Chapter 144: Burial

“Give it to me.”

Jiang Danhe took Zhuang Zhuang’s small bag with one hand and picked up those in Xiaoguo’s hands as well. He turned around and entered the ancestral hall.

All that was left behind was his cool and dashing back view.

Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang looked at each other in silence.

???

“Go on in.”

Xiaoguo held back her laughter and followed Zhuang Zhuang into the hall.

Before she left yesterday, Xiaoguo had placed the mourning clothes, incense sticks, and other items in the ancestral hall so that she wouldn’t have to go back and forth to get them. In any case, there were guards keeping watch at the hall over the past two days. Even if no one was guarding the place, no one would steal such items from here.

“Zhuang Zhuang, lift your head.”

Xiaoguo put on her robe first before helping Zhuang Zhuang with his.

Zhuang Zhuang looked up so that Xiaoguo could button up the robe below his neck.

“Mother, are we going home this afternoon?”

Zhuang Zhuang still remembered what Xiaoguo had told him. After the funeral for his grandparents, they would go straight home. However, he had yet to say goodbye to Xiaoyi. His friend was still waiting for him in the palace.

“Not today. We’ll talk in a couple of days.”

Before Xiaoguo could speak, Jiang Danhe, who had already put on his mourning clothes, spoke up. At this moment, he was a little envious of Zhuang Zhuang. He wondered when Xiaoguo would help him with his clothes.

Jiang Danhe had his reasons for saying this. No matter what, Shao Zhan would not let Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang go. He had not achieved his goal yet. How could he let them go? This could be seen not long after Magistrate Liu arrived, when Guanxi from the Imperial guards kept following closely behind their carriage.

On the other hand, he didn’t want the two of them to leave today as well. He hadn’t made any progress with Xiaoguo yet, and he hadn’t had time to speak with Zhuang Zhuang and work on their relationship. He would have to make them stay for at least a few more days before making further plans.

Xiaoguo frowned. She had seen Guanxi earlier and knew that he was one of the emperor’s trusted aides. It was obvious why he was here. No matter what, they would not be leaving today.

It was just as well. She could take this opportunity to buy some gifts for her friends at home. She could also let Zhuang Zhuang spend some time with Jiang Danhe for a few more days.

As for her relationship with Jiang Danhe, she would think about it at a later time. It was more important for Zhuang Zhuang and Jiang Danhe to get better acquainted. It was a good opportunity for Zhuang Zhuang to interact more with his father.

Xiaoguo had no objections. She said to Zhuang Zhuang, “That’s right. We’ll talk about it in a few more days.”

Zhuang Zhuang was delighted to hear that. “That was great!”

Jiang Danhe placed two lighted incense sticks at each memorial tablet.

An announcement came from outside. The auspicious time had arrived. It was time for the burial.

Jiang Danhe had arranged for someone to pick a spot for him last night and then dug a hole beforehand so that the ceremony could be held within the auspicious hour.

Jiang Danhe stood at the front with Xiaoguo while Zhuang Zhuang followed behind them. After the coffin was lowered into the pit, Jiang Danhe took the lead, with Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang behind, to fill the grave with soil. Each of them grabbed a handful of soil and threw it into the grave.

When it was over, the others began to fill up the grave.

After the burial, Jiang Danhe offered incense to the other graves. Xiaoguo asked Zhuang Zhuang to follow him.

She turned around and returned to the ancestral hall. She placed the memorial tablets for the two elders of the Jiang family in the hall and lit two more incense sticks.

When she came out, Magistrate Liu seemed to be waiting for her. When he saw her coming out, he immediately walked over and looked behind her.

Xiaoguo knew who he was looking for. Unfortunately, the man was not around. She said calmly, “Jiang Danhe is at the burial spot.”

When Magistrate Liu heard this, he almost blushed. Was his motive so obvious? “Ahem, hahahaha…”

“Actually, It’s like this, we’ve decided to rest for a few days before setting off. Are you okay with it?”

This was what she had expected, Xiaoguo nodded, expressing her agreement.

“Alright, alright.”

Magistrate Liu was going to continue dawdling until Jiang Danhe came over. He had yet to speak to him. If it weren’t for the fact that it was inconvenient for outsiders to enter the cemetery, he would have entered long ago…

After a long conversation, Xiaoguo had to interrupt him. “I’ll bring the joss paper over first.”

When she came out earlier, she was planning to bring the joss paper over after placing the memorial tablets. Who would have thought that Magistrate Liu would suddenly come over?

“Sure, sure. Go on, go on.”

Magistrate Liu smiled awkwardly. “Was that an excuse?”

Xiaoguo bade him farewell and carried the joss paper to the cemetery. Jiang Danhe had already returned to the burial spot with Zhuang Zhuang after lighting the incense. There was no one around now. The people who had just buried the coffin had left, leaving the three of them alone in the cemetery.

Zhuang Zhuang and Jiang Danhe stood in front of the grave in silence. To be precise, they were too embarrassed to speak.

They would look at each other occasionally, exchange looks and not speak to each other.

It was only when Xiaoguo arrived that the strange atmosphere between them slowly warmed up.

Jiang Danhe also had a light torch with him. Xiaoguo handed him half the amount of joss paper and left the other half for herself and Zhuang Zhuang.

Xiaoguo lit the joss paper first. After she was done burning the paper and the mourning attire, she left the burial spot with Zhuang Zhuang. Seeing that Jiang Danhe was standing still, she knew that he must have something to say to his parents. She had better leave first so that he could do what he had to do.

Jiang Danhe stood quietly on the spot. He looked at the grave covered in fresh soil and was filled with mixed feelings.

After Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang left, he slowly knelt down. The tears that he had been holding back instantly flowed out of his eyes.

Men only weep when deeply grieved.

“Father, Mother…”

–

When Xiaoguo came out with Zhuang Zhuang, she realized that almost all the carriages and soldiers outside the ancestral hall had left, leaving only Guanxi and Li Shouji.

“Sister-in-law.”

When Li Shouji saw Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang coming over, he stepped forward and brought Xiaoguo to the side. He turned his back towards Guanxi and said, “Sister-in-law, Guanxi is going to bring you and Zhuang Zhuang to the palace. The emperor probably wants to speak with you. You…”

Li Shouji reminded Xiaoguo kindly.

Knowing what he meant, Xiaoguo nodded. “Don’t worry. I know what to do.”

“Please proceed.”

Just as Xiaoguo finished speaking, Guanxi’s voice came from behind.

Xiaoguo carried Zhuang Zhuang into the carriage. Along the way, Zhuang Zhuang sat quietly beside Xiaoguo.

When they arrived at the palace, Eunuch Su was there to receive them just like before. After Zhuang Zhuang got out of the car, he was taken away by Zhixia to play with Xiaoyi.

She followed Eunuch Su to the Imperial study.

The place was heavily guarded and surrounded by soldiers. From the moment Xiaoguo ascended the steps, her heart started racing uncontrollably. This scene was too overwhelming.

Xiaoguo wished she could stop breathing. Eunuch Su made the announcement first and only let her go after receiving permission.

As she stepped through the front door and across the threshold, the first thing that hit her was the smell of ink.

Xiaoguo lowered her head and looked around quietly. There were bookshelves all around, and they were filled with books. If Zhuang Zhuang saw the books, he would definitely go crazy. He would love this place to death.

Xiaoguo walked to the middle of the room. In front of her was the table. She could hear the rustling sound of someone flipping through a book.

The noise stopped the moment Xiaoguo appeared.

“Have a seat.”

Before Xiaoguo could pay her respects, Shao Zhan had asked her to sit down.

Xiaoguo took things as they came. Although she was a little nervous facing the Supreme Ruler, she was quick to keep her emotions in check.