Chapter 15: Incense Burning

Chapter 15: Incense Burning

Yan Sanhe seemed utterly unsurprised by the question.

"If it's not done willingly, the incense won't take effect," he said.

"It won't... take effect..."

Xie Erli suddenly interjected, "What will happen then?"

Yan Sanhe glanced at him. "The coffin will never close."

Xie Erli felt a chill run down his spine. "What consequences will there be if the coffin doesn't close?"

Yan Sanhe replied, "After seventy-seven days, Yan Xing's descendants will encounter a series of misfortunes."

Xie Daozhi: "...."

Xie Erli: "...."

"The decision is now in your hands."

Yan Sanhe's expression became indescribable. Turning around, she opened the door but paused without looking back.

"I'll wait for your answer outside the courtyard."

...

The night was deep.

Yan Sanhe stood with her hands behind her back, her figure slender and upright against the wall.

Human hearts were the most intricate things in this world, capable of both kindness and malevolence in a single thought.

She had no idea what choice Xie Daozhi would make.

But one thing she knew for sure was that if her grandfather were watching from above, he would surely regret his obsession with that letter over the years.

"Grandfather!"

She whispered his name softly in her heart.

Did you see this outcome, she asked inwardly?

Are you content?

Can you let go?

A misunderstanding, three lives lost, an obsession for a lifetime.

How utterly unworthy!

"Such a waste," she murmured softly.

...

In the study.

Xie Daozhi remained silent, sipping his tea in silence.

Xie Erli stood by, not daring to utter a sound.

Over the years, their father's service as an official had honed in him a stubborn streak. Apart from their grandmother's words, no one else could persuade him.

"Eldest brother."

"Father?"

Xie Daozhi rose to his feet, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and glanced outside before turning to lower his voice.

"Ask her to surrender Grandmother's matchmaking certificate and write a guarantee, then sign it with her fingerprint. I'll intercede for Yan Xing; otherwise..."

What did the Yan family's misfortune have to do with him?

A sudden clarity illuminated Xie Erli's mind.

Human intentions were fickle, and that item in someone else's possession was bound to be a menace. It could easily be exploited by others.

Now, taking advantage of the fact that this young lady is in need of the Xie family's assistance, we should retrieve those items and burn them. That way, it will all be settled.

Even if she regrets it later and tries to extort something from the Xie family, there will be no solid evidence against us.

This is true thoroughness.

Though Xie Erli was unaware of why his father held such hatred for Yan Xing, he genuinely admired his wisdom.

"Impressive, Father. A man with great aspirations must tolerate and let go."

Xie Daozhi walked over and patted his son's shoulder. "In comparison to the Xie family, Yan Xing is but a negligible figure."

Xie Erli replied, "I have learned my lesson, Father."

"Have someone prepare water!"

"Yes!"

...

"Miss Yan, what do you think of this?"

Yan Sanhe gave a nonchalant "oh," then asked, "If I give you the marriage contract, what is this guarantee you're talking about?"

Xie Erli replied, "Madam is quite elderly, and there are some past events we'd rather not have her recall, only to upset her for no reason."

"Be straightforward. Don't beat around the bush."

Though these words were rather harsh, Xie Erli merely smiled in response.

"When this matter is settled, our two families will have no further ties. In that case, Miss, I kindly request that you avoid passing through the gates of the Xie residence in the future."

So that was the purpose.

A faint sneer tugged at the corners of Yan Sanhe's lips. "Very well!"

"Direct and to the point!"

Xie Erli clapped his hands, "It's too cold outside, Miss should rest in the side chamber."

"No need!"

Yan Sanhe responded, "The sooner we finish, the better. Please prepare an altar, three trays of fruits, two candlestands, and one incense burner."

Xie Erli asked, "How many incense sticks do we need?"

"I've brought my own incense," Yan Sanhe replied.

She even brought incense all the way here?

Xie Erli gave her a skeptical glance.

...

The gloomy sky cleared up as night fell, revealing the moon.

Bathed in moonlight, a makeshift altar was set up, facing south while positioned to the north.

The candlestick was already lit, its flickering flame casting an eerie glow on Yan Sanhe's face.

The study door creaked open, and Xie Daozhi emerged, dressed in a fresh robe after his bath.

Yan Sanhe waited for him to approach before pulling out a incense stick from her bundle and offering it to him.

Xie Daozhi took the incense stick. "Should I light it first?"

"Light the incense, insert it, then speak."

Yan Sanhe took a step back, making room at the altar before her.

Her gaze did not meet Xie Daozhi's but was fixed intently on the incense stick in his hand, her expression tense.

Upon seeing her demeanor, Xie Erli and Chief Steward Xie, standing by, inexplicably felt their hearts tighten.

Xie Daozhi took a deep breath and held the incense close to the candle flame to ignite it.

One breath...

Two breaths...

Three breaths...

"Peculiar, this incense has been lit for ages, yet it refuses to ignite," Xie Daozhi muttered anxiously.