Chapter 57: Reliance

Yun gently helped her mother up, settling her against the wall. Her mother held the sheepskin scroll in her hands, utterly perplexed, and then spoke to the two of them, “I don’t know why this map is only half complete—perhaps your father feared I’d be caught, and that the whole map would fall into the hands of villains. From what I can see, the location shown on the map should be in the State of Chen. If one day you have the chance, you could take Gou Ye and travel together to Chen, to see if you might learn the whereabouts of the other half of the map. But if there is any danger, the two of you must pretend this half of the map never existed. Live your lives in peace, do you understand?”

Both Gou Ye and Yun nodded. At this, Gou Ye asked, “Mother, was it the Prime Minister of Chen who was responsible for Yun’s father’s death?”

Yun’s mother, hearing this, gripped Gou Ye’s hand in agitation and replied, “Yes and no. Too many people were involved in this matter. I want you both to promise me: never seek revenge for your father, act as if none of this ever happened, and just live your lives peacefully. Promise me, don’t pursue vengeance.”

Yun sat at the bedside, her sorrow rekindled after a brief moment of calm. She nodded through her tears, agreeing to her mother’s plea. “Mother, we promise you, we will not seek revenge.”

Gou Ye echoed her words, but in his heart, another thought took root: no matter who was behind the tragedy that tore Yun’s family apart, if ever he gained the strength, he would see justice done for her family.

Yun’s mother placed the items in their hands. After so much talk, she was deeply fatigued. With Yun tending to her, she gradually drifted to sleep. Yun dared not leave her mother’s side, while Gou Ye, taking the sheepskin scroll Yun had given him, returned to his own room, turning the scroll over and over in his hands.

A fortune to rival a nation’s—such wealth was beyond imagination. Yun’s father must have been an extraordinary figure: a genius in commerce, able to reform state policies, achieving such glory at a young age. The more Gou Ye thought of him, the more intrigued he became, feeling a strange sense of kinship, as if something resonated within him. Stroking the sheepskin scroll, he vowed silently that one day, he would journey to Chen and uncover the truth.

After hiding the scroll in his secret compartment, Gou Ye made his way to the dining hall. According to Physician Hua, everyone now knew of Yun’s mother’s condition, and the house had fallen into a heavy silence.

“Dali, hitch up the carriage and take Physician Hua back to the governor’s residence. And while you’re at it, buy the medicines prescribed by Physician Hua.” Dali answered at once and hurried out to prepare.

Seeing the helpless look on Physician Hua’s face, Gou Ye stepped forward and bowed to express his gratitude. “Physician Hua, you’ve troubled yourself for us. Whether or not my mother can be cured, I hope you’ll keep searching for a way. Even if… even if she cannot be saved, I hope you can at least prolong her days, so we may be together a little longer.”

Physician Hua nodded, his voice full of earnest gravity. “Your filial devotion has not escaped my notice. I will do my utmost when I return, but I must tell you plainly: in her current state, even with medicine, it would be a blessing if the madam lasts ten more days.”

“Ten days?” Gou Ye was startled. He’d hardly dared hope for a cure, but had not expected even a reprieve would be so short.

“That’s right, ten days—if things go well. Her pulmonary illness has already affected other parts of the body, and her pulse is thoroughly disordered. Still, I will do everything possible. In this time, she must not be angered, agitated, or distressed—such emotions will only worsen her illness and shorten her days. I implore you to remember this, Master Gou.”

Gou Ye promised to heed the doctor’s words, escorting him personally to the carriage. Before he left, Gou Ye instructed Dali, “When you’re in town, besides buying medicine, hire a maid to care for my mother. We are all men here, and it would be improper and inconvenient for us to tend to her. I don’t want Yun to wear herself out, either. Also, buy bedding, quilts, and household supplies—don’t be stingy, get only the best. Here’s fifty taels. If it’s not enough, borrow more from Gu Shen.”

Noticing the scholar still inside and yet to be settled, Gou Ye quickly told the Gu brothers to clean out the attic’s side room, reminding them to keep their movements light and quiet.

“Scholar, as you can see, this is our situation. My mother is gravely ill, so I won’t trouble you with arrangements today. You’ve brought your own things; if you need anything, just ask the Gu brothers. Once they’ve finished tidying, you may rest in your room. I’ll call for you if anything comes up.”

Seeing Gou Ye so downcast, the scholar quickly replied, “Manager, don’t worry about me. With the Gu brothers, I’ll make do just fine. You must take care of yourself; don’t let grief ruin your health. This whole household is depending on you.”

Gou Ye managed a faint smile and left the scholar to his own devices.

Word of Yun’s mother’s illness had spread through the village; one by one, the villagers came to offer their sympathies. The entrance was piled high with tokens of goodwill: eggs, wild fowl, fruit, vegetables of all kinds. But to avoid disturbing Yun’s mother, Gou Ye did not allow visitors to see her, accepting their gifts and passing on their well wishes. Only the village chief was permitted inside for a visit. Seeing Yun’s mother so frail, and Yun herself so pitiable, Chief Li could not help but shed tears.

At this point, it was not just Yun’s mother who needed care, but also Yun herself, whose eyes were swollen and red from crying. Though a maid had been hired, Yun insisted on tending to her mother herself, never leaving her side, weeping all the while—her once bright, clear eyes now painfully swollen.

Gou Ye’s heart ached at the sight. He cooked a bowl of noodles for Yun, but she would not eat. Only after his repeated urging did she finally agree to step outside for a walk. The two sat together in the dining hall, Yun leaning against Gou Ye’s chest, whispering, “Brother Gou Ye, I’m afraid. I’m afraid something will happen to Mother, that she’ll leave me.”

Seeing the depth of her sorrow, Gou Ye fought back his own tears, smiling as he patted her shoulder in comfort. “Don’t be afraid, Yun. I’m here. I’ll do everything I can to help Mother recover.”

“Brother Gou Ye, Mother has raised me since I was little. I’ve never left her side—I’ve only ever had her. Now I’m truly terrified, afraid that my only family will leave me, that I’ll be left all alone.”

“Silly girl, how could you ever be alone? Though we’re not yet married, our lives are already bound together, and I am your family now as well. No matter what happens in the future, whatever may come, you can always rely on me.”