HCB Chapter 232 Recognizing Ancestors and Returning to One's Origin
Chapter 232 Recognizing Ancestors and Returning to One's Origin
Song Jiaojiao, who was having a great time, had no idea that someone was eagerly waiting for her outside the General's Mansion.
The Right Chancellor waited until the day when Wang Hefan and his kin were recognized and returned to their ancestral home.
"Jiaojiao, tomorrow is the day we'll be registered in the family genealogy." Wang Chi was overjoyed at the thought that Song Jiaojiao would soon become his wife on the family register, a commitment that would never change.
“Let’s make this clear first. Although I agreed to be included in the family genealogy, you know it was out of necessity. The Emperor knows about our situation, and unless there’s a major disaster, it will be difficult to separate us.”
Song Jiaojiao said seriously, "If we're not going to separate, then we're not going to separate. If Wang Chi treats her badly, we can just move to another place."
"Jiaojiao, don't worry, I will never let you down," Wang Chi said, holding Song Jiaojiao's hand.
Since Jiaojiao didn't push him away this time, did that mean she agreed? Could he then go to bed with her? Although he would hold her while she slept at night after she fell asleep and leave before she woke up in the morning, it was all done openly. Who would want to do it secretly?
"Jiaojiao, look, I've been sleeping on this soft couch for so long, can't I..."
“Yes, it’s time to go to bed!” Song Jiaojiao said with a smile.
"Really?!" Wang Chi was pleasantly surprised, not expecting Song Jiaojiao to agree so readily.
"Then starting tonight, you sleep on the bed, and I'll sleep on the tatami mat!" As soon as Song Jiaojiao said this, Wang Chi's upturned lips instantly fell down.
"Hehe, I still prefer to sleep on the soft couch. The soft couch is nice, I'm used to sleeping on it." Wang Chi said with his head drooping. In the dead of winter, he couldn't afford to be coquettish and cold.
Song Jiaojiao's face showed no change in expression, but she was secretly laughing inside.
The fourth day of the first lunar month is an auspicious day, and the General's Mansion was bustling with activity from early morning.
"Are the offerings ready? Today is the day the young master is recognizing his ancestors, so there can't be the slightest mistake," the General's Mansion Steward Wang asked loudly.
The servant nodded hurriedly. The master was very happy today. The eldest young master had been missing for so many years, but he never expected to be found again. Most importantly, the eldest young master is a general, just like the master. Now he can hold his head high when he goes out, and he no longer has to worry about outsiders saying that the general's mansion has no successor.
"General Zhenbei, congratulations!" the guests greeted Wang Yan.
"Haha, congratulations to you too!!!" Wang Yan was very happy today. After bending over for so many years, he could finally straighten up today.
It's not that Wang Ziyi is bad at business. Wang Yan understands that his youngest son's business is mainly for his own sake and for the soldiers who cannot go to the battlefield.
At this moment, Steward Wang quickly stepped forward and whispered in Wang Yan's ear, "Master, the Right Prime Minister has arrived."
Wang Yan was very surprised. These military generals had never gotten along with civil officials. In addition, he and the Right Chancellor Song Yi were only nodding acquaintances. He had been on the frontier for many years and had hardly ever met him.
He suddenly thought of Song Jiaojiao. Could it really be what he thought? In any case, guests are guests, and there is no reason to turn them away on such a joyous day.
"Please come in quickly!"
The butler had to leave.
"General Zhenbei, congratulations! After so many years, the clouds have finally parted." Song Yi greeted Wang Yan with a smile.
"Congratulations, congratulations! It's rare for the Prime Minister to visit. Please have a seat."
Wang Yan greeted them with a smile, and the two politely deferred to each other.
Song Jiaojiao and the others did not go to the front hall to greet them, but instead prepared the items for the ancestral worship ceremony in the backyard.
Since it's a big event, it naturally needs to be done in a grand manner. Inviting witnesses is also to help people get to know each other and avoid any unexpected problems later.
At 9:00 AM, Song Jiaojiao and her entourage arrived at the ancestral hall with the servants. Wang Yan had moved the ancestral hall to Shangjing after becoming a general.
After lighting incense and candles and placing offerings, Wang Yan and his wife first offered incense to their ancestors.
"The second generation of Wang Yan, along with his wife, pays respects to the ancestors. Today, we have invited you out so that my son Wang Chi and his wife and children can recognize their ancestors and return to their roots. We hope that the ancestors will bless them."
After Wang Yan and his group finished, Song Jiaojiao and her group offered incense and paid their respects.
After the worship, Wang Yan opened the family genealogy and added Song Jiaojiao and the others to it. Only then was the recognition of ancestors completed.
Then, with everyone as witnesses, the change of address was made, and the ceremony was officially completed.
Since there were no other relatives in the General's Mansion, Song Jiaojiao and the others only needed to serve tea to Wang Yan and his wife.
"Father, your unfilial son Wang Chi has come to pay his respects with my wife." After kowtowing, Wang Chi took the hot tea from the servant's hand.
"Father, please have some tea. Mother, please have some tea." The two respectfully offered teacups.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Madam Chengen smiled and said, "Good, good, good."
After finishing their tea, he quickly helped them up, saying, "Good children, get up quickly."
Thankfully, she didn't give up over the years, and heaven finally smiled upon her, allowing her to reunite with her son.
Wang Ziyi watched his parents weep with joy. He had known since he was a child that he had an older brother. His mother often secretly wiped away tears when he was young, and he understood his parents' heartache. That's why he had worked so hard to open shops and build security escort agencies all these years, one of the reasons being to find his older brother.
At the guest table, Right Chancellor Song Yi finally got a clear look at Song Jiaojiao's face. It was evening at the time of the palace banquet, and the visibility was poor, so he could only see a blurry figure.
Seeing it today, I can finally see clearly that Song Jiaojiao looks exactly like his wife when she was young, and their ages match up.
He remembered that he had specially commissioned a jade pendant for his daughter, which had the character "娇" (jiao, meaning delicate or pampered) on it. At that time, he was determined to present all the good things in the world to her and only wanted to pamper his daughter.
Song Yi was so excited that he couldn't wait to go forward, but the lively sounds around him brought him back to reality. Now was not the time; he would wait until tomorrow to make his official visit.
With the host and guests all satisfied, the ancestral worship banquet came to a perfect end.
At night, Mu Qing and Mu Xue came to Song Jiaojiao's courtyard.
"Mother, will we be living permanently in the General's Mansion from now on?"
Mu Qing asked, indicating that she had many things to do and did not want to stay here for long.
"I have to leave on the tenth day. You forgot? Yunshui Town is my fiefdom now, and I have to go back to take over."
If you don't want to stay here, you can leave with your mother and come back near the end of the year, or you can bring your grandparents to live with us.
With a lot of things to do at home, Song Jiaojiao plans to rebuild the courtyard when she goes back, so that there will be a place for guests to stay.
"Mother, I'll go back with you. It's not fun here." Mu Xue quickly replied. Being locked in the courtyard every day, and having a bunch of maids watching over her when she went out, Mu Xue was not used to this kind of life.
"Okay, what about Mu Qing?" Song Jiaojiao looked at the graceful young woman in front of her. Mu Qing must be sixteen this year. She wondered which young man would be her lucky one in the future.
"Mom, I want to go with Uncle to take a look." Wang Ziyi plans to open a hot pot restaurant and a food stall in a neighboring country this year. Mu Qing was very eager to go after hearing about it. If she went by herself, her mother might not agree.
But if I follow my uncle, there might still be a chance.
“Okay, I have no objection, but you should discuss anything with Ziyi and report home every two weeks to let us know you’re safe,” Song Jiaojiao said with a smile.