Free Web NovelChapter 989: Chapter 984: Yin and Yang (2)
Zhi clapped his hands: "Yes!" He and Kun exchanged glances and both burst into laughter, as if they had reached a mutual understanding!
"What about your mother if you go to war?" Tong Xihua pouted, "Isn’t she very pitiful."
Zhi froze, then looked towards Xiqiu, who was bowing her head and sewing a cloak on her hands. Hearing this, she lifted her head to look at Zhi, and very seriously raised her eyebrows, as if to say, indeed, Twelfth Aunt is right, if you go to war, what about me? freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"My mother?" Zhi finally showed a troubled expression: "Then I’ll take her with me!"
This time, Xiqiu couldn’t help but burst into laughter, just about to speak when suddenly Lyuzhi hurriedly lifted the curtain and came in, her face looking a bit strange: "Madam!" Xiqiu looked at her and asked, "What’s the matter?"
Lyuzhi thought for a moment and replied: "Someone from the Zhou Family came to report that Fourth Aunt gave birth to a son this morning, both mother and child are safe." Xiqiu was delighted to hear this and was about to speak when Lyuzhi’s tone changed: "However, it’s not looking good for Madam Zhou."
Madam Zhou!
Xiqiu’s heart sank, she asked: "Where is the person who came?" Lyuzhi pointed outside: "It’s Daiju, who is beside Madam Zhou, she’s waiting outside."
"Bring her in." Xiqiu put on her shoes and got off the kang, while the children sat obediently on it without making a sound. When Daiju came in, she was about to kowtow to Xiqiu, but Xiqiu prevented her, urgently asking: "What exactly happened, please explain clearly."
Daiju’s eyes reddened, explaining slowly: "Grand Dowager’s health has not been good, relying entirely on ginseng soup for this half month. I saw she was just hanging on to see the little lord born, finally making it to today. After he was born, she smiled and fainted immediately upon seeing him, and she hasn’t woken up yet." Saying this, she wiped away her tears: "I dare not tell Madam, for fear she..."
Thinking about how Madam Zhou used to be, Xiqiu’s heart also turned sour. Ever since Tong Xiyan married into the Zhou Family, just as she had promised, Madam Zhou treated Tong Xiyan like her own daughter. Now that her mother-in-law is gone, Tong Xiyan will surely be deeply affected, who knows what might happen.
She looked at Daiju and asked: "Who is overseeing matters at home now?" Daiju replied: "Originally, they wanted to ask the First Young Madam, but she is also pregnant, so they asked Madam Ruan, who is currently managing affairs in the residence."
"I will go with you to take a look." Xiqiu was worried about Tong Xiyan and also concerned about Madam Zhou, so she instructed Bihuai to bring her cloak, and told Lyuzhi: "You stay here and watch over the children, later send them to Mr. Ji."
Lyuzhi responded affirmatively, and Xiqiu, along with Daiju and Bihuai, went out the door. As they walked, Xiqiu said: "Call Nanny Rong, perhaps she can be of some help." Bihuai complied and went to call Nanny Rong. The group got on the sedan chair and headed for the Yimen, then boarded a carriage there, braving the wind and snow to the Zhou Residence in the suburbs.
Entering through the gate, Madam Ruan received the news and came out to greet them, her eyes and nose red. She shook her head at Xiqiu: "...it seems there’s no hope."
Xiqiu sighed inwardly: "I’ll go see her." Madam Ruan agreed, and the two went into Madam Zhou’s courtyard.
The courtyard was covered with a layer of snow, too late to sweep, with messy black footprints all over, and servants running around like headless flies, adding to the chaos.
Once she was inside the room, there were already low sobs coming from within. A thick, stone-blue cotton curtain hung down, lifted by a woman, allowing Xiqiu to see the somber-faced Ruan Jingliu and Zhou Bohan, suppressing his tears as he knelt by the bedside. Madam Zhou lay in the soft quilts, not visible, but her intermittent voice could be heard.
Hearing footsteps, Ruan Jingliu turned and saw Xiqiu there, rising to walk over and murmuring in her ear: "The illness is beyond control, go and see her."
Xiqiu and Madam Ruan both had reddened eyes, approaching the bedside together.
Madam Zhou’s high cheekbones protruded, her eye sockets deeply sunken. The once-clear and smiling eyes now no longer focused, cloudy and unfocused. She seemed to hear voices, searching for them, her gaze unfound, but grasped Zhou Bohan’s hand as if giving up: "Han...mother is going...passing on, you must...live well, especially now...with the child, he must...grow wise and responsible..."
"I will remember, mother." Zhou Bohan nodded, holding Madam Zhou’s hand tightly. Her eyes turned vacant, she lightly asked: "Is...Fourth Madam here?"
"Yes!" Xiqiu approached him, speaking softly: "I’m here, you rest well, once you recover, we’ll talk more."
Madam Zhou shook her head weakly: "I...won’t..." struggling to breathe: "Fourth...Madam, you...are good...please in future look...after Bohan and...Xiyan very much..." Pausing: "They...are ignorant...not as steady as you..." Finished, withdrew the hand once in Zhou Bohan’s palm, waving aimlessly: "Fourth...Madam..."
Xiqiu stepped forward to grasp her hand, calming Madam Zhou with a smile: "Xiyan...might not take...this news well...she always...listens...to you...please help...console her."
"Yes, don’t worry, I’ll soon visit Fourth Sister, you rest well." Xiqiu looking at her withered fingers, feeling her own grip, but sensing no strength from them.
Madam Zhou shook her head, her gaze swept the room again searchingly: "Jingliu..." Ruan Jingliu came over without speaking, Madam Zhou responded: "You...must take...care and...eventually return...home...if not..." Unable to finish, she coughed violently.
Xiqiu startled, seeing Zhou Bohan holding Madam Zhou’s frail body: "Mother!" Xiqiu felt the hand in hers slowly loosen.
Madam Ruan used a handkerchief to cover her mouth, weeping woefully.
Xiqiu also turned her head, tears falling discreetly.
Suddenly, Nanny Zhou rushed in without looking, eager to announce: "Young Master, Madam got up and insists on coming!"
Everyone was shocked, Tong Xiyan had just given birth, outside was freezing.
