Since Zhao Xie fell ill, Zhu Shi felt the same way and had been taking care of her but she still couldn't recover.

  These days have slightly improved, and I once went to Ciming Palace to visit, but worried about my illness with Xier, so I didn't dare to stay long, mostly coming and going in a hurry.

  Even today, she is still because of Xi'er's great reputation, can't help but feel joyful and wants to meet her.

  "Cough... Xi'er, don't disobey the imperial family... Cough... Be filial to Empress Dowager, don't have an affair with others... Cough..."

  Zhao Xi suddenly felt a little heartache, and for a moment he really felt his mother's kind of concern and miss.

  "Aunt..."

  Zhao Xi took a step forward, wanting to get closer, even if it was just to offer a helping hand or support, so that this woman could feel the sincerity of her son.

  But unexpectedly, Zhu retreated backwards...

  "Don't come near, cough... Mother is suffering from a contagious illness and can't be close to you, cough... also can't take care of Xi'er. Mother knows you're clever, remember to be kind to others."

  Isn't it just tuberculosis? It's not like you'll get infected just by getting close.

  At this time, Zhao Xi could feel the sincerity of Zhu's emotions and couldn't help but want to express his own feelings.

  Once again, I stepped forward...

  "Xier, don't be like this! Cough... Mother has left, Mother can't accompany you cough... Don't resent."

  How did tears come out? Zhao Xi was stunned, and Zhu Shi walked away. But Zhao Xi's entire small face was covered in tears, uncontrollably flowing down.

  I have become Zhao Xi of today, not just physically but also emotionally.

  On the way back to Cui Ming Palace, Zhao Xi kept hanging his head. The tears on his face were gone, but he was still crying in his heart. There has always been a kind of depression and suffocation, feeling uncomfortable and hard to bear.

  He was like this, and the whole team was in low spirits, all lacking in energy.

  "Zhongzheng, how's your mother doing?"

  "Returning to the king, since I entered the palace, I have never seen my mother."

  "Do you miss your mother?"

  "Returning to the prince, sometimes I think about it, but can't quite recall. When I was young, due to an unexpected event, my father had rendered a small service to the imperial family and was granted their favor, allowing me to enter the imperial court."

  Alas... Grandpa is asking your mother, why are you telling these stories? Is this to compare who's more miserable between grandpa and you?

  I grew up with both parents by my side, serving and caring for them personally. We were never apart, our family was harmonious and joyful, without any unexpected losses... Was it really like that?

  At this time, Zhao Zhen was his own father, and Zhu Shi was his mother... He couldn't remember his parents.

  Empress Cao found it strange that Xi'er was in a bad mood today. As for the situation with Cai Shantang, Empress Cao had always been clear about it, and Xi'er was as stunning as ever, but why was this child acting like this?

  "Xī ér..."

  "Oh, mother, I saw Aunt Zhu. I want to go visit..."

  Empress Cao looked at Xi'er and thought she was a very good child. With this filial piety and honesty towards herself, she would certainly be a noble king.

  It's just...

  "Xier, mother knows what you think and want, but your mother has tuberculosis, it's not that your father and mother are heartless, it's just that we can't be careless."

  "You have been clever since you were young, and now that things are clear, you must not make any mistakes. I will visit your mother, and she will arrange everything, and she will let her know your feelings. You just focus on studying hard, understand?"

  "Understood, Mother."

  Zhao Xi walked away dejectedly, with a puzzled expression on his face.

  Empress Cao gazed at Zhao Xi's small back and saw desolation.

  "Niuniu, do you miss your mother?"

  "Sanlang, Taoniang's mother will come to see Taoniang. Auntie treats Taoniang very well."

  Zhao Xi didn't even know why he was asking these questions, thinking of his mother. He had really become like a child again, with emotions so fragile.

  He had become a child again, and in no time at all, he was playing with Nangong Qianer. It was as if he wasn't Zhao Xie just now.

  The days are still passing normally, and Sun Fu has become numb to Zhao Xi's wickedness.

  It's only been half a month, and Zhao Xi's course progress is no longer just enlightenment. For such students, Sun Fu is also dedicated to teaching. There's nothing more exciting for teachers than having a talented student.

  In the past few days, Wang Zhongzheng finally trained Zhao Xi's ceremonial drill. Under Zhao Xi's instigation, the shouting team's voice also increased.

  There are good things in the palace, and some people will get up early on purpose just to see the neat and uniform guard of honor of King E.

  In the late afternoon on his way back, Zhao Xi didn't let the ceremonial troops show off, following old customs, slowly returning.

  Today, however, I saw a large crowd of people surrounding the place where I occasionally see my birth mother, Zhu.

  Zhao Xi was also curious and leaned in on his own initiative...

  Zhu was laid flat on the ground, his whole body wet and limp, his face a purplish blue, and he had already stopped breathing...

  Zhao Xi was so anxious that he felt like he needed a good pounding on his chest, or else he would suffocate.

  "Your Highness..."

  Wang Zhong reached out and supported Zhao Xie just as he was about to fall... This support made Zhao Xie come back to his senses.

  Really fragile.

  Returned home, Zhu's family was drowned.

  Zhao Xi heard this sentence... Go to hell and drown!

  Although drowning and asphyxiation both result in being suffocated to death, the blood of a drowned person will not concentrate in the head but remain evenly distributed throughout the body. However, when a person is strangled to death by someone, the face turns blue-purple due to the inability of blood to flow back from the head.

  This Zhu's face is purplish green, and there are even marks on his neck. Are you still saying it was drowning with your eyes open?

  Zhao Xi wants to move forward...

  "Your Highness, the officials are here, the eunuchs in charge of internal affairs are also present..."

  Wang Zhongzheng could feel that the King of E at this time was different from usual, seemingly carrying a rage... it was as if being scolded by that stupid Liu Cheng, the king had never been so before.

  "Dad...Dad......Auntie she..."

  Zhao Xi was very grateful for Wang Zhongzheng's brief reminder that he was still too young to get involved...

  "Xier, it's Father's fault for being remiss. The matter of your aunt's death was due to Father's lack of attention."

  "Xi'er, it's not suitable for you to stay here for long, hurry back to Ciming Palace, I'll take care of the rest."

  To you she's just a woman, but to me she's my birth mother and father, it's different.

  "Dad, I want to go and take a look ahead..."

  As she spoke, Zhao Xi's tears couldn't stop. She couldn't say clearly that in terms of her own life, birth and upbringing had nothing to do with this woman, but somehow the tears just kept overflowing.

  "This... Xi'er, just take a look for now and quickly return to Ciming Palace."

  It seems that Zhao Zhen has an unprecedented firmness in dealing with Zhao Xi.

  Zhao Xi knelt beside Zhu's body, gently stroking her pale purple cheek with his small hand, slowly moving downwards... He wanted to remind the rod checking the body... You damn well better take a look at her neck!

  "Escorting Wang back to Cimeng Palace."

  When Zhao Xi's hand was about to touch the mark on his neck, Zhao Zhen shouted abruptly.

  Zhao Xi turned her head and looked... Zhao Zhen's expression was very helpless, even a bit bitter.

  What does this mean? Are you afraid of losing face? Being known by others that your woman was wronged and losing face, can't just swallow one's anger and not lose face?

  What a shabby and leaky courtyard you are living in, yet you seem so at ease!

  Zhao Xi really felt sorry for this emperor father.

  "Xī ér, your father will take care of it properly."

  Zhao Zhen looked at his own son, seemingly somewhat guilty.

  There is a demonic son, and his father has done quite well.