Chen the Senior Official, whose students are found everywhere under the heavens and who serves as the current Emperor’s mentor and the late Emperor’s study companion—as well as being the top scholar of his time—maintained an air of authority even in illness.
It was an authority that made people dare not look him in the eye.
But Yun Jinnian did not dare sit down.
Lady Dowager Chen watched with a smile, "Jinnian, take his pulse first!"
In the face of her elders, Yun Jinnian dared not neglect the proper respect and obedience.
Lady Dowager Chen stood up, giving up her seat.
Yun Jinnian wiped her hands before sitting down at the bedside and taking his pulse.
The Senior Official extended his wrist, placing it on the pulse pillow.
Yun Jinnian raised her hand and took the Senior Official’s pulse with great care.
Only after a good while did she withdraw her hand.
"How is it?" Lady Dowager Chen asked eagerly.
"With age comes various inevitable health issues, but fortunately, the Senior Official has always maintained his health well. This time it was a rush of intense emotion that caused harm to his root vitality. He must be well cared for from now on!"
Yun Jinnian’s words were not much different from those of the Imperial Physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau.
The Senior Official shook his head slightly.
Actually, he had a feeling that his days were numbered.
Especially after this bout of illness.
Lady Dowager Chen saw this and hurriedly asked Chen Danyan to invite Yun Jinnian to stroll in the garden, knowing the Lady Dowager wanted to send her away.
There were some things she dared not say too plainly, as after all, the Lady Dowager was advanced in years and could not withstand the shock.
So, rising to her feet and curtsying, she followed Chen Danyan out of the room.
However, they did not go to the garden but instead to Chen Danyan’s boudoir.
Chen Danyan dismissed the maid, leaving just her and Yun Jinnian alone.
"Sister Jinnian, tell me the truth, how is my grandfather really doing?" Chen Danyan asked anxiously.
Yun Jinnian took a deep breath, "Not to deceive you, sister, the Senior Official does not have much time left!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Danyan felt dizzy and weak, staggering back several steps; her body struck the table, and she collapsed onto the cushioned stool.
"How could this be, grandfather, he..."
"It’s the same thing, advanced age. Plus, he took this blow, vomited blood, and on top of that, when the Senior Official was young, he must have suffered a serious internal injury that damaged his internal organs. Back then, he should have been properly taken care of, but in the end, it still harmed his root vitality. Vomiting blood this time has brought out the latent illness!" Yun Jinnian said solemnly.
The prescriptions provided by the Imperial Physician were rather conservative, thus they didn’t have much effect on the Senior Official.
Chen Danyan clutched at her chest, struggling for a long time before she asked softly, "Then, if you took over his treatment, how long could my grandfather have?"
"At most, no more than three months!"
Hearing this, Chen Danyan immediately burst into tears.
"It’s all Chu Renzhi, that bastard’s fault!"
Indeed, this matter was inextricably linked to Chu Renzhi. If he had not instructed Chu Yu to call off the engagement, the Senior Official would not have fallen ill from anger.
Yun Jinnian didn’t know how to console Chen Danyan, so she could only offer a handkerchief, "Sister Chen, I will do my utmost!"
Chen Danyan looked at Yun Jinnian, taking a long while before saying, "Jinnian, please, I..."
A thousand words could not compare to the heartache and discomfort she felt at that moment.
At first, there was resentment towards Chu Renzhi, but now, Chen Danyan harbored hatred in her heart.
If not for Chu Renzhi’s betrayal, would her grandfather have been angered ?
In this lifetime, she was determined not to marry Chu Renzhi.
The engagement had to be called off as soon as possible!
"Don’t worry, sister!"
In truth, if the Senior Official had not been angered to the point of vomiting blood, he could have lived another year or two, but now, truly, three months were already the limit.
"Princess Yijia, the Old Master requests your presence!"
From outside the door, came the maid’s gentle and respectful voice.