Zhu Ru waved his hand and said: "The queen is like this. Even if we go back, we won't be able to sleep. We might as well find a side hall to rest."
Han Du also nodded and said: "Your Highness should also arrange a side room for me."
As he spoke, he turned to look at An Qing and said, "I and An Qing are waiting here. If the empress wakes up and wants to see An Qing, you might as well go there as soon as possible."
Zhu Biao lowered his head and thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's fine. If the queen wakes up, she might really want to see you."
After saying that, Zhu Biao straightened his back and shouted loudly: "Here comes someone."
Two eunuchs immediately ran over from a distance and knelt down to Zhu Biao, "Your Highness, please give me your instructions."
"Immediately prepare a side hall for King Zhou and Marquis Zhenhai." Zhu Biao raised his hand and pointed at the two of them.
The eunuch immediately bowed and said, "I obey my command."
After saying that, they stood up and said to Han Du and Zhu Ru:
"Your Majesty, please come this way."
"Master Marquis, please come this way."
Han Du reached out and naturally took An Qing's hand, pulling her to follow the eunuch towards the side hall.
An Qing's face suddenly turned red, and he struggled to break away from Han Du's hand.
Han Du turned around in surprise and looked into An Qing's eyes in confusion.
An Qing angrily gave Handu a deceiving look, indicating that there was someone else here! This kind of action was often done by Han Du and An Qing when they were at home. Because there were no outsiders at that time, even though An Qing was very shy, she still let Han Du go because of Han Du's feelings for her.
But somewhere here, this is Kunning Palace. Moreover, there were the prince and King Zhou nearby, so it's no wonder that An Qing wasn't shy.
Han Du immediately realized what was going on, and immediately took his hand back in embarrassment, turned around and left with his hands behind his back.
Zhu Rui saw all this, but he just glanced at Han Du with interest, then followed the eunuch without saying anything.
After Zhu Zhu left, Zhu Biao sighed, turned to look at Han Jingyun, and asked rather strangely: "Han Du, is he always like this at home?"
Han Jingyun nodded in confusion and asked: "Eldest brother acts according to his heart. I knew before when I was still at home that eldest brother never cares about other people's opinions. I used to be curious about why eldest brother is like this, so I asked Brother."
"Oh? Then how did he answer you?" Zhu Biao couldn't help but become curious. Han Du is a smart man, and Zhu Biao knows it. Therefore, he was very curious about what kind of unique view Han Du would have when faced with such a problem.
Han Jingyun glanced at him with beautiful eyes, cleared his throat, and imitated the tone of his elder brother's words at that time, and said: "Things that have nothing to do with me are none of my business! Things that have nothing to do with others are none of other people's business!"
Zhu Biao watched Han Jingyun imitate Han Du's tone of voice, and suddenly the gloom he had felt due to his mother's serious illness dissipated a little.
"It's none of my business, it's none of other people's business... Okay, that's well said." Zhu Biao praised, then frowned in thought.
He even kept saying, "It's none of my business, it's none of other people's business... It's none of my business, it's none of other people's business..." over and over again, as if there is no end. .
When Han Jingyun saw Zhu Biao's strange behavior, he not only asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Zhu Biao seemed to be woken up by Han Jingyun. He took a deep breath and sighed: "Awesome, awesome!"
"What's so great?" Han Jingyun became more and more confused as he listened and couldn't help but ask.
Zhu Biao was unwilling to continue talking, and just said to Han Jingyun, "You should ask Han Du."
After saying that, he shook his head and turned around, walking towards his mother's bedroom. He wanted to see his father. Although his father had kicked him out just now, he was still worried that his father would be too sad.
...
Han Du and An Qing sat down in the side hall, and the palace maid soon brought tea and cakes.
An Qing picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Han Du, and said, "Husband, you have come back after a long journey. I'm afraid you haven't eaten a grain of rice all day. Why don't you have a sip of tea and something to eat first?"
Han Du looked up at An Qing, grabbed her hand, and said, "Don't worry about me. Judging from your appearance, you probably haven't eaten either. You should eat some too. You've lost weight."
An Qing nodded slightly, then picked up two pastries and handed one to Han Du.
Han Du took it, lowered his head and started eating.
Neither Han Du nor An Qing discussed Han Du's going to sea. Now that Queen Ma has reached this point, neither of them has the heart to talk about overseas affairs.
In the evening, Han Du and An Qing went to visit Queen Ma together. But Queen Ma still didn't wake up. The two stayed together for a while before being sent away by Lao Zhu.
Late at night, Han Du had just fallen asleep with extremely complicated emotions when he was woken up by the palace maid outside the door.
Han Du and An Qing woke up at the same time and looked at each other by candlelight. There was an ominous premonition in their eyes.
The two quickly dressed up, opened the door and walked out together.
Han Du asked in a deep voice: "What's the matter?"
The palace maid hurriedly knelt down and replied: "The emperor has a decree. Send a message to His Royal Highness the Princess and the Marquis of Zhenhai."
An Qing trembled after hearing this, his face suddenly turned pale, and he couldn't help but whisper, "Husband..."
Han Du turned around and saw An Qing, who was panicking and confused. He reached out to hold her hand and said, "I have everything!"
The two of them hurried all the way to the entrance of the palace, barely breathing. The old eunuch frantically motioned for them to enter before they could even take a breath.
Han Du and An Qing immediately walked into Queen Ma's bedroom. When they entered, they found that Zhu Biao, Han Jingyun, and Zhu Xi were already there. The two people quickly stepped forward and greeted Lao Zhu:
"Meet the Emperor."
"Meet my father."
Then Han Du discovered that Queen Ma was awake with her eyes open, and quickly pulled An Qing forward to pay her respects:
"Meet the Queen Mother."
There was no trace of fear or panic on Queen Ma's face. On the contrary, among the people in the room, she was the only one with a smile on her face. It's just that Queen Ma no longer has the strength to do it. She can only lie on the bed and look sideways at Han Du and An Qing.
Said: "Get up quickly."
"Thank you, Queen Mother." Han Du and An Qing looked full of sorrow and stood up helplessly.
Then Queen Ma looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Biao'er~"
"The child is here." Zhu Biao immediately knelt down in front of Queen Ma.
Empress Ma stretched out her hand with difficulty, touched Zhu Biao's face, and said: "Biao'er, you are good at everything, but you are too kind-hearted and not as decisive as your father. But this can be regarded as an advantage. Those ministers are more powerful than your father." They are trembling every day under the emperor's power. They hope that you will rule the world in the future, and they don't know how long they have been looking forward to it. After you inherit the throne in the future, you will definitely be deeply supported by all the officials."
"But as a king, you cannot just be kind. You must have a compassionate heart, but you must also have the wrathful means. Do you understand?"
"My child, I understand!" When Zhu Biao heard his mother's last words, two traces of tears had already flowed down from his eyes.
Then, Queen Ma looked at Han Du again and shouted weakly: "Han Du~"
Han Du immediately stepped forward, knelt in front of Queen Ma like Zhu Biao, and said, "My son is here."
Queen Ma's expression became serious, her eyes stared at Han Du with all her strength, and said: "You are a smart man, you should know that I have regarded you as my nephew from the moment I saw you. Later, regardless of the royal dignity, I married Anqing to you. Can I be your mother-in-law?"
"The queen is serious, I dare not." Han Du lowered his head and replied.
Empress Ma glanced at Han Du with satisfaction and said: "I know that the court has been a place of treacherous waves since ancient times. Although Biao'er has enough experience, he can stand alone. But since ancient times, it is easy to dodge hidden arrows and it is difficult to prevent them. I want you to assist Biao'er wholeheartedly in the future, how about that?"
Han Du suddenly kowtowed, stood up and said solemnly: "My son, I will obey my mother's instructions. Even if my body is broken to pieces, I must protect His Highness the Crown Prince and the country of Ming Dynasty."
"Okay, okay, okay!" Queen Ma said happily three times in a row, "With your words, I feel relieved."
Then he looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Biao'er, you have to give your mother a guarantee. You don't have to listen to Han Du's advice in the future, but in any case you can't punish him for his words."
"I understand." Zhu Biao's voice was filled with tears and he lowered his head heavily.
Queen Ma glanced at Han Jingyun and An Qing, but said nothing to them. Finally, he turned his attention to Lao Zhu and said: "Your Majesty, my concubine's life and death are determined by fate. Please don't blame the imperial doctors."
Lao Zhu closed his eyes in pain. Lao Zhu, who had not shed tears for decades, could not help but burst into tears. With trembling lips, he said, "I promise you."
Empress Ma added: "The emperor has always been arbitrary and prone to anger. After I left, no one can persuade the emperor. I only hope that the emperor can seek out capable people and listen to their opinions. From the beginning to the end, Just treat it calmly so that people all over the world can rely on it."
"We promise you, we all promise you..." Lao Zhu held Queen Ma's hand tightly, as if he wanted to hold her tightly.
When Queen Ma heard this, a smile appeared on her face, "That's it, I'll be relieved!"
As the words fell, Queen Ma closed her eyes with a smile, and passed away suddenly!
A generation of virtuous queens has come to an end!
Empress Ma is definitely a very remarkable person. She not only followed Zhu Yuanzhang when he was not yet prosperous, but she also saved Lao Zhu's life. She is gentle, virtuous, knowledgeable, and is Lao Zhu's virtuous wife. She has always been helping Zhu Yuanzhang in her own unique way. Empress Ma did everything she could for Lao Zhu. With her help, Zhu Yuanzhang reduced many wrong decisions and also helped Lao Zhu retain a group of loyal ministers.
Empress Ma was most praised by later generations for being a mother in the world. When she became empress, she still did not forget her past virtues of thrift and simplicity. She took the princesses and concubines in the harem to live lightly and sewed old clothes. Although she was in the palace, Empress Ma was also very involved in people's lives. She often gave advice to Lao Zhu, suggesting that he reduce his punishment and make more use of talents. She was Lao Zhu's virtuous wife. Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang's relationship with her has always been very good, and it has not diminished because he became the emperor and had concubines.
Lao Zhu also respected Queen Ma very much. Later, Lao Zhu almost only listened to Queen Ma's advice, which even Zhu Biao could not match. Even Queen Ma became Lao Zhu's spiritual support for a time. No matter how busy he was every day, Lao Zhu would always make time to see Queen Ma, have a meal, or say a few words.
But now, Lao Zhu's spiritual support is gone!
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