A Perfect Day to Visit the Grave
A Perfect Day to Visit the Grave
There is a simple way to tell if the world is functioning properly or heading for ruin.
You do something obviously right in front of many people.
If it earns you appropriate praise and reward, the world is probably running properly.
But on the other hand,
if doing good brings you only penalties and punishment, then that world has a high probability of having a bullet—no, an arrow—lodged in its head.
And in that respect, I already knew.
In this world, which clearly has about five or six arrows stuck in its skull,
the action I had taken was bound to come back as punishment.
"Sniffle..."
"Ah, Colonel..."
"Did somebody die? Crying like this over something so small. Anyone watching would think you guys are the ones who got demoted."
Soldiers shedding tears before me.
Men from the Changshui Colonel's Office in Luoyang, men I had worked alongside these past few months. I gave them a light smile.
"Hngh... This is truly too much. The Colonel merely enforced the law. How can this..."
"This is obviously the Ten Regular Attendants' trickery! Those filthy eunuchs... stooping to such petty retaliation!"
"Don't worry about it. Being an official in this country—it's all like that."
No matter how influential the Yuan Clan was, there were limits to how much they could cover when I had beaten Jian Shuo's uncle to death. No punishment, but some disadvantage was unavoidable.
Dismissed from the Changshui Colonel post, I had no choice but to leave this place and the soldiers I had grown rather attached to.
"Thanks to you, Colonel, we learned what it means to work for the common people!"
"We will never forget Colonel Yuan Shu's teaching!"
The soldiers looked different from when I first met them in many ways.
Normal peacekeeping had been impossible because of the Ten Regular Attendants and the parasites clinging beneath them. But once a man like me, whom even the Ten Regular Attendants could not touch lightly, took office, they were at last able to fulfill their duty as government troops.
Still, an office that only functioned when backed by someone this powerful was proof enough that the country was well on its way to ruin.
Feeling inwardly bitter about that.
Yet, even so, thinking their sincerity alone was worthy of acknowledgment.
They saw me off with tears, and I spoke to the soldiers.
"I entrust Luoyang to your care from now on. Stay healthy, all of you."
"Yes, Colonel."
"Travel safely, Colonel."
With those regret-laced farewells,
I left the government office on horseback together with Ji Ling. Unlike the other soldiers, she was part of my direct command.
"Hmm... My lord, isn't something strange?"
"What is?"
"I mean, aren't you disappointed? It was the Changshui Colonel post, and we fit it pretty well. You got cut from there and demoted, so why does your expression look so good?"
"... Wow. You caught that. I thought no one would notice."
"This much is easy. How many years have I been at my lord's side?"
It seemed that, even if others didn't know, fooling Ji Ling, who accompanied me daily as guard and close aide, was not a simple thing.
Not only the other subordinates, but even Cao Cao herself hadn't caught it. She had spotted it.
"Well, the details can wait. For now, let's hurry a little."
"Huh? Weren't we going home like this?"
"No, there's a place we have to go first."
"A place we have to go... Ah. Don't tell me you mean there?"
Noticing that Ji Ling seemed to know where I meant, I gave her a slight smile.
"The weather's cold, and we're probably in for a long journey anyway. Ought to visit the grave before we leave. On the way, let's buy a sack of grain or something."
"Hmm... Don't tell me another mountain of beans... again?"
Ji Ling made a genuinely disgusted face.
Looking at her, I smiled brightly and said,
"I'm counting on you."
"Ugh..."
If we hurried, we just might make it back before sundown.
We spurred our horses quickly, to meet someone we hadn't seen in a while.
*
A silver-haired woman dressed in white mourning clothes.
She was respectfully kneeling, bowing toward the hill-sized tomb before her eyes.
At the tail end of winter, with full spring not yet arrived.
Even as the cold wind struck her in clothes that were by no means thick,
she remained unwavering to the very end in displaying the rites, then slowly rose from her place.
The silver-haired woman then quietly turned to look behind her.
There, a group of scholars who had risen alongside her were bowing their heads politely to the chief mourner.
"We are truly grateful you made time for us."
"It was a truly valuable time. We never imagined there would be someone practicing filial piety with such perfection."
"... Not at all. I am the one who is sincerely grateful for your valued visit."
The woman responded with calm courtesy.
Watching her maintain her dignity to the very last moment, the scholars once again felt a deep awe.
"Then, we shall take our leave now."
"We will see you again on the day the Six-Year Mourning ends."
"Travel carefully."
With those parting words, the scholars left the graveside.
When they had first come to this place, they had harbored at least a small measure of misgiving and doubt...
But now, their hearts held respect and admiration for that remarkable woman.
"Truly impressive. To be performing the Three-Year Mourning, which others find hard enough to do once, in two successive stretches."
"Indeed. Illegitimate daughter or not, she is worthy of being a woman who carries the blood of the Yuan Clan."
"A person who so perfectly practices filial piety in times like these... It is someone like her who can truly be called a genuine scholar, wholly different from the Turbid Stream faction currying favor with the Ten Regular Attendants."
"It is not for nothing that General Lu Zhi and Minister Wang praised her so highly. Once the Six-Year Mourning is over and she rises, we can begin to have great expectations."
Though they did not say it openly, many were predicting the arrival of turbulent times.
To endure in such a world, one needed a figure worthy of trust and reliance.
In that regard, she was a woman who—though illegitimate—carried Yuan Clan blood, and at the same time was solidifying her standing through the Six-Year Mourning, an act no one could easily perform.
Toward the woman named Yuan Shao,
many scholars of the Han Dynasty, the so-called Pure Stream faction, were displaying considerable interest.
Those who had just visited her and were now departing were likewise part of that group.
Perhaps already thinking they had found a person worthy to serve as a future lord, they were on their way down the mountain just then.
-Clatter! Clatter!
"Hm?"
"Ah, be careful."
A man rode a horse somewhat quickly, a woman warrior following close behind.
Though the two passed straight by as if they hadn't seen them,
the scholars watching could dimly guess who they were.
"That man, could it be..."
"I think it likely. Is he not also famous? The one spoken of as another dragon of the Yuan Clan alongside Lady Yuan Shao."
A man who succeeded to the legitimate line of the Yuan Clan, distinguishing himself in a way different from Yuan Shao.
"Colonel Yuan Shu. He must be going to see his sister—no, to pay respects at the grave."
"Whichever it is, it matters little. Now that I think of it, I hear the two siblings are quite close."
"I've heard the same. Normally, someone born of an illegitimate mistress faces discrimination as a matter of course. Yet they say he unfailingly calls her his older sister and looks after her, without any of that."
"Indeed, a man of great character. Though, of course, a man so capable could act without hesitation for the court and the people even in these difficult times."
Yuan Shao, who was showing the utmost filial piety by performing a Six-Year Mourning so arduous it demanded risking her life.
Yuan Shu, who was showing loyalty by punishing corrupt officials for the country and people and apprehending outlaws.
So, harboring expectations for those two people, a blessing to the Yuan Clan and a blessing to this Han Dynasty,
the scholars watched Yuan Shu's receding back for a moment.
*
After sending off her guests and finishing the last of the tidying, Yuan Shao rose from her place.
Dragging her weary body, she headed toward where the thatched hut stood, to take what rest she could, however uncomfortable.
A night wind so cold it chilled the bone.
The sensation of frigid snow rising from the tips of her feet.
Enduring a pain she still couldn't adapt to even after six years, she moved her burdensome steps, hoping to light a fire soon.
Right then.
"..."
"Oh! Welcome, Sister."
"Hello, Sister! You've worked hard again today."
Inside the brightly lit thatched hut,
she found her younger brother already waiting with the fire lit, along with the now-familiar figure of his guard.
Finding this, Yuan Shao stopped the words that had almost sprung from her mouth.
After managing her expression and letting out a small sigh, she chose to scold him quietly instead.
"What are you doing here? It's cold out."
"I came because it's cold. A time like this is exactly a perfect day for a grave visit. Wouldn't our late mother want to see her child?"
"Exactly, exactly. Our lord is also strictly a child of the mistress, you know. He has the right to pay his respects at any time, that's what it is."
Strictly speaking, a matter with no problem at all under the rites, and no cause for reprimand.
But Yuan Shao knew.
Even allowing for that, her younger brother visited here to an excessive degree.
Yuan Shao had long since realized that the reason was not simply deep filial devotion.
"Alright, alright. Don't just stand there. Come inside, Sister. Looks like the porridge is just finished, too."
Her younger brother Yuan Shu opened the pot with a cheerful face.
Yuan Shao sighed softly at that, then entered the thatched hut.
A thatched hut that felt slightly cramped with three people sitting in it.
There, her younger brother handed her a bowl full of porridge he had cooked himself.
"Beans... again."
"Don't make such an openly disgusted face. It hurts your little brother who worked hard to cook them."
"Why does it have to be..."
"Ugh... I really hate them. I want to eat meat instead of these beans..."
"What are you saying in front of someone who hasn't been able to eat meat for six years? If you don't want to starve, shut up and eat."
He pulled on the grumbling guard's cheek, stretching it.
Watching a warrior who could lightly swing a fifty-pound Three-Pointed Blade flail helplessly in her younger brother's elegant grip gave her an odd feeling every time.
"... said..."
"Hm? What was that?"
"Nothing. Let's eat."
Yuan Shao lifted her spoon, looking half-resigned.
But even though it was a meal that could never be called delicious compared to the food she usually cooked herself,
as she slowly chewed, the corners of Yuan Shao's mouth held the faintest trace of a smile.
Apart from the taste, she could tell that this held sincerity—
her younger brother's consideration, always worrying about her.
The cold season,
a house her younger brother had warmed with his own hands, and a freshly made warm meal.
That alone allowed Yuan Shao to endure this time with a willing heart.
To endure this painful time of being formally recognized as a member of the Yuan Clan, no longer just an illegitimate daughter...
Once she had fully secured her place as a daughter of the Yuan Clan, then at last...
"What are you thinking about so hard?"
"... Nothing."
"Hm? You're already finished? You must have been hungry?"
"Ah..."
Her bowl was empty before she knew it while she had been lost in thought.
Seeing that, Yuan Shao's jewel-like eyes trembled slightly.
"Here, we made plenty, so eat a lot. We also bought an extra-large load of beans, so we can probably eat it all until the Three-Year Mourning is over."
"Hoo..."
With those words, her younger brother Yuan Shu filled her bowl again.
Looking at something that, while sincerely appreciated, was hard to accept with nothing but pure joy, Yuan Shao sighed softly.
Even amid all that, a single thread of smile never completely left her lips.