Chapter 742 - 383: Rushing to the Funeral

Chapter 742: Chapter 383: Rushing to the Funeral

Huai Zi wasn’t home, so a puzzled Juhua went to the Zheng Family residence. As she entered, she saw Zheng Changhe and Yang Family huddled together, their expressions solemn as they spoke in low voices. Qingmu sat to the side, chiming in from time to time.

Her heart began to pound. THUMP-THUMP. She quickly asked, "Father, Mother, is something wrong?"

Yang Family saw her and quickly pulled her down to sit beside her. Wiping her eyes, she said, "It’s your great-aunt. She passed away this morning. Your father and I were just talking. She and your grand-uncle are the only elders the Zheng Family has left, and she was always so fond of your father. She took good care of us over the years. Now that she’s gone, we must go see her off. Your brother and sister-in-law will definitely go, and they’ll even bring Hulu to kowtow before the old great-aunt. It’s just you... your health isn’t the best, so we were thinking of telling you not to go. But then I thought, the old great-aunt was seventy-nine—we were even planning to throw her a grand eightieth birthday celebration next year. If you go to kowtow and see her off, she can bless you."

Juhua was stunned. ’The great-aunt is gone? That old woman... she was so sharp-tongued and full of fire when she was scolding someone. I really thought she’d live well past eighty. And just like that, she’s gone?’

She stared blankly for a moment. Seeing her father and mother looking at her with anticipation, she quickly said, "I’ll go! Even though I’m married, I’m still a daughter of the Zheng Family. Besides, Great-Aunt was quite fond of me, so of course I must go kowtow to her. But I don’t think I can bring Banli and Cong. They’re too young, and funerals are crowded. The atmosphere probably won’t be good for them."

Yang Family quickly replied, "Of course you can’t bring them. We’ll leave them in Aunt Liu’s care; otherwise, I wouldn’t let you go. And that settles it—Huai Zi must go with you. We’ll definitely have to stay for several days, perhaps not returning until after the seventh-day rites. If Huai Zi goes with you, he can look after you. Plus, after we escort Great-Aunt up the mountain, you two can come back first."

Juhua asked hesitantly, "You’re all going to be gone for that long? Will my brother and Sister Yunlan have to stay that long, too? What else is there to do after Great-Aunt is buried?"

Zheng Changhe spoke up. "We’ll see. If there’s nothing else, they can come back with you two. Your mother and I will stay for a few days and only return after the seventh-day rites."

Although he wasn’t shedding tears, his voice was hoarse, as if he’d been choking back sobs. He was truly reluctant to let his aunt go. He had just visited her on the second day of the New Year, and she had gone into the kitchen herself to cook a few eggs for him. He had told her that he would help her celebrate her grand eightieth birthday next year, which made her incredibly happy. Who could have known that after only a few days, she would be gone?

Once the family had settled on a plan, Zheng Changhe and Yang Family rushed over that very night. Qingmu, Juhua, and the others would set out the next morning. According to local custom, the burial was held on the third day. They would stay one night, escort the great-aunt up the mountain for burial the day after, and then they could head home.

Juhua woke early. Looking at her sleeping son and daughter, she felt a pang of reluctance. But she consoled herself, ’With He and Aunt Liu watching them, they’ll be even better cared for than by me. Besides, I’m only staying one night. It’s not as if I’ll be gone for ten days or half a month.’

Huai Zi knew what was on her mind and gently hurried her along. He also told Juhua to go and come back quickly, and reminded Huai Zi at length to take good care of her.

Liu Heizi drove them for a stretch in the Zheng Family’s horse-drawn carriage. He dropped them off where the road ended at the foot of a mountain path, leaving them to walk the rest of the way.

"Pu Pao, you be sharp and stay close to the Young Madam. Don’t just stand around grinning like a fool, you hear?" As Qingmu and the others disembarked, Liu Heizi quickly offered his daughter, Pu Pao, a few words of advice.

Pu Pao replied obediently, "Yes, Father! I understand."

Juhua’s reasons for bringing Pu Pao along had nothing to do with putting on airs or making her own life easier—Pu Pao wasn’t old enough to be of much help yet. She simply wanted the girl to broaden her horizons. It was a chance to teach her some manners and the proper way to conduct herself. At the very least, she wanted her to learn how to be composed and at ease around people. Juhua was fully intending to mentor Pu Pao well.

Huai Zi stared at the mountain path ahead, stamped his feet, and asked Qingmu, "How much farther to go? Is it all mountain trails like this?"

Qingmu had been to their great-aunt’s house before. He nodded. "It’s all mountain trails, but they’re not too difficult. The mountains here are much gentler than the ones near our home—you can’t even call them mountains, more like rolling hills. If we hurry, we can make it in time for lunch. I’m just worried it might be too much for Juhua and Pu Pao."

He hoisted Hulu onto his shoulders. Perched up high, the little boy could see far into the distance and was delighted. He grew more talkative, calling out "Daddy!" and "Mommy!" from time to time.

Liu Yunlan smiled. "Pu Pao will be alright. Kids have endless energy. Even if she gets tired, a little snack will have her raring to go again. I brought plenty of food, anyway. It’s Juhua I’m worried about. She really can’t afford to get exhausted."