Chapter 6: 006 Brother

 Chapter 6: 006 Brother

Shen Shi stood up from her chair in a panic, urgently asking, "What happened to Mu'er?"

Fourth Young Master Chu Yunmu was the only legitimate son of the first branch, and he was Shen Shi's lifeblood.

The young maid, panting heavily, replied, "Fourth Young Master fell from the rockery!"

Chu Qianchen's face changed as well—today of all days!

In her past life, it was around this time that she was forced to "forgive" Chu Qianling after her face was injured. Perhaps the pain lingered in her heart, and later she fainted from a high fever that lasted for five days.

When she woke up, she learned that her appearance had been ruined. Despondent, she drifted aimlessly and paid no attention to anything else.

Only after several more days, when her mind cleared a little, did she learn that her younger brother had passed away. He was only five years old and had died young. Naturally, the family didn't make a big fuss over the funeral.

She had tried to inquire about the cause of his death, but it was forbidden in the household. Her father was afraid of upsetting her grandmother and mother, so he had ordered a gag order in the household.

Now, at this moment, she learned that it had happened on the same day.

"How could this be?!" The matriarch also stood up, her face turning pale.

Chu Yunmu was her legitimate grandson and would be the future heir of the Hou residence, so she, of course, doted on him.

The young maid, trembling all over, explained, "Fourth Young Master went up the rockery to pick up a kite, and then… then…"

The maid's eyes flickered, and she bit her lip, unable to continue.

Chu Qianchen, having regained her senses, noticed the maid's strange behavior. She pursed her lips and thought carefully.

"Quick, take me to see Mu'er!" Shen Shi cried out, her voice breaking.

Old nanny Wang hurriedly instructed one of the maids, "Quickly send someone to fetch the physician!"

"Grandmother, Aunt, let me send someone to bring a physician," Gu Nanzhao thoughtfully suggested. The matriarch and Shen Shi had no objection to his kindness.

The Rongfu Hall immediately descended into chaos.

Some people rushed out to fetch physicians and imperial physicians, others went to inform the Marquis, and still others led the matriarch, Shen Shi, and others toward the location. At this moment, no one cared about Liu Shi and Chu Qianling anymore.

Compared to Chu Yunmu's life, everything else was insignificant.

The group followed the maid who had brought the news, leaving Rongfu Hall and hastily heading east. They passed through winding paths, passing pavilions and towers along the way…

Chu Qianchen’s heart was in turmoil, and the image of a small figure appeared in her mind.

Even after so many years, she could still clearly remember the face of her fourth brother. At only five years old, he was incredibly beautiful, with delicate features that looked like they had been carved from jade.

Among the many brothers and sisters of the Chu family, her fourth brother was different to her.

The previous spring, she had caught a cold and was bedridden for months. The concubine had suggested she go to the estate to avoid infecting others, and she ended up staying there for over eight months.

Later, her fourth brother had come with his mother to pay respects at a temple, and on the way back to the capital, they stayed at the estate for a few days. He gave her a piece of candy, the first time she had tasted something so sweet, and it lingered in her heart.

That day, her legitimate mother had taken her back to the house, and after that, her fourth brother would often sneak over to play with her…

Chu Qianchen’s gaze deepened, and her pace quickened.

After a short while, they came upon a pavilion where many servants were gathered in a state of panic. A woman's anguished, fearful voice drifted in the wind, crying out, "Fourth Young Master, Fourth Young Master, wake up!"

The servants, seeing the matriarch and Shen Shi approaching, made way for them.

A few paces away from the rockery, a wet nurse in a green robe was kneeling on the ground, her body trembling like a sieve. Beside her, a five- or six-year-old boy lay motionless, a pool of crimson blood staining the ground, a sight that was both shocking and heartbreaking.

The wet nurse repeatedly checked the boy's breath with her right hand…

Shen Shi's body instantly stiffened, her mind blank, and her heart felt as though it was being sliced apart.

She had few children—only a son and a daughter—Chu Yunmu was her only son, only five years old. If something were to happen to him...

The matriarch hurriedly ordered, "Quick! Someone, take Fourth Young Master up immediately..."

There was an unmasked tremor in the matriarch's voice.

The wet nurse, kneeling on the ground, remained motionless, her body frozen. She had confirmed that the weak breath under her fingers had stopped.

Fourth Young Master was gone!

The wet nurse tried to speak, but it was as though her throat was seized by something, and no sound came out.

Old Nanny Wang, seeing that the wet nurse had been struck dumb with fear, stepped forward to pick up Chu Yunmu, but a clear, bright female voice suddenly rang out, "Don't move him!"

Everyone instinctively looked toward the voice.

Chu Qianchen quickly walked toward Chu Yunmu on the ground. When her gaze swept past Old Nanny Wang, Wang Nanny felt as though an arrow shot through her, carrying an indescribable weight, which startled her into shuddering. Her outstretched hand instinctively froze in midair.

Chu Qianchen crouched beside the unconscious Chu Yunmu, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.

Mu'er...

After so many years, seeing Chu Yunmu's familiar face again, her eyes welled up with tears.

In her past life, her fourth brother's life had been forever halted at the age of five.

She didn't dare waste any time. Carefully examining Chu Yunmu, she noticed that his forehead was pressed to the ground, with blood flowing from his forehead, mouth, nose, and ears.

Chu Qianchen's pale fingers brushed against the blood on his head. Without leaving any visible trace, she checked his pulse. Her eyes brightened, and she looked up, saying, "Fourth brother still has a chance!"

The matriarch's expression darkened as she questioned Chu Qianchen, "Chen'er, what exactly are you doing?"

Chu Qianchen lifted her head, no time to explain further. She immediately stated, "Fourth brother hit his head, but the skull isn’t fractured. It's because of a nosebleed that has blocked his airway, causing him to suffocate."

"His condition is critical. We can’t wait for the physician to arrive!"

Chu Qianchen then ordered, "Liu Li, go get a towel and a basin of cold water..."

Liu Li stood there, motionless, her face full of hesitation.

Shen Shi gazed at Chu Qianchen intently, tightly clutching the handkerchief in her hand. She recalled the scenes in Rongfu Hall just moments ago. This child certainly had a mind of her own.

She decisively commanded her senior maid, "Dongmei, you go!"

She would trust her this one time!

  

(End of Chapter)