You've Got Mail: Cautionary Tale (YGMCT)

Chapter 34 - Ancestor Worship

Edited by DancingDolphinsYo

After getting the offerings, candles and joss sticks ready, Guan Shanjin wrapped Wu Xingzi up in a big coat. With one hand holding the offerings and the other holding Wu Xingzi’s hand, he spoke assuredly, “Let’s go.”

“Oh.”

Wu Xingzi kept feeling that something did not seem quite right, but he still led Guan Shanjin towards the mountain.

After walking for about an hour, they reached a valley. In the midst of winter, the valley was warmer than the exposed surroundings. The ground was covered with chinese silvergrass, and little small mounds were faintly discernible through the silvergrass. Most of them had been cleared regularly, and so they were not buried within the silvergrass.

Not far away from the Wu family’s ancestral grave, there stood an enormous old tree. On the left of the old tree was an empty space that was not too big nor small, and it was rather special. What grew on it was not silvergrass, but a patch of vivid, green grass. Guan Shanjin glanced at it, then took out a sickle from the basket and started cutting the silvergrass.

“Do you see that patch of ground?” Wu Xingzi’s voice was somewhat exultant, and it made Guan Shanjin curious.

“I see it. Is there something special about it?” Guan Shanjin’s actions were swift and deft. As they conversed, he had already cleared a large patch of silvergrass, revealing half the grave.

“That’s where I’ll be laid to rest in the future.” Wu Xingzi’s voice was laden heavily with his yearning.

Guan Shanjin always knew that Wu Xingzi had already purchased his own gravesite. He straightened up, glancing towards that spot. It was in a sunny area, and was paired with a good view.

“It’s a nice spot.” Although that was what he said, he still felt a little bitter, and a little upset. He could not explain why, only thinking that this spot belonging to Wu Xingzi was perfect for one person, but it would be a rather tight fit for two.

“Exactly.” Wu Xingzi was delighted. He spoke as he cleared the silvergrass off the grave, “Many people were after this spot!”

“Oh? Then how did you manage to buy it?”

The tombstone in front of the mound was now visible as well. The words on the wooden tablet had long turned indistinct. Short and covered with moss, it somehow gave off a bleak feeling, similar to that of Qingcheng County.

“Uhh…” Wu Xingzi rubbed his nose, laughing a little sheepishly. “So, I’m the adviser, right? Qingcheng County is a very small place, and all the documents pertaining to the sale of land will go through me. At that time, after I found out about this place, I… cough, took part in a little jobbery.”

Laying it out in the open, it was actually no big deal. In a small little place like Qingcheng County, even such sales of governmental land were very innocent.

In conclusion, all people had to do was fill in the contract of sale at the magistrate’s office. The magistrate would usually also not waste manpower and time to investigate in all sorts of matters, and just settle things as simply as possible. If too many people were eyeing the same plot of land, it would then be up to the magistrate’s decision. Wu Xingzi had worked ceaselessly and earnestly for so many years, and he had gained the trust of each successive magistrate. Since he wanted to buy that plot of land, the magistrate approved of it immediately.