The next day, just as Zhao Shu was washing up and getting ready for breakfast, Xiao Zhuzi came over excitedly to report. Seeing his beaming face, Zhao Shu teased him before he could speak, "Did you strike it rich?"

“Princess, what are you saying? How could this servant possibly make a fortune? Besides, even if I did, I wouldn’t know where to spend it. I just heard from the palace that Master Huo has gone to become the Emperor’s tutor.”

He frowned, a look of doubt on his face, and said, "Princess, what's wrong with Old Master Huo? He suddenly agreed to become the Imperial Tutor, and it's said that he'll be in charge of next year's imperial examinations."

Zhao Shu was surprised, but after a moment she laughed, "Don't talk nonsense, do you have any news today?"

"Oh, no, but a message came that the Xiongnu Kingdom is in turmoil for some reason and has now ceased hostilities. The rebel King Jing has no external support and probably won't be able to hold out for long. Marshal Wei will be back soon."

Zhao Shu nodded upon hearing this, waved for him to leave, and Xiao Zhu bowed and retreated, but he kept thinking about the question from earlier.

Seeing his furrowed brows, Zhao Shu shook her head. How could he understand the power of pillow talk? It seems that Zhao Shi holds a very important place in Huo Chengyi's heart.

However, Zhao Shu was quite puzzled when it came to the Xiongnu Kingdom. Internal strife? It was probably broken up by the Weitingsi and other foreign states. The Xiongnu were strong and powerful, and they were not easily defeated. Battles against the Xiongnu were mostly narrow victories, and it would take a long time to recuperate after each victory.

This time, Dayong suffered no losses, which is excellent.

After having breakfast, I went to see Huo Baichuan as usual, took his pulse, went to the palace to talk with the Empress Dowager, and then checked on Qiu Tong. Occasionally, I would also chat with Zhao Yi if he had anything to say.

Life couldn't be more comfortable.

Although it is a war, the food and supplies are basically collected by Fei Peng from various families. The national treasury only needs to make firearms. It can be said that Dayong will be incredibly powerful in the next hundred years.

Zhao Shu was quite bored with her orderly days, but fortunately Sun Yun would occasionally come to visit. Before she knew it, the freezing cold days had arrived.

After finding Zhao Shi and Sun Yun, along with Qiu Tong, the group stayed at Cining Palace to talk with the Empress Dowager.

"If I don't win a game against you today, I won't eat." The Empress Dowager was about to lose her temper after losing at the card game.

Zhao Shu shrugged, pursed her lips, and then poured some water. "Grandmother is always good at threatening people. If you don't eat, who in the entire palace will dare to eat? Wouldn't A-Jun become a sinner then?"

"Like the Empress Dowager, I have no choice but to accept defeat if I don't win." Sun Yun frowned as he looked at the bad hand in his hand.

Zhao Shu: ... She glared at her, about to retort, when Ji Yun came to report: "Empress Dowager, someone from Biyou Palace has arrived."

Suddenly, the entire hall fell silent; no one spoke. After a long while, the Empress Dowager asked, "What is it?"

"The Emperor Emeritus is seriously ill, and all the imperial physicians have gone," Ji Yun said in a low voice.

The Empress Dowager remained expressionless, but she put down the cards in her hand and stood up shakily. Zhao Shu and Sun Yun rushed to help her, but she pushed them away, turned around, and said in a cold voice, "I know. Have the imperial physician take a look."

This meant that she would not visit Emperor Mingde. For some reason, Zhao Shu felt a pang of pain in her heart. She understood that the Empress Dowager was heartbroken; her own son was probably going to die.

Ji Yun didn't know how to respond, and kept gesturing to Zhao Shu. Zhao Shu lowered her head, and no one dared to say anything. In the spacious hall, you could hear a pin drop.

"Grandmother, shall we go and see him, please?" Zhao Shu finally spoke up. No matter what, it showed that Emperor De loved her. As his niece, she did not compare herself to the country and its people.

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, as if it had taken a great deal of effort.

Zhao Shu didn't linger. After leaving Cining Palace, she took Chu Chun and the others to Biyou Palace. Neither Sun Yun nor Zhao Shi followed.

When he met Emperor Mingde, he was already delirious, but he was still very well-fed and plump. But what use was plumpness when he was delirious?

"Uncle Emperor," she called softly.

Emperor Mingde sat on the edge of the bed, leaning against the pillows. Hearing this, he looked at her and smiled foolishly. "Aqing, you've come to see me? Today I'll take you to see the sunset. The people from the Imperial Observatory said that it would be rainy for several days and we wouldn't be able to see it then."

The servants inside the hall didn't react much, and Zhao Shu understood that he had probably been like this for some time.

This statement is quite heartbreaking. As the emperor, he must have truly loved Yide, otherwise why would he still remember her?

“Uncle, it’s me, A-Jun. Do you still remember the Fengshan ceremony?” Zhao Shu said softly as she sat by the bed.

Upon hearing the words "Fengshan," his mind seemed to clear somewhat, his eyes becoming lucid. He turned and stared into Zhao Shu's eyes. "Fengshan? Can I still perform Fengshan?"

“Of course, once the Western Liang is pacified, we can perform the Fengshan ceremony. Haven’t you always wanted to?” Zhao Shu nodded, speaking with utmost seriousness. She was willing to keep her word. As the emperor, Emperor Mingde had not failed the country and its people, and he deserved the dignity of an emperor.

As if something long hidden in his heart had been brought to light, his eyes brightened, but he still shook his head. "Ah Jun, don't lie to me. Fengshan? The world is not yet at peace, the people are not yet settled, the army is not strong and the horses are not powerful. What face do we have to perform Fengshan?"

"This is your wish," Zhao Shu said calmly, her words serious, forcing Emperor Mingde to take them seriously.

However, he chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Since ancient times, which emperor didn't want to climb Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods and demonstrate his unparalleled imperial achievements?"

"You can live a peaceful and stable life as the retired emperor, and one day you will be able to leave. Your grandmother is getting old and cannot bear bad news." After saying so much, this is the key point.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingde lowered his head. "Your mother is always decisive, so you need not worry." He then suddenly raised his head and looked at Zhao Shu. "Ajun, have you ever considered that your Crown Prince brother might one day do such a thing?"

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