Chapter 51: My Queen is So Good

Lu Zhongheng opened his eyes wide, and it was obvious that at this time, he felt something was wrong.

Hmm? Why is it a little different from before?
Zhu Jingjing was pondering, thinking to himself, what is the relationship between the Queen Mother and his mother?
Empress Ma seemed to understand something, and her eyes became more kind: "When did your mother... pass away?"

As she spoke, she seemed to recall some past events.

Deng Qianqiu said: "She passed away when I was born."

Empress Ma's heart softened, and her voice became softer unconsciously as she said, "It's really not easy for you."

"It's not just difficult. I've been dependent on my father since I was a child, and my father is lazy..."

Deng Qianqiu decided to sell his father out, but there was no other way. Empress Ma, a kind-hearted woman of her age, could not bear to hear such words.

Dad, don’t blame me, I’m doing this for our family.

"My father is lazy. As far as I can remember, I haven't had a hot meal, and I haven't washed my clothes for ten days or half a month. I...I...I often hear His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin mention the Queen, saying how she cares for her children. I really envy him for having such a loving mother. Whenever I think of it, I can't help but cry. Just now, I saw the Queen asking about me with such concern. I...I was moved by the scene and cried. I deserve to die. I shouldn't have lost my manners..."

Fei Ju’s eyes opened as wide as copper bells, and suddenly, he felt that he could not breathe. His scalp also felt numb. Is this... is this still the madman from before?
Empress Ma listened, frowning even deeper, with a bit of pity in her eyes. She couldn't help but say, "Your father is a man after all, how can he take care of you? It seems that you have suffered a lot over the years."

Deng Qianqiu said: "It's nothing to suffer a little. My father treated me very well, but he was not very attentive. Now I have grown up and can support and take care of myself, but... but..."

Queen Ma looked at him with a softer gaze and asked, "Only what?"

Deng Qianqiu looked somewhat desolate, and said, "I want to take care of my parents but they are no longer around. I always think of my deceased mother and can't help but feel sad and cry. I think... I think..."

Zhu Jingjing said, "Just tell me what you're thinking, don't keep hesitating."

Deng Qianqiu hesitated and said, "Is this something I can say?"

Empress Ma smiled calmly and could not help but stepped forward to encourage him, saying, "Don't be afraid. Just say whatever is on your mind."

Deng Qianqiu then said boldly, "I was thinking, if my mother were still alive, she would be like the Empress, the kind of person who loves her children deeply. Did I... did I say something wrong?"

Lawrence Lu, who was standing aside, took a deep breath.

My goodness, how can this bastard be so shameless!

Obviously, Empress Ma was fooled by this. She looked at Deng Qianqiu with sympathy and said gently, "It's really pitiful. It's rare for you to have such filial piety. If your mother knew about your filial piety, she would definitely smile in her grave."

Zhu Jingjing seemed to be touched as well, and whispered, "Mother, he is so pitiful."

Empress Ma thought to herself, people outside say that Deng Qianqiu is unkind, but now it seems that it is all groundless and just the chatter of busybodies. This person is not heartless at all. Although his filial piety is a bit excessive, he still has a lot of human emotions.

She looked at Deng Qianqiu and said, "The weather is getting colder, and you are still wearing so little. You should take care of yourself. Didn't I give you clothes last time?"

Deng Qianqiu said with a look of reluctance: "This is a gift from the palace, how dare I wear it? I hid it to avoid getting it dirty."

Empress Ma smiled sweetly: "What a foolish boy! These clothes are meant to be worn. Do you think they should be kept as a gift?"

When Lu Zhongheng heard Empress Ma talking about the confused boy, his heart skipped a beat. He wondered if Deng Qianqiu was really stupid or just pretending to be stupid. After just a few words, he had become so familiar with the Empress.

Lu Zhongheng was a founding hero, and he had heard about Empress Ma's temperament. Empress Ma was the mother of the country, and she was very peaceful. She would never speak harshly to ministers or even to the people around her. She was always polite to others, but now she suddenly described a young man as a fool, which actually had a derogatory meaning.

But the more derogatory it was, the more shocked Lu Zhongheng was, because... any such derogatory words are only used after the relationship has become closer, just like a person may not easily punish or insult strangers, but will always have a few words of blame and lessons for those close to him.

Deng Qianqiu, this bastard...what virtue and ability does he have...

Before Lawrence Lu could figure it out in his mind, he heard Deng Qianqiu’s trembling voice in his ear: “Empress, can I…can I really wear it?”

Empress Ma encouraged her, "Wear them as you like. If they get dirty and torn, there are more in the palace. No one loves you since you were little. I don't know if anyone will take care of you. I'm a fool. If you have any grievances or difficulties in the future, let me report them to you."

Deng Qianqiu was flattered and said, "No, no."

Queen Ma felt that the timid young man in front of her was even more sympathetic, and she admired his cautious character, so she asked, "Why can't you do it again?"

Deng Qianqiu said: "I am already grateful for your kindness, Your Majesty. If you can take care of me again, I will never be able to repay your kindness." Empress Ma couldn't help laughing, glanced at Zhu Jingjing and said: "Look, he is filial and polite, but you..."

Zhu Jingjing lowered her head and played with the corner of her clothes.

Empress Ma then said, "You and Gan'er are like brothers. I know this very well. You are a capable person with good morals. You don't have to be so reserved in front of me. I like children like you. Come, let's talk in the inner room."

Deng Qianqiu quickly agreed: "Okay."

The eunuchs, palace maids and guards who accompanied him were all waiting in the courtyard.

The two marquises were very embarrassed. It was not right for them to just stand there, and it was not right for them to just leave without saying goodbye. The two of them exchanged glances with each other frantically, and it seemed that they had a lot to say to each other.

Deng Qianqiu accompanied Empress Ma and Zhu Jingjing, followed by a personal eunuch, into the small hall.

Empress Ma sat down and casually talked about her symptoms.

Deng Qianqiu said, "You must be lacking something, madam. This is perfectly normal. As long as you eat more animal organs, beef, mutton, vegetables and fruits on a daily basis, you will be fine."

Queen Ma had a curious look in her eyes, and couldn't help asking, "You haven't even taken my pulse yet, and you're so sure?"

Deng Qianqiu said awkwardly: "I... I am an expert in gynecology..."

Zhu Jingjing suddenly said crisply: "Didn't you say that I'm a gynecologist?"

Empress Ma quickly winked at Zhu Jingjing, telling her not to talk nonsense.

So Deng Qianqiu hurriedly said: "Madam, this matter is all my fault. I was confused at the time..."

Empress Ma smiled and said, "What do you mean by your fault? Do you really think I don't know? Who else in the world would dare to use Jing'er as a shield except for Yan'er? You are taking the blame for others! Okay, don't do this in the future. Yan'er is making trouble, so are you going to follow him and make trouble too?"

Deng Qianqiu said awkwardly, "I...I...my father told me since I was young that one should be loyal and worthy of friends. So..."

"Really?" Empress Ma was suddenly moved. She stared at Deng Qianqiu meaningfully before saying, "Your father is really a good parent."

Deng Qianqiu smiled and said, "Of course. My father may be lacking in daily life, but he is the most attentive when it comes to teaching me how to behave in society."

Empress Ma smiled and said, "Speaking of which, it's all thanks to you. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I wouldn't know what to do. Now I'm bothering you to see the doctor again."

She actually deliberately avoided the topic of Deng Qianqiu's father, and then stood up: "From now on, if you have anything or any ideas, you can send a message to the palace. I like to hear you talk about family matters."

Deng Qianqiu asked: "Is it really possible?"

Queen Ma smiled amiably and said, "That's all right."

Deng Qianqiu thought to himself, this is what you said, so don’t blame me for writing to you every two or three days.

Deng Qianqiu escorted Queen Ma out of the small hall and into the courtyard.

Lu Zhongheng and Fei Ju hurried over to see him off, bowing together: "Farewell..."

Empress Ma waved her hand and said, "No need to be so polite. I am just taking a walk and visiting Lord Deng. There is no need for so many formalities."

Immediately, surrounded by the crowd, he walked away slowly holding Zhu Jingjing's hand.

In a flash, the originally bustling courtyard suddenly became bleak and cold.

Only Lu Zhongheng and Fei Ju remained in the courtyard, and they could not calm down for a long time.

Deng Qianqiu watched the backs of Empress Ma and others disappear without a trace before he came to his senses.

Then he looked at the two marquises.

"Uh..." Deng Qianqiu wanted to say something, but felt that nothing he said was appropriate.

(End of this chapter)