"I have borne these scoundrels, what can I do? At the time of his mother's death, she passed away right after giving birth. Holding my hand in her final moments, she entrusted this rascal to me, asking me to protect him at all costs. If I do not help him through this difficult pass, how can I face my late wife…"
As Cai Jing spoke, tears once again streamed from his cloudy eyes. He had held many women in his life, having been a high official. However, the one person who truly occupied his heart and mind from beginning to end was always Madam Xu.
In the beginning, Cai Jing was merely an insignificant clerk. Madam Xu stayed by his side, tirelessly devoted to his affairs. No matter what grievances she endured, she never uttered a word of complaint to him.
His life had been tumultuous. Madam Xu took care of his parents, bore his children, and silently endured the bullying from his elder siblings and their wives when they were young.
When he was ostracized by his own elder brother and demoted to Hangzhou, Madam Xu, in order to help him regain his position, pawned her mother's jewelry without a word. Only then was the money to bribe Tong Guan scraped together.
As a wife, Madam Xu had truly done everything a woman could possibly do.
In public, she was dignified and proper; in private, she was gentle and virtuous. She was not eloquent, but she always stood steadfastly behind Cai Jing when he needed her the most.
In the first year of Chongning, Cai Jing finally achieved his wish and stood at the core of the Song Dynasty's power. However, Madam Xu fell ill due to years of toil…
They had loved each other for many years. On the very day Cai Jing ascended to prominence, Madam Xu passed away. Faced with his wife's dying wish, what could a powerful minister like Cai Jing do?
For the past few years, he had not felt much. But in the last two years, he had been having recurring dreams of Madam Xu.
In his dreams, Madam Xu was as gentle and lovely as ever, but her eyes always held traces of tears. Though she remained silent in his dreams, Cai Jing understood that she was worried about their youngest son…
His other sons were sensible and, even if their aptitude was not exceptional, they were capable of managing their own small households. Only Cai Tao was a constant source of worry for Cai Jing…
"But, can your body withstand it? If you go out at this time, what if…"
As Fan Shiyong spoke, tears were already streaming uncontrollably down his face.
Seeing Fan Shiyong's tearful state, Cai Jing struggled and fumbled in his sleeve, retrieving a small medicine bottle. He poured out a brown pill, carefully placed it in his mouth, held it under his tongue, and closed his eyes.
It took nearly a quarter of an hour before Cai Jing finally opened his eyes again. A hint of color finally returned to his previously pale face.
"It's alright. I have a memorial and a letter under my pillow. If I don't return, you shall deliver this memorial to His Majesty and leave this letter for that rascal Cai Tao…"
After taking the pill, Cai Jing's spirits clearly improved, and he no longer needed to pause for breath after speaking a few words.
On the surface, he appeared much better, but Fan Shiyong understood that this medication was no long-term solution.
He himself possessed a similar substance. It was less of a tonic and more of a poison. Even he would experience a period of weakness for two to three days after taking it. And that was for him, let alone the current Cai Jing.
Given his current physical condition, taking such a substance was akin to gambling with his life!
"Have someone help me change my clothes. Oh, I have prepared a coffin for myself in the side room of the rear courtyard. If I don't return this time, that thing will serve its purpose! It's made of the finest golden-thread nanmu, hahahaha. I suppose it won't be snatched away by anyone, will it?"
Cai Jing burst into laughter again as he spoke.
"My Lord, please rest a bit longer!"
Fan Shiyong spoke while already weeping uncontrollably.
"Forget it. My time is drawing near. I know my own body. If I hadn't coughed up that blood, I might have had another year or two to live. But having depleted my vital energy this time, I fear I won't have that fortune. You shall accompany me on this final journey. Once this old man is laid in his coffin, you shall be free to roam the vast world as you please!"
As Cai Jing said this, he suddenly beckoned Fan Shiyong again.
And as he beckoned, a somewhat playful smile appeared on his face.
"Ah?"
This time, it was Fan Shiyong's turn to be stunned. He had been by Cai Jing's side for so many years, yet he had never seen Cai Jing wear such an expression before…
Although he felt a sense of unease, Fan Shiyong chose to trust Cai Jing and leaned his ear closer.
"After you're done with things here, you don't need to accompany me out today. Go to the rear courtyard later. I've left a gift for you in the coffin. Take it quietly when no one is around!"
Seeing Fan Shiyong lean in, Cai Jing lowered his voice and whispered into Fan Shiyong's ear.
"My… My Lord…"
Hearing this, Fan Shiyong's expression froze. For some reason, looking at Cai Jing's smile, he suddenly felt a sense of panic.
"Don't worry. If I don't help him overcome this challenge, how can I rest in peace when I meet my late wife? I have wronged her greatly in this life. If I cannot even help her fulfill her final wish, I fear she will refuse to speak another word to me in the underworld…"
As Cai Jing said this, he waved his hand somewhat dejectedly, signaling Fan Shiyong to leave.
"My Lord…"
"It's fine, it's fine!"
Despite his immense worry, Fan Shiyong understood that given Cai Jing's temperament, he would never agree to anything he had decided, no matter what he said.
Helpless, he stood up again, bowed respectfully to Cai Jing with clasped hands, and then slowly walked towards the door.
"It's been so many years, yet even in my dreams, why won't you speak more than a word to me…"
Hearing Cai Jing's murmur, Fan Shiyong's heart was filled with sorrow. A living person communing with the departed was not a sign of longevity…
"You all go in and serve His Lordship to change his clothes!"
Taking a deep breath, Fan Shiyong cast aside the bittersweet emotions that stirred his heart and softly instructed the several waiting maids.