After washing up, both of them climbed onto the kang bed, each wrapped in a quilt.
Now, on the one hand, they were in a period of mourning, and on the other hand, Song Chongjin truly didn’t hold much expectation for his own self-control, so it was better to be prudent.
Snuggled within the warmth of the quilts, Wang Yongzhu then brought up her thoughts; she felt that since Song Chongjin wished to pursue scholarly studies and take part in the imperial examinations the following half-year, this half-year would be extremely important.
Especially since the front courtyard had been rented out by the Scholar, and according to Yan Zhongren, it was because of Changqing Academy that many scholars came to Jing County to seek education.
Many wished to find a quiet dwelling here but failed, having no choice but to share accommodations with others.
Now that Song Chongjin aimed to tread the path of the imperial examinations, he couldn’t just work in isolation; he had to interact more with others.
With so many scholars in Jing County, wasn’t that an exceptionally favorable condition? And their family happened to own this small courtyard. It was as if it was tailor-made for Song Chongjin.
Now that their family didn’t lack the Silver from renting out the house, and moreover, before the New Year, she had discussed with Shopkeeper Wu about selling the dye works to them, so this shop couldn’t be left idle either.
As for the Wang Family’s mountain goods business, she had already decided not to get involved except to provide the Yellow Pine Mushrooms required by Boss Zhang; the rest, she planned to hand over to the Wang Family Brothers.
One’s energy is limited, and her focus would definitely shift towards the dye works and Jing County in the future. As for the mountain goods business of the Wang Family, after a year of experience, the brothers presumably wouldn’t have any problems.
Moreover, she was now nominally Song Chongjin’s wife; when it came time for Song Chongjin to study in Jing County, she would certainly not stay behind in Qilidun. She wasn’t that foolish.
And she had also promised Old Granny Zhang that she would bring her to live the life of an old lady in the county, rather than leaving Old Granny Zhang in Qilidun to potentially be unhappy.
Once Wang Yongzhu shared her thoughts, she received strong support from Song Chongjin.
Song Chongjin was more than supportive; he was overjoyed.
Just the thought of being able to be with Yongzhu every day, cheek to cheek, with "Hongxiu Tianxiang," filled him with such happiness that he hurriedly nodded in agreement, "Everything you said is right, Yongzhu! Let’s do it just like that!"
That flattering manner was almost too much to watch.
The next morning, Wang Yongzhu informed Old Granny Zhang, asking her to rest well at home, as she and Song Chongjin were going to the temple on the mountain to worship Qi Huan.
Old Granny Zhang nodded, "That’s quite right; after all, she’s your mother-in-law. Over these many years, I suppose no one has offered her incense, burnt some paper money, or provided her with offerings of food! No telling how desolate she must be under there! Go and offer her extra incense, burn plenty of paper money for her, so that your mother-in-law might have a bit more ease down below. Tell your mother-in-law, from now on, every festive occasion will include her share of food, so she can rest easy!"
With each word from Old Granny Zhang, Song Chongjin nodded earnestly, paying close attention.
For Song Chongjin, such experience and sayings about family matters were precious, for he had grown up without anyone to teach him these things and had taken many detours by figuring them out on his own.
Now, receiving this transmission of experience from Old Granny Zhang was both novel and heartwarming, and he showed an exceptionally good attitude.
Old Granny Zhang was also pleased; who doesn’t like it when others listen intently to what they’re saying?
Her own ingrate sons, if she advised them a bit, they’d behave as if they wanted to cover their ears and hide, not at all like her son-in-law who was not only attentive but would also occasionally ask a few questions.
That drew Old Granny Zhang into talking, leading from funeral customs all the way to local customs and interesting anecdotes from the older generation.
If Wang Yongzhu hadn’t hurried Song Chongjin out the door, he would have forgotten all about it.
Before leaving, he didn’t forget to say, "Mother, we’ll talk about it when I get back."
Old Granny Zhang promised readily without bringing it up again.
Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin went to the grocery store and bought a large bundle of yellow paper, paper money, and a bundle of incense sticks. Just when they were about to leave, Song Chongjin noticed the paper effigies of servant boys and girls, and courtyards placed at the doorstep of the shop and suddenly, he couldn’t move his feet.
He had heard from Old Granny Zhang that after people die, they need to wear clothes and eat just like the living. Spirits without descendants to offer them tributes are considered poor ghosts; even in death, they have to endure hunger and cold.
By this logic, his own mother must have been starved and frozen for over twenty years now? Perhaps she didn’t even have a place to stay and was a wandering ghost.
With that thought, Song Chongjin felt even more uneasy, and with a grand sweep of his arm, he bought the courtyard, along with the paper children, and hired a horse-drawn carriage, filling it to the brim, and cramming everyone into a corner.
The temple in Jing County was perched on top of a hill named Tongshan next to the county city.
Tongshan was not particularly tall, but it boasted beautiful scenery. Especially the temple at the peak, known as Puen Temple, was famous for hundreds of miles around. During festivals, or various celebrations like birthdays, people from nearby would swarm to it, praying and worshiping for the safety and peace of their families.
The incense was always burning strongly there.
However, today being an ordinary day, there weren’t many people on the mountain path. From a distance, one could see a temple hidden behind the pines and cypress trees, and the tolling of the temple bell could be faintly heard from the foot of the hill.
Upon reaching Puen Temple, they found that the temple wasn’t very large, with its black lacquered gate, yellow walls, and black tiles.
It was clearly aged and exuded an aura of tranquil beauty, separate from the mundane world.
Although it wasn’t a festival day, once inside the temple, they discovered that there were still quite a few people.
The two found a reception monk and explained their purpose as well as d a sum of money for the temple’s oil.
The reception monk’s demeanor didn’t change throughout; only after seeing the oil money added did he lead them to the back courtyard. After clarifying whom they wished to honor, and upon hearing that they were looking for a woman with the surname Qi who had passed away over a decade ago, a flicker of surprise crossed the monk’s eyes: "The body of this female donor is buried in the back garden. I will show you the way there now."
Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin exchanged glances and followed him, chatting along the way, "Master, it seems you are quite familiar? Has anyone else come to worship her?"
As the reception monk led the way, he replied, "That’s because as the grave site of Qi donor, every few years, a noble patron from the Capital City comes to pay respects. Aside from that noble patron, no one else has visited. Seeing you two donors here today, I apologize for my oversight."
Without a doubt, this so-called noble patron from the Capital City must be Song Hong.
Knowing that Song Hong had visited Qi Huan, their feelings were somewhat complicated.
Having lost the urge to talk, they silently followed the reception monk through several courtyards to the back of the temple.
Behind the enclosing wall, past a pine and cypress forest, lay a tranquil cemetery.
The cemetery had good Feng Shui, backed by a mountain and facing water. Many of the deceased, who for various reasons couldn’t be buried in their ancestral graves, were laid to rest here by their families, making it quite a favorable burial site.
The two followed the reception monk to the southeast corner, where a modest grave mound stood alone. It was clear that the grave was frequently tended to as all the weeds had been neatly cleared away.