In the courtyard at the western end of Yuanjiang County's town, Xiao Yuzhi was not the only one attending to the Old Instructor's funeral arrangements. Several men from the County Office were helping too, and Stoneborn was running about lending a hand.
It was already well past noon when Yi Shuyuan, who had disappeared from everyone's sight for a while, returned with some simple food he had bought outside.
Xiao Yuzhi spent the entire day in something of a daze. Only as evening approached did the mourning hall gradually grow quiet.
The old comrades from the office all had families, and staying for a funeral vigil carried certain taboos for anyone who was not kin. By dusk, most of them began taking their leave.
"Yuzhi, I'll be going now!" "Yuzhi, I'll come back first thing tomorrow!"
"Ah, thank you all!"
"Why don't I stay too?"
Some of the constables said their farewells, while others steeled themselves to stay for the night vigil.
"Don't worry, I'm here. You should all go home. If you stay, your elders and wives will surely have something to say about it."
"Come on, let's go. Mr. Yi is here." "Right, Mr. Yi is here."
"Then I'll come early tomorrow!"
"All right!"
After saying their goodbyes, the men from the office left one after another. Only Xiao Yuzhi, Yi Shuyuan, and his disciple Stoneborn remained in the little courtyard.
"Mr. Yi, you really don't need to stay either. I know you're a local too. Keeping vigil at someone else's funeral still goes against the taboos..."
"It's fine. I don't mind such things. Besides, my home is a long way from here. Surely you wouldn't make me hurry back in the middle of the night?"
Xiao Yuzhi looked at Yi Shuyuan and nodded.
"All right, let's make