These eight or nine tables, including the Lian Family members keeping vigil, as well as close relatives like Zhang Qingshan and Shang Huaide, and some villagers helping with the vigil. It was only at this time that the music stopped, and a few people also took their seats.

The night meal was not as varied as the daytime, but it was quite rich, especially the hot sauerkraut soup, which warmed everyone up instantly.

Lady Chiang accompanied Lady Zhou at a table on the kang. Lian Shouxin and Zhang Qingshan sat at a table, and at this table, they heated a pot of wine; Lian Shouxin drank a few cups with Zhang Qingshan, with Shang Huaide accompanying them. Zhang Qingnian also sat at this table. He didn’t need to keep vigil for Old Master Lian, but he stayed out of concern for Zhang Qingshan.

After the night meal, Lian Shouxin said he wouldn’t allow Zhang Qingshan to watch over the vigil anymore.

"...You’ve already done right by my father, it’s already midnight, and at your age, you ought to rest for a while. There’s a car outside, I’ll have someone take you back to my place, rest well, and come back tomorrow." Lian Shouxin told Zhang Qingnian to help him escort Zhang Qingshan outside.

"Alright, I can’t compare with you young people anymore. I’ll go rest for a while. No need to trouble yourself taking me back, I’ll just find a place here to nap for a bit." Zhang Qingshan replied.

Resting at Lian Shouxin’s would certainly be better, quieter, while here with people coming and going, rest might not be feasible. Zhang Qingshan’s request was not out of not wanting to trouble Lian Shouxin, but he wanted to stay closer to Old Master Lian’s vigil in the old house.

The older generation values tradition and customs more.

Lian Shouxin persuaded him for a long time, and seeing Zhang Qingshan’s persistence, he had to comply. Fortunately, the West Wing Room was well-prepared, and the Lian Family didn’t have distant relatives needing accommodation, so Zhang Qingshan and Zhang Qingnian were arranged there.

Zhang Qingshan went to rest, and then Shang Huaide and a few other elders left too. Everyone else could rest, but Lian Shouxin and a few other sons and grandsons couldn’t.

Lian Shouxin returned to the Upper Room’s mourning hall and noticed that the three incense sticks in front of Old Master Lian’s vigil were almost burned out, so he promptly replaced them with three new ones and adjusted the wick of the long-burning lamp, making it brighter.

No one came to pay respects during the night, although the mourning children stayed by the vigil, they needn’t kneel for long. Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, Lian Shouli, Lian Jizu, Erlang, Wu Lang, and Liulang all sat inside, while Xiao Qi, being young, was sent back home by Lady Zhang after dark.

The room was brightly lit, and on the kang, Old Master Lian’s bedding rolled was placed at the head as usual, with Lady Zhou sitting beside it, and Lady Chiang sitting slanted on the kang edge, head down, accompanying Lady Zhou. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Lady Zhou was unwilling to leave this room, but as night fell, she confessed feeling scared, and even though her sons and grandsons were there, they couldn’t provide her a sense of safety. However, neither Lady Da Zhou nor Younger Lady Zhou could stay in the mourning hall for long; they both went home to rest. Though Lian Lanlan originally intended to accompany Lady Zhou, before she could come over from the Western room, Wu Jiaxing had already informed Lady Chiang, who stayed with Lady Zhou instead.

The room was silent, and everyone seemed to have endless worries.

The room was so quiet that the sudden sound of snoring was particularly clear and grating. Everyone’s gaze followed the snoring sound to Lady Zhou.

Lady Zhou was sitting cross-legged, her head bowed; she had fallen asleep.

"Jizu’s wife, let your grandmother lie down and rest," said Lian Shouxin, "The old lady probably hasn’t rested well these past few days."

"Grandma, please lie down and rest." Lady Chiang gently woke Lady Zhou, spread out bedding, and brought a pillow.

Lady Zhou glanced at her sons and grandsons, "In the middle of the night, nobody should be crying. What is there to cry about, nothing to cry for." After speaking, she was helped by Lady Chiang to lie down fully dressed, and shortly, she softly began to snore again.

"The old lady’s good sleep is a sign of longevity," Wu Yuchang, who remained as the reception host, hadn’t left yet, and upon entering the mourning hall and seeing Lady Zhou asleep, he whispered.

Lian Shouxin promptly stood up, urging Wu Yuchang to go home and rest early too.

"We’ve all been busy the whole day; there’s not much needed right now, we’ll stay here keeping watch, you go rest, and we’ll rely on you tomorrow."

"Having someone keeping vigil in front of the shrine is enough. Whoever is sleepy should go rest." Wu Yuchang approached, advising Lian Shouxin and the others not to hold vigil all the time and to rest whenever possible.