Chapter 00258: The Injustice of the He Family
# The Injustice of the He Family
Chapter 258
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 258: The Injustice of the He Family
While this person was busy to the point of having no time to spare, He Lingchuan took it upon himself to be the hands-off manager.
Aside from diligently cultivating his skills, he would take his personal guards and rock wolves out hunting every few days.
It had been only three months since the appearance of the Emperor's Flowing Jam, and new monsters were still stirring trouble in Xiangzhou.
He Lingchuan took his new subordinates to engage in his old profession from the Panlong Dream Realm.
Shan Youjun and Jiao Tai had found him several capable men, perfectly assembling a guard unit of twenty.
The best way to test their worth was, of course, to throw them straight into real combat.
In five days, they had taken down seven monsters, but the squad was now down to eighteen.
One was injured, and another lost his life.
He Lingchuan offered generous comfort to the survivors and sighed.
These were all powerful fighters that Shan Youjun had proudly guaranteed, their quality surpassing that of the soldiers from Xiangzhou.
But judging from the actual combat over the past few days, they still fell short compared to He Lingchuan's patrol squad in the Panlong Dream Realm.
It seemed that the road ahead was still long.
In contrast, Li Qingge, upon hearing that he was selecting personal guards, recommended a disciple from Songyang Prefecture who was quite strong and skilled in maintenance.
He Lingchuan needed such a versatile individual and gladly accepted the recommendation.
Upon looking back, he was surprised to find that this team even included a military doctor (Monkey) and logistics personnel, a rather luxurious arrangement.
If only they could add a flying scout.
One day, after exterminating a nest of bat monsters that specifically drank the blood of young children, He Lingchuan led his team back to Dunyu and felt a chill on his face.
Is it raining?
He raised his head in surprise, only to see tiny snowflakes mixed with light raindrops drifting down from the sky, soaking everyone’s clothes and hair, as well as the horses' manes.
As they passed by the Clear Lake, they noticed that the ice along the shore had melted, and floating weeds were sprouting tiny green buds.
Fish were swimming up through the broken ice, their mouths popping above the surface, creating a patchwork of opening and closing fish mouths.
He Lingchuan suddenly realized that spring had truly arrived.
The wind that blew towards them lost a bit of its chill and replaced it with moisture, altogether a different feeling than the harshness of winter.
Upon returning to the He residence, He Lingchuan had yet to step through the gate of the inner courtyard when he heard He Yue's voice.
The family of three, plus him, was finally assembled.
The usually busy He Yue, who seldom showed himself, happened to be home today.
He Lingchuan noticed that the boy seemed to have grown taller, but was thinner than before.
It must be due to the exhausting work at the state government.
“Father, you are being too harsh on the young workers,” he protested on behalf of his younger brother.
He Chuanhua chuckled lightly, his smile not reaching his eyes.
He Lingchuan sat down with an imposing manner, and Ying, his wife, teased him, “You didn’t even change your clothes; you brought in the dust from outside!” He had only changed his boots, and there were still spots of mud on his clothes.
He Chuanhua then asked, “What monsters did you exterminate today?”
He was naturally aware of his eldest son's recent actions.
The local officials had reported that the eldest young master He had been eradicating monsters for the sake of the locals, and the citizens were very grateful.
Going out to hunt could not only help eliminate monsters but also earn a good reputation among the common folk; a win-win situation.
“A nest of big-eared bat monsters that preyed on the blood of young children,” He Lingchuan replied with a smile. “There were not many, just over thirty of them. Shan Youjun took some home to roast.”
Ying frowned, “Can those things be eaten?”
“Why not? Roasted, they taste like chicken,” He Lingchuan chuckled. “What’s the occasion today, where's everyone?”
Just as he spoke, he realized he had made a grave error in his words, for He Yue was frantically signaling to him from behind their father, as if his eyelids were twitching, while Ying displayed a face full of astonishment.
As for He Chuanhua, his expression changed from cloudy to overcast, looking as if he could burst into water at any moment.
“Good, good for an unfilial descendant, you dare to forget what day it is today?”
Usually, no matter how much He Chuanhua disliked his eldest son, he never scolded him for being “unfilial.” He Lingchuan inwardly lamented, what huge mistake had he made?
He Yue stood behind his father, constantly gesturing and imitating the act of burning incense and bowing down, having already performed the gesture at least three times.
“How could that be?” He Lingchuan forced a laugh. “Of course, I remembered today is…”
He Yue desperately shook his head.
Not a day of worship? Then it must be “sacrifice…”
He Yue nodded emphatically, pointing directly at the sky.
“... Heaven?”
He Yue rolled his eyes dramatically, his expression one of “You’re doomed.”
He Chuanhua suddenly turned around, just in time to catch sight of He Lingchuan’s expression, causing his brow to twitch.
Both boys had grown up and dared to cheat in front of him?
Seizing the moment while he turned back, He Lingchuan racked his brain, desperately recalling what special occasion today held.
That’s right! He Chuanhua had just scolded him for being an “unfilial descendant.” Such a reprimand felt particularly significant.
Moreover, today was the “Vernal Equinox,” a time when the year’s plans are set in spring, with springtime stories… What on earth had happened in spring before!
He frantically searched his original self’s sea of consciousness for the answer.
Perhaps he had recently dreamt of Panlong City too frequently, his consciousness growing stronger, for he truly managed to find the answer hidden amidst the plentiful memories!
On this side, Ying lightly cleared her throat, wanting to rescue her eldest son from trouble.
However, He Lingchuan already leapt in ahead of her: “Today is the family worship day, Father, I certainly didn’t forget!”
He Chuanhua turned back, snorting coldly, “Always goofing around!”
It was evident that He Lingchuan had answered correctly.
This was the He family’s most important day of the year, and the original self had never dared to slack off.
He Yue and Ying both quietly exhaled in relief.
No wonder his father had reminded him this morning to be back before evening after going out to exterminate monsters.
He Lingchuan hadn’t thought much of it at the time and had readily agreed.
Every family has a worship day, but for the He family, the family worship was a thorn in He Chuanhua's heart.
He never allowed any error to occur.
Thus, in the He family, this matter was never announced in advance; everyone kept it imprinted in their hearts.
He Chuanhua shot him a glare: “What are you standing there for? Hurry and bathe and change your clothes; time is running out!”
“Yes!” He Lingchuan quickly responded and darted away.
As soon as he returned to his courtyard, the servants were bringing in a large wooden tub and filling it with water.
The so-called “fragrant bath” was certainly different from a regular wash; it required the addition of white aster, peach peel, and mint herbs, which served to ward off evil, remove filth, and refresh the body.
He Lingchuan cleaned himself up, and the sky was quickly darkening.
He changed into white robes and a white hat, removing all accessories.
After rinsing his mouth with willow salt and bitter tea, he was led by a servant to the ancestral hall.
The renovation of the He residence was still ongoing, but the family ancestral hall was the first to be completed.
Its shape was simple, with black tiles and gray walls, and it would later sit modestly among the buildings.
Under the eaves of the ancestral hall, the newly hung white lanterns swayed in the increasingly heavy rain and snow, flickering in and out, casting shadows on the faces of the assembled people.
All members of the He family were present, and butler Lao Mo directed the servants to bring the offerings onto the offering table in a steady stream.
At the front row were the three sacrifices: a whole pig, a whole cow, and a whole sheep, perfectly roasted; behind them were five fruits, easily sourced locally, chosen from among the five common types of fruits.
Additionally, there were sixty-four bowls of various dishes.
According to the regulations of the Yuan Kingdom, only the imperial family or public large-scale sacrifices utilized larger three sacrifices like pigs, cows, and sheep; from officials to commoners, at most, smaller sacrifices like pigs, chickens, and fish were used.
The He family’s offerings did not comply with etiquette, but it was clear that He Chuanhua paid little mind to it.
He Lingchuan remembered that this was how the family worship had been since his father became the governor of Qiansong County.
In the past, it had been because they were far from the authority; now that they had moved to Xiangzhou, why did they still commit such taboos? He thought that He Chuanhua must have his own considerations.
Moreover, the He family had always conducted their worship behind closed doors, and outsiders were to stay away.
After everything was neatly arranged, butler Lao Mo lit the white candles on the table, and the ancestral hall fell into silence.
This wait lasted for half an hour.
He Chuanhua and his wife stood at the front, while He Lingchuan and his brother stood behind, keeping a silent watch: eyes observing their noses, noses observing their hearts.
Outside, the rain seemed to be intensifying.
The candles on the offering table were never extinguished by the night's wind, illuminating the densely packed tablets within the shrine.
He Lingchuan knew that among these tablets were one hundred twenty-six names, all shares marked with the date of death on the same day.
That day was also the darkest and bloodiest day in the history of the He family.
Suddenly, butler Lao Mo spoke: “At the hour of the dog, it is time.”
He Chuanhua's voice was clear as he began to recite the prayers.
He needed no manuscript; every word came from the depths of his heart.
He Lingchuan listened from the side, letting out a low sigh within.
What a world this was!
The He family was originally a prominent clan in the capital, with his great-grandfather holding a high official position.
Despite the chaos of the times, they managed to protect the He family from the onslaught of troubles.
Nineteen years ago, however, his grandfather, who was He Chuanhua's father, was framed for the crime of offending the gods and going against the imperial decree.
He inadvertently poked at the royal dragon's whisker.
In a fit of rage, the old emperor personally decreed that the entire family be executed, with instant death!
The very next day, he realized the gravity of the situation, but nearly all members of the He family had been executed, leaving only an eleven-year-old boy who happened to be away and was not affected at the time.
The old emperor thought, “I regret it, but I’ll not speak it aloud,” capturing the conspirators who framed the He family, and again executing them in a full family slaughter while additionally condemning all nine generations, then waving his hand:
The main culprit had already received his punishment, but the He family had also been complacent and concealed the truth; they too were accomplices in this matter.
Hence, he spared the young He Chuanhua from death, demoting him to Qiansong County!
What great magnanimity!
From then on, He Chuanhua, the once-likely third son of the He family with bright prospects, suddenly found his future bleak.
Fortuitously, in misfortune, He Chuanhua was not sent into exile, but rather “demoted.”
The term “demoted” was cleverly used.
At that time, He Chuanhua was still young and without an official title, yet he was ordered to be “demoted,” which ironically indicated that he had not been reduced to commoner status nor labeled as a sinner, and he did not need to have a mark branded upon his face.
His path to survival had not been severed; he had not entirely lost the chance to “advance,” which was already the greatest mercy given to him by the old emperor.
He Lingchuan flipped through the original self’s memories, clearly understanding how He Chuanhua rose from a mere station messenger to his current official post, with two extraordinary promotions along the way.
This kind of reversal against the odds required not only hardship and unspoken struggles unbeknownst to outsiders but also very good fortune.
Half a cup of tea later, He Chuanhua finished his recitation.
This year, he had many joyful tidings to report to his deceased relatives, including several instances of contributions leading to his promotion as the total governor of Xiangzhou, resulting in becoming a regional official.
In terms of power, he now stood higher than even the ancestors.
Therefore, He Chuanhua appeared more spirited this year than in the years prior.
He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and knelt on the mat to begin his prostrations.
He knocked his head down thirty-six times, each thud echoing loudly for all to hear.
Then, he took the incense presented by the butler and gently placed it in the incense burner.
(End of Chapter)