Wang was old and frail, and due to disappointment and depression, her old illness relapsed. The younger generation hurriedly sought medical treatment and medicine, tried their best to treat her, and did everything they could to comfort her. They took care of the patient day and night, never leaving her side.
Everyone in the mansion worked together, but with little success. The patient's condition was getting better and worse, and he was unable to recover.
Because the old man suffers from a heart disease.
In early May, the weather was sunny and warm.
Wang's son, daughter-in-law, eldest grandson and second grandson gathered in the hall to discuss important household matters.
His stepmother was ill, and the letter said she was "seriously ill." When Guo Hongzhe, who was working in the Hanlin Academy in the capital, heard this, he was so scared that he immediately took leave and rushed back to the frontier with his wife and two children.
The atmosphere was solemn and no one was smiling.
Jiang Yushu spoke first, getting straight to the point. "The doctor has made it clear that the old lady is suffering from a heart disease, and a heart disease requires a heart medicine. Ever since leaving the capital, the old lady has been homesick. This homesickness has gradually become a disease, and she is depressed and unhappy, causing her condition to fluctuate. Therefore, moving back home cannot be delayed any longer."
Guo Honglei joined in, saying seriously, "Moving is a big deal. Let's work out a plan while everyone's gathered. If Mother agrees, we'll make proper arrangements and send her back to the capital to live out her days."
"Second brother and sister-in-law are absolutely right." Guo Hongzhe was born weak and thin, and the exhaustion of traveling made him even thinner. His face was pale and his voice was weak. "Perhaps, when we move back to the capital, mother will be so happy that she will recover without any medicine."
"That would be best."
Guo Hongxuan waved his fist, "We've been discussing this for years. Let's just move. Fallen leaves return to their roots. We could have moved long ago. It's not that difficult!" He changed the subject, frowning helplessly. "Alas, the problem is, mother doesn't want our family to be separated. She hopes the court will transfer my second brother and his wife back to the capital so we can move together and reunite."
In the old man's mind, the second son and daughter-in-law are reliable, but the other sons and daughters-in-law are unreliable, so he has been hesitant until now and is unwilling to leave and rely on them.
Jiang Yushu sighed. "Officials can't control the transfer of their positions. In my opinion, we should stop waiting and let those who can go back go first. Even if they are officials all over the world, they still care about their families. Who wouldn't go home to visit them when they have time? Reunion is a matter of time!"
The sister-in-law nodded in agreement, "Yes."
"After several in-depth discussions, Mother has agreed. She's agreed to take some people back home first, while Yushu and I will stay behind." Guo Honglei made up his mind and instructed, "Thank you, Third and Fourth Brothers, for escorting Mother back to the capital. Once I've relieved myself of my responsibilities, we'll join forces to serve her."
Guo Hongzhe solemnly stated, "Caring for my mother is a son's responsibility. How dare I call it 'hardship'? To be honest, I've been away from home in the capital for the past few years, unable to fulfill my filial duties by her side. I'm extremely ashamed. Fortunately, I will soon have the opportunity to fulfill my filial duties. Please rest assured, brother and sister-in-law, when Mother moves back to the capital, Xiaoru and I will serve her wholeheartedly!"
"Oh, brothers, don't be so polite." Guo Hongxuan, relying on his youth and numerous business engagements, indulged in excessive indulgences. His eating and drinking gave him a double chin, and his belt tightened around his belly, making it look like a ring. He said proudly, "My third brother is in the Imperial Academy, and I own several shops in the capital. With the care of relatives and friends, Mother should be able to enjoy her old age in peace. My brother and sister-in-law don't have to worry."
Guo Honglei smiled with satisfaction.
Jiang Yushu lowered her eyes in thought. "What kind of life can an elderly person live to be called 'enjoying their old age'? It simply means having filial children, a large household, and no worries about food, clothing, housing, and transportation. These things are mostly present now, except for one thing: a house. A house is difficult to find."
"Ah, indeed!"
Guo Hongxuan was in trouble, and the others were also troubled.
Purchasing a house and land is not only the mother-in-law's request, but also the need of the family, so that they can live in the capital in the future.
In the hall, Guo Ye, the youngest, couldn't help but interrupt and ask, "Mom, didn't our family buy a house in the capital? Back then, when my father took my older brother and me back to visit relatives, we stayed there for a few days."
Although there is a house, the mother-in-law is very dissatisfied, complaining that it is remote and small. Jiang Yushu's face is calm and she explains: "Although there is a house, it is a second courtyard and a bit narrow. We are a big family and it is not enough for us."
Anyway, we can't go back home together for the time being. At most, there are twenty people living here. Why can't we just make do? Guo Ye muttered to himself, but nodded wisely, "That's right."
Guo Yu hesitated to speak, finally falling silent, listening attentively. An orphan with both parents orphaned, he and his wife followed his grandmother wherever she went, studying diligently and determined to achieve a high score on the imperial examinations like his third uncle, and to support his family independently. At the same time, he felt truly fortunate and grateful for the generosity of his second uncle and the generosity of his second aunt, who were willing to nurture their nephew like a parent.
As long as parents are alive, the family remains. As the head of the household, Guo Honglei felt a sense of responsibility. He pondered, "Let's move on to a three-story house, something spacious and comfortable. Back then, my mother suddenly decided to return home, and in a hurry, she didn't have time to carefully select, so she bought a house that was a bit out of the way."
Jiang Yushu asked expectantly, "My rank isn't high enough, but fortunately Hong Lei is. He's the commander of the guards, a third-rank official. According to custom, the court would grant him a house or a piece of land, which should be quite good. But I wonder when I can get it?"
"I'm not sure. It's said that one often needs to wait patiently," Guo Honglei revealed. "For example, Commander Song waited for three years before the Ministry of Works and Construction finally allocated him a piece of land."
"Three years?"
"Isn't it too slow?"
"If I'm given land, I still have to build a house. When will I be able to move in?"
Everyone discussed it for a moment, then shook their heads and said, "Mother is anxious to return home and can't wait."
"It seems that I can only buy a bigger house to live in first, and then make long-term plans."
Jiang Yushu looked at her two uncles-in-law and asked, "You just came back from the capital. Have you found anyone suitable recently?"
Guo Hongzhe shook his head in embarrassment.
"Alas." Guo Hongxuan was helpless, rubbing his chin in distress. "Land in the capital is extremely expensive, and even if you have money, you can't buy a house in a good location. It has nothing to do with financial resources. For example, our previous home, the Marquis of Jingyang Mansion, was located in Zhuquefang, and all our neighbors were descendants of nobles. For another example, Ye'er's grandfather lived in Qingpingfang, an area filled with high-ranking officials. No ordinary person could possibly squeeze in."
Living in Zhuquefang or Qingpingfang is enough to prove that the owner has a prominent status.
If one has no power or influence, no amount of wealth will be of any use to him.
Hundreds of years have passed since the founding of the Dagan Dynasty. Although the capital has been expanded several times, the land within the city walls is limited after all, with no wasteland at all. It is not easy to settle down in the capital.
Even the famous Northwestern general with great military achievements, the dignified General Xuanwei, found it difficult to own a satisfactory house.
Because the general's mother, Wang, had high requirements and looked down on the second courtyard, thinking it was located in a remote place and refusing to be neighbors with merchants.
Wang was born into a prominent family, a daughter of aristocratic family, married into a noble family, and as the former marquis' wife, she always considered herself noble in her bones - if she could not return to the capital in glory, she would rather die in a foreign land.
Guo Honglei couldn't conjure up a house, so he calmed down and said comfortingly, "It's okay, we can settle for the next best thing. Pay more attention, ask around, and we'll eventually find something suitable."
Jiang Yushu instructed: "Once you find a suitable house for sale, immediately persuade the seller. If the money is not enough, sell the second courtyard!"
"Okay." Guo Hongxuan nodded. "I dare not let my guard down. I have been asking relatives and friends to keep an eye on it."
At this moment, the servant rushed to report: "The old lady has woken up!"
"oh?"
Guo Honglei stood up immediately, and Jiang Yushu also put down her teacup. "Let's go and take a look."
soon
On the sickbed, Wang became thinner and thinner, her eyes were cloudy and lifeless, like a candle in the wind, which was frightening.
More than a dozen people, including his sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons and granddaughters-in-law, stood by the bed, asking about his well-being.
Jiang Yushu was a step slower, holding the gold-wrapped imperial document on the end of the shaft with both hands, and said with a smile: "Old Madam, look, what is this?"
Wang turned her head, squinted her eyes, and asked weakly, "What is it?"
"Honglei requested an imperial title for his mother at the beginning of the year, and the court approved it. The scroll of the imperial title has arrived!" Jiang Yushu bent down and unfolded the imperial decree. "Congratulations, congratulations, you have been promoted again. You are now a third-rank imperial consort."
"Oh?" Wang's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? Let me take a look."
Seeing this, the others smiled and congratulated him, "Congratulations, old ancestor."
"Not to mention the Northwest, there aren't many third-rank imperial wives in the entire world. Mother is truly blessed!"
"A mother-in-law who raises her children well will naturally enjoy endless blessings."
"Grandson, take a look. What's written on it?"
…
Wang struggled to sit up, holding the imperial edict and examining it carefully, her face beaming with joy. "Oh, haha, good, good!" The old man's eyes lit up, he looked up and waved, "Honglei, come here."
Guo Honglei lifted the hem of his robe and knelt on the footstool. "What are your instructions, mother?"
"My Lei'er is really capable and can bring honor to his mother!"
Wang, proud and proud, held her second son's hand and sighed weakly, "You've worked so hard over the past decade, fighting on the battlefield, risking your life to rebuild our family business and bring honor to our family. Back then, when my title was stripped, my property was confiscated, and I was exiled to the countryside, if it weren't for you and Yushu, I really couldn't have endured. I would have died of exhaustion or illness, and nine out of ten times I wouldn't have survived to this day. Mother has lived to this day, endured hardships, and also enjoyed countless blessings. It's worth it, it's worth it."
The old man's words were very unlucky.
Since the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law could never truly be close to each other, Jiang Yushu was stunned when her mother-in-law publicly affirmed her goodness. She comforted her, "What? Old Madam is born blessed. Take good care of your health. You will enjoy endless happiness in the future."
"Yes." The others consoled him, "You survived a great disaster back then, and you will surely have good fortune in the future. You will surely live a long life!"
"Live a long life?" Wang smiled and shook her head, her face old and haggard. "I don't dare to think about it."
"Don't be discouraged. The doctor said you will recover soon."
Guo Honglei lowered his head, staring at his mother's hands, which were so thin that they were almost skin and bones. Then he looked up, and the mother and son looked at each other, the old woman's eyes full of love... Suddenly, he felt extremely uncomfortable, and his voice became hoarse. "Everything a son does for the family is his duty. As long as mother is happy, he doesn't feel tired."
"I'm happy, of course I'm happy! My son is so promising, how could I not be happy?"
Wang caressed the imperial edict lovingly and happily ordered, "Bring the box with the imperial edict here."
"Yes!" The maid took orders and unpacked the box. She carefully took out a brocade box, opened it, and placed it in front of the patient.
Wang was in high spirits. She personally placed the newly-earned imperial title into the box, pointed with her index finger, and told her grandchildren, "This is the first imperial title your second uncle asked for for grandmother ten years ago. This one was five years ago, and including the one just now, there are three in total. All of them were earned by your second uncle for grandmother. Children, learn from them! Remember them?"
"I'll remember it." The grandchildren crowded in front of the bed, watching curiously, and admired Guo Honglei even more.
A mother is honored by her son, and a wife is honored by her husband. Guo Honglei was gradually promoted and asked for imperial titles for his mother and wife one after another. He hoped that they would live a glorious life.
Jiang Yushu stepped back a few steps, giving her place to the children, and comforted them, "Take good care of yourself. In the future, your children and grandchildren may even become nobles or ministers. I'll ask for a higher-ranking imperial title for you then!"
The others were very cautious and racked their brains to talk about what the old man wanted to hear. "Yes, mother's great blessing is still to come."
"Yu'er's wife is already pregnant, and when you have a great-grandson, it will be another layer of happiness."
"Also, Ye'er's marriage needs your grandmother's approval."
…
Wang ordered the servants to put away the imperial edict casket. Immediately, she dismissed her grandchildren and asked with concern, "Speaking of Ye'er's marriage, Honglei, is Prince An serious or joking? His daughter is a princess. We know nothing about her appearance and character, so how can we discuss her marriage? A child's lifelong event cannot be taken lightly. We must inquire carefully. Even if the other party is a princess, we cannot agree rashly, otherwise it will seem like the Guo family is selling out their son for fame and fortune, which would be ridiculed."
"Selling your son for fame?"
Guo Hongxuan was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Mom is so humorous!"
Jiang Yushu couldn't help laughing, "Don't worry, even if we are penniless, we will not sell our children for fame and fortune."
"Your Highness is serious." Guo Honglei explained, "Actually, he proposed two years ago. At the time, I didn't think we were a good match, so I declined. This year, he proposed again, and I couldn't refuse. All I could do was ask for your opinion."
"How old is that princess? What's her appearance like? What's her character like?"
"I only know that she is two years younger than Ye'er, and I don't know anything else."
"Ah?" Wang babbled, "The first few grandchildren grew up under their grandmother's watchful eyes. They were her darlings and were deeply loved. I have spoiled Ye'er since he was a child. He has hardly suffered any grievances. If the princess becomes spoiled and unruly, and abuses her power to bully others, won't my grandchildren suffer? I can't bear to let them suffer."
Jiang Yushu was at a loss for words. "I can't bear to leave either! Don't worry, we haven't even started yet. We're just chatting."
Guo Honglei smiled. "So, after we move back to the capital, please ask Mother to try to observe that princess. If she's suitable, then we can discuss the marriage. If not, then we'll have to cancel it no matter what."
"Alas." Wang frowned, "I am curious, but the house is not ready yet. I don't know when we can set off."
"It's almost there!" Guo Hongxuan reassured the old man, "Over the past few years, my family has been asking relatives and friends to keep an eye out for you. Maybe we'll have good news in a couple of days. We'll buy you a big house for you to live out your days in."
"Hmm."
After a hearty chat, Wang not only did not feel tired, but her spirits actually improved, and she was full of anticipation. "I've wanted to go back for a long time to see the changes in the capital, and also to know how my relatives and friends have changed."
Jiang Yushu looked at her old and frail mother-in-law and said, "What's the difficulty? We can see each other when we get back."
Wang urged repeatedly, "Hurry up, hurry up, it would be best if you can get back for the New Year."
"Son understands."
Therefore, in order to help the old man fulfill his wish, the Guo family mobilized all their relatives and friends and tried hard to inquire. Finally, at the end of July, they learned that there was a family in Qingpingfang. The head of the family made a mistake and lost his job. His son was addicted to gambling and lived off his savings, causing the family to fall into poverty. Because his son was reckless and offended the powerful, in order to save his life, the family sold their house to raise money and returned to their hometown to avoid disaster.
In a blink of an eye, it is the eve of Mid-Autumn Festival, and the sky is high and the air is fresh at the border.
The servants in the Guo family usually carefully prepared various kites for the young masters and young ladies to play with.
There were more than a dozen children, big and small, and toddlers in the open space. Some of them knew how to fly kites, some were running with kites, cheering and chasing each other, and the scene was very lively.
Inside the pavilion
Jiang Yushu unfolded a map and swiped it lightly with her fingertips. "Look, a house with three entrances! Here, the main gate, the second gate, the side room, the back room, and here is a garden."
Guo Honglei said: "Although it is not as spacious as the one in front of me, it is not small in the capital."
Wang subconsciously looked up at her grandchildren chasing and playing not far away, and said happily, "How can the frontier be compared with the capital? The capital has always been a land of gold. Honglei, have you really bought it?"
"How dare you lie to your mother?"
Guo Honglei answered loudly, "The house and land deeds signed by my son have already been submitted to the government for revision. Azhe will be responsible for arranging the cleaning and repairs. We will depart after the Mid-Autumn Festival. You can move in once you arrive in the capital."
"Well, good, good, very good!"
Wang nodded repeatedly, extremely excited, and smiled from ear to ear. She snatched the map and examined it with wide eyes. "Yes, this house is more than ten times better than the one we bought a few years ago!"
The mother-in-law grabbed it and Jiang Yushu was startled. She let go in a hurry and the picture was almost torn.
"Hahaha, I finally bought a place I'm satisfied with!" Wang was bright and cheerful, her face rosy as she carefully studied the lines of the house on the paper. "I've been wanting to go back for a long time."
The old people were happy, and the younger generations were happy too. They discussed the relocation matters enthusiastically. There was constant laughter and joy inside and outside the pavilion, and the atmosphere was full of joy and happiness.
After a moment, Jiang Yushu glanced around and suddenly noticed something strange:
Wang was smiling happily, her eyes sparkling as she excitedly ordered the moving order, as if she had become ten years younger.
The old man was extremely excited, almost "ecstatic", his eyes were too bright and his face was too rosy.
The whole person exudes a sense of incongruity.
Jiang Yushu's smile disappeared, she felt inexplicably uneasy, and quietly pulled her husband's sleeve.
Guo Honglei turned his head in confusion.
"Look," she asked hesitantly, "Isn't the old lady... a little too happy?"
"What?"
"She was too happy, too happy for her own good."
He was startled and stared at his mother. He suddenly began to feel uneasy and indescribably panicked.
"Ahem!" Guo Honglei stood up and cleared his throat seriously, causing his younger brother, nephew and others to stare at him quietly, thinking that he was going to give instructions on the relocation.
Jiang Yushu also stood up, feeling a little at a loss for a moment.
The younger generations looked at each other in bewilderment. The only sound left in the pavilion was the old man's laughter, which was high-pitched and abrupt.
Guo Honglei couldn't help but grip the edge of the table and asked respectfully, "Mother, who do you think should be chosen as the housekeeper for our new home?"
Wang was immersed in ecstasy, forgetting everything else, laughing and muttering, "Hahaha, that's great, I can finally go back."
"Old Madam?" Jiang Yushu held her breath. "Old Madam?"
Guo Honglei's expression changed, and his smile vanished without a trace. He quickly approached, bent down, and held the old man's shoulders. "You've been working so hard for a long time, would you like to rest for a while?"
"No, Mommy's not tired!"
Wang struggled and shook off her second son's hand. Her face was extremely red and she was very excited. She couldn't let go of the blueprint and stroked it lovingly. "Haha, good, really good, I can finally go home. I have been wanting to go back for a long time."
"Grandfather, what's wrong with you?"
"grandmother?"
"Mother?"
The younger generations panicked and called out to Wang anxiously, trying to support her, urging her to rest, and to drink tea. However, Wang ignored them all and was happy in her own way.
Everyone was anxious and asked in whispers, "What happened to Mother?"
"Could it be... hysteria?"
"Hysteria? Try pinching the Ren Zhong point?"
"Don't panic, call a doctor immediately!"
"Yes, call a doctor!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Wang said loudly: "That's great! I'm so happy that I can finally go home."
The old man suddenly fell back, leaned against the couch, closed his eyes with a smile, and passed away suddenly.
Life is unpredictable, and excessive joy can lead to sorrow. The pavilion was filled with dead silence.
Guo Honglei couldn't believe it. He stretched out his hand, his fingers trembling violently, to check the old woman's breath and pulse. After a while, he sank to his knees with red eyes, choking with sobs and calling out, "Mother!"
"Mother--"
"Oh my God." Jiang Yushu was dumbfounded. "Why, why...Alas." She sighed and knelt down next to her husband.
Wang missed her hometown and had been longing for it for more than ten years, but for various reasons, she gave up the opportunity to return home many times. She died suddenly on the frontier and was unable to live out her life in the capital as she wished.
At the same time, the capital Jiang Mansion
On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Jiang family customarily gave bonuses to the servants to celebrate the occasion.
A young maidservant was running past in high spirits when she was stopped by the maidservant and the old woman who were attending to the mistress. They asked, "Hey, have the rewards been given out up ahead?"
"Well, they are all collecting rewards."
"What did you get as a reward for Mid-Autumn Festival this year?"
The little maid smiled and said, "I got 20 copper coins and reunion cakes, and the maids and sisters must have gotten more!" After that, she ran away, "Hurry up, if you are late, there may be no reunion cakes."
Xu's two maids murmured a few words and ordered, "Take good care of the lady. We will help you take care of her and will be back soon."
"Ah." The servant was displeased, but she didn't dare offend the mistress's personal maid, so she smiled and said, "Thank you for your help."
As soon as the maid walked away, the old woman's face fell, she put her hands on her hips, picked her teeth with her little finger, and cursed softly: "Bah, you little bitch, you are always lazy and slacking off. You always ask me to work, but you leave for a long time. Wait until I go to the master or the young mistress to complain about you and teach you a lesson for being lazy!"
The old woman grumbled angrily, stood on tiptoe, and looked eagerly in the direction of the reward. Her eyes flashed, and she walked quickly into the room. The smell of medicine hit her nose.
The old woman tiptoed into the inner room and looked out:
On the couch, Xu, who had been ill for many years, lay on his back and slept. He was as thin as a stick, his face was as pale as wax, his nose was blocked and his breathing was heavy. He was already covered with a thick quilt as autumn began.
"lady?"
"Ma'am, would you like some water?"
Xu remained motionless and made no response.
"Hehe." The old woman turned around and took the opportunity to slip away and slack off, muttering as she walked: "Tsk, she's crazy and sick, neglected by her husband, despised by her children, and she's completely offended by her parents. She's all alone, and it's obvious she won't live long. She should die sooner rather than later! I'm really tired of serving this crazy old woman."
The old woman had no idea that the patient on the couch slowly opened his eyes.
"Oh."
"Mad and sick?"
"Now, let alone my relatives, even my servants don't take me seriously?"
Xu sneered sadly, breathed in the cool autumn air, and coughed incessantly. She coughed up a few mouthfuls of phlegm with difficulty and almost choked to death on it.
"What's the point of me living?"
She was alone, coughing and wheezing, wheezing and coughing, with her hair disheveled.
Xu turned over, facing inward, and found a piece of broken porcelain at the bottom of the mattress. She had secretly hidden it when she lost her temper and knocked over the medicine bowl the day before.
"Jiang Shisen, you are so heartless and fickle. You will get your comeuppance." She rolled up her sleeves, pinched the broken porcelain pieces, gestured at her wrist, and when the tears fell, she suddenly slashed!
Blood gushed out, staining the quilt red.
"Mingcheng and Mingkang, you are disobedient and unfilial. If I had known this would happen, I should have strangled them to death when they were born." Xu felt no pain and slashed them again.
"No one with the surname Jiang is a good person!"
"Oh, except my Shan'er, except Shan'er."
Xu had a wooden face, staring eyes, gritting her teeth, muttering curses, and waving the broken porcelain pieces wildly, viciously cutting her wrists until they were bloody.
After a long time, the half-closed door was pushed open, and Jiang Mingcheng, carrying a small lunch box, came to visit his mother with concern.
The author has something to say: Finally, two lunch boxes will be sent out!
===============
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