Chapter 1792

Chen Chen Guanlou stepped out the door, and Chen Chen Guanfu asked anxiously, "How did it go?"

He shook his head. "Old Lady's mind is made up. Better to honor her wish and let her die in peace. Otherwise, she'll spend her final moments cursing her unfilial descendants."

Chen Chen Guanfu looked utterly defeated, deeply disheartened.

"I want to honor her wishes too, but…"

"There's no 'but.' Even if Old Lady agrees to take medicine, it's only a matter of a month or two. As her son, can't you see how much pain she's in? She lived her whole life with dignity, but now… how can she bear it? How can she accept it?"

A person who upheld dignity all her life, at the final moment, unable to care for herself, everything handled by others on her bed—this crushing shame could shatter a soul.

Moreover, Old Lady's body had already reached the point of exhausted oil and dying lamp—life's vitality was gone.

True filial piety means respecting the elder's wishes, not clinging to the false reputation of filial piety, fearing gossip, or easing your own guilt by forcibly prolonging the elder's suffering.

Saying "I'm afraid I'll regret it later," or "I can't live with myself if I let her go," and then forcing the elder to live powerless and without dignity—

That's the height of selfishness.

Every choice here is made for yourself. Stop pretending to be filial!

Chen Chen Guanfu wiped his face. "I know all that! Don't say more."

Chen Chen Guanlou grunted. "Hurry and prepare. Decide the exact arrangements for Old Lady's funeral. Don't be scrambling at the last minute."

"I'm already preparing!" Chen Chen Guanfu whispered. "Don't leave today. Stay and drink with me."

"You can still drink?"

Chen Chen Guanlou studied his face—the red eyes, how long had he gone without proper sleep?

"What you need isn't alcohol, but rest. You're not young anymore. Don't wear yourself out until you collapse."

Chen Chen Guanfu refused to listen—he insisted on drinking.

Chen Chen Guanlou decided to get him drunk.

Drunk, Chen Chen Guanfu grew quiet, and the servants carried him to bed to rest.

Chief Steward Chen Guanqiang saw Chen Chen Guanlou out of the Hou Fu; the two chatted along the way.

"Given His Majesty's temperament, when Old Lady passes, the heir must observe mourning. This matter touches every corner—it's extremely delicate. That's why the heir hopes Old Lady takes medicine, just to buy some time."

"You've already dragged it out for a year—what more do you want?" Chen Chen Guanlou frowned. "You've seen Old Lady's condition. There are so many men in this household, yet you torment an old woman? Aren't you afraid of nightmares?"

Chen Guanqiang looked deeply embarrassed.

Only Chen Chen Guanlou would dare say such things—no one else would utter a single word.

No one dared criticize this.

Even those who wanted to urge Chen Chen Guanfu to let go couldn't bring themselves to speak.

Fortunately, Chen Chen Guanlou had the courage to speak up—and to speak plainly before everyone.

"You're right! So the heir chose to respect Old Lady's wishes. As for court affairs… well, we can only count on Chancellor Xie. But even Chancellor Xie… we can't fully trust him."

Chen Guanqiang muttered under his breath, afraid someone might overhear.

Chen Chen Guanlou snorted. "It's wise to prepare in advance, but excessive anxiety is unnecessary. Lord Hou has spent years building his power in the northwest—do you think he never considered today's situation? You must trust Lord Hou's wisdom."

Chen Guanqiang didn't know how to explain.

He certainly trusted Lord Hou's wisdom—but that didn't stop his own anxiety.

Emperor Yuanding was cruel and ungrateful—just look at how he treated Empress Chen. The Hou Fu must shut its doors to mourn, while simultaneously enduring Emperor Yuanding's provocations and court attacks—how unbearable.

Chen Chen Guanlou could never understand this hardship.

"Stop looking so gloomy—storms always pass," Chen Chen Guanlou patted Chen Guanqiang's shoulder, then firmly stepped out through the Hou Fu's side gate.

…

It didn't take ten or fifteen days.

Five days later, a servant from the Hou Fu came to deliver the news: Old Lady had passed.

Chen Chen Guanlou led Chen Chen Xiaolan's family to the Hou Fu to pay respects and offer mourning gifts.

It was said Old Lady passed peacefully, in her sleep.

Two days earlier, while still conscious, she had arranged all her final affairs and distributed her personal wealth.

The entire family of filial sons and virtuous grandchildren knelt in the funeral hall.

Chen Chen Guanfu played the role of filial son while juggling duties, exhausted until his face turned pale.

The Hou Fu's women were equally worn out, legs trembling.

Chen Chen Xiaolan volunteered to stay and help.

Chen Chen Guanlou asked Chen Chen Guanfu, "Have you sent word to Lord Hou?"

Chen Chen Guanfu nodded. "I sent one letter two days ago, and another after Old Lady passed."

"Will you submit a petition requesting mourning leave, or wait for the palace's response?"

Chen Chen Guanfu frowned, silent.

Chen Chen Guanlou urged him, "I advise you to act first. If you stubbornly stay, it won't just look bad—it'll invite impeachment from the censor."

"What if I ask His Majesty to override mourning?"

"You're dreaming!" Chen Chen Guanlou rolled his eyes. "You know your son-in-law's nature—do you really think he'll override mourning? You're deluding yourself."

Chen Chen Guanfu clearly refused to accept it—he still wanted to fight for it.

"I plan to have Chancellor Xie intervene…"

"Forget it," Chen Chen Guanlou dismissed him outright. He saw Chen Chen Guanfu was now blinded by his position. "No one's intervention will help. The Emperor is desperate to seize power. He's finally got an opening—he'll never let you stay. Instead of dreaming of being retained, think about who you'll recommend to replace you when you leave Zhengshitang. Don't get caught off guard."

One radish, one hole!

Strictly speaking, mourning lasts twenty-seven months—over two years.

After Chen Chen Guanfu's mourning, his position cannot remain vacant—it must be filled!

Knowing Emperor Yuanding's nature, he's surely already rubbing his hands together, plotting how to seize power and make a bold move.

Only Chen Chen Guanfu was still dreaming of attempting to seize the mourning period.

The participant is bewildered!

Indeed, one does not deceive!

Just at this moment, a servant reported that Her Majesty the Empress had arrived!

Everyone was shocked.

Her Majesty the Empress actually left the palace to return to Hou Fu for the memorial rites?

Could the Emperor agree to that?

Chen Chen Guanfu led the way, guiding the entire Hou Fu household to the main gate to welcome Her Majesty the Empress!

Empress Chen stepped down from the carriage, her face full of sorrow, her eyes haggard. She had rushed out of the palace today without preparing a full retinue, yet her entourage was still considerable.

Accompanying Her Majesty the Empress were not only the First Imperial Prince, Song Qiyu, and the Chaoyang Princess, but also Eunuch Liu Shun, a trusted confidant of Emperor Yuanding.

Eunuch Liu Shun had come on behalf of the Emperor to pay respects to the Old Lady.

Empress Chen led the Imperial Prince and the Princess to the spirit hall, shedding silent tears.

Afterwards, Chen Chen Guanfu invited Eunuch Liu Shun out of the spirit hall and escorted him to the front hall for tea. With only the Hou Fu family remaining in the spirit hall, Empress Chen then led the Imperial Prince and the Princess in performing the rites of juniors, and burst into loud weeping.

Lady Lu, the wife of the heir apparent, approached Empress Chen and softly urged, "Your Highness, take care of your health."

"Mother!" Empress Chen called out in a low voice.

Instantly, Lady Lu shed tears.