No wedding robes adorned the simple bridal chamber.

The Tang family shopfront was thronged with onlookers. The Hu matriarch wailed incessantly, lamenting her son’s tragic death. She cried that the Tangs had colluded with officials and media to slander her son, that even in death, he could not rest in peace. “My son, my son, how terribly you died!”

Zhou Xiangping grew angrier by the minute, tempted to stuff the old woman’s mouth shut.

Tang Xianling remained composed. He tugged at Huangfu Tieniu’s hand and said, “Let’s proceed with the ceremony first.”

The louder the Hu family screamed and cursed, the more determined he was to stand before Hu Kang’s mother, to bow and marry properly, witnessed by the entire neighborhood.

Huangfu Tieniu’s face darkened.

Tang Xianling smiled. “What are you doing on our wedding day?”

Their eyes met. As if the filthy insults ringing in their ears vanished, Huangfu Tieniu composed himself. Tang Xianling was right—today was their joyous day. He was marrying Tang Xianling.

At this thought, Huangfu Tieniu was completely absorbed, filled with nothing but joy.

Father Tang and Jiang Yun sat in the center.

Master Yuan Heqing stood to the upper left.

Outside the surrounding shops, shouts of congratulations, curses directed at the Hu family matriarch, voices deliberately speaking for the Hus, and the wailing lamentations of Hu Kang’s grieving mother all intertwined. The clamor grew fainter and fainter, receding from the two central figures before the hall.

Yuan Heqing presided over the ceremony, delivering the auspicious words: “…The newlyweds shall now perform the bowing rites. First bow to Heaven and Earth—”

Tang Xianling and Huangfu Tieniu, holding bouquets made of red cloth, bowed outward to heaven and earth.

“Second bow to your parents.”

The couple turned and solemnly bowed to Father Tang, Jiang Yun.

“Now, the couple bows to each other—” Yuan Heqing paused, feeling a bit nervous. He deliberately glanced at Father Tang, who thankfully remained unconscious.

As Tang Xianling and Huangfu Tieniu faced each other to exchange bows—

Hu Kang’s mother wailed and cursed for a long while. Now, even if she was hoarse and exhausted, she would charge into the wedding hall to ruin this celebration. The ceremony must not proceed! Tang Wu-ger was her Hu family’s husband; even in death, he was the Hu family’s spirit. Her son had finally passed the Juren examination. How dare they, with her son dead, Tang Xianling was still alive and about to marry? Her son had been dead for less than a year!

The old woman mustered her strength and lunged toward the ceremony hall.

Zhou Xiangping, ever vigilant, swiftly grabbed her and pulled her back, clutching the Hu family matriarch tightly. Fortunately, Zhou Xiangping was strong—her family ran a butcher shop, so hauling meat carts was no trouble for her. Restraining a frail, thin widow was a breeze.

Hu Kang’s mother wailed like a widow at a grave, her voice filled with bitter lament. She cursed heaven and earth, railed against the Tangs for failing to raise their son properly, and denounced Tang Xianling as a slut—spewing every vile, offensive word imaginable, solely to torment the Tangs and Tang Xianling.

Neighbors gathered to watch, frowning as they retorted on behalf of Master Tang.

“Your son died because Heaven took his life—it wasn’t Mr. Tang’s fault.”

“Look what your family did to Old Tang!”

“This old woman twists truth and justice, deliberately ruining Brother Tang’s wedding!”

“Her heart is poisoned.”

Huangfu Tieniu and Tang Xianling performed their final bow, their eyes fixed solely on each other.

“The ceremony is complete—” Yuan Heqing exhaled in relief, clasping his hands in a cheerful bow. “Congratulations to the newlyweds!”

“Congratulations!” “Mr. Tang has found a fine husband!” “Congratulations, Brother Tieniu!” “Congratulations, Auntie Tang!”

The crowd clasped hands in a flurry of well-wishes, seemingly determined to drown out the old matriarch’s voice. Amidst the lively hubbub, someone suddenly cried out: “Oh! Look! Mr. Tang has woken up!”

Some hadn’t yet processed the remark—wasn’t Mr. Tang smiling and accepting congratulations? How could he have woken up? But upon closer inspection, Old Tang, who had been unconscious in his chair, had indeed awakened, his eyes wide open.

“Old Tang is awake!” “This wedding truly is a great blessing—even Old Tang has woken up. “It shows a father’s love for his son—he had to open his eyes to see his fine son-in-law.”

The crowd offered congratulations, chattering away with all sorts of remarks. Hearing this, Tang Xianling turned his head and met Old Tang’s gaze. Old Tang looked visibly moved—this man always cursed him whenever they met. Before, he’d scolded him as a scourge, a disgrace to the Tang family, and a worthless good-for-nothing. Later, he’d probably realized Tang Xianling wasn’t the real Wu-ger, just a weakling with a tough exterior. 

Now he both feared and loved to curse him.

“Don’t be afraid,” Jiang Yun whispered softly, then hurriedly turned to tend to Old Tang. “Old Tang, you’re awake? Our Wu-ger is getting married today. Tieniu, you came so your father could see you.”

Huangfu Tieniu stepped forward.

Father Tang couldn’t utter a sound. His throat rattled like a bellows, tight and constricted. No words escaped his lips. He could only stare wide-eyed, his “Ahs” muffled. 

Jiang Yun explained cheerfully from the side, “I told you before, Tieniu is a good match. He’s three years younger than our Wu-ger and truly wonderful. Our Wu-ger has finally found happiness after all his hardships.”

“Yes, congratulations to Old Tang!” 

“Now that you’re awake, take good care of yourself. Better days lie ahead.” 

“This joyous occasion has truly worked wonders—Old Tang’s health has improved.”

The crowd chimed in with flattering remarks. Tang Xianling brought over some tea. “Father, have a sip to soothe your throat.”

Old Tang glared at him. 

Tang Xianling was considering whether to escort his father back to rest when suddenly, his waist was grabbed. He sidestepped slightly, still unsure what was happening. Hu Kang’s mother had rushed to Father Tang’s side, originally intending to shove and strike Tang Xianling. But now her eyes were bloodshot and filled with tears as she cried out in anguish.

“The Tang family taught your son to bully my child to an early death! This is outrageous! Son, even if I die today, I will make the Tang family apologize to you—” 

Zhou Xiangping gasped, “I was so focused on Old Tang waking up, I forgot Mrs. Hu was still here.” She thought the marriage had already been settled, and this momentary oversight slipped her mind.

Seated in his chair, Father Tang stared wide-eyed, fixed on the old woman before him. It all happened too fast. Hu Kang’s Mother was about to smash her head against the Tang family shopfront when Father Tang, enraged, stared at her with bulging eyes. Then—That moment felt like seconds, yet also like an eternity. 

Father Tang’s life left him, his head slumping back in the chair.

“Old Tang! Quick, look at Old Tang—”

“Is Old Tang dead?”

“Someone! Quick, call a doctor!”

Chaos erupted. Jiang Yun stood frozen, helpless. Tang Xianling reached out to check Old Tang’s pulse and breath. Finding no sign of life, he cried out:

“Father!!!”

Hu Kang’s mother, who had been frantically trying to kill herself only to be stopped, now stood frozen in place. Of course, she couldn’t truly die—she still had grandchildren to raise. The Tang family had laid everything out plainly; logically, her family was in the wrong. But her son was dead—her son, the Juren candidate, was dead. No matter how wrong they were, death meant the matter was settled.

What more could the Tang family possibly want?

If she made a scene, caused a commotion, at least afterward, no one in the neighborhood would gossip about them. But she hadn’t anticipated that Tang Wu-ger’s father would die first.

Now it was all over.

Tang Xianling’s eyes reddened, brimming with tears. She turned to stare at Hu Kang’s Mother. “It was you! You drove my father to his death! You!!”

“Your Hu family pushed us too far! First, you seized our silver, drained our household’s savings, and drove my father to serious illness. Now that our family has barely recovered, you still insist on causing trouble.”

“Father—”

Huangfu Tieniu steadied Tang Xianling’s shoulders. “I’ll fetch a doctor.” As a hunter, he knew Father Tang had long passed away. Xianling’s wailing was merely a performance for the crowd.

Husband and wife were one. No matter what, Huangfu Tieniu would always stand before his husband.

“Very well, go fetch one. Perhaps my father still lives.” Tang Xianling wiped his tears with his sleeve and turned to stare at the old man in the chair. “Maybe Father just passed out, like before. Maybe he’s not dead.”

At these words, neighbors in the shop all had tears welling in their eyes.

Master Tang was truly pitiful and devoted.

Old Tang is gone now. Alas.

The Hu family is truly a beast, bringing such calamity upon themselves.

Since Tang Xianling insisted on summoning a doctor, the others stopped trying to dissuade him. They soothed Brother Tang’s filial heart, going along with his request. Amidst the chaos, Hu Kang’s mother slipped away.

A joyous occasion had turned into a funeral. By the time Huangfu Tieniu rode his mule to the West Market to fetch a doctor, and the doctor was hurriedly summoned, he examined the body and declared, “The body is already stiff. Why did you bother calling a doctor?”

“Father—” Tang Xianling knelt down and wept bitterly.

Huangfu Tieniu slipped the doctor some money, giving extra, and bowed his hands, saying, “I’m truly sorry for making you come all this way for nothing. My husband is heartbroken and can’t believe his father is gone.”

Hearing this, the doctor didn’t get angry. He only sighed, “Well, he is devoted.”

“The man is dead. There’s nothing I can do. I’ll take this money for the house call. It’s hot. You should arrange the burial quickly. Don’t delay.”

Amidst the chaos of the aftermath, order gradually emerged. With Father Tang confirmed deceased, neighbors stepped in to help dismantle the wedding hall. Jiang Yun stood dazed, unsure what to do, staring blankly at the corpse of Father Tang on the chair, tears streaming down her face. Tang Xianling, having never handled funeral arrangements before, was also bewildered, but he first saw off Master Yuan and his entourage.

“We need to buy a coffin, white cloth, white candles, and joss paper ingots,” Huangfu Tieniu said.

Handling funeral arrangements for others was considered inauspicious. Even the most helpful neighbors didn’t want to be involved. Tang Xianling sensed this, bowed his hands in thanks for everyone’s kindness, and saw them out first.

“Mr. Tang, please take care of yourself.”

“Ah, what a tragedy.”

“Truthfully, Old Tang had a joyful farewell. He got to see you, Master Tang, marry off well. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to rest in peace.” Someone offered this consolation to the Tang family, urging them to focus on the positive.

Tang Xianling said little. After seeing the guests off and closing the shop door, the “Closed” sign remained hanging. Seeing Jiang Yun weeping, she murmured, “I’m the one who killed Old Tang. I didn’t want him to talk nonsense, so I never helped him clear his throat.”

“Mother, it wasn’t your fault,” Tang Xianling murmured softly, wrapping an arm around Jiang Yun’s shoulder. “Father was driven to his death by the Hu family. It had nothing to do with you.”

Jiang Yun and Father Tang had shared years of marital bond, and some affection remained. But publicly, this was the only explanation. He didn’t want her to take the blame for his death. Truthfully, given his frail health, he didn’t have much time left anyway.

Then came the funeral arrangements.

Huangfu Tieniu went to the West Market to buy funeral supplies and a coffin for the body. But when it came time for burial, a problem arose—Father Tang had fled to Fengyuan City decades ago during a disaster, and all his relatives had long since passed away. When asked, Jiang Yun couldn’t even recall the road to their original village, let alone whether it still existed. Zhongdu Prefecture was also far away. During hot weather, it was customary for the deceased to be buried swiftly. If Tang Xianling carried the coffin all the way to Father Tang’s ancestral home, the body would likely decompose along the way.

“There’s a rule against young men and women carrying the coffin,” Jiang Yun stammered.

Tang Xianling: Phew.

He exhaled in relief.

He certainly didn’t want to endure the scorching heat of a long journey to return the body of Father Tang to Zhongdu Prefecture for burial in their ancestral home.

“Then I’ll inquire if Fengyuan City has a public cemetery,” Tang Xianling resolved.

Jiang Yun said, “When your father was alive, he mentioned that after we pass away, we should buy a plot of land in the Hu family’s in-law village for our burial.”

“…Buying land from the Hu family for burial? I’m afraid my father wouldn’t rest easy in his grave,” Tang Xianling said aloud.

Jiang Yun thought about it and nodded. “Wait a moment.”

Tang Xianling and Huangfu Tieniu stayed in the shop. Huangfu Tieniu poured Tang Xianling some tea and pulled out a packet of candies from his bosom—he’d bought them when he went to the West Market to seek a doctor earlier. “You haven’t eaten anything yet. Have some. I’ll handle the burial arrangements. If we can’t bury him in the city, I can go to Xucun village and ask the village chief. I’ll spend some money to smooth things over.”

“You eat too.” Tang Xianling had put on quite the dramatic performance today—crying and wailing for others to see was exhausting. He wiped his hands and slowly ate the candy, though his appetite was poor. Father Tang was truly dead, his body left in the courtyard for now.

The two ate the candy, saving some for Jiang Yun.

“Using my father’s death as leverage, we must settle all past grievances. First, I’ll file a lawsuit—after burying my father, I’ll go to the magistrate. Then I’ll hire a troupe to confront the Hu family.”

Huangfu Tieniu: “I’ll go with you.” If Lord Li wants to mete out punishment first, let him take the beating.

“Second, I’ll terminate the lease with the Li family tenants. Tieniu, I’ll use the betrothal silver to pay them compensation for breach of contract—”

Huangfu Tieniu hurriedly interjected, “The money is yours now. We are husband and wife as one—no need for formalities between us.”

“I know, I’m just saying.” Tang Xianling smiled faintly. “That troublesome wall in the courtyard needs tearing down. The house needs a thorough cleaning. My west room is too small; it’s inconvenient now. And I need to write letters to my three sisters to inform them of the death.”

These were all tasks. After handling them, at least a month would be lost to business.

“Thank goodness you’re here,” Tang Xianling said, looking at Tieniu. “I’m not being polite. I just mean that without you, I could still manage. But with you here, I feel grounded. These things don’t seem like such a big deal anymore.”

Having someone weather the storms with you, sharing half the burdens and hassles, truly makes things so much easier.

Huangfu Tieniu reached out and squeezed Tang Xianling’s hand. Neither said anything more.

Jiang Yun still hadn’t come, so Tang Xianling got up to check on her and discuss the matter of informing his three sisters of the death. Upon entering the east room, he saw Jiang Yun struggling to move a cabinet. Tang Xianling called out to Tieniu.

“Mother, are you moving this cabinet?”

Jiang Yun stepped aside, making room, and explained, “Your father liked to hide silver under the cabinet. There’s a movable brick there—dig beneath it, and you’ll find the money jar.”

After all these years of sharing a bed, even though Father Tang hid and retrieved money to keep it from Jiang Yun, Jiang Yun knew the finer details. But the chest was heavy—too much for a woman to move alone. Besides, she’d always been quiet and obedient, never even considering touching the silver.

What good would it do anyway?

Even if she found it, Jiang Yun wouldn’t dare spend it.

Father Tang was sometimes paranoid. If he saw signs the chest had been moved, he’d fly into a rage at Jiang Yun.

Now that Father Tang was dead, Jiang Yun had nothing to fear.

“Xianling, step aside,” Huangfu Tieniu said.

Tang Xianling still felt slightly unaccustomed to being addressed this way by Tieniu, so he stood to the side first. Huangfu Tieniu, with his great strength, easily moved the wardrobe by himself. He crouched down, found the movable brick, and then brought out a small jar.

“Mother, is this it?”

Jiang Yun took it, opened the lid, and found it filled with silver ingots. She poured the coins onto the bed and counted them. “There’s still fifty-six taels of silver left. Wu-ger, Tieniu, take this silver to buy a plot of land outside the city for your father. Lay him to rest there.”

Her heart was filled with guilt. Her eyes reddened as she said, “When I die, bury me beside him. If your father hates me, at least he can beat and scold me up close.“

”…Mother.” Tang Xianling didn’t know how to console her. He took a deep breath and ultimately decided against it. After all, there was plenty of time ahead. Jiang Yun was healthy now. Perhaps in a decade or so, living happily and contentedly, she’d have long forgotten this matter.

People change.

After that, things grew hectic. Huangfu Tieniu made funeral arrangements and purchased supplies. The coffin arrived at the Tang residence, and several people helped dress Father Tang in his burial garments before placing him in the funeral hall. Jiang Yun dictated the letters, and Huangfu Tieniu wrote them by hand, notifying his three sisters of the passing. They paid messengers to deliver the letters.

Tang Xianling, meanwhile, made numerous inquiries about purchasing land, primarily for burial purposes. This proved surprisingly difficult. Some villages were superstitious and reluctant to allow outsiders to be buried on their land, fearing it would disrupt the feng shui.

Cui Dabao proved invaluable in this matter, volunteering his assistance alongside Sun Douzi. The burial site was chosen in Sun Douzi’s maternal village, though not within the main cemetery. Instead, a secluded, shaded plot specifically reserved for outsiders was designated.

Typically, land prices varied: one rate for villagers, another—often 30-40% higher—for outsiders. A fertile mu of land usually costs between five and seven taels of silver. Yet for an outsider’s burial plot, the Sunjia Village chief demanded ten taels outright—no small sum.

The village head did add, however, that villagers wouldn’t obstruct future visits to burn paper offerings or pay respects at the grave, implying they’d accommodate them—after all, their village wasn’t filled with such unreasonable folk.

Tang Xianling: …???

Wait, if you buy the burial plot, does that mean you can’t even pay respects?

The way this village chief spoke, it sounded like he was granting some immense favor. Still, Tang Xianling paid up in the end. Both sides drew up a deed and signed a contract. Father Tang’s body couldn’t wait any longer.

On the third day, the eldest daughter, Tang Qiao, arrived with her husband Lin Hu and their three children for the funeral. They dismounted from the oxcart at the main street entrance and walked all the way to their courtyard. The children, clad in mourning garments, looked bewildered and dazed. while the youngest, was too young to comprehend death.

Jiang Yun saw her eldest daughter arrive. Mother and daughter embraced, weeping so loudly that passersby on the street could hear them. The news of Father Tang’s death, driven to it by the Hu family, had already spread throughout the Baxing District and Dingyi District.

The Tang family could be summed up in one word: tragic.

“The Hus kept calling him ‘Juren’—her son hadn’t even taken office yet, and he was already plotting against his in-laws. Imagine what he’d do if he actually became an official! He was nothing but a corrupt bureaucrat!”

“So Heaven does have eyes after all.”

“How did Juren die again?”

“No one knows for sure, but word is he just died.”

“The Tangs have suffered so much. Thankfully, Master Yuan stepped in that day and arranged the marriage between Master Tang and his new husband. Now the Tangs have this new husband to support them. Otherwise, who knows how the Hus would have disrupted the funeral hall?”

“The Hus would dare show up? Their faces must be thick as bricks.”

All the talk in Baxing District lately revolved around the Tang family.

The heat was rising, and the start of summer was near. After waiting two more days, Second Sister and Third Sister still hadn’t arrived. Father Tang’s body couldn’t be kept much longer, and with Tang Qiao’s family arriving, there was no room for them to stay. Lately, they’d all been sleeping on makeshift beds in the shop—but this couldn’t last.

Tang Xianling made the decision: “Let the body rest for five days, then bury him.”

Tang Qiao wiped away her tears. Now that their father was gone, Wu-ger had grown noticeably thinner. Naturally, the household relied entirely on Wu-ger to make decisions. She said, “If Erniang and Sanniang arrive and they have any complaints, blame me too.”

Nowadays, it’s customary for children to rush to see their elders ‘one last time’ before burial—failing to do so is considered unfilial. Tang Qiao’s words meant that she and Tang Xianling had decided on the burial without waiting for the two younger sisters. If the sisters complained or blamed them, she would share the blame.

She was sharing the burden of responsibility with Tang Xianling.

Tang Xianling remembered his eldest sister’s kindness. Though Father Tang was outwardly strong but inwardly weak, domineering at home, demanding yet unwilling to shoulder responsibility, the daughters he raised—especially the eldest—were truly, truly good.

On that day, Huangfu Tieniu hired a cart. The younger Tang family members, clad in mourning robes, helped carry the coffin onto the vehicle. The Tang family members supported the coffin as trumpets and drums led the procession out of the city.

Father Tang’s burial day.

“Simple, but it counts as done.”

“Haven’t you heard? The Tang family’s savings were drained dry by the Hu family’s Juren.”

“Over four hundred and seventy taels of silver spent. How long has that Juren Hu been with the Tangs that he dares spend so much?”

“No wonder the funeral’s so modest. Can’t blame Auntie Tang or Mr. Tang.”

“Isn’t that the new son-in-law carrying the urn up front?” 

“Looks more like the eldest sister’s husband.”

“An outsider carrying the urn.”

“The Tang family has no male heirs; this is the only way.”

“Seems the eldest sister’s husband is a decent man too.”

In some places, there are strict customs: only sons or close relatives carry the coffin.

Regarding who would carry the coffin, Jiang Yun had asked around. She had looked to Tang Xianling, thinking her Wu-ger might come, but hesitated, saying it was traditionally done by sons, and her family had none. Tang Xianling had never felt affection for Father Tang; he had even wished for his death before. But now that Father Tang was dead, Tang Xianling had already gone above and beyond in handling the funeral arrangements.

To be asked to genuinely “earn” the honor of carrying the basin? He wasn’t interested and found it tiresome—the journey from Baxing District to Sunjia Village was long, and even if he rode in a carriage, the frequent stops would be a hassle.

Thus, his eldest sister’s husband, Lin Hu, offered: “I’ll do it… Is that alright, Mother?”

Tang Xianling seized the opportunity to decline, hastily thanking his brother-in-law. He and Huangfu Tieniu didn’t mind not competing for this honor. Tang Qiao and Lin Hu, however, smiled at Wu-ger’s new husband. Tang Xianling felt a flicker of confusion, then began to understand why her eldest sister acted this way—modern funeral customs ran deep, and carrying the coffin for their father was also a matter of ‘status and dignity’.Only the eldest son, grandson, or male descendant could perform this duty.

Eldest Sister Tang Qiao felt Wu-ger still respected her as his elder sister. By deferring such an important duty to her and her husband, he had entrusted them with the responsibility of escorting their father on his final journey.

Thus, both sides ended up quite pleased. The eldest sister and brother-in-law gained ‘face,’ while Tang Xianling dodged some drudgery. He hadn’t eaten much these past days, surviving on vegetarian fare while running errands—probably shedding four or five jin?

Tang Xianling’s face was the first to lose weight, and naturally, it was the first to gain it back. Along the way, Huangfu Tieniu felt sorry for Tang Xianling. He kept pulling candies from his pocket to offer to him, sharing some with the three children, too.

“It’s hot out. Eating some candy won’t hurt. Don’t pass out,” Tang Xianling said to his sister and brother-in-law while chewing. Don’t blame the kids for eating candy during the funeral procession—he was eating it too.

The couple themselves ate no candy, enduring the blazing sun the entire journey. The children sat in the cart eating candy to beat the heat. Tang Xianling walked a bit, then urged Jiang Yun to ride in the cart. He accompanied his sister for a while. Walking and stopping like this, they finally reached Sun Village after half a day.

Mainly because of the coffin, the cart was heavy and moved slowly. The grave had been dug. As the coffin was lowered into the earth, music played, white paper fluttered, and the women of the Tang family wailed. They all shared genuine affection for Father Tang; their tears were heartfelt. Though he had scolded and even struck Tang Qiao in the past, now that he was being laid to rest, Tang Qiao felt profound sorrow.

Tang Xianling knelt on the earth, head bowed. No tears fell, but he thought: Wu-ger, your father has gone. The funeral rites are complete. He rests in peace now. Rest assured. I will return and clear your name.

Finally, it had come.

Father Tang’s death was, in a way, the last and only good deed he had done for Wu-ger. It gave Tang Xianling a legitimate reason to take legal action.