Jiang Yan held Si Yan in his arms, his other hand holding Nian Li's, as they walked steadily forward. Si Yan, still clutching the abacus, silently counted his steps in his mind, as if it were his unique contribution to the ancestral worship ritual. Nian Li, on the other hand, looked around curiously. The chili candy in her hand was a special gift for her grandmother. She imagined her grandmother's face, grimace with joy as she savored the chili candy, and couldn't help but giggle. However, behind this innocent smile, she also hid her longing for the grandmother she had never met.
Finally, they arrived at the cemetery. The tombstone stood quietly, bathed in the spring rain, appearing especially solemn and majestic. The words on the tombstone, soaked by the rain, seemed to silently tell the story of the deceased. Su Xiang slowly approached and gently placed the jujube paste cake in front of the tombstone. His movements were gentle and reverent, as if he was afraid to disturb his wife's slumber. "My dear, this jujube paste cake I made for you. It may not be to your taste, but it's a token of my love." His voice was low and hoarse, filled with endless longing.
Su Jinli stepped forward and placed the pickled chilies in a bamboo basket aside. "Mom, this is the pickled chilies I made. Try some. I hope you like it." Her voice choked slightly, tears welling in her eyes. All those past regrets now transformed into a deep attachment to her mother.
Young Marquis Su placed the gilded axe and the script of "Investiture of the Gods" in front of the stele and said seriously: "Grandmother, these are the weapons and script I brought for you. You must be happy over there." His eyes were firm and innocent, as if his grandmother could hear his words.
Su Qingyao opened the vermilion lacquer lunch box and gently placed the mother-of-pearl-inlaid rouge brush in front of the stele. "Mother, this is the rouge I made for you, 'Lime After the Rain,' you'll love it." Her voice was gentle and affectionate, hoping that her mother in the other world could feel her love and care.
Si Yan got down from Jiang Yan's arms, placed the abacus in front of the stele, and said seriously: "Grandma, I calculated the number of steps to get here, I hope you can know." Nian Li also walked forward, placed the chili candy in front of the stele, and said in a baby voice: "Grandma, this is spicy candy, it's delicious!"
Everyone stood quietly before the tombstone, rain trickling down their cheeks, unable to tell whether it was rain or tears. On the eve of Qingming Festival, amidst the drizzling spring rain, they expressed their deep longing for the deceased in their own way. This longing, like the lingering spring rain, was endless and profound, flowing slowly and unceasingly through every corner of the Prime Minister's residence and in every heart.
As time passed, the spring rain gradually subsided, and a faint ray of sunlight peeked through the sky. The sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the graveyard and adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise mournful scene. Su Xiang looked up at the sky, seemingly seeing his wife's gentle smile. He knew that her spirit in heaven must feel their longing and love.
Jiang Yan looked at Su Jinli and gently held her hand, offering her silent comfort. Su Jinli turned her head and looked at Jiang Yan, her eyes full of gratitude. At this special moment, Jiang Yan's company made her feel immense warmth and strength.
Young Marquis Su, Su Qingyao, Siyan, and Nianli also gathered around. Though their faces were still stained with tears, their eyes revealed a determination and hope. They understood that although their loved ones were gone, the love they had for them would remain in their hearts forever, like a flower after a spring rain, becoming more and more beautiful with the passage of time.
Everyone stood silently before the tomb for a long moment, as if time had stood still. They held a heartfelt conversation with the deceased, recounting the details of their lives, sharing their joys and sorrows. Everyone understood that ancestor worship is more than just a ritual; it is a way to remember and pass on family ties.
As they turned to leave the cemetery, their hearts still clung to the memory of the deceased, yet they were also filled with hope for the future. The earth, fresh after the spring rain, seemed to tell them that life, like the cycle of seasons, is filled with sadness but also with hope and rebirth.
Back at the Xiangfu, sunlight bathed the entire courtyard. The pear blossoms, bathed in the sunlight, appeared exceptionally vibrant, as if eloquently expressing the beauty and resilience of life. Everyone in the Xiangfu experienced a spiritual cleansing during this spring rain ancestral worship ceremony, cherishing their kinship even more and gaining a deeper understanding of the meaning of life.
In the days that followed, life in the Xiangfu continued. Su Xiang cherished the time he spent with his family even more. He often recalled every little detail of his time with his wife and told these stories to his children, letting them understand the family history and the preciousness of family affection.
Su Jinli also managed the household with even greater care. She transformed her longing for her mother into caring for her family, filling the Xiangfu with a warm and harmonious atmosphere. She often discussed with Su Qingyao how to prepare more delicious food and how to make more exquisite rouge, inheriting her mother's love and pursuit of life.
Young Marquis Su worked even harder to practice martial arts, hoping to one day become a brave man like his grandmother. He wielded his gilded axe more and more skillfully, each move filled with strength and determination.
Siyan's love for arithmetic grows stronger. He uses an abacus to record every detail of life in the Xiangfu Mansion and uses arithmetic to solve various problems in life. He hopes that one day he can use his arithmetic skills to contribute to the development of the Xiangfu Mansion.
Nian Li was still lively and lovely, and her chili candies became a unique sight in the Prime Minister's residence. Her laughter echoed in the residence like a silver bell, bringing endless joy to the family.
Outside of work, Jiang Yan also participates in various family activities. Seeing his family enjoying themselves together fills him with joy. He knows that this home is his most solid harbor, and his family is his most precious treasure.
The story of the Xiangfu Mansion began a new chapter after this spring rain ancestral worship. Each person, with a longing for the deceased and a passion for life, wrote their own wonderful life through the long river of time. And that tombstone will stand there forever, witnessing the inheritance and changes of this family, and the eternal and greatness of family love.
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