The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

The Qian family, as the bride's family, had already arrived.

As a family of officials, the Qian family paid great attention to the specifications and clothing of the funeral gifts. Everything was prepared strictly according to Zhang Ping'an's current status, and the funeral gifts were very generous.

In addition, the men also helped to handle funeral arrangements, while the women helped to tidy up Qian Youyi's appearance and cry in the mourning hall.

It was a pity that my father-in-law, Master Qian, and three other uncles were unable to attend because they had official duties and the journey was long.

Although his fourth uncle Qian Yu explained the reason, this matter was still a thorn in Zhang Ping'an's heart.

"Death is the greatest thing, but Dad and my eldest, second and third brothers are indeed in some difficulties and cannot come back for the time being. Please don't be surprised," Qian Yu explained.

Then he mentioned Zhoushan Villa: "I have discussed with the elders of the clan. Zhoushan Villa should be regarded as a gift from the Qian family to Xiaoyuer. It should be placed in his name. This way, it can be used to bury the second sister. It won't be criticized. I guess Dad would agree. So even though they couldn't make it back, they actually dote on the second sister. This is a special honor for all the girls in the Qian family. It sets a precedent."

"Thank you very much, but one thing is one thing, you still have to pay me. I will ask the housekeeper to send it to your house another day. Please don't refuse," Zhang Ping'an bowed and thanked him.

"Let's talk about it after the funeral is over, there's no rush," Qian Yu waved his hand with an indifferent look on his face.

Neither side needs a small amount of money, so he doesn't care whether it's money or not. If Zhang Ping'an insists on giving it, he won't stop him. Anyway, he has done his job.

Based on the current status and financial resources of the two families, Qian Youyi's coffin can be kept for seven days to one month, and an auspicious day can be chosen for burial during this period.

However, considering that it is already mid-to-late May, the weather is getting hotter, and we have left the extremely cold environment of the ice cellar, it is not easy to preserve the body.

After discussing with his family, Zhang Ping'an compromised and decided to keep the coffin for half a month and bury it in early June. The date was an auspicious day calculated by a high monk from Lingyin Temple.

As close relatives, Daya and her friends did not go back home during this period. After leaving the children and household chores to other family members, they devoted themselves to helping here.

As Xiaoyuer was the only son, he never left the mourning hall. Wearing mourning clothes and crying were the most basic things for him. He also ate and slept in the mourning hall.

Including the subsequent funeral, carrying the spirit tablet, and leading the coffin, all of these were done by him, the eldest son.

I lost a lot of weight in a short period of time.

Xu, Daya and others felt very distressed when they saw this, but there was nothing they could do.

Soon it was early June, the day of burial.

The imperial court suddenly sent someone to convey an imperial decree, and Qian was posthumously conferred the title of Second Rank Lady of Zhen County.

And according to the corresponding grades and specifications, sacrificial texts and offerings were bestowed.

It also expresses mourning for Qian Youyi's death, and embodies the traditional etiquette that a husband's honor brings glory to his wife.

People at that time attached great importance to funerals. Many people would even rather live frugally during their lifetime, hoping to save more money and hold a more glorious funeral.

Therefore, when seeing Qian Youyi being posthumously honored, many female relatives were even secretly envious. This funeral was one of the most grand events in the entire Lin'an.

After seeing the imperial edict, Xu was both happy and regretful.

How great it would be if Qian Youyi could enjoy this honor while he was alive!

Zhang Ping'an thanked with mixed feelings, took the imperial edict and said nothing more.

"The dead are gone, and the living are like this. May both heaven and earth be well," Jin Bao patted Zhang Pingan's shoulder and comforted him.

Zhang Pingan sighed after hearing this. With his gray hair as a backdrop, he looked much more mature than Jin Bao.

On the day of the official burial on June 10, Zhang Ping'an took Xiao Yuer to carry the coffin to the dock, and then took a boat to Zhoushan for burial.

Xiao Yuer was wearing mourning clothes and walking in front holding a soul-guiding banner. From time to time, he would take paper money from the servants beside him and throw it along the way.

His face looked tired.

Although his eyes were wide open, they had lost their former brilliance.

It seemed like I had grown up a lot in an instant.

As he walked forward, he occasionally looked back at Zhang Ping'an.

Every time his eyes met Zhang Ping'an's, Zhang Ping'an would give him a comforting and affirmative look.

In this way, after boarding the boat at the dock, everyone came all the way to Zhoushan.

The housekeeper had already arranged the cemetery and had sent servants to wait on the shore to greet them.

It was the first time for Dazhu and his companions to come to Zhoushan. After getting off the boat, they couldn't help but secretly praise it. It was a great place, backed by mountains and facing water, with beautiful scenery and quietness. Most people couldn't have such a good cemetery.

When they arrived at the place and the servants carried the coffin into the cemetery, Zhang Ping'an's eyes became moist again.

Xiao Yuer also held his father's hand tightly, pursed his lips, and tried to cry but failed.

When the first shovel of dirt was sprinkled on the coffin, he finally couldn't bear it anymore and ran forward and shouted, "Don't bury my mother, don't bury my mother, wuwuwu!"

Zhang Pingan went over, picked up the child, and gently stroked the child's back.

Xiao Yuer wiped her tears and looked up and asked, "Dad, can't we put Mom in the mourning hall like before? There are a lot of servants in the house anyway, and we can take good care of her. If she's buried in there, she won't be able to breathe and will definitely be very uncomfortable. Can we not bury her?"

"Be good and behave yourself, okay?" Zhang Ping'an said softly, "We'll come to see your mother later."

"Wuwuwu!" Xiaoyuer stopped talking and leaned on his father's shoulder and cried.

The sobbing made everyone present feel uncomfortable.

After the burial, the last step was to erect a tombstone. The inscription and epitaph were written by Zhang Pingan himself.

Touching every word on the tombstone is so heartbreaking.

After standing there for a long time, Dazhu stepped forward and advised, "Let's go, go back. The child must be tired after tossing and turning for so long. We still have to come back on the 37th, 47th, and even 77th day. Don't let the child get sick from exhaustion. Adults can toss and turn, but children can't!"

Others followed suit.

After adding the last handful of yellow earth to the grave, Zhang Pingan whispered, "Go back!"

Standing at the stern, watching the boat getting closer and closer to Zhoushan, Zhang Pingan actually knew in his heart that after July 7th, the two of them would have fewer opportunities to meet.

"Xiao Yu'er, Xiao Yu'er, after your grandfather had me, he has been planning for me for most of his life. Now that I have you, I will probably have to do the same for the rest of my life and plan more for you," Zhang Ping'an sighed softly, touching his son's back.

Xiao Yu'er lay on his shoulder without moving, and I don't know if he heard it or not.

Whenever Zhang Ping'an wanted to let him go, he would hold him tightly without saying a word.

Zhang Ping'an knew that the child probably lacked a sense of security. Children without mothers were always more sensitive than ordinary children.