Upon hearing this, Zhang Chu and Ji Yun exchanged a glance and silently went to investigate.
In fact, there's no need to investigate Zhao Shu to know who did it, but the Empress Dowager is not her. The Empress Dowager's regency not only represents supreme power but also justice and authority. If even a dignified Empress Dowager can act without any basis, then this court has come to an end.
She silently walked to the Empress Dowager's side and massaged her shoulders. "Grandmother, please don't upset yourself. It's not worth it."
The Empress Dowager took her hand and sighed, "I've wronged you."
"No, those people just want to attack me so that they can get rid of the Empress Dowager. So please don't let your loved ones suffer and your enemies rejoice. Besides, Ah Jun is not someone who can be easily bullied."
The Empress Dowager patted her arm with satisfaction, "Ah Jun, you've really grown up. You're my good granddaughter. Don't worry, your grandmother will never let you be bullied, not by anyone."
After her serious illness, she seemed to have become a different person, more concerned about emotions than before. If this had happened in the past, she would have definitely seen it as a good opportunity for growth.
As they were talking, a young eunuch came to report, "Empress Dowager, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had arrived, Zhao Shu was the first to speak up, "Please come in quickly. It's been so long since I've seen my Crown Prince brother; he's aged so much."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the Crown Prince's voice rang out, "Who is Ah Jun saying is old?" He was in excellent condition, having regained his former high spirits, but with a sense of pent-up energy and gradual release. It seemed that several victories had completely restored his confidence.
Zhao Shu went up to him and looked him over carefully. "Crown Prince, you've grown a beard. Isn't it because you're old? Tsk tsk, even Grandmother looks younger than you, right, Aunt Jinxi?"
Jin Xi, who had just brought in the food, smiled and nodded, curtsied, then placed the tea and snacks on the plate one by one before retreating.
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed by Zhao Shu's indirect praise. Seeing that the Crown Prince was much more mature than before, she was pleased and beckoned, "No need for formalities, come to your grandmother."
Her eyesight seemed to be deteriorating. The prince was standing far away, so she couldn't see the expression on his face. There were no outsiders around, so she didn't try to hide it.
The Crown Prince and Zhao Shuwei exchanged a barely perceptible glance. They both walked over and sat down on either side of the Empress Dowager. "Grandmother, your grandson and your uncle have pacified the Northeast. Your uncle will soon return to the capital in triumph. He asked me to convey his message to you to take care of your health and not to overwork yourself."
The Empress Dowager smiled broadly, in a very good mood. "They are all good sons and grandsons of the Zhao family, capable and competent. I entrust the country to you with peace of mind."
Zhao Shu was slightly surprised. The change in the Empress Dowager's attitude towards the Crown Prince was so obvious. The Crown Prince was now somewhat favored. Although he was the Crown Prince before, the Empress Dowager had never said such things. She did not expect that she would speak so clearly this time.
After a brief moment of surprise, the Crown Prince immediately knelt down. "Your grandson dares not. Father and Grandmother are in good health. I am already content to contribute to the nation. Moreover, the swift pacification of the Northeast this time is entirely due to the wisdom and might of Grandmother, who spared the lives of the Prince of Shu and his lineage, which led to the surrender of the other vassal kings."
He was right. The Empress Dowager spared the lives of the Shu King's lineage, which is why the other vassal kings gave up resistance and were able to be exonerated so quickly.
The Empress Dowager smiled and patted the back of his hand, saying, "All is well, all is well." She spoke incoherently.
It's clear she's exhausted, but she's forcing herself to stay awake. Even with thick makeup, it's impossible to hide her fatigue.
Jin Xi, who was waiting outside the door, came in at just the right time, carrying a bowl of medicine in her hand. It must have been brought by the maid after she left.
"Your Highness, Princess, the Empress Dowager needs to rest; it's time for her medicine."
Zhao Shu and the Crown Prince stood up, "Grandmother..."
Before she could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "I'm fine. I'm just getting old and my energy is waning. The Crown Prince has just returned, and he must have something to say to A-Jun. You all go ahead, I'll rest for a while."
"Then, Grandmother, if you feel unwell, you must tell A-Jun." After saying that, she stepped forward, placed her hand on the Empress Dowager's pulse, and found that she was just too tired and there was nothing seriously wrong with her body. She also smelled the medicine, which was also a medicine to strengthen the spleen and nourish the body, and then she felt a little relieved.
The Empress Dowager knew that Zhao Shu was knowledgeable in medicine, so she let Zhao Shu take her pulse without moving her hand. When she saw Zhao Shu breathe a sigh of relief, she smiled and said, "Alright, alright, go ahead."
She was truly exhausted. There were too many chaotic and complicated matters in the court, and she was somewhat mentally and physically drained. In any case, the Crown Prince had returned, Prince Yong was alright, and the people who went to Chatulev wouldn't be back so soon. Therefore, the moment she saw Zhao Yi, her heart settled down, and drowsiness overcame her.
"Grandmother, please rest well." In the end, Zhao Shu did not linger. The Empress Dowager had too many things to manage, and each matter could not be dealt with hastily. She had to spend a lot of energy to handle them, so exhaustion was inevitable.
So, being an emperor isn't easy. The empress dowager's declining eyesight is probably due to staying up late reviewing memorials, coupled with her advanced age. Alas, in this era, they couldn't even manufacture eyeglasses.
After leaving Cining Palace, Zhao Shu followed him to the East Palace. Along the way, the Crown Prince talked about many interesting things that happened during the war. When he talked about the Bei Zhong family, he was very animated. It seemed that pacifying the Bei Zhong family was the key to his complete recovery of his confidence.
"Ah Jun, the Bei Zhong family has too many people, hundreds of them are all family members. It's a pity that none of them have produced any outstanding talents. Guess what happened in the end?"
Zhao Shu played along, asking curiously, "What happened in the end?"
The Crown Prince had probably been holding back these words for a long time, and now he finally found someone to confide in. Almost as soon as Zhao Shu asked, he immediately said, "In the end, the people of Beiding Prefecture opened the city gates for us and even took the initiative to kidnap members of the Beizhong family to claim credit. Your father and I then distributed the Beizhong family's wealth, as well as their fields and estates, to the people..."
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