The aunts and sisters-in-law from the same clan who were helping out have arrived after hearing the news and have begun making arrangements for the funeral.
The clan chief and several elders were also invited over and were discussing the matter in the main room.
Zhao Dashu discussed the funeral arrangements with the clan chief. Zhao Dawen and Zhao Dayong knelt in front of the kang (a heated brick bed) to burn paper money. Both of them pushed the matter onto their youngest brother, which was quite funny.
It wasn't that they didn't want to discuss things together; Zhao Dawen knew that what he said was like farting—no one would listen seriously, and no one would follow his advice.
Zhao Dayong, on the other hand, has been in a daze lately, his mind is buzzing, he can't think of anything or do anything.
Ever since he learned that his mother had once considered giving him all her property, and that he had lost it all, he became completely despondent, living like a walking corpse every day, and so did Li Shi.
The villagers all said that the two of them had lost their souls, and they also felt that they had lost their souls.
Wang, Li, and Song knelt to one side, preparing to help their mother-in-law wash and change into her burial clothes.
Zhao Xiaoyu had the nanny take the child into her parents' room, but didn't let them go in to see the corpse, for fear of frightening them and the child.
Actually, I wouldn't dare. My daughter is already a bit strange, and if she sees these things, what if she says something untrue?
Lifting the curtain, the old lady lay peacefully on the kang (a heated brick bed), her lips slightly parted and her hands placed on her chest, almost as if she were asleep.
It seems they didn't suffer when they left.
The room was warm, so it wasn't too uncomfortable for my mother and the others to kneel.
"Mother, shouldn't we change her clothes?"
People should also stop in the main room.
Next comes the vigil.
“Your father hasn’t arrived yet. He’s still discussing the next steps with the clan chief and the others. We’ll talk about it when he gets here.”
Zhao Xiaoyu nodded. The room was crowded with a bunch of people kneeling, it was a bit too cramped.
She and Xiao Lei knelt beside Madam Song. "Mother, preparations have already begun outside, and all the white clothes have been hung up."
"Hmm, where are the two children?"
"They're in your room. There are so many people inside right now; it's better for them to stay inside."
"Well, let the children kneel down tomorrow after the servants have brought them to the main room."
The younger children are all inside, with an adult watching over them to avoid frightening them.
Zhao Xiaoyu frowned. The room was too warm, which wasn't suitable for the milk right now. It would be better if it were colder.
But they couldn't bear the cold weather while keeping vigil.
"Is the kang (heated brick bed) not heated?"
"It didn't burn."
Zhao Dashu returned in less than half an hour. As soon as he entered the house, he told everyone to leave first, leaving his daughters-in-law to help their mother change her clothes.
The Huang family and others also stayed to help. After all, they had served Old Madam Sun for many years, and how could they not be saddened by her passing? They also wanted to serve her until the very end.
Zhao Dashu had prepared the funeral clothes and the coffin well in advance. The funeral clothes were very beautiful, and the fabric was of excellent quality. After everyone helped her wash and clean, she looked completely different.
After being dressed in her burial clothes and having her hair combed, Old Madam Sun lay there peacefully, covered with a brand-new thin quilt embroidered with pine trees and cranes symbolizing longevity.
At her age, this is considered a happy death.
"That's about enough, let everyone in."
Relatives and those who were close to the mother-in-law will come to see her one last time tonight and tomorrow morning to say goodbye before they are carried into the coffin.
After finishing their work, Zhao Dawen led the people in. He rushed to Old Madam Sun's side and cried, "Mother!"
Zhao Dayong's eyes also reddened. His mother looked even better than before she left, and her new clothes and quilt made her look much prettier.
Afterwards, the clan chief brought his sons in. Seeing his third sister-in-law's peaceful face, he felt a mix of emotions. With his third son in charge, her funeral would surely be very dignified.
The person who has been aggressive and domineering all his life is now at his quietest.
Thinking about it, she was truly a blessed person. Her life was worthwhile; she enjoyed everything she was meant to enjoy, and she passed away more peacefully than any other old woman in the village.
Look at what she's wearing and what she's covered up in now. Sigh, he'd be content if he could have even half of that in the future.
"Have a good chat with your aunt."
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