The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 903 - 902: Chatting at the Graveyard

Chapter 903: Chapter 902: Chatting at the Graveyard

After that day, Old Granny Zhang found an opportunity to call Wang Yongzhu into the room, asked a couple of questions with concern, and only felt relieved when she knew Song Chongjin was alright.

Listening to Wang Yongzhu talk about reciting a scripture every day for the in-laws’ mother who passed away early and choosing a new location for the future relocation of her grave.

She couldn’t help but nod: "You’re right, reciting more scriptures might ease her suffering down there! In the future, every fifteenth day, it’s also good to go to the temple and light an Ever-Bright Lantern, it gives your husband something to hold on to."

Wang Yongzhu naturally had no objections.

"What you said to Chongjin is right too; accompany him for three years of mourning, with this bond, unless you commit an offense worthy of beheading, as long as he has a conscience, for the sake of these three years, he’ll have to accommodate you!"

"Don’t get upset, for these three years, while you’re mourning together, even if he wants to do something reckless, he won’t dare. Anyway, you’re still young now, you can take these years to nurture your body, so when the mourning period is over, you can consummate your marriage, how many children won’t be born?" Old Granny Zhang advised Wang Yongzhu earnestly.

Wang Yongzhu had a helpless expression: "Mother, what are you talking about?"

Only then did Old Granny Zhang stop talking about it.

At night, when Song Chongjin returned, Wang Yongzhu mentioned to him about lighting an Ever-Bright Lantern for Qi Huan, and Song Chongjin immediately agreed.

The next day, Song Chongjin asked Gu Zikai for half a day off, the couple and Old Granny Zhang dressed in mourning attire, hired a carriage, and quietly went to the temple.

After washing hands and burning incense, they specifically sought the temple’s abbot to light an Ever-Bright Lantern for Qi Huan.

As a result, upon hearing this, the abbot checked the records and said that Qi Huan already had someone lighting the lantern for her more than ten years ago, five pounds of lamp oil each month, and it had never been interrupted throughout those years.

Every year, at the beginning of the year, someone would deliver a year’s worth of lamp oil money to the temple.

Upon hearing this, Song Chongjin’s face immediately turned nauseous, like he had swallowed a fly; besides Song Hong, who else could be the one lighting the Ever-Bright Lantern for Qi Huan?

In life, he forced Qi Huan, heavily pregnant, to flee her hometown, and then she died in childbirth — it was all his doing.

I can’t believe he still shamelessly lights an Ever-Bright Lantern for Qi Huan.

If Qi Huan knew of this from the other side, one can’t fathom how disgusted she would be.

He immediately wanted the abbot to extinguish that Ever-Bright Lantern to not taint Qi Huan’s path to reincarnation.

The abbot refused flatly, saying they only lit lanterns for the deceased and did not wish to get involved with the grudges and sentiments of the living.

It was still Wang Yongzhu who managed to persuade Song Chongjin with many words.

She also slipped Silver to the abbot, asking him to light another Ever-Bright Lantern for Qi Huan, then dragged Song Chongjin to Qi Huan’s grave.

"Mother-in-law, today Brother Song and I also lit an Ever-Bright Lantern for you; make sure you recognize it and don’t go running to that scumbag! Rest assured, every month we’ll light six pounds of lamp oil for you, guaranteed enough! You be patient and wait a bit longer; soon, I’ll find you a good place to move."

"When that time comes, besides our family, no one shady or unpleasant will come to disturb you! Make you feel disgusted!"

Wang Yongzhu mumbled as she laid out offerings in front of Qi Huan’s grave.

This was Old Granny Zhang’s first visit; seeing Qi Huan’s solitary grave, listening to Wang Yongzhu’s ramblings, she couldn’t help but sit at the grave and start chatting: "Oh, dear in-law! I’m your daughter’s mother, and this is our first meeting! I know you’re a good mother; it’s just that you met a lousy husband! Be assured down there, I’ll keep an eye on Chongjin for you! I won’t let him go astray!"

"Also, keep yourself busy down there, help bless Chongjin a bit; he’s about to take the autumn exam, bless him to become a Graduate this time and later a Top Scholar, then to become a high official! I don’t know how high an official, just higher than that scoundrel father of his!"

"When that time comes, not to mention anything else, let Chongjin set a good reputation for your Qi Family, and if you don’t mind, in the future move the rest of the Qi Family here with you, everyone keeping company down below, lively and bustling..."

...

Song Chongjin, standing aside, was dumbfounded by what he heard.

His originally heavy and angry mood gradually calmed down unknowingly amidst Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang’s chattering, eventually even bringing a slight curve to the corner of his mouth.

Wang Yongzhu noticed Song Chongjin’s peaceful expression and only then did she feel at ease.

Once Old Granny Zhang finished speaking, the two supported her, slowly walking her out.

After the three got on the carriage and drove far away, looking back from the temple entrance, as tiny as ants now, the abbot turned to instruct a monk beside him.

The monk pulled out a slender bamboo tube from his robe, whistled, and a carrier pigeon flew down on the monk’s shoulder.

The monk tied the bamboo tube to the pigeon’s leg, then released his hand, and the pigeon spread its wings, flew up into the clouds, and disappeared.

With Song Chongjin’s mood at peace, Wang Yongzhu then felt calm enough to visit Imperial Doctor Du after missing several days.

Arriving at Imperial Doctor Du’s house, sure enough, she was scolded without mercy, with him saying that if she had no mind to learn, she might as well not bother, with her inconsistent way, she’ll be dreaming if she wants to be accepted as his disciple.

Wang Yongzhu felt no guilt from being scolded; instead, she sidled up to Imperial Doctor Du: "So does that mean the Imperial Doctor Du actually intends to take me as a disciple? I knew it! With such outstanding and smart students like me, any normal-minded person would scramble to have me as a disciple—"

Her brazen attitude made Imperial Doctor Du’s beard twitch in anger, fearing that continued discussion would cause him to be driven mad by Wang Yongzhu, he decisively brushed his sleeves and left.

Just as he stepped out the door, he heard Wang Yongzhu leisurely remarking from behind: "Oh, is it that hard to admit to wanting to take on such an excellent closed-door disciple like me?"

Imperial Doctor Du stumbled, nearly hitting the doorframe, looking back at Wang Yongzhu’s smiling face, Imperial Doctor Du shook his hand at her for a long time but couldn’t produce a word.

Finally, Lady Qi couldn’t watch anymore, "Stop teasing him! You don’t know, these couple of days without you here, he’s like an ant on a hot pan, spinning around at home, wanting to visit your house but too prideful to do so! Every day hoping fervently for your arrival, he can’t refrain from nagging when you finally appear."

After explaining a bit for Imperial Doctor Du, she then asked with concern: "You haven’t visited these days, was there something at home? If there’s any difficulty, even though my husband is now retired, my son is still in court, and we hold some influence—"

Wang Yongzhu quickly waved her hand: "There were indeed some matters at home these few days, but nothing major, it’s all settled now! Thank you, Madam and Lord Du, for your kind intentions!"

Lady Qi saw Wang Yongzhu’s sincere expression without any evasion, and nodded: "As long as that’s the case! Today let me speak plainly with you, though my husband has a sharp tongue, with a bad temper and high standards, he’s sincerely willing to teach good students like you, Yongzhu. If he says things that might be unpleasant, don’t take it personally."

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