Regarding the harem, Zhu Xu always felt that "simplifying" was the best.

The harems of the Ming Dynasty have never been calm since its founding. Recently, it has become more and more intense and more outrageous.

From Concubine Zheng to Keshi, Li Xuanshi, etc., the tragic harem in the harem is no weaker than that in Liaodong, and it is definitely a big book.

Zhu Xu didn't want to follow in this footsteps, and he just smiled and said nothing about Empress Dowager Zhang's request.

There was Xiao Yongning on the table. The little girl was thirteen years old and a half-grown girl. She held the chopsticks and inserted them into the meal, and said hummingly: "Man..."

Queen Mother Zhang glanced at her, and the little girl pouted and picked up the chopsticks to stew the rice.

Empress Dowager Zhang turned to Zhu Xu and said with a not-so-spoken expression: "I have already told the Queen about this. Bumubutai should try to stay in the palace as much as possible. You can have snacks, don't continue to be willful..."

Zhu Xu gritted his teeth and was about to speak when a palace maid suddenly ran in and said anxiously: "Empress, emperor, concubine, concubine..."

Zhu Xu and Empress Dowager Zhang's expressions changed. They looked at each other and then quickly got up and rushed to Renshou Palace.

The old concubine is not in good health, and her harem has been worried recently.

When Zhu Xu arrived, the people in Renshou Palace held their breath and concentrated. In front of Concubine Liu's sickbed, an old doctor was still taking his pulse.

Zhu Xu and others came in quietly, all stumbled their heads and looked inside.

Most of the people in the harem came, with a serious expression and a look of worry and uneasiness.

On the bed, the old concubine looked haggard and her lips were squirming, as if she was muttering to herself, giving people a feeling of extreme powerlessness.

Zhu Xu stretched his head and looked at the old concubine's expression, but did not dare to say anything.

Empress Dowager Zhang, Zhang Yun, Li Jieyu and others stood behind Zhu Xu, watching from afar, nervous and uneasy.

After a while, the imperial physician turned around and raised his hand to Zhu Xu.

Zhu Xu's heart was already in his throat and he whispered: "How is it?"

The imperial physician raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid it's only been one or two days."

The old concubine has been on for a lot of life and has been in danger many times, but this time, Zhu Xu feels it is true.

He felt heavy in his heart, waved his hand, and then stepped forward.

The old concubine lay there, occasionally speaking, but she was already in her dying state and couldn't hear what she was saying.

Empress Dowager Zhang stepped forward and sighed softly: "Don't be too sad. Although the old concubine was confused before, she also talked about her funeral. The simpler it should be, the better. Don't do a big fuss, and don't be buried with the God Ancestor. She doesn't have the qualifications..."

Zhu Xu nodded, sat beside the old concubine's bed, holding the old concubine's hand, and his past with the old concubine quickly appeared in front of him.

This is a wise and kind old man. I don’t know much help to him and the harem. The old man who used to be energetic and laughter is now lying here and can’t even give him any reaction.

Zhu Xu felt sad from his heart, his eyes were sore and he couldn't help but shed tears.

Empress Dowager Zhang, Zhang Yun and others were more sensitive and sobbed.

Zhu Xu and others kept guarding until midnight.

The old concubine was lying there all the time, as if she was looking back and could open her eyes occasionally, but she had no reaction to the outside world and could not speak.

Zhu Xu didn't handle the matter for a long time, and the cabinet responded.

Sun Chuanting, Fu Changzong, King Jing and others gathered together, and after talking about the main business, they talked about the harem.

"The emperor has been in Renshou Palace for most of the day, and the old concubine is afraid she is really not able to do it." Fu Changzong shook his head and sighed.

King Jing said: "Yes, the emperor has not seen anyone for most of the day. I guess it's true this time. The Ministry of Rites is already preparing..."

Sun Chuanting said: "We will go to see Mr. Bi later. Let's gather the recent things, so don't bother the emperor."

Several people nodded, and Fu Changzong suddenly said, "I heard that Jiangzuo has a lot of resistance to commercial taxes?"

Sun Chuanting looked solemn and said, "Well, the court and local governments lack understanding of this. The cabinet must issue a document to urge local governments to increase their efforts to implement it. The State Administration of Taxation must also establish authority. Commercial taxation is now an important part of the treasury. There cannot be a slight slack now, and no one can become an obstacle!"

Fu Changzong pondered and said, "After the August hunt, I plan to go to Nanzhili and put pressure on them."

Although the local high-level officials have been overhauled, the local stubborn forces, especially the grassroots officials, are still huge and have deep foundations. They are in conflict with the money and grain involved.

Sun Chuanting nodded and said, "Yes. I'll go to Liaodong in a few days. Now Liaodong can be self-sufficient. There are some places that I don't feel at ease if I don't see them."

King Jing listened and didn't interrupt. Now the affairs of the Ming Dynasty are full of things, and everyone is too busy to be clever. It is normal for ministers such as the cabinet ministers and the six ministers of the ministers of the ministers of the Ministry of Justice to leave the capital at all times.

The next day, before dawn, the bell suddenly rang in the palace, dull and melancholy.

As the bells were counted, the whole palace knew that this was a death knell and that a noble man in the palace had passed away.

All the people in the cabinet were there, and after a while, they all stood up, changed their clothes, and asked for an order to enter the inner court.

Zhu Xu, Empress Dowager Zhang, Zhang Yun and others were all very sad. They sat in the side hall, watching the inner prisoners and palace maids come in and out, dull and depressed.

After a while, Empress Dowager Zhang, Zhang Yun and others comforted Zhu Xu.

Zhu Xu waved his hand and said, "You go, I'm sitting for a while and tell the outer court not to come in. The old concubine's last wish during her lifetime is very simple. There is no need to worry about it. You can save everything you should pay."

This was the first time Cao Huachun saw Zhu Xu so sad, and responded silently and retreated.

The funeral was held in the palace quickly. Because of mourning, the palace became silent, and it seemed as if the entire capital had been silent.

It was not better in July, and the palace was a bit lively.

Kunning Palace, Xiao Shuxian, Xiao Ciye, Xiao Cixuan, and Xiao Ciyi were playing. Zhang Jun, Li Jieyu, Hai Lanzhu, and Bumu Butai were sitting aside and laughing.

Zhang Yun and Hai Lanzhu are eight months pregnant. Both of them are talking to Li Jieyu, Bumu Butai and others with big belly.

The little guys are all three or four years old. They can run, dance, talk and laugh. They can roam around the palace and no one can cure them.

Zhu Xu came in from outside, and a few little guys took a look, and they hugged me and ran to the other side cheering.

Zhang Yun and others quickly got up to greet each other and said, "I will meet the emperor."

Zhu Xu smiled and looked at the people, saying, "Everyone is free, sit down, we are all having meals in Kunning Palace today."

The four of them answered softly.

Zhu Xu greeted him and came to the warm pavilion. She sat on the soft collapse. Seeing that the people were sweating slightly on their heads, she thought for a while and said with a smile: "The clouds and mist mountains outside the city are warm in winter and cool in summer. After a while, I will clean up, move them over, and come back after giving birth."

Zhang Yun and Hai Lanzhu quickly stood up and said, "I thank you for yourselves."

Zhu Xu looked at the group of people and sighed: "The concubine has passed away. We must all be mourning. The matter of taking concubines is slow. Queen Hai Lanzhu goes to Yunwu Mountain and Bumu Butai. Stay for a few more days and you can go back. Just get the etiquette."

8)
Chapter completed!