Chapter 44: Master Song Passes Away

The old master Song finally loosened his grip…

Upon hearing Liu Shen’s promise, the elderly man, his hands trembling, reluctantly released his hold, his expression filled with comfort and relief.

Liu Shen saw that the old master seemed to have fulfilled his last wish and looked ready to close his eyes for good. He hurriedly leaned in and said, “Sir, things aren’t finished yet, you mustn’t fall asleep…”

He paused, then hastily forced a smile. “Besides, I’ve given you my word. Now, you look as though you’re about to leave us, but before you depart, could you grant this junior one final favor?”

Hearing this, how could old master Song not understand what he meant by “granting a favor”?

Knowing his time was short, and recognizing that Liu Shen was, indeed, someone trustworthy, the old man stopped struggling with himself and, with a quiet sigh, nodded his head.

“Then I’ll really say it…”

Liu Shen sat at the bedside, holding the old master’s withered hand, speaking in the rambling manner of one reminiscing with an old friend: “I know you’ve always treated the young madam as a daughter, and you care deeply for her as your daughter-in-law. But you must also realize how quickly people are forgotten once they’re gone. When you leave, how is the young madam, all alone, to carry on?”

“Not to boast, but though I, Liu Shen, am not a man of great fame, I am certainly no mediocrity. I am the ideal match for the young madam.”

…

Hearing this, old master Song rolled his eyes in exasperation, the dying breath he’d been holding almost caught in his throat.

If only he had the strength, he’d have surely cursed Liu Shen roundly for his shamelessness.

“Sir, please, don’t roll your eyes…”

Seeing that the old master’s color had improved, Liu Shen relaxed inwardly and continued with his spiel: “Sir, you know I’ve always made my feelings for the young madam clear, and she, too, has shown some affection for me. We can hardly be accused of one-sided love.”

“But she’s a woman, and your family’s daughter-in-law. She’s shy and reserved, with many worries.”

“I, on the other hand, am thick-skinned and can ask for your blessing directly to your face.”

“I, Liu Shen, have set my sights on your daughter-in-law. Will you give your approval or not?”

“Sir, you just agreed to bless our union. Don’t go back on your word now…”

When Song turned his head away, refusing to engage, Liu Shen kept up his relentless chatter: “Besides, it’s too late to back out now. I, Liu Shen, am determined to marry Pei Xueyan. No matter your answer, she won’t escape my grasp.”

…

Old master Song felt his temples throbbing, inwardly cursing: “If she can’t escape you no matter what I say, why even ask me?”

“Must you not let a dying man have a little peace?”

When Liu Shen addressed him again with a persistent ‘Sir’, the old man, thoroughly defeated, gave a resigned nod, wishing only to chase this shameless pest from his side and finally enjoy some quiet.

“You agree, sir?”

Liu Shen’s eyes lit up. Fearing the old master might change his mind, he dashed to the door, flung it open, and called, “Young madam, come, come, the old master is calling for you.”

…

Pei Xueyan entered the room, bewildered, and before she could ask why she’d been summoned, she found her wrist seized and herself pulled to the old master’s bedside.

“Sir, I’ve brought her…”

Liu Shen, supporting the utterly baffled Song family’s young madam, said, “If you agree to let Pei Xueyan marry me, just nod. If not—”

He didn’t finish his sentence. The old man on the bed, unable to bear more of his nagging, nodded repeatedly. His expression was as mixed as one biting into stinky tofu—both foul and fragrant, both exasperated and fond, both helpless and gratified.

“Thank you, old master Song, for your blessing…”

Liu Shen raised his brows at Pei Xueyan with a smile. “Did you see, young madam? The old master has agreed to let you marry me.”

“Ah…”

Pei Xueyan blinked in confusion.

Liu Shen had proposed to the old master, asking him to give his daughter-in-law to him—and the old master had agreed!?

Once she sorted this out, a blush crept from her neck to her ears, so vivid it seemed her skin might bleed.

“Sir…”

Liu Shen called cheerfully, but when the old master turned his face away and did not respond, a chill gripped Liu Shen’s heart. He called again, “Sir…”

…

Twice he called, but there was no answer. The smile faded from Liu Shen’s face. He gently released Pei Xueyan’s wrist.

“Sir…”

Pei Xueyan, seeing his manner, seemed to realize something. She hurried to the bedside, and when she saw the old master’s eyes were closed, she reached out a trembling hand to check his breath…

“Father!!”

Pei Xueyan broke down, her sobs wracking her body as she turned to Liu Shen, tears streaming down her cheeks, her voice choked, “The old master… he’s gone…”

Liu Shen sighed inwardly. Were it not for the old master’s fear that his daughter-in-law would be swindled by her own kin, he’d have passed long ago.

He could see clearly—old master Song’s strength was entirely spent. Only his worry for the Pei family kept him hanging on, with no trustworthy person to see to affairs after his death.

Now, having received Liu Shen’s promise, knowing Liu Shen would protect Pei Xueyan, that as long as he lived, the Pei family would never seize the Song family’s estate—the old man’s wish was fulfilled. At last, he could go in peace.

Outside the room, a few people, startled by Pei Xueyan’s weeping, exchanged meaningful glances, then hurried in.

They found Pei Xueyan collapsed by the bed, drenched in tears, the old master motionless on the bed. The truth was plain: the old master was gone.

As Liu Shen arranged the old master’s body, he glanced at the group who’d just entered.

Doctor Zhang shook his head and sighed. Yuan Xiaofei and little Yu Hong hurried to support Pei Xueyan on either side.

Pei Xueyan’s parents exchanged a look; a flicker of delight seemed to flash in their eyes. Then the mother dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief and stepped forward, “mourning,” “Ah, how bitter is the fate of our dear in-law~”

Her father, feigning deep sorrow, approached the bed and consoled, “Don’t cry, don’t cry. See, there’s a smile at his lips—he left in peace! That’s a blessing!”

…

Liu Shen felt nothing but disgust for these two.

But considering they were Pei Xueyan’s biological parents and, in name, old master Song’s in-laws, he could hardly say more in front of her.

“Yes, the old master left at peace.”

Once he had finished arranging the old man’s body, Liu Shen sighed and then turned to Pei Xueyan’s parents, his words laced with hidden barbs. “The old master had no children, yet at the end, he had in-laws like you to attend him. He can rest easy in the afterlife…”

“There’s no need for such distance…”

Pei Yingli, her father, forced his face into a sorrowful mask. “Our Pei family and the Songs have always been close, and now with Xueyan’s marriage, we are tied by kinship. The old master had no children, so as his in-laws, we were bound to care for him. We are not outsiders.”

“Oh~”

Liu Shen feigned realization, clasped his hands in salute, and said, “They say the world is cold to the dead, but it’s rare indeed to find in-laws as loyal and righteous as Master Pei. I am truly impressed!”

“You flatter me…”

Pei Yingli’s eyes narrowed slightly at Liu Shen’s tone, and he probed, “May I ask your name, young man, and what relation you had to our in-law?”

“My surname is Liu,” Liu Shen replied indifferently. “As for my relation to the old master, it’s nothing much. I’m simply a junior who once received some guidance from him, by chance.”

“Ah, so you’re an outsider?”

“I am.”

“Well…”

Pei Yingli put on a troubled face. “There are certain customs in Anqing Prefecture. When an elder passes, outsiders must not linger in the household until the mourning hall is prepared.”

“I am instructed, thank you…”

Liu Shen bowed. Turning to Pei Xueyan, he said, “My condolences, young madam. Since Master Pei has spoken, I, as an outsider, should not linger. I will take my leave.”

“But…”

Tears already streaming down her face at the loss of the old master, Pei Xueyan was about to ask Liu Shen to stay, but he gave her a reassuring look, and the words died on her lips.

Liu Shen then instructed Yuan Xiaofei and little Yu Hong, “Take good care of the young madam. Once the mourning hall is set, I’ll come to pay my respects.”

With that, he turned and left.