As the only son of Concubine Shu, the seventh prince Wu Gong Liu Hui hurried into the palace as soon as he learned the news. However, no matter how fast he walked, even if he rode a horse to cross the ban, he could not see his mother for the last time in person. Send off Concubine Shu.
"Dad, my mother..." Liu Hui came over panting, not taking a moment to rest. When he saw Emperor Liu walking out of Shulan Hall in silence, he asked nervously with a choked tone.
Liu Hui is almost twenty years old. He inherited the good genes from his mother and the elegant temperament he developed since he was a child. He has become more and more elegant. Due to the two years of training in the Forbidden Army, he has gained more masculinity and his skin has become more elegant. There are also more healthy colors.
Emperor Liu was not angry because of Liu Hui's late arrival. Looking at his son with a concubine's temperament between his brows, Emperor Liu sighed softly, raised his hand and patted his back, and whispered: "Go and see Look at your mother, send her on her last journey!"
Even though he had had a premonition, when the bad news actually came, Liu Hui felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his eyes turned red, and he hurriedly walked into Shulan Hall. He walked so fast that he almost tripped over the threshold of the hall, and he didn't even notice at all. Ignoring it, I stumbled and ran inside. Soon, amidst the wailing, Liu Hui's heart-rending mourning also sounded...
Emperor Liu did not stay in Shulan Hall for long. He returned to Chongzheng Hall with heavy steps and a gloomy face. He seemed to be covered with a layer of dark clouds that was so thick that it could not be broken away. From time to time, heart-stopping glances flashed across his eyes.
Yan Tuozhan was trembling and followed him step by step. Seeing that Emperor Liu was in a heavy mood, he hesitated for a moment and carefully consoled her: "Concubine Shu has passed away. I would like to ask the officials to express their condolences. Don't be too sad. It's important to take care of yourself!"
"My condolences! My condolences?" Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu didn't appreciate it. He turned around and yelled angrily: "What do you know about sadness? You don't have a woman, you don't have a dead woman!"
Startled by Emperor Liu's irritability, Yantuo shivered and lowered his head, not daring to speak any more. Emperor Liu, who was in a very bad mood, didn't know what to say, so at this time, it was better to keep his mouth shut.
However, on the other hand, it is not good to let the officials vent, but it is not good to hold it in their hearts. Without any slack in his steps, Emperor Liu suddenly stopped, causing Yantuo who was following him to stagger.
Emperor Liu raised his eyes and saw that in the palace, there were some colorful ribbons and ornaments for celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival hanging in various places in the palace. They were fluttering in the autumn wind. The palace lanterns, although stained with a little dust, Still bright and festive.
Seeing the red color everywhere, Emperor Liu's eyes seemed to be red, and he said in a stern tone: "Take all these things away from me!"
"Yes! Make arrangements immediately, little one!" Yantuo said quickly.
After venting for a while, Emperor Liu was still in a bad mood, but his eagerness to eat people finally calmed down.
Returning to Chongzheng Hall, Emperor Liu thought of something and ordered: "Go and find Zhang Dejun for me!"
In the Chongzheng Palace, Duke Ji and Xue Ju, a scholar, were in their posts. The news of Concubine Shu's death spread quickly. In just a moment, the news spread throughout the huge Bian Palace, and even spread outside the palace. .
Naturally, Xue Juzheng also heard about it. Seeing Emperor Liu return with an expressionless face, Xue Juzheng could not help but carefully comfort him, hoping that he would express his condolences. It is also a comfort. To a minister like Xue Juzheng, he is naturally not as rude as he is to the servants around him, but still expresses his gratitude politely.
"Xue Qing, please draft an edict to announce the death of Concubine Shu!" Emperor Liu ordered Xue Juzheng.
"Yes!" Although Xue Juzheng felt that issuing an edict specifically for a concubine in the harem was a bit too grand, he did not dare to have any objections at this time, so he agreed happily and there was no need to be fussy.
"Also! It is said that your history writing, Mr. Xue, is as sharp as a sword. I will ask you to personally write a biography for Concubine Shu. Write a Shinto inscription to clearly describe Concubine Shu's conduct and conduct, so that future generations will know that Concubine Shu was alive. His talents and style!" Emperor Liu said again.
Hearing this, Xue Juzheng frowned slightly and asked him, a minister of the Zhuguo State, to write a biography of a concubine with the pen he used to write about the Spring and Autumn Period. He seemed to have a mental disorder. However, after looking at Emperor Liu, Xue Juzheng should still be there.
"And!" Emperor Liu noticed Xue Juzheng's reaction, and said in a deep tone with special concern: "I know the style of you historians. When writing a biography for Concubine Shu, you must have a name and a surname. It is not allowed. What should you write to me, 'Shu Fei Zhou, I don't know who she is'!"
Hearing this edict, Xue Juzheng felt a little uncomfortable and wanted to argue a few words, but under Emperor Liu's oppressive eyes, he could only say helplessly: "I understand!"
Seeing that Xue Juzheng didn't say much, Emperor Liu withdrew his gaze with satisfaction and waved his hand to signal him to retreat. However, after Xue Juzheng stepped down, he couldn't help but curse: "You are really stubborn. The older you get, the more stubborn you become!"
When she was alone, the grief for Concubine Zhou Shu came to her heart again. The feeling was a bit uncomfortable, and it was still difficult to get rid of the melancholy atmosphere.
Not only because of the death of Concubine Shu, but also because he realized that not only he was getting older, but the people close to him were also aging and fading. Among the concubines, Concubine Shu was not the oldest. Over the years, many heroes had passed away, which also caused him a lot of grief, but he had never been as deeply touched as this time.
The last time he was unforgettable was the last concubine Shu, the late Concubine Geng Chen. But at that time, he was still young, and his mind was more focused on military and political affairs. He did not have more emotions and thoughts, and he would only be sad for a while. alright. As for the death of Mrs. Huarui, it is an exception. After all, there is no emotional basis.
When Emperor Liu was immersed in sadness, Zhang Dejun hurriedly came from the Imperial City Division. He probably understood the reason why Emperor Liu summoned him.
"Official!" Maintaining the humility of a slave, Zhang Dejun also saluted carefully.
Looking at Zhang Dejun, Emperor Liu asked directly: "How is the investigation going on the Zhou family's situation?"
When it comes to illegal crimes involving the emperor's relatives, the Imperial City Division has always secretly monitored and investigated secretly. Previously, Emperor Liu received some reports about Zhou family members taking advantage of their power to break the law and bully others. Especially in the Yangzhou case, they were also implicated. The Zhou clan asked Zhang Dejun to send people to investigate.
Sure enough, Zhang Dejun, who had already prepared the draft, reported respectfully: "I would like to report to the official family. After investigation by my colleagues, we found that the Zhou clan in Gyeonggi is still very responsible. The chief concierge Zhou Fang is also quite strict in running the family, and the family tradition is good. , there is no overstep.
Those who have committed improper behavior are some members of the Zhou clan in Yangzhou, who are all distant branches. They are local powerful clans who rely on their family members in the capital to run rampant in the local area..."
After listening to the report, Emperor Liu's gloomy expression did not change at all. After thinking for a while, he quickly made a decision and said: "The investigation of the Zhou family should be limited to Yangzhou. Don't involve Zhou Fang and the others!"
Zhou Fang is the grandson of Zhou Zong and was adopted to preside over the Zhou family. Although he could not inherit the title due to the adult system, his property, reputation, and political resources were all inherited. In the past two years, he was awarded the title of Chief of Protocol, and Zhou Fang With the sisters in the palace, even if Da Zhou falls out of favor, Xiao Zhou is still there, and the Zhou family's honor and favor will last forever.
Zhang Dejun's mind is so clear. He certainly understands Emperor Liu's intention, but he is unwilling to delve into it. Otherwise, if something goes wrong with the Zhou family in Yangzhou, how can the family in Gyeonggi not be affected? The death of Concubine Zhou Shu could be regarded as unintentional, saving the Zhou family from disaster and turmoil.
After pondering for a while, Emperor Liu ordered someone to call Lu Mengzheng, who had been re-elected as cabinet bachelor, and directly ordered: "Draw up an edict and give it to the Concierge, Zhou Fang, the first-class Earl of Haiyang!"
Lu Mengzheng hesitated a little, bowed his hands and asked for instructions: "Your Majesty, in what name do you want to do this?"
"What kind of name?" Emperor Liu didn't understand Lu Mengzheng's hint, and his tone couldn't help but be a little harsh, and said: "Concubine Shu has given birth to a pair of children for me. Is this a sufficient reason?"
Of course, these were angry words, but Lu Mengzheng stopped talking and responded obediently: "Yes!"
