Old Master Lian has already passed away, he can no longer be kept on the bed, and instead, a small funeral must be held. Sending off the elderly, handling the funeral rites for the deceased, typically involves friends and family helping rather than imdiate family doing everything themselves.
This is both a necessity and a custom. It is deed necessary because, at such tis, the bereaved family is usually overwheld with grief, having no energy to handle various affairs. It’s a custom because it has always been this way through history. This embodies the excellent tradition of mutual assistance among community mbers, suffused with the warmth of human relationships and the respect of the living for those who have passed, and for the very notion of death itself.
Without needing any prompting, Wu Yuchang took the initiative to act as the guest master. Nearby were Wu Yugui, Steward Han Zhong, and other experienced elders from the village, like Father Chunzhu, assisting with the arrangents.
The first task was to cleanse Old Master Lian and change his clothes for the elderly attire. This task couldn’t be delayed because, right after passing away, the body is still supple, making dressing easier. If ti drags on, it becos harder. Lady Chiang, prompted by the guest master and others, had already boiled a large pot of warm water, poured it into a basin and brought it in, placing it on the bed.
Lian Manman, Xiao Qi, and Lian Yeye, the young children, were first sent outside.
The task of cleansing and dressing Old Master Lian naturally fell to Lady Zhou to lead, but she couldn’t do it alone; help was needed.
"I’ll wash and dress Father," Lian Lanlan volunteered.
"Not you." Lian Shouxin, who had always treated Lian Lanlan like air, suddenly spoke, extending a hand to block Lian Lanlan from approaching, "Go stay in the other room. Over here..."
As Lian Shouxin spoke, he cast a glance at Lady Zhang.
"There’s Wu Lang’s mother, Yeye’s mother, Jizu’s wife will lend a hand." With that sentence, Lian Shouxin determined who would wash and dress Old Master Lian.
In folk customs, this choice is significant. When a husband dies and the wife is still alive, it’s expected that she would handle this task, aided by her own children. The children fit to do this for the elderly are naturally those who have been successful, loved by the old parents, and are similarly filial.
In this era that values filial piety, being able to perform such tasks for the elderly is very prestigious and considered an essential act of filial duty.
Originally, as the eldest daughter, Lian Lanlan might have done this. But now, she no longer has that right. Clearly, Lian Shouxin already believes Lian Lanlan is linked to Old Master Lian’s death. Being one of the culprits who angered Old Master Lian to his demise, Lian Lanlan has lost the face to perform this act of filial duty.
Lian Lanlan appeared frightened, surely understanding Lian Shouxin’s thoughts. Lian Shouxin hadn’t lashed out upon returning ho, simply because he needed to prioritize handling Old Master Lian’s business first. This doesn’t an he won’t pursue the matter further. Therefore, Lian Lanlan hoped to gain favor by cleansing and dressing Old Master Lian, while softening Lian Shouxin’s negative sentint toward her. She implored toward Lady Zhou, hoping at this crucial mont she would speak on her behalf. As the widow, Lady Zhou’s words hold considerable weight now.
Unexpectedly, Lady Zhou didn’t speak for Lian Lanlan this ti. She seed oblivious to the squabble between Lian Shouxin and Lian Lanlan, not even glancing upward in their direction.
Lian Manman heard the conversation from the outer room, quickly whispering a couple of words to Xiao Qing. Xiao Qing then returned inside, and shortly after, two wives half-supported, half-dragged Lian Lanlan out of the room, heading toward the west room.
A mont later, Lady He was also dispatched away. Apparently, she too was stripped of the honor of cleansing and dressing Old Master Lian.
Inside the room, everyone else left, except Lady Zhou, Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, Lian Shouli, Lian Shouxin, alongside Lady Zhang, Lady Zhao, and Lady Chiang—this was everyone from the Lian Family who would accompany Old Master Lian on his final journey.
Though it was said the daughters-in-law would serve, with so many sons present, the task of wiping Old Master Lian wouldn’t truly fall to the daughters-in-law.
Lady Zhou sat on the bed, overseeing as the four sons undressed Old Master Lian, while carefully wiping his body with wet cloths, and combing Old Master Lian’s hair. Lady Zhang, Lady Zhao, and Lady Chiang gathered at the bedside to organize Old Master Lian’s elderly attire.
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