Chapter 1659: Chapter 1659: Dream Visit
Zhou Shuren and his wife changed their clothes and went next door, where the whole courtyard was already draped in white, and the funeral hall had been set up. Zhulan took a round and found there was nothing for her to do; the fourth uncle had arranged the matters very meticulously.
Zhou Shuren knelt to burn paper offerings, hearing a noise, he saw his wife kneeling beside him, “Is there anything that needs help?”
Zhulan took the paper money, “Fourth uncle has arranged everything.”
The fourth uncle knew he was having a brief awakening before death, having already instructed the servants to prepare; the old man worried about his affairs even on his deathbed.
Zhou Shuren’s voice was thick with emotion; the suddenly appearing elder treated him very well, not to mention the things given to him every year, but also caring for the younger generation, he greatly enjoyed this familial affection, “Leave the rest to Ming Teng.”
Zhulan comforted him with her teary eyes, “Yes.”
At this hour, the news had just gone out, and the visitors for paying respect hadn’t arrived yet; in the funeral hall, there were all family members.
Zhulan looked at the small figure kneeling beside Ming Teng, the little one couldn’t fully articulate words yet, and she said to Lau Jia, “The child is still young; let him kneel for a moment only.”
She originally didn’t want An Xiao to kneel; the child was too young, but Ming Teng insisted. This grandson of the Rong surname was somewhat precocious, though he couldn’t articulate yet, he could understand Ming Teng’s intentions, kneeling for a moment without causing any fuss.
Lau Jia felt for her son, as he was her dearest. She didn’t take her eyes off him, being glad he was sensible, yet worried about harming him, “Grandmother, I will carry An Xiao out now.”
Zhulan, “Yes.”
Lau Jia stepped up to speak with her husband about taking the son away, and Ming Teng turned his head to touch his son’s hand, “Alright, just rest in the back.”
Because the great-grandfather moved back to the Rong Residence, he brought his wife and children back too, initially thinking to spend more time with him, yet the great-grandfather passed away just like that.
Thinking of this, Ming Teng let tears flow down his cheeks, muttering, “May you have loving parents in the next life, have an older brother to support the family, and live for yourself in the next life.”
Zhou Shuren couldn’t hear clearly, but he guessed the full sentence from the words he overheard, feeling deeply saddened.
The news of Rong Yushang’s death spread quickly, and people came one by one to offer condolences, first was Rong Anxing with his sister.
Zhulan didn’t see Yao Yao; only when Anxing knelt down to burn precious offerings did she ask, “Where’s your mother?”
Rong Anxing’s voice was hoarse, “Mother knelt at the gates, bowing her head, she didn’t come in with us; she said that fourth granduncle didn’t want to see her.”
Zhulan looked up at the coffin and sighed softly.
Rong Anxing’s feelings towards fourth granduncle were complex; the granduncle treated him well but never hid his disdain for the mother, and unless it was a major event, granduncle never visited the Hou Residence. He touched the Jade Pendant on his person, given by the granduncle just because he spared a few more glances.
Rong Anxing’s eyes grew redder; he grew up hearing stories of the Rong family. Fourth granduncle finally found release.
Rongchuan and his wife came with children, followed by others who came to pay respect, until both the Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager arrived, the Retired Emperor couldn’t kneel yet personally lit incense and did not leave, instead sat beside keeping vigil.
This posture emanated from the Rong family, and even more people from the capital came to pay respects; several Princes arrived. How could they not? Someone acknowledged by the Retired Emperor as an elder was also their elder.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort arrived too, and only after they lit incense did the Retired Emperor leave with the Crown Prince.
Ming Teng, as the heir to the Rong family, received the guests; Rong Anxing was barely pulled to help out, this was a Rong family funeral, from the dying old man’s visitations, Zhou Shuren knew the old man didn’t want him to intervene.
Zhou Shuren was also tired, and Zhou Laoda supported his father to sit down, “Father, would you want to rest in the back?”
Zhou Shuren waved his hand, “No need, my body is still fine.”
Zhou Laoda was worried; his father was almost sixty, so he arranged for a doctor to stand by.
Zhou Shuren looked at Ming Teng, “You keep an eye on Ming Teng; this child is feeling the worst.”
Even Zhou Laoda was worried for his son; he nonetheless uttered reassuring words, sighing, “Yes.”
The visit of the Retired Emperor and Crown Prince once again sparked discussions about the Rong family in the capital; despite the sparse population, they were acknowledged as relatives by the royal family.
Rong Yushang’s funeral was conducted in grand fashion, after the burial, the Emperor issued a decree, Ming Teng inherited the title, becoming the titled Duke Rongan; Ming Teng held on to accept the decree, subsequently falling ill and closed off the Feng Residence, refusing all visitations.
Zhou Shuren also fell ill; his illness wasn’t due to cold but from awakening from a dream.
Zhulan passed the sliced fruits to Shuren, “Fortunately, the illness isn’t serious.”
Zhou Shuren, “The dream was too real.”
So he was startled, having a slight fever the next day, indeed not serious.
Zhulan remarked softly, “A dream visitation, huh.”
Zhou Shuren still vividly recalled his dream; after the fourth uncle’s burial, he dreamt at night of visiting the cemetery, seeing the uncle smiling silently at him from his tomb, speaking as though he was thanking, delivering the Rong family’s gratitude to him.
Following this, many voices sounded around his ears; he didn’t know how he reacted in the dream; in the end, he saw the uncle leave as numerous silhouettes seemed to follow, then he awoke.
Zhulan saw Shuren recalling again, “Don’t dwell on it, it’s past.”
Zhou Shuren ceased thinking about it, asking, “Is Ming Teng feeling better?”
“He is much improved, will be alright in a few days.”
Ming Teng had a robust body since young; this illness stemmed from grief and lack of rest, hence seemed severe; proper recuperation would bring recovery.
Zhou Shuren, “Eldest haven’t become Mr. Hou yet, Ming Teng already has, Duke Rongan indeed.”
“Yes, ming Teng will be Mr. Hou in the future, Lau Jia’s honorary decree alongside granting the Heir’s title were issued together.”
Zhou Shuren stopped eating the fruit, “The capital recognizes how much the royal family values the Rong family.”
The speed of the Emperor’s decree signifies the royal attitude.
Zhulan said, “Ming Teng’s plan to seal the residence citing mourning obligation.”
“That’s good.”
Zhulan then spoke of the grandchildren who left home, “I wonder if Yu Yi and the others are having a smooth journey. Busy with the funeral recently, noticed it’s been some days without receiving letters.”
Zhou Shuren was not worried, “They have guards with them, letters being delayed might have been due to encountering some matters.”
Indeed Yu Yi and the others were delayed; originally planned to leave once handing the water bandit to the Government Office during ship docking, unexpectedly, the bandits knocked out guards along the way, reclaiming them after being re-caught, which also left the ship damaged though fortunately discovered in time, allowing dock at the shore.
The docking place was distanced from the Government Office, also needing to find shipwrights for repair, hence delaying the journey.
Yu Jiao sat by the shore, “Alas, the ship’s been under repair for several days.”
Yu Yi said, “The merchant ship assures departure tomorrow at the latest.”
Yu Jiao frowned, “Still the merchant ship’s guards were careless, causing us so much delay.”
Ming Hui sat nearby warming by the fire, “You should be thankful the water bandits didn’t chase to rescue.”
Yu Jiao hunched her neck, wishing to shrink into her cloak, Yu Yi pulled his sister close, “Brother, don’t frighten her.”