"Rules of Burial": This instance looked a little complicated
As I approached the Hanging Flower Gate connecting to the front yard, I bumped into several other people.
The man with the buzz cut and the young man with the ponytail had changed into the same white linen clothes and were standing under the eaves.
The chubby boy also came out, his plump body wrapped in white Mourning Clothes, his face still bearing that solemn expression.
As Xu Xi approached, his eyes immediately swept over, and when he saw the white linen clothes on the young man, his eyes flickered slightly. The next second, he greeted him naturally.
"Are you all done here?"
Xu Xi knew she had made the right choice when she noticed that all the players were wearing white Mourning Clothes.
He hummed in agreement, but didn't say anything more.
The Young Servant had disappeared without a trace.
Yu Hao tugged at his tight Mourning Clothes and casually said, "Besides the two ladies, only the young man with the earring hasn't arrived yet."
After saying that, he paused for a moment.
"When I arrived, there was a lot of noise coming from his room."
Upon hearing this, Xing Ge, the man with the buzz cut, stopped pretending to be profound, and Lin Zuo, the young man with his Lin Zuo, stopped looking at the rain dripping from the eaves.
Their gazes immediately fell on Yu Hao.
"Oh?" Xing Ge frowned and asked in a low voice, "What's that noise?"
Yu Hao shrugged, his expression unchanged, but a barely perceptible hint of interest flashed in his eyes.
"I didn't hear the specifics clearly, but I heard a 'bang' inside, like something fell over or smashed? Then I heard the young man's somewhat exasperated voice, but I couldn't make it out."
Lin Zuo looked thoughtful upon hearing this. "Could it be 'special treatment' that comes with my status?"
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached.
The four people present all became wary, and then the young player with the earring staggered out.
The other person's white Mourning Clothes were wrinkled, and there was even a tear in the collar.
While frantically trying to straighten his clothes, Hang Ze turned around and yelled, "... I already told you I didn't kill your brother! You're still going on about it, aren't you!"
Behind him, a Young Servant followed slowly, carrying an old kitchen knife stained with suspicious dark dirt.
When Hang Ze saw the group of people under the corridor, especially since they were all dressed in neat white Mourning Clothes, his eyes lit up, as if he had spotted his organization.
He rushed over in a few strides. "Are you all here, guys? Let's go! I don't want to stay in this lousy place for another second!"
The four people. "..."
Yu Hao exclaimed and quickly stopped him, "Dude, don't run away, the Young Servant chasing you has disappeared."
"Hmm?" Hang Ze stopped and looked back.
Sure enough, the Young Servant carrying the cleaver was gone.
He immediately breathed a sigh of relief and instinctively leaned against the pillar.
While tugging at her tattered clothes, she couldn't help but complain, "You wouldn't believe it, that Young Servant was completely out of his mind. He insisted on giving me a set of purple clothes, and when I refused to wear them, he actually pulled out a kitchen knife from his pocket and said I killed his brother..."
"Pah! I don't even know if his brother is round or flat!"
His ordeal, coupled with his disheveled appearance, caused even Xing Ge's usually cold face to twitch almost imperceptibly.
Yu Hao almost lost his composure, so he quickly coughed to cover it up, then asked curiously:
"Then where did you get this white Mourning Clothes you're wearing?"
Hang Ze sighed, "I dug it out from under the cabinet."
That's a bit pitiful for him.
Xu Xi glanced at the tear in the other person's Mourning Clothes; there was no blood, so it seemed that although it was a close call, no one was actually injured.
It seems everyone has arrived.
Suddenly, a calm female voice rang out from not far away.
Shi Weiwei and Tang Shutong walked out from the other side of the corridor.
Both of them changed into plain white dresses.
The seven of them reunited, their eyes meeting in unspoken understanding.
Clearly, everyone went through similar "tests".
Before the group could exchange more words, the butler appeared like a ghost beside the Hanging Flower Gate, still with that respectful yet aloof demeanor.
"Young masters and ladies, it's almost time. Please follow this old servant to the Ancestral Hall to pay respects to the master."
He held a white paper lantern in his hand, its dim yellow light casting a half-light, half-shadow on his deeply lined face.
"The Ancestral Hall is in the northeast corner of the backyard. It's a bit secluded, and the path is narrow. You young masters and ladies left home when you were young, so you might not remember some of it. Please stay close and don't get lost."
As the steward spoke, he picked up a lantern and stepped into the passageway first.
The players exchanged glances, cautiously taking steps to follow, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far from the old man ahead.
The passageway was sometimes straight and sometimes winding. After walking for about twenty minutes, two tiny points of light suddenly appeared ahead.
As they drew closer, they realized that the two points of light were actually from two old-fashioned lanterns hanging under the eaves, their lampshades also made of white paper, swaying slightly in the wind.
The butler stopped in front of the black lacquered wooden door. Above the door hung a plaque, also weathered by time, with the four large characters "Shen Ancestral Hall" written on it.
"We've arrived at the Ancestral Hall." The steward turned around and bowed slightly. "Before we enter, this old servant has a few words to say, which are also the rules set by the manor for this funeral. Please, young masters and ladies, remember them well."
"This is the Shen Ancestral Hall, and also the place where the deceased's coffin is laid to rest. To ensure a smooth funeral and to comfort the deceased's spirit in heaven, please abide by the following rules--"
He slowly spoke under the curious or inquisitive gazes of the seven players:
"First, every day at the hour of You (5-7 PM), incense must be offered before the altar, and the incense must not be interrupted;"
Second, during the funeral, everyone inside the house must wear plain clothes, and avoid the colors red, purple, and gold.
Third, one must not leave the room after midnight, regardless of what sounds one hears;
Fourth, the Clan Genealogy in the Ancestral Hall are only for members of the Shen clan to view; people of other surnames are not allowed to browse them.
Fifth, the Seventh Concubine suffers from hysteria; her words are unreliable.
6. The Ancient Well in the garden has been sealed off; do not approach it.
Seven, the funeral must be held for at least seven days; departures are not permitted beforehand.
"..." All the players present fell silent.
Xu Xi's hand, which was in her pocket, couldn't help but twitch.
This was the first time he had encountered Dungeon with such explicit rules.
The seven rules are all strange and restrictive.
Offering incense at the hour of You (5-7 PM) and ensuring the incense burns continuously means that players must visit the Ancestral Hall every day.
Red, purple, and gold were taboo colors, yet the Seventh Concubine had prepared purple clothes for them.
Not being allowed to go out at midnight is one thing, but what's with that rule in the Clan Genealogy? Does it mean there are some among them who aren't Master Shen's sons?
Furthermore, since Seventh Concubine suffers from hysteria, why would the household still allow her to manage the inner quarters?
The Ancient Well is off-limits, and funerals must be held for at least seven days...
Xu Xi hissed softly.
This Dungeon looks a bit complicated.