Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 427: Death

"What did you say? Wei Junlang has his eye on someone named Xu Lang?" Xu Shan was shocked when she heard this.

The apprentices were startled to see their master's face turn pale. One of them quickly nodded, "Yes, his name is Xu Lang. He's not very tall, has a sallow complexion, and is quiet and doesn't like to talk much."

"But his carving skills were immediately noticed by Master Wei, who said they were very similar to your style, Master."

“We’ve seen it too. The carved object does resemble Master’s work in some ways, but it’s not as exquisite as yours…” But the style and the carving technique are exactly the same.

Xu Shan gasped.

This could very well be that wretched girl, Xu Xianglan?!

"You just said she's gone missing, what happened?" Xu Shan asked urgently.

He had always been kind and gentle to his apprentices, but this was the first time he had shown such ruthlessness, which was particularly intimidating.

The apprentices were so frightened that they quickly stepped back, shaking their heads repeatedly. "We don't know, they disappeared together with Li Xiaofeng."

"By the way, someone mentioned today that the two of them are missing, and even told the official in charge of the Ministry of Rites, but he said to tell them to mind their own business and not to interfere in other matters."

"But some people say that Li Xiaofeng was sent to the county jail, and they don't know why."

"Actually, some people saw Xu Lang leave with Lord Li, but they don't know exactly where they went."

"Lord Li? Which Lord Li?" Xu Shan asked hurriedly.

"Lord Li Chengyue of the Ministry of Works."

Why did Lord Li take him away?

"I don't know, but Lord Li once asked about Master Song's carving knives and discussed it for a long time with the officials in charge of the Ministry of Works. He seemed to not quite understand why his knives were so sharp and kept discussing the material."

"..."

Xu Shan turned and left without asking any more questions.

The apprentices chased after him for a couple of steps, but seeing that Xu Shan had no interest in paying attention to them, they could only awkwardly retreat and continue working on their assignments.

Xu Shan was now filled with deep regret.

He never expected that that brat would dare to pretend to be a man to participate in the carving competition, and that she would stay by his side the whole time. It was an utter disgrace!

But why is this brat with Li Chengyue?

Did Li Chengyue know that she was a woman, not a man?

The apprentices were talking about how Li Chengyue had taken a liking to Song Ziwen's carving knives. Could it be that he took that girl away to learn how to make the carving knives?

Xu Shan was unsettled, with a thousand thoughts swirling in her mind, unsure which one was right.

But he already knew that Xu Xianglan was with Li Chengyue. As long as he could find a way to lure her out, he would have a way to get leverage over her!

Xu Shan couldn't think of a good solution, so he could only go home and think about it slowly.

When Aunt Xu saw him return, she came over again and began to complain about having no money and no one to rely on.

"I wonder where that brat has run off to. If we catch her, we can continue with the arranged marriage, and then we'll have money again..."

"Do you think she might have run off with some guy? We hadn't noticed her meeting with any other men before?"

"Since we can't make any money right now, could you take on a few more apprentices? Also, could you send two of them to work at your house? That brat doesn't even know how to wipe his own ass after he poops..."

……

After personally taking care of her silly grandson for two days, Aunt Xu began to complain and couldn't stand it anymore.

Xu Shan finally lost her temper and roared at Aunt Xu, "Are you ever going to stop? All you ever talk about is money, money, money! What good is money to you?!"

"Hey, how dare you take the blame for me?! If I'm gone, you'll wipe out the Xu family line!"

"So what if it's over? What's wrong with it? Maybe the Xu family has been disreputable since the older generation, and they shouldn't have any descendants!"

"You're insane! You think I won't punch you?!"

……

Xu Shan completely ignored him.

Aunt Xu was furious and raised her hand to slap Xu Shan!

Xu Shan didn't expect her to actually make a move. She raised her hand to block, but Aunt Xu, due to her recent injuries, lost her balance and stumbled to the ground!

A "bang" sound!

She bumped hard on the sharp corner of the stool.

She let out a scream and then lay motionless. A large pool of blood spread out on the ground, flowing out like a river.

Xu Shan was startled, and her face turned ashen!

"Mother, Mother? Mother, wake up!"

His hands were covered in blood, and he stood there dumbfounded.

The old woman came in from outside, also at a loss. After regaining her senses, she ran outside, shouting, "Quick, quick, go get a doctor! This old woman has fallen and hurt herself!"

……

The doctor rushed over, but it was too late.

Aunt Xu has passed away completely, and there's no way to bring her back.

Xu Shan wanted to cry but couldn't, and for some reason, he felt a sense of freedom and liberation.

He summoned two apprentices to help with the funeral arrangements and also went to the Imperial Household Department to ask for leave, as he could no longer participate in the carving competition because his mother had passed away.

In special circumstances, the Ministry of Rites granted him a special privilege: he could directly participate in the final carving competition, given Xu Shan's still-reputable status.

Xu Shan kept vigil for a whole day.

He then instructed his apprentices to post missing person notices throughout the city, covering every street and alley.

Xu Shan is searching for his daughter, Xu Xianglan, to return home because her grandmother has passed away...

No matter how wrong you are, the death of a person is the greatest loss, and it is inseparable from the concept of "filial piety".

After learning about this, Xu Xianglan hesitated for a long time before finally asking Li Chengyue for leave.

"My grandmother has passed away. It wouldn't be right for me to keep hiding and not show my face. Outsiders would scold me if they found out." She spoke of this timidly.

She tried hard to recall, but seemed unable to remember anything that Aunt Xu had ever done for her.

Not even a tiny bit, not a single fragment.

But the saying "the dead are the greatest" could erase all her mistakes, forcing her to shoulder the heavy burden of "filial piety" and no longer dare to hide.

Seeing her utterly pathetic state, Li Chengyue could only reply softly, "I'll only give you three days off. You must come back afterward."

"Three, three days!" Xu Xianglan thought for a moment, realizing her father would probably find it hard to agree. "Could we extend it by two more days? At least the seventh day after the funeral will be over."

It seems improper not to observe the first seven days after death.

Li Chengyue frowned in displeasure, "Didn't she look down on you because you're a woman? How could you be so humiliating? You still have to kneel down at a time like this?!"

"Then I'd better not go back. If I go back, I'm afraid it will be hard to come out again in three days unless I sneak away." Xu Xianglan didn't want Xu Shan to know that she was working in the Ministry of Works' small workshop, for fear that Xu Shan would stick to her. "Seven days, after the seventh day after death, I will sneak back. I will definitely not delay your business." She wished she could swear to the heavens.

Li Chengyue looked at her with disappointment and could only roll his eyes at her, saying, "You'd better watch yourself."

After saying this, he strode away.

Xu Xianglan breathed a sigh of relief, then hurriedly changed into a set of daughter's clothes and went home as if nothing had happened...