Chapter 2048: The Curtain Falls on an Era! (1/2)
The night was cold and bleak, and even the bamboo in the garden was withering, suffused with a somber energy.
Beneath the sign that declared 'With Great Virtue, One Can Take the World', Imperial Physician Shen was preparing to leave, his medicine chest on his back.
”Your Highness, Duke Jiu just woke up. He has been waiting for you! Hurry on inside!”
Imperial Physician Shen sighed and quickly brushed past Wang Chong.
Passing through the main hall, Wang Chong once more saw his grandfather.
His grandfather sat motionless on the wide armchair. If one discounted his slightly pale complexion, one would think that he was even more energetic than normal, a tinge of ruddiness on his cheeks.
But his grandmother solemnly stood at his side, constantly wiping away her tears.
When he saw this, Wang Chong's heart instantly sank.
Wang Chong was no stranger to this situation. This was a soul echo, just like he had seen with the Sage Emperor.
”Grandpa!” Wang Chong called out, his voice trembling, and walked closer.
”Chong-er, you've come.”
Upon hearing Wang Chong's voice, Duke Jiu looked over, a gentle and affectionate smile on his face, but his pale complexion could only elicit sorrow.
His grandfather's hair had so quickly become mottled with white, and the wrinkles had increased in number. The sight of him becoming so much older made Wang Chong's heart ache.
His grandfather looked at his grandmother, and his grandmother understood as she wiped away her tears.
”Talk with each other. I'll take my leave!”
She quickly departed, leaving Wang Chong alone with the Old Master.
”Grandpa!”
Wang Chong walked over and got down on one knee. He grasped his grandfather's hand, and upon sensing how weak and withered it was, he felt a great pain in his heart.
Whether in his last life or this life, each time he lost one of his family members, he felt as if his heart was being stabbed.
His heart felt like it was going to shatter!
Wang Chong had changed a lot about this world. In the Consort Taizhen incident, King Song did not fall out of favor and the Wang Clan did not begin its decline. But even after returning to the apex, the Wang Clan was still forced to go through this stage.
Wang Chong had never imagined that he would still lose his grandfather.
This was the first time he was losing a member of his family!
Tears rolled down his face, and his shoulders trembled, but he did not break into sobs.
He had never imagined that he would lose his two most important people in a single day!
Pills, ginseng, natural treasures… he had thought of every possible way to extend his grandfather's lifespan, but it had still come to this point.
Why?
Was this simply fate?
Wang Chong fiercely raised his head and earnestly said, ”Grandfather, there's still a way. I still have a way… I'll definitely think of a way to save you and extend your life!”
”There's no need!”
Wang Chong suddenly felt the wizened hands in his grip tighten.
Wang Chong looked at his grandfather in surprise. His grandfather looked back with a kind expression, holding his hands as he smiled and shook his head.
”Child, your grandfather knows that you can do it, but there's no need. After living until now, your grandfather has experienced everything that he ought to experience and has no more regrets.
”And… our era is already over!”
His grandfather had appeared aloof and indifferent to all things. His expression carried nostalgia for the past and anticipation for the future.
Wang Chong was startled, but as he saw the white mourning scarf on his grandfather's sleeve, he suddenly understood.
The Sage Emperor was gone!
The curtain had fallen on the era that the Sage Emperor and his grandfather had created together, and its resplendence had faded!
His grandfather had not been afflicted by some illness, nor were his old injuries flaring. It was simply that he no longer had the desire to live!
When a person had experienced all the glory that they could, all the rises and falls, then once they lived a life without regrets, they no longer had anything to keep them.
”Grandpa!”
Wang Chong wanted to say something, but he couldn't find the words. His mind was overcome by unbearable sadness.
”Chong-er, your grandfather wishes to ask you something. Can you tell your grandfather the truth?” Duke Jiu said, his voice rather weak.
”Grandfather, your grandson will tell you whatever you wish to know!” Wang Chong said.
There was a rather long moment of silence before the Old Master spoke.
”Like His Majesty, you have seen the future, right?”
Bang!
Duke Jiu did not speak loudly, but Wang Chong immediately trembled in alarm at these words, as if he had been struck by lightning.
Wang Chong had never imagined his grandfather would ask a question like this in the final moments of his life.
This question was like a long needle that pierced through Wang Chong's defenses and punctured the most secretive place in his heart.
To Wang Chong's shock, his grandfather, who spent all his time in Four Quarters Embassy and was almost isolated from the world, had asked this kind of question.
Wang Chong instinctively wanted to deny it.
But when Wang Chong raised his head and saw his grandfather's eyes, he hesitated.
His eyes were bright and deep, but they did not carry any sort of threatening sharpness. Rather, they held a soft and gentle power, like a gentle breeze.
Wang Chong saw no rebuke or blame in those eyes.
Wang Chong had never brought up his reincarnation to anyone, not even his closest confidants. This was his personal secret. But when he saw the kind and gentle expression on his grandfather's face, Wang Chong nodded.
”Yes!”
”I knew that my guess was right! Truly, truly!”