Madam Mao said nothing.

Only her eyes grew somewhat darker and sadder than before.

After a long while, she asked: “Is the truth very cruel?”

“Yes, very cruel.”

Yan Sanhe fed Madam Mao another mouthful of medicine, then leaned closer. “Huibao, what do you choose?”

“So bitter!”

Madam Mao’s brow furrowed tightly: “I fear bitterness most.”

“Silly Huibao, medicine that can cure illness is always bitter.”

Yan Sanhe placed the medicine bowl on the table with one hand, grasping Madam Mao’s hand with the other.

The hand was skeletal, like chicken claws. Who could imagine that just over three months ago, this hand had been maintained soft and boneless?

Madam Mao let out a long sigh. “Better not tell her then.”

Yan Sanhe’s hand trembled slightly. “Why?”

“Isn’t happiness good?”

For some reason, Madam Mao’s eyes held a hint of vitality, her voice slightly louder than before.

“Life is already bitter. Those bad things—let them pass.”

“She can’t just live in confusion her whole life. Those were her birth parents.”

“Child.”

Madam Mao smiled slowly. “Don’t try to clarify everything. It’s exhausting.”

Is this your choice?

“But I feel unwilling on Asheng’s behalf. She should know.”

Madam Mao grasped Yan Sanhe’s hand in return. “Child, in this life, if one can be happy, don’t be sad. It’s very short.”

“You’re right.”

Yan Sanhe also smiled: “Later, Grandfather said nothing, and Asheng lived her entire life in happy confusion.”

“That’s how it should be.” Madam Mao seemed satisfied with this ending.

Yan Sanhe: “The story’s finished. I’ll call First Master and the others. They’ve been waiting outside a long time.”

“All good children.”

Madam Mao’s gaze was gentle. “You’re also a good child.”

I’m not.

I couldn’t save your life.

Huibao.

I’m sorry. I broke my promise.

Yan Sanhe looked deeply at her, quickly withdrew her hand, then left without looking back.

Everyone rushed forward.

Yan Sanhe’s expression was calm. “Say nothing. Let her leave happily.”

…

The children all gathered around the bed.

Madam Mao looked at each face.

“I’m filthy. Just now seeing Miss Yan was too improper. I want to change into clean clothes.”

Zhu Yuanhao’s hands hidden behind his back clenched until veins bulged. “Mother, wear that red one embroidered with peonies. It’s beautiful.”

“Third Son still understands Mother’s heart.”

“Quickly help me change.”

Madam Mao looked at Zhu Weixi: “Big Sister, are you crying?”

“No!”

Zhu Weixi quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Mother, just got sand in my eyes.”

“Third Sister, quickly help blow for your Big Sister.”

“Oh!”

Third Miss made a show of blowing twice but blew out her own tears instead. “Big Sister.”

“Hold it in.”

Zhu Weixi pushed her aside. “Mother, I’ll help you change clothes.”

“Also help me fix my hair.”

Madam Mao picked up a strand of hair. “How has it all turned white?”

“Everyone’s hair turns white. Mine will too someday.”

Zhu Weixi lowered her head: “Mother, I’ll style it beautifully for you.”

“Must be the most beautiful.”

Madam Mao’s face showed slight pride: “Back then, in Luoyang City, your mother was a top-tier beauty. Matchmakers trampled our threshold three inches lower.”

“Without being a beauty, how could we children be born?”

Zhu Yuanhao brought the clothes close: “Mother, extend your arms.”

The five siblings helped Madam Mao change clothes and fix her hair. Madam Mao then said her mouth had no taste—she wanted something sweet.

Four glutinous rice balls—she ate half of one.

Madam Mao smacked her lips, satisfied. The light in her eyes also dimmed.

Her final moment in the mortal world had arrived.

Madam Mao’s gaze turned to Zhu Yuanmo: “Eldest?”

“Mother?”

“Carry Mother back to her own courtyard. I’m not accustomed to sleeping in this one.”

Zhu Yuanmo was dazed for a moment, then crouched before her. “Mother, climb on.”

Madam Mao lay on her eldest son’s body, head against his broad back, smiling silently.

“Eldest, when Mother gave birth to you, you naughty child nearly killed Mother with pain. Now you’ve grown so sturdy.”

“Mother, I’m already over thirty.”

“A grown man.”

Madam Mao sighed. “You’re the eldest. Your brothers and sisters are entrusted to you. Supporting this family won’t be easy. My son will suffer.”

Zhu Yuanmo’s steps faltered, tears bursting forth.

“Second Son.”

“Mother.”

Zhu Yuanzhao quickly followed.

Madam Mao raised her hand, gently stroking every inch of his face.

“Before, Mother never saw it—my Second Son is also so handsome. Don’t blame Mother.”

“I don’t blame you, not at all.”

“Second Son, Mother doesn’t worry about anyone else, only you.”

Madam Mao looked at him and sighed again.

“In the future, if you meet someone good, marry again. Before, Mother didn’t treat Madam Ren well enough. You treat the next one better for me. If you treat her well, she’ll cherish our girl and cherish you.”

Zhu Yuanzhao nodded while weeping.

“Third Son.”

“Mother, Mother…”

The once most favored son gripped Madam Mao’s hand tightly, walking and crying.

“Why cry? You’re grown now. In the future, properly help your eldest brother. Listen to him. Don’t cause trouble for the family. Remember?”

“Yes, I remember.”

Good that you remember.

Madam Mao was somewhat tired, closing her eyes. “Why haven’t we arrived yet?”

“Mother, almost there.”

Zhu Yuanmo’s feet flew. Zhu Yuanzhao and Zhu Yuanhao supported on either side. In moments, they reached the central courtyard.

At the courtyard gate, Madam Mao suddenly opened her eyes, looking deeply at the courtyard once.

She said nothing until lying in her own bed, pillowing her familiar pillow, before sighing quietly:

“My own courtyard is still best.”

Everyone gathered around again.

By now, no one cried. Even Third Miss’s face was dry, lips holding a smile.

Miss Yan said to let Mother leave happily.

Madam Mao’s gaze lifted, sliding past Zhu Weixi to land on Xie Erli.

Xie Erli stepped forward and sat by the bed.

“Mother?”

“Yes!”

Madam Mao responded loudly. “Erli, how has Mother treated you normally?”

“Mother treated me well.”

“Then for Mother’s sake, treat Big Sister well too.”

“Yes—”

“This child’s temperament is like mine—can’t hide words, dares to do anything. Don’t hold it against her, alright?”

Xie Erli: “Mother, rest assured. I won’t.”

Madam Mao: “Even if she does wrong in the future, scold lightly, strike lightly. Striking her body hurts Mother’s heart. Mother can’t bear seeing her own daughter suffer.”

Xie Erli: “Mother, I’ll treat her well.”

“Good child, truly a good child.”

Tears flickered in Madam Mao’s eyes: “Big Sister’s greatest fortune in this life was marrying you.”

Xie Erli turned to glance at Zhu Weixi. “It’s also my fortune.”

“Third Sister.”

“Mother.”

“Remember Mother’s words. Listen well to your brothers and sisters. As long as you listen to them, you’ll have fortune your whole life.”

“Mother, I’ll also listen to you. From now on, I’ll always listen to you.”

“Silly girl.”

Madam Mao widened her eyes: “Once married, you should listen to your husband and in-laws.”

After pausing, she shook her head again: “Third Sister, once married, you belong to another family. How much grievance there is to bear! With your temperament, Mother worries!”

“Mother…”

Third Miss could no longer hold back, bursting into loud tears.

Madam Mao patted her hand and beckoned to Zhu Weixi.

Zhu Weixi stumbled forward step by step, body bending down, head gently burying against Madam Mao’s side.

Just like when young—Mother would recline on the bamboo couch, and she had to squeeze close.

Mother and daughter crowded together.

Mother extended her arm, gently holding her in her embrace.

Madam Mao stroked her back, softly saying: “My Big Sister has grown thin.”

Zhu Weixi wept silently. “A few meals will bring it back.”

“Mother has something on her mind. Do it for Mother.”

“Yes.”

“These years, Mother rarely visited the Xiang family. In the future, you go there more often for Mother.”

The light in Madam Mao’s eyes slowly dimmed.

“We women, once married—if we don’t maintain contact with our maternal family, over time we’ll be bullied.”

“Yes, yes.”

“In Mother’s whole life, I’ve never owed anyone anything, except Second Sister. I owe her. I shouldn’t have!”

Tears flickered in Madam Mao’s eyes.

“Later, remember to tell her—let her be reborn in the next life as my daughter again. I’ll definitely cherish her properly.”

Zhu Weixi was crying too hard to speak, only nodding forcefully.

The light grew dimmer. Madam Mao’s pupils shrank smaller. She still had one sentence she hadn’t said.

But she could no longer speak it.

Before her, the children’s faces blurred. The room gradually darkened bit by bit.

Was the sky turning black?

In the darkness, Madam Mao saw her father, her mother.

Mother leaned in Father’s arms, wiping tears with a handkerchief.

Why cry? Your daughter lived happily her whole life, suffered no grievance. That’s complete enough.

We women can never win against our own hearts.

Who told me I liked him?

Being with someone you like—don’t ask if it’s fortune or disaster, fate or tribulation.

Madam Mao’s eyes finally closed completely.

In the darkness, she saw behind the main hall of Jietai Temple a young master with red lips and white teeth, kneeling before the Bodhisattva praying.

She thought: Whose young master is this? Why so handsome?

She saw Luoyang Prefecture’s old street, those endless flower lanterns.

On the other side of the lanterns stood a person.

That person had handsome features.

“Young master, what’s your name?”

“Zhu Xuanjiu.”

At this moment, Madam Mao finally spoke that sentence she’d had no time to say.

Only three words—

“Karmic debt!”

Outside the side gate.

A carriage stopped.

Zhu Weijin pushed away the man’s extended hand, jumping directly from the carriage. Lifting her skirt hem, she ran desperately toward the Zhu Manor, desperately running.

She didn’t know how long she ran. Suddenly, she heard crying.

Zhu Weijin froze, feeling something pierce her heart viciously.

“Mother—”

She collapsed to her knees, crying heart-rendingly.