Jiangli spoke calmly, "Going to the paper effigy shop, of course, I have things I want to do."
Xia Xin dared not object and pointed behind them, "Just down the street, there is a paper effigy shop. Isn’t this the old town area? There are many elderly folks living here who understand more about certain traditions. They also prepare everything for their own posthumous affairs in advance, so there is a street behind with a paper effigy shop and another that specializes in old-fashioned clothing, including outfits for the deceased."
Jiangli took a step forward, "Let’s go take a look and buy something."
Xia Xin did not know what Jiangli wanted to buy and followed doubtfully, leading the way.
He led Jiangli through a small alley next to the Jiaoyang Temple and onto the street behind it.
Behind Jiaoyang Temple was a street, rather narrow, running along the temple and a moat.
It appeared quite old-fashioned.
The shops here were all rather peculiar.
It was probably because most of the residents were elderly, living close to Jiaoyang Temple.
There was a paper effigy shop and a store that specialized in old-fashioned dressing; that is, a shop selling longevity clothes for the dead.
But there were also some shops selling wedding pastries.
Lined up on the same street, they created an oddly magical atmosphere.
Just as Xia Xin was leading Jiangli to the paper effigy shop, Fu Shiyan and Shang Junxiao maintained silence in their car.
Shang Junxiao could tell that Fu Shiyan was not in a good mood today.
Knowing where the problem lay, he rubbed his hands uneasily, "Third Bro," he began cautiously, "Do you think the Abbot will bear a grudge against me?"
Fu Shiyan paused for a second, responding off-topic, "Madam Shang spoiled you indeed. You really should spend some time in a military school to temper your temper."
Shang Junxiao, aware he was at fault, said awkwardly, "Third Bro, I know I was wrong. I was just too angry... Ning Mu was clearly framed and even then, there’s protection for the murderer. The Abbot didn’t intervene, and I... I got a bit angry... I admit, I do have a temper..."
Amongst their group, Fu Shiyan was the mature and steady one.
Wen Zishu was rather smooth, telling people what they wanted to hear.
Duan Jianchuan was straightforward yet tactful.
And indeed, he could not compare to any of them.
Fu Shiyan looked at Shang Junxiao through the rearview mirror, at his self-reproachful and remorseful appearance, and said indifferently, "She won’t hold it against you, but that’s not an excuse for you to be rude and reckless. If there’s a next time, I don’t know what she’ll do, but I will support Mr. Shang in sending you to military school."
Shang Junxiao was startled.
Indeed, his Third Bro had a firm grip on him.
Knowing where his Achilles’ heel was, he struck precisely.
Shang Junxiao quickly promised, "Third Bro, I’ve realized my mistake, I won’t dare again. Please don’t send me to military school!"
Shang Junxiao knew, when Fu Shiyan spoke of sending him to military school, he definitely had the means to make it happen, leaving no room for escape. He wouldn’t dare to offend again.
Fu Shiyan, looking at his miserable expression, said very coolly, "This will not happen again."
Xia Xin led Jiangli, and they quickly arrived at the entrance of the paper effigy shop.
The shopfront of the paper effigy shop wasn’t large, but several rows of wreaths were placed outside, nearly taking up half the street.
Passersby had to squeeze through by sidestepping.
Besides the wreaths, there were also some special houses and cars.
Seeing these items, Jiangli exclaimed, "The paper effigies here, are they all made now?"
Xia Xin looked at the model three-story western houses and cars, "Yeah, with the times, what we live in and use now is this kind of houses and cars, just like in the past when people had paper houses and horse-drawn carriages for burial accompaniments."
Jiangli nodded, "Hmm, true, quite similar."