Chapter 29 In the end, He Wenqing couldn't withstand the servants'...

He Wenqing finally couldn't resist the constant urging from the servants. After resting in Wei Yin's room for half an hour, he forced himself to go to the mourning hall. When he passed the courtyard where Wei Yin's cousin lived, he suddenly stopped. The scent of locust blossoms on Wei Yin's body flashed through his mind. He remembered that Wei Yin's cousin seemed to have this scent.

But he quickly shook his head.

They are cousins, and it's inevitable that they'll pick up some traits from each other since they talk together so often.

He Wenqing had no mind to think about these things anymore; his mind was filled with the trivialities of the funeral hall.

He glanced back at the dimly lit courtyard. At this hour, his cousin Wei Yin was probably still asleep. Afraid of disturbing the guest, he instructed the servants carrying the lanterns to walk quietly.

Inside the mourning hall, Madam He had already changed into a plain white gown and was outside. The precious jewelry in her hair had been removed, and she was being helped out of the mourning hall by Chen Xuanhua, who was also dressed in plain clothes.

Madam He was displeased to see that he had only just arrived. She said, "You have always been a very steady person. What happened this time? You completely ignored your father's affairs and went back to rest with your wife. You only came now."

"Mother, please forgive me." He Wenqing said respectfully, "I was delayed in the backyard and came a little late."

“Mother doesn’t blame the young master.” Chen Xuanhua said softly, “Father has suddenly passed away. How could the young master, as a son, not be heartbroken? If he didn’t do anything to take care of things, others would think that the young master was unfilial.”

Madam He thought what she said made a lot of sense, so she didn't pursue the matter further. Then she came to her senses and asked, "You said you were delayed in the backyard. Isn't that a secluded, gloomy, and empty place? When did someone move in there?"

"Mother is busy taking care of Father and doesn't know yet," Chen Xuanhua said with a smile. "The young master moved into that courtyard a few days ago. It's my sister's cousin who came out to study. He happened to pass through Huangzhou, so my lord invited him to stay."

Upon hearing that it was someone from Wei Yin's family, Madam He didn't bother to ask any further questions: "Where is your wife? Why didn't she come with you?"

He Wenqing replied, "I changed my clothes and came."

Just then, a maid rushed out of the mourning hall and reported to Madam He, "Madam, Ninth Concubine and the others are crying so hard in front of Master's coffin that they can't hold back anymore. Should we let them go to the back to rest first?"

"They can't even bear to cry for the master for a few hours before his coffin?" Madam He sneered. "When the master was alive, they served him with such enthusiasm. I think it's only after the master left that they all became distracted."

The maid dared not answer. This was a matter for the inner quarters, and He Wenqing was not in a position to speak up. It was Chen Xuanhua who was soft-hearted and could not help but plead for the concubines: "Mother, since the concubines are tired from crying, let them go and rest. Later, when the mourners arrive, let them come out and cry louder."

Madam He had long hated her husband's concubines who had embarrassed her in public, and she was unwilling to listen to what others had to say. She waved her hand and said, "You don't need to worry about this. I have my own plans."

He Wenqing felt it wasn't worth upsetting his mother over a few concubines, so he reprimanded Chen Xuanhua, "Since Mother has said so, you shouldn't interfere and make her angry."

Chen Xuanhua bit her lip and looked at him. His gaze was stern and left no room for doubt. Chen Xuanhua had no choice but to lower her head and whisper, "I understand, my lord."

When Wei Yin arrived, she witnessed this scene. He Wenqing was still the same as always. She didn't say anything and pulled He Wenqing into the mourning hall.

He Wenqing was a filial son, and he was busy with social engagements both at home and outside. As his wife, Wei Yin was naturally not free, but with Madam He and Chen Xuanhua around, she was not unable to manage.

Although Chen Xuanhua was reprimanded by He Wenqing, she was gentle and kind and had long been used to He Wenqing's temper. Apart from being a little uneasy at the time, she was fine afterward.

She does have a good temper.

No wonder He Wenqing was willing to marry her.

While Wei Yin was busy in the mourning hall, she did not forget that she was supposed to send food to Lu Hun last night. However, she was too busy to leave now, so she asked a maid to send some food and wine. She felt a little bad that it took so long to send it, so she asked the maid to apologize on her behalf when she sent the food and wine.

The maid returned quickly.

She said that Lu Hun had accepted the food and drink, and also told her to tell Wei Yin to thank her for the food and drink.

That's all.

Upon hearing this, Wei Yin was relieved and stopped thinking about it, settling down peacefully in the mourning hall.

A few days later, Wei Yin returned from the mourning hall and received a thick letter from Granny Liu, which was handed to her through the back door.

She was stunned for a moment. At first, she thought it was from the Wei family or her cousin, but when she opened it, she found that it was written by Ayu.

Ayu's handwriting was rusty, but it was generally understandable what she meant.

In Ayu's letter, she said that she was not very good at writing and that Alang had taught her how to write these characters. After Alang died at Liu's hands, Azhu directly tried to kill her and Hu Dali. Hu Datian finally understood this time and did not stop Azhu anymore. However, in the end, Azhu spared Afu's life because Afu had been completely frightened into a madness when he entered Azhu's memory. Azhu wanted him to live his life without parents and insane. As for Hu Datian, Azhu couldn't bear to do anything to him because of the debt of giving birth to her. However, she no longer had any father-daughter feelings for him. But Hu Datian still couldn't bear to see the orphaned and insane Afu wandering around aimlessly all day. He was always worried about him and looked older than before.

Afterwards, Ah Zhu prepared to leave He Village alone with Ah Lang's body, and asked Ah Yu to ask Wei Yin if there was any way to save Ah Lang, or even turn him into a ghost.

Ayu herself has nothing to say about Hu Datian, while Ahu, after Alang's death, suddenly grew up. He realized that it was Hu Datian's inability to recognize Hu Dali and his wife that caused his older brother and sister to die tragically. Therefore, he is now unwilling to be close to Hu Datian. Moreover, he decided to study hard and pass the imperial examinations to fulfill his brother Alang's regret of never having been to school. He also wanted to do the same as Alang and carefully study the drought-prone state of Huangzhou.

After reading the long letter, Wei Yin remained in a daze for a long time.

The clever and calm Ah Lang is dead.

Ah Fu, who was so young yet so arrogant and wicked, was dumbfounded.

"What are you looking at?" He Wenqing asked wearily as he walked in from outside, rubbing his forehead.

Upon seeing it was him, Wei Yin immediately turned the letter over and placed it face down on the table beside him. "It's nothing, just a letter from my father."

He Wenqing knew that after Wei's mother passed away, Wei's father had always doted on Wei Yin. Every now and then, he would send his daughter a thick letter, but it was all about trivial matters. He would ask if she liked the food, or say that someone had sent her some fresh food and ask if she wanted some. In short, he was nothing like the Wei who always had a gentle smile on his face in court and whose emotions were never revealed.

He Wenqing had a strong temper, but he didn't dare to be too forceful towards Wei Yin, partly because of his father-in-law.

He Wenqing asked casually, "Is it because you came to Huangzhou that your father-in-law is worried about you and wants to come see you?"

“My father is busy with matters at court,” Wei Yin said. “How could that be?”

He Wenqing didn't say anything. "The weather has turned a bit cold these days. Standing outside at night to see guests off, I actually feel a bit chilly. Go inside and get my little black felt cloak for me. I'll go to see my grandfather in a bit. My father is gone, and I'm afraid he's feeling even worse."

Wei Yin put away the letter and went to get it.

He Wenqing put on the small felt tent, took Wei Yin's hand again, pulled her closer, and subtly smelled her body, but could no longer smell the clear fragrance of locust blossoms from that day.

"What are you wearing today?"

"Why bother with the incense? We're in the mourning hall every day, so let's burn the sandalwood incense inside."

“Sandalwood is also quite nice.” He Wenqing paused. “Next time, don’t use acacia flowers to scent your clothes. Although it smells nice, it always makes people feel a bit depressed.”

Wei Yin did not notice He Wenqing's thoughts just now, and assumed that he was still upset about his father's passing. He gave a perfunctory reply and told him to hurry up and go to Old Master He's place.

He Wenqing had no choice but to wrap himself in a felt tent and go.

He arrived outside Old Master He's room. The old steward outside saw him and hurriedly said, "Eldest brother is here. I thought eldest brother wasn't too busy tonight, so he should come and see the old master."

"Grandpa He," He Wenqing looked into the room, "How has Grandfather been lately?"

"With the master gone, the old master is naturally not very happy, and he has been eating much less these days."

"Try to have the kitchen prepare some appetizing dishes," He Wenqing said.

"I know." Steward He chuckled. "Madam and Madam Xuanhua have been receiving daily deliveries, but it's no small matter. Eldest son has to personally talk to Grandfather to postpone it."

As he spoke, Steward He had someone slightly open the door.

He Wenqing saw that Grandpa He was covered with a small blanket and sitting on a recliner facing the window.

He quickly stepped forward to help him up, saying, "Grandfather, it's windy at night, you'll easily catch a cold sitting here."

"It's Wenqing." Old Master He narrowed his eyes, letting him help him up. "You were the only one handling the guests at the mourning hall, so why did you come over?"

"There aren't many people here tonight, so it's not very busy."

Seeing that he was in relatively good spirits, He Wenqing took the opportunity to offer his words of advice: "Grandpa He said that Grandfather has been eating much less lately. Please take care of yourself, Grandfather. If something happens to you because of your grief, Father will be uneasy in the afterlife."

"Sigh." Old Master He grasped his hand: "Your father is an immature man, but he is still my own son. But don't worry, life and death are preordained, and I've seen through it all at my age."

"It's good that Grandfather thinks that way." He Wenqing breathed a sigh of relief.

After exchanging a few words, Grandpa He told him not to stay any longer and to go back and rest, as there would be a lot to do on the day of the funeral.

He Wenqing agreed, and shortly after, the steward He who was guarding the door came in and helped Old Master He up before He Wenqing left.

Old Master He stared at the door for a while before slowly turning his gaze back. Steward He covered Old Master He with the blanket again, saying, "Dalang is very filial to his grandfather."

Grandpa He nodded and smiled, "Much less trouble than with my son."

Manager He smiled ingratiatingly. After a moment, seeing that no one was around, he slowly and suddenly said, "Master, that Taoist Chen is dead."

"So what if he's dead?" Old Master He said calmly. "He wasn't anyone important anyway."