"Among all virtues, filial piety comes first. Second Master Feng has raised this child well, he truly is filial."
"So-so, so-so," Second Master Feng couldn't stop grinning, "Laughing Sheng, why don't you quickly pour some tea for your Uncle Xu."
"Nephew invites Uncle to enjoy the tea."
For a disciple, serving tea is a necessary ritual. Feng Xiaosheng, this clever child, took advantage of serving tea and subtly changed 'uncle' to 'uncle-father.' This single word change bridged their relationship by more than just a little.
Feng Xiaosheng didn't quite understand why he did this, he just felt a sense of closeness when he first laid eyes on Xu Qing.
The last time he felt such a feeling was when Second Master Feng and Madam Feng took him to Purple Cloud Mountain to fulfill their vows.
He was only seven or eight then, and when he saw the statue of Lady Bao Sheng, he immediately felt a sense of closeness. Even though what stood on the altar was just a statue, he felt safe and warm, believing nothing could harm him there.
This feeling faded as he grew slightly older, yet Feng Xiaosheng continued to respect that Lady deeply. Every year on May 8th, he would remind Second Master Feng to spend lavishly, mimicking the Jin Sect festivity 'Sea Goddess Festival,' by hosting a 'Little Lady Bao Sheng Festival' on Flower and Bird Street.
The Sea Goddess' birthday falls on March 23rd. Each year at this time, Jinmen people would host festivals for the Goddess.
This is the Jin people's custom. When Emperor Longping's father traveled to Jiangnan long ago, he happened to pass through Tianjin and coincidentally encountered the Sea Goddess Temple festival.
What a grand event for the old Emperor to see!
Lion dancers, stilt walkers, fire breathers, knife dancers—everything imaginable was there.
The old Emperor couldn't stop laughing, feeling delighted. He handed out dragon flags and yellow jackets like they were free, rewarding anyone he saw at the festival.
Although the Sea Goddess Festival is named after her, all kinds of old societies participate, and the festival has become ingrained in the Jin people's customs and memories.
Since the Emperor visited, Jin Sect yellow jackets became commonplace, seen even on performing monkeys.
Thus, the Sea Goddess Festival transformed into the Royal Festival.
The Feng family greatly respects Lady Bao Sheng and cherishes her in their hearts. Observing how the Sea Goddess has her festival annually, they wouldn't want Lady Bao Sheng to miss out.
Even if a grand festival can't be hosted, they chose another time for a smaller gathering, right at Flower and Bird Street.
Fortuitously, May 8th is a day blessed by auspicious signs, symbolizing vitality, so they decided it would be Lady Bao Sheng's birthday.
To date, the Bao Sheng Temple Festival has been held thrice. Though less lively compared to the Sea Goddess Festival, which sweeps through all of Jin Sect, it certainly represents the fervent devotion of the Feng Family.
Xu Qing, having secluded himself for years, clearly knew nothing of this.
Facing Feng Xiaosheng's courteous offering of tea, Xu Qing rarely showed a gratified smile. This child possessed some destiny with him. Years ago when Second Master Feng was childless, Xu Qing had provided a health remedy, granting Second Master Feng and Madam Feng, an old husband and a young wife, a blessing of incense and lineage.
"Very well, very well!"
Xu Qing took the tea, sipping lightly. After setting down the cup, he smoothly retrieved a bag of rice worms from Flower and Bird Market from his sleeve, saying:
"I picked these plump worms from a bird feed shop during my journey. Xiaosheng, you should use them to feed your elder uncle."
Feng Xiaosheng accepted the pouch and opened it to see the genuinely fine worms!
Clearly, this convenient uncle of his also knew a thing or two about fowl and birds!
Meanwhile, as Young Master Feng searched for his elder uncle, Xu Qing spoke to Second Master Feng, "Second Master, I won't remain long this visit. Affairs outside demand my attention. If you encounter difficulties, you might seek Underground Street's Paper Mache Shop for someone named Li Tiezhu, my named disciple."
"Though Tiezhu might not offer major help, he can assist in times of need."
Xu Qing discerned the situation; Feng Xiaosheng seemed playful yet lacked deceitful intent; he was a decent person.
Second Master Feng had a child in his later years and was destined to have scant affinity with descendants. If one day he were to pass away, leaving the child and his mother alone, they indeed would need support.
"I've noted that. Thank you, Brother Xu. It's truly fortunate to have befriended Brother Xu in this lifetime."
Second Master Feng, being savvy, immediately grasped Xu Qing's remark.
Second Master Feng, who had encountered the pathways of cultivation as his elder uncle's galloping immortal disciple, knew aspects beyond the mundane.
While Xu Qing was not just any funeral master, Second Master Feng wasn't fully clear on his capabilities but trusted he wasn't ordinary.
Xu Qing had no pretext to mention all these matters unless he saw Second Master Feng's life span was short, offering him guidance for peace of mind.
Wisdom comes with age, and the old friends understood each other as if possessing a mirror. Second Master Feng never brought up dispiriting topics, which led Xu Qing to initially believe fatherhood changed his character—no longer frightened of death.
But when Second Master Feng's trembling hands raised the teacup, splattering tea everywhere, Xu Qing realized he wasn't afraid of death, just suppressing his internal emotions.
Xu Qing extended a palm, gently patting the shoulders of the shivering Second Master Feng.
"Brother Xu, Laughing Sheng just turned eighteen; I haven't seen him marry or have children, establish a family, or advance his career. How can I put him down easily..."
Xu Qing opened his mouth, pondering his response when suddenly he glimpsed Master Feng walking in with Elder Uncle from outside the reception hall.