[Mo Dao Zu Shi Fanfiction] I Raise A Ying in Yiling

The village chief, Wei, who had rushed over, looked at Wei Chaoyan and Qiye Qingyan, who were beaming and clearly well-cared for, as they walked past a group of dignitaries to greet him (he didn't recognize Wei Ying and naturally ignored him). While he felt relieved to see his granddaughter and grandson, whom he hadn't seen for many days, living well and without suffering, he was more puzzled and curious about the source of their comfortable lives: Was their confidence derived from the inheritance Wei Zhu and his wife had secretly kept from him? Or had this girl, Ayan, encountered some opportunity or benefactor in the short few dozen days since arriving in Yiling Town, which allowed her to not only avoid becoming thin and haggard from mourning but also gain a little weight?

If it's the former, he can only lament that although Yan is young, she's quite shrewd, and he himself has been blinded by her. However, in that case, he doesn't have to worry about her suffering losses making a living in town at such a young age. He just needs to be careful that this girl doesn't try to scheme against Da Shui (Uncle Wei) and Er He (Second Uncle Wei)'s family!

But if it's the latter… Thinking of this, Village Chief Wei's breathing suddenly became heavy, his eyes filled with excited, covetous, and calculating intent. If Yan'er was truly lucky enough to have hooked up with a powerful figure, he would have to devise a plan to get her to help her two uncles. If he could get their grandchildren to catch the eye of that powerful figure, that would be even better!

Thinking of this, Village Chief Wei responded to Wei Chaoyan and the others' greetings with a loving smile, while forcefully suppressing the dissatisfaction of Grandma Wei and Uncle Wei and Second Uncle Wei who followed behind him. He cheerfully asked Wei Chaoyan if she wanted to go to her uncle's house for dinner, as her aunt had killed an old hen to make soup today, which was very delicious!

Wei Chaoyan was quite surprised and puzzled that Village Chief Wei did not delve into the reasons for her return to the village. However, after a brief exchange of pleasantries at the door, it was almost noon. She had to hurry to her parents' graves to burn paper money and pay her respects. Afterward, she had to place the prepared items into the cenotaph of Zezang and his wife, strictly following the steps and rituals set by Elder Wang, before the auspicious time in the afternoon, so as to complete the sealing ceremony of their coffins and tombs without missing the auspicious time!

Wei Chaoyan smiled apologetically and explained, "No, Grandpa, the reason I came back to the village this time is not only to see my parents and talk to them, but also to take Aunt Yan with me. Oh, she was my mother's best friend. She didn't receive the news of my parents' passing because she was out of town. I only found out by chance when I went to town this time. Now I'm taking her to see my parents to make up for the regret of not being able to come to their funeral."

Upon hearing Wei Chaoyan's words, Village Chief Wei's eyes lit up. He knew that Lady Yan was the great benefactor Wei Chaoyan had encountered! Although he didn't know exactly how noble she was, even just a tiny bit of her wealth from under her fingernails was enough to fill the entire Wei family to the brim!

Village Chief Wei, who was busy figuring out how to get closer to Lady Yan, couldn't bear to let this opportunity to get close to such an important person slip away. He quickly persuaded her to stay, saying, "There's no rush to see Zhu Zi and the others. You can go to your uncle's house first and have a full meal. Anyway, they have food ready, so it won't take up your time. Besides, you haven't prepared the incense, candles, paper money, sticks, fruits, fish, and other offerings for worshipping Zhu Zi and the others. How are you going to do that? You take everyone to your uncle's house for a meal first. Your grandfather will tell your grandmother to prepare everything. Once you've eaten, you can take the offerings and go directly there. How does that sound?"

Seemingly understanding Village Chief Wei's purpose, Wei Chaoyan sighed helplessly, "Grandpa, I'm just a guide, and a junior at that. How could I possibly make decisions for Aunt Yan?" As she spoke, she gestured to Village Chief Wei to look at Old Master Wang and his entourage behind Aunt Yan and continued, "Aunt Yan came to our village this time not only to offer incense at her parents' graves, but also to build a cenotaph for her benefactors, the couple. Look, Master Wang is the one she hired at a high price."

"What?! Wasn't Old Man Wang hired by you to help your father and his benefactor couple repair their cenotaph? How come he's now hired by the noble lady?" Village Chief Wei stared at Wei Chaoyan suspiciously, his face saying, "Are you trying to fool a fool?"

Wei Chaoyan suppressed the urge to pout and roll her eyes, explaining as calmly as possible, "Grandpa, I'm not stupid. Why would I tell such an easily exposed lie in front of Aunt Yan? Master Wang has been busy running around the village every day lately, and you know a little about his work. The auspicious time that the master has determined is 3:45 PM, and it's almost noon now. There really isn't much time to dawdle. It would be bad if we missed the auspicious time!" The implication was clear—if she angered Aunt Yan because of her missed the auspicious time, she didn't have the ability to quell her anger.

Having received Wei Chaoyan's unspoken message, Village Chief Wei dared not risk offending this important person by continuing to try to persuade her to stay, so he had no choice but to give up. Before that, he made one last effort: "Um, Yan'er, since you came in such a hurry, does your grandma need to prepare the offerings and such? Don't worry, it will be ready soon and won't take up any time!"

Wei Chaoyan refused, looking exasperated, saying that Lady Yan had already prepared everything before coming and it was all on the carriage. They would just take it down from the carriage now and he didn't need to bother anymore.

Village Chief Wei, feeling somewhat embarrassed after being repeatedly rejected, glanced at the large group of elegant and distinguished people not far away and said nothing more. He left with the words, "Alright, I won't say any more. You'd better take your people away quickly!" He then led the Wei family members, who were filled with resentment and unwillingness, back home. Before leaving, he even tactfully dispersed the villagers surrounding Lady Yan and her group.

After the villagers scattered like birds and beasts in no time, Wei Chaoyan, carrying Qingyan, ran to Aunt Yan and said, "Aunt Yan, I've already asked the elders. It's getting late, let's hurry to pay our respects to Father and Mother."

"Well, since that's the case, let's not dawdle any longer and go! Yan, you lead the way?"

"Okay, I'll go first and lead the way."

"What about Qingyan and the other two?"

“I’ll carry Qingyan, and Aying and Qiye can follow behind me. After all, we’re going to see our parents, and the road isn’t very long. It’s not appropriate for someone to carry us the whole way.”

Seeing that Wei Chaoyan refused Wei Ying and Qi Ye, the two little brats, and looked at her with agreement, Lady Yan was too lazy to say it a second time. She just instructed, "If you can't walk anymore or the road is difficult in the middle, ask for help. Don't be stubborn, understand?"

Wei Chaoyan and the others nodded repeatedly, while Wei Xia and the other two who had been following Wei Ying stood beside Wei Chaoyan and the others, ready to help them at any time.

And so, led by Wei Chaoyan, a group of dozens of people, each carrying a full load of things, headed in a grand procession toward the burial site of Wei Zhu and his wife on the back hill of Wei Village.