Chapter 685 – A Way to Live (1/2)

Chapter 685 – A Way to Live

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

'True person' was very unusual praise.

Chen Changsheng fell silent for a few moments, then asked, ”There was still another?”

Just now, Madam Xue had said that he was one of the two that Xue Xingchuan thought to be true persons.

Madam Xue did not directly answer this question, but used a different method. ”Your Eminence is truly the Divine Empress's son.”

Chen Changsheng understood. ”Regretfully, I'm not actually her son.”

Madam Xue noted, ”I am deeply gratified to hear Your Eminence say that it is regretful.”

Chen Changsheng replied, ”Yes, I don't think it's shameful at all to have such a mother. Although she wasn't a good person, she was a truly outstanding person.”

Madam Xue sorrowfully sighed, ”That's right, or else why would my late husband and the rest of them be willing to follow the Empress until death?”

Chen Changsheng suddenly asked, ”Do you feel hate?”

If speaking of hate, Madam Xue had far too many reasons to feel hate. If speaking of regret, she had also reasons to feel regret.

This hate and regret was not all meant for the new government. There was also some meant for that supervisor of the Ministry of Justice, for Xu Shiji, and also for this period of time.

Madam Xue very calmly replied, ”No, I only hate that Zhou Tong isn't dead.”

Chen Changsheng calmly gazed into her eyes. He did not speak, did not console her.

Madam Xue was extremely smart, so she understood. Thus, she was somewhat shocked and deeply moved. She wanted to give him a few words of advice, yet couldn't open her mouth, as she had no idea what to say.

Chen Changsheng had said nothing at all, so what advice could she give?

The two said their farewells. At the gate of the Orthodox Academy, Chen Changsheng said to Madam Xue, ”I ask that Madam does not leave.”

According to the information sent from the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education, the Xue Estate had already been emptied, boxes and luggage already piled up at its back gate. It seemed that Madam Xue might return to her hometown in a few days.

Yet Chen Changsheng had asked that she not leave.

Madam Xue understood his intentions, because he understood her intentions.

After a very long period of silence, she managed with some difficulty to give a faint smile. ”Very well, I will be here to see it.”

Chen Changsheng replied, ”Madam will see it.”

……

……

After being raided, the Xue Estate had sent away all its servants. Whether they were part of the main branch or the secondary branches, any person that had not been implicated for the moment had already been sent back to their hometown. At the moment, the only people remaining in the estate were Madam Xue, a servant woman, and an old butler. It seemed very deserted, and if Madam Xue's intentions had been followed, even the servant woman and the old butler would have already left. However, she had been unable to convince them.

The servant woman said, ”Since we have to arrange a funeral, no matter how simple it is, we still have to buy a few things. We should at least share some of the burden with the Madam.”

Madam Xue shook her head and said, ”The person has already been buried, so there's no need for a funeral.”

The butler commented, ”Since the Imperial Court has said nothing, they've silently agreed. In the coming days, there will presumably be some important people or old comrades coming to offer their respects. We have to welcome them.”

He was thinking of how things had been done in the past, but only stimulated Madam Xue's sadness. She indifferently replied, ”Do you think anyone will dare to come?”

The butler thought, the old master was a hero of the generation with a vast circle of friends in the capital. As long as the Imperial Court does not issue an explicit decree, someone will come.

Madam Xue said, ”Since we plan to have a funeral, where will we get the money?”

The butler thought about this problem for a few moments, then said, ”For the moment, we can't sell off that offering field on the outskirts of the capital, but the store on the Western Boulevard…”

The present Xue Estate no longer had any money to use. If they wished to set up a presentable funeral hall, they could only sell off the family property that had not been seized, and it had to be the best property to gather sufficient money.

Western Boulevard was the most flourishing part of the capital, and the stores on that street made money hand over fist. No one had ever been willing to sell one off.

Seeing the Madam's hesitant expression, the butler thought that she was unwilling and advised, ”Once we return to your home, no one will be there to watch the store. Sooner or later, we will have to abandon it. Since we have no plans of coming back, there's no need to keep it.”

After a period of silence, Madam Xue replied, ”Don't sell the store.”

The butler was somewhat shocked and continued his persuasions. ”Madam, you should…”

Madam Xue shook her head, saying, ”I know what you're worried about, but I've already changed my mind. I don't plan to leave the capital.”

The butler was even more shocked at these words, but before he had time to speak, he heard the Madam say, ”In the next few days, return home and bring Brother Jin back.”