Zhulan received the letter and went back to the rear courtyard. Without changing her clothes, she tore open the envelope. Her hand, clutching the letter, clenched tightly; her heart felt heavy.
Zhou Shuren, the eldest son, quickly supported his mother, "Mother, are you alright?"
Zhulan, sitting and pressing on her brow, replied, "I'm fine."
Zhou Shuren took the letter and swiftly read through it; his grandmother was seriously ill, "Mother, I will go to Lizhou City."
Zhulan gestured for her eldest to leave, and though Zhou Shuren opened his mouth to speak, he eventually withdrew; at this moment, mother needed peace.
