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

Upon receiving instructions, the group proceeded with their assigned tasks in an orderly fashion, instantly dividing the scene into several perfectly organized areas: three people deftly arranged various offerings, lit large incense sticks and candles, and lit thick incense sticks in front of the currently empty tomb; six people stood in two rows, skillfully playing different musical instruments; the remaining four people, with a "heave-ho," carried a simple yet elegant dark red mahogany coffin made of high-quality materials from the back of the group, walked to the empty tomb, and gently placed the coffin on the ground with a "clang." The strong man on the far left stepped forward and opened the lid, revealing the empty interior.

Immediately afterwards, Old Wang's aged and solemn voice rang out: "Please, dutiful sons and grandsons, place the remains into the coffin!"

With a solemn face, Wei Chaoyan stuffed the small wooden box and the wooden box prepared by Lady Yan into the hands of Wei Ying, who was crying and sniffling. He patted Wei Ying's head to comfort and encourage him, then took a step back to be level with Qi Ye Qingyan, giving the main seat to Wei Ying.

Wei Ying clutched the things in his hands tightly, his steps slightly unsteady as he stepped towards the open coffin. Once inside, he tiptoed and bent over, laboriously placing the wooden boxes and caskets he was carrying into the coffin one by one. Afterward, he didn't bother wiping the tears and snot streaming down his face, clinging tightly to the edge of the coffin, refusing to let go.

The coffin bearers, who were about to close the coffin lid, were dumbfounded by Wei Ying's actions. The burly man at the head of the group advised in a deep, slightly harsh voice, "Young master, quickly let go, lest you miss the auspicious time and disturb the ancestors!"

Seeing that Wei Ying refused to let go and leave, Wei Chaoyan rushed behind Wei Ying before Wang Lao could speak, forcefully prying open his hands that were desperately gripping the edge of the coffin. She comforted the heartbroken Wei Ying with a slightly commanding tone: "A-Ying, listen to me! If you don't let go, your uncles and aunts will be sad! Our A-Ying is a big boy and a big man now, you can't be stubborn and make your father and mother worry and be sad!"

With a combination of coaxing and deception, they managed to half-drag and half-carry the struggling and crying Wei Ying away from the coffin. As soon as they left, the burly men who had been waiting nearby quickly closed the coffin lid and then took a few steps back to make room for the others.

Wang Laozhuang's solemn and authoritative voice continued to ring out loudly: "Filial sons and virtuous grandsons, step forward to offer incense and libations!"

Immediately, someone stepped forward and placed three lit incense sticks in the hands of Wei Ying, Wei Chaoyan, and Qi Ye, and neatly arranged three wine cups filled with wine on the ground in front of them.

Wei Chaoyan and the other two held incense sticks and bowed deeply towards the tomb, then placed the incense sticks in front of the tombstone. After placing the incense sticks, they picked up the wine cup on the ground, raised it to the air and toasted the person in the tomb. Then, with their other sleeve rolled up, they bent slightly and slowly poured the wine from the cup in front of the tomb. After pouring the wine, they placed the wine cup back on the ground before straightening their bent backs.

"Filial sons and virtuous grandsons, step back, scatter paper money, recite the eulogy, and lower the coffin!" Old Wang exhaled deeply and said solemnly in a drawn-out tone.

Wei Chaoyan pulled her three younger brothers, especially the emotionally distraught Wei Ying, back a few steps. Seeing that Wei Chaoyan and the others had made way, the people who were preparing to offer sacrifices immediately raised their hands and forcefully poured out the yellow paper money they were holding. Amidst the sky full of yellow and white paper money, and to the increasingly somber and mournful music, Old Wang recited a eulogy with clear voice, deep breath, and great emotion: "On the first day of the last winter of the twelfth year of Xuanzheng, the cold wind rustled, in the dead of winter when grass withered trees and all things were withered, my sister, brothers, and I, with utmost care, prepared incense, candles, wine, fish, and meat to offer sacrifices to our late parents at the Green Mountain... leaving me to wander in the mortal world, helplessly grieving, tears streaming down my face, grief unbearable!"

The powerful, heart-wrenching voice of the child, each word carrying a force that could break the heart of anyone with a discerning heart, resounded through the heavens, causing the few withered leaves scattered on the bare branches nearby to rustle.

Against this backdrop, the four pallbearers rolled up their sleeves, solemnly raised the carrying poles on their shoulders, and used their strength to lift the coffin from the ground before slowly and solemnly placing it into the grave. When they heard a dull thud, they knew the coffin had reached the bottom. The four men tacitly put away the carrying poles and ropes, then picked up their shovels and shoveled soil into the grave to seal it.

As the dark red coffin was gradually buried by the grayish-yellow soil, Wei Ying's voice became increasingly mournful and shrill. He desperately tried to break free from his restraints and rush to the grave to stop the four people from filling it with soil. If Wei Chaoyan hadn't held him tightly around the waist and if Wei Qing hadn't stepped forward and pressed down on his flailing limbs with a look of pity, he might have been able to break free from Wei Chaoyan's restraints and rush to the grave as he wished!

As Wei Ying's increasingly hoarse and heart-wrenching wails drew to a close, Wang Lao's distant and ethereal eulogy came to an end, and the work of burying the four people was also completed.

As they shoveled the last bit of dirt, Old Wang uttered the last word of the eulogy. After finishing, the four men, covered in sweat and panting heavily, retreated to the side, shovels in hand.

Old Wang, his voice slightly hoarse, continued to direct: "Erect the monument, and let the filial sons and grandsons step forward to pay their respects!"

Immediately, someone stepped forward and placed a marble tombstone, about half a person's height, with the names of Zezang and his companion engraved beforehand, along with the date of the tombstone erection and the signature of the person who erected it, in the reserved spot in front of the tomb. Then, they quickly left the scene.

After the tombstone was erected, Wei Chaoyan supported Wei Ying, who was crying and completely exhausted, from behind. Qi Ye led Qingyan a step behind Wei Chaoyan and solemnly began to pay their respects as Wang Lao directed.

"kneel!"

"Bowing and paying homage!"

"rise!"

"kneel!"

……

This process of kneeling and bowing three times and nine times was repeated, thus completing the grand ceremony of three bows and nine kowtows. (The burial process and eulogy for the cenotaph in this article are adapted from Baidu; please forgive any inaccuracies.)

After Wang Lao's last word "Get up," Wei Chaoyan half-supported the swaying Wei Ying to her feet. At Yan Niangzi's signal, Yan Qing and the others rushed up and each of them picked up the exhausted Wei Chaoyan and her siblings, carrying them down the mountain to their carriage to rest.

“Yan…” Wei Chaoyan was startled when Yan Qing hugged her. When she realized that the person hugging her was the familiar Yan Qing, her tense body immediately relaxed. Her half-drooping eyes glanced at Yan Niangzi who followed closely behind, and she opened her mouth as if to speak.

"Alright, Aunt Yan will take care of the rest. Go back and rest with Yan Qing and the others, okay?" Madam Yan leaned closer to Wei Chaoyan and said softly.

Hearing Yan Niangzi's gentle voice, Wei Chaoyan nodded dazedly and relaxed, burying her head in Yan Qing's warm chest, tacitly agreeing with Yan Niangzi's words. Seeing that Wei Chaoyan did not put on a brave face, Yan Niangzi smiled and raised her chin at Wei Qing, signaling him to quickly carry her down the mountain.

Wei Qing didn't hesitate; carrying the person, he led the others down the mountain along the way they had come.