Chapter 1791: You Have a Human Touch

The matriarch of Hou Fu is critically ill; this time she truly will not survive.

Last winter, the matriarch fell ill and never recovered, her condition lingering intermittently. At that time, Chen Chen Guanlou thought the matriarch would not survive the winter of the fifth year of Yuanding.

Unexpectedly, Hou Fu poured all its strength into the effort, using top-grade medicinal herbs like flowing water, and finally helped the matriarch survive last winter.

As the spring of the sixth year of Yuanding approached, the matriarch ultimately reached the point of oil exhausted and lamp withered, unable to endure any longer.

She did not wish to continue living in pain on the bed, refusing medicine and refusing to see the Physician. The Physician said that if this continued, she would have at most ten days or half a month; if fast, perhaps three to five days.

Chen Chen Guanfu tried every method but could not change the matriarch's decision. He felt despair.

Upon hearing the news, Chen Chen Guanlou rushed to Hou Fu to visit the matriarch.

Chen Chen Guanfu looked weathered and exhausted; he patted Chen Chen Guanlou's shoulder and said, "You go in. If there is a chance, try to persuade the matriarch."

Chen Chen Guanlou did not agree; regarding life and death, he respected her own will.

He walked into the bedroom; perhaps because she refused medicine, the scent of herbs in the room was not strong.

The matriarch lay on the bed, her face withered, moisture drained away, so desiccated that only the rising and falling of her chest proved she was still alive.

He sat on a round stool and called out softly.

The matriarch slowly opened her eyes; seeing it was him, a trace of vitality returned to her face.

"You have come!"

"Matriarch, this junior has come to see you."

"You have a kind heart."

The matriarch was merely ill; her mind was very clear, and she knew what she was doing. "You will not be like the others, here to persuade this old body, will you?"

"I will not! Life and death are determined by fate, wealth and rank by heaven. Since the matriarch has already made her decision, this junior can only respect it!"

Hearing this, the matriarch smiled with relief. "Indeed, it is you, different from all of them. All the children and grandchildren in the manor hope for this old body to live, to live as long as possible. That is not filial piety; it is worry that once this old body dies, the sons in the manor will have to observe mourning. Especially my good son, Chen Chen Guanfu."

"They are also thinking of Hou Fu!" Chen Chen Guanlou spoke a word of justice on behalf of Chen Chen Guanfu and the others.

"If Hou Fu's future relies entirely on this dying old woman, it will fall sooner or later."

Chen Chen Guanlou pressed his lips into a smile and said nothing.

"Do you also think this old body is selfish?" The matriarch persistently wanted an answer.

Chen Chen Guanlou shook his head. "Everyone in the world is selfish! You have worked hard all your life; being selfish once before death is only human nature."

The matriarch managed a smile. "It is still you who have a human touch. Those filial sons and virtuous grandchildren outside have lost their human touch for the sake of power. Their minds contain only what should and should not be done, completely disregarding this old body's thoughts. There is no human sentiment to speak of."

Chen Chen Guanlou sighed along with the matriarch. "The world is harsh. Those who mix in officialdom have too much human sentiment; they will fall sooner or later. I am different from them; I do not mix in officialdom, so I can follow my heart, having a bit more human touch than others. But it is only a bit more! When it involves my own interests, I will also weigh the options!"

"Do not make excuses for them; you are different from them. Both involve weighing options, but they choose to sacrifice others, while you choose to resolve things yourself."

The matriarch had clearly accumulated too much resentment and was extremely dissatisfied with that group of filial sons and virtuous grandchildren outside.

Her refusal to take medicine must have caused a huge uproar in Hou Fu, sparking fierce debates. No one could persuade the other, so they grew to loathe each other.

No one could truly respect another's opinion from the heart!

Everyone understood the logic, yet no one could achieve it.

Ultimately, knowing is easy, but doing is hard.

"This old body sacrificed a lifetime. In youth, I had to be magnanimous and tolerant; I swallowed all bitterness and fatigue myself. If I so much as called it bitter or tired, or spoke of unwillingness or grievance, I would be scolded for being ungrateful and for a principal wife being intolerant.

In middle age, I thought life would be a little easier, but a long string of children waited for my worry. The legitimate ones, the concubine-born ones, not one was worry-free. Every few days they caused trouble, waiting for me to clean up their mess.

In old age, my mother-in-law was gone; surely life should be easier now. Instead, at such an advanced age, I still had to manage that old man's concubines and his concubine-born sons and daughters. Fortunately, he earned much, and luckily Hou Fu had a solid foundation. If he continued to produce children like this, no amount of wealth or estate in Hou Fu would be enough to distribute.

Now, nearing death, I should finally be liberated, yet I endure the daily torture of taking medicine. This old body truly cannot endure it anymore. Now, this old body decides to stop sacrificing. Look at them, the way they panic. It is truly disgusting!"

The matriarch's face was mocking and disdainful; she did not want to see or hear anything, she only wanted to die, only wanted to be liberated quickly.

It was too painful!

Lying on the bed like a useless thing, unable to manage her own excrement and urine, unable to eat anything, what meaning was there in living?

Knowing she lived in pain, her good son still forced medicine on her, still wanted her to persist in living.

Live what the hell!

Let us all just die!

She was full of anger! Today she finally spoke her mind.

"Brother Lou, this old woman begs one thing of you: is there a painless death medicine? Give this old body one pill. I know you have a way; Physician Mu must have such medicine on hand."

Chen Chen Guanlou:...

If he dared to give the matriarch a fast-acting poison, Chen Chen Guanfu would certainly kill him.

He took a deep breath. "Matriarch, your life force is already gone. There is no need to take medicine. However, you may take some painkillers."

The matriarch was clearly very disappointed. "I still have to endure a few more days! Very well, taking some painkillers will make me feel a bit better."

She had no attachment to life and truly did not wish to live.

"What do you say is the meaning of a person living a lifetime?"

Chen Chen Guanlou pondered for a moment. "Perhaps those filial sons and virtuous grandchildren outside are the meaning of life."

The matriarch laughed, laughing until she gasped for breath.

She almost failed to draw breath again and passed away.

Fortunately, Chen Chen Guanlou was quick-eyed and quick-handed, protecting her.

The matriarch, having survived, complained: "Why did you do this? You should have let this old body depart right then. Let us all just die!"

"That will not do! In this room, it is only the two of us. If you fail to draw breath again and die, those filial sons and virtuous grandchildren outside will tear me apart."

The matriarch laughed again, this time more restrained. "So you are afraid too! This old body thought you feared nothing under heaven."

"I fear debts of human favor!" Chen Chen Guanlou laid bare his heart. "Debts of human favor are the hardest to repay. Hou Fu has treated me well; Chen Chen Guanfu has been open and sincere with me, treating me like a real brother. I cannot be ungrateful."

"You are a good child," the matriarch sighed. "That you can consider Chen Chen Guanfu shows his efforts were not in vain. That you came to see this old body makes me very happy. In a few days, when this old body is gone, come back then. This old body has left some good things for you."

Chen Chen Guanlou was surprised.

As the matriarch of Hou Fu, the Old Lady certainly had many private savings, filled with many fine things—all rare treasures seldom seen outside.

Leave them for him?

Chen Chen Guanlou instinctively wanted to refuse.

The Old Lady refused to listen, turned her head, closed her eyes, and said, "Go back. Tell that crowd outside that I am resting; do not disturb me."