The elderly lady, deep in her slumber, felt her hand being grasped by another pair of strong hands.
Those hands, from galloping through the snowy night on horseback, were now damp and burning hot.
She slowly opened her eyes, gradually making out the figure of the person holding her hand. Her dim eyes suddenly brightened.
"Grandmother! Grandmother! Your unfilial grandson has returned late—"
Pei You'an knelt by the bed, calling out repeatedly, gripping her hand tightly as if trying to transfer all his strength to her through that touch.
The old lady stared fixedly at his face for a moment before her gaze slowly shifted, as if searching for something. Finally spotting Jiafu nearby, she showed a look of relief and motioned for her to come closer.
Suppressing her tears, Jiafu approached and knelt beside Pei You'an.
The old lady withdrew her hand and, with great effort, raised her arm to grasp Jiafu's hand, placing it into Pei You'an's palm.
Footsteps hurried in from behind. Pei Quan, Madam Xin, Second Madam, Pei Xiuzhi, Pei Xiuluo, Zhou Jiao'e, the wet nurse carrying Quan Ge, and various female relatives who had been keeping vigil upon hearing the news of the old lady's declining health all arrived one after another, filling the room.
The old lady's eyes passed over each sorrowful face before finally resting on Jiafu and Pei You'an. After gazing at them intently for a moment, she suddenly gave a light pat to their overlapping hands, a faint smile appearing on her lips as she slowly closed her eyes, her expression peaceful.
After a brief silence, someone behind them began to weep, and soon the entire room was filled with wails, rising and falling in waves.
Jiafu felt the hand pressing on hers gradually grow cold. Tears welling up, she turned to look at Pei You'an beside her.
He was staring fixedly at the old lady lying peacefully on the pillow, his eyes bloodshot. For a long time, he didn't even blink, his figure as if frozen by the icy world outside.
...
The news of the Duke of Wei's mother's passing was sent out that very night. While the household was still mourning, the Pei family's stewards had already erected mourning structures at the main gate and set up tents. Before the fourth watch, the mourning hall was prepared, complete with Buddhist and Taoist rites. By the fifth watch, Pei You'an and Pei Quan had reported their mourning leave to the Ministry of Rites. Condolence visitors from the Duke of Zhu's residence, Anyuan Marquis House, Liu Jiushao, and others arrived in plain attire to pay their respects, with the filial sons and grandsons receiving them while the womenfolk mourned behind curtains. The imperial court also sent offerings, with Li Yuangui personally conveying the emperor's condolences.
The funeral arrangements for the old lady were conducted with utmost solemnity, stirring the entire capital. During the days her coffin remained in the house, mourners came in an endless stream day and night. Pei You'an and Pei Quan handled external affairs while Madam Xin and Second Madam managed internal matters. The younger generation, including Jiafu and Zhou Jiao'e, kept vigil and mourned daily. After seven days and nights, the coffin was moved to Cien Temple for continued rites, to be buried after forty-nine days of prayers to dispel misfortune and sins.In the nearly half year since Pei You'an left the capital, Jiafu had been tending to the elderly madam and had already grown thinner. After this great mourning, she was utterly exhausted. On the night of the funeral, there was still one final ritual to be performed at home before the mourning period could truly end. Madam Xin and Second Madam were initially present but were gradually called away by the stewardesses. As night fell, Zhou Jiao'e, unable to endure any longer, quietly slipped away first. In the end, only Jiafu remained. When half the ritual was completed, she rose from her kneeling position and suddenly felt dizzy, swaying slightly. Tanxiang, standing nearby, hurriedly steadied her and turned to call for a stool, only to see Pei You'an stride in quickly and grasp Jiafu's arm.
Jiafu steadied herself, slowly opened her eyes, and seeing Pei You'an looking at her with concern, she whispered, "I'm fine. I must have knelt too long, and my circulation is a bit off. Moving around will help."
Pei You'an glanced at her pale face and said, "Let's go. I'll take you back to your room."
Jiafu shook her head. "There's still half the ritual left..."
Pei You'an turned and instructed the stewardess beside him to have Madam Xin send someone else to oversee the remaining rites. Then, he led Jiafu out.
Jiafu fell silent and followed him quietly back to the rear courtyard, entering the compound where they resided. As they reached the bedroom door, Pei You'an pushed it open. Jiafu stepped inside, but her legs were weak, and her foot caught on the threshold, causing her to stumble forward.
Pei You'an caught her by the waist and, under the gaze of the servants behind them, lifted her into his arms and carried her swiftly into the inner chamber.
How long had it been since they had been this close?
In recent days, though Pei Quan had nominally been handling affairs, within two days, he claimed to be overwhelmed by grief and fell ill, leaving almost all external matters to Pei You'an, who acted as the eldest grandson in place of the deceased eldest son. During the day, he was exceptionally busy, and Jiafu hardly caught a glimpse of him. At night, either Jiafu kept vigil alone or he returned to their room, closing his eyes briefly before rising at the fourth watch to arrange the next day's affairs. This had been the routine for the seven or eight days since his return. Counting carefully, the two had barely exchanged more than a few words.
Pei You'an carried her into the inner chamber, laid her on the pillow, helped her remove her outer garments, and pulled the quilt over her. Finally, he leaned down, plucked a plain white mourning flower from her hair, tossed it aside, and gently brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. "You've worked hard these days. Sleep now," he said.
His cheeks were hollow, the bloodshot veins in his eyes still unrelieved, and his voice hoarse.
After speaking, he rose and turned to leave.
Last night, he had kept vigil until dawn. The night before, he had returned to their room at the third watch and risen before the fourth.
Jiafu reached out and lightly tugged his sleeve. When he turned back, she said, "Eldest Cousin, I want you to sleep with me."
Pei You'an paused, then nodded. "Alright." He removed his outer robe, climbed onto the bed, and pulled her into his arms. Closing his eyes, he murmured, "Sleep."
Jiafu clung to him and whispered, "Eldest Cousin, if you're grieving, you can tell me. It might ease your heart to share it."Pei You'an's eyelashes fluttered slightly as he slowly opened his eyes. After gazing at her for a moment, he smiled faintly and gently patted her back in reassurance. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. You're tired, go to sleep now. I won't be entertaining guests tonight—I'll stay with you. Rest easy."
Jiafu studied him for a few moments before finally murmuring a soft "Alright" and closing her eyes.
She felt the man beside her tuck the quilt more snugly around her shoulders, then draw her slightly closer into his embrace.
Obediently, she nestled her face against his chest.
Soon, exhaustion crashed over her like a tidal wave, and she fell into a deep sleep.
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