Song Ci’s recovery from her illness was exceedingly slow this ti. By the ti the Fan Family matriarch’s funeral rites were conducted and her family accompanied the casket howard, Song Ci still hadn’t regained her health, leaving her much thinner. She appeared more frail and diminutive than ever, resembling a small elderly lady, with age showing clearly on her face, and it was now already midway through November.
Not fully recovered, Song Ci couldn’t be as carefree and lively as before and had to obediently remain in Chunhui Hall. She listened to the maids and daughters-in-law gossip for entertainnt, and occasionally, she’d invite the small opera troupe maintained within the mansion to perform, fully becoming the type of elderly lady who seldom left ho.
"... It’s said that during Madam Fan’s funeral, street ceremonies were held throughout the Capital, which indeed symbolizes a prestigious burial," remarked Jiang, discussing how the funeral was managed this ti by the Fan Mansion. With Madam Fan’s casket traveling back to her hotown, the funeral was concluded.
Song Ci had a blanket draped over her legs and lazily leaned on the pillow, watching the maids folding flowers with drooping eyes, saying, "It indeed was prestigious, but it exhausted the living ones. Now that the funeral is over, I fear many in the Fan Mansion will be worn out."
Ancient funeral ceremonies, inherently complex, required even more attention when done prestigiously. This ant maintaining vigils and dealing with weak wonfolk, who, eating frugally and being fatigued, were prone to falling sick.
"It’s inevitable," Jiang replied. "Lasting until the end of the funeral is a testant of endurance; so weaker ones fell ill in just a few days."
Song Ci almost blurted out sothing inauspicious but caught herself just before the words slipped out.
Best to hold her tongue, to avoid these folks inviting a guru to chant to dispel shock. Furthermore, she couldn’t strip the original elderly figure of her deserved glory.
After her death, there must be a grand funeral, carried out with dignity, so that her body’s lifeti of hardship wouldn’t be in vain.
A maid brought in so bird’s nest soup, which Jiang personally received, planning to attend to Song Ci herself.
Song Ci said, "There are plenty here to serve ; if you’re free, go and help your sister-in-law. With the year-end approaching, she’s incredibly busy."
Jiang smiled and replied, "You also need people around here. I’ll join my sister-in-law to help out after speaking to you."
This arrangent was made by several daughters-in-law after Song Ci fell ill—taking turns chatting with her to alleviate her boredom so she wouldn’t dwell on thoughts, hence easing the recovery process.
Madam Song entered from outside, chilled from the cold air, with so white showing in her hair.
Song Ci was surprised: "Has it snowed?"
She glanced out the window, indeed noticing that snow had started falling outside.
"This year’s snow ca rather late," Song Ci said.
"Indeed, by this ti last year, there had already been several heavy snowfalls." Madam Song ward herself by the charcoal brazier before approaching to sit down, extending greetings to Song Ci.
Song Ci: "You’re busy; why co by now?"
Madam Song replied, "To inform you, Qi’er has sent soone to suggest we have her back in the Pri Minister’s Mansion for a few days."
Song Ci startled and frowned: "What’s happening in her courtyard now? Is there so trouble again?"
Madam Song shook her head, softly saying: "Not exactly that; it’s that Qi’er is pregnant again but hasn’t announced it yet and hopes to co back to nurture her pregnancy before returning. As a reason, she wishes to use your health condition to bring the granddaughters back to the mansion temporarily. What do you think?"
This brought yet another joyous occasion.
Song Ci imdiately replied: "Why would she need a pretext to bring them back? Quickly send Jie’er to bring them ho, simply saying I miss them. Bring back the children too."
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