Rebirth of a Farming Wife

Chapter 486: Chapter 493: Unwilling to Believe
 

“Dear in-laws, please restrain your grief. Miss Yue died chaste and virtuous. She was a woman to be admired. The incident has already occurred, and no amount of sorrow will remedy the situation,” Master Feng said with a sigh, his voice tinged with sadness. He had fond memories of the girl who had once stayed at the Feng Family Manor with his daughter, and he had been fond of this spoiled yet endearing child. It felt like it had just happened yesterday, yet now she was gone.

Qi Luo had been heartbroken upon hearing of Su Wenyue jumping off the cliff, but she had braced herself for this possibility the moment Madam made her choice. Qi Luo had been by Madam’s side for so long, she understood her well. Madam might have seemed gentle and carefree, but that was only towards trivial matters. When it came to something she firmly believed in, she would never compromise, especially when it involved her master. Madam cared so much about Master, she would never let herself become his threat. Thus, this outcome didn’t surprise her in the least.

Seeing everyone in the room drowning in sorrow and grief, Qi Luo, remembering Madam’s final instructions, forcibly suppressed her own sadness, “Please restrain your sorrows. Madam was filial and she wouldn’t wish to see you heartbroken over her. Moreover, even though Madam is gone, we must still make arrangements for what is to come, especially taking care of the three children. Madam’s greatest concern was for the two Young Masters and Miss. Only by taking good care of them can Madam rest in peace.”

Upon hearing Qi Luo’s words, Mr. and Mrs. Su were barely able to pull themselves out of their grief over the loss of their daughter, and everyone shifted their attention to the three children who had just lost their mother.

At that moment, Brother Xing stood there woodenly, neither crying nor making a fuss. The child who was always so sensible and who took care of his younger siblings appeared oblivious to their cries, as if everything happening around him was of no concern.

The younger ones’ cries were becoming hoarse. Chen, who remembered his father’s words and had been extra obedient, now completely forgot the idea that “a man doesn’t easily shed tears” as he and Sister Yu wept bitterly, calling out for their mother in a heart-wrenching, hoarse voice.

Seeing their three children like this was wrenching for Mr. and Mrs. Su. Madam Su went over and hugged Brother Xing, who seemed even more worrisome to her in his unresponsive state than the crying younger ones. Master Su and Qi Luo, on the other hand, picked up Chen and Sister Yu, comforting them gently.

“Brother Xing, what’s wrong with you? Don’t scare your grandmother. Talk to me,” Madam Su urged, her voice filled with urgency. Her daughter had just met with a mishap; if something happened to her grandson as well, she couldn’t bear it.

Yet Brother Xing seemed oblivious to Madam Su’s pleas, remaining as before, completely unresponsive.

“Old Master, come and see what’s wrong with Brother Xing,” Madam Su implored Master Su helplessly, unable to contain her sorrow as she repeatedly tried to engage Brother Xing in conversation, but to no avail.

Master Su and the others had noticed Brother Xing’s condition. By now, Master Su and Qi Luo had managed to calm Chen and Sister Yu a little from their heartbreak over losing their mother. When they noticed something was amiss with their elder brother, they started crying again and insisted on getting down from the adults’ embrace, each taking one of their brother’s hands.

Master Su and Madam Su were at a loss over Brother Xing’s state but hoped that the presence of the little ones might help, so they indulgently allowed them to be by their brother’s side.

“Brother Xing has always been sensible. Perhaps he’s struggling to accept the news about Miss Yue and is in shock,” Master Su observed his grandson with concern. Of the three grandchildren, Brother Xing was the most sensible and endearing, and naturally, he had a special place in Master Su’s heart. Although he treated all three grandchildren the same on the surface, he had a particular soft spot for Brother Xing. Seeing him like this now, he felt both distressed and anxious, but his attempts to soothe Brother Xing also proved futile.

“Perhaps, I could have someone fetch a doctor to examine Brother Xing,” Master Feng suggested offhandedly.

Chen and Sister Yu became even more distraught upon hearing the adults’ discussion. Their affection for Brother Xing matched that for their own mother – often, when their mother was too busy to look after them, it was Brother Xing who kept them company. His current condition overwhelmed them more than the loss of their mother.

“Big brother, big brother, what’s wrong with you? Please speak, don’t ignore Sister Yu,” Sister Yu implored, shaking Brother Xing’s hand incessantly.

“Big brother, you’ve always cherished Sister Yu and me the most. Now that mother is gone, have you abandoned us too?” The gestures of Chen and Sister Yu were the same, both desperately hoping to awaken their brother.

Brother Xing was lost in his memories, unwilling to face reality, thus ignoring everything around him. However, when he faintly heard the hoarse cries of his younger brother and sister, their frightened and concerned calls, he finally showed a hint of a response. After all, he had raised his siblings single-handedly. Though Brother Xing wasn’t fully awakened from his thoughts, his hand instinctively reached out and gently touched the heads of his brother and sister.

Mr. and Mrs. Su’s faces lit up with relief as Brother Xing finally responded, calling out anxiously, “Brother Xing! Brother Xing!”

“Chen, Sister Yu, be good, don’t cry,” Brother Xing said, his voice raspy. Seeing the worried faces of his grandparents, he couldn’t bear to worry the elderly, “Grandfather, Grandmother, don’t worry about me; I’m fine. I just couldn’t process the news about Mother for a moment, I didn’t mean to concern you.”

“You child, there’s no need to be formal with your grandparents. It’s good as long as you’re alright,” Mr. and Mrs. Su, relieved that their grandson was back to normal, dabbed at their tears as they spoke.

“It’s a relief Brother Xing is fine. Miss Yue has just met with a tragedy, we absolutely can’t have anything else happen,” Master Feng sighed with relief as Brother Xing came to his senses.

Hearing Master Feng mention his mother again, a wave of sorrow washed over Brother Xing’s face. Mr. and Mrs. Su, worried that Brother Xing might fall into distress once more, vigilantly watched over the three children, taking great care of them.

“What did you say?! Say it again!” Han Yu, upon receiving the secret guard’s report, thought he might be hallucinating and demanded an answer, his voice rising sharply. His usual poise under pressure was gone, his body trembling involitarily. The man who was always fearless and composed was now afraid, terrified the news he had heard was true.

“Master, Madam… Madam was cornered at the Edge of the cliff by people sent by Zhao Fan. Madam refused to let them capture her and become a threat to you, so she jumped off the cliff,” the secret guard reported with trepidation, fully aware of how much his master cherished Madam. The incident had occurred, and there was no telling how Master would react.