Chapter 18: Eight Suona
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
When the sky was just beginning to brighten, Su Chen walked along the mountain path halfway up the mountain and arrived near Principal Tang's memorial hall.
His ancient-style plain clothes attracted many people's sidelong glances.
The Suona in his hand was wrapped up by a special black cloth.
It was not exposed, but it emitted an extraordinary aura that ordinary people did not dare to approach.
He scanned his surroundings.
Principal Tang's funeral hall was an old school built halfway up the mountain.
The ruined walls made it difficult to recognize that this was once a place where people could read.
As the sky gradually brightened, more and more people gathered at the foot of the mountain.
They slowly walked up the hillside like a stream flowing up against gravity.
Among these people, some were former students of Principal Tang, and some were residents of the town.
There were also people who rushed over from the surrounding towns.
In their hands were some paper money or wreaths.
They placed the paper money before the hall. In front of the mourning hall was a pile of flowers surrounded by Tang Ying's photo.
The wreaths were placed on both sides of the mourning hall. If they could not accommodate them, they would move them to the old school wall next to the mourning hall.
Following that, Juan 'er, who was standing guard at the side, handed them the mourning clothes and mourning hats that she had prepared beforehand.
After putting on the mourning clothes and mourning hats, they kowtowed twice to Principal Tang in front of the coffin in the mourning hall.
Similarly, Juan 'er had to greet the guests and kowtow in return.
More and more guests arrived, causing the abandoned school halfway up the mountain to appear white from afar.
The white mourning clothes, the white mourning hall, and the white wreath.
Before they knew it, it was already eight o'clock in the morning.
There were still more and more people coming to the foot of the mountain, other than Principal Tang's former students and the residents of the town.
Su Chen looked around and saw many children, led by adults with white flowers pinned on their chests, walking toward the abandoned school on the hillside.
These children were all Principal Tang's students.
The parents had all taken their children to see Principal Tang off.
On the way to the mourning hall, Su Chen asked around about Principal Tang and learned more about her.
There was not a single school in the whole of Huayi Town, and then there was this village primary school that was temporarily set up. There were only a few students in the small classroom. The children of the right age were busy with farm work and could not get away from their studies, the families were also unwilling to spend extra money; the elders in the family felt that letting the children help with farm work was much more useful than sending them to school. Because of this, the teachers of the support group left one after another, and the education of the students became more difficult.
In the face of such a difficult situation, Principal Tang never yielded. On one hand, she visited all the villages in Huayi Town, all the families, and persuaded them to send their children to school to receive education; on the other hand, she went to all the relevant institutions to create better conditions for the children to go to school, and looked for more teachers who were willing to come to support the group.
Hard work paid off. Principal Tang persevered for eighteen years and finally succeeded in building a town school so that children of all grades could receive education here! These eighteen years of hard work had resulted in every child being able to hang on to their studies in spite of poverty. In exchange, the place was now teeming with young faces filled with hope and longing! In exchange, not a single person would forget the deeds of this legendary principal!
Su Chen stood halfway up the mountain and looked in the direction of the Mountain Road. He imagined how Tang Ying had endured the pain of her illness all these years, sweating profusely as she walked through the various difficult and bumpy mountain roads.
It was hard work, but she never once stopped!
More and more men, women, and children walked towards the dilapidated school. They lined up in long lines, walked to the mourning hall, and presented wreaths. They knelt on the ground, offered incense, and kowtowed!
Upon seeing this scene, many of the villagers in the crowd could not help but squeeze out of the crowd, go to Principal Tang's mourning hall and kowtow to her!
The cries were suppressed.
In addition to the vast expanse of whiteness around them, it was as if something else was gripping everyone's hearts tightly.
It made people feel depressed and uncomfortable.
Almost the entire Huayi Town had come to attend the funeral.
Sometimes they would lower their heads to wipe away their tears, and sometimes they would reminisce about Principal Tang's life. No one could laugh.
In the mourning hall, Xiao Ai looked at Juan 'er angrily and gritted her teeth:
"Everyone is raising money for you to invite the Suona troupe, and you're telling me that you couldn't get it? The funeral is such a big event, do you think it's a child's play?!"
"Do you think that I didn't want it? You didn't see that arrogant man, or else you would have..."
Juan 'er said with an aggrieved expression. Her heart was already filled with regret.
She had not expected so many people to turn up at the funeral.
The endless number of young students wearing mourning clothes could actually cover half of the mountain!
Her husband stood at the side and did not dare to speak.
Xiao Ai was so angry that her eyes were red and her entire body was trembling!
At that moment, she suddenly heard a rough voice coming from outside the mourning hall!
"The Suona has arrived!"
The abrupt voice broke the silence!
The rough and penetrating voice carried a solemn sense of purpose.
The crowd outside the mourning hall was like a receding snow-white tide, slowly moving to both sides.
A temporary path about one meter wide was formed.
At the end of the path, a middle-aged man holding a Suona with a black handle appeared!
"Master Li!"
"Master Li Is Here!"
"The class head of the Li Family, Li Hongzheng!"
The surrounding people whispered among themselves. The Li Family was a famous family among the villages within ten miles. It was not easy for any family to invite them to appear.
However, how many of them had been invited this time?
Upon hearing the sounds from outside, the people in the mourning hall hurriedly walked out. Juan 'er was extremely surprised when she saw Li Hongzheng for the first time.
After all, when Li Hongzheng had turned her away yesterday, he had been so decisive.
However, at that moment, she did not dare to stir up trouble.
She quickly saluted and greeted him respectfully.
After saluting, Juan 'er looked up at Master Li.
Li Hongzheng's expression did not change. He walked toward the mourning hall with a solemn expression.
Behind him, a few disciples followed!
Three disciples each held a Suona.
Including Li Hongzheng's.
A total of four Suona appeared in front of her.
Four Suona!
Two big Suona, one medium Suona, and one small Suona!
These were the four best Suona players in his troupe.
Some young people did not know the rules, so they quickly asked the elders around them, "Uncle, why are there so many Suona?"
"They come in sets. If they are not four, then they are eight. If a person is alive, then they will carry four or eight large palanquins; if a person is dead, then they will carry four or eight Suona!"
"I see!"
"Four? Why four!?"
"Four cupped their hands and bowed. Eight filial sons knelt down to welcome them. Just now, that woman cupped her hands and bowed. It seems like she had invited four!"
"Master Li personally brought four. It's not bad!"
The crowd was clearly a little disappointed and consoled each other.
According to their expectations, with Principal Tang's status, no matter what, it should have been eight Suona!
Looking at the scene in front of them, it was as if there were only four Suona!
Outside the mourning hall, Xiao Ai's tears flowed out. No one knew if she was furious or sad.
But very quickly, everyone's eyes changed!
Juan 'er's eyes also narrowed, as if she could not believe what she was seeing!
Another three disciples followed, holding all kinds of musical instruments in their hands.
It was the erhu, the flute, and the Sheng!
The last burly man was carrying a drum!
The faces of the eight people were solemn with a hint of sorrow!
It was actually eight suona!!
Su Chen, who was watching the funeral not far away, nodded his head in satisfaction when he saw this scene. Eight Suona!
A worthy farewell!
Juan 'er's expression was agitated, and she hurriedly knelt down.
Eight Suona, eight Suona, personally led by Master Li!
This was the respect that Li Family had for principal Tang.
The guests, Principal Tang's students, and the villagers of Huayi Town were all moved when they saw this scene.
Some grew excited, their eyes were red, and they forcefully held back their tears...
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