My spirit appeared on the road to exile, and I was treated as an ancestor.

Chapter 33: The offerings from the Lu family have been received.

The system reminded him again, so Gu Xingzhao had no choice but to move further away. He wondered to himself, "Could I be some kind of monster or poison?"
She discovered that she had only walked a few steps when Lu Xingyan's heart rate, which had been over 160 beats per minute, was gradually decreasing and slowing down. Eventually, the red warning light turned into a green "safe" light.

She suddenly turned her head to stare at Lu Xingyan, but he remained calm and composed, as if her sudden heartbeat of 160 beats per minute was just her imagination.

You little rascal...

"..." Gu Xingzhao had never been so speechless in his life.

At this moment, she even wanted to take back the red envelope she had given out, feeling as if she had been rejected.

Even Lu Xingyan himself didn't know that every time the ancestor approached, his body would involuntarily tense up, and his blood would seem to boil and surge uncontrollably, to the point that sometimes he felt breathless and it was very difficult to bear.

Just now, that oppressive and tense feeling dissipated, and he knew that his ancestor had left, along with the fragrance he thought was snow, which had also drifted away.

At this moment, Lu Qing took out the only two pairs of earrings he had from his pocket and discussed with his son and daughter-in-law, "Our Lu family has never worshipped any gods, let alone this ancestor. Yet our ancestor has helped us a great deal. I feel very ashamed and am thinking of offering these two pairs of earrings to our ancestor... What do you think?"

In fact, the Lu family is led by the old man, and he can make such decisions on his own. However, since this is one of the Lu family's most valuable possessions, Lu Qing thought it was time for everyone to discuss it together.

The son and daughter-in-law naturally agreed.

Song said, "Our ancestors have repeatedly helped us in times of crisis, and this is only right."

Lu Zhou nodded.

Lu Yang frowned. "But just two pairs of earrings, and they've even been used... isn't that a bit too shabby?"

I wonder if our ancestor would mind.

The group fell silent. Lu Qing was also troubled, clutching the two pairs of earrings in his hands. He was worried that offering used items would offend his ancestors, but he couldn't just accept their kindness for no reason. That was not the proper etiquette of the Lu family.

Just then, Xu suddenly pulled out an oval jade pendant from somewhere and placed it in front of them.

The jade pendant is yellowish-white with a layer of seed skin with a water-like pattern at the bottom, making it clear that it is quite valuable.

Mrs. Song was speechless. "Second sister-in-law...where did you come from...?"

No one expected that Madam Xu had such a fine piece of jade hidden on her person.

Xu's eyes flickered slightly: "My mother gave it to me the day I left the city. I originally intended to save it for when I got to the north, but I might as well use it now."

The jade pendant was indeed given to her by her mother on the day she left the city, with the intention of leaving it to the Lu family after she left, which was a kind gesture.

But because she didn't leave, she kept it hidden on her person. When her father asked her to exchange valuables for something, she had other plans in mind and didn't take it out. Later, seeing everyone suffering, there was no suitable opportunity.

The reason I'm taking these things out now is because everyone is eating well and dressed warmly. If I can please that ancestor and live as well as I do now, then I should take out this pendant now.

But at this moment, she was actually a little conflicted, because she was afraid that people would think she was hiding something...

Lu Yang, oblivious to the world, thought it was quite remarkable that his wife could produce such a fine item at this time. He hugged his wife tightly and said with a grin, "My wife is truly farsighted! I knew you had to run this household. Look, thanks to you, we now have something to offer to our ancestors!"

Ms. Xu smiled slightly.

Song was simple-minded and didn't think about other possibilities. After all, Xu had been managing the household for over ten years, and she, as the eldest sister-in-law, had indeed done a better job than her. "Second sister-in-law is farsighted."

Lu Zhou never cared about money; as long as there were things to offer to his ancestors, he didn't care where those things came from.

As the head of the family and at his advanced age, Lu Qing is more insightful than anyone else. With such a calamity befalling the family, who wouldn't plan for the future?

Even if the second son's wife had taken the things out now, it would have been fine for her to keep them, since they were thoughtful items left to her by her mother.

He asked in a deep voice, "Once this jade pendant is offered up, it may never be returned. Have you thought it through?"

Madam Xu nodded. “My daughter-in-law comes from a merchant family and has never been to school, yet she has been trusted and valued by Father. She has managed the household for over ten years. Now, all I can offer is this small amount of mundane items… I hope Father will accept them and offer them to our ancestors, and also to express my gratitude on behalf of my daughter-in-law for their protection.”

Gu Xingzhao, still preoccupied with Lu Xingyan's old and frail body, heard a system notification in his ear:

[Collected gratitude from Lu clan member Xu Mingzhu, offering value +20!]

Gu Xingzhao didn't care about Lu Xingyan at the moment and quickly walked towards the old man. She remembered that Xu Mingzhu was the old man's second daughter-in-law, the one whose family was very wealthy. She didn't expect that she would add 20 offerings without saying a word!
It should be noted that during this period, only Lu Qing has offered such a high amount of tribute.

She was genuinely surprised.

As she walked over, she caught a glimpse of the Lu family members sitting together, whispering amongst themselves. Just as she was about to ask them a question, she heard Lu Qing calling her name.

Lu Qing: I wonder if our ancestors are still alive?

Gu Xingzhao replied, "I'm here. What is it?"

Lu Qing: Our ancestors have helped us many times, and our whole family is extremely grateful. Therefore, we have prepared a few things to offer to you, but there is no altar or incense burner here. We don't know how to offer them.

Gu Xingzhao was surprised. "Something is offered to me?"
The system's voice sounded again the next moment: [Received the following gifts from the Lu family: one piece of mutton-fat white jade pebble, tax 3000; two pairs of jade earrings, tax 1000.]

At this moment, the Lu family members stared wide-eyed and mouths agape, forgetting even to breathe. They rubbed their eyes and saw that the two pairs of earrings and the piece of yellow and white jade that had been on the ground just moments before had vanished in an instant!

Xu's fingers trembled: "?"

Is this the offering that has been made?
Lu Yang, Song Shi, and the others were so excited that they couldn't speak, their faces flushed red.

Even Lu Qing, who had already witnessed it all, was still shocked once again.

When the item appeared in her hand, Gu Xingzhao was amazed, especially the piece of mutton-fat jade, which she held dear. "What is this white jade?"

Lu Qing answered truthfully: This jade was offered by my second daughter-in-law, Xu, to express her gratitude for the blessings of our ancestors.

"I really like this jade pendant. Please thank her properly for me."

Gu Xingzhao's smile was practically reaching the ceiling. Although she didn't know much about jade, she could tell that this piece of white jade was a good one. It was almost the size of two thumbs, like an oil lump, oval in shape, and felt great to the touch. The jade was fine-grained and had no cracks or flaws, except for a hole drilled in the top for a rope.

She liked it so much that just touching it made her happy, so much so that she didn't care at all about the 4,000 yuan tax the system had charged her.

(End of this chapter)