After Transmigration, Her Whole Family Are Villains

Chapter 188

Recently, attending funerals has become quite frequent.

Qin Luoxia had just returned from Ming County with her husband to attend a funeral. Now they had to go to the Yu Manor.

She never expected that her first visit would be because the master of the house had passed away.

When the tea turns cold, people leave.

When Lord Yu was in power, there were many guests offering congratulations. He had many drinking companions as well. Every day, the house was full of distinguished guests, with singing and dancing all around.

But now that he was gone, only his first wife and three daughters sat in the mourning hall.

The favored concubine who had been fighting for a son was knocked unconscious and sent back to her residence. She woke up on the way home and vowed to take revenge.

Her husband valued offspring the most and wanted a son. If she said her son was lost due to the beating, he would surely fight Madam Qin to the death.

She had already planned how to cry and make a scene, her heart full of rage.

She had never suffered such a great insult in her fight for a son.

She wanted to teach that country bumpkin Madam Qin the consequences of offending her.

As for those three money-losing goods who watched her get beaten, she wouldn't let them off either.

She had already instructed her maid to prepare her undergarments to make them appear bloodstained.

She wanted to teach Madam Qin a lesson in one go.

By nightfall, old Yu's body was sent back.

The concubine was trembling all over, wondering if she should quickly pack her things and flee. However, Lord Yu had given her too many things, and she was reluctant to part with any of them. She also felt that Madam Yu was formidable, so there was no need for her to run away. She hesitated, torn between staying and going.

Madam Yu released the barely alive wet nurse who had been locked up. After eating her fill, the wet nurse's first order of business was to have someone tie up the concubine. A concubine was still a concubine and could be sold off. With her looks, the concubine could fetch a good price.

Then they prepared the mourning hall.

Lord Yu had no son, and Madam Yu had no intention of keeping the house. She planned to return to their country estate after the funeral.

The three young ladies changed into hemp mourning clothes that had been hastily made overnight.

They kept vigil in front of the mourning hall.

Qin Luoxia brought Mianmian and Grandma's Pangya to pay their respects.

Mom said Mi'er was too young and asked her to come along to see.

Grandma didn't object; she usually didn't oppose Mom's decisions.

She had thought Grandma would say the child was too young to attend a funeral or something like that.

When they arrived at the Yu Manor, white banners were fluttering at the entrance.

Inside, there was some chaos, with people running about.

At the mourning hall, Madam Yu seemed to be in good spirits. Seeing Mrs. Jiang arrive with her child, she hurried forward to express her gratitude.

"I'm so grateful for Mrs. Jiang's help yesterday. My three girls are so timid, they don't even know how to fight back when wronged. It's my fault; following me has made them like this."

"My condolences, Madam Yu. If you have any plans or need help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

"I'll probably take the children back to our country estate. The girls are used to life there, and we have relatives who can help out. Life shouldn't be too bad. If we encounter any difficulties, I'll send someone to find you. Don't turn us away," Madam Yu said frankly.

Jiang Mianmian followed along to offer incense.

After leaving a monetary offering, Mom took her to leave.

Before they left, little Mi'er shared a piece of preserved fruit with her.

Although they were keeping vigil, Mom didn't let them go hungry.

In some places, there are rules against eating or drinking during the vigil.

Jiang Mianmian looked back and saw one large and three small figures dressed in hemp mourning clothes, with a red coffin placed above them.

Madam Yu watched Mrs. Jiang leave and suddenly burst into tears.

The eldest daughter, Xiu'er, didn't dare look at Mrs. Jiang. She had thought countless times before about how she wished her father would die, but now that he was really gone, she felt lost and scared.

In front of the mourning hall, Madam Yu said to the children: "After your father went to the provincial capital, he became like a different person, offending people with his arrogance and accepting money he shouldn't have. This disaster was bound to happen sooner or later. Don't think about avenging your father or anything like that. You reap what you sow. We're already lucky that the misfortune didn't extend to the whole family. We should focus on taking care of ourselves and living our own lives well."

On the way back, they didn't take a carriage, as the two houses weren't far apart.

Qin Luoxia took the children to browse the market.

Although she had said she wanted to bring the children, she was also worried it might not be good for them. Going out to get some fresh air would help dispel any lingering gloom. She herself wasn't superstitious, but the children might be affected.

The market was very lively, with people calling out their wares all along the way.

Money didn't go far, but a few coins could buy all sorts of small trinkets, as well as street food.

It was crowded, so Mom carried her.

There were quite a few women on the street, and judging by their hairstyles – all with their hair pinned up – they were all married.

Unmarried young women were rarely seen.

There were also some children running around in the market, probably the children of the merchants.

The scene was full of the vibrancy of everyday life.

Mom bought her meat pies from a street vendor, four in total, one for each person, and packed up another bag.

Even though she had become Mrs. Jiang in the provincial capital, Qin Luoxia didn't put on airs or act superior.

She also enjoyed eating these street snacks.

She finished one piece very neatly.

Pangya had originally wanted to save hers for later, but seeing the mistress eat, she happily ate hers too.

Aunt Yin, being older, didn't have any particular expectations for herself. She enjoyed the meat pie with some tea, feeling quite content.

Jiang Mianmian held her pie and took small bites. It had a nice wheat aroma and was a bit hard, but it was freshly baked and still warm, which made it very tasty.

She couldn't really taste the meat, but it was oily and fragrant.

As Jiang Mianmian ate the baked pie, her hands became oily, and her mouth was greasy too. There seemed to be some crumbs at the corners of her mouth. She puckered her lips and moved closer to her mom, saying, "Mom, wipe it off."

After wiping her mouth, Qin Luoxia patiently wiped her hands as well.

Passersby occasionally stopped to watch but didn't dare come too close because there were guards nearby. After the lady left carrying the child, a long queue suddenly formed at Old Wu's meat pie shop. Everyone wanted to taste the pie that the noble lady had enjoyed so much.

Qin Luoxia continued on, carrying Mianmian. She bought her small clay figurines, wooden carvings, and wooden hairpins, collecting quite a few things along the way.

She also took her to watch street performances, thoroughly exploring the area until Jiang Mianmian got tired and fell asleep on her mom's shoulder.

Only then did Qin Luoxia carry the child home.

As a mother, she wanted to tell her child that life would have hardships, but she was also afraid of frightening her. So she spent the whole day playing with her until she fell asleep, which put her mind at ease.

It was a conflicting feeling.

Qin Luoxia couldn't quite describe this feeling, and she wasn't the type to share her emotions anyway. She was very practical and just did what needed to be done.

...

At Shangqiu Convent.

Commander Jiang led a dense crowd of people, surrounding the entrance.

Some were yamen runners who had come to investigate Lord Yu's unexpected death, but they found themselves standing at the gate of Shangqiu Convent.

Some quick-witted runners had already quietly gone back to report the situation.

Shangqiu Convent was untouchable.

Even when the rebel Zi Lu attacked the city, he didn't touch the True Return Temple or Shangqiu Convent.

This Commander Jiang from Ming County was just a reckless fool.

They had thought that Lord Yu, as a magistrate, had already fallen quite quickly into being a rebel's lackey, taking bribes and beautiful women, skillfully becoming a tool for the powerful. Some officials were already rubbing their hands together, waiting for him to make a big mistake so they could bring him down.

They never expected Lord Yu to die so suddenly.

And Commander Jiang had fallen even faster. Because there was no war to fight here, Commander Jiang couldn't obtain weapons, troops, or equipment. The officials were experts at making excuses; if Commander Jiang could get what he was supposed to have within a year, it would be impressive.

Who knew that Commander Jiang would find another way, hosting a birthday celebration for his son as soon as he arrived, with plans to celebrate his son-in-law's birthday next month.

His skill at amassing wealth was one thing, but his talent for causing trouble was no less than Lord Yu's.

People thought that Lord Yu's death was due to internal strife among the rebels, and they were preparing for a showdown.

But they never expected that the madman Commander Jiang would actually lead people to surround Shangqiu Convent.

Many officials' inner chambers still had people sent from Shangqiu Convent.

The convent also housed the family members of many powerful figures.

Commander Jiang had brought his own troops.

He knocked on the door, but the gate remained tightly shut.

He demanded that the master of Qingci and Qingming come out, suspecting her involvement in Lord Yu's death.

However, Shangqiu Convent refused to hand anyone over.

Instead, several waves of mediators arrived.

"Commander Jiang, this is a Buddhist sanctuary. You mustn't act rashly."

"Commander Jiang, Shangqiu Convent has deep connections. There are even noble people from the capital inside. You must not be reckless."

"Commander Jiang, think of your family. You don't want to follow in Lord Yu's footsteps, do you?"

"Commander Jiang, I advise you to reconsider."

"Commander Jiang, you're already an official of the imperial court. By bringing so many troops, are you thinking of rebelling?"

Commander Jiang looked at the person who came to persuade him with a surprised expression and said, "I'm here to investigate a case, for the sake of my sworn brother Yu Qian. He died with unfinished business, and I've only brought some fellow villagers with me. They're all from my hometown, just kindhearted people. How could we have known that Shangqiu Convent had so many rules? If you go to our Ming County and ask around, you'll find that the masters and common folk there are like family. Not a single person would say anything bad about me. I have the utmost respect for Buddhism. If we're not allowed to investigate, then so be it. But to pile on so many accusations? It's frightening."

The gates of Shangqiu Convent remained tightly shut, without even a single person to greet them.

Inside, the incense was still burning, its smoke rising into the air and forming the shape of a gigantic monster, as if it were opening its mouth to mock Commander Jiang's naivety.

What good would it do to surround Shangqiu Convent with troops? Would you dare to enter?

Deep within Shangqiu Convent, in the meditation hall, a beautiful nun was striking a wooden fish, appearing as one detached from worldly affairs.

The sound of the wooden fish was incredibly soothing.

It seemed to calm the hearts of those who heard it.

Behind her was a group of young girls, each with distinct features but all strikingly beautiful. They were carefully striking their own wooden fish. The oldest looked to be around ten years old, while the youngest seemed only two or three, unable to kneel properly and sitting clumsily as she tapped the wooden fish, her cushion wet from where she had urinated.

Outside the main gates of Shangqiu Convent, Commander Jiang watched wave after wave of mediators and seemed to finally be persuaded. He began to move his troops back.

After all, one couldn't make enemies of everyone.

The mediators wiped sweat from their brows, relieved that the Commander had listened to reason.

Master Jingren heard a servant report, "Commander Jiang seems to have been persuaded to leave. He's already gathering his troops to turn back."

Jingren slowly paused in striking the wooden fish and turned to look at the little girl who had wet herself. Frowning, she said, "If you can't control yourself again, I'll send you to keep the Buddha company."

At that moment, thick smoke began to rise into the air.

Commander Jiang had already led his troops to prepare for departure.

But then he saw what appeared to be a fire breaking out in the temple.

Seeing the billowing smoke, Commander Jiang rushed back with his men.

He bowed to the mediators and said, "I understand that Shangqiu Convent houses important people, and we can't let anyone die, especially not important figures. Don't worry, I'll lead my fellow villagers in to fight the fire and save lives. The people of Ming County have always been honest and selfless. Even though you may look down on us, we still want to help save people."

Commander Jiang swung his sword, and the main gates of Shangqiu Convent came crashing down.

...