"We’ve already chosen the location, set the date, and prepared everything. But when we told the monk, the monk surprisingly made excuses and refused! Where in the world does this make sense? My in-law was only temporarily buried here, and we’ve been paying care money annually. It’s not like we’re selling them to this temple, so how dare they not allow us to move my in-law? Everyone, tell , isn’t this just bullying?"
Old Granny Zhang spoke fluently, explaining the situation to everyone in just a few words.
The expressions on the pilgrims’ faces suddenly changed. They had always heard that the incense at this temple was quite efficacious, but upon arrival, this kind of situation arose—
"That can’t be right, looking at the master in the temple, he doesn’t seem like soone who would do such things?"
"Bah, you can never really know soone’s heart! Haven’t you heard? There are unclean temples out there, filled with things that can’t see the light of day!"
"Whatever the case, shouldn’t people be allowed to relocate a grave?"
...
The pilgrims were in a heated discussion.
Old Granny Zhang’s eyes flickered, she slapped her thigh, sat down on the ground, and started to cry bitterly: "Oh, my poor in-law, why are you so unfortunate? After giving birth to my poor son-in-law, you passed away, leaving my poor son-in-law to be sent away by those with black hearts!"
"Poor child, tortured for these ten years, almost losing his life! Finally erging from that ordeal, he found out about your whereabouts, and longed to bring you ho, so at least you’d be closer! But the monks in this temple seem to have been bewitched, for they just won’t let us take you! My poor in-law, why are you so unfortunate—"
It truly was a scene of tears and sorrow.
Wang Yongzhu was taken aback, rembering when they went to confront Song Chongjin’s two masters, and how the whole family coordinated that act. He subtly pinched Song Chongjin and covered his face with his sleeve, faking a cry: "Mother-in-law! Don’t worry! Today, my husband and I, even if it costs our lives, will bring you out! Otherwise, you, lonely as you are, have been neglected for so many years, we can’t say how much you’ve suffered down there—"
Song Chongjin was montarily dazed, but quickly understood. Although he couldn’t cry, by simply lowering his head, his emotionless face looked at that mont to be in extre grief, unable to speak.
Most of the pilgrims were won who loved watching dramas and ddling in others’ affairs.
Seeing this young couple, who were handso and pretty, with a wife crying sorrowfully and a husband too upset to speak, even the mother-in-law crying and slapping her thigh beca pleasing to the eye.
Such a son-in-law, wife, and mother-in-law were the ideal standard for any mother-in-law.
Their gossip-loving hearts naturally sided with them, comnting: "Master, what you’re doing just doesn’t make sense, is it reasonable to hold onto soone’s mother’s remains?"
"Exactly! Aren’t monks supposed to be compassionate? Isn’t this making things difficult for the young couple?"
"If Buddha were to see Master acting this way, wouldn’t he be angry?"
...
The abbot felt overwheld. He, he only wanted to delay a bit to send a ssage to the address left by the patron and ask for his opinion.
Unexpectedly, they encountered tough opponents with this scene of crying and causing a ruckus, which even alard the outside pilgrims, placing them in a difficult position.
If he didn’t agree, it seed like the temple would be drowned in spit today.
But thinking of the silver given by that noble patron and the current scene, the abbot gritted his teeth. After all, they were still in Jing County, and no matter how powerful that noble was, distance would make it hard to control.
If the public’s anger was aroused today, damaging the temple’s reputation, it would be a loss not worth it.
So the abbot hurriedly said: "I’m truly sorry! It was just a montary misunderstanding. Please, patrons, don’t be angry! You can relocate the grave whenever you wish! To express our apology, our entire temple shall recite a volu of the Ksitigarbha Sutra for the female patron today, to increase her blessings for the next life free of illness and disaster, and auspicious in adversity! Amitabha!"
Wang Yongzhu, hearing this, didn’t want to overly offend the abbot, so he played along, wiping his eyes: "Thank you, Master, for your understanding! We’ll co to relocate the grave tomorrow! Here’s fifty taels of silver, please, Master and the other monks, recite the Ksitigarbha Sutra for my mother-in-law for three days, to ensure her peace and joy in the afterlife."
Saying this, he respectfully handed a pouch of silver to the abbot.
The abbot couldn’t help but give Wang Yongzhu a second glance, and with the eyes of all upon him, he accepted and chanted a Buddhist prayer: "Rest assured, female patron, your intentions will surely be felt by the female patron below! Amitabha!"
Old Granny Zhang saw the situation, refused assistance, got herself up, patted the dust off her clothes, and thanked the surrounding pilgrims.
So pilgrims couldn’t resist pulling Old Granny Zhang aside for questioning, but seeing the abbot’s uneasy expression, Wang Yongzhu quickly pulled Old Granny Zhang and Song Chongjin away.
Once outside the mountain gate, the three had somber expressions, not expecting that Song Hong had left such a trap.
Recalling this, none thought Song Hong was acting out of affection, but rather that he was increasingly heartless and callous.
If he truly cared for Qi Huan, how could he let her be alone? He even left the abbot there as a spy, to block any move to relocate Qi Huan’s grave?
There must be sothing suspicious about this.
Unfortunately, there weren’t many people who knew what happened back then, and it was unclear what Song Hong’s intentions were.
Once ho, Song Chongjin hurriedly asked Yang Zongbao to send two n to secretly guard Qi Huan’s grave behind the temple overnight.
Wang Yongzhu comforted: "Seeing their manner today, it was just a spy left there by Song Hong. Knowing we’ll move the grave tomorrow, they wouldn’t dare act. Even if they inford Song Hong, by the ti he receives the ssage, it would have already been completed. He has no right or reason to ddle with our mother-in-law, does he?"
ntion of Song Hong filled Song Chongjin’s eyes with loathing, and he only snorted in response.
Co evening, Imperial Doctor Du, upon hearing the news, called them both over. After a conversation with Lady Qi, Imperial Doctor Du said at length: "When you move your mother’s grave tomorrow, be extra observant to see if there’s anything peculiar about your mother’s remains. Hearing your description, I feel the spy left by Song Hong is watching not you, but soone else—"
Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin’s hearts skipped a beat as they exchanged a glance, sharing a single thought that if so, was Song Hong actually waiting for soone from the Qi Family?
Qi Huan’s remains were buried by Song Hong himself, and if there was anything unusual about them, Song Hong would surely know.
Assuming Qi Huan’s grave and remains were bait set by Song Hong, then...
Wang Yongzhu shuddered.
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