Yun Jinnian’s comfort made Dai Hanmi feel very much at ease.
But thinking about her grandmother who always worried about her third brother, while he remained out of contact, not knowing where he had gone, she felt somewhat anxious.
If next time she knew where her third brother was, she would definitely tell him that Jinnian had returned.
Her third brother admired Jinnian deeply, with such profound, genuine, and pure love.
If he knew Jinnian had returned, he would surely come back too.
"Thank you, Jinnian!"
After Elder Chen was settled, Chu Yu and Princess Jinfeng came to mourn, accompanied by the Grand Princess of the Kingdom, several Marquesses, Marchionesses, as well as the family’s grandchildren. Apart from a few very young children, even the concubines’ daughters had come.
"Family members, please return the gesture!"
The Grand Princess of the Kingdom offered incense and said to Elder Chen, "Condolences during this difficult time!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"No need for formalities, I shall go see Lady Chen!" said the Grand Princess of the Kingdom, proceeding with a maid to meet Lady Chen.
Lady Chen, although sad, was not overly sorrowful.
At least in the final days, she was joyful.
The old gentleman was joyful too.
"Your Highness Princess!"
"Lady Chen, please accept my condolences!" said the Grand Princess of the Kingdom, holding Lady Chen’s hand.
"Your Highness Princess, actually I am not sorrowful. When the old gentleman passed, he held my hand and said that in the next life we would still be husband and wife. Although he seldom accompanied me over the years, he treated me extremely well, unlike others with numerous concubines; he only had three concubines. As they aged slightly, even the chamber maids disappeared, his heart solely with me. Although not as enduring as the Princess and the Duke, with emotions as solid as gold, ’a lifetime with one person,’ he is like the bright moon in the sky. I am fortunate to have accompanied him for many years!"
Such words, Lady Chen couldn’t speak to others; they would ridicule her.
But the Grand Princess of the Kingdom wouldn’t; the Princess understood her.
The Grand Princess of the Kingdom nodded slightly, "That you can think this way puts me at ease. Henceforth, enjoy being Lady Chen, spoiling your grandchildren. When we have time, we shall gather, as we age, there are fewer genuine conversations!"
Once everything was said, the two fell silent.
Lady Chen also shed tears.
Claiming not to be sad, not to be hurt, were all lies.
The Grand Princess of the Kingdom felt sorrow as well, recalling when the Duke passed, she endured for several days before finally shedding tears.
From then on, in this world, there would never be another man who didn’t treat her as a Princess but as a woman, a woman in need of care and love.
The night had fully settled, and the Elder Residence had prepared tofu meal, with simple dishes and two bowls of tofu.
Though the taste was fine, no one ate much; after a brief meal, incense was offered, and each returned home.
Before leaving, Yun Jinnian didn’t speak to Chen Danyan but gently hugged her, providing comfort.
Elder Chen was not kept in repose for long.
After seven days, he was to be buried.
During these days, every morning various family heads and spouses went to offer incense to Elder Chen.
The Emperor even suspended court affairs for several days, and the day before Elder Chen’s burial, visited the Chen Family to mourn, accompanied by the Empress, Noble Consort Wang, Noble Consort Wei, Consort Le, Prince, and Princess.
After mourning, they returned to the palace.
On the day Elder Chen was buried, the sky was clear and blue.
The funeral procession was lengthy, white banners fluttering, with many families setting up wine offerings along the roadside, almost filling the entire street.
The Yun Family was naturally no exception.