Li Qing came all the way to Kunning Palace, and when he arrived at the inner hall, Zhang was already on his deathbed.
He did not salute in vain, but walked straight to the couch and squatted down.
"Sir is here." Mrs. Zhang looked at Li Qing, just like she had seen him when she was the crown prince's concubine. After so long, he seemed to be frozen in time.
"Sir, you are indeed very human." Madam Zhang said softly, "I'll bother you later."
"Your Majesty, you're welcome."
Zhang asked: "Sir, will you leave again in the future?"
Li Qing pondered for a moment, "The situation is uncertain, I won't leave."
"That's good, that's good..." Mrs. Zhang was relieved, she was really relieved.
Zhu Qizhen and his wife were confused. There was a strong sense of inconsistency in the conversation between the two. They always felt that it was strange. They couldn't explain what was strange.
Mrs. Zhang's smile was gentle, and her eyes were full of energy, but it was passing quickly. Finally, she whispered inaudibly: "I'm going to accompany him, sir... Don't worry, I will bring the message to you."
Li Qing has sharp ears and eyes, and can hear clearly.
A feeling of sadness welled up in my heart, sad, but completely bearable.
After being so sad in the past, he had overcome it, and he was no longer shocked.
Half a quarter of an hour later, the Empress Dowager Zhang passed away.
She walked peacefully, and her old face showed the relief of being relieved of a heavy burden, as if she had been tired for a long time and could finally rest.
she left…
Zhu Qizhen burst into tears, Mrs. Sun mourned and cried bitterly, and the eunuchs and maids all howled.
There was a lot of crying inside and outside the palace.
…
The Empress Dowager passed away, and the news quickly spread throughout the palace and beyond.
When the kneeling ministers heard the news, they were shocked with sadness, and there was secret joy hidden in the sadness.
With such a big thing happening, it would be too much to force her to have a baby anymore, and she would just be seeking death.
People in this era attach great importance to their posthumous reputation, even more so than during their lifetime.
Especially the person involved was the first empress dowager of the Ming Dynasty, and she was also the empress dowager who had held power.
The ministers stood up tremblingly, riding horses and sitting in sedans. They trembled and rushed home unconditionally. They began to prepare mourning clothes, write elegiac couplets, and draft honorary titles...
Although the title may not be accepted, what if it happens?
If you can choose it, it will be enough to brag about for a lifetime.
The dead are great, and everything else must give way before such a thing.
Anyway, they have found a new breakthrough point, so naturally they will not be unhappy with the little emperor at this juncture.
With the death of the Empress Dowager, the war between monarch and ministers came to an end for the time being.
It's just halftime, not over.
Next, there is the daily mourning.
Li Qing himself had forgotten how many times this happened, but now that he had caught up, he couldn't explain it without crying.
Maybe after a long time, he has really integrated into it. Although he is not so sad and does not use ginger, he can still cry.
It's just that some civil servants are not exaggerating.
The palace is shrouded in white, and with the white snow in winter, it looks even more desolate.
Old friends are dying, and soon it’s a new year, with life in the silence.
Li Qing looked up at the sky, seeing the heavy snow in the sky, his eyes full of white, and his heart full of powerlessness.
There is still a long time, there are still many winters...
Li Qing felt helpless and miserable, but he could only bear it and experience it.
He missed them, his master, and Li Jinglong and Zhu Yunwen.
Are they okay?
Li Qing wants to go back to Jinling, he wants to see them very much, but... he can't go now.
The government is at a critical moment. The success or failure of the two-year plan depends on the outcome of this decisive battle. How can he just walk away.
Li Qing dragged his tired body out of the palace and walked in the heavy snow, step by step, desolate and lonely.
He didn't ride the donkey, he just led it.
Walking step by step... the heavy snow soon turned white on his head.
Unfortunately, it's not really white.
"Huchihuchi..."
The donkey rubbed the palm of Li Qing's hand, and its warm breath blew into his palm. It was warm. Li Qing turned his head, and his cold heart felt warm.
"Brother Donkey..."
"Huchihuchi." The donkey breathed hot air, as if it wanted to warm him.
Li Qing held its head and pressed his cheek against its smooth fur; the donkey gently arched its head, as if to comfort him.
One person and one donkey stood quietly in the snow for a long time...
'Thump thump...! The donkey shook his body, shaking off the white snow all over his body, and then humped him hard, lowering his head.
Li Qingqiang smiled, patted its neck, and rode up.
The donkey raised its head and strode home, running very fast, jolting Li Qing along the way, as if it was about to knock the snow from his heart.
soon,
Got home.
Li Qing patted the snow on his body and fed the donkey with high-quality grass. When it was full, he picked up a shovel and shoveled the snow.
Finally I couldn't help it and built three more snowmen.
Over the years, he has become more dexterous.
Looking at them, he smiled, as if everything was still as beautiful as before.
…
However, it was short-lived after all. The sun rose high, releasing its heat and warming the world, but only took away his warmth.
In front of a pool of clear water, Li Qing was speechless and choked.
In the blink of an eye, the New Year is here again.
The Empress Dowager had just passed away. During the national mourning period, lights and festoons could not be displayed, and there was no one to buy fireworks on the street.
Li Qing bought many years' worth of goods. He was busy steaming buns, making dumplings, and frying Chinese quince... He filled the emptiness with his busyness.
New Year's Eve.
He cooked a large table of dishes, filled a large basin, and placed many bowls and chopsticks, including Master's, Wanling's, Hongxiu's, Lianxiang's... and Little Fatty's.
"It's time to eat." Li Qingsheng served the dumplings, took a big bite, and boasted: "The imperial dining room is not even as delicious as the ones I made."
As I ate, my vision blurred.
In a daze, he saw his master, a little old man dressed in white snow, with white beard and hair, smiling at him.
"Master..." Li Qing called softly.
"You're living a good life, kid!" Zhang Sloppy smiled and stepped forward, "Hey, can you finish such a big table of food?"
"Disciple..." Li Qing sniffed, suddenly realized something, and blinked quickly.
His vision was clear, and the little old man was standing in front of him, just like before.
"Master!" Li Qing said in surprise, and hugged the little old man. Suddenly feeling infinitely aggrieved, he cried and said, "Master, why did you come to see me..."
Zhang Slutty patted his back gently, but said teasingly: "I don't know who said he looked away."
"Okay, okay, I'm a big man, so I'm not too embarrassed." The little old man pushed him away, walked to the main seat and sat down, and said arrogantly: "Why are you standing there? Serve the rice!"
"Hey, okay." Li Qing nodded hurriedly and filled a large bowl for his master. "Master, try it. This disciple's craftsmanship is not bad. Even the imperial kitchen may not be able to match it."
"Just blow it." Zhang Sloppy curled his lips, but soon it tasted really good, "Don't tell me, it's okay."
"That's right." Li Qing smiled proudly, and then became serious again, "Master, you are so good, aren't you?"
"What do you think?" Zhang Slutty said inarticulately, his mouth full of oil.
Li Qing saw that the little old man had a rosy complexion and was able to eat and drink. He said happily: "Long live Master!"
"Oh...you are so filial." Zhang Sloppy almost choked, and Li Qing quickly served him a bowl of dumpling soup.
Zhang was sloppy and drank heavily, and then said: "It's no wonder that you are an important minister of the Five Dynasties, and you can say such treacherous words and let others listen to you. You will not get a good harvest."
"Isn't there no outsiders?" Li Qing chuckled, "Besides, in the hearts of disciples, the master is much more important than the emperor."
"Okay, okay." Zhang Sloppy said with a smile, "You get rewards for flattering the emperor, but you get nothing for flattering the old man."
Li Qing: "... Master is coming from Jinling this time, right?"
"Well, after I left Longhu Mountain, I wandered around for a few months. I didn't think it was interesting, so I went to Xiao Zhu's place." Zhang Slutty said.
Li Sin asked, "Are they all okay?"
"Everything is pretty good." Zhang said with a sloppy smile, "That Li Jinglong is quite interesting. We three old men are living a very comfortable life, so you don't have to worry."
That's great... Li Qing was very happy, but also a little angry, "You are nourished, but what about me?"
"Master, you will have to stay longer this time." Li Qing snorted, "I am also your disciple after all. I don't care. You can't favor one over the other."
"Okay, I'll just spend this year with you." Zhang Slutty said with a smile, "Why are you still acting like a child? By the way, how is the court situation?"
Li Qing said happily: "It is developing in a good direction. Now is a critical moment. If we survive this time, things will be easier in the future."
"Are you confident you can get through this?"
"Yes!" Li Qing said firmly, "There won't be any surprises."
