Chapter 689 - 688 Worship
Because it was just past the New Year, the mound was still adorned with a scroll of Buddhist sutras and burnt yellow paper, clearly the work of the monastery’s monks.
Whereas many of the surrounding graves were left cold and empty without anything in front of them.
Such stark contrast likely came from Song Hong’s instructions.
The Reception Monk led people to the place and, to avoid suspicion, took his leave.
In silence, the two of them knelt before the grave, setting up rice, meat, and a few kinds of fruit.
They then inserted incense sticks and kowtowed nine times with loud thumps before Song Chongjin said, "Mother, your unfilial son has brought his wife to see you! These years, you must have suffered down below! Now that your son knows of your resting place, he will surely not let you suffer any longer!"
Wang Yongzhu accompanied him with nine bows, and while taking out the joss paper and yellow paper to burn, she lit them with a flint, burning them one by one, and said, "Grandmother, I’m Wang Yongzhu, your daughter-in-law! Rest assured, I’ll take good care of your son from now on!"
Song Chongjin knelt in front of the grave, unable to imagine what the person lying beneath looked like, what she liked, how she smiled, and what was on her mind before her last breath.
What feelings she had borne while giving life to him, and with what regrets had she closed her eyes?
All of this, along with her death, was buried underground, never to be known again.
If she did have consciousness beyond the grave, would she have also guarded by his side in the dead of night? Had she ever seen him being bullied and deceived, shedding tears in heartache? Did she ever regret having been with Song Hong?