The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 466 - 455

Chapter 466: 455

Zhou Dalang stepped aside, allowing Zhou Erlang to step forward.

Ms. Qian still gave him a string of coins and, after thinking it over, added another string. "Back when we were preparing the banquet for Four, we barely spent a string of coins, but this time is different from before. Not to mention those coming from afar, we’ll certainly have to invite the entire village, young and old alike. Moreover, meat has become more expensive now. You should buy some extra, just to be on the safe side."

Zhou Erlang accepted the money and acknowledged the task.

"If it’s not enough, credit the goods first and settle the payment after the day after tomorrow," she instructed.

Ms. Feng then took a tour around the vegetable garden and returned to report, "Mother, I’m afraid there won’t be enough vegetables in the garden."

Although they planted a vast array of vegetables, Erlang nearly sold vegetables in town every day, so it was difficult to supply enough for so many people at once.

Ms. Qian thought for a moment and then got up, saying, "I’ll take a walk outside. Everyone at home, keep a closer watch. Have Datou and Daya keep an eye on the little ones; don’t let them run around everywhere."

"Yes."

It was the peak season for vegetables, everything grew at its fastest pace, and crops in the fields could sprout a new batch every two to three days. So, as long as the family wasn’t lazy, there was usually enough food to eat.

In Qili Village, it wasn’t customary for households to buy vegetables from each other. If one family took a fancy to another’s vegetables, they would just ask and pinch a handful to try.

The vegetables of the Zhou family were often requested for such purposes.

Not only did they plant a variety, but they also maintained high quality and abundance.

There is give, and there is take. After Ms. Qian made her rounds in the village, she had gathered enough vegetables for the upcoming days.

This business seemed to have nothing to do with the younger children. Even Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang could only help out at home, moving things wherever needed without being specifically responsible for anything.

Zhou Silang, on the other hand, took some youths from the village to deliver messages to relatives, informing them of the situation. Whether they would attend was up to each family.

Old Zhou, however, did not wish to invite too many guests. Besides the current in-laws, who were a must, he invited only the family of his wife’s parents.

After all, from Zhou Yin’s perspective, the closest relatives, besides his own clan, were those of his maternal family.

Manbao was oblivious to all these matters. She was simply expected to eat as usual, attend her lessons, and when she returned from school, she found a large coffin laid out at home.

Ms. Qian’s explanation was, "We’re just making clothes and grave for them to be buried together. When the time comes, you only need to kowtow to your uncle and aunt."

"And their child too? Mother, did the bailiff say whether it was a brother or a sister?" Manbao inquired.

Ms. Qian was taken aback and after a long pause said, "He didn’t say. The child was young, there’s no need for a special ceremony. Manbao, be careful not to speak out of turn during the service, understand?"

Manbao nodded, puzzled.

Ms. Qian’s heart was laden with worry. It seemed she would need to give explicit instructions to the priests, to summon only the spirits of Zhou Yin and his wife, and not the child.

"Have you asked for leave from your teacher?" she asked Manbao.

"I have. I don’t need to go to school tomorrow."

"Hmm," Ms. Qian said, "Even if there’s no school, you should still go to bed early. You need to cry for the wake tomorrow."

After that, she instructed Manbao to bathe and sleep early to be able to rise early.

That evening, the children of the Zhou household and, indeed, of the village, all went to bed exceptionally early. As darkness fell, the sounds around gradually subsided, and by the time the moon was high in the sky, only the sounds of insects could be heard throughout the village.

Dressed, Old Zhou went outside while Zhou Dalang, along with his five brothers, tied white cloth strips around their heads and lifted the coffin quietly.

Ms. Qian and Junior Ms. Qian walked alongside, holding torches. They had walked only a short distance when a neighbor opened their door and a person, also holding a torch and carrying a hoe, followed them...

By the time they reached the graveyard outside the village, the torches that surrounded them were numerous.

Old Zhou didn’t ask who had come; making noise in the dead of night was not appropriate.

Upon reaching the grave site, everyone began to dig.

After scraping off the mound, they dug about three meters down and encountered a layer of rotting cotton quilts.

Their movements became gentler as they scraped away the dirt covering the top layer with their hands and carefully uncovered the decayed and misshapen quilt. The two skeletons, huddled together, were revealed underneath.

Their clothes were still intact but mingled with the original colors in a grimy mix, unappealing to the eye. Except for their hair, all flesh had decomposed into nothingness.

Zhou Dalang said, "The one on the left is my uncle, and on the right is my aunt. Don’t mix them up. Now, those collecting the bones, the ones on the left for me, and the ones on the right for Two."

"Shouldn’t they be wiped?" someone asked.

Ms. Qian and Junior Ms. Qian immediately brought out two large cotton cloths, saying, "We’ve brought the cloths."

Old Zhou kicked Four, Five, and Sixth in the behind, saying to the three shivering boys, "What are you scared of? Hurry up and wipe them, and be careful not to lose any bones."

The hair actually had already detached from the skulls, and a gentle tug caused it to fall off. Fours, Fives, and Sixths had never seen such a scene before. Even though many people surrounded them, they were still terrified.

Seeing them, Ms. Qian couldn’t help but pat their heads and chuckle, "Silly children, these are your uncle and aunt. They adore you. How could they ever wish to frighten you?"

"That’s right. Cleaning the bones of elders brings blessings," another reassured. "Let’s hope your uncle showers blessings upon you, making you rich."

The people around them echoed similar sentiments, and the grave site became lively. The three brothers were less frightened now.

By the time they had finished cleaning the bones and placed them back in the coffin, it was the middle of the night.

The group then filled the grave, restoring the mound, though the earth showed signs of disturbance. This patch belonged to Qili Village, so there was nothing to fear.

The Zhou brothers carefully carried the coffin back home, placing it in the center of the main hall.

Ms. Qian and Junior Ms. Qian then unfolded the prepared shrouds and laid them over the two skeletons.

Including the copper coins and other items meant to be buried with them, Ms. Qian made sure none were missing.

After a final look, everyone closed the coffin lid, and with the help of the villagers, nailed it shut, sealing it tight.

They quietly hung white cloth on the main gate and in the main hall. Old Zhou had not purchased a lot of white cloth, but the villagers felt the funeral arrangements were sufficient.

Not every household could afford to hang hemp cloth at their door.

Having a white banner was already commendable.

Manbao was roused from her sleep before she was fully awake and dressed in filial piety clothes. Junior Ms. Qian quickly touched up her face, helping her come to her senses.

Seeing her round eyes looking up, Junior Ms. Qian whispered, "Guests will arrive soon, and you have to don the mourning attire. Be a good girl, Manbao."

"So early?"

"Yes, the family of the deceased must do so ahead of time," replied Junior Ms. Qian, coaxing Manbao as she tied a white linen strip around her waist over the hemp garment, then led her to the main hall.

After a round of ceremonial burning was complete, Junior Ms. Qian guided Manbao to Zhou Dalang’s side and had her kneel in the front row.