◎”From now on, whether you go to heaven or hell, you’ll have someone protecting you!”◎

The snow outside grew heavier.

Old Lady Shou tightened the quilt around herself and sighed deeply, “Back when your master and the Crown Prince had their incident, I shut my doors tight and didn’t enter the palace to plead for them… Later when A’Hu and Yuanniang were confined in the Eastern Palace, I didn’t intervene either.”

From that time on, she could never leave this courtyard again.

She closed her eyes, “I truly owed them, so if A’Hu and Yuanniang hate me, I understand.”

She smiled slightly, “After I die, His Majesty will certainly have descendants carry my coffin. Please tell A’Hu for me—if he’s unwilling, he shouldn’t show it on his face. Have him use his sleeve as a barrier against the coffin—as long as his hands don’t touch it directly, it won’t count as carrying the coffin for me.”

Lan Shanjun collapsed over the bedside weeping loudly. Yu Qingwu could no longer restrain himself and entered the inner room, kneeling together with Lan Shanjun, saying sorrowfully, “Please just let the imperial physician come see you again! When Shanjun and I marry, we still need to kowtow to you.”

Old Lady Shou shook her head, “Don’t I know my own body?”

She looked at the two people kneeling by the bed and said with a soft laugh, “Heaven hasn’t treated me too badly. At the very end, it still sent you two to me.”

“It’s just a pity that though you’ve come, I don’t dare let you stay with me too long… I fear I won’t be willing to die.”

“But I… still don’t want to live anymore.”

She didn’t want to continue living.

Every day was torment.

Her eyes moistened, “Fortunately, your marriage doesn’t count as a regret for me.”

In this lifetime, she had too many regrets. Walking to this point, she discovered that among all those people and all those events from the past, she regretted everything.

At ten years old she lost her father and mother. Being raised by the Grand Empress Dowager who was still alive then should have been joyful, but back then the palace struggles were fierce. To protect the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor, she herself suffered an attack and her body was ruined.

In her twenties, she married a husband who shared her feelings and interests. But for the Emperor to ascend to the supreme throne, her husband was also gone.

In her forties, everything seemed better, but suddenly the younger brother and nephew she’d watched grow up also died. For a moment she was afraid and didn’t extend a hand to help, and she regretted it for the rest of her life.

Yet she didn’t dare acknowledge her regret, fearing the Emperor would reject her and she wouldn’t even be able to protect those who remained.

In this lifetime of hers, she didn’t know whether it was good or not good in the end.

She sighed deeply and looked toward the door, “Mo Niang, don’t hide outside crying. Come in and cry.”

Nanny Qian entered sobbing, sitting on the bed. She didn’t wail loudly but just kept wiping away tears with her hand, “I prepared myself long ago, so many years now. I won’t cry—don’t worry about me, my heart is fine.”

Old Lady Shou held her hand, her voice growing lower and lower, “Mo Niang, when I wouldn’t let you go out to do business, did you resent me?”

Nanny Qian shook her head, “I didn’t resent you. I know you did it for my own good.”

Old Lady Shou smiled, “I knew you wouldn’t resent me. In this lifetime, you’re the one I’m most worried about. You have no children, and you don’t like making friends. I’ve always worried that after I die you’ll have a hard time living alone.”

She said, “Fortunately now you have this young couple you like. Even if I immediately go to be reborn, I can rest easy.”

Nanny Qian’s voice trembled, “I heard you have to drink Meng Po’s soup. Drink only a few sips, wait for me, and in the next life let’s be born from the same mother, shall we?”

Before she knew it, tears streamed down her face again, “I’m quite foolish. You must remember me somewhat. Since you’ll be the elder sister first, you must protect me and not let the new family bully me—”

Old Lady Shou replied, “Yes, I’ll remember.”

Her voice grew even lower, “Mo Niang, don’t come looking for me too soon.”

She looked at the three of them, then struggled to look toward the window. Outside, heavy snow fell in a vast expanse of white. All flying birds were gone, all flowers withered.

She murmured, “All the words I needed to say, I’ve said them all. Now I’m still hanging on by a thread, having to endure, endure and wait for him to come say some empty insincere words…”

Otherwise, if she died so suddenly, he would make things difficult for the children again.

Her voice suddenly grew louder, her hand slapping the bed frame, “I hate him—I do hate him—Shanjun, tell your master, I also hate the Emperor—how could he be so heartless, so heartless…”

——

Amidst the wind and snow.

In the palace, a young eunuch ran and fell several times before finally reaching the palace of the newly promoted Noble Lady Xiao, saying urgently, “Quickly, quickly tell His Majesty—Old Lady Shou is failing.”

With one sentence, the Emperor climbed off Noble Lady Xiao’s body and slapped the young eunuch across the face, “Damn thing, what nonsense are you spouting?”

The young eunuch cried, “Your Majesty, the Shou residence submitted a memorial saying that with today’s heavy snow, Old Lady Shou suddenly took a turn for the worse.”

The Emperor’s eyes went blank, then he shouted loudly in haste, “Someone come, quickly, leave the palace, leave the palace quickly!”

On another side, staggering over was Wu Qingchuan.

When the Emperor saw him, he kicked him in the chest, “You dog, with Elder Sister in such poor health, you don’t even come see her every day.”

Smelling the wine on him, he raised his hand and slapped him, “Wonderful, Elder Sister suffers while you make merry.”

Wu Qingchuan didn’t dare object and wept bitterly, “This subject regrets it too late.”

The Emperor’s expression was cold as he strode into the room. Seeing Yu Qingwu and a young lady kneeling before the bed in grief, his chest tightened. He quickly stepped forward, “Elder Sister—”

Old Lady Shou could no longer see.

She only heard Yu Qingwu say, “His Majesty has arrived.”

Old Lady Shou felt her life was so base. Even in death, she had to endure and wait for him to come.

Her consciousness was hazy, yet she could still say what she wanted to say. One could see how many times these words had been spoken in her mind.

She murmured, “Your Majesty?”

The Emperor choked up, “Elder Sister, it’s me.”

Old Lady Shou said, “It’s A’Zong.”

The Emperor’s name was Qi Zong.

For so many years, no one had called him by that name anymore, and now this person was about to leave as well. He finally couldn’t restrain himself and cried, “Elder Sister, don’t die.”

Old Lady Shou said almost inaudibly, “In this life, you’re the person I’m most worried about.”

The Emperor’s tears fell on her hand. Old Lady Shou’s body trembled. She struggled to stay conscious, “A’Zong, I’m about to die. The younger generation each have people who love them—only you, I can’t rest easy about. You’re meant to live a hundred years. I wanted to accompany you, but this body of mine won’t cooperate…”

The Emperor wept bitterly, “Elder Sister loves me, yet I’ve failed Elder Sister.”

Old Lady Shou replied, “Don’t say that. All the wealth and glory of my life came from you. I truly, truly regarded you as my younger brother.”

“But I’m about to leave, and these people in the household I must entrust to you—they’re old and young, and I still can’t rest easy.”

The Emperor nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, I will certainly look after them for you.”

Hearing this, Old Lady Shou smiled. Her mouth opened and closed, the words she’d practiced ten thousand times murmured out, “A’Zong, you must remember to sleep early, don’t always stay up late reading memorials—it’s bad for your eyes… And remember to take your medicine, don’t mind the bitterness…”

As she continued, when her consciousness became completely unclear, she suddenly called out loudly, “Mo Niang, Mo Niang—”

Nanny Qian quickly came forward. Old Lady Shou gripped her hand tightly, gasping for breath, “I, I… I think I see Qinghai coming to get me. I’m about to leave. You must be well, be well…”

She struggled to rise. The Emperor gripped her hand and shouted, “Imperial physician!”

The imperial physician had been waiting on the side and quickly came to check her pulse, then shook his head, “The old lady has passed away.”

Crying sounds rose in the room. A cold wind blew in, making Lan Shanjun’s body tremble. She turned and saw Wu Qingchuan collapsed on one side, grief-stricken beyond measure.

She had only seen him a few times, and this was the first time she’d seen such an expression on his face.

——

In the hall, the Emperor sat sorrowfully. Nanny Qian knelt on the ground, crying, “She had been drowsy all along. Who knew she would suddenly become alert? At that moment this servant knew it was bad and quickly had someone enter the palace to inform Your Majesty.”

Then she added, “But this servant was also prepared in her heart. After all, the imperial physicians have been saying her health wasn’t good for years now. It can already be considered borrowed time.”

The Emperor said, “Fortunately you discovered it in time. Otherwise I fear I wouldn’t have seen Elder Sister one last time.”

He asked, “Before Elder Sister passed, did she say anything?”

Nanny Qian replied, “Just that she regretted not seeing Young Master Yu get married.”

The Emperor said, “Then have them marry during the mourning period. This is a good thing—Elder Sister’s spirit in heaven will see it.”

Nanny Qian shook her head, “The old lady said you would certainly say this. She could guess the kindness you’d show her. But she didn’t want the children to be unable to hang even a red lantern at their wedding. That would be a sin. She now loves those two children most and can’t bear for them to be treated this way.”

The Emperor sighed, “Then what did Elder Sister mean?”

Nanny Qian explained, “The old lady said that although Young Master Yu is like family, in the end his surname is Yu, not Wu, so she told them to marry on the eighth day of the third month. This will already be past the mourning period—just right.”

The Emperor fell silent, then said, “Then let’s follow Elder Sister’s wishes, but keep everything simple—don’t make it complicated.”

Nanny Qian nodded, “Yes. Even if we wanted a grand affair, the children wouldn’t want it. The old lady also said if the King of Hell is willing, she’ll wait until after the eighth day of the third month before reincarnating.”

This statement made the Emperor’s eyes moisten again, “Elder Sister is always like this, thinking of others in everything.”

He stood up, looking at the heavy snow outside with emotion, “Old… we’re all old now.”

Having reached an age when anyone could pass at any time—should he also start making plans?

Before leaving, he said to Nanny Qian, “From now on if anything happens, submit a memorial directly to the palace. You performed great merit when you were young. I once promised you a favor…”

Nanny Qian interrupted, “Already used it.”

The Emperor paused, “…Used it?”

Nanny Qian recounted the incident of pushing people into the manure pit, “Your Majesty, that counts as using it, right?”

The Emperor’s eyes softened, “How could it not count? Mo Niang, your temperament is still the same as decades ago.”

But Nanny Qian found his gaze unsettling. She wasn’t like the old lady, willing to accompany him in reminiscing about the past. She pointed outside, “This servant still wants to go organize the old lady’s belongings.”

The Emperor nodded, “Go ahead.”

These simple-minded old people were becoming fewer and fewer. The Emperor was quite lenient with her, “You’re old yourself now—take care of your health.”

Nanny Qian felt she’d rather he just scold her and be done with it.

Before returning to the palace, the Emperor saw Wu Qingchuan kneeling outside and kicked him again, “Ungrateful thing—if it weren’t for Elder Sister pleading for you back then, I would have killed you long ago.”

He cursed, “What are you kneeling before me for? Go kneel before Elder Sister’s coffin!”

Wu Qingchuan prostrated himself crying bitterly, “Your Majesty, kill this subject. This subject owed sister-in-law so much in this lifetime that I no longer know how to conduct myself.”

The Emperor snorted coldly, “Only caring about drinking with Prince Qi, you didn’t even come here anymore. Your filial piety is quite carefree, isn’t it?”

But this was after all Old Lady Shou’s closest relative. He said, “You must properly manage Elder Sister’s funeral arrangements. How good she was to you, you damn bastard!”

He continued cursing for a while before striding away, leaving Wu Qingchuan fearful and apprehensive.

When Yu Qingwu emerged from inside, Wu Qingchuan stood up, glanced at Yu Qingwu with a dark expression, then slapped him across the face.

The slap was heavy enough to knock the already weak Yu Qingwu to the ground. His palm was pierced by a sharp stone, immediately staining the white snow red with blood.

Wu Qingchuan cursed furiously, “Even if you hate me, you should have had someone inform me. If I hadn’t stationed people to watch, I wouldn’t have seen sister-in-law one last time.”

He kicked out, “I raised you for over ten years—is this how you treat me? Do you think by doing this His Majesty will reject me? That you can avenge Su Xingzhou?”

Yu Qingwu had no intention of arguing with him at this time, but those three words “Su Xingzhou” made him suddenly raise his head, “In this household, does the Grand Secretary deserve to speak the name of the deceased?”

He slowly climbed up, “Not summoning you—don’t you understand in your heart? It was because the old lady didn’t want to see you.”

Yu Qingwu enunciated each word, “Why she didn’t want to see you—you know very well!”

“When you were drinking toasts with Prince Qi, why didn’t you ask yourself whether you deserved to stand before her, whether you deserved to be seen by her one last time before she died!”

Wu Qingchuan stared at him intently, discovering that this child had changed imperceptibly—he was no longer the person who sought praise before him.

He had begun to contend with him, yielding not an inch.

He finally asked the question he’d been holding back, “Are you planning to kill me someday?”

Yu Qingwu suddenly found this laughable.

He laughed, saying sarcastically, “You’ve certainly long harbored murderous intent toward me.”

“Since that’s the case, why beat around the bush? Must you force me to admit I’ve lost all conscience before your own conscience is satisfied?”

He swayed unsteadily, “I came here only to tell the Grand Secretary one thing—Old Lady’s funeral, please definitely, definitely don’t use any schemes to involve it in your plotting with Prince Qi. Otherwise, even if I have to stake this life, I’ll tear off a piece of your flesh.”

Wu Qingchuan felt utterly pathetic. Though he had many schemes, he wouldn’t manipulate his sister-in-law’s funeral. Now being treated and suspected this way by Yu Qingwu made his heart turn desolate.

He pointed at Yu Qingwu with a trembling finger, “Your mouth is hard now. I’d like to see whether you’ll still be so pure and blameless after many years—you’re pure and blameless now, but wasn’t I pure and blameless many years ago?”

Yu Qingwu looked at him steadily, then shook his head, “The Grand Secretary jests. However I turn out, I won’t harbor murderous thoughts toward those close to me.”

He didn’t want to hear Wu Qingchuan say these things anymore—he was tired of hearing them. He walked forward. Just as he passed through the corridor, he saw Shanjun holding a lantern and watching him.

She must have seen everything just now.

Yu Qingwu smiled bitterly, but heard her say, “Let me see your hand.”

Yu Qingwu extended his hand.

With one hand holding the lantern, Lan Shanjun used her other hand to take out a handkerchief for him, “Wrap it up. Don’t bleed for unworthy people.”

Yu Qingwu murmured acknowledgment in a low voice, then said, “There’s still much to do today. If you can’t hold on, go rest for a while first.”

Lan Shanjun shook her head, “I’m not tired.”

She seemed to have an iron constitution—indeed not the least bit tired.

It was Yu Qingwu who looked quite unwell. She held the lantern forward, “Let’s go. It’s dark now, and with everyone busy everywhere, there are no lanterns for you. I’ll light your way for a stretch.”

Outside, heavy snow swirled. Because there was wind, she held the lantern to the side and walked very slowly.

She said, “Yu Qingwu, I need to tell you something.”

Yu Qingwu looked up, “What is it?”

Lan Shanjun said, “The old lady gave me this residence.”

Yu Qingwu paused, then nodded, “Since she knew your identity, she naturally cared for you deeply.”

Lan Shanjun held the lantern as she walked slowly, “But I don’t want to live here.”

Every brick and beam of this place reflected the Emperor’s will—it was too oppressive.

Thinking of this, her steps halted abruptly. Yu Qingwu couldn’t stop in time and nearly bumped into her.

The strong wind blew snow into the corridor, making her robe billow. Lan Shanjun gripped the lantern pole tightly. The lantern spun in the wind, its tassels making a harsh sound. She said almost unbearably, “Her entire life, even at the final moment, she had to perform, as if singing the last line of an opera while others had to add the aside about ‘receiving deep kindness to the very end’—I don’t want to live here. I don’t want others to carve those four words on my tombstone after I die.”

—She was like a soldier about to go to battle, speaking her last words to family.

Yu Qingwu watched her quietly for a long time, his gaze gradually softening. He gently raised his hand and took the lantern from her, not letting her hands clench until they bled, consoling her, “Shanjun, we won’t live here. We’ll live in a new residence, where every brick and beam will be decided by you.”

Lan Shanjun’s whole body trembled. Yu Qingwu stepped forward, removed his cloak and draped it over her, positioning himself before her to shield her from the wind and snow in the corridor.

He said, “However this funeral proceeds, as long as the two of us and Nanny Qian are sincere, then regardless of what others say, the old lady’s spirit in heaven will be pleased.”

Hearing this, Lan Shanjun stood stunned for a moment, then said, “That’s why I most detest snow.”

Even though the old monk had sent her back during a snowstorm, she still didn’t like snow.

——

This funeral was just as grand and magnificent as in Lan Shanjun’s memory. Prince Qi, Prince Wei, and the Grand Imperial Grandson all came to pay respects. Wu Qingchuan received them tearfully.

Prince Qi brought countless retainers. Wu Qingchuan was displeased in his heart but still had to receive them with a smiling face.

The Grand Imperial Grandson came together with the Grand Imperial Grandson Consort and their two children.

Lan Shanjun quickly came out to receive them.

Yu Qingwu was called away by Prince Wei for conversation. He had always felt Yu Qingwu’s alliance with the Grand Imperial Grandson was unstable and very much wanted to pull him to his own side.

He quite liked Yu Qingwu’s character of “going wild when pressed.”

Naturally, Duke Zhenguo’s household came as well. Zhu Shi even said regretfully, “I never imagined the old lady would truly reach this state. Before, I thought she was unwilling to arrange your marriage.”

Huihui said urgently, “Mother, watch your words.”

She glanced at the memorial hall crowded with people, “With so many people and so much gossip—just keep quiet!”

Zhu Shi said sheepishly, “My voice wasn’t that loud.”

Huihui looked up to find Sixth Sister, spotting her at the very front. As a junior, she was serving tea to the ladies.

Zhu Shi glanced over and said, “Why has she become so haggard?”

Huihui sighed, “Old Lady Shou truly treated her well. Now that she’s passed, of course she’ll be sad.”

Zhu Shi’s heart caught, “You don’t need to resent me so. Even if I regret it now, it’s too late.”

Huihui had now learned not to argue with her. She said, “I don’t resent Mother either. If Mother insists on thinking this way, there’s nothing I can do.”

She had actually learned a bit of roguishness.

She walked forward on her own and called out to Sixth Sister.

Lan Shanjun turned back, nodded at her, then said, “I can’t attend to you right now.”

Huihui understood—Sixth Sister was too busy. She said, “I just came to see if there’s anything I can help you with.”

Lan Shanjun paused but didn’t refuse, saying, “Nanny Qian can’t handle all the fruit, snacks and such things in the back by herself. Go help her.”

Huihui agreed, then suddenly stepped forward and embraced Sixth Sister, “The old lady died of natural causes at her advanced age. This is a joyful funeral—don’t be too sad.”

Lan Shanjun managed a smile and nodded, “Alright.”

After Huihui left, she requested to speak with the Grand Imperial Grandson.

She said, “The old lady said if you’re unwilling… use your sleeve as a barrier against the coffin. That way it won’t count as carrying the coffin for her.”

The Grand Imperial Grandson looked at her quietly for a moment, then said, “Miss Lan.”

Lan Shanjun lowered her head, “Yes.”

The Grand Imperial Grandson asked, “Besides this, did the old lady have any other words for me?”

Lan Shanjun said dully, “She said if you hate her… then hate her. She truly didn’t look after you and the Grand Imperial Grandson Consort.”

The Grand Imperial Grandson pressed, “Besides that?”

Lan Shanjun didn’t understand his meaning, “What else?”

The Grand Imperial Grandson asked, “Nothing more?”

Lan Shanjun shook her head.

The Grand Imperial Grandson smiled, “Yuanniang and I stopped dwelling on this matter long ago.”

He shook his head, “I thought she would at least admonish me to remember Father and my maternal great-uncle.”

Lan Shanjun replied, “She had no such intention. Toward the younger generation, her heart was always easygoing and free.”

The Grand Imperial Grandson looked at the coffin in the hall for a long time, his thoughts complex. He suddenly said, “This residence—square and boxy—already resembles a coffin.”

Back when he and Yuanniang were confined in the Eastern Palace unable to leave, they also felt the Eastern Palace was like a coffin. Before, he resented the old lady, thinking her utterly heartless. Now seeing this residence and thinking how she’d been trapped here her entire life unable to leave, he understood her.

He said, “My hands are sufficient to carry the coffin. I am the Grand Imperial Grandson. If I carry the front, it counts as me alone carrying it.”

Lan Shanjun understood his meaning.

He felt Prince Qi didn’t deserve it, and the old lady wouldn’t like it.

She bowed to him. Having delivered the message, she turned to leave, but heard the Grand Imperial Grandson call out, “Miss Lan.”

Lan Shanjun turned back, “Yes.”

The Grand Imperial Grandson said, “The young princess likes you very much. If you’re willing, come to the palace to teach her the knife.”

Lan Shanjun paused, then nodded, “Yes.”

This was actually a good thing.

Outside, music played mournfully with continuous wailing. Lan Shanjun walked along the corridor, feeling as if she’d walked for a very long time, yet also as if she’d taken only a few steps.

After the splendor dispersed, the coffin was carried away, and the guests all left, she sat silently in the hall.

Nanny Qian brought wine, “Come, drink a cup to warm your body.”

Lan Shanjun took a sip, “It’s spicy.”

Nanny Qian said, “That’s what gives it flavor.”

Yu Qingwu had just returned and sat to the side, also drinking a cup, “It is spicy.”

Nanny Qian poured a cup on the ground, “Let the old lady taste it.”

Both Lan Shanjun and Yu Qingwu looked over.

Nanny Qian said with a smile, “If the wine on the ground disperses quickly, it’s spicy. If it disperses slowly, it’s not spicy.”

Lan Shanjun watched carefully for a moment, “It dispersed very quickly.”

Nanny Qian exclaimed, “Even she thinks it’s spicy—then it really is spicy.”

She looked at the two children whose eyes held sorrow and consoled them, “You two are blessed. Someone like the old lady, whether she goes to heaven or hell, will certainly become an official.”

“From now on, whether you go to heaven or hell, you’ll have someone protecting you!”

Lan Shanjun had been sorrowful, but hearing this couldn’t help but smile. Then she collapsed into Nanny Qian’s embrace and said in a muffled voice, “Really?”

Nanny Qian stroked her head, “I’ve lived longer—listen to me.”