Chapter 1

"Your Majesty, it's time to rise."

When Zhu Yijun woke up from his dream, his first action was to close his eyes and search for a cigarette and his phone on the pillow, as he had a bad habit of looking at the news on his phone and smoking a cigarette upon waking.

Huh? Where’s the cigarette? Where’s the phone?

In the dim light, Zhu Yijun realized he was not lying on the king-sized bed in the hotel. Everything before his eyes made him doubt his own vision.

He found himself lying on an intricately carved wooden bed, and everything on the bed was a reddish-brown color. In a fleeting glance, he saw many dragons carved on the bed.

"Wh-where... where am I?" The clear, bright child's voice made Zhu Yijun's head buzz, and he felt a sense of panic as if his whole body had been hollowed out.

"Is His Majesty having a nightmare? This is the Qianqing Palace, Your Majesty's and Empress Dowager Cisheng's bedroom."

"Qianqing Palace, Empress Dowager... Cisheng?" His head buzzed, and Zhu Yijun suddenly clutched his head as a large amount of information flooded his brain, making his eyes bloodshot and his body drenched in sweat.

"Quick, fetch the imperial physician!"

"Quick, inform the Empress Dowager!"

The bedroom was in a flurry of activity, with sharp voices rising and falling. Suddenly, a stern voice rang out: "What are you panicking for? Everyone, be quiet."

A slightly plump figure approached the bed and gently held Zhu Yijun's hands. In a daze, Zhu Yijun looked up at this person.

"Da Ban?" Zhu Yijun blurted out a title, as if it came naturally.

The person smiled kindly, "It's your servant, Your Majesty. What's wrong? Is Your Majesty unwell?"

"I... I..."

Feng Bao's face showed concern. He gently pulled Zhu Yijun's hands away from his head and looked him in the eye.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

"I... I... Am I the emperor?"

As they spoke, Zhu Yijun slowly calmed down. His mind raced and he realized a shocking fact: he had possessed the body of a child and absorbed a large amount of the child's common knowledge and learned memories. He found himself in a familiar historical scenario:

He had traveled through time and was now in the body of the Ming dynasty emperor, Zhu Yijun!

Originally, Zhu Yijun was an only child raised under the red flag. His parents were successful businessmen, and the family was quite wealthy. He was smart and studied until he graduated from a key university, then became a civil servant at the local tax bureau in a city.

Because of his good looks, financial stability, and social skills, he was promoted to director within a few years of graduation. He married a beautiful wife, but they divorced due to personality differences before they had children.

In the years since his divorce, his parents had stopped managing his life, and he indulged in a life of pleasure. He had a hobby for history and read some historical books, but only for entertainment. He never expected that he would wake up in the Forbidden City of the Ming dynasty after a good night's sleep.

Although he had experienced some upheaval, he had been through some storms and quickly regained his composure.

After a few more words, Zhu Yijun, gradually regaining his senses, became familiar with the memories of his new body. Despite the chaotic information in his mind, the familiar feelings brought him a sense of security. Understanding his situation, he regained the composure of a young emperor.

From the memories of his new body, he learned that today was the second day of the second month of the first year of the Wanli era. At this time, Gao Gong had been expelled, Gao Yi had died, and among the three regents left by Emperor Muzong, only Zhang Juzheng remained. Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao, who was by his side, now ruled the empire.

"Da Ban, I just had a strange dream and woke up not knowing where I was, causing you worry." Zhu Yijun, who had completed his identity transformation, spoke clearly to Feng Bao, whom he had known since childhood.

"Your Majesty, you flatter me. Are you feeling better? Should I call the imperial physician?"

"No need. It was just a dream. There's no need to cause a commotion; the Empress Dowager might worry."

Hearing this, Feng Bao sighed with relief. According to the schedule, today was the first day of the imperial lectures, and it was best if the emperor was well.

Since the Song dynasty, the imperial lectures, which were specifically for the emperor's education, had been an important part of political life. The Ming dynasty placed great importance on the imperial lectures, viewing them as a place to "broaden the emperor's mind and invigorate his spirit."

The first imperial lecture of Emperor Wanli would be his first major test to show whether he was a diligent and humble ruler. The ceremony was complex and would be a significant test of the young Wanli's physical and mental endurance. If Wanli were to miss the first imperial lecture due to illness, it would cause suspicion both inside and outside the palace.

With Zhu Yijun now composed, the eunuchs and palace maids gathered around him.

First, a young eunuch helped the emperor, who was wearing a nightgown, to the privy in the rear hall, then returned to the dragon bed for washing.

During the washing, four palace maids knelt to present a purple-gold basin inlaid with jade (actually inlaid with eight treasures, which Zhu Yijun did not recognize). The four gold basins, with diameters of two feet, one foot, four feet, and one and a half feet, were used for washing hands, rinsing the mouth, washing the face, and washing hands again.

Zhu Yijun slowly recalled the steps of washing and did not make any mistakes.

However, when he looked at the four palace maids, he felt a bit queasy—Empress Dowager Li, to prevent the emperor from being lustful, had arranged for all the women around him to be over thirty and plain-looking.

After washing, a young eunuch knelt and held a tray with the emperor's clothes, and the palace maids surrounded the emperor to dress him.

According to etiquette, the emperor wore casual clothes before breakfast. Casual clothes were relatively simple: a robe over the undergarments, and a red robe with gold-embroidered dragons over it.

After putting on the robe, the emperor sat and the highest-ranking palace maid, who was responsible for combing his hair, combed it. Since Zhu Yijun had undergone the capping ceremony in the Eastern Palace, his hair was tied with a net and a jade pin was inserted, and he wore the Winged Crown.

Although Zhu Yijun's soul was from the modern era, as a powerful director in a powerful department, he had enjoyed a good life for a few years. Now, being served by others, he remained composed and did not reveal any mistakes.

While dressing, a young eunuch named Zhang Cheng bowed and led the way, with Feng Bao serving by his side. They walked a few dozen steps to the Empress Dowager's bedroom. Along the way, Zhu Yijun, looking at the Forbidden City he had often visited in the future, had only one thought: "Brand new!"

When they reached the Empress Dowager's bedroom, a eunuch announced, "His Majesty has arrived!"

Zhu Yijun stood solemnly and said loudly, "Mother Empress, have you risen? Your son has come to pay respects!"

In ancient China, the virtue of filial piety was paramount. Even as an emperor, one had to follow the morning and evening rituals without fail. Zhu Yijun, having accepted the memories of his new body, naturally recalled the steps for paying respects and performed them according to etiquette.

"Has the emperor come? It's cold outside, come in quickly!" a pleasant voice called from inside.

Zhu Yijun entered the hall solemnly and bowed. "Your son pays respects to Mother Empress!" He then straightened up and saw that the Empress Dowager's living quarters were about sixteen square meters, with a sandalwood bed and minimal dragon and phoenix decorations, mainly featuring patterns of good fortune, longevity, and happiness.

On the east side of the palace, a white jade Guanyin statue was enshrined, with sandalwood incense burning. A beautifully dressed lady sat on the bed, holding a string of prayer beads, about thirty years old. Because she was in mourning for the late emperor, she wore no jewelry, and her skin was fair.

"Has the emperor slept well?" the Empress Dowager, also maintaining a solemn demeanor, replied with etiquette.

In this world, once etiquette was involved, there was no warmth. Empress Dowager Cisheng, originally named Li Caifeng, was a palace maid in the Yuxian Palace when Emperor Longqing was the Prince of Yuxian. She gave birth to Emperor Wanli, Zhu Yijun, and was elevated to the rank of concubine. After Wanli ascended the throne, she was honored as Empress Dowager Cisheng, ranking alongside Empress Dowager Ren Sheng, Chen.

Li Caifeng came from a humble background and had always been cautious. She never acted arrogantly in the palace and strictly disciplined the emperor, adhering to etiquette to avoid ridicule. Therefore, the mother and son rarely enjoyed the simple pleasures of a family.

Zhu Yijun tried to force a smile and make small talk, but the strong memories of his new body and the lingering sense of fear prevented him from speaking much.

After a few exchanges, the Empress Dowager stood up and led the emperor to the Ciqing Palace to pay respects to Empress Dowager Ren Sheng. Feng Bao, citing that he needed to review documents from the Office of Ceremonial, was allowed to leave.

The sky was gradually brightening, and a hint of dawn was visible in the east. Inside the palace, a faint red light could be seen. Zhu Yijun sat in the sedan chair, silent and thoughtful.

Empress Dowager Ren Sheng, surnamed Chen, was initially the second wife of the Prince of Yuxian. Due to her frail health, she was not favored and lived in a separate hall, making her a relatively insignificant figure in the palace. However, as the primary consort, no one dared to look down on her.

Empress Dowager Li adhered to etiquette and treated Empress Dowager Chen like a mother, performing the morning and evening rituals without any lapses. In his childhood, Zhu Yijun, due to his mother's strict discipline, often visited his primary mother, who was very fond of him. Historical records state that Empress Dowager Chen "would be delighted at the sound of his footsteps," and she particularly enjoyed the young prince's visits.

Compared to Empress Dowager Li, who was always formally dressed, Empress Dowager Chen was much more casual, wearing plain clothes and lying on the bed. When she heard that the emperor and Empress Dowager Li had arrived, she smiled and got up to greet them.

The head eunuch of the Ciqing Palace, Lin Xiaofu, though named "Xiaofu," was actually over forty and a veteran of the palace. Seeing Empress Dowager Chen's happy face, he quickly went to the door and opened the curtain to welcome the emperor and Empress Dowager Li.

Empress Dowager Li first bowed to Empress Dowager Chen, calling her "sister" and asking after her well-being. Zhu Yijun, feeling a sense of closeness upon seeing Empress Dowager Chen, bowed and stood to one side, smiling as the two empresses conversed.

Taking the opportunity, Zhu Yijun asked Lin Xiaofu, "Has the weather been cold lately? Is the Empress Dowager's bedroom warm enough?"

"Your Majesty, the floor heating has been on, and we have not been negligent."

The two empresses, seeing the young emperor's concern, felt a sense of maternal pride and smiled at him. Empress Dowager Chen's face was full of affection, and Empress Dowager Li quietly recited a prayer. Zhu Yijun, unaware, continued:

"Xiaofu, where are you from?"

"Your Majesty, this old servant is from Shaanxi." Lin Xiaofu was puzzled by the emperor's question.

"Have you heard of the method of building and heating a kang (a type of heated bed)? It is very beneficial for the waist and legs in winter."

In the Ming dynasty's Forbidden City, the emperor and the imperial harem did not sleep on kangs but on beds. The palace was heated by burning charcoal in the fire pits outside the hall, which heated the entire palace through underground channels. Although the room temperature was relatively high, the heat rose to the ceiling, and the beds were elevated, making it cold for the weak.

When Zhu Yijun asked this question, the two empresses were stunned. Both had slept on kangs before entering the Yuxian Palace, but they had never thought of building a kang in the palace.

Lin Xiaofu laughed bitterly, "Your Majesty, how can a kang be built in the palace?" He thought the emperor was just being childish and tried to dismiss the idea.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yijun's face turned serious, and he scolded, "You servant, how can you be so dismissive? If you know the method, explain it in detail. If you don't, say so. Why ask me how to build a kang in the palace? If I knew, what use would I have for you?"

His voice was clear and childlike, but each word was piercing, frightening Lin Xiaofu into kneeling and bowing.

Empress Dowager Chen, being the most kind-hearted, was about to speak, but Empress Dowager Li, with bright eyes, pulled her and gestured for her to watch how the emperor would handle the situation.

"Rise and answer," Zhu Yijun, seeing Lin Xiaofu kneel, called him up.

Lin Xiaofu stood up, no longer slack, and bowed respectfully.

"Find a skilled craftsman in the palace and carefully consider the method of building a kang. If it can be done, build it for both empresses to ensure they are warm at night. Two conditions: the fire must still be outside the hall, and the smoke must also be vented outside to avoid affecting the empresses. Follow their instructions for the rest."

"Your servant obeys." Lin Xiaofu responded softly and bowed back.

The two empresses, seeing the emperor's first handling of palace affairs, were deeply moved. The eunuch responsible for recording the emperor's daily activities carefully noted this filial act.

Why did Zhu Yijun scold Lin Xiaofu? After understanding his new identity, he was also thinking about how to involve himself in the historical period known as the last glow of the Ming dynasty.

Earlier, when Feng Bao asked Empress Dowager Li to handle the documents from the Office of Ceremonial without consulting him, the emperor, he felt a sense of helplessness despite knowing that Feng Bao's actions were appropriate for a young emperor. He had been thinking about how to break the deadlock and decided to focus on his "early wisdom." Thus, he acted as he did. Moreover, "if one cannot sweep a single room, how can one sweep the world?" He needed to understand palace affairs to involve himself in court matters. Additionally, he chose to scold Lin Xiaofu because Empress Dowager Chen did not manage the palace and was a high-ranking but soft target.

After a while, the two empresses continued their conversation, and Empress Dowager Chen invited them to stay for a meal. Empress Dowager Li smiled, "Amitabha, sister, you are thoughtful. I would have stayed for a meal, but the emperor has to attend the imperial lecture today and needs to prepare. We will come another day."

Empress Dowager Chen, hearing this, was concerned and sighed, "The emperor is still young. The scholars should not ask him difficult questions. The emperor must be careful." Empress Dowager Li smiled and agreed, leading the emperor to bow and leave.

The emperor's meal was also conducted according to etiquette. During the Jiajing era, the emperor's meals were provided by different eunuchs in rotation. The eunuchs, holding great power and with no descendants to leave their wealth to, spent lavishly on food. They were connoisseurs of fine cuisine, and the imperial kitchen and the Office of Food and Drink mainly provided meals for the palace staff, while the emperor's meals were supplied by the eunuchs in charge of the Office of Ceremonial, the Office of the Imperial Stud, and the Eastern and Western Factories.

However, after Jiajing, Emperor Muzong restored the old system. The meal scene was grand: a long table in the hall, over ten feet long, was set with dozens of dishes.

Originally, when the emperor ate, a small band of palace maids and eunuchs played music—similar to playing music for cows to increase milk production. In the sixth year of Longqing, the previous year, Wanli, following Zhang Juzheng's advice, had the band dismissed.

Zhu Yijun, having traveled from the modern era, was used to a simple breakfast of two fried dough sticks and a bowl of soy milk (salty). He found this extravagance wasteful and wanted to reform it but decided not to overdo it after his earlier display.

He ate a baked pancake and a bowl of noodles and was full. Seeing Empress Dowager Li eating vegetarian, he picked a few vegetables and placed them in her bowl. After the meal, they left the table, washed their hands, and rinsed their mouths, then rewarded the palace staff with the leftovers.

After all this, it was nearly mid-morning. Since today was the day of the imperial lecture, Zhu Yijun did not hold court. The lecture was scheduled to start at the second hour of the morning, and the venue was the Wenhua Hall.

The Ming imperial family placed great importance on the emperor's lectures. The day before, the original Zhu Yijun had offered sacrifices to the ancestors in the Fuxian Hall, Hongxiao Hall, and Shenxiao Hall, and had burned incense and prayed at the memorial tablet of his father, Emperor Longqing, telling the ancestors that he had grown up and would attend the imperial lecture, promising to study diligently and improve every day.

Although this was the case, the imperial lecture was not a grand ceremony and was conducted in casual attire. The emperor's casual attire was different from his casual clothes. Zhu Yijun took off his casual clothes and robe and, with the help of the palace maids, put on his casual attire, which included the Winged Crown, the dragon robe, and black shoes with white soles.

After dressing, Empress Dowager Li personally brought a tray of jade hooks, jade pendants, jade rings, jade beads, and other small ornaments, weighing at least a few pounds, and busily adorned Zhu Yijun with them.