Chapter 60 Worship

Chapter 60: Ancestor Worship

Jian Ru’s parents’ graves were nestled on the mountain south of Longevity Village, a common resting place for most of the village’s departed.

When they were buried, Jian Ru was still too young to walk and had no money. A few relatives, after consulting him, barely managed to scrape together enough for coffins. They were then hauled up the mountain and hastily interred.

It was for this reason that Jian Ru always performed the ancestral rites with utmost devotion, seeking to atone for the shortcomings of that time.

This visit, being the groom’s first, prompted especially thorough preparations.

The two cleared the weeds around the graves, then used a shovel to level the disturbed earth, tidying the area before arranging the offerings.

Jian Ru took out the incense burner, lit the incense and candles, and knelt with Young Master Li Er before the graves, kowtowing three times with solemn reverence.

Jian Ru spoke, “Father, Mother, you once wondered what kind of family I would marry into, what kind of husband I would find. Today, I’ve brought him to meet you.”

“His name is Li Jintong. He’s a doctor, highly skilled, and a truly good person. His family is wonderful too,” Jian Ru declared proudly, lifting his chin. “Just look how handsome he is! Our relatives were so envious when they saw him. Your son has brought you honor!”

Young Master Li Er, kneeling beside him, couldn’t help but smile and shake his head. Then, with a serious expression, he said, “Father, Mother, my health was frail before, preventing me from visiting you sooner. Please forgive this junior.” He bowed and kowtowed once more. “It is my blessing to have Xiao Ru marry me. I vow to treat him well for the rest of my life. You can rest assured.”

After speaking, the two kowtowed three more times before rising.

Young Master Li Er opened a jar of wine, poured two cups, and placed them before the graves as a gesture of respect from the groom. Afterward, they burned paper money, paper effigies, and paper horses, waiting until not a single spark remained before kowtowing three more times, gathering their belongings, and heading back.

In the past, visiting his parents always left Jian Ru heartbroken, but this time, he didn’t shed a single tear.

His heart was full. He wanted to show his parents his happiness.

As they drove the carriage slowly through the village after descending the mountain, people peered curiously from their doorways. When they recognized Jian Ru on the carriage seat, they quickly called their families out to look.

Though the village was fairly populous, there was little excitement day to day. The arrival of outsiders always drew a crowd eager for a spectacle.

By the time they reached Jian Ru’s old house, nearly all the nearby neighbors had gathered.

Aunt Chen’s eyes lit up when she saw the couple. She stepped forward to greet them and excitedly told the other villagers, “Look, Jian Ru’s scars are all healed! How handsome he is now! And this is his husband. I told you before, but you didn’t believe me. Now see for yourselves—isn’t Young Master Li Er as stunning as I said, like an immortal?”

The onlookers stood speechless, too stunned to react.

Jian Ru had long since felt no connection to the villagers. Now, he simply offered a brief greeting. Young Master Li Er merely gave a brief nod in acknowledgment before the two entered the house and closed the door, shutting everyone out.

The house, having been empty for a long time, felt damp and was covered in a layer of dust.

Jian Ru found a cloth to wipe away the dust, while Li Jintong opened the windows to air it out.

Afterward, Li Jintong explored the old house, carefully examining every corner.

Jian Ru followed him. When Li Jintong entered a small room, he looked around and asked, “Is this where you always lived?”

Jian Ru nodded. “I always lived here. I kept the main room for my parents, in case they ever wanted to come back and visit. At least there’d be a place for them to stay.”

Young Master Li Er gently stroked his soft cheek. “You’re so capable. If they came back to see you, they’d surely feel at ease.”

Jian Ru lifted his chin proudly. “Of course! Just look who you’re talking to!”

Young Master Li Er laughed, leaned down, and kissed his cheek. Then, he moved to sit on the edge of the bed, but Jian Ru quickly stopped him, warning, “It’s dusty.”

Young Master Li Er said, “It’s fine. We’ll have to wash up and change after we finish cleaning anyway.”

With that, he sat down and slowly ran his hand over the headboard and the bed frame.

Jian Ru felt his cheeks flush for some reason.

Young Master Li Er turned to look at him and said, “We’ll sleep in this room tonight.”

Jian Ru hesitated. “But the bed is too small, isn’t it?”

Young Master Li Er replied, “It’s fine. We can cuddle close. Who knows, maybe your parents will want to visit us tonight to see if I’m treating you well. We’ll leave the main room for them.”

Jian Ru found this amusing and said, “Alright.”

As they were talking, someone arrived in the yard. Jian Ru went out to see who it was, with Young Master Li Er following behind. Suddenly remembering something, Jian Ru stopped him and said, “Stay here. Let me check first.”

Outside, an elderly person from a nearby household had been brought by their son, hoping to ask Young Master Li Er to have his pulse read.

Jian Ru was polite but firm in his refusal. He simply said that Young Master Li Er was tired from the journey and wasn’t available. If they wanted a consultation, they could visit the Li Family Clinic in town the next day.

He didn’t care what the other person thought. If he agreed to one, others would follow. Not only would Young Master Li Er be exhausted, but Jian Ru also didn’t want the villagers imposing on him in any way.

Before evening, the couple finished tidying the house. Jian Ru let Young Master Li Er rest at home while he went to the Village Head’s house to pay a visit, bringing a small gift to ensure future goodwill.

When he left the Village Head’s house and approached his home, he saw Jiang Maocai standing at the gate holding a basket, waiting for him.

Jian Ru lowered his eyelids, composed himself, and walked slowly forward.

Jiang Maocai smiled as he approached and said, “I heard you were back, so I came to see you.”

He handed the basket to Jian Ru. “These are fruit from the trees in my yard. I remember you liked them, so I picked a basket for you to eat at your leisure.”

Jian Ru didn’t take it. He had once said he liked the fruit from Jiang Maocai’s yard, but his real reason had been to visit Jiang Maocai more often under the pretext of picking fruit. Each time, he’d only take three or five as a pretense.

In the past, Jiang Maocai had never offered him fruit. When Jian Ru visited too often, Jiang Maocai had even mentioned politely that there weren’t many ripe fruits each day, and the birds took their share, leaving few on the tree.

Jian Ru understood the implied meaning but, blinded by affection, didn’t take it as annoyance. Instead, he thought Jiang Maocai’s parents were worried about the fruit and even bought expensive pastries he normally couldn't afford, giving them to Jiang Maocai as compensation.

Looking back, Jian Ru cringed at the memory—the money spent on those pastries could have bought several large baskets of fruit.

Later, when he saw a full basket of fruit at Zhang Jiao’s house, he still didn’t think much of it.

Now, Jian Ru said, “You’ve remembered wrong. The one who likes fruit is Zhang Jiao.”

Jiang Maocai was stunned, his expression falling. The basket dropped to his side as he lowered his hand.

“I know you still blame me. If I were in that situation, I wouldn’t forgive easily either,” Jiang Maocai said, his eyes reddening.

Jian Ru remained silent, watching him coldly.

Seeing Jian Ru’s indifference, Jiang Maocai hurriedly added, “Zhang Jiao and I aren’t what you think. After I took him away, we soon parted ways and rarely saw each other. I only gave him some money when he was struggling. I’ve always been proper with him. There’s really nothing between us.”

Jian Ru raised an eyebrow. “What does that have to do with me?”

Jiang Maocai said, “I just don’t want you to misunderstand me. I did what I did because of Zhang Jiao. I am filled with remorse for not being able to save you from the river back then. How could I possibly be with him after that? When I returned, I learned you hadn’t told the villagers anything. Thanks to you, I can still continue living here peacefully. How could I not feel guilty?”

He put on an expression of anguish.

Jian Ru looked at him coldly. “There’s no need to probe my intentions. I didn’t say anything back then, and I have no reason to say anything now.”

The village had forced a live sacrifice. Even if he revealed Jiang Maocai’s role in the substitution, the village wouldn’t report it to the authorities. At most, Jiang Maocai would be forced to leave, with no other real consequences.

Jiang Maocai felt relief but appeared uncomfortable. “That’s not what I meant…”

He wanted to say more when, just then, the courtyard gate creaked open as someone pushed it. Both men at the entrance turned to look and saw the Second Young Master emerge.

As he walked out, his long robe flowed elegantly, almost ethereal, revealing slender, pale hands with each nail clean and well-shaped. Even before he reached them, a subtle, refined scent drifted over.

Jiang Maocai also favored wearing long robes; even when doing chores around the house, he'd never change out of it. He always thought he looked better in a long robe than anyone else, but now, seeing the man before him, he felt completely overshadowed from head to toe, even clenching his fists, too self-conscious to leave them exposed.

When he saw Jiang Maocai outside the gate, the Second Young Master showed no surprise. He nodded politely to him and asked Jian Ru, "Who is this?"

Jian Ru lowered his eyelids and said, "A neighbor."

The Second Young Master then cupped his hands in a salute to Jiang Maocai and said, "Since you're here, why not come inside for a while?"

Jiang Maocai tried his best to maintain his composure. Putting down the basket in his hand, he returned the salute with a fist and said, "I better not intrude." He looked at Jian Ru. "Xiao Ru, I’ll be going back now."

As he turned to leave, Jian Ru called out to him, "Wait, you forgot your basket."

Jiang Maocai quickly picked up the basket, bowed slightly to them both, then turned and strode away.

The Second Young Master didn't give the man another thought. Seeing that he had left, he said to Jian Ru, "I made some porridge. When I saw you hadn’t returned by this hour, I came out to check."

Jian Ru murmured "oh" and said, "There’s some pickled vegetables in the luggage. Let’s have a simple dinner with the porridge."

The Second Young Master said, "Alright." He closed the courtyard gate behind Jian Ru, and before it shut completely, he glanced at the retreating figure in the distance, his brow slightly furrowed.

In the evening, after a simple wash, the couple squeezed onto the small bed in Jian Ru’s room.

The bed had been built by Jian Ru’s father from wood he selected himself in the mountains. Back then, Jian Ru was still young, so the bed was quite small. Before the incident, his father had planned to make him a larger bed and had even chosen the timber, but unfortunately, it was never completed, and the wood ended up burned.

Jian Ru, being slight of build, fit the bed perfectly, but the Second Young Master was tall, and when he lay down, his feet hung over the end.

Jian Ru said, "Should we move to the larger room to sleep?"

The Second Young Master replied, "No need. I can curl up; it’s quite comfortable."

Jian Ru didn’t insist further.

The bed was small, so the two had to huddle together. Fortunately, surrounded by mountains, the village was much cooler than the town, so they didn’t feel too hot.

Though tired from the day, they couldn’t fall asleep right away, so they lay under the covers chatting.

As they talked, the Second Young Master casually asked, "What’s the name of the man at the gate this evening?"

Jian Ru said, "His surname is Jiang, Jiang Maocai."

The Second Young Master gave an "oh" but didn’t pursue the topic further, instead shifting to something else.

Jian Ru quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had told the Second Young Master about being thrown into the river but hadn’t mentioned the other party’s name.

He had no intention of telling the Second Young Master about Jiang Maocai; he didn’t want him to have any involvement with such a person.

Besides, Jian Ru had his own private reasons—he wanted Jiang Maocai and Zhang Jiao to pay, but he didn’t want the Second Young Master to see his less admirable side.