Chapter 1505 – Cutting Down Nie Liang, Attacking Yang Tao, Aiming for the World (Part 44)
Wei Ci mentioned that his memorial was hastily crafted, so they had low expectations for its content.
Funeral memorials typically express sorrow, reflection, and homage to the deceased. Presently, these memorials often take the form of prose and four-character rhymes, making them easy to recite. The content generally reminisces about the deceased’s life, praises their character, and conveys grief.
If there were any mistakes during the memorial segment, the chances of Wei Ci getting stabbed in front of Nie Liang’s spirit were ridiculously high.
The scholar in the corner snickered at Wei Ci’s respectful and devout demeanor.
He whispered, “He never met the former lord; how could he write a heartfelt memorial? It’s simply hilarious.”
As previously mentioned, the content of the memorial is linked to the deceased’s life experiences, and if Wei Ci doesn’t truly understand Nie Liang, his writing will surely be a mess.
What they didn’t know was that Wei Ci had actually done his homework about Nie Liang. After all, his older brother Wei Ying had penned countless memorials after Nie Liang’s death—nearly one each year. The year Wei Ying fell ill with a cold and couldn’t attend the memorial, it was Wei Ci who went in his stead.
While Wei Ci might not fully grasp Nie Liang’s essence, Wei Ying absolutely did.
He had collected numerous letters during Wei Ying’s affairs, finding that more than half were written to his dear friend Nie Liang.
Some were memorials, others were casual correspondence, and some were just rambling chit-chat.
【Last night, I dreamt of the past, suddenly realizing that Guang Shan has been gone for fourteen years, and I am now forty-seven… Life has rapidly passed me by… In front of the courtyard pear tree, blossoms opened and fell… Days and nights blur, my mind in turmoil… I reflect on the first time I met you, wearing dark robes and a black crown, standing in the courtyard, speaking gracefully… Those memories, thinking of them now, shine as brightly as before, just like yesterday… Your laughter still echoes in my ears…】
【Oh Guang Shan, the heavens were not kind; you reached the end of your years, and my heart aches… Mourning over your premature passing, I too weep blood…】
Of course, these were letters written by Wei Ying as a friend to Nie Liang, and Wei Ci couldn’t simply copy them; otherwise, he’d be exposed in a heartbeat.
With such detailed material, it wasn’t hard to write a moderately decent memorial.
Within the tent, apart from the popping sounds of candles burning, the sincerity in Wei Ci’s voice reciting the memorial seemed to quell the restless and volatile emotions of those present, with Nie Qing burying his face before his father’s spirit, crying profusely…
After finishing the recitation, Wei Ci bowed deeply. Whether it was the memorial or the rituals, they left no room for fault, and those wanting to stir trouble found no grounds to do so.
Some whispered to each other, wiping tears while sneering, “It’s indeed hastily written and not simply ghost-written by someone else?”
What connection did Wei Ci have with Nie Liang?
Every bit of content in the memorial was a true event, their knowledge far from superficial, indicating they were definitely close friends.
Someone quietly admonished, “Keep your mouth shut, we mustn’t be disrespectful in front of the former lord’s spirit. I know you’re not fond of Wei Zishun, but don’t baselessly accuse him. Wei Ci’s every move has been under our watch; did those two brothers share a single word?”
Not only did they not exchange words, but Wei Ying also never cast a glance at Wei Ci, let alone use him as a stand-in.
Kneeling before the spirit, Nie Qing wiped his tears, spending a long while calming his grief-stricken heart.
In a hoarse voice, he asked Wei Ci, “Does your lord have any commands?”
Considering Nie Liang’s death at the battlefield, Jiang Pengji couldn’t take action within the first seven days out of moral consideration, or she’d be condemned throughout history. Regardless of past grievances, the era of the deceased must override everything until the funeral concludes.
Wei Ci replied, “My lord instructed me to express condolences, and every action must be respectful, not a hint of negligence or impertinence.”
Nie Qing snickered, ignoring Wei Ci’s evasive remarks.
“What else?”
Wei Ci said, “Let the soldiers hold back for now; let the Young Master take the spirit back.”
Nie Qing remained silent, but Wei Ying interjected, “Regarding the matter of carrying the spirit, the Young Master has his own plans; no need for outsiders to meddle. Lord Lan Ting wishes to send Zixiao to offer condolences. Whether it’s sincere or not, thinking we’re weak, we know better. After seven days, Lord Lan Ting may wait… The grudge for the former lord’s death cannot simply be brushed aside. This, please convey word-for-word to Zixiao.”
Wei Ci sighed and stood; he anticipated this outcome.
In his previous life, Nie Liang had died early, and his brother Wei Ying ended up depressed, so the two brothers inevitably had no conflicts, always being respectful to each other.
This life is different; Nie Liang has stepped to the forefront while Wei Ying supports him. Yet, Nie Liang’s death is somewhat tied to their lord, putting a strain on their brotherly bond. However, Wei Ci didn’t regret it. They were still brothers, just with differing positions.
“Ci will relay every word to my lord without omission.”
Only then did Wei Ying cast a sidelong glance at Wei Ci, his eyes swimming with complexities that outsiders could hardly fathom.
Wei Ci softly said, “Brother, why go to such lengths?”
With Nie Liang’s recent demise, the Nie clan was in fierce internal conflict. With over two hundred thousand troops at Zhanjiang Pass, they were in a deadlock. If the forces shifted and food supplies were cut off, Wei Ying and the others would find themselves trapped. Never underestimate what the Nie clan could do; those people are capable of anything.
Wei Ying countered, “You can’t judge others based on your own standards. If today, Lord Lan Ting were lying in the coffin, you’d understand why.”
Wei Ci was left speechless by that question, choosing silence instead.
“Take care, brother.”
Before leaving, Wei Ci glanced one last time at Nie Liang lying in the coffin, bade farewell to Nie Qing, and turned to depart.
As Wei Ci exited, everyone was holding their breath, nearly unable to exhale.
Nie Qing remarked, “Father-in-law, what shall we do now?”
Wei Ying took a step back, standing beside Nie Qing. He spoke indifferently, “The former lord arranged everything methodically during his lifetime; the Young Master needn’t worry.”
Obstacles on Nie Qing’s path would surely be cleared away.
The days of guarding the memorial were quite grueling. White banners waved in the wind throughout the Nie camp, and the initially restless troops grew stable due to Nie Liang’s death. Wei Ying continually strategized, and instead of the soldiers losing their fighting spirit, they became resolute in their determination to fight to the death due to their grief.
Due to his father’s demise, Nie Qing ate very little over several days, appearing pale and frail, looking haggard all around.
Nie Yang could only coax him gently to eat a little. If Nie Qing refused, Nie Yang would remain quietly by his side.
“Alas—”
Watching Nie Qing struggle to kneel steadily, Nie Yang sighed inwardly.
【Nie Liang really is ruthless, not even telling his son…】
In truth, there were only two people who knew that Nie Liang was still alive.
One was Wei Ying, the other was Fan Chen—both cunning old foxes.
During the memorial, the two of them cried as if they truly lost their father.
The System chuckled coldly, 【Others are waiting for rabbits, just for you ambitious and restless folks.】
Nie Yang shot a secretive glance towards Wei Ying’s tent, 【Is he really living on borrowed time?】
【At most half a month. In this half month, he’s got much to do, like secretly eliminating all the ambitious threats to Nie Qing and the Nie clan. Be careful, host; suppress those impulses, or even if I help you, you’ll still meet your end.】
