You died to save me, I promise you a lifetime

Manager Qu was stunned for a moment and then nodded heavily.

"It's rare for the prince to be so happy in these years. Even if I risk my life, I won't let anyone ruin his good mood."

"It's not that they're desperate. They're very busy right now, and the Emperor will be increasingly overwhelmed. He may not have the time to take care of us.

I say this just to remind you not to be careless."

"Oh, I see."

After watching Manager Qu walk away, Li Mingzhao knocked on the door and entered the study.

"Your Majesty, will you still practice with Miss Mu all day tomorrow?"

Zhao Jingchen hesitated for a moment and said uncertainly, "Let's talk about it tomorrow. If everything is still normal by tomorrow morning, I will accompany her to practice for a day. She has improved a lot in the past two days."

At such a critical moment, things change rapidly and you really don’t know what will happen tomorrow.

Li Mingzhao rubbed his stomach and said, "I like the meals made by Madam Mu."

Zhao Jingchen glanced at him and coaxed him, "A Zhao, why don't you get married? That way, you can eat delicious dishes every day."

Li Mingzhao turned his neck to the side and said, "I won't be fooled. Not everyone has such good cooking skills.

Master, please make an effort to marry Miss Mu back home sooner rather than later. That way, we can bring Madam Mu to live with us and eat her cooking every day."

Zhao Jingchen gave him a helpless snap of his fingers.

"Madam Mu has elders and her husband's family, so why should she live in Prince Zhan's mansion every day?"

"Why not? General Mu and his men have been stationed at the border for many years, and there are only three people from three generations in the mansion. At most, we can bring the old man over as well."

Zhao Jingchen laughed angrily, "Why don't you think of a more long-term and practical solution?

For example, marry a wife with good cooking skills, find a chef with good cooking skills, or simply find someone with talent and ask Madam Mu to be his apprentice?"

"Your Majesty, I understand what you are saying, but these long-term solutions cannot solve the current problems. Long-term things are too far away for me."

"You are a hopeless guy..." Zhao Jingchen cursed, but suddenly became quiet.

After a while, he assured, "A Zhao, these years, I have been either injured or poisoned. You have been following me in fear and worry, and you haven't had a good time.

This time, we must try our best to achieve our wish. Then, everyone will have a good life.”

Li Mingzhao waved his hand nonchalantly, "I have followed Your Highness since I was a child. As long as I am by your side and you are well, every day is like New Year's Day for me."

As the master and servant were talking, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Enter!"

Ling Ming walked in: "Your Highness, our people in the palace have sent back news that the Empress Dowager is ill. The imperial physician diagnosed her with depression..."

Zhao Jingchen took the scroll, opened it, took a quick glance, and then burned it.

Frustrated?

Haha, it’s more like I feel guilty.

"Tell them not to worry. The Queen Mother is taken care of by her good eldest son. I have nothing to do with it."

Ling Ming agreed and left the study.

Zhao Jingchen laughed at himself and said, "A Zhao, did you see that? The tree wants to be still, but the wind does not stop. There are many things that will find me even if I don't go to them."

"Your Highness, since you are in danger, it is normal that you do not visit the palace."

Cining Palace.

At this time, the empress dowager was lying on the bed in the bedroom of the Cining Palace, motionless.

After a long time, he struggled to sit up and took out a box from the secret compartment of the bed. Inside the box was something wrapped in a yellow handkerchief.

She opened it layer by layer, revealing the jade pendant with dragon pattern inside. The jade pendant was crystal clear and intricately carved, and it was obvious that it was not an ordinary item.

She picked it up carefully, stroked it carefully, and then held it in front of her eyes to stare at it.

"I am old and my health is getting worse. It may not be long before I go down to accompany the late emperor.

These days, I finally figured out one thing: this is all my fault. The most innocent one is Chen'er, and I feel guilty towards him.

But now that things have come to this, I am powerless to reverse the situation. I can only wait and confess my sins to them father and son later.

But I'm afraid I won't be able to face them. What should I do?"

The empress dowager muttered to herself for a long time, wiped away her tears, and then put the jade pendant into the box and placed it in the secret compartment.

Outside the door, Nanny Xiao leaned against the door, quietly wiping away her tears.

Nanny Xiao had accompanied the Empress Dowager since she was a child, and later married into the palace with her. She understood the Empress Dowager's sufferings too well.

But this matter is of great importance. If we are not careful, there will be a river of blood. The Queen Mother will have no choice but to suffer on her own.

Nanny Xiao tidied herself up, put on a smile, and slowly walked into the house.

"My Lady, you've been lying down for too long. Would you mind helping me get up and walk around the room?"

The Queen Mother raised her head and stared at Madam Xiao intently. "No, let's talk about it tomorrow. Madam, how long has it been since my brothers, sisters-in-law, and nephews visited me in the palace?"

Nanny Xiao didn't dare to look the empress dowager in the eye, so she had to pretend to tidy her clothes and avoid her gaze.

"I can't remember the details, but it's been nearly a month. Your Majesty, please be at ease. Perhaps they've been tied up with something and can't get away."

"Don't make excuses for them. It's been more than a month. It was after the New Year that they said they had some problems and asked me for help.

They are a bunch of ungrateful people who have no heart and only know how to curry favor.

Back then, my parents forced me into the palace for the benefit of our family, completely disregarding my life or death, and disregarding my relationship with..."

"Your Highness!" Madam Xiao was so frightened that her whole body was shaking. She warned in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Be careful, there are ears on the other side of the wall. This involves the lives of hundreds of people!"

The Queen Mother wiped her tears and nodded slightly.

Madam Xiao continued, "If you miss them, I will send someone to tell them to come to the palace to visit you."

The Queen Mother's expression suddenly changed, "No one is allowed to go!

I sacrificed my life's happiness for them, but they only knew how to enjoy wealth and glory, and never understood my suffering. I only have hatred for them and don't want to see them again in this life.

If you want me to live longer, don't mention this matter again. If they come to the palace again, just drive them away without informing me."

"Yes, I've made note of it!" Madam Xiao bowed in response.

After a long while, the Queen Mother continued, "I will drag my life along to accompany Chen'er. If you have any news about him, you must not hide it and tell me in time so that I can accompany him down to find the late emperor."

Aunt Xiao was frightened by her words, "My Lady, you still have children and grandchildren..."

"Don't mention them anymore. Their existence is always reminding me of the evil I've done all these years."

"Okay, then please at least be considerate of me. I've been with you for decades. Even if I haven't done anything for you, I've worked hard. I want to live a few more years, okay?"

The Queen Mother actually smiled. "You've been with me for decades. How could I not know what you're thinking? Okay, go down. Let me be alone for a while."

Nanny Xiao had no choice but to help her lie down and leave the room.

Then a person stood under the eaves wiping tears.

Suddenly, as if she had made a great decision, she turned around, picked up a lantern, and hurried towards the direction of the imperial study...