"Don’t ask about this," Xiao Liu shrugged,
"Third Master said it’s convenient for coming back to honor the ancestors, but as you can see, more and more people leave the village and never return."
"My family is also saving money to buy a small apartnt in the city within the next two years. Nowadays, without an apartnt in the city, you can’t even get a wife."
Fang Zheng nodded silently.
From the people attending the funeral, it was evident that most were middle-aged or elderly, with a few children; young people like Xiao Liu were rare.
However...
’Feng Shui is useful, but not omnipotent.’
’Tis change, and the world is in constant flux. Feng Shui of a family may not necessarily have a lasting effect; even though the Jia family’s ancestors were buried in the Four Spirits Land, they were still beheaded after they beca wealthy, leading to the family’s decline. No matter how good the Feng Shui is, it ultimately depends on one’s fate and effort.’
"Hey... Hey..."
The sound of Elder Jia’s voice ca from the loudspeaker, overpowering the surrounding chaos:
"Those who need to bow, get ready. First, it’s the relatives from Zhou Mansion in the east, followed by the sons-in-law. There aren’t many guests today, so everyone can just pay respects together afterward."
"Guests from Zhou Mansion, please co over!"
It was clear that they still followed the ancient teachings here, where daughters marry out and are considered outsiders. Their status was not high, and the kowtow ceremony was the complicated nine kowtows.
The crowd paid respects in turn, starting with bowing and mourning, followed by offerings, coffin lifting, and departure, each requiring a bow.
At the gravesite, another bow was required.
Counting carefully,
not including the visit itself, it would take three kowtows to complete the process.
During the kowtows, Elder Jia stood in front of the deceased’s portrait, shouting commands, occasionally handing out incense and wine, with the deceased’s children and close kin kneeling on both sides.
After others finished kowtowing, the bereaved family would return the gesture.
It’s a very ancient tradition, yet it persists to this day, despite everyone knowing it’s just a formality, no one suggested simplifying it.
Fang Zheng, as an observer, watched the scene, seemingly able to see the legacy of Xia Country’s people over the millennia, feeling a sense of sigh and nostalgia in his heart.
This complicated etiquette couldn’t be simply labeled as good or bad...
"Stop!"
Just as the crowd was about to carry the coffin to the burial site, a group of burly n in black suits got out of a van, blocking the way.
The leader’s face was full of flesh, eyes ablaze with anger. He stretched out a big hand and shouted,
"Everyone, stop!"
"Wang Hu!" A filial son in white clothes from the crowd turned pale and stepped forward angrily,
"What do you want?"
"What do I want?" Wang Hu’s eyes widened, giving the filial son a shove and knocking him to the ground:
"I should ask you what you’re up to?"
"My mother passed away, and you didn’t even notify . You just want to bury her in your Jia family’s cetery directly. What do you an by this?"
Hmm?
Fang Zheng was startled and couldn’t help but look at Xiao Liu with a confused expression:
"What’s going on?"
Whose family did the deceased belong to? Why was there a dispute over the deceased? Why did this Wang Hu, claiming to be the deceased’s son, not receive any notification?
Xiao Liu looked embarrassed, glanced around cautiously, and then said in a low voice:
"Sixth Grandma was remarried here. Her original husband died, leaving her a widow, and she lived with Sixth Master for a few years."
"Wang Hu is her son from before."
Oh!
Fang Zheng understood.
It’s a case of one mother, two families wanting to bury the deceased in their respective ceteries. The Jia family didn’t even inform the Wang family, planning to secretly bury her. Once done, the Wang family would have no choice even if they were dissatisfied.
After all, they couldn’t dig up soone’s ancestral grave; the entire Jia Family Village wouldn’t be happy then.
However...
There was clearly a flaw in the plan, as they got intercepted on the day of the burial.
"Ah!"
Xiao Liu sighed:
"I said things shouldn’t be handled this way. Even if Wang Hu is doing business in Nanzhou, there’s still soone in his hotown who would inform him."
"It should have been discussed openly from the start."
This was wise advice. Fang Zheng nodded, though surprised, realizing that despite Xiao Liu’s young and loud nature, he was quite perceptive.
The Jia family’s filial son got up from the ground and angrily shouted:
"Wang Hu, Mother wanted to be buried in the Jia family’s cetery. How is this your concern?"
"Buried in the Jia family?" Wang Hu sneered:
"Nonsense!"
"My mother was only married here for a few years, and the old man died early; they were just living together, with no real affection."
"Moreover..."
He snorted coldly and said reluctantly:
"If buried in the Jia family cetery, do I have to co and pay respects to your Jia family’s ancestors?"
"Cough, cough..." Elder Jia, as the Funeral Official and a respected elder of Jia Family Village, couldn’t pretend not to see the situation. He coughed twice, stepped forward, and said slowly:
"Your stepmother wanted to be buried in the Jia family cetery. She said so herself when several villagers were present, so it’s not a lie."
"Wang Hu."
"If you really cared for your mother, you should respect her last wishes."
"Third Master."
In front of Elder Jia, Wang Hu showed respect, saying muffledly:
"I asked when I got back; those present were Jia Qiang and the others. I don’t believe their words!"
"If Elder Jia, you were there, I would believe it."
"This..." Elder Jia’s expression changed slightly, turning to look at Jia Qiang.
He was indeed not present at the ti, so he couldn’t lie, and even the villagers themselves were doubtful.
Did the deceased really say that?
"Uncle!"
Jia Qiang’s expression changed, biting his teeth, saying,
"Please perform the magic to summon Aunt Xiu’s soul and ask her opinion!"
"Hmm?"
"What?"
"Wow..."
The scene imdiately erupted in low chatter; expressions shifted, so with fear in their eyes, others curious and excited.
Spirit possession?
In the crowd, Fang Zheng raised his eyebrows slightly.
When soone dies, the soul doesn’t dissipate imdiately but gradually disappears over about seven days.
That’s why the coffin is kept for seven days, during which the deceased’s soul stays with the family until it either enters the underworld or dissipates in the Cyan Netherworld after seven days.
So within seven days, you can summon the soul using magic to inquire.
Of course.
After death, the soul begins to fade, and over ti, many mories are forgotten, only certain deeply impressed matters can be rembered.
However...
The Soul Summoning Technique is a magic even many mages can’t master. Elder Jia doesn’t even have mana. Can he perform spirit possession?
"Okay!"
Wang Hu nodded:
"Please, Third Master, perform the magic!"
Elder Jia’s face changed, his eyes flickered, then he slowly nodded:
"Very well!"
"I will perform the magic to summon my step-sister’s soul and ask her opinion. But let make it clear first, once the matter is resolved, you should not dispute again."
"Of course!"
"No problem!"
Jia Qiang and Wang Hu nodded in agreent.
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