Chapter 28

At the small tea room beside the ancestral hall, Song Jiyun listened to Steward Wu report on the funeral arrangements, "…over by the grave site, we've already arranged for a steward to take twenty servant boys to guard the gate and manage the ceremonies. The drummer and musicians are all set. We've also specially invited someone from Nanchang Prefecture who can throw 'spirit money' high into the air, as much as three zhang high, falling down like snowflakes from the sky."

"Have the people lifting the banners and handling the paper effigies been settled?" Song Jiyun asked.

Steward Wu quickly replied, "All arranged. Forty people for lifting the banners and another forty for the paper effigies."

After finishing, he passed the roster to Song Jiyun, "For sounding the gong, we've invited Coroner Chen, and for lifting the coffin, we've invited Master Jiyuan from the Gratitude Temple."

Song Jiyun took the roster and looked it over, nodding with satisfaction, "Tomorrow, my mother will surely attend the funeral as well. Her health cannot withstand too much exertion. Arrange a sedan chair specifically for her service, and the bearers and attendants will be provided by Xiang Zhan later. Personally oversee it to prevent any mistakes."

Steward Wu repeatedly agreed and hesitated for a moment before saying, "We still haven't received the eulogy from Ninth Master Song..."

Ninth Master Song was the Scholar of the Song Family; he was asked to handle all matters requiring literary talent.

The eulogy should have been written several days earlier.

It was clear that everyone's mind was not focused on the funeral.

Holding back his frustration, Song Jiyun said, "Go to Ninth Grand Master's residence this afternoon to inquire. If it's still not ready, pay a scholar to write one. With a generous reward, there will surely be someone willing."

As Steward Wu was a steward of their house, he knew the way the second branch handled things and didn't ask how much silver was appropriate.

Song Jiyun returned the roster to Steward Wu, "Have you not found the Great Master yet?"

Steward Wu gave a bitter smile.

Song Daliang had said he would help with the funeral arrangements, but in reality, it all depended on these members of the second branch and Song Jiyun's decisions.

Rather than saying Song Daliang was helping with the funeral, it was more accurate to say that Song Jiyun was handling it himself.

However, seeing how capable Song Jiyun was, the stewards of the second branch couldn't help but harbor some hopes.

Should the Second Madam carry a boy in her womb, with the First Miss looking after everything, the second branch would not fall apart. Then, they would be able to keep their positions as stewards.

Song Jiyun directly asked, "Is there anything else urgent that needs to be resolved? I've finalized the procedures here. If the Great Master arrives, just show it to him. If he doesn't come, it doesn't matter, just follow my instructions. If anyone has objections, tell them to come to me."

Steward Wu looked pleased and inquired about tomorrow's luncheon, "The Great Master said he has assigned maids from our household to prepare the food, but I've calculated that there will likely be over forty tables. Our maids have never handled such a large event and might not be up to it. I think it would be better to outsource it to an external restaurant. They can also bring their tables, chairs, and dishes."

Song Jiyun said, "Then do as you suggest!"

The two discussed for a long while until lunchtime before finally settling all the details meticulously.

Steward Wu went off to handle the funeral arrangements for tomorrow, while Song Jiyun had lunch with Song Jiyu, who was staying to keep vigil in the ancestral hall, then went to see Madam Qian.

However, midway, Nanny Zheng caught up with her.

"Early this morning, the Great Master, the Third Old Master, and Ninth Grand Master all went to the Eldest Brother-in-law's place," she whispered to Song Jiyun. "Apparently, it's regarding tomorrow's bowl smashing ritual, aiming to have the Eldest Brother-in-law support their side."

Song Jiyun was silent for a long while.

She thought Ninth Grand Master wouldn't have gone.

"What did Young Master Yuan say?" she asked.

Nanny Zheng gave a bitter smile, "Young Master Yuan agreed to all of it, and each explanation was the same."

"Oh!" Song Jiyun was somewhat surprised but felt it was something he would do. She chuckled, "Let's go to Yinyu Hall and see!"

*

In Yinyu Hall, Yuan Yunzhong sat behind a desk on a Taishi Chair, listening to Shao Qing report, "The owner behind the Silver House and the bank in Liang County is Registrar Wang. This seal has been frequently used by Song Youliang for the past three years. I have already made rubbings of this seal."

While speaking, he handed several sheets of Xuan paper to Yuan Yunzhong.

"No need," Yuan Yunzhong felt these items were of no use and didn't take them, saying, "Send someone to Hangzhou to make rubbings of the seals Song Youliang left at the silver house or the bank there ten years ago. I need them."

His marriage was arranged ten years ago in Suzhou after all. Naturally, one must find the seals Song Youliang used in Suzhou back then.

Shao Qing acknowledged and waited to see if there were any further instructions.

Yuan Yunzhong appeared as if he wanted to say more but hesitated.

Shao Qing felt shaken to his core.

He had been serving his master since he was ten years old and had never seen his master like this.

What had happened when he was not by his master's side?

He busied himself by lowering his head slightly, worried that Young Master Yuan might read something from his expression.

Young Master Yuan hardly noticed him, his thoughts racing.

With that enchanting Xiang Zhan's nature, she must have known early on what happened on his side.

Moreover, he never concealed anything from Liu Zi.

He just didn't know when she would come to question him?

Young Master Yuan lightly tapped his fingertips on the tabletop.

Surround Wei to save Zhao, make a feint to the east but attack in the west, shed the cicada's shell, use someone else's knife to kill, and cast a brick to attract jade...she had used them all, except for the beauty trap.

Wrong!

Young Master Yuan's ears turned bright red.

She had used the beauty trap too.

However, he was not fooled.

He couldn't help but cough lightly.

This time the three families were joined together, and he didn't know what she would do.

Young Master Yuan instructed Shao Qing, "Keep an eye on Miss Song from the Song Family."

Before Shao Qing could respond, a flurry of footsteps came from outside.

Young Master Yuan cocked his ear and knew it was Xiang Zhan approaching; he gestured to Shao Qing.

By the time Xiang Zhan entered, Young Master Yuan was already lying on the Drunken Master's Chair in the hall, flipping through a new travelogue.

"Here you are!" he pointed insincerely to the Taishi Chair next to him, "Sit!"

Xiang Zhan smiled at him and sat down on the Taishi Chair he had pointed to, saying, "I hear Young Master Yuan was very busy today?"

"Indeed!" Young Master Yuan said, "Thanks to you, I am now at least the eldest brother-in-law of the second house, and I can't ignore kitchen brawling as it's only logical. The tree wants calm but the wind keeps blowing!"

Xiang Zhan wanted to spit on him.

"The tree wants calm but the wind keeps blowing," indeed. He just needed to stay in Yinyu Hall acting like a quail, and no one would complain about his noise.

She said, "Those families will definitely ask you to attend the funeral tomorrow, just make sure you don't mess it up then."

Was she cautioning him not to talk out of turn?

Young Master Yuan earnestly said, "Didn't you say that no matter what I do, you could always help me smooth it over? I think there shouldn't be any problems."

Xiang Zhan coldly smiled and said, "That also depends if I'm in the mood and if I'm free."

"That could be troublesome." Young Master Yuan said worriedly, "All three families are watching me, I can't afford to offend any of them, right?"

Xiang Zhan smiled and warned him, "Sometimes, offending everyone is the same as offending no one! Pleasing everyone is the same as pleasing no one!"

Young Master Yuan suddenly fell silent.

Such familiar words!

He seemed to have said them many years ago.

Nanny Zheng walked in and announced, "Miss Tao has arrived!"