The Imperial Palace.
Zhu Youxiao stood in front of the mirror, looking at his appearance.
He looked like a scholar. Although his clothes were made of silk, they didn't look particularly expensive. The jade pendant tied around his waist was just an ordinary embellishment.
Nodding with satisfaction, Zhu Youxiao said, "Bring me my fan."
After hearing this, Empress Zhang rolled her eyes at Zhu Youxiao, handed him the fan, and asked, "Your Majesty, dressed like this, are you planning to stage a drama about a talented scholar and a beautiful woman?"
You know, various operas were very active in the Ming Dynasty, and were loved by people both inside and outside the palace. Empress Zhang was the best among them.
The drama of talented men and beautiful women has become a popular trend.
After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao laughed, and with a swish, he unfolded his folding fan and said, "What is this? This is not a talented scholar and a beautiful woman, this is called a dragon and a phoenix."
"Your Majesty, please bring someone with you when you go out this time." Empress Zhang said helplessly.
"Bring someone? Who?" Zhu Youxiao asked doubtfully, "Wouldn't it be enough if Wei Chao came along?"
"I'm talking about the women in the harem. Bring one or two to serve you." Empress Zhang looked at Zhu Youxiao and said in a somewhat dim voice, "So that you don't have to go out and bring people back."
"Are you dissatisfied with the large number of people in the palace?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Empress Zhang and found her jealous look a bit amusing.
Rolling her eyes at Zhu Youxiao, Empress Zhang said helplessly, "It's against the rules to always bring people back from outside. If Your Majesty wants, why not just select a concubine? Your Majesty has been on the throne for nine years, and you've only selected a concubine once."
The smile on his face slowly faded. Zhu Youxiao reached out and took Empress Zhang's hand. With a gentle expression and a tone of emotion, he said, "Yes, it's been nine years. Time flies."
"Thinking about it now, I can still recall the time when we got married. Now you are the mother of two children. I haven't had enough. It would be great if life could continue like this."
After hearing this, Empress Zhang was originally very moved, but suddenly she shuddered and asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, have you considered immortality?"
Empress Zhang was really afraid that Zhu Youxiao wanted to live forever, so she would find someone to make elixirs.
Since ancient times, there have been many emperors who have sought immortality through alchemy, especially during the Ming Dynasty. The royal family believed in Taoism, and the desire for immortality through alchemy was a tradition.
Not only the emperor, but also the princes from all over the country liked this style very much.
Zhu Youxiao never showed this, which made Empress Zhang feel relieved. But who would have thought that Zhu Youxiao would suddenly bring up the issue of immortality, which made her worried.
Reaching out and pinching Empress Zhang's nose, Zhu Youxiao said, "What are you thinking? I'm not a superstitious person. Han Li of Qingyun Sect is dead. Who else can make pills for me?"
When Empress Zhang heard what Zhu Youxiao said, she burst out laughing.
It’s not that there is anything funny in this statement, but she remembered the Taoist priest that Zhu Youxiao mentioned, the old Taoist priest who had been living in the palace, Han Li from Qingyun Sect.
Originally, Empress Zhang believed that this old Taoist priest was really a master, and the emperor trusted him very much. But later, during an unintentional chat, Zhu Youxiao told her the truth.
Empress Zhang then realized that this man was a complete old liar that Zhu Youxiao had caught from the street. Zhu Youxiao had borrowed his name to get things done.
This person had been in the palace all his life and later died there. Zhu Youxiao even had him buried properly, which can be considered a good beginning and a good end.
This time, when Empress Zhang heard Zhu Youxiao mention this old Taoist priest, she couldn't help but smile.
"Your Majesty always makes me happy." Empress Zhang said with a smile, "But this time, Your Majesty must bring someone with you when you go out. I am worried about not having anyone to serve you here."
Although it was not known whether Empress Zhang was so insistent because she was really jealous, Zhu Youxiao did not care. It was no big deal to bring two women with him when he went out.
Things are different now. Back then, the places we went to were more dangerous, and we didn't know what would happen. The country was unstable, and I didn't have the energy to travel with a woman.
But things are different now. The area is stable and the country is strong. I'm in a good mood and it's nice to take people out for a walk.
After thinking for a while, Zhu Youxiao said, "Then it's Concubine Yuan and Concubine Tian. I have been very sorry to them over the years."
Empress Zhang nodded and said, "I'll make the arrangements."
Concubine Yuan and Concubine Tian entered the palace with Empress Zhang. However, in order to show the affection between the emperor and the empress, Zhu Youxiao waited a long time before having sex with them. In addition, in order to let Empress Zhang have children, he never let them get pregnant.
Even after they had children, Zhu Youxiao hadn't shown them excessive favor over the years, which made him feel a little guilty. Since he was going out for fun this time, it would be a good idea to bring them along.
"Okay, then go ahead." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said.
At this time, Wei Chao walked over, glanced at Zhu Youxiao, then at Empress Zhang, and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, Tongzhengshi Chen Sihai requests an audience."
After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao was stunned.
Wei Chao had to be careful. After all, the relationship between the Emperor and the Empress had always been good, and now it was even better. If he disturbed their interest at this time, he might be resentful.
Although this kind of thing hasn't happened in recent years, it's unacceptable if it happens once. Especially these past two days, the Queen will definitely be in a bad mood, so don't cause trouble.
If it wasn't Chen Sihai who came this time, Wei Chao would definitely have to wait.
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