Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 308 Deep love between mother and son
It is already late April.

On this day, Zhu Jianshen came to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Zhou in Qingning Palace.

Queen Mother Zhou took her son's hand affectionately and sat him down. She looked him up and down, nodded with satisfaction, and then the mother and son began to chat about family matters.

"My son, haven't you been recuperating in the Qianqing Palace recently? If you can't hold on any longer, you don't have to come over to ask about me. It's enough for me to know your feelings."

Queen Mother Zhou was not a pedantic person. In her opinion, it was enough for her to know that her son was filial. There was no need for her to drag her sick body and risk her life to show his filial piety to the world. In a word, it was not worth it.

Zhu Jianshen smiled and said, "Mother, I have recently taken the medicine given by Li Qing's family. My condition has improved a lot. I eat more and even have the strength to speak and work again. So I got out of bed, took a bath, and walked around the palace to pay my respects to you, mother..."

"Li Qing's home? Zi Province, right?"

Queen Mother Zhou asked.

"If not him, who else?"

When Zhu Jianshen mentioned Li Zisheng, his face was full of relief, as if the alchemist who was hated by everyone in the court was his real hope.

Queen Mother Zhou carefully examined her son's face. She became more and more delighted and tears began to well up in her eyes. "That's good! My son looks different now. Your skin is not as yellow as before. I remember that when I came last time, your face was almost yellow. Now it has become much whiter. This is enough to show that your condition is getting better. Congratulations."

Zhu Jianshen smiled and said, "Mother, it is also possible that the child has been staying indoors all the time and has not been exposed to the sun for a long time, so he has become white..."

"No, no, it's definitely improved...Looking at your spirits, you're obviously much better than before."

Queen Mother Zhou said with emotion, "Speaking of Zisheng, he is really capable. What medicine did he give you? Pills?"

"No, it's just a prescription. The people in the Imperial Hospital prescribed the medicine according to the prescription. I have only been taking that kind of medicine recently." Zhu Jianshen said.

Queen Mother Zhou asked curiously, "He is a Taoist priest. Although he is proficient in the art of prophecy and divination, he knows nothing about medicine. Where did he get the prescription? Have you asked him?"

Zhu Jianshen smiled and shook his head: "I didn't ask, and I didn't want to ask. I felt that if I asked, it would show that I didn't trust him. Besides, I mentioned to people around me before that if there are folk prescriptions for liver disease that are effective, they can be brought to me for a try. I don't feel very reassured to always rely on the people in the Imperial Hospital.

"That's right... quite a few people heard what he said, but only Li Qing took it to heart. The medicine he offered was quite effective..."

Queen Mother Zhou said in amazement, "This is strange. He dared to offer the medicine without telling you the inside story, and you didn't ask. You two have a tacit understanding between the monarch and the minister."

"Haha."

Zhu Jianshen laughed heartily and said, "It is important for people to be sincere to each other. I know Li Qing's character very well, and I know that if he is not sure, he will never easily offer the medicine, so I feel relieved even if he does not ask. But some people would not dare to feel relieved even if they ask clearly!"

"Ah! So, this person is really different from other people."

Queen Mother Zhou sighed sincerely, "But then again, although outsiders often say that Zisheng controls the government and has the power to appoint and dismiss officials, and his power can even be described as covering the sky with one hand, I feel that he can do things, knows how to do things, and dares to do things... This is completely different from the attitude of others who keep a low profile."

Zhu Jianshen said: "Many times, it is the prejudice of outsiders against him."

Empress Dowager Zhou shook her head: "After all, there are more upright people in the court. Take the issue of Zi Province selling official positions and titles, for example. Haven't you verified it? How could this be a misunderstanding?"

Hearing this, Zhu Jianshen's face looked unhappy.

After all, there are unspeakable secrets behind this. Li Zisheng is taking the blame for everything, and it is not convenient to tell these directly to his old mother.

"As long as you know how to use him, I won't ask too much. If I ask too much, it will make me look like I am not tactful."

Queen Mother Zhou said earnestly, "No matter what Zisheng's reputation is, he is sincere to you. It is rare for the monarch and his subjects to have such tacit understanding and trust since ancient times. What is even more precious is that he never avoids suspicion and always does something surprising."

Zhu Jianshen nodded first, then shook his head: "Mother, I also think that Li Qing is different from ordinary court officials, but after all, he is not a Jinshi. I still can't let go of my hands and feet when entrusting him with important tasks. Sometimes I think about it and feel ashamed of him."

"it is good."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "It's OK as long as you know how to use him. Son, take good care of yourself. You are not old. It is said that young people recover quickly from illness, which is very different from the elderly."

Zhu Jianshen couldn't help but frown slightly after hearing this.

what does this mean?
Is it implying that my Wan Shi died of illness because of old age and frailty? And I have the same disease, but I am younger and can recover?

"How is the prince doing lately?"

Queen Mother Zhou couldn't help asking, "When he came to pay his respects, he was in a hurry and I didn't ask him in detail. Have you paid attention to him recently? Is he doing things according to your wishes?"

Zhu Jianshen thought for a moment and replied, "I haven't paid much attention to him recently. Probably... he is still the same as before, but he seems to have become more mature and stable. He can be seen in many matters in the court."

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "After all, father and son are connected by blood. The child is truly filial. If he can do more things and be more stable, he may be able to relieve you of a lot of worries.

"Speaking of the affairs of the court, the most trustworthy ones are blood relatives. Outsiders are always separated by a layer of belly. I don't know what their hearts are like."

"Yes."

Zhu Jianshen didn't take it seriously. He hesitated for a moment, but finally mustered up the courage to ask, "Mother, I came here to borrow your glass mirror."

"Oh?"

Queen Mother Zhou was very curious.

Zhu Jianshen was embarrassed and could not help scratching his head. He explained, "It's like this. I usually can't see the color of my eyes when I look in the bronze mirror. Tan Chang and others always say that the whites of my eyes are not as yellow as before. I have heard this many times and don't know whether they are true or false. So I want to use your mirror to verify it in the light."

“Haha, that’s a good thing.”

Queen Mother Zhou smiled, took Zhu Jianshen's hand, patted the back of her son's hand gently, nodded and said, "My son, you care about your health. Nothing is more important to our royal family than this. Since my son needs it, how can I have this treasure all to myself? Someone, go get the mirror and let my son take it back." "Mother, that's not what I meant." Zhu Jianshen said hurriedly, "I don't want to take away what you like. How can I take away something you use on a daily basis?"

"Look at yourself. It's just a mirror. I can usually use a bronze mirror. It's not that delicate. But you, look in the mirror from time to time. It will be very helpful for you to regain your confidence in your illness."

As long as it was good for her son, Queen Mother Zhou never spared any expense. She knew where her authority, wealth and glory came from.

Even if her grandson treats her very well, there is a generation between them. Can he be as filial as her own son?

Zhu Jianshen said, "After using it there, send it back to the Queen Mother."

"No, no, I will go to the prince and his wife to ask for one and come back."

Queen Mother Zhou said with a kind look.

"..."

Zhu Jianshen was speechless for a while.

As a grandmother, you really act like an elder. Your son took away her things, and you immediately run to ask your grandson for them?
The key is……

Do they still have it?
"Grandfather, bring the mirror."

The eunuch in charge brought the silver mirror over.

"Give it to the Emperor."

Empress Dowager Zhou raised her hand, and when the silver mirror was delivered to Zhu Jianshen, her expression became serious, and she said in a deep voice, "My son, I hope you can recover from your illness quickly, the Ming Dynasty cannot do without you.

"Look at the prosperity of our country, the peace and prosperity of the world, and the disappearance of all natural and man-made disasters. This is all thanks to you. If you were gone and the court were in chaos, we would be sorry to our ancestors, understand?"

"What the Queen Mother reminded me of is that I must take good care of my health."

Zhu Jian looked at his mother with deep affection and spoke with great emotion.

……

……

Zhu Jianshen left with the silver mirror.

After returning to the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Jianshen looked at himself in the mirror and liked it more and more. This was because he could clearly see the changes in his condition, and for a while he couldn't let it go.

After all, for people who have liver disease, especially after cirrhosis, the symptoms of jaundice are almost impossible to change. Checking whether the yellow color of the whites of their eyes has become lighter has almost become a daily routine for patients, and Zhu Jianshen is no exception.

As for Empress Dowager Zhou, the mirror she treasured was taken away. Even though it was her own son, she felt empty in her heart, as if an important thing in her life was leaving her.

The tributes collected by the emperor were innumerable, but as the empress dowager, she could not get many good things all year round. She was very precious when she occasionally got some gold, silver, jade, etc., and often took them out to play with them. Now that she finally got a glass mirror, she gave it to her son...

That feeling is really unpleasant!
That day, the two little princesses Deqing and Yongkang came to pay their respects to Queen Mother Zhou, clamoring to see a mirror.

Queen Mother Zhou looked unhappy and scolded, "Little girl, you are a naughty boy. How can you have so many thoughts about beauty when you are still young? It won't be too late to admire your beauty in front of the mirror when you grow up!"

In the past, Queen Mother Zhou would never get angry with younger people.

But this time she couldn't help it.

She felt unhappy because she didn't have anything her granddaughter asked for.

Princess Deqing quickly admitted her mistake: "Grandmother, please don't be angry. It was my grandson who was wrong."

Princess Yongkang pouted, as if she was not convinced.

The two little princesses have their own temperaments. Deqing is steady and dignified, while Yongkang is lively and active, and a bit playful.

"Alas! Grandmother is getting older and older. How could she be angry with you youngsters? Deqing, Yongkang, let me tell you the truth. I gave that small round mirror to your father. Don't count on your father. I will show you a way. If you really want it, go and talk to your sister-in-law."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "Even I am waiting for the young couple to come over to pay their respects, so that I can mention it casually."

Princess Yongkang opened her eyes wide, as if she saw some hope.

It turns out that the good thing was not given to the Empress Dowager by my father, but brought to the palace by my sister-in-law?

"Do you usually go to the Eastern Palace to pay your respects to your brother and sister-in-law?" asked Queen Mother Zhou.

"Never."

Princess Deqing shook her head and said, "Our father didn't tell us to go, so we don't dare to go."

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne, and the Crown Princess is the future Queen. You brothers and sisters-in-law are both extraordinary people. As the saying goes, the eldest brother is like a father, and the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. If you have time, remember to go over and visit each other. If you visit each other more often, it will deepen the relationship between you brothers and sisters and aunts and sisters-in-law."

"Yes, I will follow the teachings of my royal grandmother."

Princess Yongkang actually answered first this time.

Obviously, in order to get the silver mirror, she had already made a decision in her heart, which was to go to the East Palace as soon as possible to pay her respects to her brother and sister-in-law as the Empress Dowager said.

(End of this chapter)