Chapter Forty-Three: Honoring the Ancestors

The first day of October, the day for sending winter garments to the departed.

On this day, many families ventured out to pay respects to their ancestors, burning multicolored paper money and sending clothing to protect them from the cold.

Xu Ruojin rose before dawn. After washing up with Spring Grass and putting herself in order, she checked the items she needed to bring, then hurried out toward the Xu family gate.

The jar of sacrificial wine was cradled in Xu Ruojin’s arms. It wasn’t that she distrusted Spring Grass—her maid already had her hands full—but carrying it herself showed a proper reverence for the ancestral rites. One must feign sincerity when the occasion demands it, especially as today’s main figure was her father. He was the one she truly needed to curry favor with...

Mistress and maid walked forward, when suddenly someone leapt out from the side. “Ruojin, so this is where you are!”

Startled, Xu Ruojin knew the voice immediately—it was Li Zhonglin. How did he appear so unexpectedly?

She quickly stepped back, greeting him perfunctorily, “Greetings, elder brother-in-law.”

“Why so formal? Just call me brother, like Qiuping does.”

Li Zhonglin’s squinting eyes were filled with lecherous intent. Xu Ruojin dodged away, putting distance between them. “I’m on my way to honor my ancestors, brother-in-law. Please, stay here.”

Li Zhonglin blocked her path. “I’m going as well. With you accompanying me, this year’s ritual feels all the more memorable.”

Xu Ruojin’s eyes widened, blurting out instinctively, “The Xu family’s ancestral rites require kowtowing—are you sure you’re suited for that?”

“Is this wine brewed by you, Ruojin? Might I have the honor of tasting it today?”

“No, it’s for the ancestors.”

“A sip won’t hurt!”

“This wine is too strong.”

“Strong spirits stir the soul—a favorite of mine.”

Xu Ruojin kept dodging as Li Zhonglin pressed closer, their chase and retreat so relentless that Spring Grass was left aghast.

“Brother-in-law, here you are—I’ve been searching for you.”

A distant voice interjected. Though Li Zhonglin was displeased, he had no choice but to halt. “Just exchanging a few words with Ruojin. Brother-in-law, you came rushing over—afraid I’d bully her?”

“Of course not. My father wants to see you. Come with me, won’t you?” Xu Zilin smiled, casting a sidelong glance for Xu Ruojin to slip away.

Xu Ruojin rolled her eyes skyward, didn’t bother with further courtesies, and dashed off with Spring Grass.

Li Zhonglin tried to follow, but Xu Zilin blocked his way. “Father is in the study…”

“Well…let’s go then.” Li Zhonglin’s enthusiasm waned, and he followed Xu Zilin in another direction.

Spring Grass kept looking back as they walked, and seeing that the young master had led Li Zhonglin away, she tugged at Xu Ruojin’s sleeve. “Second Miss, they’ve gone elsewhere—we can slow down.”

“Oh, I’m sweating from all that.” Xu Ruojin couldn’t put down the wine jar. “Help me wipe it.”

Spring Grass took out her handkerchief and wiped her brow, and Xu Ruojin relaxed. “Let’s catch our breath before we go. If we rush in, Mother will surely find fault.”

“How can Young Master Li behave like that? He looks…well, his intentions are hardly pure. Second Miss, best keep your distance.”

Spring Grass spoke discreetly, but Xu Ruojin snorted. “His eyes are practically glowing green with lust. How someone like him managed to pass the scholar’s exam, the examiners must have been blind.”

“Second Miss, keep your voice down.”

Spring Grass glanced around, and seeing no one else, patted her chest in relief.

“Alright, let’s go. When we see Mother, don’t mention any of this—just act as if nothing happened.” Xu Ruojin instructed, and Spring Grass nodded at once.

When they reached the gate, Madam Yang was already waiting.

“What took you so long? Didn’t I tell you to get up early? If you miss the auspicious hour, can you bear the consequences?”

Madam Yang’s scolding went in one ear and out the other for Xu Ruojin, who handed the wine jar to Nanny Huang. She asked, “Mother, which carriage am I to travel in today? I’ll have Spring Grass put my things aboard.”

“With me,” Madam Yang said, leaving Xu Ruojin stunned for a moment.

Wasn’t she the one who least liked seeing her? How could she allow her to share a carriage?

Li Qiuping was riding alone—shouldn’t she be with her mother-in-law?

“What are you staring at? I need to instruct you on the way, not that I care much for your company.” Madam Yang’s gaze fixed ahead, and she fell silent upon seeing Xu Yaohui and his entourage approaching.

Behind Xu Yaohui came Xu Zilin and Li Zhonglin. Li Zhonglin was about to ask whom he’d be traveling with, but Xu Zilin pulled him toward another carriage. “You’ll ride with Third Brother. I’ll ride with Father.”

Xu Ruojin said nothing, darting straight into Madam Yang’s carriage.

Li Zhonglin didn’t speak further. Madam Yang glanced around, seeming to realize that too much talk would only cause trouble, so she had Chen Cai help the master onto his horse, then boarded the carriage herself, taking the main seat.

This was the first time Xu Ruojin had left the Xu family for a distant journey. Hearing the wheels turn and the steady beat of hooves, her heart soared.

Madam Yang glanced at her from time to time. Seeing her sit properly at the side, eager to look outside but refraining from lifting the curtain, she stayed within the bounds of decorum.

“When we arrive at the graves, just follow my instructions exactly. Don’t touch anything, don’t look around, and don’t meddle. Do you hear me?”

Madam Yang spoke indifferently, and Xu Ruojin replied with equal indifference, “I’ll do as Mother says.”

“You’re already betrothed, awaiting marriage. When dealing with others, mind your propriety—don’t get too close or give cause for gossip. The Zhang family already looks down on you; if rumors spread, even we’ll be shamed.”

Though Madam Yang referred to Li Zhonglin, she didn’t mention his name.

Xu Ruojin replied, “Aren’t the rites attended only by our own family? I’ll stay by Mother’s side. I hardly ever leave the courtyard—how could I possibly meet outsiders?”

“Don’t play dumb. You know perfectly well whom I mean!” Madam Yang grew sharper as Xu Ruojin feigned ignorance.

“I don’t know.”

Xu Ruojin’s tone was evasive and stubborn, and Madam Yang could only swallow her words.

If she criticized Li Zhonglin outright, it would be tantamount to rebuking herself. The only reason he was allowed to eat, drink, and amuse himself in the Xu household was thanks to Madam Yang’s own family—she had no choice. Were he anyone else, Madam Yang would have chased him out with a stick long ago.

Xu Ruojin had no intention of accepting Madam Yang’s scolding.

She had found her own way of dealing with her mother—feign ignorance, let her call her foolish or dull, but never give her any real leverage.

Mother and daughter exchanged no more words. Xu Ruojin watched as Madam Yang closed her eyes for a nap, and she peered through the gap in the curtain to take in the scenery.

Autumn leaves trembled, golden foliage blanketed the earth, and the gentle sunlight had lost its summer heat, warming her face with a rare comfort.

The street cries and clamor faded as the carriage took to the rural lane.

The scene brought a rare calm to Xu Ruojin’s heart.

She thought of her previous life, the daily route she took to school in her hometown.

The same sunlight, the same golden world, the same solitary journey—only now, everything but her soul had changed.

She did not know how long they traveled before the carriage slowed to a stop.

Xu Zilin dismounted and approached the carriage. “Mother, it’s time to get out and climb the mountain.”

Madam Yang replied lightly. Xu Ruojin got out first, lifting the curtain to assist her mother.

The winding steps from the foot of the mountain to the waist seemed endless.

Xu Yaohui adjusted his attire and beckoned to his family. “Let’s go!”