Hu Family's Foundation

"National Teacher, you're too kind..."

By this point, Hu Ma had no choice but to get down from the carriage.

The city guard welcomed the procession, the Ten Noble Families' descendants led the way, each family opened its gates, and the National Teacher personally took the reins.

Though he didn't know much about the rules these Noble Lords followed, he could tell they were deliberately honoring the Hu Family—and with perhaps excessive ceremony.

He could only jump down from the carriage, press down on the National Teacher's hand, and smile. "You've got it wrong."

"My father is behind us. There's a distinction between elders and juniors. I brought my father home, so I should lead the way at first. But once we reach our hometown, I should fall in behind the coffin."

"The National Teacher honors my Hu Family for our hardships and achievements. You shouldn't disrupt the proper order for a junior like me..."

"..."

As he spoke, he walked to the back of the coffin and raised a hand to support it. The carriage he'd been riding in was pulled aside.

The National Teacher looked a little surprised, but only smiled faintly before taking the reins of the carriage bearing the coffin.

Matters like funerals and weddings were often tangled up in all kinds of rules. They were called propriety, but in plain terms, they were also a kind of contest over who held the right to speak.

The young often didn't dare challenge their elders over such rituals. One would make a point, the other would respond; it was a battle of wits.

But after hearing Hu Ma out, the National Teacher had yielded a step in this contest.

Hu Ma then turned to the people by the city gate. Whether he knew them or not, he