The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 689 - 688 Worship

Chapter 689: Chapter 688 Worship

Because it was just past the New Year, the mound was still adorned with a scroll of Buddhist sutras and burnt yellow paper, clearly the work of the monastery’s monks.

Whereas many of the surrounding graves were left cold and empty without anything in front of them.

Such stark contrast likely came from Song Hong’s instructions.

The Reception Monk led people to the place and, to avoid suspicion, took his leave.

In silence, the two of them knelt before the grave, setting up rice, meat, and a few kinds of fruit.

They then inserted incense sticks and kowtowed nine times with loud thumps before Song Chongjin said, "Mother, your unfilial son has brought his wife to see you! These years, you must have suffered down below! Now that your son knows of your resting place, he will surely not let you suffer any longer!"

Wang Yongzhu accompanied him with nine bows, and while taking out the joss paper and yellow paper to burn, she lit them with a flint, burning them one by one, and said, "Grandmother, I’m Wang Yongzhu, your daughter-in-law! Rest assured, I’ll take good care of your son from now on!"

Song Chongjin knelt in front of the grave, unable to imagine what the person lying beneath looked like, what she liked, how she smiled, and what was on her mind before her last breath.

What feelings she had borne while giving life to him, and with what regrets had she closed her eyes?

All of this, along with her death, was buried underground, never to be known again.

If she did have consciousness beyond the grave, would she have also guarded by his side in the dead of night? Had she ever seen him being bullied and deceived, shedding tears in heartache? Did she ever regret having been with Song Hong?

...

Seeing Song Chongjin staring blankly at the grave, Wang Yongzhu knew his heart must be a jumble of emotions, finding it hard to bear.

She hurriedly said, "Brother Song, didn’t you buy a house and servants for grandmother? Quickly burn them for her, so she can enjoy them down below. When we have free time, we will choose an auspicious day to erect a monument for her, so that future generations will remember her! If all else fails, once we have money and power, we’ll buy this whole graveyard and make it our family’s burying ground. When our time comes, we can join her beneath the earth for some lively company..."

Song Chongjin’s expression changed, and he quickly covered Wang Yongzhu’s mouth, "Don’t talk nonsense, we’re definitely going to live a long and healthy life!"

Wang Yongzhu just wanted to roll her eyes. After a long and healthy life, doesn’t death still follow? Who could escape it? Wasn’t she just speaking off the cuff to comfort Song Chongjin?

And he took it seriously!

Her face showed disdain, but her hands involuntarily embraced Song Chongjin, wanting to lend him some strength and warmth.

The two silently hugged in front of Qi Huan’s grave for a while; a gust of wind blew and lifted the burnt paper ashes from the ground, slowly drifting upward, circling above the mound, and joyfully floating away.

Reminded by Wang Yongzhu, when Song Chongjin descended the mountain, he especially requested the Reception Monk to inquire about a skilled stonemason nearby, as he wanted to carve a monument.

The Reception Monk recommended the monastery monks, as several of them were skilled in this craft, and they offered reasonable prices.

Song Chongjin, no longer short on funds, took out a silver ingot as a deposit and only then took his leave.

On the way down the mountain, Song Chongjin’s mood slowly started to turn back, but halfway through, he looked back in the direction of the graveyard again...

Upon returning home, he heard Old Granny Zhang and the Wang Family Brothers discussing the matter of escorting the coffin back; now that the weather was gradually getting warmer, and although there was still ice, any further delay would be inadvisable.

Therefore, the decision was made to head back to Qilidun the next day and arrive overnight if possible.

Song Chongjin naturally had no objections. If they were to move to the county town, he had many matters and belongings to deal with. However, once they reached the county town, there would be more contacts available, which should suffice, he thought.

Wang Yongzhu, who was always swift and decisive, went to the Changfeng Escort Agency on the way back. It so happened that an armed escort was about to return to Shiqiao Town and had planned to leave that day. Upon hearing that the Wang Family wanted to hire their services, they simply postponed their departure by a day.

Early the next day, they hired a horse-drawn carriage and met with the armed escorts at the agency’s entrance, then set off together for Shiqiao Town.

Since they were escorting a coffin and in mourning, the armed escorts did not feel it appropriate to speak along the way, and they quietly hurried along. In this manner, they continued until it was completely dark, finally arriving at Shiqiao Town.

After settling the fee in silver, and seeing the color of the sky, they realized it was impractical to hurry back to Qilidun, but fortunately, Song Chongjin also had a place to stay in Shiqiao Town, so everyone managed to make do for the night.

Finally, they returned to Qilidun at noon on the third day.

Upon entering the village and encountering acquaintances, seeing the Wang family members wearing hemp and mourning accessories, followed by a coffin on the carriage behind them, who wouldn’t understand?

Although Wang Laozhu was somewhat biased and stubborn, he consistently had a good reputation in the village.

People remembered him leaving the village before New Year, red-faced and hale, now to return lying in a coffin. This sight weighed heavily on the hearts of the elderly as they wiped away tears and joined the procession.

Wang Yongfu, Jindou, and a few Wang family daughters-in-law, having received the news, hurried over.

As soon as Wang Yongfu saw his mother and several siblings in mourning clothes, his legs went weak. Then, seeing that coffin behind them, he immediately burst into tears, crying out, "Dad ah—"

This cry of mourning triggered the tears of many others, and the Wang Family Brothers all broke down in great sobs.

Old Granny Zhang too covered her face with a handkerchief, crying softly. Although Wang Yongzhu felt heavy-hearted, she had not yet mastered the ability to cry on command, leaving her momentarily at a loss.

It was Old Granny Zhang, quick to see the need, who swiftly handed Wang Yongzhu a handkerchief.

Upon receiving the handkerchief, Wang Yongzhu immediately smelled the pungent scent of ginger, and instantly understood. With a grimace, she rubbed the handkerchief against her eyelids.

The poignant sting forced Wang Yongzhu’s eyes shut, leaving them bright red as tears rolled down incessantly.

Onlookers, seeing this, couldn’t help but exclaim, "The Wang family’s daughter is truly a filial girl, look at how she weeps, oh my, it’s breaking my heart!"

"Indeed, she’s suddenly lost her father, only her mother’s left. She’s not even married yet; who knows how difficult her future might be!"

"That’s not right, why do I see that the Wang family’s daughter’s hair isn’t done properly? Has she already married?"

"Your eyes are really sharp! Had you not mentioned it, I wouldn’t have noticed. Indeed, did she get married during the period of mourning?"

...

Those whose attention was on the Wang Family, watching whether they were crying pitifully, dressed correctly, or conducting the funeral rites grandly, immediately noticed the change in Wang Yongzhu.

Upon a second look at Song Chongjin, who was also dressed in mourning clothes, it was obvious that his status was akin to that of a real son. Who else would not understand?

Having arrived at their destination, with all her sons present and grandsons as well, according to old customs, it was time for the sons to personally carry the coffin home.

Ropes had been prepared by someone in advance to secure the coffin. They were tied around it, and sticks were inserted for carrying. Wang Yongfu and his two brothers, together with Song Chongjin, their son-in-law, and two grandsons, lifted the coffin together.