Courtyard House: Passing through the Silly Pillar, Activating the Blessed Cave Heaven

68

"But renting a place in Beijing all the time isn't a long-term solution, as it costs several yuan in rent every month."

Why don't you come back to Baoding with me? I have a house there, and with your cooking skills, you'll never go hungry anywhere.

Upon hearing Widow Bai mention going to Baoding, He Daqing's heart stirred.

My son is about to graduate from his apprenticeship, and my daughter has already started school. I just need to send them some living expenses every month.

Although his youngest daughter might miss him, the current situation is not good. If he leaves Beijing, his children may be able to live a more stable life in the future.

After much deliberation, He Daqing increasingly felt that returning to Baoding with Widow Bai was a wise choice.

As long as he spreads the word that he is infatuated with this widow and is willing to raise other people's children rather than take care of his own, others will assume that he has severed ties with his two children.

As time goes by, people will gradually forget about it, and the two children will be able to live a peaceful life.

Even if someone reports on her past experiences in the future, based on the rumors circulating among the neighbors that she has already severed ties with her child, they will not be implicated.

After making up his mind, He Daqing began to plan in his mind how to make the escape plan more thorough, so that outsiders would be convinced that he was a heartless man who abandoned his wife and children.

Just as he was secretly making plans, the day arrived for Shang Zhirong's family to leave Beijing.

That day, He Yuzhu took a day off and went to Shang Gongyunxiang's grave to burn incense and pay his respects.

Afterwards, he and Shang Zhirong knelt down in front of the grave and kowtowed three times.

Shang Zhirong said with tears in her eyes:

"Father, please forgive your unfilial daughter for disturbing your eternal rest."

When Father passed away, I should have sent your soul back to your hometown, but the country was in turmoil and the situation was unstable, so I was unable to fulfill your last wish.

Now that the Workers' and Peasants' Party has established a new government and the world is at peace, your daughter will today escort your coffin back to your hometown according to your last wishes. I hope Father will not blame his daughter.

After the worship ceremony, the hired men wielded shovels and soon dug the coffin out of the ground.

Because it had been buried for so long, the coffin had rotted.

Preparations were made well in advance of the relocation of the grave, and a new coffin had already been prepared.

Upon seeing the coffin being unearthed, the funeral director immediately set up a sunshade, carefully opened the old coffin, and moved Shang Gongyunxiang's remains into the new coffin.

Upon seeing this scene, Shang Zhirong and her mother couldn't help but burst into tears.

After the remains were properly placed, the workers began to backfill the grave.

After Shang Zhirong personally checked and confirmed that everything was in order, she had the coffin lifted onto the carriage and then helped her mother onto another carriage.

He Yuzhu took out the pre-prepared dry food package and jar, and said:

"Housewife, Master, this is something I specially prepared for you to eat on the road."

The package contained my homemade braised and air-dried chicken, and the jar contained pickled salted duck eggs and chicken eggs.

You two must take good care of yourselves on the road. Your disciple was supposed to personally escort Master back to his hometown, but unfortunately the restaurant does not allow long leave.

Forgive your unfilial behavior, but I wish you a safe journey.

Shang's mother said gently, "Zhuzi, you are a good boy."

It is a blessing for your master to accept you as her disciple.

Over the years, you have always taken good care of her.

Now that a new government has been established and the world is at peace, you don't need to worry about us.

Just focus on your work.