"Ha..."

She smiled lightly and said:

"Tell me about that girl named Cai Shu, I’m very curious."

"Mother!"

Fang Heng raised his head, tears streaming down his face.

At this moment, Du Qiaoyun awoke from the icy seal, glowing, looking full of Essence Qi, but in reality, it was just a brief radiance before the end.

Never mind Fang Zheng,

even he could feel the frailty in Du Qiaoyun’s breath, as weak as if a breeze could scatter it.

"Speak!"

Du Qiaoyun smiled and gestured.

"..." Fang Heng opened his mouth:

"Yes."

"Cai Shu is the daughter of the Exclusion Sect’s Vice Sect Leader, she apprenticed under Immortal Master Ge of Fangxian Dao, about the same age as me..."

He slowly recounted the process of their acquaintance.

They met, became acquainted, learned about each other, faced numerous dangers together, sharing hardships for over a month...

"Heng’Er."

Du Qiaoyun suddenly spoke:

"Do you wish to marry her?"

"This..." Fang Heng hesitated, his gaze shifting back and forth:

"Cai Shu is already betrothed to someone."

"Does she have feelings for that person? Is she willing to marry you?" Du Qiaoyun slightly sat up and asked:

"If you wish to marry and she wishes to wed, the engagement is not something to concern about, parents can make the decision for you."

"What do you say, dear?"

"Hmm."

Fang Zheng nodded:

"According to what you’ve said, that girl Cai Shu doesn’t have deep feelings for her parents, and having been sent to the mountain to study at a young age, the engagement set by her parents can naturally be dismissed."

"Exclusion Sect’s Vice Sect Leader..."

"I’ve heard this person progressed to Martial Sect in recent years, indeed an outstanding figure, Fang would also like to befriend this future in-law."

"Father!"

Fang Heng felt a surge of joy, but his gaze landed on Du Qiaoyun and sank again, his mind blank.

"Let this matter be settled."

Du Qiaoyun smiled and waved her hand:

"You may go now, I want to rest, wait until tomorrow when Miss Cai Shu arrives, bring her to see me."

"..." Fang Heng’s eyes showed reluctance, hesitated and then said:

"Okay."

Fang Heng left the room, Linghu Qiuchan walked in with a tray, cautiously placing the warm tea beside it.

Du Qiaoyun had already closed her eyes to rest.

Every bit of time she uses will be less, she cherishes them infinitely.

"Hush..."

Fang Zheng spoke softly:

"Let her sleep for a while, so she can have some energy tomorrow."

"Okay."

Linghu Qiuchan nodded and sat down beside him.

She looked at Fang Zheng, then turned to Du Qiaoyun, whose breath was faint, feeling a pang of sorrow in her heart, followed by a gentle sigh.

Fang Zheng’s appearance was ordinary.

But as his cultivation base increased, his aura became more and more remarkable, time seemed to leave no marks on him.

On the contrary, the two women grew more haggard and showed signs of aging.

Now it’s Sister Qiaoyun...

How much longer can she hold on?

The next day.

"Miss Cai Shu."

Du Qiaoyun’s eyes showed exhaustion, she spoke slowly:

"Would you be willing to marry Heng’Er?"

"This..." Cai Shu blushed, glanced at Fang Heng beside her, and felt a sweet yet inexplicable feeling in her heart.

Yet in a flash, this sweetness turned to sorrow.

Fang Heng’s head hung low, he knelt on the ground, his face blank, even in a major marriage decision, he felt no excitement.

Indeed.

Her mother was about to leave soon.

This departure.

Meant a permanent separation through life and death!

How could anyone be happy at such a time?

"Auntie." Cai Shu gently bit her lip, and graciously knelt down:

"Cai Shu is willing."

"Good!"

"Good!"

Du Qiaoyun’s eyes brightened, she shakily took out a Jade Bracelet from her body, struggled to get up and gave it to Cai Shu:

"I’ve nothing much to give you two, this piece was given to me by my mother when I got married."

"Now..."

"It’s being handed to you."

"Thank you, Auntie." Cai Shu’s nose tingled, she sniffed as she accepted the Jade Bracelet, wearing it with Du Qiaoyun’s help.

"The wedding, I’m afraid I won’t make it." Du Qiaoyun extended her shriveled hand, gently caressing the two:

"But being able to witness this scene is enough for me."

"Mother!"

Fang Heng could no longer control his tears, kneeling down, he cried loudly.

"Auntie..." Cai Shu gently bit her silver teeth, changing her address:

"Mother!"

"Good, good!" Du Qiaoyun heard this, her face showed joy, she repeatedly praised, her gaze on the two was full of reluctance.

"Alright."

Fang Zheng spoke:

"You may leave."

Du Qiaoyun insisted on Fang Heng holding Cai Shu’s hand as they left.

Watching their figures gradually disappear, the reluctance in Du Qiaoyun’s heart reached its peak.

"Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes."

Fang Zheng’s figure appeared by her side, his warm large hand wrapped around hers, and his low voice sounded:

"Rest assured, you have me and Qiuchan by your side."

Du Qiaoyun looked back at the two, tears in her eyes, she gently nodded.

Children make one worry and fill one’s heart, but those who truly accompany you leaving this world are not the children.

They are the two in front of you!

A long time passed.

Linghu Qiuchan’s eyes were red, she spoke in a low voice:

"Sister Qiaoyun has gone."

"Hmm."

Fang Zheng nodded, his voice hoarse:

"Hold the funeral."

He had seen many people off: parents, uncle, master, friends, and now his own wife.

In the future, there will likely be more.

Gradually, the heart that burned with enthusiasm in youth also turned dead silent.

"People always leave."

"Take it easy!"

These words seem to comfort Linghu Qiuchan, yet also like advising himself.

*

*

*

Du Qiaoyun was gone.

Great mourning at Fang Mansion.

According to Wei Dynasty’s traditions, Fang Heng and Cai Shu’s wedding would have to wait until after a year to be held.

On the other side.

News arrived from Prefecture City.

Lord Nie disrespected the Imperial Court’s orders, showing signs of rebellion.

Moreover, he used the pretext of harboring rebels to lead government soldiers to besiege Prince Kang’s Villa, causing a large-scale battle in the Prefecture City. This fight had a wide impact, with many citizens killed or injured, leaving people in Nan’an uneasy.

Afterwards.

Li Yingxuan appeared near the Prefecture City, accompanied by Master Ling Shan from Little Night Palace and Long-Armed Ape Ma Lin, Martial Arts Grandmaster of East Sea.

The appearance of the three managed to deter Lord Nie’s restless ambitions.