Chen Xiaobei added more spirit paper to the charcoal basin, his voice choked with sobs. "Huang Ying, you are free now, you've left this world. But who can I share my suffering with?"
"Don't worry, I will take care of the family. In the heavens above, please protect me."
"Wait for me. One day, we will reunite in the heavens."
After Chen Xiaobei muttered a few words, he stood up and gave his seat to Shen Ziyan, who also needed to bid farewell to Huang Ying.
Shen Ziyan, holding the spirit money, threw it into the charcoal basin while weeping. "Junior sister, junior sister, how could you leave me like this? What will I do from now on?"
As he was murmuring, Xiao Hua and Du Juan, kneeling respectfully beside him, kowtowed to Huang Ying's memorial tablet.
They too understood that after tonight, their Aunt Huang Ying would truly bid them farewell forever, and they would never see her again.
Chen Xiaobei mumbled for a while, then forced himself to step out of the courtyard and under the large scholar tree to visit the Crown Prince's guard who had escorted them all the way.
Fortunately, Dong Mei and the others had already prepared hot soup and food.
It was a small gesture of gratitude from the people of Hetou Village to let these soldiers have a warm meal.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei approach, the soldiers stood up and greeted him. The leading general clasped his fists and said in a deep voice, "Brother Xiaobei, please accept my condolences and take care of yourself."
Chen Xiaobei nodded and bowed deeply to everyone present. "Thank you all for your hard work on the journey. I'm afraid our hospitality here is lacking."
Then, Chen Xiaobei turned to Dong Mei and the others. "After they eat, take them to the four mu plot. They can make do there for the night."
After settling them, Chen Xiaobei returned to his courtyard. He wanted to spend one more night with Huang Ying; this was his last chance.
The next day, as dawn broke, Hetou Village became busy again. After a night of work, the grave pit was dug.
As per Chen Xiaobei's arrangements, there were no ceremonies, no mournful music, and no suonas. Huang Ying was simply carried quietly to the graveyard on the east side of the village.
This was the decision made by Chen Xiaobei and Shen Ziyan after discussion.
Rather than putting on a grand show for the living, it was better to quietly send off their dearest loved one.
As the coffin was lowered, Chen Xiaobei and Shen Ziyan, holding shovels, began to pile the earth high onto Huang Ying's grave.
After finishing the grave mound, they offered three sticks of incense to Huang Ying again. Chen Xiaobei cupped his fists towards everyone present and thanked them. "You can all go back now. Let me stay here alone for a while."
Cui Hongyu walked forward, embraced Chen Xiaobei, and then gestured for Shen Ziyan and the others to leave.
Shen Ziyan shook her head. "I want to stay for a while too. You all go ahead."
Cui Hongyu nodded and called out to Chen Dayong and the others to leave. Cui Hongyu could deeply understand their feelings.
One was Huang Ying's man, the other was Huang Ying's senior sister. It was only natural for them to want to stay and accompany Huang Ying.
Chen Xiaobei slowly sat down, leaning against Huang Ying's grave. Tears flowed silently for a long time, and then he burst into sobs.
"Huang Ying, Huang Ying, do you know you've torn my heart out? You're killing me with grief."
Shen Ziyan remained silent, tears streaming down her face. After a long while, when Chen Xiaobei's emotions had somewhat calmed, she slowly spoke. "Chen Xiaobei, I'm staying here first to accompany junior sister Huang Ying a little longer. Second, I have a few words I want to say to you."
"Ziyan, please speak. I'm listening. I'll do anything you ask."
Shen Ziyan shook her head. "I don't want you to do anything. I just want you to remember that Cui Hongyu's life was exchanged for junior sister Huang Ying's. In the future, you must treat sister Hongyu well. Only by being worthy of sister Hongyu can you be worthy of my junior sister Huang Ying."
Chen Xiaobei understood Shen Ziyan's meaning. She was reminding him for the future. After marrying Liu Rumei, he shouldn't forget the old flame just because he had a new one.
Chen Xiaobei wiped away his tears and stood up. He looked at Shen Ziyan earnestly and said, "Ziyan, you misunderstand. I have already told Miss Liu that accepting the Emperor's arranged marriage was to save her and Liu Xiangnan. Once things settle down, I will naturally write a letter of divorce, and she can do as she pleases."
Hearing this, Shen Ziyan shook her head slightly. "For a girl to be divorced after a few years of marriage, those who know will understand that you had a prior agreement. Those who don't will think she did something unseemly."
"If you divorce the daughter of a Duke of the State, how will Miss Liu be able to face people in the future?"
Chen Xiaobei was stunned by her words. He looked at Shen Ziyan in surprise and sighed softly. "I think Rumei shouldn't care about such worldly opinions."
Shen Ziyan looked at Chen Xiaobei. "I have said all I can on this matter. Also, I will be returning to the South Sea with my master in a few days. You should make plans here and decide who will take over teaching the children to read and write."
Chen Xiaobei was taken aback by this. But he quickly understood that this was a place of sorrow for Shen Ziyan, filled with Huang Ying's memory. It would be better for her to leave.
Thinking this, Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Alright, I've noted it down. I will make arrangements as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, I will come to pay respects to Huang Ying on festivals and holidays. She will not be neglected."
Shen Ziyan nodded. "I believe you. You can go now. Let me stay a little longer."
Chen Xiaobei knew Shen Ziyan must have other intentions for staying, so he got up and left.
Only when Chen Xiaobei had walked far away did Shen Ziyan's expression change. She burst into tears.
While crying, she picked up a branch from the side and began to whip Huang Ying's grave.
"You foolish girl, I told you long ago not to fall in love, not to get married. You just wouldn't listen. Wouldn't it have been better for us to live peacefully as teachers?"
She scolded and hit him until she was tired. Then, Shen Ziyan collapsed on Huang Ying's grave, sobbing again. "It's all my fault, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have let you come here to teach, I shouldn't have brought you with me."
All of this was clearly seen by Xiao Hua and Du Juan, who were hiding in the distance. They dared not make a sound, only hiding there to watch their master.
It was not until Shen Ziyan stood up and walked away that Xiao Hua asked Du Juan, a little nervously, "Sister Du Juan, will you come back to the South Sea with us?"
Du Juan shook her head. "Miss once instructed me to protect the young master's safety. I cannot leave."
Xiao Hua sighed and pointed to Huang Ying's grave. "But your young lady, she's already..."
Du Juan wiped away her tears. "Then I can't leave even more. I must stay here. I must accompany my young lady."
She then looked at Xiao Hua with resolute eyes. "When you pass by Qingniu County, you must come and see me."