On this day, Xuan Yu left early to work and support the family, while Xu Qing stayed to contemplate the nature of zombies by the shop.
A zombie trying to survive a lightning tribulation is far more difficult than humans and demons, but if there is enough incense, even the divine punishing lightning can be completely neutralized.
Incense, always incense...
While Xu Qing was deep in thought, Wu Family’s sister-in-law next door unexpectedly stepped through the door.
With a basket of eggs on her arm, she forced a smile as she greeted him upon entering.
Without thinking much, Xu Qing got up and took out ten taels of silver from the counter, saying, "A wealthy customer bought all those paper products a few days ago. I won’t disclose how much profit was made, but let’s just say I gained without loss. Since Sister-in-law has issues at home and needs money, please take these ten taels first..."
Although Wu Family’s sister-in-law initially kept a smile, tears started falling uncontrollably when she saw the silver in Xu Qing’s hands.
"I know well how much those paper products can fetch. I really can’t take this money..."
Xu Qing didn’t know how to justify it further. Who would believe the truth as it is?
Those paper products indeed sold for a hundred taels, and he was providing only a portion.
"How about this, Sister-in-law, take two taels to use for now, and leave the rest here. When you need more, come by to get it."
Yet, Wu Family’s sister-in-law still shook her head, refusing to take the silver.
It dawned on Xu Qing then; it wasn’t about money; it had to be something else.
"Sister-in-law, don’t hesitate to tell me what’s on your mind."
After hesitating for a long while, Wu Family’s sister-in-law finally explained the situation.
Wu Zhiyuan’s newlywed wife, the daughter of County Magistrate Zhang Yong, ended her life against the wall in despair.
The eldest daughter and son-in-law of County Magistrate Zhang Yong believed that since the younger sister had already married Wu Zhiyuan and died for a "disloyal and unfilial, heartless and unjust" man, burying her in the Zhang family ancestral cemetery would disgrace the ancestors.
Zhang Yong, being protective of his reputation, listened to Yang Hong and his wife’s words and did not perform any rituals. Neither was a proper funeral arranged; they hastily buried the youngest daughter in the outskirts amongst the unmarked graves.
Feeling compassionate, Zhang Wan’s wet nurse could not bear to see Zhang Lan’s body in the wilderness. She reached out to Wu Family’s sister-in-law in Linhe, hoping to relocate Zhang Wan’s coffin to the Wu family ancestral cemetery for peace of mind.
Initially overwhelmed by the tragic news, Wu Family’s sister-in-law took a while to collect herself.
She was already troubled, with her husband falsely imprisoned, her son and nephew out of reach, and she alone unable to handle such distressing matters.
After much contemplation, she decided and came with some eggs to find her neighbor, Xu Qing.
In her eyes, Xu Qing was not only a familiar person but a Funeral Master specializing in moving and reburying remains. Apart from Xu Qing, she couldn’t trust anyone else with this task.
Listening to her story, Xu Qing was momentarily speechless.
The Wu Family indeed faced numerous misfortunes, no wonder Hu Baosong once said Wu’s had a hurdle, overcome it and they would rise, fail, and they would ruin.
Well, without waiting for incense business, a funeral business came on its own.
Acquainted with Wu Family’s sister-in-law as a regular, Xu Qing didn’t specify a payment, considering the basket of eggs his travel expenses.
"Don’t worry, Sister-in-law, Baisha County is merely twenty li from here, and before the morrow, I’ll have the sister-in-law’s remains moved back to Linhe..."
Securing the shop door, hanging a ’Out For Work’ sign, placing a message board with a Charcoal Brush alongside, Xu Qing headed towards Baisha County.
Arriving at Zhang Mansion, he knew they had grown paranoid, and if he directly proposed relocation of their daughter’s grave, he’d receive a beating and eviction.
After some thought, he approached the gatekeeper, saying, "Sir, I’m a relative of Zhang Wan’s wet nurse from Zhang Mansion. I have a matter to attend to, could you please inform her?"
He left a bit of money for the gatekeeper’s trouble.
Soon enough, Xu Qing managed to meet Zhang Wan’s wet nurse.
Explaining his intent briefly, she called her husband, and they left with Xu Qing on a carriage headed outside the city.
Along the way, Xu Qing asked about Zhang Wan’s situation.
The wet nurse’s husband, Zhang Mansion’s cook, shook his head with a sigh: "The blame lies on the son-in-law for his indulgences, all day wasted in debauchery. Who knows where he’s ended up; now the master regrets marrying our young lady to that Wu, arranging another match. Who could have imagined Miss Wan’er was so stubborn, fixated on that Wu, refusing others’ counsel, resulting in..."
Bewildered, Xu Qing recalled that Wu Zhiyuan was in the capital on behalf of his father, devoid of leisure for vice. Was the entire Zhang family clouded by deceit?
"Who did you hear this from?"
Inside the carriage, the wet nurse replied, "Initially, I didn’t believe our son-in-law would act so, but it was widely spread. With him yet to appear, it has only caused suffering for our Lady Wan’er..."
Frowning, Xu Qing asked no further.
Evidently, someone at Zhang Mansion was sowing discord between the Magistrate and Wu Zhiyuan. With Zhiyuan absent, such slanders were fabricated without restraint.
Shortly thereafter, the trio arrived outside the cemetery.
The Chaotic Burial Mound had a designated cemetery, watched over by caretakers. Though Magistrate Zhang despised his daughter’s obstinacy, he didn’t entirely forsake her to be buried where wild dogs excavate.
After getting off the carriage, the Zhang family cook, acquainted with the caretaker, explained the cause. The old caretaker was rather understanding.
"Being the Magistrate’s daughter, burying her here is indeed unseemly. However, secretly relocating the grave is akin to grave robbing, potentially causing trouble if word spreads."
Attempting to bribe did not sway the caretaker, who lived without family. "Why would I want money at this age? You may keep it, and for this grave... I need to buy some wine outside—visit as needed, but don’t linger too long."
Amused, Xu Qing fetched a pick, crowbar, hatchet, and spade from the back of the carriage and entered the cemetery with casual boldness. Correct content is on NovelHub.
Guided to Zhang Wan’s grave by the wet nurse, Xu Qing adeptly began digging with the spade.
The wet nurse and cook watched nervously, feeling as though they’d encountered a practiced grave robber.
The cook, sweating, held the wet nurse’s arm: "Who is this person you found; he seems more like a grave thief than a legitimate master..."
Despite her unease, the wet nurse reassured: "Her mourning-in-law found him—a specialist in moving and burying, hence experienced."
Meanwhile, Xu Qing removed soil without using a blade to pry coffin nails. Simply grasping them, he gently pulled, akin to plucking feathers, and in no time had all removed.
To avoid suspicion, Xu Qing explained, "The coffin’s too heavy for the three of us to carry onto the cart. It’s better to dismantle it, move it in parts, and reassemble it later."
Convinced, the wet nurse and cook allowed him to proceed.
With nails removed, Xu Qing opened the coffin lid, revealing the Zhang family’s young lady dressed in pearly white burial attire, appearing asleep.
Apologizing, Xu Qing continued, "For relocation, incense and sutras must be conducted for the departed, along with adjusting the appearance, please wait briefly—a moment suffices."
He lit an incense stick, placing it at the coffin’s front, and began arranging the lady’s appearance with grooming tools.
After grooming, Xu Qing lifted Zhang Wan’s wrist for rites. Yet upon contact, found the Sutra of Salvation unresponsive.
Her arm was supple, nearly lifelike.
Bewildered, he checked her pulse—no heartbeat.
Her cold limbs didn’t resemble those of the living.
Unleashing his Qi Observation Skill, Xu Qing unveiled an anomaly; a swirling heat centered on the young lady’s chest.