Chapter 219

Chapter 219

After days of travel, they finally reached their hometown, Qingshui Town. Six years had passed since Wang Ying and the others last visited, and for Fourth Uncle, it had been even longer—nearly thirteen years.

This return revealed a transformed landscape. The once-potholed dirt roads were now significantly smoother, even paved with a layer of gravel, which would prevent them from becoming too muddy on rainy days. Many storefronts along the street had been renovated, and a few three-story buildings had even sprung up. As the carriage drew closer, they realized these were newly opened restaurants and inns.

Passing their own shop, they noticed the sign had been replaced with a new one. It still read "Chen Family Grocery Store," but the shopkeeper inside was an unfamiliar face.

Chen Ershun stopped the carriage and stepped forward to inquire. Upon hearing that the Chen family had returned, the man immediately brightened. "Second Uncle, don't you recognize me? I'm Huzi! Has the master returned? I'll go tell my father right away!"

"Hey, slow down!"

From inside the carriage, Chen Qingyan and the others peered out. "Huzi has grown so much."

It was no wonder Er Shun didn't recognize him. The last time they visited, Huzi was only eleven or twelve. Now, six years later, he had matured into a strapping young man.

The group drove to the old family residence, where Chen Dashun was already waiting outside. Just like his father had done years ago, he stepped forward to greet everyone.

Seeing his elder brother, Chen Ershun excitedly rushed forward and embraced him. "Big Brother!"

"Second Brother, I've finally been able to welcome you back."

The others disembarked from the carriage one by one. Chen Dashun quickly brought his son forward to kneel and pay respects to the master.

"Please rise." After so many years, everyone gazed at the familiar home with a rush of mixed emotions.

The courtyard was meticulously clean and tidy, just as it had been when they left years ago.

Back at the end of the previous year, Er Shun had written home, informing his elder brother that the master might return after the New Year. Consequently, Chen Dashun had long since cleaned the front and back courtyards and all the rooms, even taking the time to replace the window paper and broken tiles.

Once inside the main hall, Chen Dashun asked his son to brew tea. With so many people present and everyone weary from the journey, there was little time for pleasantries. After brief greetings, they headed to the back courtyard to arrange accommodations and rest.

In the past, when Wang Ying lived in the old house, it felt incredibly spacious, easily accommodating over a dozen people without feeling crowded. Now, with more people, the old house suddenly seemed small.

Still, they wouldn't be staying for long, so they could manage by squeezing in.

Fourth Uncle and the others remained in the front courtyard, chatting with Chen Dashun, inquiring about the changes in their hometown over the years and any significant events that had occurred.

"Speaking of changes, there have been quite a few," Chen Dashun began. "Not long after the master achieved top honors in the imperial exams, many outsiders started arriving in town, saying they wanted to see where the top scholar lived. These people didn't just come to see the old house; some even sought out the Chen Family Ancestral Hall in Chenjiazhuang and specifically went there to pay their respects, hoping to absorb some of the top scholar's scholarly aura. Over time, more and more people came. It wasn't sustainable to keep worshiping at the ancestral hall like that, so the villagers discussed it and decided to build a Temple of Lord Wenchang on the nearby mountain. Now, the temple is very popular, and this year, before the county exam, many people came to worship. Quite a few would stay in town overnight after paying their respects, which led to the opening of many new inns in town."

Chen Jing stroked his beard thoughtfully. "So that's why. No wonder I saw so many new inns in town when we arrived."

Originally, Qingshui Town was a relatively modest and less prosperous settlement. Due to its remote location and lack of major transportation routes, its development had been quite slow. However, with the emergence of tourism, things had changed dramatically. Visitors staying, dining, and purchasing local specialties naturally boosted the local economy.

One should never underestimate the spending power of people in ancient times. Back then, Li Shi was willing to donate hundreds of strings of coins to temples to pray for her son's safety. Those hoping for their children to pass the imperial exams were naturally also willing to contribute generously to temple offerings.

Chen Dashun continued, "The temple has collected a considerable amount in offerings over the years, and every sum has been meticulously recorded. The year before last, my father spearheaded the rebuilding of all the roads in Qingshui Town. The road from town to Chenjiazhuang has also been paved. In the past, it took three hours to travel there; now, it takes less than two hours."

Everyone praised this initiative, noting that the road repairs not only benefited visiting tourists but also made life easier for the townspeople—a truly commendable achievement.

Chen Qingyan then asked, "We've been talking for so long, but how come we haven't seen Uncle Chen Xi?"

Chen Dashun's voice faltered, his eyes reddening as he said, "Last September, my father suddenly fell ill and passed away..."

Upon hearing this, everyone sighed. "Our condolences, Brother Chen."

Er Shun, standing nearby, also had red eyes and began to sob. He had only learned of his father's death later. Since the old man's passing was so sudden and the distance too great to return in time, the funeral arrangements had been entirely handled by his elder brother and sister-in-law.

This time, Chen Ershun had also come to visit his father's grave. Not being able to be present for his father's final moments had become his greatest regret.

Da Shun patted his younger brother’s shoulder. "Father knew you were serving the master's household. He didn't blame you. Before he passed, he asked me to tell you: a loyal servant does not serve two masters. The master's elderly lady, the master, and the young master are all truly good people—kind and generous. You must serve them well."

Chen Ershun nodded. He knew it well. If he hadn't followed the master and young master all those years ago, he might still be farming in Chenjiazhuang. Over the years, he had seen the wider world in the prefectural city, and being a steward in a wealthy household was a great honor.

At noon, Chen Dashun had ordered food at a restaurant. In the past, Qingshui Town had no large restaurants, only a few small eateries with mediocre food. This newly opened restaurant was said to be owned by someone from the prefectural city, serving dishes in the Jizhou style, which tasted quite good.

After the meal, Wang Ying and Chen Qingyan brought Yuanbao back to their familiar courtyard to rest. Yuanbao, now older, was too old to share a room with them, so Wang Ying cleaned out the west room for him to stay alone.

*

After a night's rest, everyone rose early the next day to prepare for the ceremonial offerings. This trip was not only for ancestor worship but also to commemorate what would have been Qing Yan's father's 60th memorial birthday.

This kind of commemoration, known as a posthumous birthday, was highly valued in ancient times. It required preparing the three ritual animals: a pig's head, fish, and chicken, along with pastries, seasonal fruits, tea, wine, and more.

In addition, incense, candles, and joss paper for the rituals were essential. These items could be bought ready-made at an incense and candle shop.

After gathering all the offerings, the carriages set off in a grand procession toward Chenjiazhuang.

Along the way, Li Shi, Chen Rong, and Chen Jing gazed intently out the window. For the elderly, making such a journey was arduous, and most sensed this might be their last time returning. The next visit, they knew, would likely be only after their own passing.

Upon arriving at the village, they found it even more developed than expected.

Every household now boasted neat, tile-roofed houses. Although most villagers still made their living from farming, the government had exempted them from taxes. Each year, aside from contributing a small amount of grain for ancestral hall repairs, the rest of the harvest belonged to the individuals. As long as one was diligent, life was comfortable.

Hearing that the masters had returned, the villagers poured out of their homes. An elderly woman with white hair, leaning on a cane, immediately knelt to kowtow upon seeing Wang Ying.

"This won't do! Elderly one, you are shortening my life!" Wang Ying exclaimed.

The old woman grinned, revealing a few uneven teeth. "Young master, do you still remember this old woman?"

"Of course, how could I forget? Mutou, come quickly and greet Grandma Li."

A tall young man standing behind Chen Ze stepped forward. "Hello, Grandma Li."

"Oh! This child has grown so tall!" The old woman took the young man's hand, looking him up and down. "He's truly grown into a fine man. Now your parents and grandparents can rest easy."

When she had sent Mutou off, he was only eight years old. Now, a decade had passed in the blink of an eye.

Chun Sheng also found his parents to catch up. Perhaps because he had been away for so long, he felt somewhat distant from his family and didn’t quite know what to say.

Over the years, he had sent silver home multiple times and asked if his parents had received it.

Chen Shugen nodded awkwardly. "We received it. The silver was used to build the house."

"Take care of your health, you and mother. I’ll send more silver in the future."

"No, no need to send more. Keep it for yourself. We have enough for food and drink here."

Chen Chun Sheng had many children; he was the third child, with two older brothers and several younger sisters. With so many children, the family couldn't afford to raise them all, so they had sent him away to seek a better future.

Now, seeing how well the child had grown up, dressed in clean and decent clothes, both husband and wife felt reassured.

The group walked toward the ancestral hall, followed by a large crowd from the village, as well as many people from neighboring villages who had heard the news and came to catch a glimpse of the top scholar and the other esteemed scholars.

Upon reaching the entrance of the ancestral hall, Chen Jing looked up at the tall *zhuangyuan* memorial arch and exclaimed, "This archway is truly magnificent! It must have taken a lot of labor and materials to build, right?"

Wang Ying replied, "It was arranged by the county magistrate. Six carpenters were hired, and it took over a month to complete."

As the heavy gate opened, the Chen Family Ancestral Hall came into view.

This was Chen Jing's first time here. When he stood in the main hall and saw the memorial tablets of his father and mother, he could no longer hold back his tears. Lifting the hem of his robe, he knelt, saying, "Your unfilial son Chen Jing has returned to pay respects to the ancestors!"

The other descendants of the Chen family behind him also knelt and kowtowed.

The draft through the hallway tousled his hair, as if an invisible hand gently caressed his cheek, whispering the longing of all these years.

The weather was cold, so he couldn’t kneel for long. Chen Qingyan and Chen Qinghuai stepped forward to help him up. "Fourth Uncle, don’t be sad. Grandfather and Grandmother must be rejoicing in the netherworld, knowing how well their grandchildren have done."

Chen Jing wiped the tears from his face. "You’re right. They would surely be happy!"

Everyone took turns offering incense. When it was little Yingying’s turn, Chen Qinghuai held her small hand and helped her place the incense in the burner. The Chen family had no tradition of favoring sons over daughters; both daughters and sons were allowed to enter the ancestral hall.

After they finished offering incense, the villagers also began offering incense to their own ancestors, as the ancestral hall housed not only the Chen family’s ancestors but also those of the entire village.

After paying respects to the ancestors, it was time to celebrate Chen Xian’s posthumous birthday ceremony. The children were not allowed to stay, for fear they might be affected, so the maidservants took them to play in the village.

Chen Qingyan laid out the three ritual offerings prepared in advance, while Chen Qingsong and Chen Qingyun arranged the offerings one by one. The three siblings knelt once again before their father’s memorial tablet.

"Father, your sixtieth birthday is approaching. Your child has specially returned to celebrate it for you," Chen Qingyan said as he filled a cup with wine and placed it before the memorial tablet.

For the first time, Li Shi did not shed tears. She squatted nearby and lit the joss paper. "Brother Xian, all these years you’ve been gone, the children have been doing well. They’ve all started families and built careers without causing me any worry. Now, even the grandchildren have taken the imperial exams. If you know of this in the afterlife, you can rest in peace."

Chen Jing took out an eulogy he had prepared in advance and read it aloud:

"Alas! The blossoms of the cherry tree, how radiant they are! In the past, my brothers and I were as close as hands and feet.

I recall the days we studied together by the cold window, under the dim lamp and yellow scrolls. You often draped your robe over my shoulders. In years of famine, when even a wisp of smoke from the hearth was scarce, with only meager meals of beans and rice, you always let me eat first.

Your nature was as gentle as flowing water, your character as pure as autumn frost. You served our parents with warmth in winter and coolness in summer, and taught your children with righteousness and discipline. Yet, why did heaven not protect us? It broke our jade branches and severed our line of geese. From then on, who would share the dogwood with me when climbing high?

Now, as I govern this region, I must keep the people in mind. Returning to my hometown today, I see the plain curtains looking desolate and the old bed covered in dust.

Alas! The broken wing from our line of geese—what pain could compare!

I pray only that your soul may ride on mythical luan birds and cranes, wandering freely in the divine gardens. Alas, alas! May you enjoy this offering!"①

After reading the eulogy, Chen Jing was sobbing uncontrollably. There was a time when he and his elder brother were just like Qing Yan and Qing Song are now…

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Author’s Note: ① Reference from the "Classic of Poetry: Minor Odes."