Zhao Lao Er arrived at the pond and saw his father floating on the water, his legs gave way and he knelt down.
After he reacted, he immediately went into the pond to fish him out. He couldn't understand how it was possible! This water, which only reached his waist, had drowned his father?
When the people behind him arrived, they saw Zhao Lao Er struggling to pull the Zhao Clan Leader. A group of people cried to the heavens. The men quickly went into the water to help.
"Old man, how could this happen? How could this happen? Ahhh! Heavens, you are trying to kill me. Wuwuwu~"
"Father~ Wuwuwu~"
"Grandfather~ Wuwuwu~
The Zhao Clan Leader's body was pale and swollen from the water, and Zhao Laotai cried until she fainted.
Several daughters-in-law took turns carrying her home, while Zhao Laoda and the others sadly carried the Zhao Clan Leader back.
The family walked and cried, their heads bowed. The surrounding people knew what had happened and prepared to go to his house to help.
"How could this have happened? Old Zhao was so spirited usually, I didn't expect him to leave first."
"It's fate, no one can say for sure. At this point, no one can save him, no matter who comes. I think what happened a few days ago was a warning, but he still insisted on going to the water's edge. Who else but him would die?"
"With your mouth, you'll offend how many people. Don't say such things when you get there. Hurry and tidy up and go."
"I know what I'm doing, you don't need to tell me."
The villagers carried stools, tables, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks to his house to help. Since there was no lacquered coffin, a few wooden planks would have to suffice.
The family changed his clothes. Since the planks weren't wide enough, they borrowed two from other families. They lined the inside with several layers of white paper and placed the body inside.
Zhao Dashen was busy, and the aunties who came to help wiped down the tables, chairs, and stools. Some people were sent to the fields to pick vegetables, and a few skilled elder ladies were asked to cook.
They filled a container with ashes, stuck a few incense sticks in it, placed two candles on either side of the wooden planks, and a larger container in front for burning paper.
After eating dinner, the helpers gradually went home, and the Zhao family could also rest.
Zhao Dashen's legs ached from running back and forth all day, and she was so tired that she couldn't straighten her back. Only when she lay down on the bed did she feel alive again.
"Child's mother, with father gone, should we divide the family? How much money does mother have saved?"
"How would I know? Stop talking, go to sleep. We still have a lot to do tomorrow. We'll talk about everything after this is over."
"Alright then."
The next day, around noon, Jun Jiuli arrived with the child. Holding the child, she naturally didn't have to do any work.
She gave a cash contribution of one string of coins and then chatted and gossiped with a group of young wives and girls.
Although the food wasn't particularly delicious, she at least got to eat at the Zhao Clan Leader's wake.
Zhao Laotai was so weak that Zhao Xiaohua had to support her. The family didn't have enough meat, so they spent more money, making her heart ache.
Seeing people like Jun Jiuli, who only ate and did no work, she almost popped her eyes out. But others pretended not to see it.
"Grandma Zhao, I'm really sorry. I just came to say hello and then I'll be leaving. I have to rush back to take care of my husband, who can't be left alone."
"Yes, yes, you go quickly. We all understand."
Watching Jun Jiuli's retreating back, a group of old ladies showed satisfied expressions.
"This Nanying's wife is truly remarkable. She single-handedly supported a family before, and now she still has to take care of Nanying while she's sick. The Yang family's upbringing is truly excellent, Nanying is so fortunate."
"Who says otherwise? It's a shame her sister is still young, otherwise, I would have wanted to ask for her hand for my grandson."
"The people of the Yang family are all kind and capable. She doesn't dislike Nanying at all in her current state, truly a good child. When her child grows up, she will be able to see better days."
"It would be great if this child could read like his father, then he could achieve some fame and give his mother a good life."
"Hahaha, reading still depends on fate."
...
Zhao Nanying looked at Jun Jiuli angrily, "You poisonous woman, what more do you want to be satisfied? Aren't you afraid that Ling Ge will hate you in the future?"
"Don't worry, he won't know."
"Where did you go out today? I warn you, don't do anything improper outside. I don't want my son to have a shameless mother."
"Oh, I went to a banquet, your great-uncle's banquet. He was floating in the water all night. I heard he died quite gruesomely. Do you think you'll be next?"
"Don't do anything rash. I'm lying in bed and can't move. If I'm drowned, you'll be responsible."
"Why are you so nervous? I'm just saying."
Zhao Nanying was so scared that he was sweating coldly. He didn't know why this person in front of him had changed. Now that he was the fish on the chopping block, he didn't dare to be arrogant.
"My dear wife, we are husband and wife, and we have a child. If I accidentally offended you in the past, tell me, I apologize, and I will definitely make it up to you. If you continue like this, I truly don't know where I went wrong, and it will only deepen the misunderstanding between us."
"There are no misunderstandings. It's time to eat."
Today, Jun Jiuli was too lazy to do anything and directly fed him the old rice. Zhao Nanying was horrified to see the wriggling maggots.
"My dear wife, please don't do this. At least cook it before feeding it to me."
"Too lazy to bother. You'll have to make do today."
Zhao Nanying clenched his teeth, but a force pushed his mouth open.
His mouth couldn't be closed, and he couldn't move or struggle. He was utterly distressed.
The rice slid down his throat, and the little black worms that wriggled made his throat extremely uncomfortable, letting out desperate and pitiful whimpers.
"So noisy, so annoying."
Jun Jiuli impatiently poured it all in, his mouth filled with worm-ridden rice. He couldn't get rid of it, and tears streamed down his face from the discomfort.
Zhao Nanying, what exactly are you doing? Rather than live like this, humble as an ant, it would be better to die.
He closed his eyes and gave up struggling, but when he couldn't breathe and felt like he was dying, he became scared.
He opened his eyes and tried to swallow, lest he choke to death. At this moment, as long as he could live, the worms didn't seem so disgusting anymore.
He thought, "As long as I'm alive, there's still hope. You poisonous woman, you will regret what you did today sooner or later."
The day after the banquet, they sent the Zhao Clan Leader up the mountain and buried him on a piece of land belonging to his family.
His family sang and chanted, cried their hearts out, and then went home. The funeral concluded.