Because the daughters did not receive any inheritance, the care for the elderly parents and their funeral arrangements only required physical presence and effort, not money.
However, it was quite unorthodox for the third sister of the Niu family to also want to arrange a funeral ritual for her deceased mother... Even the greatest filial piety should not be exhibited this way; this could be discussed if there were only sisters and no male offspring in the family, but she had two older brothers.
Liu Jinxia's eyelids drooped as she spoke:
"This can be managed as well. Since everyone wants to be the main family in charge, then act as the main family. Borrow a spot at the communal dam in your village, set up three sacrificial tables, place three sets of longevity gifts, and burn three copies of the Blood Scripture."
Niu Fu was stunned for a moment and asked, "Can...can we really do that?"
Liu Jinxia nodded, "Yes, do it together at one place, so your mother won't have to be divided among different places. Your brother Ruihou gave me his family's birthdays yesterday, give me yours today, and also notify your sister to send hers in the next two days, so I can start preparing."
Originally, one ritual would cost one payment, but now it had turned into one ritual with three payments. Liu Jinxia was going to earn from this.
Niu Fu hesitated for a while, but finally nodded, "Then let's do it that way, I'll go back and talk to them, and we'll handle it together."
"Mm, after all the birthdays are provided, I'll set a specific date for you."
"Quickly." Niu Fu urged, "We must hurry."
"I understand." Liu Jinxia nodded, signaling him not to worry, then she stood up to see the guest out.
Niu Fu had just left his seat when something came to his mind; he sat down again and said, "One more thing, you must invite Nanny Liu to preside over the ritual."
Presiding over the ritual means managing the religious ceremony, and inviting someone with expertise helps in controlling disturbances, particularly from mischievous spirits.
As for who has the "expertise", it depends on interpretation. If no one else is available, even a butcher can be invited.
Since Li Sanjiang's family sold ritual paper, he was by default asked to preside over rituals whenever he delivered paper, not only earning him a seat at the banquet but also an envelope with money from the main family.
However, this "default" involvement came at a low cost and minimal honorarium. But formally inviting him would mean a different price.
Niu Fu added immediately, "The honorarium can be discussed, Nanny Liu; we...all three families will give it."
"I see..." Liu Jinxia felt uneasy, inexplicably anxious.
"Also, please invite Uncle Sanjiang from our village as well; we want to invite him too."
Liu Jinxia swallowed and did not agree immediately, but said:
"I will speak to Sanjiang, but I don't know if he's available. First, give me the birthdays, and I'll calculate the date because this can't be delayed."
Following this, Niu Fu took out a fabric-wrapped bundle from his pocket, unwrapping it to reveal a stack of banknotes.
He licked his fingertip and began counting the money.
Liu Jinxia accepted the first payment, but pushed back the second batch, "Let me discuss the presiding matter with Sanjiang first, then I'll get back to you."
"This..." Niu Fu clearly hesitated, "Why not settle it now?"
Liu Jinxia firmly said, "Before things are clear, there's no rush for the money; that's the rule."
"Okay, then it's all on you, Nanny Liu. I won't bother going to Uncle Sanjiang, I'll await your message."
Niu Fu opened the door himself and walked out.
Li Juxiang went to support her elderly mother, puzzled, she asked, "Mom, what's wrong?"
This deal alone was worth an entire season's income, and Li Juxiang couldn't understand why her money-loving mother hesitated now, not seeming to be angling for a higher price.
Liu Jinxia whispered, "They're all peasants, not rich or noble folks. Being so easy-going and generous with money likely means one thing."
"Disaster avoidance through monetary loss."
"Mom, are you saying?"
"Juxiang, tell me, which mother in the world would bring harm to her own children after her death?"
"What's even more baffling is, how many sons or daughters, living uneasy days, would suspect their mother underground is meddling with them? Unless, they had done something unspeakable in the past."
"Mom, what about this deal?"
"Let's wait until I've discussed it with Sanjiang. If he thinks it's okay, then we will earn all this money. Ah, they offered too much."
"What if Uncle Sanjiang says no, can you let it go?"
"What's the use of earning money that can't be spent?"
"That's true, Uncle Sanjiang's abilities are reliable, with him, we can also feel at ease."
"His abilities..." Liu Jinxia frowned, seeming to find it difficult to evaluate, but still affirmed, "With him, indeed there is reassurance."
Seeing Li Zhiyuan motionless, Cui Cui reached out to grab his hand.
The moment they touched, Li Zhiyuan felt the cold sensation on his left shoulder disappear, and at the same time, he sensed Cui Cui shiver, her hand trembling for a moment.
"Cui Cui, step back!"
Although she didn't understand why, Cui Cui obediently released her hand and stepped back several paces.
"Cui Cui, stay there, don't come closer to me."
Brother Yuanhou's sudden change in attitude reminded Cui Cui of the times she was shunned; tears welled up in her eyes, and her nose sniffled intermittently.
Li Zhiyuan then had a feeling that when Cui Cui touched him, the old woman who had her hands on his shoulders had moved one hand towards Cui Cui.