Reborn as a Landlord

From the undergarments to the outer clothes, there were several complete sets of traditional funeral attire. The common practice was to pre-layer them and then dress Old Master Lian, instead of putting them on piece by piece. The three people were skilled and quick at their task, and soon had the attire neatly arranged. Lady Zhou, with the help of a few sons, took advantage of Old Master Lian’s still-flexible body to dress him in the full set of funeral clothes.

Afterwards, everyone burst into loud cries. At this point, the people waiting outside carried the spirit bed into the room. Together, they lifted Old Master Lian’s body onto the spirit bed and tidied it up. Some arranged the incense table and other necessary items; only then was the minor funeral service completed.

After the minor funeral service, it was time to receive condolences.

In farmstead households, news spread by word of mouth. When someone passed away in a family, people from nearby villages would know in no time. There was no need to inform of the death; those who were courteous would come to express their condolences automatically. However, in the casual speech of the farmstead folks, they wouldn’t use such formal terms as expressing condolences but would call it "paper condolences."

Holding a funeral is different from other events. Farmstead families are very respectful of ceremonies, but due to limited resources, they can’t afford lavish gifts. Usually, for condolences, all that’s required is bringing a bundle of paper. Most farmstead families would give this kind of gift, hence calling it "paper condolences."

Of course, some people bring white cloth or even gift money, but this is rare among ordinary farmstead families. Only wealthy families or those with very close ties would do so.

Relatives nearby need no formal death notification, but faraway relatives require someone to inform them.

Wu Yuchang and Wu Yugui came to ask Lian Shouxin which relatives needed notifying.

"We need to send someone to inform my father-in-law. Let Han Zhong arrange it," Lian Shouxin said. As for other relatives, Lian Shouxin thought for a moment and asked Lady Zhou.

"All gone, no one left!" Lady Zhou replied bluntly.

Everyone exchanged looks in silence.

"Elder brother, are there any friends or relatives who need to be informed?" Wu Yuchang asked Lian Shouren.

Lian Shouren said nothing, just looked at Lian Shouxin. Lian Shouxin also stayed silent, and after a moment, Lian Shouren shook his head.

"Then it’s settled," said Wu Yuchang decisively.

Old Master Lian had no old acquaintances to notify. Lady Zhou’s only connections, Lady Da Zhou and Younger Lady Zhou, were both in the village and needed no special notification. As for the families of Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, and Lian Shouli, there had long been no communication.

Though brothers Wu Yuchang and Wu Yugui voluntarily took on the responsibility of hosting guests, some matters still required the family’s decision.

"Second Aunt," Wu Yuchang spoke cautiously to Lady Zhou, "something as significant as my Second Uncle’s passing needs your say on how it should be handled."

Among all Lady Zhou’s descendants, including her many sons and grandsons, Wu Yuchang, aside from Lian Lanlan and Lian Xiuxiu, was the only one who could speak with Lady Zhou on equal terms. Wu Yuchang’s astuteness and charm were evident.

"I’m just an old widow, I have nothing to say," Lady Zhou pondered for a while and said, "There’s not a single cent left, all stolen by that little rascal Si Lang. If you want to do something, you talk to them."

After saying this, Lady Zhou fell into silence.

Wu Yuchang had to turn to the four brothers: Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, Lian Shouli, and Lian Shouxin. Although grandsons Lian Jizu, Erlang, Wu Lang, Liulang, and Qilang were present, they had less say than their father’s generation.

After a moment of silence, Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, and Lian Shouli said nothing.

"Brothers, I’ll trouble you to arrange things, no matter how you see fit. As for any expenses in sending off the Old Master, I will cover them," Lian Shouxin said.

"Fourth brother, I knew your character was beyond reproach," Wu Yuchang replied, "Even your wife is straightforward. I mentioned the need for cloth, and she’s already sent someone with it."

Everyone had long expected that Lian Shouxin would bear all the costs of Old Master Lian’s funeral. Wu Yuchang’s inquiry followed protocol and also served to show respect to Lian Shouxin.

With this significant matter decided, Wu Yuchang and Wu Yugui set about their preparations more freely.

They took down the door curtains, put away anything with color, and arranged the mourning hall according to farmstead customs. A white flag was hung on the gate posts, and the West Wing Room was opened, cleaned, and warmed, while a fire pan was prepared. Several women assisting tucked up their sleeves and quickly started cutting and sewing mourning garments and hats.

This white cloth was naturally what Lady Zhang had sent from her home, as Wu Yuchang had just mentioned.

According to farmstead customs, when an elder passes away, sons, daughters-in-law, and daughters all wear mourning clothes, complete sets of mourning garments and hats. Grandchildren wear just mourning hats, and grandsons also wear a white headband; the eldest grandson, like the sons, wears the full mourning outfit. As for more distant relatives, they only wear a mourning hat, and even further ones only a white headband.

The daughters-in-law continued working tirelessly, and soon the mourning clothes and hats for the direct descendants of the Lian Family were ready and everyone donned them. Lian Lanlan, who was supposed to wear mourning clothes, only received a mourning hat. Luo Baocai and Jin Suo, Jin Suo’s wife, and Yin Suo only received a white headband.

This was because Lian Shouxin never did things in an absolute manner. With someone harsher, even these might not have been given.

According to the rules, Lady Zhou should also don mourning attire.

Since Old Master Lian passed away, Lady Zhou sat on the heated bed without getting off. By now, Younger Lady Zhou and Lady Da Zhou had already arrived and sat beside her. The two tried to help Lady Zhou put on the mourning attire, but she pulled it off defiantly.

Lady Zhou said nothing, refusing to wear mourning, staying in her regular attire.

...

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