Song Yuzhang: Chapter 109 - Burial
Chapter 109: Burial
Nie Xueping’s funeral was another kind of ultimate quietness and understatement. Though an obituary was issued, Nie Yinbing refused to let anyone attend the memorial, a decision Nie Qingyun also agreed with.
On the day of the burial, aside from the family servants carrying the coffin, there were only three members of the Nie family present—accompanied by Song Yuzhang.
Nie Bonian still had a slight fever. His little face was flushed red, and his eyes were swollen and puffy, yet he didn’t cry or fuss. He had known from a very young age that his mother had died. His father had taught him about death early on. He had accepted that this world could take away his loved ones, whether he was a baby or just a five-year-old child.
Nie Qingyun held him in her arms. Nie Bonian lay on her shoulder, his big black eyes glancing back at Song Yuzhang. In a soft voice, he asked, “Why is Brother Yuzhang here?”
Nie Qingyun’s face turned stern, and she said coldly, “Ignore him.”
But Nie Bonian, strong-willed as he was, kept looking at Song Yuzhang. Song Yuzhang was also looking at him, his expression gentle with a hint of sorrow.
Nie Bonian smiled at him.
Song Yuzhang was slightly startled, then smiled back.
Nie Yinbing stepped out.
Nie Qingyun turned her face, avoiding Song Yuzhang’s gaze, and looked toward Nie Yinbing. “Second Brother, it’s almost time.”
Nie Yinbing gave a quiet “Mm” and tied a piece of black mourning ribbon around Nie Bonian’s arm. Nie Bonian stared at the ribbon, thinking it looked like a small black butterfly.
Nie Yinbing then walked over to Song Yuzhang. He glanced down at him and tied the remaining ribbon around his arm. Song Yuzhang lowered his lashes and didn’t move, letting him do it.
The group proceeded to the Nie family cemetery.
The Nie family cemetery was large, dotted with gravestones. Song Yuzhang glanced around and noticed quite a few young faces etched onto the tombstones.
The burial was exceptionally quiet—no traditional music or drumming. The coffin was lowered into the ground as softly as a falling leaf.
Nie Qingyun set Nie Bonian down and told him to go pay his respects. Nie Bonian knelt and slowly bowed three times. When he got up, he turned back to Nie Qingyun and said, “I want to go see Mommy.”
Nie Qingyun led him to his mother’s grave, not far away.
Song Yuzhang silently looked at the gravestone. The photo of Nie Xueping showed his young and in his prime, wearing a gentle and serene smile.
He had been the head of the Nie family, yet carried no trace of arrogance or aggression—always so calm and composed, with such fine manners and grace. Being around him felt comfortable and inspiring.
The only time Song Yuzhang had seen him show any sharpness was when he competed in a horse race against Meng Tingjing. It was then he realized that Nie Xueping could also be competitive, and it was also then that he realized—he hadn’t just liked him. He had loved him.
Nie Yinbing said, “I haven’t told Bonian yet.”
Song Yuzhang stayed silent.
“He’s still young. When he’s older, I’ll tell him.”
“Don’t get too close to him.”
Song Yuzhang replied, “I understand.”
Nie Yinbing turned to look at Song Yuzhang. Even now, he still couldn’t fully accept that Song Yuzhang and Zhao Jianfang were the same person. It felt as though Zhao Jianfang was still out there, wandering the world, and the person standing before him was merely someone who looked like him—
Someone named Song Yuzhang, whom his eldest brother had loved deeply. Loved enough to take a bullet for.
Nie Yinbing was extremely calm about Nie Xueping’s death.
Nie Qingyun lived carefree, unaware that the family business was constantly walking on the edge of a knife. Both of her elder brothers had already survived several assassination attempts.
Nie Yinbing had long prepared for death—whether it was Nie Xueping’s or his own. Whenever it came, he wouldn’t be surprised.
But Nie Xueping’s death had indeed come as a shock.
He had thoroughly questioned the attendants who had been with her. They said they had planned to inspect the Song residence, but Nie Xueping had waved them off, saying not to enter. Since it wasn’t part of a pre-arranged itinerary and the Song family didn’t seem dangerous, they thought there was no risk of an ambush. Who would have expected Song Mingzhao to suddenly appear?
Nie Yinbing looked at the gravestone. Nie Xueping’s smile was warm, the smile of a kind and understanding elder brother. But now, his brother was gone.
Life and death are predestined. Impermanence has no reason. So many injustices in the world—what can one do? Only mourn the parting. Grief is useless. His brother was dead. He was now the elder brother.
He looked again at Song Yuzhang. Song Yuzhang’s face was calm. Aside from the red at the corners of his eyes and his pale complexion, he looked no different from usual—none of the pain and heartbreak from the night before, perhaps even a bit cold.
None of this resembled Zhao Jianfang in the slightest.
“Let’s go.”
Song Yuzhang followed the Nie family out of the cemetery.
The weather was beautiful today. The sky was a deep blue, and faint green still lingered on the trees outside the city. There was no wind—it was as still as a painting. In that picture-like stillness, a few black vehicles were parked closely beside the Nie family’s cars. As the Nie family exited, those cars came to life, and several men in black quietly emerged, forming a tight blockade at the exit.
In the silence, Meng Tingjing stepped out from one of the central vehicles. The moment he got out, his eyes immediately found Song Yuzhang among the crowd. Song Yuzhang was still pale, but his expression was much improved—none of the fragility from that night. Still, he didn’t look like someone capable of smiling.
After all, someone had died—how could one possibly smile?
Meng Tingjing walked toward the Nie family’s crowd with a grim face. There weren’t many people at Nie’s funeral, and her aggressive approach made Nie Qingyun quietly tighten her hold on Nie Bonian, her gaze falling on Song Yuzhang’s back.
Meng Tingjing stopped in front of Nie Yinbing and said calmly, “Can I take him now?”
Nie Yinbing replied, “I haven’t imprisoned him.”
Meng Tingjing turned his head slightly to glance at Song Yuzhang, who was already looking at him.
“Song Yuzhang,” Meng Tingjing said, “come out, I have something to say to you.”
Song Yuzhang was silent for a moment before stepping forward. Nie Qingyun immediately glared at him. “Song Yuzhang, how dare you?!”
But Song Yuzhang did dare. He walked up to Meng Tingjing and said, “Let’s talk somewhere else.”
The two of them walked off toward the shade of a nearby tree. Nie Qingyun was shaking with rage and was about to follow when she was stopped by Nie Yinbing.
“Second Brother!”
Nie Yinbing turned to look at her. “We don’t have the right to restrict his freedom.”
Nie Qingyun understood this, but she still couldn’t accept it. Nie Xueping’s body was barely cold, just buried, and Song Yuzhang was already talking to Meng Tingjing as if nothing had happened. She felt it was a betrayal to Nie Xueping.
In winter, the shade beneath the trees was nothing like in summer — sparse and unable to conceal much, casting only scattered shadows across their faces. Meng Tingjing glanced at the black mourning cloth on Song Yuzhang’s arm and said in a low voice, “So you’re going to play the dutiful son for Nie Xueping now? Wearing mourning for him?”
Song Yuzhang replied calmly, “He died for me. It’s only right that I wear mourning for him.”
“What do you mean, he died for you? Song Mingzhao already confessed — he aimed the gun at Nie Xueping.”
Song Yuzhang looked at Meng Tingjing, who stated firmly, “He’s already pleaded guilty.”
Song Yuzhang stared at him quietly. Meng Tingjing's expression didn’t change — he was utterly self-assured. Song Yuzhang turned his face away, his eyes slightly damp. After taking a moment to compose himself, he turned back to Meng Tingjing, his expression softer this time. “Tingjing, thank you. But I know the truth myself.”
Song Mingzhao had no grievance with Nie Xueping. Why would he want to kill him?
It was because Song Yuzhang had distanced himself from Song Mingzhao. Song Mingzhao resented him. No matter who the gun was aimed at, that shot was meant for him. There was no point in parsing the details — the fact was: Nie Xueping was dead, and he was still alive.
Ironically, he had distanced himself from Song Mingzhao and broken up with Nie Xueping in order to put everyone in their rightful place, to draw a clean line between himself and his chaotic past, to try becoming a less despicable person.
Yet every time he made a “good” decision, everything fell apart — nothing ever went as he planned. No satisfaction, no peace — only misfortune and hardship.
Maybe the seeds of consequence were sown long ago, long before he came to Haizhou — perhaps the moment he first scammed Nie Yinbing out of money, his fate was already sealed.
Does he regret it? Song Yuzhang didn’t know anymore. Since it had already come to this, then so be it. There was no turning back now.
Meng Tingjing looked at Song Yuzhang’s pale face and his long lashes drooping low. In just a few days, he had become so haggard. Not long ago, they were still quarreling in the same bed — he would say one thing, and Song Yuzhang would fire back another. It was infuriating, but in that frustration, there was affection and joy — a kind of willing self-torment.
“Song Yuzhang,”
Meng Tingjing called his name softly. Song Yuzhang’s eyes flickered. Meng Tingjing stared into his bloodshot eyes, then suddenly reached out and pressed the back of his neck, lowered his head — and bit him. Song Yuzhang’s lips were cold and soft, making his heart ache.
Nie Qingyun’s lips parted slightly in disbelief as she looked at Nie Yinbing. “Second Brother…”
Nie Yinbing stepped forward. Meng Tingjing caught sight of him in his peripheral vision, let go of Song Yuzhang, and looked at Nie Yinbing coldly. He knew full well that Nie Yinbing couldn’t do anything to him now.
Nie Yinbing stared at Meng Tingjing with icy eyes. He could draw his gun, but he no longer had the power or backing to use it freely — no one would clean up the mess for him anymore.
Meng Tingjing glanced at Song Yuzhang again. His expression was no longer entirely calm and detached — there was obvious turmoil. Meng Tingjing said, “Go wherever you want. If you want to come find me, then come find me. Song Yuzhang, don’t make me look down on you.”
Song Yuzhang’s lips were slightly moist. He licked them, tasting a faint trace of blood. His lips had been bitten by Meng Tingjing. That heart, numbed from Nie Xueping’s death, felt as though it had been bitten too. It didn’t hurt — but it trembled.
Meng Tingjing then looked at Nie Yinbing. “When Nie Xueping was alive, he was clever enough to team up with this guy to frame me. But now he’s dead — the railway will belong to the Mengs from now on. Second Master Nie, if you’ve got time to put unrelated people in mourning clothes, you’d better think about how to protect your family’s assets!”
With that, Meng Tingjing turned and left, as if he had come just to stir up trouble for the Nie family. Nie Qingyun was especially furious — if she hadn’t cried herself dry and wasn’t holding Nie Bonian, she would’ve burst into tears again.
Nie Yinbing watched the Meng family’s cars drive off. In his heart, he knew Meng Tingjing was absolutely right — he no longer had time to grieve. There were only two urgent matters: take control of the Nie family’s business, and avenge Nie Xueping.
Meanwhile, Song Mingzhao was being held in airtight protection at the police station.
Originally, Song Qiyuan had hoped to pull some strings to get him out. But after learning that Nie Yinbing had snatched Song Yuzhang from the Mengs and kept him under soft house arrest, Song Qiyuan gave up hope. He decided it might be safer for Song Mingzhao to stay at the police station — he might live a few days longer that way.
Inside, Song Mingzhao didn’t say a single word. No matter how crazed Song Qiyuan got, he didn’t even look at him.
“Fourth Brother, have you gone mad or fallen ill? Where did you get the gun? Why did you shoot at Nie Xueping?! Say something—” Song Qiyuan slammed the table furiously. “The trial’s about to start. Are you planning to stay silent until you die?!”
No matter how much Song Qiyuan shouted, Song Mingzhao didn’t make a sound. His eyes remained fixed on his own fingers resting on his knees.
Regarding Song Mingzhao’s life, Song Qiyuan had almost no hope left.
A life for a life — especially since Song Mingzhao killed Nie Xueping!
If things went badly, the whole family might have to pay for Nie Xueping’s death!
The bank was still on the verge of collapse... It was only saved through cooperation with the Nie family... Song Qiyuan didn’t dare think any further. He hurriedly left the police station after saying, “Take care of yourself.”
He still had to find Song Yuzhang — he was truly losing his mind!
Song Qiyuan went to the Nie family’s residence.
The guards at Nie’s home frowned coldly at him, clearly not taking him seriously at all.
“I came to find my younger brother,” Song Qiyuan forced himself to speak up. “You can’t just keep my brother here. Is there no law left in this world?”
Song Qiyuan tried to force his way in, quickly causing a commotion. The Nie family’s steward came out and asked, “Third Master Song, what’s going on?”
“I’m here to see Yuzhang,” Song Qiyuan said. “I know Fourth Brother did something wrong, but Fifth Brother has nothing to do with it. You can’t hold him here.”
Nie Mao replied, “Third Master, you misunderstand. No one is detaining Fifth Master. He’s willingly staying here to recuperate since the Song family isn’t safe right now. If you want to see him, please come inside.”
Song Qiyuan followed Nie Mao into the Nie residence, which was draped everywhere with white cloth and black silk. It made him feel a deep unease. Nie Xueping... what really happened?!
With anger, guilt, worry, and many complicated emotions, Song Qiyuan found Song Yuzhang in Nie Xueping’s courtyard.
As Nie Mao had said, Song Yuzhang really was recuperating. He sat in a rocking chair in the courtyard, covered with a thin blanket. Nie Bonian lay on his lap, wrapped up in the blanket as well. Song Yuzhang held a comic book in one hand, telling stories to Nie Bonian.
Song Qiyuan never expected to see such a peaceful scene and was momentarily stunned.
Nie Bonian, sharp and alert, turned his head when he heard the noise. Seeing Song Qiyuan, he softly called out, “Third Uncle Song.”
Song Yuzhang also turned his face.
His complexion was visibly pale from blood loss that day, but his expression was calm. “Third Brother.”
Song Qiyuan approached hesitantly, unsure what to say. Song Yuzhang first said to Nie Bonian, “Bonian, you should go back now. Remember to be quiet — don’t let Auntie or Uncle see you.”
Nie Bonian said, “Mm.”
Nie Mao came over and picked up Nie Bonian.
Nie Bonian sat obediently in his arms.
After taking a few steps, Nie Mao said, “Young Master, you should stop looking for Fifth Master. If Second Master and Miss find out, they’ll be unhappy.”
“Why would they be unhappy?” Nie Bonian asked.
Nie Mao stroked his head and sighed softly.
“Is it because Dad saved Brother Yuzhang, so they don’t like Brother Yuzhang now?”
Nie Mao, the longtime steward who had cared for the Nie family’s young masters and mistresses up to the current young master, knew that Nie Bonian was precocious. He smiled kindly but helplessly.
Nie Bonian leaned on his shoulder and whispered, “I don’t dislike Brother Yuzhang.”
When Nie Bonian came to find Song Yuzhang with the comic book, he had also said to him, “Brother Yuzhang, I don’t dislike you.”
Song Yuzhang, still pale, sat in the rocking chair without responding. He just lifted Nie Bonian up and wrapped him in the blanket.
Nie Bonian nestled in his arms, speaking in a soft childish voice but clearly, “I know Dad died to save you.”
Song Yuzhang said nothing, gently stroking his soft back.
“Mom died to save me, too.”
Nie Bonian said softly, “But Dad said Mom loved me. To die for the one you love is never regretted.”
Song Yuzhang remained motionless, his hand resting on Nie Bonian’s back.
“Dad doesn’t dislike me, and I won’t dislike you. I’ll try hard not to get sick, and you don’t get sick either,” Nie Bonian handed the comic book to Song Yuzhang. “Brother Yuzhang, tell me a story, starting from page 21. Dad already read me the first part.”
……
Song Yuzhang closed his eyes briefly, then looked at the anxious Song Qiyuan and said, “Go to the police station.”
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