The old lady sighed deeply, "At the bedside in my room, there’s a brick in the wall that can be moved. Pull it out, and there’s a cavity inside where I’ve placed some silver."

Everyone’s faces lit up after hearing this.

Only the youngest squatted in front of the old lady, crying.

Suddenly someone said, "Let’s hurry and lift mother back, it’s time to start preparing."

Someone nodded, "Yes, we need to set up the canopy in the yard, and the coffin hasn’t been varnished yet. These are all matters that need dealing with."

Ah Tie was eating a bowl of rice nearby; he came over and said, "Wait up, you haven’t paid the consultation fee yet, and Doctor Gu’s Golden Needle is still stuck in the old lady!"

The eldest asked, "How much is the fee?"

Ah Tie held up two fingers, "Two taels of silver."

The eldest took out a small piece of silver and said to his brothers, "Just so you all know, I’m covering this for now, but we’ll divide it evenly once we get back."

Once all the brothers nodded in agreement, the eldest then handed the silver to Ah Tie.

At this point, the second eldest said, "I suggest pulling out the needles, then we can carry mother back more easily."

Ah Tie said seriously, "The Golden Needle is inserted in the acupuncture points. If you don’t pull them out, the old lady will hold on for a while longer and might speak a few words to you. Once pulled, she won’t make it, so think carefully."

A daughter-in-law then said, "Just pull them out, we’re in a hurry to get back, anyways..." She stopped abruptly, realizing she had misspoken.

At this time, none of the old lady’s sons or daughters-in-law spoke.

From the door plank, the old lady faintly said, "Pull them out, it will be easier for me to go."

"Living a moment longer is meaningless."

The youngest cried bitterly on the old lady, "No, don’t pull them!"

"Mother, speak a few more words to me, I want to hear you say something again."

The old lady shook her head and glanced at the sons and daughters-in-law standing around, uncertain whether they had truly forgotten their mother after marrying or grown old and become indifferent to life and death. Only the youngest still held attachment to his mother.

At this time, a few sons walked aside, whispering to each other.

A few daughters-in-law gathered and discussed arrangements for the old lady’s affairs after her passing.

The old lady glanced at those sons and daughters-in-law, her lips moved, quickly saying to the youngest lying on her, "Under the pickled vegetable jar."

The youngest’s sobbing paused for a moment, stupidly looking at his mother.

After speaking, the old lady slowly closed her eyes, and her breath ceased completely.

"Mother—"

Following the youngest’s cry, the sons and daughters-in-law gathered around again, wailing and weeping desperately.

Ah Tie remained calm, eating his meal. After years in the medicine shop, he had seen and learned much. This was nothing; he had witnessed more sensational scenes.

Yun Jiao quickly came out and removed the Golden Needle from the old lady. Her sons and daughters-in-law carried the door plank back, crying along the way.

Relatives of the Gu Family stayed for a few days, toured Xiang City, but despite Gu Yuheng’s persuasion, they all went back home.

In a blink, it was the end of the year, and the military camp was on break. The Duke and Lin Shuo brought their children home as well.

Renxin Hall also closed for the New Year’s recess.

On New Year’s Day, Jiang Youzhi and Yun Jiao were to enter the palace for a banquet.

The Duke and Lin Shuo had the same obligation.

The men donned their court attire, Yun Jiao dressed in her rank-bestowed full set, draped in an embroidered robe, topped with a phoenix crown, and rode a sedan chair into the palace.