From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

On the third day of the twelfth lunar month, Gu Chengze's funeral was held!

Preparations began a few days ago, and I didn't sleep a wink last night. When the auspicious hour arrived, almost all the high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the city came to attend the funeral, along with the family members of the Marquis of Jing'an. The procession stretched for miles!

The road-clearing deity led the way, followed by the memorial banner, with paper money falling like snowflakes. Upon reaching the main street, relatives and friends set up tents for roadside worship. Those of lower status could simply express their gratitude through collateral relatives or nephews, but those of higher status, such as the families of several dukes and marquises who were also founding heroes, required Gu Tingshu to personally offer his thanks.

As the "general manager," Chen Shi followed along, running errands and arranging all sorts of matters, as well as taking care of the accompanying ladies, grandmothers, young masters, and young ladies, without daring to make the slightest mistake.

It wasn't until nearly noon that the group finally managed to leave the city.

From now on, everything can be done according to the rules. Although it is troublesome, there are rules to follow, so there is no major trouble.

After another half day, Gu Chengze was buried in the Gu family ancestral cemetery, finally finding peace in the afterlife.

The master, madam, and some other guests of higher status returned to the city before nightfall. Xiao Fengxiao and his group, along with some ordinary guests, stayed overnight outside the city, a practice known as "accompanying the guests."

These people included both men and women, as well as people of different social statuses, making accommodation arrangements extremely complicated.

Fortunately, a few days earlier, Chen Shi and Zhou Bingzhi had already begun to deal with the matter, preparing several nearby farmhouses as places to stay for the night.

Although it was inevitably simple, since it was a "companionship accommodation," it wasn't appropriate to be too picky, and no one said anything.

Xiao Fengxiao, however, claimed to be unwell and did not stay at the farm with the others. Instead, she instructed someone to inform Jixiang Nunnery to prepare a quiet room for her to rest in.

Jixiang Temple is not far from the Gu family ancestral cemetery. The Gu family often comes to offer incense and donate money for incense oil, so they are quite familiar with it.

As night fell, after checking that all his family members and guests had been settled, and instructing his servants to take good care of them and his guards to patrol the area thoroughly, Chen Shi went alone to Jixiang Nunnery.

"Greetings, Steward Chen."

Upon hearing that Chen Shi had arrived, the abbess of Jixiang Nunnery, the old nun Jingyan, hurriedly went to greet him.

"You flatter me, nun. I am not the steward."

Chen Shi returned the greeting with his hands clasped together and a smile, saying something.

"It's only a matter of time."

The old nun Jingyan smiled broadly and spoke with great confidence.

"The Marquis was assassinated by thieves, and you carried him back. Who can compare to such a life-saving grace? The Marquis has entrusted you with such an important matter as the Second Master's funeral, which clearly indicates his intention to promote you. It is estimated that you will be officially appointed as the chief steward in just a few days."

"Hehe, the nun is in the nunnery, yet she knows the Marquis's residence inside and out. I admire her."

"Manager Chen is joking. I only learned a little bit about it by chance from a fellow worshipper."

"Alright, enough joking with the nun. I've come here on serious business."

"Oh, Second Madam has been arranged to stay in the west wing. Everything she has is brand new. The nunnery has also prepared vegetarian dishes and rice porridge to send over. I suppose some of it has been delivered. Also..."

"I'll naturally make sure Second Madam is settled in, but I have other matters to attend to."

Chen Shi waved his hand to interrupt the old nun Jingyan and placed the bundle he was carrying on the table.

Upon opening it, there was only a memorial tablet inside, but no inscription.

"This is……"

Looking at the blank memorial tablet, the old nun Jingyan looked puzzled and turned to Chen Shi.

"Don't ask or inquire. Just take good care of this memorial tablet."

Chen Shi gave some instructions, his expression serious.

Just last night, the second wife called him over, gave him this memorial tablet, and told him to take it to Jixiang Temple for worship.

As for whose memorial tablet it was, the second wife did not say.

But Chen Shi surmised that it should be Sun Bingyi.

After Sun Bingyi died, Gu Tingshu ordered his body to be abandoned in the wilderness, to be torn apart and devoured by wolves and falcons! His bones were scattered across the fields, to be trampled by millions!

Although Jin Bingren, Zhou Bingzhi, and Sun Bingyi were sworn brothers, they dared not collect the body without permission, nor did they dare to say a word.

After all, Sun Bingyi not only wanted to kill Gu Chengze, but Gu Chengze's death was partly Sun Bingyi's fault. Most importantly, he almost poisoned Gu Tingshu!

Gu Tingshu's decision not to hold a grudge against Jin and Zhou was already a testament to his magnanimity.

To Chen Shi's surprise, the second wife was actually quite kind and righteous to Sun Bingyi, secretly offering him a lotus tablet for his passing.

Chen Shi then realized that the reason why his subordinates had disobeyed him and why, apart from Xiao Fengxiao, the Second Madam had personally stepped in to support him was probably because of this.

Although Gu Chengze is dead and Chen Shi no longer needs the Second Madam as a backer, it's never a bad thing to have another powerful ally like her.

"This humble nun understands."

The old nun Jingyan smiled and said nothing more.

After all, there are all sorts of sordid things happening in the inner quarters of noble families, and sometimes it's better not to know.

"Ruru".

He called out from outside the door, summoning in a pretty young nun who looked about sixteen or seventeen.

"This is my apprentice. Don't underestimate her because of her young age. She has already mastered the true essence of Buddhism. You can rest assured that she will make the arrangements."

After speaking with Chen Shi, the old nun Jingyan gave Ruru a series of instructions.

The young nun didn't speak, she just nodded.

After listening, he picked up the memorial tablet and walked towards the back hall.

"I'll go with them."

Chen Shi dared not neglect the first task given by the second wife, and after saying a word, he quickly followed.

"This humble nun still needs to pay her respects to the Second Madam, so I won't be going with you."

The old nun Jingyan smiled and said something before leaving alone.

Chen Shi waved his hand, ignoring him.

Following the little nun Ruru, we passed through the main hall and finally arrived at a side hall.

The central figure is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, flanked by two attendants, the monks Min Gong and Dao Ming. The surrounding walls are also painted with the twelve Yaksha generals, Dharma protectors, and depictions of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

On either side of the long altars were placed memorial tablets for the deceased. Ruru glanced at them, then stepped onto the altars and moved the other tablets on the top shelf to make room for the blank tablet.

Chen Shi stared wide-eyed at the scene. This little nun didn't seem to respect the deceased.

After placing the items, the young nun Ruru lit the everlasting lamp, offered incense and candles, and then recited a passage of scripture.

I have no idea what she was saying, she just mumbled a dozen or so sentences, then clapped her hands and that was it.

"That's it?"

Chen Shi blinked and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

That's such a sham.

Moreover, it was happening right in front of him. If he hadn't come, this little nun probably wouldn't have bothered to even try to fool him.

"Isn't this a bit too hasty?"

Seeing that Ruru was about to leave, Chen Shi couldn't help but stop her.

"Haste? What do you know? Sincerity is the key. Everything else is just a formality for the living."

Ru Ru gave a light snort, her face showing disdain.

"I don't understand Buddhism, but I know that the Marquis's mansion gives your nunnery at least several thousand taels of silver a year for incense offerings."

Chen Shi smiled and looked at the little nun with great interest.

"Without this silver, you nuns would all go hungry, so what's the point of talking about Buddhism?"

"The money ended up in my master's pocket, not mine, so you have no right to tell me!"

Ru Ru gave a light hum and ran past Chen Shi.

When they reached the palace gate, they suddenly stopped, poked their eyes out, stuck out their tongues, and made a face at Chen Shi.

"You don't focus on your own cultivation, you're always thinking about money and women, and you still have the nerve to lecture me!"

After saying that, he ran away without looking back.

Chen Shi looked surprised, then couldn't help but chuckle. This little nun is quite interesting.

However, he didn't think much of it. After finishing his business, he told someone to inform the old nun Jingyan and then left Jixiang Nunnery directly.

But he didn't go far. When midnight came, when all was quiet, he secretly jumped over the wall and came back in.

Xiao Fengxiao is still waiting for him.