Chapter 948: The Old Lady

Deep night!

The doctors could do nothing; the old lady breathed her last in her sleep.

Instantly, cries filled the courtyard and beyond. White lanterns were promptly hung at the Hou Fu’s main gate; families watching the Hou Fu’s movements—including the imperial palace—knew at once the old lady had passed upon seeing them.

That night, countless people exhaled in relief, while countless others held their breath in dread.

Inside the imperial palace.

Emperor Jian Shi was still playing with his concubines.

Eunuch Gan hurried to the bedroom entrance, received permission, and bowed his way inside.

“Your Majesty, I’ve just received word—the old lady of Pingjiang Hou Fu has passed!”

“Passed?”

“Indeed, she has passed.”

Emperor Jian Shi’s face remained expressionless at first; then his lips slowly curled upward, only to return to stillness moments later.

He cleared his throat to mask emotions barely contained, sighed heavily, and said solemnly: “During the New Year, I saw her in person—she was perfectly well, strong as ever. How short a time, and now she’s gone.”

“Tomorrow morning, you go to the Hou Fu yourself. Speak with care. Pingjiang Hou is currently in the northwest, easing my burdens. With the old lady’s passing, I don’t even know how to tell him. Enough—tonight, I’ve lost all appetite. Help me dress!”

The palace attendants sprang into action at once.

The concubines, though displeased, could only silently watch as the emperor departed.

Eunuch Gan pondered the phrase “speak with care.”

These personal eunuchs, to varying degrees, could guess part of Emperor Jian Shi’s thoughts—especially regarding the northwest. “Speak with care” was deeply worth mulling over!

On the way, he met Wang De.

Wang De had also heard of the old lady’s death and hurried over, ready to receive the emperor’s orders. Tomorrow morning would be frantic—he needed to prepare in advance.

Seeing Eunuch Gan, Wang De politely said, “You’ve worked hard tonight.”

“You, Master Wang, came in the dead of night—you’ve worked harder.”

“I heard His Majesty ordered you to visit the Hou Fu tomorrow morning.”

“Indeed. What advice do you have, Master Wang?”

“Advice? Chu Wang isn’t defeated, the northwest isn’t stable! Think carefully. If you ruin His Majesty’s plans, hmm…” Wang De turned and walked away.

Eunuch Gan spat, then turned with his disciples and departed in the opposite direction.

…

At the Hou Fu.

Ever since learning of the old lady’s poisoning, the entire Hou Fu had begun preparations.

Now that she was gone, the servants, well-trained, swiftly erected a mourning hall in the front courtyard, arranged guest quarters, and assigned attendants.

The two daughters-in-law and several granddaughters-in-law, assisted by professionals, prepared the old lady’s body for burial and placed it in the mourning hall.

Daoists and monks had already been arranged; all that remained was for them to arrive at dawn.

The accounting office had prepared ample silver for funeral expenses.

Elders from the clan, young men skilled in social graces and fluent in speech, all gathered at the Hou Fu. At dawn, when mourners arrived, they would represent the Hou Fu in receiving guests.

Though the Hou Fu seemed large, with the old lady’s passing, a flood of noble guests would arrive—its own staff could not possibly manage. Clan members must be summoned to prevent neglect, disrespect, or offense.

The chief steward was running nonstop—everything required his personal review and approval before proceeding. The accounting office could not disburse silver until he signed and sealed the request.

Yet he still carved out time to shut himself in with Chen Guanlou for a private talk.

“You must go to the northwest and notify the eldest master. We’ll hold the fort here, but we don’t know how long we can. The heir is already negotiating with other noble families through the night—we don’t yet know the outcome.”

“Don’t I stay to help?” Chen Guanlou asked.

The chief steward smirked. “Your mouth? Even if I dared keep you, the heir wouldn’t. One word from you, and you offend everyone. You’re better off running errands and delivering messages. Leave the rest to others. Your elder sister, though—she could be called in. She runs a teahouse, deals with guests daily—she can assist the ladies and young mistresses with female visitors. The ladies and young mistresses are overwhelmed with mourning.”

“Fine. I’ll go notify her right away. Besides informing the eldest master of the old lady’s death, is there anything else?”

“No. We already agreed on this plan long ago—now we’re simply executing it.”

Chen Guanlou took the chief steward’s signed slip, withdrew silver from the accounting office, and prepared to depart.

Chen Mengxun arrived with her elder brother, Chen Mengzhao.

“Uncle Guan, are you going to the northwest?”

Little girl, sharp as a blade.

“Who told you two I’m going to the northwest?” Chen Guanlou asked.

“No one told us—we guessed. You shut yourself in with the chief steward—why else, if not about Grandfather’s affairs?” Chen Mengxun replied.

Chen Mengzhao was afraid of Chen Guanlou, but he still summoned courage: “Uncle Guan, can you take me with you to the northwest? I haven’t seen Grandfather in years—I miss him terribly!”

Chen Guanlou promptly rapped him on the forehead. “You’re the heir’s heir—when the old lady passes, you don’t kneel in the mourning hall? Don’t speak nonsense.”

“Uncle Guan, will the court recall Grandfather to the capital to observe mourning? Will the Hou Fu be in danger?”

“Who told you this?” Chen Guanlou fixed Chen Mengxun with a stare.

Chen Mengxun lowered her head slightly and whispered, “Everyone’s talking. Everyone’s anxious.”

Chen Guanlou spoke solemnly: “These matters are none of your concern. Even if the marquis is recalled to the capital for mourning, the situation can still be held. Your duty is to uphold your place, remember your roots, guard this household for your elders, and prevent others from exploiting the chaos. Keep your subordinates tightly in check. The more chaotic things become, the more errors creep in.”

“Yes! We’ll listen to Uncle Guan!”

“Uncle Guan, please convey our greetings to Grandfather when you see him!”

Having calmed the two siblings—whose faces appeared calm but whose hearts trembled—Chen Guanlou departed.

First, he went to his elder sister’s home to inform her of the old lady’s death and ask her to come to the Hou Fu tomorrow morning to help.

Chen Xiaolan turned pale upon hearing the news: “Only a few days—how could she… be gone? What are we to do! What are we to do! Oh no, things will be terrible from now on! Husband, husband, tomorrow morning, put up a notice: close the shop for three days. You and I must go to the Hou Fu to help.”

Chen Xiaolan chattered endlessly, bustling about—she wouldn’t sleep a wink tonight.

Chen Guanlou bid farewell and left decisively—he found his sister’s chatter unbearable.

He left the city that very night, heading straight for the northwest.

This year, he had a strange connection to the northwest—he’d already been there twice before summer.

He guessed he might have to make several more trips.

The chief steward was treating him like a mere errand boy.