Chapter 1664: Chapter 1664: Fear
Zhou Shuren pulled his wife down to sit, "Of course it’s true. The printed books have already been sent to private schools in the capital. The Emperor’s idea is to first promote it in the capital before the end of the year and then send it to other states after the New Year."
Zhulan, "I thought we had to wait for the village transformation before it would be promoted."
"Are you happy?"
"I am, indeed."
Zhou Shuren was also pleased. When the Emperor told him in the afternoon, he felt as if the oppressive dark sky had lightened up.
After dinner, the couple talked about education, discussed many things, and Zhulan even took notes. Now that they’re old, their memory isn’t as sharp, so they jot down what’s important.
At bedtime, Zhulan held Shuren’s hand, "You’re still too thin. Your hands are all dried up."
Zhou Shuren pinched his wife’s plump hand, leaving a dent with one squeeze, and fell silent.
Zhulan opened her eyes, "Why aren’t you speaking?"
"What should I say?"
Zhulan, "Never mind, you just can’t gain weight."
Zhou Shuren touched the wrinkles on his face. Being too thin isn’t good either, makes him look much older than his wife, "Let’s sleep."
Zhulan was too happy today to fall asleep, "Shall we chat a bit more?"
Zhou Shuren didn’t want to discuss weight issues, "Chat about what?"
Zhulan whispered, "With age, I sometimes wonder if when we die, we’ll go back?"
Zhou Shuren hadn’t thought about this for a long time, "Do you want to go back?"
"I do. I haven’t even gotten married there."
Zhou Shuren chuckled softly, "You’re already a great-grandmother!"
Zhulan said cheerfully, "Modern times are different."
Zhou Shuren held his wife’s hand tightly, "Then I’ll marry you again."
Zhulan smiled with her eyes curved, "That won’t be easy."
Zhou Shuren’s lips turned into a slight smile. He must marry her again. That evening, the couple cherished memories of modern life, speaking for a long time.
The next day, Zhulan’s mood turned sour after reading the letters from home. Lady Li’s father had passed, and her mother followed shortly. She mumbled, "They were in good health, how could one illness take them both?"
Lady Li was also stunned upon receiving the news, her hands trembling as she held the letter. The eldest Zhou hurriedly supported his wife.
Zhulan calculated the ages. Lady Li’s parents were in their late sixties, close to seventy, considered long-lived in ancient times. They labored in the fields their whole life, leaving their health poor, but they lived long enough to enjoy their later years.
Lady Li was already crying aloud but hadn’t mentioned a desire to return home. Her parents were already buried, going back would be too late.
Hearing Lady Li’s sobs made Zhulan feel sorrowful as well, even though she had called her eldest son and daughter-in-law for a chat. They were just happy moments ago, "The letter says, the in-laws left with smiles."
Lady Li felt even more distraught, tears continuously flowing, "They were supposed to be healthy!"
Zhulan asked, "Do you want to go back for the memorial?"
Lady Li silently shed tears, after a while she said, "As a daughter-in-law, I want to donate incense money for them at the temple."
Zhulan nodded, "Alright."
In ancient times, it was too difficult to be a woman married far away, especially now in winter, making the journey back even harder.
Lady Li cried for a while, lost her energy, then got up to return to her courtyard.
Zhulan sat by the window in silence. It’s natural for people to think about themselves, and she did quite naturally until her legs went numb, snapping her back to reality.
The Hou Residence was already in mourning attire due to the death of Rong Yushang, so the first house didn’t need to change clothes.
The next day, except for the children like Wen Yue who couldn’t go out, everyone else from the first house went to the temple and only returned after it got dark in the afternoon. Shortly after their return, Lady Li fell ill.
Recently, Lady Li had been frail, and losing her parents took a heavy toll, causing her illness to come fiercely. Her high fever repeatedly frightened everyone in the first house.
That night, Zhulan couldn’t rest well; in her drowsiness, she constantly had Qing Xue keep an eye on things. In the morning, she received news of Lady Li’s fever subsiding.
After breakfast, Zhulan went to check on Lady Li. She lay in bed, with her eldest son personally feeding her congee, gently coaxing, "Even if you don’t feel like it, have a little."
Zhulan saw clearly that her eldest son was scared, his eyes bloodshot, having likely cried in secret.
Lady Li, feeling awful all over, heard her mother-in-law’s voice and nervously said, "Mother, don’t come too close to avoid catching it."
Her parents had died of illness; she was truly frightened.
The eldest Zhou put down the bowl and got up, "Mother, I’m here for her, please don’t worry."
Zhulan saw Lady Li already pulled the blanket over her head, feeling warmth in her heart, nodded to her son, and then turned to leave the bedroom. After a short while, the eldest Zhou came out with a bowl, and seeing the half-eaten congee, Zhulan felt relieved.
The eldest Zhou said, "I’ve worried you, mother."
Zhulan, "You should also get some rest."
The eldest Zhou’s face broke into a faint smile, "Yes."
Mother and son chatted for a few more moments. Then Ran Wan and Lau Jia came over, so the daughters-in-law could take care of matters, allowing the eldest Zhou to rest briefly.
Zhulan left the main house and saw Lady Zhao and Su Xuan approaching together, "Your elder sister-in-law just had some medicine and is resting."
Lady Zhao, "Then we’ll come by in the afternoon."
Su Xuan stepped forward to support her mother-in-law, "Mother, let me escort you back."
"Alright."
In the evening, Zhou Shuren rushed back anxiously. Seeing his wife was fine, his worried heart finally calmed, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere today?"
Zhulan, "No, I’m quite well."
The eldest was worried she might catch something, so the doctor checked her pulse, and she’s in good health.
Zhou Shuren, "This year is not a good year."
For the Zhou Hou Residence, it is indeed not.
Zhulan, "Yes, indeed it’s not good this year."
Because Lady Li was sick, the Zhou Hou Residence became quieter, rejecting all invitations sent to the residence.
Chang Xhong also stopped going out, staying with his mother all day. Zhulan understood her son’s fear, having faced consecutive deaths, he feared losing his parents as well.
Zhulan put down the book in her hand, "You don’t need to stay with your mother."
Chang Xhong couldn’t suppress his inner worry. He didn’t perceive his parents as old in his subconscious. He always thought they’d be there to see him get married, have children, and live a long life. Looking at the white hair on his mother’s head, "Mother, I want to be with you."
Now he faces the reality of his parents’ aging, fear gripping him, and dreaming of it every night these days.
Zhulan chuckled, "Your father and I are in good health, we will definitely see you married and having children."
Chang Xhong got up and rested his head on his mother’s lap, "I wish for you and father to always be with me."
Zhulan stroked her son’s head. There’s no forever, asking, "Have you thought about what kind of girl you want to marry?"
Next year Yu Die comes of age, and her son isn’t young anymore.
Chang Xhong mumbled, "If you and father like her, then I will too."
Zhulan was surprised, "Don’t you want to find someone you like?"
Chang Xhong shook his head. Right now, his parents mattered most to him, "I trust your and father’s judgment."
Zhulan chuckled. Her son was still young, and thinking for her son’s sake, she and Shuren must strive to live long.
Qing Xue entered, "Master Zhuo sent an invitation to the young master."
Chang Xhong raised his head, "Why would he send me an invitation?"
He took the invitation, "An art appreciation invitation?"
Zhulan took it over, "I heard from your fourth brother that Zhuo Guyu bought a painting by Gu Sheng."
Chang Xhong really hadn’t paid attention, and since Gu Sheng entered the Hanlin Academy, he had less contact with Gu Sheng, knowing that his fourth brother was around, "Zhuo Guyu wouldn’t appreciate Gu Sheng’s artwork, would he?"
Zhulan, "I heard from your father that recently Gu Sheng has been visiting the palace often."
Chang Xhong mused, "I will attend."
Then he summoned his personal young servant and instructed him to find out if the future prince consort was also invited.