Chapter Nineteen: The Sole Master

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Right! The concubine!
Zhou Yushi’s eyes were bloodshot, radiating a fierce cruelty.
“What about the concubine? Bring her here! Let her accompany my son in death!”
That was it! It was all because of his son’s death, all because of this concubine, that their household was thrown into chaos!
“Hurry up!”
The steward received the order and immediately took two servants to apprehend her.
Yang Yin’s body trembled involuntarily, her emotions in turmoil.
Zhou Wenjin stepped forward to scrutinize Zhou Shi carefully, then called over a servant to inquire further.
He still found it hard to believe.
Zhou Shi had just been arguing with them moments ago, demanding benefits; would he really go to such lengths as to seek death?
If he intended to use death as a threat, would he truly die? Commit suicide for love? He didn’t think his nephew was that kind of person!
“Have you been watching outside all this time? Didn’t you notice anything unusual about the eldest son?”
The two servants trembled like sieves; they hadn’t expected the eldest son to die so quickly!
At this moment, they were unsure whether to reveal that the eldest son had originally intended to threaten with death.
If they said so, wouldn’t it mean his death was because they were too slow?
One servant gritted his teeth, “After the eldest son entered the study, he said he was troubled and told me to keep my distance!”
The other servant said, “By the time I sensed something was wrong, the eldest son had already hanged himself. I cut him down and then went to find Madam and Sir.”
Yang Yin’s eyes flickered slightly but she said nothing.
“That’s right! The eldest son had been murmuring about ‘The Butterfly Lovers’ and ‘Transformation into Butterflies’ these past few days, crying as he recited.” one servant added.
“Accursed child!” Zhou Yushi shakily stood up, his whole body trembling.
He actually died for love!
Pointing at the man lying on the ground, he cursed, “Useless wretch! To care so little for filial piety over some concubine!”
“Father!” a childish voice, tinged with sobs, came from outside the door.
“Brother He,” Yang Yin snapped back to reality and hurriedly embraced her son.
Seeing her son’s tear-streaked face, Yang Yin’s sorrow welled up, her tears falling more earnestly.
“The eldest brother was so ruthless! To leave us, a grieving widow and orphan…”
Yang Yin choked back her words and broke down completely.
Originally, Zhou Wenjin had been scrutinizing his niece-in-law with a critical eye, but now his thoughts ceased.
No matter what, with Brother He so young and the eldest son dead, it brought nothing but harm to the Yang family.

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The second branch couple had been stunned by the scene; in the end, Madam Sun timidly stepped forward, “Father, we should prepare the eldest brother properly so he can leave with dignity.”
Zhou Wenjin frowned, “Yes, eldest brother.”
The old matriarch glanced at little Zhou He, who was sobbing quietly, and sighed, “Wenqing, life must go on. There’s little He and Hong from the second branch! You are the head of the family; you must hold it together in these critical moments!”
Zhou Yushi wiped his tears, his heart heavy with mixed emotions.
He could not accept his son’s death in this manner; the grief of losing a child before growing old surged through him relentlessly.
“But the eldest son’s death…” Zhou Wenjin’s expression darkened.
Suicide for love was only a folk tale.
A true man’s aspirations lie beyond the home; in their family’s standing, such a death was shameful, especially since Zhou Shi died for a concubine!
“Then say he died suddenly of illness.” Zhou Yushi sighed deeply, his gaze resting on Doctor Xie and Nurse Wu.
Doctor Xie hastened to say, “The eldest son’s diligent studies harmed his health; he unfortunately passed away from illness.”
Zhou Yushi nodded and looked to Nurse Wu.
“Yes, the eldest son strained himself studying; please accept our condolences.”
The old matriarch sighed quietly, troubled.
Coming here had brought such a calamity; upon reflection, it seemed Zhou Shi’s death was somehow their fault.
At that thought, the air around her seemed to chill.
“Wenqing! Since the eldest is gone, let’s allow him to leave with dignity. Have the servants prepare him.”
The group retreated to the main hall, leaving only Yang Yin behind.
The steward who had been sent to capture Hu Xin Niang returned.
“Hu Xin Niang is missing. Neighbors say she went out about an hour ago and never returned.”
“Did you assign someone to watch?” Zhou Yushi was furious.
“Could it be she fled after hearing the news?” Zhou Wenjin frowned.
“We’ve stationed people to watch; as soon as she is found, we will seize her immediately.”
“Enough! We must be cautious here under the emperor’s watch.” The old matriarch said, “Since the eldest died from overstudying, we will not blame the concubine.”
Zhou Yushi was still unwilling but nodded his assent.
Yang Yin remained stunned, looking at her sorrowful son and then at Zhou Shi, neatly laid out on the couch.
She was… a widow.
August 26th, suitable for burial.
Zhou Shi had died from overstudying, battling the imperial examinations.
No matter how reckless he had been before, at this moment, he was the model of an exemplary scholar.

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Many scholars came to pay their respects.
Several officials also arrived to console Zhou Yushi on the loss of his fine son.
Zhou Yushi regained some composure and greeted them politely.
“Wenqing, take your time grieving. Once this month has passed, return to court.” An elder official attending the mourning said, looking at the increasingly gaunt man with a sigh.
Zhou Yushi was momentarily stunned, “Yes, sir.”
Two sleek black horses, well-groomed and steady, pulled a carriage to a halt outside the Zhou residence.
The carriage was made of golden nanmu wood, intricately carved with painted beams and adorned with silk lining, exuding luxury.
“That's the carriage from Prince Ning’s residence,” someone called out.
The curtain was lifted.
Qing Zhu alighted first, standing beside the carriage and reaching out to steady Lin Menghua.
The lady wore a dark blue cloud-shouldered blouse and skirt, tall and graceful, her demeanor poised and elegant.
“Your Highness,” Zhou Yushi greeted her.
“My condolences, sir. I came to visit my cousin,” Lin Menghua said gently.
“Please, princess.” A maid soon appeared and led Lin Menghua to the back garden.
Yang Yin wore mourning clothes; though heavy shadows darkened her eyelids, her spirit seemed intact.
Little He lay on the soft couch, seemingly asleep; Yang Yin gently fanned him with a circular fan.
“Hua, you’re here.” Yang Yin handed the fan to Cui’er, then looked at her son and smiled, “Let’s go to the side chamber.”
The two sat on the soft couch; a maid soon brought tea and snacks to the low table.
“Cousin Yin, are you well?” Lin Menghua asked softly.
“It’s all right.” Yang Yin’s eyes flickered with subtle tears, “I once thought widowhood meant the sky had fallen, but now I see it cannot fall any further.”
Lin Menghua watched her quietly; tears glimmered faintly in Yang Yin’s eyes.
“Hua, Zhou Shi…”
“He got what he wanted in the end,” Lin Menghua smiled gently.
“That’s... that’s good,” Yang Yin sighed.
“The second branch quarrelled over dividing the estate; Father agreed, and little He inherited sixty percent.”
“Hua, a letter came from home, asking me to remain faithful to Zhou Shi’s memory and to raise little He well.”