Xu Qing put away his smile and solemnly said, "Indulgence in alcohol leads to mistakes; I have long given up drinking. Furthermore, I have to rush back overnight to prepare for your final arrangements, so it’s best not to touch a drop."
The Zhang family’s residence was quite large. It was midsummer, and there were many flowers and green plants decorating the pavilion and courtyards. Even in the pond, there were koi fish playing around the lotus leaves.
Seeing that there was no one around, Hu Baosong began to discuss his funeral arrangements with Xu Qing.
"The silver coins I’ve saved, though not much, are enough for a coffin."
"If you need money, go to my shop. On the shelves, count from left to right; in the fourth and fifth urns, you’ll find my savings from these years."
"No matter how much the expenses, take whatever is left."
Xu Qing nodded with a smile.
As the saying goes, ’Golden belts for those who kill and burn.’ Xu Qing had killed many. The silver he looted from the Celestial Heart Sect’s rebel hideout exceeded ten thousand taels.
He did not lack money.
However, facing the goodwill Hu Baosong expressed, Xu Qing still gratefully accepted it.
It was like the snacks elders saved by denying themselves, or the money carefully wrapped in a handkerchief for the younger generation; though not much, it was full of heartfelt intent.
Showing impatience or refusal would be inappropriate.
"Rest assured, since I’ve accepted your silver, I will ensure a grand funeral for you."
Hu Baosong shook his head with a slight laugh, "No need for such grandiosity. For an old man like me, what’s the point? Instruments and ceremonials can be spared; as long as I can safely return to the Ancestral Mausoleum and be acknowledged by my ancestors, I’ll be content."
"Moreover, the young Wu boy just got married. It’s a joyous time for him; it’s best to handle things low-key so as not to disturb the neighborhood."
Xu Qing nodded and said, "In that case, we’ll go with the standard arrangement, preparing a set of burnt offerings. As for the Funeral Banner canopy..."
"The Hu family, after all, is an ancient noble clan. If we are to acknowledge our ancestors, it should not be done too humbly. At over two hundred years, Hu Senior, with no illness or disaster, deserves the full lifetime ritual. When neighbors come to send you off, it will be a perfect conclusion."
"Completeness and fullness in life and death, let’s take two umbrellas decorated with four-season flowers, a paper horse, a pair of guiding paper cranes, and add the Five Blessings Longevity canopy and the Crane-Deer Spring canopy. This would not discredit the family."
Hu Baosong was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Shopkeeper Xu handles matters with precision and appropriateness; it should be as such. It’s a shame you were born too late. If it were earlier, I might have made an exception and taken you as an apprentice, teaching you some skills."
"Old Hu, it’s not too late for you to teach me now. I think your talisman-drawing skill is quite good. If you’re willing to teach, I would certainly bow to you as my master right now."
"I’m already tired today. If you really want to learn, let’s talk tomorrow. If you can wait until then, it means we have a fated teacher-student relationship."
"Not just a night, I could wait for a month. I just fear you might hold me off."
Hu Baosong chuckled, then climbed into the carriage. As the carriage left the Zhang family’s residence, he curled up on the fleece cushion inside and dozed off.
Xu Qing had acquired the Horse Inspection Skill from Crown Prince Zhao You. This skill not only allowed him to identify and inspect horses but also to control and tame them. At a profound level, one could even sense the spirit of the horse and communicate with it.
With him, the Horse Taming Master, the horse in front seemed almost human. It avoided potholes and rocks and chose smooth paths, maintaining an even pace and minimizing bumps.
This allowed the elderly man inside the carriage to sleep soundly.
Therefore, the carriage was not fast. After half a day, Xu Qing finally drove from Baisha County to Linhe.
Outside the coffin shop at Underground Street, Xu Qing lifted the carriage curtain, smiling, "Old Hu, we’ve reached home."
The smile froze on Xu Qing’s face as he looked at the motionless old man inside the carriage. It took him a while to come back to his senses.