Good Ending: She Swears She Will Not Let Him Die!

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Miao’s illness had mostly improved. At last, she wasn’t bedridden every day and was able to walk around Shuifu Garden.

For the family gathering during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Xia Anxin sought Miao’s advice.

Miao guided her carefully and inquired about the details of the feast.

Quan Yin felt discontent with Xia Anxin for troubling Miao during her illness.

Liao did not involve herself in the family’s affairs. After much deliberation with the Jiang family, they finally set the wedding date for November 7th. Liao was so delighted that she couldn’t stop smiling, wishing she could close her eyes and open them to find it already the wedding day.

Xia Anxin, on the other hand, was worried.

The dates of Du Yunlan’s wedding and Du Yunluo’s coming-of-age ceremony were too close. Both were significant occasions, clashing with each other and causing chaos within the household.

Fortunately, with Miao as the anchor, Xia Anxin still felt somewhat secure.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the mansion was bustling with excitement.

A banquet was held in the Flower Hall, and a flowing feast was set beneath the veranda. Du Gongfu and Mrs. Xia were in high spirits, filling the feast with laughter and joy.

After the banquet concluded, Du Yunluo assisted Mrs. Zhen as they returned to Qinghui Garden with Du Huaixi.

The moonlight was bright, casting a silvery glow over the ground. The golden osmanthus in the garden was in bloom, filling the autumn breeze with its fragrance.

Mrs. Zhen chatted cheerfully with Du Yunluo. Suddenly, she paused, raising her hand to rub her eyes.

"Mother?" Du Yunluo looked up at Mrs. Zhen.

Mrs. Zhen frowned and said, "My eyelid won’t stop twitching. I’m feeling uneasy."

Du Yunluo reassured her, "Mother, it might be the night breeze causing it."

Mrs. Zhen nodded and said no more.

Three days later, an urgent message arrived from Tong City. As Mrs. Zhen opened the letter, she nearly burst into tears on the spot.

Du Yunluo leaned over to take a look, feeling her heart skip a beat.

The letter stated that Old Master Zhen had too much to drink on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. He accidentally fell and lost consciousness. Several doctors were called, and all of them expressed concern, advising the family to prepare for the worst.

Du Yunluo was astonished.

She suddenly recalled the scene when she saw Old Master Zhen last year. Her grandfather was so kind, sharing amusing stories of bird-rearing with her, and genuinely caring for her. Because of the trouble caused by Zhen Wenqian, her grandfather had fallen ill with anger.

By the sickbed, Old Master Zhen had said he understood the hardships Du Yunluo faced. Although he couldn’t help her at the moment, he promised to give her an account one day.

Remembering those words brought tears to Du Yunluo’s eyes.

She was only a granddaughter, and the time she spent with Old Master Zhen was less than a month altogether. Yet Zhen Wenqian was the legitimate eldest grandson, raised under Old Master Zhen’s watchful eye. Despite the difference in closeness, Old Master Zhen still took her side.

She knew Old Master Zhen was aging and that day would come, but she hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

Particularly, in her past life, Old Master Zhen had lived for several more years, but Du Yunluo didn’t know if such a message had ever been sent from Tong City then.

If Old Master Zhen’s illness was unique to this lifetime, could he survive?

Mrs. Zhen read the letter three times over, then stood up abruptly and stumbled towards Lianfu Garden.

Du Yunluo immediately followed her.

Mrs. Xia was playing majiang with a few maids when she saw Mrs. Zhen and Du Yunluo enter with red eyes, startling her: "What has happened? Yunluo, come sit by your grandmother. If anything is wrong, just tell your grandfather."

Du Yunluo hugged Mrs. Xia, sobbing: "Grandmother, my grandfather is not well. The doctors say they fear he won’t make it."

Mrs. Xia’s face went pale. The elderly are often most moved and respectful of life and death.

Upon learning of the situation, Mrs. Xia sighed and shook her head, saying: "Huaili’s wife, quickly pack your things. Let Huaili request leave, and you both return to Tong City. If he can get through this, it will be a great joy. But if he truly can’t, at least see him one last time."

Mrs. Zhen nodded with tears rolling down her cheeks.

When Du Gongfu returned and heard that his fellow bird-rearing in-law was in poor health, he stood leaning on his cane for a long time, then said: "Yun Ru is pregnant and can’t travel, so take Yunluo. Stop by the academy to pick up Yun Di and head back quickly."

Mrs. Zhen, her eyes brimming with tears, knew Mrs. Xia would certainly allow her and Du Yunluo to return. However, she hadn’t expected Du Gongfu to agree to pick up Du Yundi.

Du Gongfu limped over to sit by the Arhat Bed, saying: "Filial piety, loyalty, faith, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame are taught not just for him to achieve fame, but more importantly, to be a good person."

Mrs. Zhen lowered her eyes, knowing this was a lesson for Du Yundi and a reminder for every junior member of the family.

Returning to Tong City was decided, and Mrs. Zhen was busy arranging people to pack. In the rush, there was no need to prepare gifts. When Miao heard about it, she had Mrs. Shen Changgen open the storeroom to gather valuable medicinal herbs, saying that while she didn’t know which medicine was needed, it was better to be over-prepared.

Early the next morning, the carriage departed from Du Mansion, heading for Tong City.

This journey was much faster than last year. They didn’t dare delay along the way. With increased speed, the ride became quite bumpy, but Du Yunluo, preoccupied with thoughts of Old Master Zhen, did not get motion sick.

Arriving at Lishan Academy, Du Yundi appeared puzzled. If they were to celebrate Old Mrs. Hou’s birthday, it seemed too early.

Upon hearing that Old Master Zhen was unwell, Du Yundi was shocked. He hurriedly had Si Shui pack a couple of clothes and quickly boarded the carriage.

Even with this urgent pace, Mrs. Zhen was filled with anxiety the entire way.

Previously, she had thought the capital and Tong City were not far apart, taking only eight to nine days by carriage. But when faced with an emergency, even eight or nine days felt too long, even a single day seemed too lengthy.

With this in mind, Mrs. Zhen felt fortunate that both girls had married into families in the capital. If anything happened, she could reach them within an hour with a single sedan chair.

Finally, they entered Tong City and arrived at the Zhen Mansion.

Upon hearing that Madam and Master Gu had returned, the gatekeeper hurriedly announced their presence inside.

Du Yunluo supported Mrs. Zhen off the carriage and they made their way to Yanxi Hall. Seeing that no white lanterns were hung at the entrance, they breathed a little easier, knowing that regardless of whether Old Master Zhen could be saved, at least they made it in time to see him one last time.

Midway, they encountered Mrs. Wang, who had come out to greet them. She took Mrs. Zhen’s hand, asking: "Did Sixth Sister come back as soon as she received the letter?"

Seeing her family, Mrs. Zhen’s eyes turned red as she urgently asked: "Second Sister-in-law, how is Father really doing?"

Mrs. Wang sighed, explaining as they walked: "He woke up three days ago, but..."

Upon hearing that he woke up, Mrs. Zhen felt a moment of joy, but the first "but" made her joy disappear instantly. Her lips quivered, and she held tightly onto Mrs. Wang’s hand.

Mrs. Wang said, "The doctor mentioned it’s paralysis; he can only be nurtured."

Mrs. Zhen’s legs weakened, nearly causing her to collapse to the ground. Fortunately, Mrs. Wang and Du Yunluo supported her from either side.

Paralysis isn’t immediately life-threatening once consciousness is regained. However, especially after a recent episode, any overlook could be fatal. Even if managed, it’s only maintained, and whether he could sit up or walk again remains uncertain.

All daily needs would require care. One or two months is manageable, but for a longer period...

Mrs. Zhen dared not think further.