“Your Majesty has spoken with golden words. This old woman thanks you on behalf of my eldest grandson.”
Madam Pei sat upright. Seeing this, Xiao Lie reached out to help her, but she gently pushed his hand away.
Leaning on the edge of the bed, she slowly got up and finally knelt down, bowing with all five parts of her body to the ground, showing the utmost respect to the emperor before her. She remained in that position for a long time without rising.
Xiao Lie stood frozen, staring intently at that silver-haired head bowed to the floor.
He opened his mouth, as if wanting to ask something more, but in the end said nothing. After a long moment, he simply turned slowly, his steps heavy and reluctant, and walked out one step at a time, his figure finally disappearing behind the doorway.
Madam Pei remained prostrate on the ground. In the inner chamber, only the candle flames flickered, and silence reigned.
Behind the green gauze screen, Jiafu’s palms and back were drenched in cold sweat. She stared at Madam Pei’s hunched form, afraid the emperor might return at any moment, not daring to step out.
A while later, with the sound of approaching footsteps, Madam Pei’s sons and daughters-in-law, including Lady Xin of the Pei family, came rushing in. Seeing the old matriarch still kneeling on the ground, they hurried forward to lift her and lay her back down on the bed. Her complexion was ashen, and some fed her water while others rubbed her back.
The old woman opened her eyes and said, “Just now, I merely spoke with His Majesty of some childhood memories of his. His Majesty told me to rest well and not to worry. Nothing more. I’m a bit tired now, and you’ve all worked hard these days. Eldest daughter-in-law, you stay — I have a few words to leave with you. The rest may go and get some rest.”
Lady Xin paused for a moment, then answered softly.
The second daughter-in-law glanced at her, showing a faintly puzzled and reluctant expression, but dared not ask anything. She ultimately followed Pei Quan and the others out, leaving the room one by one.
Only Lady Xin remained by the bedside. Seeing that Madam Pei said nothing for some time, she grew slightly uneasy. After some hesitation, she stepped forward and said, “Mother-in-law, you asked me to stay. Is there something you wish to instruct?”
Madam Pei reached under her pillow and pulled out a key, handing it over. “Go open that cabinet and take out the box inside.”
Lady Xin took the key with a puzzled heart, opened a gold-painted cabinet by the wall that was secured with a brass lock, and saw a small, aged sandalwood box inside. It felt heavy in her hands as she brought it back to the bedside.
Madam Pei told her to open it.
Lady Xin did so and found another golden case inside. She didn’t dare touch it further and looked up at Madam Pei.
“Open it.”
Lady Xin carefully opened the golden case and, recognizing what was inside, was shocked. She looked up and asked, “Mother-in-law, this is…”
“This is an iron pledge and cinnabar document granted by the Taizu Emperor at the founding of the dynasty to his meritorious ministers. It was split in two and placed in a golden case — one half given to the recipient, the other kept in the ancestral temple. It can pardon a capital offense or be used to request restoration of rank or title. Only four were ever granted, and the Pei family received one of them. Now that I’m nearing the end, I have nothing else to leave behind. This is for the second son. You take it. If the noble title must be reclaimed one day, presenting this at the right moment might yet revive it.”
Lady Xin froze, hand hovering in midair, clearly torn between eagerness and hesitation.
Madam Pei closed her eyes and said no more.
Lady Xin slowly reached out for the case, but just as she touched it, Madam Pei’s eyes suddenly opened again. Lady Xin’s hand trembled and she instinctively pulled back.
Madam Pei fixed her gaze on her. “I know you’ve harbored resentment and grievances over the years. Now that I am leaving, let me give you one last word — the final insight of my life. In this world, human plans never match Heaven’s. Let it end here. If you continue to be blinded by obsession, then even if our ancestors had left behind ten such iron pledges, I fear they’d still bring no blessing.”
Lady Xin’s face flushed deep red. She stood silently for a long time, then knelt and gave the old woman a deep bow, hugged the box tightly, and hurried away.
The candlelight flickered. A small spark burst with a soft pop.
“Come out,” came the voice of the Old Madam.
Jiafu finally stepped out from behind the silk screen. She slowly approached the bedside, where the Old Madam was half-lying, half-sitting, gazing at her with a faint smile. Jiafu’s heart surged with emotion, and she knelt by the bed, clutching the Old Madam’s hand tightly, her voice low and tearful as she called, “Grandmother…” Her eyes immediately welled with tears.
The Old Madam’s fingers were ice cold, but her palm was burning hot. “All these years, I’ve worried most about You’an. But now, with you here, I can finally set my heart at ease.”
“Grandmother will live to a hundred,” Jiafu said, her grip firm, “Ahfu and my husband still need your guidance…”
She could no longer hold back the tears. They streamed down as her voice choked.
The Old Madam gave a faint smile. “Silly child. Everyone must go one day. I’ve lived to this age, enjoyed all the blessings this world could offer. As long as you’re both well, I can leave without regret.”
Jiafu kept shaking her head, tears falling like rain.
The Old Madam turned her hand over, tightly grasping Jiafu’s. “You’an’s origins… if he were to find out one day, with his nature, I fear he’d never come to terms with it. If possible, I would rather he never knew. I shouldn’t burden you with this, but husband and wife are one. I must entrust him to you. If one day this truth brings him suffering, you must look after him for me—never leave his side, no matter what. Understand?”
The Old Madam’s expression had turned grave.
Jiafu wiped her tears and knelt solemnly at the bedside. “Grandmother, rest assured. I will do everything I can to remain by his side for life, never leaving him.”
A trace of a smile reappeared at the Old Madam’s lips. “Then I am at peace…”
She seemed weary. With those words, her eyelids drooped shut, and she sank into a deep sleep.
…
That night, amid heavy snowfall, the snow on the ground had already reached ankle depth.
At the western gates of the capital, soldiers huddled around a brazier, warming themselves and grumbling about the bitter cold. Suddenly, one of the watchmen called out, “Someone’s coming!”
They all gathered to look. Sure enough, through the whirling snow on the dark road leading from the west, a group of riders galloped swiftly toward the city. Snowflakes burst like shattered jade under their hooves. Moments later, they reached the gate.
“Is that Lord Pei returning?” shouted the gate officer, who had been instructed from above to watch for his return.
“It is!”
A retainer raised an official token and tossed it up. The officer caught it, verified its authenticity, and quickly ordered the gate opened.
The group passed through and headed toward the Pei residence.
…
Several days had passed since the emperor’s visit.
During this time, Jiafu never left the Old Madam’s side—day and night she stayed by her, only napping briefly on a bed behind the screen when exhaustion took her. Truly, she never took off her clothes or shoes.
When the imperial physician had told her that the Old Madam would not survive the winter, she had written to Pei You’an, despite the Old Madam’s prior request not to, fearing it would distract him from his duties. But the situation had changed.
To let him see his grandmother one last time—Jiafu felt this was just as important as any official matter.
The Old Madam had not been able to eat for days, surviving only on tonic soup, and sleeping through most of the time. Jiafu understood: she was holding on, waiting for Pei You’an.
On this snowy winter night, where had that long-awaited traveler gone?
Jiafu stood by the window, forehead resting against the cold wooden lattice, gazing into the falling snow, lost in thought. Suddenly, the sound of rapid footsteps crunching through the snow reached her ears, followed by an excited voice from a maid in the courtyard: “The young master has returned!”
Jiafu’s heart leapt. Blood surged through her as she turned and rushed out. Just as she reached the outer room, the door curtain was lifted—and there he was.
Pei You’an had truly come home.
Snow blanketed his shoulders, clinging to his hair and brows. His eyes were red, bloodshot, and his body radiated cold, as if he’d just climbed out of an ice pit.
“Cousin—!”
Jiafu’s voice broke as she called out. She stood still before him, eyes misted.
Pei You’an didn’t pause. He strode forward, pulling her into his arms. He lowered his head and placed a quick kiss, still carrying the chill of snow, on her forehead. Then he whispered, “Don’t be afraid. I’m back.”
He gave her a tight embrace, then released her.
“Where’s Grandmother?”
“Inside!”
Swallowing her emotions, Jiafu led the way. Pei You’an followed, hurrying into the inner room.
Comments
Post a Comment
We appreciate your comments! However please keep them user-friendly. Thank you!