Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 61_1

Chapter 61: Chapter 61_1

"Miss Lin?"

As Nanzhi stepped out with Shen Zhiyu, they encountered Shen Dashan approaching them head-on.

"Uncle Li Zheng," Nanzhi nodded in greeting.

"I’ve heard you’ve chosen a formal name for your Gougou?" Shen Dashan looked at Nanzhi, his brows knitting slightly.

Nanzhi smoothed her hair behind her ear, thinking that Uncle Li Zheng was probably there to preach to her too, and quietly said, "Yes."

"What’s the name?" Shen Dashan asked, looking at the mother and son.

"My name is Shen Zhiyu." The little fellow, clutching Nanzhi’s hand, held a small bamboo basket in the other, his face beaming with joy.

"Shen Zhiyu... Zhiyu... Zhiyu..."

Seeing Shen Dashan lost in thought, Nanzhi felt uneasy; she had managed to talk her way out with Old Lady Liu and the others, but if it were Uncle Li Zheng lecturing her...

"Alright, that’s a good name," Shen Dashan smacked his lips, not saying much more, only ruffling Shen Zhiyu’s little head as he passed by him.

It certainly sounded better than names like Dashan (Great Mountain) or Dahe (Great River).

After walking a few more steps, Shen Dashan seemed to remember something, turning around to add, "Today’s the day too; now that you’ve named Zhiyu, don’t forget to inform your in-laws about it."

"Yes."

Nanzhi subconsciously nodded in agreement, only realizing what he meant after Shen Dashan had already walked quite a distance away.

What day is it?

What day?

It wasn’t until mid-afternoon, when she saw many villagers carrying incense sticks, candles, and paper money towards the slope at the village entrance, that she finally understood what Shen Dashan meant by "today’s the day."

Today was indeed July 15th, the Ghost Festival.

"Zhiyu, let’s also burn some paper money for your grandparents and dad later," Nanzhi said to the little one playing with rocks.

"Okay."

The child, who didn’t know any better, simply agreed.

After giving it some thought, Nanzhi remembered there should be some candles, incense, and paper money left at home since they had some funeral supplies left over from when her in-laws passed away.

She rummaged around for quite a while before managing to find those objects.

Having prepared everything needed for the evening, Nanzhi took the dirty clothes outside.

Even though the well water was more abundant than before, she still couldn’t bear to use it for laundry; nowadays, everyone in the village took their clothes to wash in the river.

Now that it was hot, the river banks had completely dried out, leaving only the water in the river’s center useable.

By the time Nanzhi arrived, there were already quite a few people washing clothes in the river’s center. Seeing the knee-high water, her heart thumped; it had only been about twenty days since she had arrived in this world. When she first arrived, the water in the middle of the river would overflow her chest, but now it was only knee-deep...

After washing the clothes, Nanzhi greeted the others before heading home. She then went to Old Lady Liu’s house to call Shen Zhiyu, who was playing with Doudou, back home.

Because it was for the offering, Nanzhi specially made some plain steamed buns and roasted a whole fish for the ritual sacrifice while cooking dinner.

Currently, she couldn’t find any wine or meat; having these to show that she wasn’t letting the little one go hungry was enough.

As dusk fell, Nanzhi set up the incense and candles in the courtyard and arranged the offerings before pulling Shen Zhiyu to their knees.

"Zhiyu, bow to your grandpa and grandma."

Shen Zhiyu looked at his mother, nodded in understanding, and then knelt and kowtowed three times.

"In-laws, I have given your grandson his formal name, he is called Shen Zhiyu. I only hope that your spirits in heaven can bless him to grow up safe and sound, happy and cheerful."

As she spoke, Nanzhi burned some paper money and continued her prayer.

"I hope you don’t blame me for giving Gougou a formal name out of necessity. Otherwise, I’m worried that one day I won’t be able to find the child."

After praying to her in-laws, Nanzhi then lit another pile of paper money to the side.

This was for her nominal husband whom she had never met face to face.

"I hope you don’t blame me, don’t blame me. I didn’t intentionally take over your wife’s body. If she followed you and you two clarified everything face to face, I’d be a victim too. I hope you won’t make things difficult for me for the sake of our son...."

Watching her mother murmur in a low voice, Shen Zhiyu was somewhat puzzled and tugged at her clothes to ask, "Mommy, what are you doing?"

"Cough cough, Zhiyu, hurry and talk to your daddy, let him bless and protect you."

The little guy nodded his head as if he understood, then tilting his head in thought, he began to recite after Nanzhi, "Daddy, bless me to grow up big and strong, I want to be taller and stronger than my uncles. Daddy, bless mommy to catch lots of shrimp, shrimp tastes so good! The fish mommy grills smells so yummy, Daddy, you have to try...."

Listening to the little one’s babbling, Nanzhi quietly lit three sticks of incense on the side.

These were for the original owner of the body.

"Sister, don’t blame me, I’m a victim too. I didn’t mean to take over your body. If you have any resentment, please don’t come looking for me. Considering how well I’ve raised Zhiyu, please, please don’t blame me!"

With her hands pressed together and bowing repeatedly, Nanzhi prayed in her heart until she felt at ease.

She turned to find the little guy still carefully counting on his fingers and muttering something.

Listening closely, she heard Shen Zhiyu’s milky voice saying, "Daddy, don’t eat too much fish, Mommy said the fish is for Zhiyu later. If you eat too much, Zhiyu won’t have any left...."

After clearly hearing the child’s prattle, Nanzhi couldn’t help but feel a mix of laughter and tears.

Only after the paper money was fully burned and the incense had burnt out did Nanzhi stop Shen Zhiyu from continuing his murmurings.

"Zhiyu, go wash your hands, it’s time for us to eat."

Watching the little one run towards the backyard, warmth filled Nanzhi’s heart, and she bowed towards the sky.

Grandma, your granddaughter is living well here, I just don’t know if you can see it or not. Zhiyu is a good child, I hope you can bless your great-grandson.

Gazing at the brilliant starry sky, Nanzhi dusted her knees, carrying steamed buns and grilled fish into the main house.

There is a belief about these offerings; after offering them to the ancestors, when children eat them, it can ward off evil spirits and disasters and ensure their safety and well-being.

No sooner had she left than a sudden whirlwind arose in the courtyard, gently lifting the ashes on the ground into the air.

Eight hundred miles away, six dark figures paused in their movements.

One asked in a low voice, "Brother Shen, what’s wrong?"

Shen Wenchen shuddered, as he had just felt a sudden chill on his back, thinking it was an enemy situation, but after searching, he found no one.

"It’s nothing."

Another teased with a sly wink, "Brother Shen, are you missing your sister-in-law that much?"

"You little rascal." Shen Wenchen kicked at the one who had spoken.

"I’m wrong, I’m wrong."

The man laughed and quickly dodged, knowing well that a kick from Brother Shen could leave him crippled if not completely incapacitated.

Only then did Shen Wenchen mount his horse again and lead the other five towards the direction of Qingyun County.

Only he knew how tightly he was clutching the reins in his hand. With half a month’s journey, he would certainly make it in time.

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