Chapter 594: Coming Back

Mrs. Fu closed the door and let out a sigh.

’How could Elder Qin have passed away so suddenly?’

He had passed away that night, and Wenhao hadn’t even gotten to see him one last time.

’That poor boy must be heartbroken, especially since he was right here in Beijing City.’

The entire Qin Family Mansion was plunged into sorrow.

Members from every branch of the Qin family were there.

Some were weeping, while others were busy making arrangements.

Even Gao Lan was there.

She had come with Qin Wenze.

Qin Wenze had gone home for New Year’s Eve.

But unexpectedly, at five in the morning, Qin Wenshu arrived to announce that the old master had passed away.

As a granddaughter-in-law, Gao Lan naturally had to accompany him.

Once at the Qin Family Mansion, Mrs. Qin couldn’t possibly turn her away at such a critical time.

Most importantly, Granny Qin had been hit hard by the shock, and her health was failing.

Mrs. Qin also had to tend to her mother-in-law.

But she also had to receive Elder Qin’s old friends who had come to pay their last respects.

So, Gao Lan took it upon herself to care for Granny Qin.

She stayed by the bedridden Granny Qin’s side, assiduously serving her tea and water.

The other Qin family sisters-in-law were just as busy; like Mrs. Qin, they had to attend to the guests.

As for the younger generation, they were sent off to run errands.

Some were sent to notify relatives and friends, while others were assigned to go shopping for supplies.

Qin Wenze was also extremely busy.

Although they couldn’t hold a grand funeral for the old master, they were determined to give him a dignified final journey.

Mr. Qin and his brothers had already settled on the date for the funeral procession.

It was set for the fourth day of the Lunar New Year.

So, they had to borrow tables, chairs, and benches from the neighbors.

The next day, Mrs. Qin found a spare moment and pulled Qin Wenhao aside.

"Will your wife be able to make it back in time for the fourth?"

Qin Wenhao nodded. "Yes, I’ve already confirmed. She and Wen Ying will arrive at five o’clock tomorrow afternoon."

Hearing they would arrive the next day, Mrs. Qin breathed a sigh of relief.

"As long as they can make it back, that’s what matters." She had been worried the timing was too tight and that Mingxue and Wen Ying might not be able to return in time.

They had originally considered two dates—the fourth and the twentieth.

But after discussing it, the family decided the twentieth was too late.

Everyone with jobs would have already returned to work by then.

It wouldn’t be a problem for those living nearby, but it would be very inconvenient for those who live far away to make another trip.

Take her youngest son, Qin Wenhao, for example—if he returned to his military unit, he might not be able to get leave again for the funeral.

So, even though the fourth was still during the New Year holiday, it had to be that day.

"Remember to pick them up tomorrow."

"I know. Just make sure you have her mourning clothes ready for the day after tomorrow."

Mrs. Qin looked at him. "Do I need you to tell me that? I had them ready ages ago."

Gao Lan and Fu Mingxue weren’t the old master’s only granddaughters-in-law; there were several others from the other branches of the family.

Traditionally, the granddaughters-in-law had to wear red caps.

Whereas the daughters-in-law were to wear traditional sackcloth mourning attire.

They had hired extra help for the cooking these past few days; Aunt Li couldn’t possibly handle it all by herself.

Considering how well-connected the old master was, they decided not to notify everyone, just those he was closest with.

Otherwise, even dozens of tables wouldn’t be enough to seat everyone.

That would be impossible.

Ten tables at most.

As for the Qin family members, they would just have to squeeze in where they could or eat in a second seating.

Meanwhile, Fu Mingxue and Qin Wenying were getting ready to exit the station.

Both of them were in surprisingly good spirits.

After all, they hadn’t needed to stay up late on the train; they had just slept.

As they got off the train, the sharp-eyed Qin Wenying immediately spotted her younger brother, Qin Wenhao.

"Mingxue, Wenhao’s here to pick us up! He’s over there."

As she spoke, Fu Mingxue looked in the direction she was pointing and saw Qin Wenhao walking toward them.

He had clearly seen them, too.