Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 156 Serving the Sick, Stopping Medication!
The main hall of the Jiang residence.

The space is spacious and grand, and the proper etiquette is evident.

Jiang Zhong and Hai Xirui, husband and wife, sat at the head of the table.

The man had slightly graying temples, wore a light-colored brocade robe, and had a calm and peaceful expression.

A woman holding a brocade handkerchief, dressed in a light white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), moved with gentle and graceful manners.

The three sons of both parents, Jiang Huaijin, Jiang Heng, and Jiang Xun, affectionately call each other "grandfather" and "grandmother," which is endearing to all.

Below the seat of self-reliant individuals, seats are divided into left and right.

There was no one at the left, the second seat to the left, or the second seat to the right, but at the right was Sheng Hualan, wearing a light-colored long dress.

The remaining seats, from left to right, were occupied by more than ten clan elders gathered together.

Besides the clan elders, there were also dozens of younger Jiang family members standing beside them.

The daughter-in-law and grandson have arrived, but the son has not.

Hai Shi kept glancing out the window, full of anticipation.

Jiang Zhong was a steady person and didn't say anything, but he would occasionally glance at him.

Soon.

"Big brother is here."

Jiang Xu took the lead and shouted.

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Zhao, dressed in a blue robe, appeared.

"Zhao'er."

Hai Xirui, longing for her son, rushed over.

Jiang Zhong nodded steadily and walked out slowly.

The remaining clan elders and younger members of the Jiang family all stood solemnly.

Jiang Zhao is the Jiang family's greatest asset!

Under the eaves, the mother and son reunite.

After ten years apart, Hai Xirui's eyes reddened and she sobbed softly.

Of the three sons, Jiang Zhao, Jiang Xiao, and Jiang Xu, Jiang Zhao is the eldest and the most well-behaved and sensible.

From his early childhood, Jiang Zhao knew how to read and study literature proactively, so he didn't need to worry about his studies at all.

As a first-time mother, she undoubtedly devoted more attention and effort to her eldest son.

The well-behaved and sensible eldest son is even more lovable.

But precisely because he was so well-behaved, sensible, and accomplished, from the age of twelve, when the eldest son began to observe the affairs of the world, the mother and son could only communicate through letters.

After he turned eighteen, his eldest son entered officialdom, and they did not see each other for ten years.

How could anyone not miss it?

“Mother, I’m alright,” Jiang Zhao reassured her.

Hai nodded, realizing she had lost her composure, and wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

As the eldest daughter of the Jiangning Hai family, she received a good education from a young age and knew that the leisurely life in Huaizuo was inseparable from her son's support.

Even though I miss you terribly, I just can't bring myself to say things like, "I don't need you to succeed, I just want you to stay by my side."

For every prominent family in a region, someone has to shoulder the burden and move forward.

"Zhao'er."

Jiang Zhong called out, his face full of satisfaction: "The Jiang family has gained glory because of you!"

The top scholar, conquering new territories!
These two things alone are enough to make the Jiang family's ancestral graves emit auspicious smoke.

Even when the imperial court compiled history, the ancestors of the Jiang family were recorded in history books because of their sons.

When it comes to excellence, it cannot be summarized by the mere phrase "becoming a useful person".
“Father.” Jiang Zhao bowed respectfully.

Jiang Zhong stroked his beard and nodded.

The clan elders and Jiang family members all bowed in unison.

The terms of address vary; some call him "elder brother," some "cousin," and some "younger brother."

Actually, the most authentic title should be "Young Master".

However, Jiang Zhao's status and position no longer need to be proven by titles.

In contrast, addressing someone by blood ties makes the relationship seem closer.

Jiang Zhao nodded and waved his hand.

Main hall.

To the left, Jiang Zhao glanced around and asked calmly, "How has the clan been lately?"

He didn't concern himself with the specifics of the Jiang family in Huaizuo; this was merely a casual inquiry.

“Since Xihe expanded its territory, many sons of scholars and officials have gone to Xihe Road. At the very least, they have an official position. The remaining businesses are also growing stronger and more prosperous,” Jiang Zhong said slowly.

If someone has connections at higher levels and still struggles to grow stronger, then they're truly useless.

Jiang Zhao nodded and cautioned, "It's good to grow stronger, but remember not to overstep your bounds in your actions, lest you give others a handle to use against you."

Some things, if you don't weigh them, they're nothing; but if you do, they're worth a ton.

If you have power and influence, then develop and expand with great momentum, rather than resorting to intrigue and trickery.

"Don't worry," Jiang Zhong stroked his beard and nodded.

The Jiang family of Huaizuo is a century-old clan with its own set of rules and standards for doing things. They know exactly what they can and cannot do.

Jiang Zhao understood and said nothing more. A thriving scene was enough to cover up all the conflicts within the clan.

A family that grows and prospers step by step is always united and full of vitality.

"How is Grandfather?" Jiang Zhao asked with great concern.

"Increasingly sleepy," Jiang Zhong replied. "She's still fast asleep right now."

Jiang Zhao rubbed his temples and waved his hand, saying, "If Grandfather wakes up and needs to be cared for, just send someone to call me."

The prolonged mental strain left him feeling somewhat drowsy.

"Alright."

Jiang Zhong knew that his eldest son had traveled a long distance and endured great hardship: "You must be tired from the journey, go and rest."

With both father and son achieving success, Jiang Zhong, caught in the middle, has a very clear understanding of his own position.

Whatever decision the father and son make, just go along with it.

Jiang Zhao nodded.

Evening clouds gathered, and the setting sun bathed the sky in gold.

Yi Yang Tang (Elderly Care Hall).

On the long couch, which was six feet long and three feet five inches wide, an elderly man with white hair coughed occasionally, but not violently.

Jiang Zhao supported his grandfather, holding a wooden spoon, while his wife, Sheng Hualan, carried the medicine. The three children stood obediently, and elders, cousins, and others gathered around, their faces showing concern.

After being fed a mouthful of herbal medicine, Jiang Zhi hissed and looked disgusted: "It's too bitter."

"grandfather."

Jiang Zhao called out softly, about to persuade him, but Jiang Zhi waved his hand and said, "I haven't wanted to eat for a long time."

"Medicine must be swallowed, and so must food. Eating is uncomfortable, and swallowing medicine is uncomfortable too!"

"Zhao'er, stop taking the medicine."

“I have said several times that I would stop the medication, but your father just doesn’t dare to.”

Jiang Zhi sighed, "Without the medicine, I can just lie in a chair and bask in the sun whenever I have nothing to do. Isn't that better than suffering from taking herbal medicine?"

How many times have I said it?

Jiang Zhao was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but look back.

The presence of a dozen or so elders and dozens of Jiang family members seemed unsurprising.

In other words, my grandfather must have said something similar.

"Father?" Jiang Zhao frowned.

Grandfather always says that taking medicine is painful, so why don't we follow the old man's advice?

"This medicine has very little effect, but it does have some benefit."

"Some things are still up to you to decide," Jiang Zhong said with a drooping head and a sigh.

As the clan leader, he could make decisions on most things, but whether his father should stop taking his medicine was not something he could decide.

Jiang Zhao was startled.

No wonder it's "daring not to stop taking the medicine" rather than "unwilling to stop taking the medicine".

Stopping the medication meant that Grandpa's lifespan was officially on a countdown.

If the most promising grandson is unaware of the truth, who would dare to stop the medication without a reason?

Jiang Zhong can decide whether to break off the relationship or not, but if he doesn't handle it well, it will create a rift between father and son.

Among all members of the Jiang family, only he has the authority to decide whether or not to discontinue the medication!
Jiang Zhao looked earnestly at his grandfather.

He was emaciated and barely ate anything.

Even without medication, it won't last long.

Moreover, as my grandfather said, if eating is difficult, then taking herbal medicine is just as difficult.
Taking medicine for no reason and suffering for nothing, I reckon I'll only live a day or two longer.

"Should we cut it off?" Jiang Zhao asked.

"Sever." The old man was unusually decisive.

Jiang Zhao sighed.

Having navigated the ups and downs of officialdom for three or four decades, my grandfather was by no means a man without perseverance.

The reason they refuse to take medicine is indeed because taking medicine would only cause them unnecessary suffering.

It can't be cured, and it only makes people suffer.

Taking the medicine from his wife, Jiang Zhao said, "Everyone, go out. I'll serve the medicine."

In Confucian society, filial piety is paramount, and abstaining from medicine is not accepted by the social norms.

The necessary superficial work still needs to be done.

One person attends to the sick man and feeds him medicine!
Jiang Zhi's cloudy eyes brightened slightly, and he patted his grandson with his withered hand: "It wasn't for nothing that I doted on you."

The clan elders and Jiang family members all bowed and withdrew.

As soon as the person left, Jiang Zhao splashed water by the window.

The bowl of herbal medicine was then served.

The grandfather and grandson chatted quietly about everyday things.

Occasionally, when the old man talks about matters of the court, it greatly arouses his interest.

　The previous version was slightly modified, mainly focusing on the appearance of Sheng Shulan and her illegitimate son Jiang Heng, and adding a few lines.

　　I almost forgot about them yesterday!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)