Chapter 47: The Whole City Sends Off the Funeral

  １

  In the front hall of the Lu Family Compound, a coffin was placed prominently in the center.

  The coffin is roughly made, with clear marks of axe chopping and saw cutting; no paint, showing the original color of the wood; and the depth of each wooden board is also different, proving that their ages are also different. But upon closer inspection, the wood is all high-quality walnut, and some boards still clearly show the characters "Lu Jia Liang Pu" in relief.

  Looking at Rui Xuan's puzzled face, Xiao Lin explained: "Xia Er's matter was too sudden, and now it's chaotic, we can't find so many wooden materials for the time being, nor can we find a carpenter. I remembered that the signboards of 'Lu Jia Liang Pu' were made of walnut wood carvings, so I let the partners take down all the signboards from the grain stores in the city, and I myself and several partners rushed to make them overnight, although they are a bit rough, but we have done our best."

  Rui Xuan looked at Xiao Lin with gratitude. As the hostess, she knew that every signboard of the grain store was a carefully established brand by the Lu family, and behind each signboard was a legendary story that the Lu family was willing to defend with their lives. Today, Xiao Lin did this to make Mei Xia leave with dignity, making Rui Xuan feel at ease.

  "Come on, brother Lu, let's send our bride into the 'bridal chamber' together!"

  "Wait a minute", He Lao Shen Yi walked out of the crowd, "Let me first prepare the bedding for the 'new bride'".

  Two apprentices carried over a full load of bamboo charcoal. He Lao Shen Yi took the bamboo charcoal from the apprentices, neatly arranged them at the bottom of the coffin, and covered it with a thick layer.

  After He Lao finished his busy work, Rui Xuan and Xiao Lin stood up together, stretched out their arms, carefully lifted Mei Xia from the flower bed, Mei Xia's beautiful but stiff body slowly slid down in their hands, slowly moving towards her "bridal chamber".

  Compared to the luxurious "house" given by Old Master Mei to Rui Hui, the temporary "bridal chamber" built by Mei Xia looks small and rough on the outside. But every single wooden board is a genuine product of Lu's honest business, the essence of Lu's century-old shop, and also the best gift from Lu to his new daughter-in-law.

  Staring at Mei Xia who was sleeping peacefully in her arms, thinking about the cruel torture she had suffered at such a young age, Rui Xuan's lips were tightly pursed and her arm trembled violently. Mei Xia's body had already completely entered the "bridal chamber". Gazing at the child who would soon be forever separated from her, Rui Xuan couldn't bear to let go of Mei Xia anymore! Rui Xuan's eyes were bloodshot, but there were no tears of pain, because they had all been cried out. Now, all that was left to flow was the blood of anger!

  "Rui Xuan, the people outside the city are waiting!" Xiao Lin reminded her, and Rui Xuan slowly let go, looking at Mei Hua lying safely in the "new house" built on the hundred-year foundation of the Lu family. Sadness, sourness, and reluctance all came together to overwhelm her, and she collapsed to the ground, exhausted and drained!

  Xiaoling immediately went over to help her up and loudly called for the housekeeper: "Runing, quickly bring some ginseng soup!"

  Ginseng was sent by He Lao's apprentice last night. During the day, He Lao already felt that Rui Xuan's qi and blood were both deficient, and her spirit was insufficient. To prevent any accidents, he specially took out a precious ginseng from his collection and had his apprentice send it to the Lu residence, instructing him to decoct it into "Single Ginseng Soup" overnight.

  But Rui Xuan's eyes were tightly closed, her teeth clenched, and the precious ginseng soup flowed slowly out of her mouth, but no matter how hard they tried, it couldn't be poured in. Xiao Lin hugged Rui Xuan, calling out to her in a urgent and anxious voice that made one's heart skip a beat.

  He Lao walked over, took Rui Xuan's jade hand, and felt her pulse. After a moment of contemplation, "Madam, your qi and blood have not been harmonious for the past two days, and you've just had a sudden attack of heart fire. Your pulse is extremely chaotic, and your body is extremely weak. Fortunately, your innate foundation is very good. I'll insert a few needles at your 'Laogong', 'Neiguan', and 'Ji Quan' points to unblock the Heart Package Channel, and you should be fine."

  Xiao Lin gratefully said: "Thanks for your trouble, great doctor!"

  Three thin silver needles went down, Rui Xuan's body shook slightly, and she let out a soft **.

  Rui Xuan woke up! Xiao Lin was overjoyed, and hastily fed her the ginseng soup. Rui Xuan slowly opened her eyes, and Xiao Lin quickly nodded to his partners who had been waiting on the side. His partners understood, and the coffin lid slowly closed, with the last ray of sunlight disappearing from Mei Xia's beautiful face.

  "Duzhancan Tang" took effect immediately, and Rui Xuan suddenly felt a bit of energy. Seeing so many people waiting around, Rui Xuan felt uneasy and struggled to get up from Xiaolin's arms, shook off the cloak, wiped away the red flowers on her temples, grabbed a handful of paper money from the basket at the door and scattered it into the air, shouting in a hoarse voice with a sob: "The funeral procession is leaving!"

  Rui Hui's coffin was in the front, Mei Xia's coffin was behind, followed by Uncle Mei San, Lu's couple, and more and more Leijiang villagers.

  The queue was very long with many people, but it was also very quiet, so quiet that you could hear the sound of paper money fluttering to the ground.

  They soon arrived at the city gate, but the procession could no longer move forward.

  Rui Xuan and his wife's hearts tightened, knowing that the devils were blocking their way out of the city! Mei Cheng's worry was not unreasonable.

  Rui Xuan walked forward, indignantly asking: "Why won't you let us leave the city? My loved ones have all been brutally killed by you, can't we even hold a funeral?"

  "Do you have Inukawa Ta's exit permit!" A ghost-like leader spoke in stiff Chinese.

  "No!" Rui Xuan sneered.

  "Without Lord Inukawa's written order, you are not allowed to leave the city!" The leader of the oni glared at him immediately.

  "You Japanese won't even let the dead go, will you? You're even blocking the funeral procession! Do you still have a shred of humanity left?! Get out of my way!" Rui Xuan wanted to rush forward and move away the horses that were blocking the entrance.

  "Swish! Swish!"

  In an instant, two gleaming bayonets were pressed against Rui Xuan's chest. Two ferocious and sinister devils with guns rushed over, staring at her viciously.

  Rui Xuan raised her head, her eyes filled with bloodshot gaze fixed intently on the evil eyes of the ghost child, not retreating in the slightest.

  Xiaolin hastily squeezed in and stood shoulder to shoulder with Rui Xuan.

  "Slash! Slash! Slash!" More bayonets closed in.

  Rui Xuan grasped Xiao Lin's hand tightly: "Lu Ge, it seems that today we will send ourselves to the grave together!"

  Xiaolin tightly hugged Rui Xuan's shoulders, "Xuan Mei, don't be afraid, no matter where we go, I will always be with you! Even if we die, we'll die together!"

  "I'll die with you all!" Mei San Shu Gun grasped his cane and slowly walked up.

  He Lao Shen Yi walked up;

  Mei Cheng and Mei Xia walked up together.

  The seven clan leaders walked up together.

  More and more people came up.

  The crowd tightly protected Rui Xun in the center.

  A Japanese sergeant was making a phone call in the sentry box, seemingly reporting to his superior.

  After a while, he came out and whispered a few words to the translator.

  Inukawa Ta said: "The Imperial Army, based on the principle of 'Sino-Japanese friendship', magnanimously allowed the coffin to leave the city, but the funeral procession was not allowed to go out!"

  Everyone was motionless.

  "Beep! Beep!" A shrill alarm whistle blew from the city wall, and a row of devils on the city head shouted orders, running quickly. Two Type 92 heavy machine guns were set up, with ammunition belts already connected, their bloody mouths wide open, pointing at the white-clad crowd below the city wall.

  The crowd at the bottom of the building also clenched their fists. The tragic death of Ruihui and her daughter ignited the bloodthirsty nature in the hearts of the people of Leijiang, as well as their deep-seated hatred for the Japanese invaders. Every man in Leijiang made up his mind that this time, they would not let the gentle women sacrifice themselves again; if necessary, they would fight to the death with the devils!

  The air seemed to have solidified.