The Xiang family members were humiliated, but with Jiao Lianyu present, they dared not argue with Old Master Xiang and could only stand there awkwardly.
"Gui Zhang is not feeling well, so we won't stay long. If you need anything, Old Master Xiang, please send word to Hongsheng Cloth Shop." Qiu Huaixin had no desire to get further entangled with the Xiang family members. "Chang Lin, help Gui Zhang. Old Master Xiang, we bid you farewell."
Hongsheng Cloth Shop was part of Madam Qiu's dowry, and Qiu Huaixin was preventing the Xiang family from going too far, ensuring that Old Master Xiang could be buried peacefully and that Jiao Lianyu would not be burdened by guilt.
"The eldest son of the Jiao Prefecture... " Just then, a servant's announcement was heard from outside the courtyard, followed by the crackling of firecrackers. This meant more guests had arrived to pay their respects, and crucially, it was the eldest son of the Prefect.
Everyone in the courtyard exchanged glances. Even though some were merchants and others ordinary citizens, everyone in Qianzhong Prefecture knew that the eldest and second sons of the Prefect were not on good terms. Rumors had also spread about the legitimate wife manipulating the marriage of the illegitimate son. If not for this, the Xiang family would not be holding a funeral today.
The deceased are to be respected!
Even if Jiao Lianping had ill intentions, upon arrival, he first entered the mourning hall to pay his respects before condescendingly looking at Jiao Lianyu, who was leaning unsteadily on Qi Changlin.
"I heard from the servants this morning that my second brother came to the Xiang family to pay respects. By rights, as you are still recovering from serious injuries, sending a steward would suffice. I believe Old Master Xiang would understand."
The mentioned Old Master Xiang quickly apologized.
...
Xiang Family, Mourning Hall.
After bowing towards the coffin, Jiao Lianyu's face turned even paler, and he staggered. Fortunately, Qiu Huaixin on his side supported him.
"Gui Zhang, your injuries have not healed. Take care of yourself." Qiu Huaixin looked at the ashen-faced Jiao Lianyu with concern. That stab had nearly cost Gui Zhang his life. Today, he came to the Xiang family to pay respects, observing vegetarianism since yesterday. To show his sincerity, he dismounted his carriage at the alley entrance, and his body must be suffering from the walk to the Xiang residence.
Another young man dressed in a blue long gown quickly took the three incense sticks from Jiao Lianyu's hand and helped him place them into the incense burner.
Unlike Qiu Huaixin's brocade robes and jade pendant, Qi Changlin came from a humble background. If not for Jiao Lianyu's financial assistance, let alone studying, his paralyzed mother at home, two young children to feed, and his sickly wife, the entire Qi family would have starved to death.
During Jiao Lianyu's recovery period, Qi Changlin specifically took leave from the academy's tutors. Every evening, he would visit the Jiao residence and recount the day's lessons to Jiao Lianyu. Afterward, they would study together. Qi Changlin also stayed in the guest room at the Jiao residence and would take Jiao Lianyu's homework to the academy the next day for the tutors to grade.
If Qiu Huaixin was Jiao Lianyu's good friend, Qi Changlin was undoubtedly his confidant and followed Jiao Lianyu's lead.
Today, he was also worried about Jiao Lianyu coming alone to the Xiang family to pay respects. Although Xiang Changshou's death was from natural causes, who knew if the Xiang family would blame Gui Zhang? Qi Changlin also worried that his own strength was no match for many, so he specifically went to the Qiu residence to contact Qiu Huaixin, and the three of them came together.
Leaning on Qiu Huaixin, Jiao Lianyu recovered some strength after a while. Looking at the desolate mourning hall, he said, "I did not kill Bo Ren, yet Bo Ren died because of me."
"If it weren't for your legitimate mother trying to control your marriage and plot against you, this one..." Qi Changlin said resentfully, but his words were interrupted by Jiao Lianyu.
From their days in private school until their acquaintance of ten years, Qi Changlin knew the Jiao residence affairs very well. He naturally understood how difficult it was for Jiao Lianyu, an illegitimate son, in the household. If Prefect Jiao were not just, Gui Zhang might not even have been able to keep his life.
What angered Qi Changlin was that despite Jiao Lianyu's concessions, Madam Jiao, the legitimate mother, still wouldn't let him go. Regarding the recent rumors in Qianzhong Prefecture, if Gui Zhang did not agree to the marriage, the Qiu family's daughter would have no choice but to hang herself.
Gui Zhang was a gentleman, upright, sincere, and trustworthy. If the death of Xiang Changshou were truly investigated, Madam Jiao and Jiao Lianping would be responsible. But how could they, mother and son, care about the life of an ordinary citizen? Only Gui Zhang felt self-reproach and guilt, coming to the Xiang family to pay respects despite his injuries.
"The deceased has passed. Gui Zhang, you should try to let it go," Qiu Huaixin sighed. Although the Xiang family were merchants, within a single night, some died and some were arrested. Although Qiu Huaixin believed Madam Xiang deserved her fate, the thought of Xiang Changshou's life being lost still made him feel uneasy.
As for the breaking of the engagement between the Jiao family and the third branch, Qiu Huaixin was naturally pleased. Even though Qiu Jingyuan was his cousin, her vicious nature was absolutely unworthy of the talented Gui Zhang.
As for Madam Qiu's earlier statement that Jiao Lianyu was after the Qiu family's wealth, Qiu Huaixin did not believe a single word. He just thought Madam Qiu, as a mother, trusted Madam Jiao too much and was easily misled. Gui Zhang was the one being implicated, yet his mother thought Gui Zhang had ulterior motives.
Zhan Feiyu, inside the carriage, was unaware that Jiao Lianyu had gained more favor at Xiang Changshou's mourning hall. She lifted the curtain and looked at the Xiang family's main gate, adorned with white lanterns. "A Nuan, how is Jiao Lianyu's recovery?"
When Jiao Lianyu walked over earlier, his pale face and staggering steps made him seem so weak that he could collapse at any moment. However, Zhan Feiyu remembered He Nuan mentioning that Jiao Lianyu was recovering well.
"If he takes his medicine on time and supplements with food, walking this distance should not be a problem," He Nuan said. Although Madam Jiao managed the Jiao residence, Concubine Huang was favored, and Prefect Jiao valued Jiao Lianyu. No one would skimp on his food, so Jiao Lianyu was mostly acting.
"When this incident spreads, Jiao Lianyu's reputation will only improve." Zhan Feiyu chuckled. Jiao Lianyu was indeed constantly enhancing his reputation. In contrast, his elder brother, Jiao Lianping, was an arrogant, overbearing fop who bullied his younger brother.
Suddenly, she saw a few people appearing in the alley. Zhan Feiyu said helplessly, "Here come those who are eager to be stepping stones."
He Nuan was puzzled and looked out through the gap in the curtain. She recognized Jiao Lianping and a group of his cronies; they had met before at the restaurant.
He Nuan saw Dr. Luo, carrying a medicine box, walking at the very back, and understood Zhan Feiyu's meaning. If Jiao Lianyu was truly acting, Dr. Luo would know by taking his pulse. This should have been an opportunity to expose Jiao Lianyu's hypocrisy.
However, considering Jiao Lianyu's good reputation in Qianzhong Prefecture over the years, He Nuan was certain that Jiao Lianping's efforts would be in vain. Since it was an act, with Jiao Lianyu's caution and meticulousness, it would undoubtedly be a complete performance.
Jiao Lianping had gathered more than ten friends and followers, followed by a crowd of commoners, and then the Xiang family's collateral relatives who had rushed over to pay their respects.
These people lived in the alley behind the Xiang family's main residence. Upon hearing the news that the Prefect's second son had arrived, the Xiang family members swarmed over. One of them even forgot that the Xiang family was holding a funeral and was still wearing celebratory red clothing.
The Xiang family's courtyard was suddenly filled with people. Zhan Feiyu and He Nuan stood outside the crowd, not attracting much attention, as many relatives were now crying and kneeling in the mourning hall to offer incense.
"Thank you for making this trip, Second Young Master. My nephew will be able to rest in peace if he knows this in the afterlife." The Xiang clan elder cupped his hands in a salute to Jiao Lianyu and the other two, looking at the coffin in the mourning hall with a sorrowful expression.
"My sister-in-law committed a crime and was taken away by the yamen. Changshou worried about his mother and couldn't hold on. If you gentlemen don't mind, please move to the flower hall for a cup of tea and a short rest."
If Jiao Lianyu's complexion hadn't been so pale, Qiu Huaixin would not have agreed. No matter how well the Xiang clan elder pretended, Qiu Huaixin had seen plenty of such sycophantic individuals over the years. If the Xiang family members truly cared about Xiang Changshou's death, only a few servants would be guarding the mourning hall.
Not to mention the Xiang family's younger generation wearing red. The clothing colors of the others, while not as festive, were also not plain. It was unlike Gui Zhang, who not only observed vegetarianism for a day but also forced himself to walk to the mourning hall to pay his respects despite his illness.
Seeing Qiu Huaixin nod, the Xiang clan elder's face lit up with joy before he quickly suppressed it. He spoke to his eldest son, "Ningyuan, take the three young masters to the flower hall. My cousin is still ill, so I will stay here to look after him."
"Yes, Father." Xiang Ningyuan knew this was his father creating an opportunity for him. Establishing a connection with the Prefect's second son was a rare and precious chance.