Something happened. This is not going to be bloody.

Inside the Shufei Palace.

Zhou Leng did not let Chang Xin get up, but asked the third prince Gao Ze:

"Mother thinks he is a good servant and he is also very handsome and fair-skinned. Let him stay here to serve me. My concubine Xiao Anzi grew up in this palace and is the most considerate. Let Xiao Anzi accompany you in the future. Mother keeps someone to serve you. Will you be reluctant to leave?"

Chang Xin had only served Gao Ze for a few days, so the Third Prince had no regrets. Although he did not know the deep meaning of his mother's intention, he would not disobey her. After all, her mother would not harm him, so he rarely replied with a smile:

"Mother, you are joking. It is Chang Xin's blessing to be able to serve you in the palace."

Zhou Leng turned his gaze to the person kneeling on the ground and said, "Stand up, and work diligently for me from now on."

Chang Xin lowered his head slightly, and when he heard Concubine Shu say this, he kowtowed and thanked her, shouting, "Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Majesty is wise."

Zhou Leng put away her sarcastic look and said to Cai Ling behind her:

"Cai Ling, go tell Han the steward that Chang Xin will work under him from now on. Ask Han to go to the eunuch's residence to inform them so that people don't say that the people in Concubine Shu's palace don't know the rules. You take the people down to settle them down, and ask Xiao Anzi to pack up and go to the West Garden with the Third Prince later."

Cai Ling bowed and said, "Yes."

"Caiyue, go get some of the hot cakes in the kitchen. I ordered them to be kept for my son. Caixin, go get my new jade chessboard. I want to play chess with my son. Everyone else, please go out and wait. Don't disturb my pleasure."

The maids all bowed and went to do their errands, saying, "Yes."

Only mother and son were left in the house.

Zhou Leng took out a purse from her sleeve and placed it on the table. She seemed a little sad and said:

"You can often come to the harem to visit me, but I am also a son and can only see my family during the New Year holidays. This is a purse that I made for your grandfather. Inside is the Buddhist scriptures that I have been offering in the temple for half a year. You can go visit your grandfather someday, which will be considered as a way of showing filial piety on behalf of me. Let your grandfather carry this purse with him, and it will bless him with peace and happiness."

Gao Ze's expression was filled with sadness and distress. He said solemnly:

"Don't worry, mother. I will go to my grandfather's house to visit him and my uncle. Recently, my painting skills have been praised by the teacher. If my grandfather is free, I will draw a portrait for you."

Zhou Leng was relieved for the original body. She and Gao Zhao were not good people, but their child Gao Ze was kind-hearted. This might be the case of things turning into the opposite when they reach the extreme. She smiled and replied:

"Then mother will be waiting for Aze's portrait. You must draw it more like the real one."

Gao Ze said jokingly: "Mother, just wait for Aze's calligraphy."

At this time Caiyue brought cakes and Caixin brought the chessboard.

Gao Ze put the purse against his chest, and then the mother and son played chess together until Gao Ze finished his dinner and left.

****

Gao Ze found a free day to visit his grandfather's house.

The Lou family is a famous aristocratic family, so Lou Qingxue was able to become the empress of the previous dynasty and the concubine of the current dynasty. Apart from her beautiful appearance but weak body, her mother's family is also quite powerful.

In the Northern Qi Dynasty, the gentry and the royal family jointly ruled the world. Therefore, the gentry were quite powerful and did not rely on the royal family for survival.

At present, the Northern Qi Dynasty had not yet implemented the imperial examination system, and the promotion of officials in the court depended on mutual recommendations among the gentry, so the Lou family naturally had deep roots and flourished in the Northern Qi Dynasty.

In addition to his daughter Lou Qingxue, Lou Yue, the head of the Lou family, has two legitimate sons, the eldest son Lou Kunjie and the second legitimate son Lou Kunnian, both of whom are younger than Lou Qingxue.

Although Gao Ze was the third prince, his visit did not cause any special sensation. Lou Yue just greeted him at the door.

In the Lou family's reception room, a maid served tea and then left. Only Lou Yue, Gao Ze and Xiao Anzi were left in the room.

Xiao Anzi was a dark-skinned, burly eunuch who had served Lou Qingxue since the previous dynasty and was considered an absolute confidant. He was not good at talking, but he was thoughtful and had some boxing and medical skills.

Because Xiao Anzi was a eunuch appointed by his mother, Gao Ze trusted and respected him very much, and the master and servant got along harmoniously.

Gao Ze carefully took out the purse from his clothes, presented it with both hands and said:

"Grandfather, this was made by my mother herself. It contains the Buddhist scriptures that she worships. She often misses her relatives in the palace, but she cannot see them in the harem, so she can only use this to express her longing. My mother said that you should wear it with you to keep yourself healthy."

Lou Yue took it with both hands, then he stood up carefully, bowed towards the direction of the palace, and then said:

"I hope that your Majesty is doing well in the palace. I will always wear this item with me. I miss your Majesty even at home. I only hope that your Majesty and the Third Prince will be in good health."

Gao Ze delivered the things, and after hearing what his grandfather said, he felt very warm in his heart. He looked at Lou Yue carefully again before saying:

"Grandfather, Aze is bothering me again today. I promised my mother that I would bring back the portrait of Grandfather. Can Aze borrow the study room for a while?"

Lou Yue naturally would not refuse, and said, "Third Prince, please move to the study."

The two of them went to the study.

Lou Yue was sitting on the couch, reading a book, while Gao Ze was quietly painting, only occasionally looking up at his grandfather.

No one noticed that the book Lou Yue was reading was placed on top of the Buddhist scriptures in his purse. After he memorized the contents of the Buddhist scriptures, he put the silk cloth back into his purse and then read the book seriously.

This was an agreement between the father and daughter. The content of the Buddhist scriptures would correspond to the text in the Lou family genealogy. After rearrangement, it would become new content. Outsiders would have no way of knowing it. Even if they got the silk cloth, they would only regard it as the Ksitigarbha Sutra.

At this moment, Lou Yue was thinking about the message his daughter wanted to convey - his father Zhijing was cruel and would eventually become a disaster, while Aze was kind-hearted. If he separated the two, he could be replaced. He raised his arms to support them, and the two tigers fought each other.

Lou Yue looked up and looked at Gao Ze who was painting quietly there, not only because he was kind, but also because he was his daughter's son, and his character was easier to handle. It's not that he didn't have the mind to do something, but now he can give it a try.

*****

The aristocratic families controlled most of the land, educational resources, wealth, and salt of the Northern Qi Dynasty. No one cared about the sufferings of the people. One day, these aristocratic families would realize that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.

There are many complicated in-laws between aristocratic families. The eldest prince Gao Jing's wife is the legitimate daughter of the Longxi aristocratic family Zheng. Of course, the Zheng family and the Lou family are also related by marriage.

In short, aristocratic families and royal families form a circle and they may not meet everywhere.

Rumors are one of the most effective means of attack. Why do many people still fall for them even though they know that many words cannot be believed and many rumors cannot be listened to? Ultimately, it’s just human nature.