Chapter 157: Sending Yearning

Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Sending Yearning

"What kind of food is this, Qianjun? It feels different from the sandwiches we had before," Ling Yunge asked, taking a curious bite. Her eyes immediately sparkled with delight.

Xu Panqing took a small bite and nodded vigorously. "Delicious!"

"Meat burger," Ling Qianjun replied simply. He said nothing more, focusing entirely on his food. Soon, only the sound of chewing remained.

Night fell.

The government officers led the exiled prisoners to an empty clearing in the village, located near the ancestral hall. They had to keep their distance from the locals and couldn’t enter the ancestral hall directly; after all, that was the resting place of the villagers’ ancestors. Given the sensitive and often despised status of the exiles, the locals naturally disliked them getting too close to their sacred grounds. However, after the villagers finished their own worship, they would also move to the clearing to perform their rituals. At that point, it was acceptable for the exiles to follow along.

While the locals paid their respects, the exiles, guided by the government officers, claimed their own spots. They laid out their prepared offerings. Each family maintained a safe distance from one another to ensure their ritual fires wouldn’t spread. Facing the direction of the homes they had left behind, they murmured the names of their loved ones while arranging their items, pouring out their deep yearning.

"Son, if you still remember the way, come see your mother. I brought you money and good food. You didn’t even get a full meal before you died. I’m so sorry, my boy."

"Daughter, son-in-law, if you know what’s happening in the underworld, please protect our family. May you have a safe journey."

"Mother, Father, Grandmother... do you see this? There is so much delicious food here. Come and eat if you see it. If possible, visit me in a dream. I miss you... I miss you so much... SOB..."

As more people began to pour their hearts out, the sound of weeping grew louder. Everyone sobbed uncontrollably, overwhelmed by grief. Hearing their choked voices, even the government officers couldn’t help but lower their heads and silently wipe away their tears. They, too, missed their fallen brothers and their families far away in the Capital City.

Ling Qianjun found a spot at the very edge of the clearing. Xu Panqing led them in arranging their offerings, then took the initiative to kneel at the very front. She spoke softly.

"Mother, Father, Brother Shan, are you doing well over there? Do you miss me and the children?

"Rest assured, we are all doing well now, and we will soon reach Lingnan. Once we settle down there, we can make memorial tablets for you. We will enshrine them in our new home, and if you have time, you can come and visit us.

"If you need anything down there, you must tell me in a dream, and I will burn it for you."

As Xu Panqing spoke, her eyes grew completely red. She lowered her head and quietly wiped her tears with her sleeve. Seeing this, Ling Qianfan and Ling Yunge immediately joined in.

Ling Qianfan patted his chest. "Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, rest assured. I’ve grown up now. I can help Qianjun and take good care of Mother and Yunge. If your spirits are watching from heaven, please remember to bless me. Bless me with great luck and turn any danger into safety."

Ling Yunge pressed her hands together in prayer and spoke devoutly. "Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, I miss you. Are you doing well? Although this journey of exile has been filled with hardships, we’ve been fortunate enough to receive help from noble benefactors. Everything has been going smoothly, and we will definitely reach Lingnan safely."

After they finished, Ling Qianjun also spoke up in a deep voice. "Though we will be in Lingnan, I will always protect the family. Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, rest assured. One day, we will definitely return to the Capital City."