The Zhou family's ancestors originally branched out from the south, and later, with the migration of families from the capital to the northeast, they gradually formed a large village - this is today's Zhoujia Village. The Zhou Family Ancestral Hall, newly renovated two years ago, stands to the east of the village.
Before liberation, the surrounding area was still a wasteland. Now, not far to the east of the ancestral hall is the Zhou family's old house, and not far to the side is the Zhoujia Village Production Team Office.
The car stopped far away on the flat ground in front of the production team office. Zhang Guoqing got out, picked up the basket, and led Zhou Jiao towards the ancestral hall.
From a distance, one could see the two vermilion doors of the ancestral hall already open. The two stone lions at the gate were now filled with onlookers from the clansmen.
Seeing Zhou Jiao and his wife coming over, some people in the crowd started to greet them with a smile.
Zhou Jiao looked at everyone with a smile on her face. She could hear her husband chatting with everyone beside her, and at that moment, scenes from her childhood flashed back to her mind.
If you really count, this small house at the side door of the ancestral hall is her childhood home. This small house is the safe haven where she has spent the longest time, and it is also the only place that makes her feel at ease.
Here she could stay alone and freely, without worrying about being plotted against. This was her paradise, with no one to stop her or disturb her.
Zhou Jiao left Zhang Guoqing behind and wandered into the small room alone. The air still carried the familiar musty smell, but everything about the room made her feel at ease. This small space had once been her home.
Here she wrote her first strokes. Here she embroidered, painted, and memorized many firsts. Besides secretly studying here, it was also here that she huddled in a corner, licking her wounds and crying silently.
Here, facing the tablet that she could not enter, during those dark years, she silently told her father about the resentment, helplessness and pain in her heart.
It was also here that she first met the young Zhang Guoqing.
It was also here that she held back her tears and made up her mind to entrust her life to Zhang Guoqing.
Zhou Jiao strolled to a corner, gently tracing the horizontal scratch on the wall. Back then, she had used all her strength to carve the sadness and hatred there, and also carved it into her heart. Thinking back on the past, she couldn't help but feel sad for herself.
Blinking, Zhou Jiao looked up at the pillars on the roof and forced a faint smile. Luckily, her father had returned; his presence was no longer on the memorial tablet. She should be grateful, not dwell on hatred.
Zhang Guoqing disappeared from Zhou Jiao's sight, exchanged a few simple pleasantries with everyone, and then immediately followed in. Looking at her back, he stepped forward, patted her gently, and whispered, "Let's go, it's all over. We'll get off Dad's broken piece of wood soon. Everything is over, let's all look forward."
"Yeah. It's all in the past. I'm never coming back here again."
Zhou Jiao walked out of the room, taking one last, deep look inside. She gently closed the door. With a creak, it shut, as if the past was also locked inside.
Zhang Guoqing carried the basket and pulled her back to the main entrance.
The two stood there, watching the clan leader and his men busily opening doors and windows, while the women of the clan whispered among themselves. Today was a big day for the Zhou family, and they had reopened the central gate to welcome the new arrival.
Except for the women, all the men were cleaning the ancestral hall.
The Zhou family head turned around and saw the young couple carrying the basket. He smiled and said, "The auspicious time hasn't arrived yet. We'll add it to the family tree when your father comes over. You just wait a little longer, they will be back soon."
Zhou Jiao smiled and nodded, saying gratefully, "Little Grandpa, we are sorry for the trouble we have to endure today."
The Zhou clan leader shook his head repeatedly and said, "It's okay, we are all family. My child, it was our Zhou family who didn't think highly of you, and we made you suffer and be wronged. My dear child, don't forget that you said you were a Zhou family member. You must remember that we Zhou family members share the same bloodline and roots. If you have any problems, you must ask us old guys to support you. Don't handle everything on your own in the future. Now that your father is back, your family is reunited. Our ancestors are watching over you and will bless your family."
Zhou Jiao nodded solemnly upon hearing this and said, "Grandpa, I will always remember that I am a member of the Zhou family. No matter where I go, I will always remember my roots and my home."
"Okay, good boy. The Zhou family has your father and you now, so your main branch is still doing well. When you have time, discuss with your father whether to move your main branch's grave to the ancestral land?"
"Grandpa, I think we should just forget it. They are all resting down there, so let's not disturb them. As long as we youngsters know where our ancestors are and remember to pay our respects during festivals, that's all that matters."
Zhou Jiao understood the clan leader's thoughts, but she had no intention of discussing moving the cemetery with her father.
The only surviving legitimate descendant of the first wife was her father. He could still visit the grave in person in the capital. Besides, Zhoujia Village wasn't their true ancestral home.
Their direct lineage had been in the capital since ancient times, and the older generations before them were also from the south. It was said that Zhoujia Village only became a separate branch of the family when her great-grandfathers served as officials and stayed outside the Great Wall.
If we really trace it back, no ancestors of the main branch had ever been buried in Zhoujia Village. However, the lineage of Old Master Zhou's side branch should have returned to Zhoujia Village after the family split after Great-Grandfather passed away.
The Zhous in Zhoujia Village today were only closer in blood than their southern cousins, belonging to the same clan. If one were to trace the roots further, it's possible that the wealthy family had committed the murder, and it's possible that the main and concubine wives were sworn enemies for generations.
In Zhou Jiao's opinion, the Zhou family's genealogy is quite messy, and their main branch should also have its own family tree.
I don't know how her grandmother Gu Mingzhu found the old patriarch of Zhoujia Village in the first place? How did her grandfather Zhou Jinyu, a talented man, become considered a member of her clan?
After facing pressure from the Gu family, he still trusted the Zhou family? He dared to entrust his son to them just because they were cousins? No wonder her great aunt Liu Xizhi couldn't find her father.
Who would have thought that the Zhou family, who have lived in the capital for generations, would have their ancestral land in the Northeast?
Clan leader Zhou also understood that there was no way their main family would move the tomb here. However, he still held onto a lucky glimmer of hope, hoping that his daughter Zhou Jiao could persuade her father.
This time, the principal wife, Zhou Xiaozheng, was on the verge of prosperity. If the principal wife's ancestral tomb were moved to Zhoujia Village, they and the concubines would become one lineage. In this way, Zhou Xiaozheng would surely promote his clan members. Whenever the Zhou family encountered difficulties, they could turn to him for help. But everything was ruined by the idiot Zhou Jiaren. A promising path to success was ruined by that family.
Clan leader Zhou guessed that the old patriarch had taken a fancy to this point. He hoped that the principal and concubine wives would unite, so he took the risk to take in the child.
"Well, what you said makes sense. Then remember to come and pay your respects during festivals in the future. I'll go in first to see how the preparations are going. Remember to call me when your father comes." Clan leader Zhou looked at her, knowing that mentioning it again would make others feel disgusted, and said with a smile.
He went back inside, smiled bitterly, and shook his head at the two elders. Forget about impressing Zhou Xiaozheng; even Zhou Yatou flatly refused. This thing is hopeless!
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