Aftermath

Fang Ming returned to the intersection and heard the Yin Soldiers report that no one had gone out. After all, it was a stormy day, so who would go out now? Sending people to guard was just a precaution! Before long, Wang Liulang also came to report. Fang Ming was overjoyed, and looked back at Qingxi Township, saying, "Not long from now, we will be relocating here..."

This was because he had swept away the Power of Incense and Offerings accumulated in the Ancestral Hall for many years. Even if the villagers wanted to build an Altar, they would have to start from scratch and expend great effort. Moreover, with a newly established Altar, how much fortune could it protect? Zhang Huaizheng was already dead, and they couldn't find an Ancestral Spirit to worship for the time being.

The wandering souls and ghosts around the township must have seized the opportunity to make a move. Once Fang Ming recalled the Yin Soldiers back to the villages, the township would immediately descend into chaos. Besides worshipping the Earth God, would there be any other options?

His subordinates were momentarily unclear of his intentions but still congratulated him, "Congratulations, Lord!"

Fang Ming looked at his subordinates' respectful demeanor and thought of the smooth progress of this trip, and that the county's reactions were prepared. For a moment, he felt great joy. Looking into the distance, he muttered to himself, "It's just a little bit of wind and rain!"

Inside the Ancestral Hall, Zhang San was completely unaware of the major events that had occurred. With the torrential rain pouring down, naturally, no one came to offer sacrifices. He also stole half a day of leisure, bought some small wine and dishes, and drank alone in his room. Before long, he felt tipsy, stumbled back to his bed, and fell asleep. The moment the village was destroyed, he felt a panic, but the alcohol had taken hold, and before he sobered up, he lay there for a while longer. When Zhang Qingyun was killed, Zhang San had often worshipped him, and their thoughts were connected. At this moment, his heart was in turmoil, and he could no longer lie down. He didn't even put on his clothes, and with his chest half-bare, he rushed to the main hall.

One look was like a basin of cold water being poured over his head, and cold sweat streamed down his face. All his drunkenness vanished. He saw that in the center of the offering table, Zhang Qingyun's Ancestral Tablets were already cracked for the most part. As he entered, he created a gust of wind, and the tablets scattered completely, falling to the ground.

Zhang San's legs went weak. Having guarded the Ancestral Hall for many years, he knew what this meant. He stood there stunned for a long time, then finally jumped up. Ignoring the heavy rain outside, he stumbled towards the Zhang Family's mansion, repeatedly saying, "Disaster! Disaster..."

Upon arriving at the Zhang Family's mansion, he found it in utter chaos. Many people were entering and exiting the main gate without umbrellas, their faces etched with anxiety. He reported his purpose but received no response for a long time. Finally, he grabbed a familiar young servant and asked, "I have an urgent matter and wish to see the master. Why is there no response after such a long time?"

The young servant wiped the rain from his face. Seeing that it was the familiar Zhang San, he whispered, "What's the point of seeking an audience? The master is gone!" "Ah!" Zhang San was greatly shocked. He had only seen the master a few days ago; how could he be gone already?

The young servant glanced around, seeing that no one was paying attention, and continued, "I heard he suddenly fell ill and collapsed in the study, and never regained consciousness. Doctor Chen was just called, and he said it was a Heart Disease attack, and he had been dead for a long time..."

Zhang San was momentarily dazed but still said, "Then who is in charge? I want to see Madam!"

The young servant looked suspicious. Given the situation, seeking an audience was definitely for something important. He said, "Who else? Steward Zhang, of course! As for you, what is it? Tell me, and I can report it for you. If it's a small matter, then leave early. The mansion is in an uproar; who will care about you?"

Zhang San had no choice. He whispered a sentence into the young servant's ear. At first, the young servant didn't hear clearly and said, "What, what... Speak louder, it's raining so hard!"

After he repeated it twice, the young servant finally understood, and his face turned ashen. This wasn't the fear he had feigned earlier for others; it was genuine terror. He stammered, "Don't lie to me, this is... this is... a great calamity!"

Zhang San's face turned stern and he said, "Who would try to prank you at a time like this? Hurry up and report it!"

The young servant numbly responded and walked towards the house.

At this time, Zhang Huaizheng's bedroom was also in a state of disarray. The main wife, Madam Zhang, hugged her two young children, weeping uncontrollably. Several concubines gathered around, also crying. Steward Zhang, having finished his immediate tasks, looked at Madam Zhang in such a state and felt a headache coming on.

However, he still said, "Madam, please take care of yourself. There are countless matters inside and out that require Madam's guidance! Especially for the Young Master and Young Lady, they need Madam's care!"

Madam Zhang and Zhang Huaizheng had been betrothed since childhood. Although they couldn't be said to have had a perfect marriage, they were still a harmonious couple with some genuine affection. Therefore, she wept bitterly. Hearing this, she looked at the children in her arms, tears also flowing, and felt anxious. She steadied herself and stopped crying, comforting them, "Children, don't be afraid, Mother is here!"

With renewed spirit, her body straightened up, and some color returned to her face. Her gaze swept over, pausing particularly on the concubine with the young boy. The concubine trembled and cried even louder.

Madam Zhang said, "You all stay here with the master for now. Steward Zhang, come with me to the side hall!" She then took the two children and, along with Steward Zhang, went to the side hall. She asked, "What are the arrangements now?"

Steward Zhang saw that Madam had regained some of her former dignity and was secretly pleased. Stimulating her with the Young Master and Young Lady had indeed made her pull herself together. He said, "Madam, at this time, we must first prepare the master for burial, then procure Burial Supplies, set up the Mourning Hall, send out notices of death, and after the Grand Sacrifice, select a burial site and choose a date for interment."

A cold glint flashed across Madam Zhang's face, and she said coldly, "The master was always in good health and never had any chronic illnesses. You know this. Now that he has passed so strangely, yet you advocate for immediate burial. What are your intentions?" Her voice was laced with coldness.

Steward Zhang suddenly knelt down, his forehead hitting the ground until it was bruised. He said, "Madam! This old servant also knows that the master's passing was strange and that he may have been murdered. However, there is no concrete suspect at the moment. If we report this to the County Yamen, do you know what the consequences would be..."

Before Madam could ask, he continued, "If the county sends investigators and discovers that the master was murdered, the most likely culprits would be people from the Zhang Family. Then, they would arbitrarily imprison several people, and even Madam and the Young Master would be suspects!"

Seeing Madam's cold smile, he continued, "Of course, it's definitely not Madam or the Young Master who did it. But even if the county doesn't imprison anyone, they would still have to be summoned for questioning. Once summoned, everything would have to be handled with bribes. If the master were still here, it would be fine. But with the master gone, even with some connections in the county, it wouldn't be of much use. Moreover, the Zhang Family has prospered greatly under the master's management over the years; aren't there people in the county who are envious?"

As he spoke, Madam Zhang became thoughtful. Steward Zhang's voice seemed to carry a chill: "The master has made some enemies over the years. It's hard to guarantee that someone won't make a move when the Zhang Family is left with only a widow and orphans. If we encounter a ruthless County Magistrate, who sentences members of the Zhang Family for murdering the Patriarch and confiscates the family property, that would be Family Ruin! Although the County Magistrate, Wei Zhun, has a decent reputation, we cannot be too careful..."

Steward Zhang said, "Therefore, this matter cannot be reported to the authorities. We must privately invite someone to investigate. This old servant swears that I will uncover the truth and avenge the master!" He kowtowed again, the sound echoing.

Madam Zhang pondered for a moment, and her voice softened. She said, "I have misunderstood you before. You may rise!"

Steward Zhang thanked her and stood up. He continued, "Besides this matter, there is another most important thing, and that is the master's position as Township Chief! This is the foundation of the Zhang Family."

Madam Zhang was startled and asked, "Doesn't Yun'er hold that position? Is someone else coveting it?"

Steward Zhang gave a wry smile and said, "The Young Master is only eleven years old. According to ancient customs, he will come of age at fifteen, which is still four years away. This position of Township Chief cannot be left vacant. There are many members of the Zhang clan!"

Madam Zhang gritted her teeth and said, "Can't we try to lobby the county? Spend more money to let Yun'er succeed him. At worst, I can manage it for him in the meantime!"...

Steward Zhang's wry smile deepened. "Although the Township Chief is only a Clerk, he manages a whole township, and his responsibilities are significant. If it weren't for the Great Ancestor fearing that the officials would be too powerful and the county would lose control, it would have been promoted further. Such an important position, how could the current Young Master possibly hold it? Aren't you afraid of the previous incident with the He Family's Clerk of Records? As for Madam managing it, to speak disrespectfully, this is not the Imperial Throne; there are no rules for a Regency of the Empress Dowager..."

Madam Zhang was shocked, realizing her impulsiveness. She said, "What do you think should be done?"

Steward Zhang lowered his head to think, then looked up with an idea. "We still need to spend silver, but not to seek the Young Master's succession. Instead, we need a promise that the new Township Chief will only manage it temporarily, and it will be returned to the Young Master when he comes of age. It would be best to draw up a document for this."

Of course, neither Madam Zhang nor the steward intended to let go of what they had gained. However, with this promise, they would have legitimacy and righteousness, and it would be easier to contend for this position in the future, causing much less trouble.

Madam Zhang nodded, suddenly feeling a bit tired, but she forced herself to say, "You are right, let's do it this way..."

Just as she was about to say something else, a young servant came in, half-rolling and half-crawling, muttering, "Disaster! Disaster..."

Steward Zhang frowned and was about to kick him out. He didn't expect the servant to see Madam and the steward and rush forward, kneeling on the ground, stammering, "Madam, it's... it's not good, disaster... is here..." Steward Zhang stepped forward and kicked him, scolding, "You blind fool, what could be more important than the master's affairs? Get out!"

The servant was kicked but spoke more fluently, though his face was still pale. He said, "Madam, Steward, Zhang San, who guards the Ancestral Hall, reports that the Ancestral Tablets of our ancestor Zhang Qingyun have inexplicably shattered. I fear... I fear something terrible has happened..."

"What?" Madam Zhang was greatly shocked, feeling as if she might faint. She rubbed the acupoint below her nose fiercely to regain her strength and said, "You... say that again..."

The servant kowtowed and said, "The Ancestral Tablets of our ancestor Zhang Qingyun... are gone... Zhang San is outside. Madam can ask him!"

"I... I want to see for myself..." Madam Zhang struggled to stand up. The steward, who had been stunned, also came to his senses. He quickly called for several maids to help her, sent someone to hold an umbrella, and went to the main gate. Zhang San knelt down and reported tearfully, "It was fine yesterday. Who knew that when I went to look just now, it... it shattered."

Madam Zhang had no time to listen. Supported by the steward, she went to the Ancestral Hall. Upon entering the main hall, she saw the Ancestral Tablets in the center shattered on the floor. Her vision went black, and she fainted.