When Zhao Xu arrived at the Qingbiao Hall and stepped into the main hall, he saw Concubine Zhu gently wiping her tears, looking melancholy and bitter.

On the lower right of her, there was an old lady with a white haired head with her crutched chin against the crutch and she spoke softly and slowly.

Behind her was a woman in her thirties and seven or eight children were there.

Zhao Xu looked at it, but he looked familiar, but couldn't remember it.

When Concubine Zhu saw Zhao Xu coming in, she just said lightly: "The official family is here, sit down."

When Zhao Xu saw it, he thought it was Xiao Niang's family, but Xiao Niang has been in the palace for nearly twenty years and it seems that there is no one in her family.

Zhao Xu walked in with a smile, and the old lady had already stood up and saluted: "Qin Zhou has seen the official family."

The Princess Wei, behind her, hurriedly took the child and saluted: "I have met the official family."

Zhao Xu felt more and more familiar with Princess Wei, and couldn't remember it in his heart. He smiled calmly and said, "No need to be polite, just sit down."

The old lady didn't look at Zhao Xu, or said more, she sat down as soon as she responded.

Princess Wei was a little worried and pulled a group of ignorant children to stand respectfully.

Zhao Si, Zhao Ji and others were always "well-behaved" in front of Concubine Zhu, and now they stood behind Zhao Xu honestly.

The old lady held the crutch and lowered her head, as if she was recalling and helpless, saying, "It's been almost five years since our family died. I was not strong enough and I only gave birth to two daughters. Fortunately, the Qin family's child was a bit polite and did not make things difficult for me. But I seemed to be an outsider in the mansion. Xiao Wu felt sorry for me and took me to Beijing to relax. Otherwise, I would probably never see the Empress in this life."

Concubine Zhu looked at Princess Wei and nodded slightly. The expression on her face was almost the same as the old lady. She sighed softly: "Princess Wei is filial, so I feel relieved. I live in the capital for more days. If it weren't for the old lady, I wouldn't have grown up even if I didn't talk about me."

Zhao Xu sat on the chair, listening quietly, and listening to Concubine Zhu's words, he immediately remembered.

Logically speaking, the Princess Wei was Zhao Xu's fourth aunt, so he should not have known him. But firstly, Zhao Xu was strictly controlled by Empress Dowager Gao before, and he had hardly seen anyone outside. Secondly, the Princess Wei passed away early, and the Princess Wei did not enter the palace many times, especially in the past two years, even if he entered the palace, Zhao Xu had never seen him, and only occasionally looked at him from a distance at some banquets.

The old lady held the crook in both hands, shook her head, and said, "The official family is very happy, of course, it's okay. Besides, I didn't help me back then. The one who was seriously ill at that time was seriously ill. After a few memoirs, I fell into bed. I took care of it day and night, but I couldn't get through it..."

Concubine Zhu's expression was also very silent. The old lady's experience gave her a feeling of compassion for the same disease. She lost her husband at only thirty years, and the child was young, but there was a queen mother on it. She pressed her down on her. For seven years, she had not been in good health, and she could not even see her children. In just half a year, she could only see the clouds clear and the moon brightly.

However, this old lady has no children and is the concubine's child, so she may not have a good life.

Concubine Zhu glanced at Zhao Xu and said, "The official family is Qin Zhou family, the old lady Qin, the widow of the late Shangshu Qin. She hugged you in the palace back then. Fortunately, the old lady, otherwise the four of us might not be able to survive."

Before Zhao Xu could speak, the old lady knelt on her crutch, sighed, and said, "The Empress is so serious. This time I went to Beijing, first, Xiao Wu was filial and thought of me. Second, I was a little worried. She has been widowed for many years and has brought so many children, which is even harder than me. I haven't been alive for a long time, and she is still young. Third, I just want to see some old friends. When I get old, I just have to prepare a coffin. It's hard to see again..."

When Concubine Zhu heard this, she became anxious and hurriedly said, "What did the old lady say? What do you do when you go back? Let's live in my palace! By the way, what official positions are there in the Qin family? I issued an imperial edict to transfer them to the capital. I will take a look. Under my nose, they dare not treat the old lady badly..."

The old lady was stunned, then smiled bitterly and said, "It's not as serious as the Empress said. Besides, the Qin family has failed to achieve some official positions and has not even passed the imperial examination. I won't bother the Empress."

Concubine Zhu ignored it, looked at Zhao Xu, and said with a stern face: "Official family, have you heard what I said?"

Zhao Xu looked motionless and kept observing Qin Zhou and Princess Wei. I have to say that this old lady has good acting skills, and she always mentions old things from beginning to end, looking heart-to-heart talk. But Princess Wei was different, with a nervous expression and dazed eyes. She looked at Zhao Xu from time to time and evades.

Zhao Xu knew it, but he did not dare to refute Concubine Zhu's face. After pondering for a moment, he looked at the tangerine peel outside the door and said, "You go... the Ministry of Works, let Yang Shangshu take a look and arrange a suitable location."

Chenpi responded and turned around and left.

The old lady was stunned for a moment and hurriedly said, "Xie Guan Family. Oh, why bother with Empress? I can't even get used to being in the capital."

Seeing that Zhao Xu had made arrangements, Concubine Zhu's face was much gentler. After a moment, she seemed to remember something again and sighed: "When the old lady left the palace, I thought, it would be great if the old lady could stay. I was afraid of it myself before, but now I am not afraid anymore. I also hope that the old lady will not be afraid..."

The old lady seemed to be in love with the scene, and continued to lie on her crutch and said, "When it comes to back then, it is really not easy for the Empress. It is a blessing to be able to survive until now. I have a weak life, and I, the poor Xiaowu, are also..."

Concubine Zhu looked at Princess Wei again. Princess Wei was just 30 years old, but King Wei had passed away for five or six years and had been pulling out the seven or eight children left by King Wei.

‘It’s not easy.’

Concubine Zhu nodded silently, feeling upset for a moment, not knowing what to say.

Zhao Si, Zhao Ji seemed to understand but he was staring at the children around Princess Wei, about years old, and one or two of them knew each other and had studied together in the palace school.

Zhao Xu has been sitting patiently. This is the old friend of Concubine Zhu, and he must save face.

I just drank a lot of water in the morning and forgot to go to the toilet, so I felt a little uncomfortable now.

The old lady was silent for a while and said, "Empress, do you still remember the old man in my family? I didn't want to listen to me before and married a scholar. But this scholar has never passed the imperial examination. Now he is in his thirties and has not read much. The number of concubines is increasing day by day. There are already more than a dozen children, and I rely on my support. Every time I come back, I cry with me. I am worried about it, but I have no choice..."

Concubine Zhu nodded sadly and said, "I remember, one year older than me... a woman's life is always not very good."

Concubine Zhu not only talks about the old lady's family, but also includes her, but also the Queen Mother Xiang and Queen Mother Gao in front of her are basically middle-aged and have been widowed for half a lifetime.

The old lady continued to speak, and the topic went from her own family to her sisters, and then connected to Concubine Zhu's house, which attracted Concubine Zhu's memories and feelings.

Zhao Xu sat aside, his expression still, but his legs twisted from time to time.

It would be fine if he went to the toilet now, but it would break the atmosphere, which was equivalent to rushing guests.

It is rare for Concubine Zhu to have an old friend to visit, so Zhao Xu still has to take care of him to the end.

Concubine Zhu is indeed rare to have an old friend. Today, she talks a lot, especially outside the palace. Sometimes she says more than the old lady, and seems to miss some people and things very much. There is also a kind of sorrow that has passed too long, things have changed, and helpless.

Zhao Xu suppressed the urge to pee and listened quietly, his expression as if moved.

Concubine Zhu's life was indeed difficult. When Emperor Shenzong was alive, although she had three children, she was facing suppression by the Empress Dowager Xiang. Emperor Shenzong passed away. The Empress Dowager above ruled the country from behind and took her eldest son away. She had to calculate half a year if she wanted to meet her. Her son was the emperor, but she was still a concubine of the late emperor. A few years ago, Lu was scolded by Empress Dowager Gao. Although he was named the concubine and promoted his treatment, he was still walking on thin ice and trembling.

After seven years of enduring, Zhao Xu didn't know how many things she suppressed in her heart.

Zhao Xu quietly looked at the little girl who seemed to be talking to herself, and the urge to add the honor of "Empress Dowager" to her became stronger again.

While I was strong inside, I was even more anxious.

But the old lady and Concubine Zhu talked more and more, as if there was endless things to say, and even a little cold sweat appeared on Zhao Xu's head.

If he wet his pants here, he would not lose any face as the emperor.

After a while, the old lady seemed to suddenly see the sky, stood up in a hurry and said, "Empress, I have also dried some bedding, so I have to go back and collect it."

Concubine Zhu was stunned. She was still unsatisfied and wanted to chat. She listened and said, "Let the servants pass on their words. Stay here tonight."

The old lady seemed a little stubborn and said anxiously: "Empress, I'll come back another day."

As he said that, the old lady was about to go out.

Seeing that Concubine Zhu could not keep her, she had to send her out.

Zhao Xu forced himself to stand up and sent the old lady and Princess Wei out.

As soon as they left, Zhao Xu turned around and walked towards the cottage.

"Official family, we are going to Cuju." Zhao Xu just took a few steps, and Zhao Ji stopped him.

If it were in the past, Zhao Xu would have kicked him. At this moment, his lower body was trembling and he hurriedly said, "Go and go quickly."

As he said that, he pushed Zhao Ji away and walked quickly inside.

Zhao Ji and Zhao Si did not care about Zhao Xu's behavior, and ran out with a cheer.

Concubine Zhu wanted to personally send the old lady out with Princess Wei, but was stopped by the old lady. A group of people left the palace under the leadership of the palace maids and the yellow gate.

When Zhao Xu came back comfortably, Concubine Zhu was still sitting on the chair, with memories and feelings on her face.

Zhao Xu walked over, sat down next to her, and said, "Xiao Madam, what's wrong?"

Concubine Zhu came back to her senses, her expression moved, and suddenly said with a solemn look on her face: "Official family, I beg you for something, you must agree to me."

Zhao Xu was stunned and said with a smile: "If you have any questions, just say that as long as it is not picking the moon in the sky, everything else will be easy."

Concubine Zhu ignored Zhao Xu's jokes, pursed her lips, and then said, "Qin Zhou and I are kind to you brothers and sisters, can you... let them go?"

Zhao Xu suddenly smiled in his heart. He originally thought that Concubine Zhu was kept in the dark, but now it seems that he knows it.

But knowing that is one thing, feeling is another.

Zhao Xu would not make Zhu Taixiao unhappy, so he turned out the door without hesitation and said, "Chen Pi, go to the Zhengshi Hall to see if the Qin family, the Zhou family, and the Wei Wang Mansion have been involved. If there is any, take it out."

"Yes." Chenpi responded, this time, she went there in person.
Chapter completed!