Chapter 1019: Side Story 1 (1)

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Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Winter gripped the capital in the second year of the new emperor’s reign. Inside the Gu residence, Mr. Gu, his hair a stark white, coughed relentlessly, each spasm wracking his body as if threatening to expel his very lungs. Gu Chengye, whose own hair had begun to silver, rushed to his side with a small bowl of loquat paste.

“Dad, drink this quickly,” he urged, scooping a spoonful and holding it near his father’s lips. “It will soothe your throat.”

Mr. Gu initially attempted to push the bowl away, but a sudden itch in his throat forced him to relent. He drank the paste obediently and laid back, hoping to catch his breath. However, a persistent rattle echoed in his throat, a sound that sent shivers down their spines.

Gu Chengye sighed, setting down the empty bowl. He turned and left the room, his worry evident. “Is Butler Liu still not back?” he inquired of the servant guarding the door.

“No, sir,” the servant replied. “Finding the Seventh Master is always difficult. I’m afraid we’ll have to wait a while longer.”

Just as the servant finished speaking, Butler Liu hurried through the door, accompanied by Gu Chengxi. Seeing Gu Chengye by the entrance, Gu Chengxi rushed forward. “Second Brother, how is Uncle?”

“I can’t say for certain,” Gu Chengye replied in a low voice. “Go in and see for yourself. At least you can offer some comfort.” He gestured for Gu Chengxi to enter.

Gu Chengxi approached the bed and studied Mr. Gu, his labored breathing causing a moment of stunned silence. He quickly checked his pulse before carefully using a stethoscope to listen to his lungs. After a brief examination, Mr. Gu reached out and grasped his hand before he could utter a word.

“Chengxi, you’re the closest to Chengrui,” Mr. Gu rasped. “Have you been in contact with him recently? Did he say when he might return?”

“Uncle,” Gu Chengxi responded, “the last time we communicated with them was three years ago, and only with Guoguo. As for Chengrui, we haven’t heard from him in many years.” He paused, then added, “Uncle, if you wish to say something, please tell us. We’ll do everything in our power to fulfill your wishes.”

“I just want to see Chengrui,” Mr. Gu weakly pleaded, shaking his head.

Gu Chengxi exchanged a helpless glance with Gu Chengye, who only offered a bitter smile in response.

“Don’t worry, Uncle,” Gu Chengxi assured him. “I’ll try my best to contact him later.”

“Alright, alright. Hurry,” Mr. Gu urged, coughing violently.

Seeing his distress, Gu Chengxi swiftly retrieved a silver needle and performed acupressure to ease his coughing fit. He then prescribed and administered two doses of cough medicine through injection.

Once Mr. Gu calmed down slightly, Gu Chengxi offered some reassurance. “Uncle, try not to worry so much. Your health is relatively stable. Living another three to five years shouldn’t be a problem.”

Mr. Gu merely glanced at him before closing his eyes. He knew all too well the state of his own body. This persistent phlegm could quickly turn fatal with one wrong move.

After Mr. Gu drifted off to sleep, they left a servant girl to attend to him. Once outside, the two brothers shared their concerns.

“Chengxi,” Gu Chengye began, his voice heavy with worry, “how is Father’s health?”

“You should start preparing for the funeral.”

“It’s that serious?” Gu Chengye exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.

“Uncle has hot phlegm,” Gu Chengxi explained. This time, the heat has complicated it. At his age, it’s difficult to say if he can pull through.”

“What about the new medicines? Won’t they be effective?” Gu Chengye pressed.

Gu Chengxi shook his head. “I just administered some of the new medicine, but it didn’t have much impact on Uncle.”

Another violent cough erupted from the room as if on cue, growing louder and more desperate with each spasm. Then, a servant girl’s panicked scream pierced the air. The brothers exchanged a worried look and rushed back into the room.

They found the servant girl supporting a pale Mr. Gu, who was spitting profusely into the spittoon. His spit contained not just phlegm but horrifying black, coagulated blood.