Chapter 27: Last Will

She pounded on the shoulders of the two boys, heart aching yet furious, "You were raised by me! You only remember his biological debt—how could you forget my nurturing love? Your elder uncle is still lying inside, and he dares ask me if your elder uncle is dead, if I'm unwilling to die with him..."

Zhu Zihou and Zhu Zifang heard this and grew even more heartbroken, tears and snot streaming down their faces; they turned and kowtowed again to Zhu Youjue, begging him to stop causing trouble.

Zhu Youjue truly felt these two children were worse than being born a piece of char siu—char siu could be eaten; what good were these two things?

Just as the commotion raged, the steward sprinted in, eyes gleaming, shouting loudly, "My Lady Wang, My Lady Wang, the Chief Secretary has returned, the Chief Secretary has returned—"

Everyone fell silent.

The Zhou Wang Fei lifted her tear-streaked face and asked urgently, "Did the Chief Secretary return alone?"

The steward gasped out, "No, there are officials from the Ministry of Rites and eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial with him."

The Zhou Wang Fei couldn't help but press her chest and murmur, "Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun—"

Is it going to happen?

She hurriedly told Zhu Zijin, "Quick, go meet them."

Zhu Zijin agreed and rushed out.

The Zhou Wang Fei wiped her tears away with one hand, grabbed each of Zhu Zihou and Zhu Zifang by the arm, and said, "Go help your elder brother."

Zhu Zihou and Zhu Zifang wiped their faces and hurried after him.

Zhu Zijin had been confined to the countryside for years and lacked much education—he likely couldn't handle the Ministry of Rites officials and the Directorate of Ceremonial eunuchs.

Zhu Youjue's chest rose and fell as he suppressed his myriad thoughts; he gave the Zhou Wang Fei one deep look before leaving.

The Zhou Wang Fei stood guard before the main chamber's door, gripping Qin Nainai's hand tightly as she waited for word from the front courtyard.

Master Xuanmiao scanned the entire Wang Fu and said, "The Zhou Wang's Huang Da Xian is near."

Tao Ji and Pan Yun said nothing; though they had prepared for this, they still couldn't help feeling sorrowful.

This Zhou Wang was a rare good man and generous soul.

Most of Pan Yun's current assets came from him.

Soon a servant came to report, "My Lady, the eldest young master received the imperial edict in the front courtyard—the Emperor has named the eldest young master as the heir apparent, and the Chief Secretary quietly told me the name on the imperial genealogy has been changed too; the eldest young master is now officially recorded under the Wang and Wang Fei's names."

The Zhou Wang Fei let out a deep breath and couldn't help murmuring another incantation.

Soon, servants from the front were officially dispatched to report: "The imperial envoys are coming to pay respects to the Wang."

Upon hearing this, the Wang Fei immediately looked toward Tao Ji.

Tao Ji pulled out his personal needle pouch and signaled it was fine.

The Ministry of Rites officials and Directorate of Ceremonial eunuchs weren't merely here to proclaim the edict—they also represented the imperial court and the Emperor to visit the Zhou Wang, and would need to submit detailed reports upon returning.

Zhu Youjue followed them into the main chamber and finally saw Zhu Yudun.

Zhu Yudun lay there; apart from a slightly paler complexion, he looked little different from their last meeting.

But to the Ministry of Rites officials and Directorate of Ceremonial eunuchs, this Zhou Wang was emaciated beyond reason, his face deathly pale, clearly on the brink of death.

The two confirmed the Chief Secretary hadn't lied—the Zhou Wang was indeed seriously ill and beyond cure. They sighed inwardly, yet felt relieved; they hated and feared most when vassal princes caused trouble with lies.

The officials and eunuchs immediately switched expressions, wearing solemn faces as they gazed at the Zhou Wang and asked if they might speak with him directly to convey the Emperor's decree.

The Zhou Wang had chosen to remain unconscious precisely for this day; thus, the Wang Fei didn't hesitate, inviting Tao Ji forward to insert needles.

Tao Ji first felt the Zhou Wang's pulse, ordered medicine and the Wang's favorite foods prepared, then began inserting the needles.

This needle insertion would bring the Zhou Wang his final moment of clarity; after this, any further sleep would be eternal.

The Wang Fei knew this well, so she ordered the entire Wang Fu notified—all ladies and any possible officials summoned were to wait outside.

When Tao Ji inserted the final needle and gently twisted it, the Zhou Wang on the bed twitched his eyelids, then slowly opened his eyes.

The Directorate of Ceremonial eunuch stared in astonishment at Tao Ji—he hadn't expected a commoner to possess such skill; he had truly achieved the feat of sleeping to evade death.

The Zhou Wang stared blankly for a long while before regaining awareness; the Wang Fei watched him with concern and whispered, "My Lord, the Emperor has sent someone to visit you."

The Zhou Wang's spirit lifted—had the court reached a decision?

He opened his mouth to speak, but only a faint sound emerged.

Tao Ji slowly withdrew each needle from the Zhou Wang's body and said, "Give the Wang some water."

Then he stepped aside.

Zhu Zijin immediately brought a bowl of water, gently lifted and supported the Zhou Wang, and fed him two sips.

The Ministry of Rites official, seeing how carefully he tended to him, nodded inwardly—he already knew how to phrase the future appointment of Zhou Wang.

After drinking, the Zhou Wang's words became audible: "Is the Emperor well?"

The Directorate of Ceremonial eunuch quickly replied, "The Emperor is in perfect health, My Lord; please take care of yourself. Before leaving, the Emperor even mused about inviting you to Jingcheng for a gathering when time permits."

The Zhou Wang merely listened—he was awake now, meaning he could live only until today.

On his final day, he had no time to waste; every moment was precious. One extra word wasted meant one less moment lived, so he asked directly: "Has the Emperor granted my request?"

Facing a dying man, anyone would soften; thus, the officials and eunuchs didn't hesitate—they showed him the imperial edict.

The Zhou Wang felt both joy and sorrow: "The Emperor's boundless grace allows me to reunite with my son before death, ensuring the continuation of the Zhou Wang lineage."

The Zhou Wang ordered Zhu Zijin to kowtow northward in thanks to the Emperor.

Zhu Zijin obeyed, bowing three solid, resounding kowtows toward the north.

The Zhou Wang then asked, "Is this the only edict? I requested to abolish the burial sacrifice within the palace..."

The officials and eunuchs exchanged glances. Though the Emperor had given verbal consent before departure and ordered the edict drafted, such matters were not binding unless formally written and sealed with the jade seal. Neither could promise him anything—only that the Emperor deeply cared for the Zhou Wang and wished to honor his final wishes.

The Zhou Wang understood at once: the Emperor had agreed, but someone in court had not—hence the edict remained unwritten.

The Zhou Wang gritted his teeth, guessing it was some member of the imperial clan who opposed it.

He voiced no complaint, only gave a bitter smile, yet his gaze involuntarily searched the room for Pan Yun.

Pan Yun stood behind the curtains, silently observing all of this.

She was young, dressed in common gray-blue robes, thus unnoticed; standing there, most people wouldn't even spot her—and if they did, they'd assume she was just a maid holding a cat.

Seeing the Zhou Wang's gaze shift among the crowd, she quietly stepped half her body out from behind the curtain, letting him see her.

She nodded slightly to him, signaling him not to rush—there was still room to maneuver.

The Zhou Wang temporarily set the matter aside and began attending to his own funeral arrangements.

Seeing Zhu Youjue, he greeted him, "Fourth brother has come too."

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Zhu Youjue lowered his head in sorrow, "Big brother…"

The Zhou Wang sighed and said, "Don't grieve—everyone must face this day. Of all my brothers, I've always been closest to you. After I'm gone, look after Zijin for me."

Zhu Youjue choked out his promise.

The Zhou Wang looked toward Zhu Zihou and Zhu Zifang and beckoned to them.

The two brothers immediately knelt half beside the bed, just as Zhu Zijin had.

The Zhou Wang felt his spirit growing stronger, even strong enough to grasp all three children's hands, press them together, and pat them gently. "After I'm gone, the three of you must watch over one another. Zijin, you're the eldest—take care of them from now on."

Zhu Zijin agreed.

"Your elder brother has suffered much. If he ever errs or falls short, remind him—don't let yourselves grow distant."

Zhu Zihou and Zhu Zifang nodded repeatedly, tears streaming down their faces.

The Zhou Wang smiled. "Why cry? I'm already content to have lived this long. Zihou, you love making friends, generous and bold—that's good. But you're too soft-hearted. Don't trust people too easily, and drink less alcohol—alcohol harms the body."

Zhu Zihou wept as he promised.

"Zifang, since you love medicine, you'll stay in Zhou Wangfu to study. The ancestral texts and manuscripts left by your grandfather depend on you to carry forward. Your father, uncles, and I—all of us are useless; none of us can inherit your grandfather's legacy."

The Zhou Wang turned to Zhu Zijin.

Zhu Zijin assured him that his younger brother would remain here, everything unchanged—he would obtain whatever his brother needed for study.

The Zhou Wang was satisfied, holding all three hands. "Good, good. I hope the three of you will always cherish brotherly harmony—don't follow the example of us old ones."

The Zhou Wang fell silent, filled with melancholy.

After finishing these instructions, he turned to the Wang Fei.

The Wang Fei wiped the tears from her eyes, stepped forward, and sat beside the bed, taking his outstretched hand.

They remained silent for a long time, simply gazing at each other.

At last, the Zhou Wang sighed. "Wang Fei, I've wronged you. This life has made you suffer."

Gong Shi wept and shook her head. "My Lord has treated me well. I have no regrets."

The Zhou Wang tightened his grip on her hand. "After I'm gone, the Wang Fu is yours. Shi Shi and the others…"

Gong Shi clasped his hands tightly in reply. "My Lord, rest assured—I will care for them, no matter the outcome."

If she could not escape being forced to die with him, she would see them off with dignity. If she somehow escaped, she would still treat them well.

The couple exchanged a glance, both sighing deeply.

Life is too bitter. They had both witnessed sacrifice by burial.

Their thirteenth brother, Zhu Youxi, died at only twenty. At the time, Zhu Youdun and Wang Fei Gong Shi handled the funeral arrangements.

His wife, Zhang Shi, was forced to commit suicide to accompany him in death; her concubines and servants were executed outright to join her. Every time Zhu Youdun recalled it, he shuddered.

How can a human being be treated like livestock, their life and death decided at will?

Even livestock are only killed when useful—that is true stewardship, honoring the Dao of life.

But what purpose does sacrifice by burial serve?

Zhu Youdun admitted he was cowardly and weak—he dared only beg for his own family's exemption, never dared propose abolishing ancestral custom.

Gong Shi, as his wife, knew this well. So she would do her utmost for his greatest concern—though how far she could go, she could not guarantee.

The Ministry of Rites and the Directorate of Ceremonial witnessed Zhu Youdun's final instructions. These matters would later be reported and possibly recorded in the Imperial Clan's registers.

The Zhou Wang's spirit improved further—he rose, ate his favorite foods, and even strolled through the courtyard, basking in the sun for a long while.

Taking advantage of this moment, the Zhou Wang summoned Pan Yun. "I entrust you with ending sacrifice by burial. You must deliver on your word."

"Don't worry—if I don't try, come find me after you're gone."

The Zhou Wang couldn't help laughing. "I'll be dead—how can I come back?"

"The dead have spirit. If you wish to return, you will."

The Zhou Wang: "Good. Then I'll be watching you."

The ten lucky numbers for this chapter are those ending in 6. Screenshot as proof—deadline for screenshots is until the next chapter updates. Add "Jian Zou Pian Feng de Da Ming" and send screenshot to claim prize.

(End of Chapter)