Gu Fangzi sighed again and said, "My father also said that for these years, we have been grateful for the care you and cousin Fengju have provided. He has no way to repay you, but he will most certainly bless you with a long and prosperous life, and bless the Shi family’s enterprise to thrive even more! He also said that Fang’er must take good care of you, diligently serve cousin Fengju, and repay the kindness you have shown to our Gu Family."
As Gu Fangzi spoke, she covered her face and started sobbing, standing up and kneeling in front of Mrs. Wang, bowing her head deeply as she kowtowed.
"Ah, get up, get up!" Mrs. Wang hastily commanded someone to help her up, and said softly, "Child, you’ve always been sensible. I have seen how well you’ve treated your aunt and Fengju these years! You have been very good and very filial! There, there, don’t be like that! You’re just making your aunt worried for you! Your father too, there was no need to reiterate such words!"
Mrs. Wang’s lips curled into a slight smile, a hint of joy on her face, thinking Gu Jin, this man, turned out to be more reasonable in death, even knowing to be grateful! If he really blesses our Shi family to become better and better, then he can be considered to have fulfilled his duty to our family!
Gu Fangzi choked back tears, thanked Mrs. Wang, and stood up, wiping her tears as she said, "My father also said that he already knows of my filial piety towards him, and that filial respect in one’s heart is enough, there is no need to be overly rigid about it in form. He said, since I have married into the Shi family, I am now a member of the Shi family, and there is no need for me to observe a three-year mourning period for him! He also said that taking care of my aunt and serving cousin Fengju well is the greatest filial duty I could perform for him!"
While speaking, Gu Fangzi pulled out a pale yellow piece of paper from her sleeve, stood up, and presented it with both hands to Mrs. Wang, "Early this morning, I sought an audience with the head monk and told him about my dream last night, asking him to interpret it and advise me on what to do. Aunt, please look, this is the head monk’s interpretation."
"Oh? Let me have a look!" Mrs. Wang unfolded it eagerly.
Mrs. Wang only then remembered that she actually didn’t recognize many characters, but the paper did indeed look like those used by the head monk of Guangling Temple. The writing was neat and beautiful, just like the temple fortunes that the head monk used to write.
"You read it to your aunt instead!" Mrs. Wang still handed it back to Gu Fangzi.
Gu Fangzi took it and read aloud the five or six lines written there, and then explained them to Mrs. Wang, which basically meant that recognizing one’s mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue, reinforcing the values of benevolence and righteousness. It echoed Gu Jin’s past actions and his present regrets. The most important line, as stated by Gu Fangzi, indicated that the mourning period could be reduced under certain circumstances.
"To observe filial mourning for a deceased father is a significant moral duty, and although my father said so, as his daughter, I don’t know how long I should observe it to fulfill his wishes. So, I asked the master for his guidance. After calculating, he said that half a year would be sufficient. Afterwards, we can go to the temple to hold a ritual ceremony, offer a longevity tablet in the temple, and then I may end the mourning period!"
Having heard the explanation, Mrs. Wang nodded and said, "If the head monk has said so, then there must be no mistake! Then let’s follow what the head monk has said!"
Gu Fangzi felt a secret joy in her heart, hurriedly nodded and said: "That was Fang’er’s thought too! In this way, I fulfill my filial duty towards my father, and also, also can sooner fulfill my duty toward you, Aunt. It’s the best of both worlds!"
"Hmm!" Mrs. Wang gave a satisfied smile and nodded, then sighed a few words about her father.
While they were talking, a clear and bright female voice came from the doorway, "Oh my, isn’t this cousin Fangzi! Cousin has returned, hasn’t she!"
She came forward, grabbing Gu Fangzi’s arm and looking her up and down, surprised she said, "Why are you dressed so plainly! I haven’t seen you in over a year, cousin, why do you look so pale and haggard! Has someone been bullying you? My second brother would be heartbroken!"
"Big cousin!" Gu Fangzi’s eyes welled up, and upon clearly recognizing the woman dressed in begonia red embroidered with twisted lotus flowers on her outer coat, a darker red printed Hunan dress, and wearing a flat bun, she couldn’t contain her joy, pulling her arm affectionately and saying: "Big cousin, you’re back! It’s really, really great!" Then she said softly with tears in her eyes, "Fangzi is currently in mourning, and no one is bullying her... Everyone at home treats Fangzi kindly!"
The reunion between the cousins was exceptionally warm and joyful. Shi Yumei sat down with her, humming, "Of course, the people in our Shi family treat you well, but I can’t say the same for outsiders! Some people are so good at pretending, appearing virtuous on the surface while scheming behind your back. I’ve seen plenty of such behavior!"
"Not at all! Big cousin, you worry too much! Our Shi family certainly doesn’t have such people!" Gu Fangzi said quickly with a smile.