Chapter Fifty-Five: Yun Niang's Origins

Divine Physician Hua let out a gentle sigh. Though Gou Ye trusted him implicitly and never failed to address him as “Divine Physician,” in the end, he was but a mortal man. “Young Master Gou, I understand your feelings. But I am not an immortal. There are many grave and mysterious illnesses in this world beyond my ability to cure. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the fate allotted to every person. All I can do is delay their coming, but when the moment comes that I am truly powerless to turn back fate, I can only admit my helplessness.”

In contrast, when Yun Niang’s mother learned of her own condition, she smiled serenely. Her body seemed to relax, and she even looked somewhat better. Taking Gou Ye’s hand, she murmured softly, “Gou Ye, Divine Physician Hua speaks the truth. Birth and death are in the hands of fate. As for my illness, I am well aware of its gravity. Do not exhaust your silver on my behalf any longer. Death is not to be feared; my only regret is the ties of affection I have yet to let go. Yun Niang is still young, and I cannot set my heart at ease. Today, I want you to make me a promise: in this life, you must care for Yun Niang, ensure she has enough to eat and warm clothes to wear, and that she suffers no bullying. Will you promise me that?”

Gou Ye gripped her hands tightly, his face streaked with tears. He nodded fervently, choking as he replied, “Auntie, I promise. In this life, I will look after Yun Niang. As long as I live, she will not know hunger or cold, nor be bullied. Please, don’t say such things. I still believe there’s a way. If you take your medicine, your health can be restored. Next year, Yun Niang will come of age—you must live to see our wedding.”

Yun Niang’s mother raised her hand with comfort, gazing at Gou Ye with a gentle smile. “Gou Ye, I have one more wish. I have watched you grow since you were a child—you are like my own son. You and Yun Niang grew up together, and your affection is plain to see. That brings me much joy. I confess I have been selfish: if your health had remained poor, I thought perhaps I should marry Yun Niang to someone else. If you blame me, remember, I have but one daughter. Still, I have always treated you as a son. Will you call me ‘Mother’ just once?”

Hearing this, Gou Ye was overwhelmed by emotion. Tears streaming down his face, he fell to his knees and bowed deeply. “From this day forward, you are my mother. I will be as filial to you as I would to my own. Mother.”

At that moment, Yun Niang hurried in with a medicine pot. Seeing Gou Ye on his knees, her heart thudded with dread. Quickly setting the pot on the table, she ladled a bowl and held it to her mother’s lips, sobbing, “Mother, what’s wrong? Don’t frighten me. I’ve brewed the medicine—please drink it, and you’ll get better. Please…”

Yun Niang’s mother stroked her daughter’s hair, took a weak sip of the medicine, and though her voice was faint, her expression was calm. “Yun Niang, I am all right for now, but I fear I cannot care for you much longer. Don’t cry, you and Gou Ye, both of you, stand up.”

Yun Niang shook her head, trembling in distress. “Mother, it’s all my fault. If I hadn’t gone out today, you wouldn’t have fallen ill.”

“Silly child, what does it matter if you went out or not? Even if you’d stayed home, things would be the same. Listen—just now, Gou Ye has acknowledged me as his mother. From now on, he is my son. I may not live to see you wed, but today I declare your bond. From this day forth, you must support each other, through wealth or hardship, and always care for one another.”

Gou Ye and Yun Niang both nodded solemnly. Then Yun Niang’s mother turned to Divine Physician Hua. “Divine Physician, you have worked hard on my behalf. Thank you for your treatment and your honesty.”

Divine Physician Hua bowed deeply. “Madam, please, do not thank me. It is my failing that I cannot cure you.”

She shook her head softly. “Divine Physician, do not blame yourself. You are renowned for your skill. Birth and death are common to all; I am but one patient among many. Now, I have matters to discuss with my children. Would you kindly rest downstairs for a while and forgive us this brief privacy?”

Divine Physician Hua bowed once more, shook his head, and took his medicine chest down the stairs.

When only the three of them remained, Yun Niang’s mother carefully asked Gou Ye to close the door. Only when she felt it was safe did she relax. Holding Yun Niang’s hand and wiping away her tears—her own flowing as well—she sent Yun Niang to fetch a small red box from the wardrobe. Yun Niang had seen this box since childhood, but her mother had never allowed her to open it. Once, when she tried to peek, her mother scolded her fiercely, and thereafter she never dared to ask about its contents.

Now, her mother bade her open the red box. Inside, beneath a soft cushion, lay an emerald-green jade. Though Gou Ye knew little of such things, he could tell at once it was no ordinary item. Beside the jade was a letter and a hairpin—small but exquisitely crafted, unmistakably something belonging to a wealthy household.

Yun Niang’s mother propped herself up and gazed at her daughter. “Since the day you were born, I brought you here to Tumen Village. You have never spoken of your father, and I always told you he was dead. In that, I did not lie—but I never told you of your true heritage. I had planned to do so after your marriage, but now, I fear there is no time. Listen well: your father’s name was Yun Shang, once the wealthiest man in the Chen Kingdom.”

At this, both Yun Niang and Gou Ye were utterly astounded. Looking at the girl who had grown up beside him, Gou Ye could never have imagined she had such a background. The Chen Kingdom, whose power now surpassed that of Ming, and her father had once been its richest man. The splendor of Yun Niang’s former family was almost unimaginable.

Seeing their astonishment, Yun Niang’s mother smiled gently and continued, “You need not be surprised. All this is in the past. When I was first pregnant with you, your father was still a young man, not yet forty, but a genius in business, much like Gou Ye—full of ideas, bold and vigorous in action. His open and generous nature drew many noble families to his side. With their help, he soon stood out among the merchant clans. The court, hearing of his talents at a time when the treasury was empty, sought him out to strengthen the nation. Your father was eager to serve and gladly accepted. Under his direction, the Chen Kingdom lifted the maritime ban and opened trade routes between regions. On his advice, the court enacted many policies favorable to merchants. In just five years, the national treasury flourished. During that time, Chen’s power clearly surpassed Ming’s. Your father was not only a commercial genius, but also an expert in military reform. He advised the emperor to overhaul the military system, and in five years, the Chen Kingdom seized vast territories from Ming.”

At this point, Yun Niang’s mother was seized by a fit of coughing. Yun Niang quickly brought her water, and only after some relief did her mother continue.