On the third day after the funeral, according to the funeral rituals, the filial sons needed to visit the grave. Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang hadn’t rested well in the past days, but early this morning, they got up early nonetheless.

After the family had breakfast, seeing that the hour was still early, they sat around drinking tea and chatting.

"Will Erlang arrive today?" Lady Zhang asked Lian Shouxin.

"He’ll definitely come. He mentioned that he took a day off from the carter shop today," Lian Shouxin replied.

When an elder passes away, the first year is considered a new mourning period, with many rules to follow. There are certain significant days, such as today’s grave-mounding, and subsequent five and ten periods, where all filial sons must gather and conduct sacrificial activities according to tradition. The term for periods, five and ten, uses seven days as a unit.

This continues until the anniversary, at which time some families may gather for a more solemn sacrificial event. Afterwards, things are conducted as they would be for a normal ancestor worship and tomb sweeping.

"Unfortunately, Sanlang won’t make it," Lady Zhang remarked again.

Old Master Lian passed away, and Lian Shouxin had sent word to Sanlang in Taicang. However, due to the distance, Sanlang couldn’t make it back in time for Old Master Lian’s funeral.

"That can’t be helped. I reckon, in a couple of days, we will receive a reply from over there. Whether it’s the fifth or tenth period, as long as he can come back once, that’ll be good," Lian Shouxin said.

"He’ll definitely come back once," Lady Zhang nodded. "I’ve heard that he’s doing well over there, and the family treats him well. His wife had a big healthy boy with her first birth, which made the Old Wang Family so happy that they threw a celebration feast for a day. If Sanlang comes back, and could bring the child to visit, that would be even better."

Sanlang has a very easygoing personality and is quite attractive, even when he was living with the Lian Family, he rarely got scolded.

"That would depend on the Old Wang Family’s decision," Lian Shouxin sighed.

"Indeed," Lady Zhang nodded.

As the family continued talking, Lian Shouli, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye arrived. Lian Shouli came to join Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang to head to the old house first and then go up the mountain to mound the grave for Old Master Lian.

Lian Shouli carried a shovel, as it was necessary to add soil to the new grave and tidy it up. Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang got up, and Xiao Qi had also taken leave from school today, so they all headed to the old house together.

Lady Zhang, Lian Manman, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye did not go.

According to tradition, when the filial sons returned from visiting the grave, the whole family should have a meal together, prepared by the old house. However, everyone was aware of Lady Zhou’s temperament, and since Old Master Lian was still alive, they weren’t allowed to join the ancestral feast. Therefore, the ladies had no desire to endure that unpleasantness.

"After they’ve eaten and come back, the children’s father has already told me to have the kitchen prepare a few dishes to send over, as our contribution to the meal," Lady Zhang said to Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye. "Their father said the old lady is particular about her food; if these people eat there for free, she might not be pleased."

Lian Shouxin didn’t want Lady Zhou to complain afterwards about everyone eating for free, so he had already discussed with Lady Zhang the idea of ’adding dishes,’ essentially bringing their own food.

This way, during the meal, they wouldn’t have to worry about facing displeasure, and there would be less gossip afterwards.

"She’s particular depending on the person. With us, she’s particular, but with others, she’s generous," Lian Yeye said. "She hates for us to eat her food. She would be upset even if we ate our own family’s food."

This referred to Lady Zhou wanting more support from Lian Shouli, making life less comfortable for Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye.

"I’ll remember this for a lifetime!" Lian Yeye had once openly declared when discussing this matter with outsiders.

...

Old House

When Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and the others arrived at the old house, Erlang was already waiting there, having brought a shovel as well. Lian Shouren, Lian Jizu were in the Upper Room, and Lian Shouyi, whose head didn’t seem to hurt anymore, was also sitting in the Upper Room. Liulang had also taken a leave from school and was sitting with Lian Shouyi.

Lady Zhou was with Lady Chiang preparing the sacrificial offerings, while Lady He and Lian Yaya were helping on the side. However, it was Lian Yaya who was doing the real work, with Lady He merely making appearances. Lady Zhou didn’t even look at her, nor did she instruct her.

Even though Lady Zhou had a sullen expression, the sacrificial offerings were prepared meticulously and richly: a bowl of specially made white flour dumplings with meat filling, a bowl of cube meat, a bowl of tofu, a plate of dried and fresh fruits, and a small jug of rice wine.