"Unfilial wretch, what are you doing here again?"
"Mother, mother! You, you--" Jiang Mingcheng was stunned. The ingratiating smile he had when he entered the door disappeared. He was stunned for a moment. His hand loosened and the food box fell to the ground. The medicine bowl broke with a "clang", and the porridge, side dishes and exquisite pastries were scattered everywhere.
"Get out, you unfilial son! Get out!"
Xu clutched the broken porcelain pieces in her right hand, having slashed her left wrist and forearm to a bloody mess. The blood had already stained a large area of the quilt red, a bloody, blinding sight. She gasped weakly, glaring at her eldest son with gnashing teeth. It felt as if a deep-seated feud existed between mother and son. She berated him with hatred, "Except for Shan'er, none of the Jiangs are good. You evil creature! I'm guessing you're here today to help that old beast accuse me again, aren't you?"
"No, I dare not, how dare I? Someone, come! Quick, someone, come!"
Jiang Mingcheng stuttered with fear. Coming back to his senses from the shock, he rushed forward, his hands trembling as he quickly snatched the broken porcelain pieces. He knelt in front of the couch, intending to cover the wounds to stop the bleeding, but he was helpless because the wounds were too many, too long, and too deep. He burst into tears, "How dare a son blame his mother? If a son does something wrong, it's easy for you to vent your anger on the elders. You must never hurt yourself!"
"Rebellious son, evil creature." Xu was seriously ill and had lost too much blood. She was dying, her face pale and her eyes filled with hatred. She murmured, "Jiang Shisen, you heartless old beast, you forced my Shan'er to death, you forced her to death, and you corrupted my son. You will get your comeuppance, you will definitely get your comeuppance, cough, cough, cough—"
Before she could finish her words, she had a violent coughing fit and a large amount of phlegm came up, but she was unable to spit it out, and it got stuck, neither going up nor down.
"Cough! Cough—" The patient was unable to breathe, his throat made a "gurgling, hoarse~" sound, he stretched his neck and kicked his legs, suffocated for a moment, and gradually fell into a coma.
Before she fainted, Xu was still filled with resentment. She stared at her eldest son and, using the last of her strength, raised her hand and slapped him in the face.
The slap from the dying mother didn't hurt at all, but it was filled with hatred and stained with blood.
Jiang Mingcheng knelt in front of the bed, panic-stricken. He didn't hear the slap, but a resounding "slap" echoed in his mind, the mark of the slap deeply engraved in his heart. He shook the unconscious man and shouted in fear, "Mother? Mother? Wake up, please wake up."
"Someone come!" Jiang Mingcheng shouted at the top of his lungs, "Someone come quickly!"
The next moment, the lazy old woman and maid returned after hearing the news. They rushed into the inner room and took a look. They were also shocked. Their legs went weak and they knelt down, begging for mercy: "Your servant——"
"What are you standing there for, idiot? Call a doctor immediately!"
"Yes, yes." The servant ran to ask for a doctor in a panic.
soon
The doctor hurried over, carefully examined her, shook his head, sighed, and solemnly announced, "Please forgive me for being unable to help. Madam Jiang has passed away from excessive blood loss and suffocation caused by phlegm. Please accept my condolences."
After the doctor finished speaking, he picked up the medicine box and left. When he passed by Jiang Shisen and his son, he said, "I am sorry for your loss and take care."
"Someone, send the doctor over." Jiang Shisen's face turned pale, and his hands hidden in his robe sleeves clenched into fists. He barely suppressed his anger and glanced at his step-wife who had committed suicide. He didn't want to look at her any longer and was filled with disgust.
Jiang Mingcheng knelt on the ground and cried. He had no time to change his blood-stained clothes, and the bloody slap marks on his cheeks had not yet been washed clean. "Mother, mother!"
When Xu's descendants, daughters-in-law and others heard the bad news, they all cried bitterly. In an instant, the festive atmosphere on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival disappeared and they began to prepare for the funeral.
Night Study
"well."
"Oh no."
"This is bad."
Jiang Shisen sighed, his brows drooping, his face dark as the bottom of a pot. He slammed his fist on the table to vent his anger, gritting his teeth and saying, "Mingcheng took the exam four times before he passed. I tried my best to find a good position for my son before I retired. He was going to take up the position after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Who knew that his mother would commit suicide out of sheer stupidity?"
"I have already retired. After Cheng'er has finished his mourning, I am afraid I won't be able to find him a good job again."
The confidant whispered to comfort him, "Master, don't worry. There will always be a way out. The young master is talented, so why worry about not being able to get an official position? When you are done with your filial piety, you can ask relatives or friends to look after the young master, isn't that all?"
"How can it be easy? Firstly, I'm no longer a minister, so it's hard to get things done. Secondly, any good job will have countless eyes watching it, so how could it be Cheng'er's turn?"
A confidant reminded him, "Although you have retired, our eldest daughter and her husband have just been promoted and have a bright future. How could they not be willing to support their younger brother?"
"Well, that's natural."
"Thinking of my daughter and son-in-law, I feel a little relieved."
Jiang Shisen was extremely worried and blamed his step-wife deeply, "Xu is really, really - so confused! Over the years, she has been extreme and stubborn, doing countless absurd things and offending many relatives. I have considered the overall situation and tolerated her again and again. As a mother, she did not consider her son's future at all. She committed suicide for no reason and slapped her son before she died? It's simply, simply - hum!" He paused and didn't say anything unpleasant, then slammed the table in anger.
"Master, calm down, calm down quickly, and don't let your anger damage your health. After all, the lady is dead."
Jiang Shisen's face was expressionless, devoid of any sadness. He thought to himself, "This crazy bitch deserves no death. She was a jinx. When she was alive, she was always causing trouble, bringing unrest to our family. Now dead, she's dragging down our children. All my efforts have gone to waste. The official position I worked so hard to secure for my son has gone to someone else."
At the same time, Heqingguo Mansion
The autumn night was cool, the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and the moon at the border was gradually getting full. People should have been celebrating the festival, reuniting and admiring the moon, but all the joy was ruined by Wang's death.
In the mourning hall, incense and candles burned day and night, cold wind rushed in, white curtains fluttered, smoke lingered, and young people in mourning knelt on the ground, sobbing one after another, and the atmosphere was full of sorrow.
Back then, when his title was stripped and his property was confiscated, Marquis Jingyang was so frightened that he died, leaving behind his wife and children. Now, Wang has also passed away.
Guo Honglei first lost his father, then his mother, and his elder brother and sister-in-law are also no longer alive.
Although I was extremely sad when I lost my father, fortunately, I still have my mother.
Regardless of whether Wang Shijian is strong, capable, or partial... In short, he is sincerely grateful: I still have a mother.
No one expected that Wang would die suddenly when she was about to move back to the capital.
Losing a father means that the pillar of the family has fallen and there is no support. Losing a mother means that you will never hear again "My son has worked hard", "Lei'er has a bright future", "Honglei has been disobedient since childhood", "He is dull and stupid", etc. For the rest of your life, your parents will only exist in your memory.
The tree wants to be still but the wind does not stop, the son wants to support his parents but they are no longer there.
Guo Honglei knelt before the coffin, head bowed, continuously placing paper money into the basin. He watched as the stacks of paper money turned to ashes, then forced himself to speak in a hoarse voice, "My mother always longed to return home. Therefore, the funeral must be completed in the capital to fulfill the wishes of our elders."
"Ahem, ahem," Jiang Yushu replied, coughing from the smoke from burning paper money. "But we've lived in the border area for over a decade, so we need to keep the body for ten days to allow relatives and friends here to pay their respects. Then we can send the coffin back to the capital for burial."
Guo Hongxuan's eyes were red. "I have already sent a group of capable servants back to the capital with the obituary to make arrangements, so that we don't have to rush back when everything is incomplete."
"This arrangement is very good."
"I wonder if my brother and sister-in-law have finished writing the memorial of mourning?" Guo Hongzhe's face was pale and he was coughing frequently due to the smoke.
Jiang Yushu placed a few pieces of paper money into the basin. Flames shot up, illuminating a corner of the dark coffin draped with a white curtain. She replied softly, "It's finished. Give me yours later. We'll send them back to the capital tomorrow to present to the court."
Guo Hongzhe nodded.
"What will happen if I report my mourning?" Guo Hongxuan sobbed, raised his sleeve to wipe his tears, and directly put several stacks of paper money into the basin, covering it up so that the flames could not rise. Instead, a large amount of thick smoke came out, choking everyone and making them cough violently.
"Cough, cough, cough." Jiang Yushu waved her sleeves to disperse the thick smoke, bent down and groped, but found nothing.
Guo Honglei silently picked up the iron axe and scattered the thick paper money, letting it burn. When the smoke dissipated, he whispered, "According to the law, military officers stationed on the border who report their mourning period will be granted three months of mourning leave by the court, and their official duties will not be dismissed." He looked at his wife. "But the law doesn't stipulate anything for female officials. We'll have to wait for the final approval. As for Ah Zhe, he will most likely have to observe mourning according to the regulations. Unless the court issues a decree of revocation of his love."
"It's my duty to mourn for my mother!" Guo Hongzhe solemnly expressed his attitude while coughing, fearing that he would be misunderstood as being unhappy.
Her children knelt behind her. Jiang Yushu's expression was calm. Her mother-in-law had passed away, and her children, grandchildren, and daughters-in-law had to observe mourning. She said calmly, "Yes, we are not generals shouldering the heavy responsibility of guarding the border, so we should observe mourning. During this time, I was able to concentrate on taking care of our family in the capital. In the blink of an eye, more than ten years have passed since we left. The children are unfamiliar with the place and need the guidance of their elders to adapt."
Guo Honglei stared at his wife with a deep and gentle gaze, then sighed helplessly, "I can't wholeheartedly observe mourning, and I feel extremely guilty."
The young head of the family always stood steady in front of others, standing like a pine tree and sitting like a bell. But now he had a stubble on his face, lowered his head, slumped shoulders, stared at the flames, and kept adding paper money into the basin.
The family members all tried to comfort him: "The imperial law cannot be disobeyed, how can we blame you?"
"Second brother, please don't do this! Although we can't observe mourning according to the rules, three months is enough time to mourn. It can be considered as both loyal and filial."
"The spirits of our ancestors in heaven will surely understand."
"Don't blame yourself, second brother. Your filial piety is well known to mother."
…
Guo Honglei raised his head and looked at the dark coffin, recalling his mother's voice and smile. He was filled with grief and emptiness in his heart. For a moment, he could not muster the energy to think or cheer up. He just stood there woodenly, guarding the coffin and burning paper money.
Half a month later, the Imperial Palace
In the imperial study, the emperor and his ministers discussed state affairs.
Emperor Yongqing frowned in surprise, "Madam Guo? I remember that she was granted a promotion a while ago."
"That's right. But the old lady of the Guo family was already old and passed away naturally." The official from the Ministry of Personnel presented three memorials and said respectfully, "These are memorials from the late son and daughter-in-law expressing their mourning. Your Majesty, please review them."
The eunuch bowed, took it, and handed it to the emperor.
Emperor Yongqing glanced through the manuscript and instructed, "Madam Guo Wang was promoted to a higher position, yet she died without ever enjoying the honors of a third-rank official. As the mother of a meritorious official, the imperial court should generously reward and provide for her."
The official from the Ministry of Rites immediately asked, "What specifications should be used?"
"In addition to the original specifications, the reward will be doubled."
"yes."
The official from the Ministry of Personnel took the opportunity to ask, "Then, how should we approve the memorials of mourning for Guo Honglei, Guo Hongzhe, and Jiang Mian?"
Emperor Yongqing thought for a moment and slowly ordered: "According to the law, military officers guarding the border are not allowed to leave their posts for long. Follow the rules and give Guo Honglei three months of bereavement leave and comfort him. The officials of the Hanlin Academy should observe mourning according to the rules. As for Jiang Mian..." The emperor frowned and pondered in silence.
The prince sat down and listened attentively.
"This important border region has just recently been restructured into a prefecture system. Jiang Mian, as the prefect, has always been diligent and has managed the area effectively." Emperor Yongqing frowned, clearly feeling a bit troubled. "She suddenly reported her father's death. If she is allowed to observe the mourning period, it will be difficult to find a suitable replacement within a short period of time."
"Your Majesty, what you say makes sense."
The prince couldn't help but remind him: "Jiang Mian not only lost her mother-in-law, but also her mother died of illness."
"I know." Emperor Yongqing took a sip of tea. "The Jiang family's memorial to the emperor was submitted to the court earlier than the Guo family."
"So, what does Father mean...?"
Emperor Yongqing savored the tea and replied sternly, "Put it aside and let me consider it. As for the rest, approve it and send it out."
"yes."
At the same time, Feng Mansion
Wang had three sons and one daughter in her lifetime. Her eldest daughter, Guo Huilan, married Feng Han.
Feng Han had something to ask for, and suppressing his dislike for his wife, he pulled out a handkerchief and coaxed her, "Alright, stop crying. Embrace your grief and take care of yourself. Your mother-in-law's coffin will be arriving in the capital soon. If you become heartbroken and sick, how will you help with the funeral arrangements?"
"I'm unfilial. I'm an unfilial daughter." Guo Huilan cried until her eyes were swollen and her voice was hoarse. She was heartbroken. "Since my mother went to the frontier, I haven't visited her once. I can't face the coffin, nor can I face my brother, sister-in-law and others."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Feng Han said sadly, "Don't we want to visit our elders? Alas, there's nothing we can do. Our family is struggling financially and we have so many things to do that we've been putting it off time and time again."
Guo Huilan cried so much that her handkerchiefs were wet. Her eyes were full of wrinkles, her nasolabial folds were deep, and she looked haggard.
"Fortunately, Honglei and Hongzhe are kind and generous. They should understand our difficulties. At most, we'll just have to endure a few angry words from Fourth Brother. That's all that's fine. When the time comes, we'll take our daughters with us to kowtow to our grandmother and have the children meet their uncle and aunt."
"Take them all?"
"Of course! Bring all five daughters." Feng Han's calculations were clattering. "Relatives should be close, but we've become estranged because we were so far apart. Now that your family has moved back to the capital, what would it mean if the estrangement continues?"
Guo Huilan was naturally delighted to see her family's comeback. She choked up and replied, "Since we have the opportunity to meet and spend time together, we should visit more often, otherwise the children won't even recognize their own uncles and aunts, which would make people laugh."
"That's right!"
Feng Han rubbed his hands together, full of anticipation. "Well, Honglei's son is still unmarried. We have five daughters, and two are still unmarried. There must be one who is a good match, right? Let's make it a closer marriage. Madam, what do you think?"
"ah?"
Guo Huilan was stunned for a moment, then shook her head vigorously and cried, "My mother just passed away, and the children have to observe mourning. It's not appropriate to talk about marriage now!"
"Mourning is one thing, marriage is another. It's a verbal agreement, and we can get married after mourning is over." Feng Han had already made up his mind and encouraged us, hinting and hinting, "What's wrong with a close relationship? Would you rather your nephew marry someone else than make plans for our daughter?"
Guo Huilan hesitated to speak and remained silent.
"As long as you ask, Hong Lei will definitely consider it seriously!"
"No, that's not right. There's also my sister-in-law."
"What are you worried about? When it comes to your son's marriage, it's the father's decision!"
"My second brother's wife is not an ordinary person. She is a higher official than you. It is unlikely that she will listen to Hong Lei completely."
Feng Han was determined. "If you don't try, how do you know it won't work? If we can strengthen the relationship, you and your family will definitely be closer!"
Disappointing her mother and becoming estranged from her family had been a source of worry for Guo Huilan for over a decade. Therefore, she was immediately tempted, but by nature, she was weak and indecisive, hesitating and sobbing, "Alas, let's talk about it later. I really don't have the heart to do that right now."
"Okay, okay, okay! I was just saying it casually. If it works out, that's great. If not... oh, five daughters, marriages are such a headache!"
Guo Huilan lowered her head in shame, feeling aggrieved and resentful. Not being able to give birth to a son was her lifelong regret.
The autumn wind grew stronger, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of August.
Guo Honglei led his family and many servants to escort Wang's coffin to the capital.
The wheels rumbled and swayed, making those who were not used to the local climate feel dizzy and in great pain.
Jiang Yushu was worried and looked at her daughter. "Yan'er, are you feeling better?"
"Mom," Guo Xiaoyan's face was pale, "I feel dizzy and dizzy. I want to vomit, but I can't."
"Are you hungry?"
"I'm so hungry, but I don't dare eat. I vomited a lot, and my throat hurts so much that I can't swallow."
Jiang Yushu sighed distressedly and comforted him, "Be patient, we have already entered the city and will be at our new home soon."
"Huh? Are you going into the city? Why didn't you call me?" Guo Xiaoyan was twelve years old, her skin the same color as her mother's, flawless jade white, pure and elegant. She struggled to sit up, raised her hand, and tried to open the curtains. "This is my first time in the capital, and I want to see if the city gates are as high as my brother said."
The maid opened the curtain a little, and outside the curtain there was a hustle and bustle of traffic. The streets of the capital were bustling and prosperous, with shops lining the streets, which was dazzling.
"It's really high," Jiang Yushu said softly, "There will be plenty of opportunities to see it later. Lie down quickly. Moving around will make it worse and make you vomit easily."
Guo Xiaoyan nodded obediently and lay down obediently, feeling so weak that her whole body felt powerless.
The coffin, which was transported back from afar, was covered with cloth and passed through the bustling streets to Qingpingfang.
Recently, Jiang Yushu was very busy and exhausted. She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes and fell asleep unknowingly.
But she was too preoccupied with so many things that she didn't fall asleep. In her light sleep, the carriage stopped and her body suddenly leaned forward. She jolted awake, took a deep breath, and asked tiredly, "Are we there yet?"
The driver shouted, "We're here!"
"We're here? We're finally here!" Guo Xiaoyan was as if she had been pardoned. She was helped up by her maid and put on a cloak and veil. She was unable to walk, so she was carried out of the car by the old woman who came to greet her.
Jiang Yushu softly ordered: "Send Yan'er in first, it's time for her to take her medicine."
"Yes." The capable old woman who had arrived in the capital early led the way. Maids and wet nurses surrounded the patient and hurried into the mansion through the corner gate, anxious to boil medicine for the patient.
There were many carriages and horses. Jiang Yushu walked quickly towards the coffin and glanced around. "Ye'er, where is your brother?"
"in front of!"
She nodded, and mother and son walked forward together. Unexpectedly, before they got close, they suddenly saw a man in mourning, wailing loudly, running towards Wang's coffin. He knelt at a distance, crawling forward on his knees, even crawling for a while, and crying out in grief:
"Mother-in-law, I'm late, late!"
"I was just about to go to Xicang to visit you, but you suddenly passed away. I was shocked to hear the tragic news. My family is deeply saddened. Mother-in-law, I—Ah!"
As Feng Han was crawling on his knees, he was suddenly kicked. He rolled over in a panic, groaning in pain, and looked up.
"Bah! Feng, how dare you come here?" Guo Hongxuan looked down on him, seething with rage. He rolled up his sleeves and rushed forward, intending to continue beating him.
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