Chapter 211: Chapter 211: Last Words
Upon hearing these words, the old father of the Qin Family did not feel a sense of relief; instead, he felt even more self-reproach.
"No, it’s not... it’s not you. It’s my uselessness as a father that caused... caused harm to both you and your brother."
Cough, cough.
In his urgency to speak, the old father of the Qin Family coughed fiercely several times.
Unexpectedly, the coughing did not stop, and even brought up blood.
Mr. Qin’s heart was filled with great sorrow, knowing that there was no hope for recovery.
He grabbed his father’s hand tightly and said.
"It’s not your fault, it’s not your fault, it’s all Miss Cai’s! It’s her! Otherwise, brother would not have also..."
At this point, Mr. Qin choked several times.
At the same time, the old father of the Qin Family on the bed was tearfully distressed.
Gripping his eldest son’s hand tightly, the old father of the Qin Family turned all his guilt into a final instruction.
"Take care of your... brother, don’t tell..."
Before finishing his sentence, the old father of the Qin Family widened his eyes and suffocated to death without taking a breath.
Mr. Qin watched helplessly as his father died like this, and immediately cried out.
"Second Master! Second Master!"
Second Young Master Dong rushed in, and reached out to check the breath.
Then, he said with slight heaviness.
"Condolences."
At this moment, Mr. Qin realized his last bit of hope was gone.
From crying to laughing, from laughing to crying.
Reflecting on his life, truly no one would believe it if spoken.
The hardships indeed pinpoint the unfortunate.
Thinking, he poured out all the grievances of these years in one go.
Burst into tears by the bedside, unable to control his emotions.
Second Young Master Dong stood by, unable to help, merely watching.
Hoping that after this outburst, Mr. Qin could recover.
After about half the time of an incense stick burning, Mr. Qin’s crying gradually stopped.
He cast a final glance at his father’s farewell, then rose and said to Second Young Master Dong.
"Thank you, Second Master, for accompanying this servant on this journey. Now that my father is gone, all my ties with the outside world are completely severed."
Second Young Master Dong wasn’t adept at comforting people, but his words were spoken with genuine sincerity.
"Your father remembered you even at his deathbed, and it seems you held a significant place in his heart. Otherwise, it’s rare for a stroke victim to speak clearly."
Upon hearing these words, Mr. Qin couldn’t quite discern his own feelings.
Should he be moved?
Or should he resent the injustice of this world?
After a moment of pause, his eyes gradually cleared.
"This servant left the palace with only a little eunuch. If I am to bury my father, I’m afraid there’s not enough manpower. I request Second Master for assistance, perhaps borrow some people from the Dong Family to help arrange my father’s burial."
Saying this, he knelt on the ground.
He, a eunuch of rank from the palace, knelt to a powerless doctor outside the palace.
This was beyond what Second Young Master Dong could bear.
He quickly helped him up and said.
"Mr. Qin, don’t be anxious. The Dong Family has plenty of house servants, but they are not skilled in burial matters. Nearby, there’s someone I know who’s in the Yizhuang and knowledgeable in these matters. I’ll invite him to come help."
Mr. Qin had been in the palace for a long time and knew little about external affairs.
At first, he thought having someone to help was good, but forgot that house servants differed from eunuchs, rarely dealing with matters involving the deceased.
He apologized slightly.
"This servant was presumptuous. Let it be handled as Second Master said."
Second Young Master Dong nodded and went to find people.
A while later, he brought four or five people over.
Leading them was Xun Jiaseng, the person from Yizhuang he mentioned.
He appeared to be just over forty, with a serious demeanor and seldom smiled.
Seeing Mr. Qin, he immediately recognized him as someone from the palace.
Mr. Qin spoke no extra words, stepped forward to produce a piece of silver, and handed it to Xun Jiaseng.
"Please, brother, find a sturdy coffin for my father and give him a proper burial. Burn all the things in this room; leaving them serves no purpose."
"Rest assured, noble sir, I will handle it properly."
Then he gestured to those he brought, and they promptly tied cloth strips over their faces.
Entered the room to clean up.
Qin An did want to wait for his father’s funeral arrangements before returning to the palace, but his identity restricted him from lingering outside for too long.
Second Young Master Dong understood his situation and promptly spoke.
"Rest assured, this matter will be handled properly by Brother Xun. If you wish to pay respects in the future, I will bring you here."
He avoided mentioning his identity while speaking.
Being cautious never harmed in external affairs.
In this regard, Mr. Qin felt grateful.
He stepped back, bowed deeply, and said.
"Please trouble both of you with this matter."
Second Young Master Dong nodded.
Not for anything else, but so that his niece could receive more care in the palace, he needed to handle this matter well.
The sky gradually darkened.
Mr. Qin hastened back to the traveling palace before the gates were locked.
He first returned to his room to wash off the grime, then changed into his regular attire and went to Ruiyang Pavilion late at night.
Some things, once decided upon, must be done thoroughly.
Lin Wanyi was somewhat surprised by Mr. Qin’s arrival at this time.
In just half a day’s time, it seemed he had returned from some ordeal.
His complexion was pallid, and his spirit was not like his usual self.
"Mr. Qin, your father..."
"My father didn’t make it through, he’s gone."
"Ah, the world is unpredictable, Mr. Qin, my heartfelt condolences."
Other words, Lin Wanyi didn’t know what to say.
She hadn’t experienced the death of a relative, but understood it surely was heart-wrenching pain.
If it were someone else, perhaps they would cry for days and nights.
But he had to endure his inner grief and continue to serve in the palace, which wasn’t easy.
Before Lin Wanyi could speak, Mr. Qin knelt on the ground.
His attitude was serious and solemn, which made Lin Wanyi tense up.
"Mr. Qin, what are you doing?"
If it was because Second Uncle saved the old father of the Qin Family, she might have understood the kneeling.
But as he’s gone and it seems Second Uncle didn’t help much, the kneeling baffled her.
Inside the room were only the two of them, one sitting, one kneeling.
Outside, Xia An stood guard; everyone else had been sent away by Qiu Ming, including Xiao Luzi.
He still didn’t know his master had come, gone, and returned again.
Already in a state of grief for his father.
"Mr. Qin, please rise. If there’s anything, just speak!"
Lin Wanyi guessed he had something to request, hence his demeanor.
Indeed, Mr. Qin meant that, and after bowing deeply to Lin Wanyi, he said.
"This servant has concealed something from you, my lady, I am asking for your forgiveness."
Concealed from her?
She had just been in the palace for a few months, and Qin An had something to hide from her?
This truly puzzled Lin Wanyi, prompting her to inquire curiously.