Chapter 65: Longevity Plaque

  With the silver in her arms, Qizhen felt that walking was much lighter, and she wasn't even afraid of the scorching sun. However, she still feared that Huazi would get sunburned, so she picked a large leaf from the side of the road to block the sun for him.

  They arrived at the Songshan Temple, and the little monk at the gate asked about their intentions and took them to the hall where the Longsheng plaques were offered. Inside, the air was filled with smoke and fragrance, and on the high Buddhist altar was a row of Longsheng plaques, next to which monks were chanting scriptures.

  The young master found the masters in the temple, told them about Qizhen's intention, and they took Qizhen and her brother to write longevity plaques, make offerings, and discuss whether to hold Buddhist rites.

  The master asked Qizhen'er about her parents' names, places of origin, and birthdays, and began to grind the ink, just as he was about to start writing, but was interrupted by Qizhen'er.

  "Do you want to write it yourself?" The master was surprised by Qizhen's request. It was rare for a rural family to afford to send their children to school, and judging from the clothes Qizhen and her siblings wore, they were considered to be among the poorest peasants. How could they possibly know how to write? However, since they were doing this to accumulate good deeds, and the child had a filial heart, the master did not stop them. He ground the ink and briefly explained how to write the memorial tablet.

  Zijin'er listened attentively and found that the epitaph was not difficult to write. However, when she picked up her pen, she felt as if it weighed a thousand catties, and tears fell involuntarily. Could this small epitaph replace her father's broad shoulders and mother's warm embrace?

  For so long, she didn't dare to think of them, afraid that she would become timid and wouldn't have the strength to protect Hu Zi. Now that things had finally settled down, she could finally put her mind at ease and fondly remember her kind parents.

  Following the monk's guidance, the memorial tablet was written. Qizhen had already cried to the point of being unable to speak. After donating money for incense oil and a month's worth of offerings, Qizhen pulled Huizi in front of the memorial tablet and wailed uncontrollably.

  That master initially saw Qizhen's writing was good and full of praise, and in his heart he also had more appreciation for her. Now seeing the siblings crying with grief, kind-hearted, he came out of the hall to make room for the two siblings.

  Hutou didn't know what a memorial tablet was, so Qizhen explained that it was something used to worship and pay respects to his parents in the future. He then began to cry. As a young child, he should still be spoiled by his parents, but instead, he had already experienced the bitterness of losing both parents and being separated from his hometown.

  After a long time, the two finally barely stopped the sadness in their hearts. Hu Zi had cried to the point of hiccuping.

  Some of the remaining fruits in the basket were offered in front of the memorial tablet, and some were given to Master Worry-free. However, Master Worry-free went down the mountain to collect alms today, so the fruit was received by Little Master instead.

  As she walked past the main hall, Qi Zhener thought of those six taels of silver. Feeling uneasy in her heart, she went in to pay respects to the unnamed lady and thanked them for buying her fruit and donating incense money to bless her whole family with peace, only then did she feel slightly better.

  It wasn't until much later that Qizhen knew whose family had saved her, and she felt extremely regretful. However, for now, she was still unaware of it, only feeling grateful to the kind-hearted person who had relieved her pressing trouble.

  Because they were moving tomorrow, she returned to the Ye's house and Qi Zhen'er took the silver to look for Mao Shi.

  Mrs. Mao is a fair and kind person, doing things with integrity, from the last time's matter, Qizhen knew that she still has prestige in the village.

  She has never entertained guests before. Hand it over to Mrs. Mao and she will be at ease.

  "In the village, people who know each other generally go to eat together. You see," Mrs. Mao organized her words. "You are outsiders, and with the Ancestral Hall thing, I really can't estimate how many people will come."

  Mrs. Mao saw that Qi Zhen was also gloomy and suggested: "Tonight, your uncle will come back from the fields, I'll let him take Hu Zi to visit the village, what do you think?" Now it's time to weed and fertilize in the fields, usually before evening, there are only children at home.

  Hu Zi is the son of the Qi family and the eldest son, so outside, Hu Zi's words count, even though he is only five years old.

  Qizhen also thought this method was good. When she came back to help, the people who said they would come to attend the housewarming party didn't know exactly how many were coming. If there was too much preparation, it would be fine, but if there was not enough, it would really look bad, and maybe even lose face in front of the Ye family. Moreover, since it's hot outside, food can't be left out, anyway she's in charge of dinner tonight, tomorrow they'll move things, and she still has time to go to the market to buy vegetables.

  "Great Aunt, I have two taels of silver here. I don't know what to buy, so I'll trouble you to take care of it." Qizhen said as she handed over the two taels of silver from today's fruit sales to Mrs. Mao.

  Mrs. Mao did not say those empty words to Zhen'er, took the money and said: "Zhen'er trusts you, Madam, so you just do your best."

  In the evening, after dinner, Ye Shiwei took Hu Zi out. He first took Hu Zi to visit the village chief, Li Zheng and other influential people in the village, who were mostly from the Ye family. They had already promised to help Qi Zhen'er, but didn't know how to thank them, so they took advantage of this opportunity to repay them at the same time.

  Then went to the few Ye family members who came to help earlier, first thanked them for their help, and then told them about Zhen's moving house tomorrow, those people all clearly expressed that they would go.

  Then went to several familiar shops to discuss borrowing tables and chairs, bowls and plates, and by the time this was done, the moon had risen high in the sky.

  At night, lying in bed, Mao and Ye Shiwei discussed and decided to set up a few tables and buy some dishes, only then could they put their minds at ease.

  "What status does this Zhen Er's younger brother have? He can recognize the county magistrate's daughter, and he is knowledgeable and courteous. You don't even know that today she took out two taels of silver to ask me to help with the banquet, without even batting an eyelid?" Ma Shi muttered to herself.

  Ye Shiwei pondered for a moment, and also felt that this Zhen'er sister and brother were not simple. He exhorted: "You don't have to care about what identity Zhen'er sister and brother are, I see they know how to be grateful. They treat the old man like their own grandfather, and respect you as their elder aunt, so just treat them like your niece Bai Zhi."

  Mrs. Mao nodded secretly, but still said: "What idea did I come up with? You think it's like that family, no profit doesn't get up early." She pursed her lips, Mrs. Mao couldn't help but retort, then remembered that the head of the household didn't like people talking about his brother's bad behavior, so she changed the subject: "This wheat will be harvested in a few days?"

  Ye Shiwen seemed to like this topic very much, and his interest was also high. He said with a smile: "I think it's just three or five days, but the old people in the village say that the wheat is still green, let the sun shine for a few more days. Last year's snow was big, and this year's wheat harvest will not be bad."

  The Mao family listened and laughed, pushing him and saying: "I really can't figure it out, the old master's good qigong technique, how did it become a complete failure in your hands?"

  No, the only one in the family who can inherit Ye Lao's legacy is Ye Shiyan, but unfortunately he doesn't do a good job. Ye Shiwei thought that his two brothers had been back from the city for almost a year, but they still didn't have a clear direction, one went to gamble every day, and the other was thinking of going back to the city every day, neither of them were willing to settle down and live a steady life. He sighed secretly in his heart, but what could he do? They wouldn't listen to their older brother anyway.

  "Go to bed early, you still have a lot of work to do tomorrow." Mrs. Mao said as she saw Ye Shiwei remaining silent.

  Ps: Hmm, I guess I'm probably the last person in the world who knows that my work was launched today oo Zhenju Tianyuan