Qizhen immediately said, “However, you have to find a special room to lock them up, provide them with food, clothing, shelter and transportation, and don’t make things difficult for them and their son.”

Shi Biao understood and bowed: “Your Majesty, rest assured. I will clean up the two rooms I have in Jinyiwei. Although they are not as good as those outside, they are still comfortable to live in.”

Zhu Qizhen nodded in satisfaction: “Then, you Jinyiwei will spread the news that they have been imprisoned, saying that they will be beheaded together with Yu Qian, Shang Lu and others.”

“As you command.” Shi Biao was very confident. “Your Majesty, the navy of the Imperial Guard will quickly spread this news to every corner of the capital.”

Zhu Qizhen explained in detail, and at this time, Cao Jixiang brought Bulma and her child to the hall. Zhu Qizhen looked up at Bulma, who pursed her red lips and nodded at him.

They had planned it out beforehand, and everything was self-explanatory.

……

The weather was clear and the sky over the capital was clear and blue.

The breeze blew gently, bringing with it the softness of spring and the passion of summer, shuttling through the streets. On the streets, the patrolling city guards had changed out of their heavy winter clothes and were wearing light uniforms, with swords flashing coldly on their waists. They moved flexibly among the crowds, guarding the peace and order of this world capital.

In recent years, the capital has been expanding, with tall buildings rising from the ground, shops lining the streets, and various signs swaying gently in the breeze, attracting merchants and tourists from all over the world. Silk shops, teahouses, bookstores, foreign goods stores… every place is bustling with the sound of transactions.

What is particularly striking is that in every corner of the city, one can often see foreigners in exotic costumes, who are either amazed by the magnificent oriental architecture or intoxicated by the dazzling array of goods.

“Have you heard? The false emperor’s wife and children have all been imprisoned.”

“This time, the emperor is really going to kill people.”

“If it were me, would I have waited so long? If he was a threat to Jiangshan, I would have started killing him long ago.”

“I support your Majesty anyway. Today’s good life is all because of your Majesty. Do you still remember before? All the good farmland was occupied by those princes and nobles.”

“Yes, yes, whoever rebels against your majesty shall die.”

Teahouses and restaurants were discussing this matter, but for these ordinary people, they definitely supported His Majesty.

At this time, Fahai Temple.

In the meditation room in the backyard, the queen mother, wearing a plain long dress, stood there, looking at the Zhengtong emperor kneeling in front of her. The Zhengtong emperor, who was already dressed as a monk, was crying: “Mother, I know everything. Can you save my child? The child is innocent.”

“This time, he is determined to force you to show up.” The Queen Mother also had tears in her eyes, “He might even kill me.”

The Zhengtong Emperor was shocked, his eyes flashed with determination: “Mother, then hand over your son. Haha, your son knows that everything is hopeless. During this time, I have been studying Buddhism. If I don’t go to hell, who will? As long as you can save my child, I don’t want this life.”

“You…” The Queen Mother couldn’t believe it.

“Mother, I am tired.” The Zhengtong Emperor smiled bitterly, “I don’t want to compete for the throne anymore. I originally thought that I would become a monk. But since the fake emperor is worried, I am willing to die to save everyone.” The Queen Mother shook her head repeatedly, “No!”

“Mother, please take care of yourself in the future.” The Zhengtong Emperor kowtowed and said, “I will go to the Jinyiwei myself.”

The Queen Mother’s mind raced: “Wait, since you want to save them and are not afraid of death, then I will think of another way.”

“Is there any other solution?” Emperor Zhengtong asked anxiously.

“I will bring him to see you, right here in Fahai Zen Temple.” The Queen Mother said in a deep voice, “I hope I can still save your life.”

……

Kunning Palace.

After the witch queen came back, she pondered for a long time and then asked Shuangxi to call the emperor.

Not long after, Zhu Qizhen came in with a cold face, looked at the demon queen sitting there, and asked: “What tricks are you trying to play?”

“Don’t you want to see the Legitimacy Emperor? I can tell you where he is.” The Demon Queen stood up and stared at him closely, “But you have to let Bulma and her son, as well as Yu Qian and the others, go.”

Zhu Qizhen was slightly surprised: “Will you tell me?”

The Demon Queen sneered coldly: “You are going to kill a child, what can I do?”

“Okay, I promise you!” Zhu Qizhen nodded.

The Demon Queen took a few steps closer, came to him, and asked: “How can I trust you? After seeing him, you killed him, and then killed Bulma and the others?”

“My target is Emperor Zhengtong. Once I capture him, I will not kill anyone else,” said Zhu Qizhen.

“Really? I don’t believe it.” The Demon Queen said with her beautiful face raised.

Zhu Qizhen smiled coldly, held her face with his hands, and asked, “What do you want?”

“Write the imperial edict to pardon them,” said the Demon Queen, “and have the cabinet announce the edict when you meet the Zhengtong Emperor.”

Zhu Qizhen pinched her cheek and said, “You are so thoughtful.”

The demon queen lowered her eyes, leaned gently in his arms, and smiled faintly: “If you regret it at that time, I will still be helpless. You are already the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and who dares to rebel against you? If that happens, I will only die!”

“You still want to threaten me with death?” There was a flash of pain in Zhu Qizhen’s eyes.

The Demon Queen raised her beautiful face, tears falling from her eyes, and said, “Don’t kill him when you see him, okay? He can no longer threaten you. If you kill him, you will definitely see my corpse when you come back.”

“Come here,” Zhu Qizhen said coldly, “Bring me the pen and ink. I will write the imperial edict to pardon Bulma, Yu Qian and the others.”

He couldn’t wait to meet Emperor Zhengtong.

……

After the imperial edict was written, Zhu Qizhen looked at the demon queen and asked, “Now, can you tell me where he is?”

The Demon Queen glanced at the contents of the imperial edict, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and smiled: “You have to summon Duke Chen Mao of Jing. I will accompany you to see the Zhengtong Emperor. Give the imperial edict to Duke Chen Mao of Jing. When you are sure that you can see the Zhengtong Emperor, send someone back to the court to tell Duke Chen Mao of Jing to read the imperial edict.”

Zhu Qizhen sighed softly: “Don’t we even have this little bit of trust between us?”

“What do you think?” The demon queen burst into tears.

Zhu Qizhen reached out his hand, gently wiped away the tears from her eyes, and nodded: “Okay, everything will be done as you say.”

He ordered someone to summon Duke Chen Mao of Jing. Not long after, Duke Chen Mao of Jing arrived at Kunning Palace in a hurry. The witch queen handed him the imperial edict in her hand and said, “This is the imperial edict of His Majesty pardoning Yu Qian and others. Take it to Fengtian Hall now. When His Majesty sends someone to tell you that it is time to read it, you will read it.”

Duke Chen Mao of Jing was shocked and looked at Zhu Qizhen and asked, “Is this true?”

“Yes!” Zhu Qizhen nodded, “I will appoint a Jinyiwei to pass the message to you. After you receive the confirmed news, read the imperial edict to the ministers.”

“As you wish.” Duke of Jing Chen Mao bowed.

The Queen smiled and said, “Your Majesty, aren’t you worried that the Duke of Jing will read out the imperial edict first?”

“I still understand him. He is loyal to me. He just wants to save Yu Qian, not to oppose me.” Zhu Qizhen snorted, “Isn’t this what you meant by choosing the Duke of Jing?”

Duke Chen Mao of Jing did not want to know what deal they were discussing. The old fox knew that the more he knew, the more trouble he would have in the future. He immediately bowed and said, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I will take my leave now.”

“Go.” Zhu Qizhen waved his hand.

After watching Duke Chen Mao of Jing leave, Zhu Qizhen grabbed the Demon Queen and said coldly, “Should we set off now?”

“Shuangxi, you drive.” The Queen of Demons waved her hand.

……

Soon, the carriage left the palace.

Shuangxi drove very steadily, and the carriage slowly moved on the street. The sunlight passed through the window and fell on the body of the demon queen. Her fair skin was glowing softly, elegant and cool, and a wisp of drooping bangs added a royal sister’s charm.

Zhu Qizhen stretched out his hands and held her in his arms. She did not struggle, but leaned on his chest with her eyes slightly drooping. Zhu Qizhen pinched her waist and smiled softly: “It’s all as you wish, what are you still worried about?”

“Is that what you wished for?” The Demon Queen sighed softly, “From now on, you will no longer be a threat.”

She tilted her delicate and charming face slightly, tears welling up in her eyes. Zhu Qizhen kissed her red lips, and the queen slowly closed her eyes and put her arms around his neck.

They kissed passionately, and the carriage turned a street before they stopped. The Queen’s mature face was flushed, and her eyes were still filled with tears: “I’ll tell you again, if you kill him, you will only see my corpse. If you don’t kill him, I will leave the harem and live in the temporary palace. I will be Sun Ruowei and you will be Zhu Wusi. We will just be an ordinary couple.”

“It’s both a threat and a temptation.” Zhu Qizhen’s eyes were burning. “You are gambling too, right?”

The Demon Queen pursed her red lips and nodded: “I bet we still have some feelings for each other after all these years.”

Zhu Qizhen put his arms around her waist and kissed her again.

The carriage finally stopped at the back door of Fahai Zen Temple. The Demon Queen pulled him out and pointed to an attic in the temple. Zhu Qizhen looked up and saw a monk standing in the attic.

He is indeed the Legitimacy Emperor!

“You go see him.” The Demon Queen said, “It’s in the Zen room in the backyard, the one where Yao Guangxiao practiced.”

Zhu Qizhen waved to a Jinyiwei behind the carriage and said, “Go back and tell Duke Jing that the imperial decree can be announced.”

The Jinyiwei took the order and left, and the Demon Queen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhu Qizhen jumped off the carriage and headed for the Zen temple. The demon queen stood on the carriage and shouted, “I will wait for you in Kunning Palace. Do you want to see me or my corpse? It’s up to you.”

“Okay.” Zhu Qizhen didn’t even turn his head, but just waved his hand.

He pushed open the back door of the Zen temple and walked in. In the Zen temple, several monks were cleaning the yard, and they didn’t seem to see him. Zhu Qizhen knew that these should be the Demon Queen’s people. It is estimated that many people in this Zen temple were arranged by the Demon Queen.

However, he was not in a hurry at all. The Jinyiwei just now would go to convey the order to the Duke of Jing, but he would first tell the Jinyiwei commander Shi Biao to lead the Jinyiwei to surround the Zen temple.

As long as the Zhengtong Emperor is under control, he can be killed whenever he wants.

……

When he arrived in front of the Zen room, Zhu Qizhen stopped.

After so many years, he was finally going to meet the real Zhu Qizhen. He was not nervous, but felt a little emotional, because the fate of two people who looked alike had changed dramatically.

“Your Majesty, come in.” A peaceful voice came from the Zen room.

Zhu Qizhen pushed the door open and saw a monk sitting on a cushion. The two men looked at each other and the monk sighed and said, “You and I are not alike.”

“Yes, how can you compare with me?” Zhu Qizhen strode up to him, looking down at him.

He wanted to tell Emperor Zhengtong that I am the emperor of the Ming Dynasty now, and you are not.

The Zhengtong Emperor slowly brewed tea, seemingly very calm, and asked calmly: “Your Majesty, would you like some tea?”

“Stop talking nonsense!” Zhu Qizhen’s eyes were as sharp as knives.

At this time, hurried footsteps were heard outside the temple. Soon, they broke into the temple, and voices kept coming: “Surround them, don’t let anyone go, tie them all up.”

“Is it the Jinyiwei who has arrived?” Emperor Zhengtong raised his head and asked with a smile.

Seeing him so calm, Zhu Qizhen became interested and sat down opposite him, saying, “Today, you must die!”

“I am just a monk now, and I will die if I die.” Emperor Zhengtong looked at Zhu Qizhen and said, “Your Majesty, as long as you spare my wife, children, and Yu Qian and other ministers, I am willing to die.”

“Don’t play the righteous game in front of me.” Zhu Qizhen sneered, “If you are not afraid of death, why did you wait until now?”

The Zhengtong Emperor shook his head and said, “I will not see you until I understand the barrier of life and death. If you want to kill me, do it now.”

Zhu Qizhen smiled slightly: “I have a new respect for you. Don’t worry, you can still have a good meal after the prisoner is beheaded. Any last words?”

Emperor Zhengtong drank a cup of tea, looked at him, and said seriously: “Treat my people well and let the Zhu family go. You can strip them of their titles and make them commoners. They can no longer threaten you, so let them go. All sins will stop with me.”

Zhu Qizhen stood up and chuckled: “Then go and die!”

……

Ps: There is only one chapter today. I will sort out the plot and it will be the finale soon. Let’s strive for an ending that everyone is satisfied with.

(End of this chapter)