Chapter 3, The Corpse Dining

Master, will my child not die?

It seems impossible just to think about it

My mother responded affirmatively and was about to walk in, but was quickly stopped by the steward, "You cannot go in; let him go."

Hmm, I know you are waiting for me outside. Lao Si, go and call Duan Gong over.

I am holding my breath; my courage is actually not small at all. However, when faced with matters concerning the deceased, I still feel quite anxious.

The master said to have my mother prepare a good meal for dinner tonight

My mother looked puzzled after listening, and at that moment, she still appeared to be in a state of trepidation.

Duan Gong walked ahead, and upon seeing this, I followed behind.

My heart is racing, as if it is about to leap out at any moment

I paused for a moment, then closed the door.

I took the sheets off the bed and placed them on the floor, where grandfather's body lay peacefully.

Duan Gong said with a serious expression

I heard what Duan Gong said, and without delay, I quickly lit three sticks of incense again

Uncle, grandfather is in my room

My mother stood beside me, waiting for about half an hour, when my father and Duan Gong returned

We were all astonished as we looked at Duan Gong, our eyes filled with questions

I was taken aback after hearing that, somewhat unable to regain my composure. Is my grandfather hungry

My uncle entered the room, took a glance, and then walked out. He let out a long sigh and closed the door.

I am increasingly uncertain in my heart

Duan Gong asked me to close the door, but not completely; just leave a crack open

The terminal opening is stated.

If anyone encounters some matters that I cannot handle, they all need to summon the official.

This ... ...

After I went out, my uncle asked me, "Xiao Yang, how is the situation?"

As soon as Duan Gong entered the room, his gaze fell upon me, and those eyes were like a sharp blade, seemingly piercing through my innermost thoughts. "Young man, you have a fierce appearance, your life palace is flawed, and there is also a scar in your illness palace. I fear your life may not be long."

The voice of the gentleman echoed in my ears

Go take a look, and if your grandfather is full, let me know

I see that Lord Duan is of advanced age and is not as agile as before

Upon returning indoors, I will set the rice down properly.

I : `` ... ... ''

Thank you, Lord Duan

My uncle looked at Duan Gong with a surprised expression, but in the face of Duan Gong's orders, my uncle and the others did not dare to disobey

Master Duan, I beg you...

Once the child’s grandfather has eaten his fill, he can be sent on his way

My mother is about to kneel again, and Duan Gong, seeing this, supports my mother.

I took a deep breath, and it seemed like about two hours had passed

A-Lian, do not make this matter public for now. If Er and San find out, it will definitely cause a huge uproar.

He hurriedly ran out again

It did not take long at all, and soon they came forward to help my grandfather down.

I listened to Duan Gong's words and anxiously waited outside. Around 9 o'clock in the evening, my father and uncle returned, and both informed me that Duan Gong had prepared everything.

What Uncle did not expect was that as soon as he finished speaking, the voice of the elder immediately followed: "Let the child come over, you all wait outside."

I nodded

Duan Gong spoke softly and quietly

After Master Duan finished speaking, he did not care whether I agreed or not, and just began to take action

Suddenly, there was a commotion inside the house, and my uncle and the others quickly reacted

My mother couldn't hold on any longer and fell to her knees with a thud

Elder brother, we are aware

Duan Gong, however, appeared calm and composed, without responding

Do not be afraid, this is your grandfather, your grandfather would never harm you, come over and lend a hand to help put your grandfather down

My mother also woke up at this moment, looking very anxious.

I responded promptly, ran outside, and quickly brought back three incense sticks. The three incense sticks were lit and burned at a visibly rapid pace.

The gentleman appears to be around sixty years old, emaciated, with wrinkles on his face piled up like mountains

I also have no idea what upside-down rice is

A gust of cold wind blew in from outside, causing the light bulb in the room to sway in all directions. The dim yellow light cast down, inadvertently adding a touch of terror to the atmosphere.

Good

Uncle asked Duan Gong, "What should we do next?"

The expression on Duan Gong's face instantly became serious, and then he spoke: "You go prepare three sticks of incense."

I was sweating profusely, and I asked Duan Gong, "Duan Gong, what is going on?"

I feel that Duan Gong might be starting to talk nonsense; how could a corpse possibly eat?

Place the rice indoors

I absentmindedly nodded and replied, "It's nothing, Uncle."

Upon entering the room, Mr. Duan asked me to close the door.

You get up, I will definitely do my best

Go offer three sticks of incense to your grandfather

In the evening, my mother prepared the rice, and then I followed the instructions given by the elder.

Uncle looked at me and said: "Xiao Yang, wait here."

Uncle was exceptionally shocked and wanted to step forward to take a look, but was stopped by the elder. The elder glanced at me and then said: "You go."

This time is the same as the previous one

However, this time it hasn't even been ten minutes, which makes me feel quite anxious

As soon as Mr. Duan entered the room, he uttered such a statement that instantly astonished several people inside the room

I will go inside the house to take a look

At this moment, Duan Gong also stepped out and said: "The overturned rice refers to the freshest rice, served in one bowl and then inverted and placed into another bowl. Humans eat fresh rice, while ghosts eat overturned rice"

Time passes in seconds and minutes, and before you know it, evening has arrived

My father responded, "Alright."

I suppressed the fear within me and forced myself to move forward. The room was dimly lit, and I could only rely on the moonlight coming in from outside to see the situation inside clearly

Master Duan, what has happened? Has something occurred inside the house?

What is upside-down rice

The officiant in our area is specifically responsible for handling such peculiar matters, and it is customary to invite the officiant to preside over funerals

Duan Gong pondered for a moment without continuing, and my mother was immediately frightened to the point of being unable to function

Child, come here

Child, are you afraid

My father and my uncle went to prepare a sedan chair, though it is not exactly a sedan chair; it is simply a frame placed between two bamboo poles

However, it does not matter if one does not look, but once one does, one's heart immediately leaps to the throat

And I stood by without saying anything, yet I still felt a sense of worry and fear in my heart

The gentleman called out to me, and I walked towards him

What!

Duan Gong made a gesture for silence, then spoke in a hushed tone: "It should be the child's grandfather who moved, barring any unforeseen circumstances"

My hands and feet are currently cold, and I feel quite stiff, making movement difficult.

It is of no use for you to plead with me; whether your child can survive depends on tonight. As for me, I will certainly do my utmost.

Can one still feel hunger after death

Upon hearing that I was about to die, I immediately begged Duan Gong, with tears and snot, saying: "Duan Gong, you must save my son."

The speed at which a stick of incense burns should reasonably take at least one hour

Your grandfather may be hungry, and when evening comes, you must see him off on his final journey. Have your mother prepare a meal for him.