Chapter 368
After Ivan left, the cosy living room suddenly felt a bit chillier than before.
Milly cautiously checked out Jordan’s face, seeing his obvious annoyance. She was about to sweet-talk her way out of it, but then she noticed Jordan standing up, looking all serious, and with that same calm tone, he said, “Get up, come with me.”
She had to swallow the flattery she was about to spill out and followed him obediently instead.
They zigzagged their way to a hidden backyard spot where a small bungalow stood. If one paid attention, one could catch a subtle scent of sandalwood in the air.
Jordan pushed the door open gently and said, “Enter.”
The door wasn’t locked, so it opened quickly. Inside, it was all dark, with no lights on. The sunlight seemed to avoid this place.
With just the dim candlelight and a soft yellow glow, Milly could see a bunch of ancestral tablets lined up on the main table. Above them, a big sign read. ‘The Burnetts’ Family Chapel.’
Milly was surprised. This was the Burnetts’ family chapel?
She had been around for quite a while and yet had no idea this place existed.
Not paying attention to her astonishment, Jordan grabbed three sticks of incense. He ignited them with the candle on the tall table, positioned them on his forehead, and gave a respectful bow before slotting them into the incense holder.
He then put his hands together, knelt down on the cushion with his back straight, and said, “The Burnetts ancestors, the thirty- eighth generation eldest son Jordan Burnett, along with the younger sister Milly Burnett, are here to pay our respects to all ancestors, hoping for protection and smooth sailing for Milly, may everything work out well.”
Milly finally got it. Jordan was showing her how to honour their ancestors!
And he called her younger sister! Not just Milly.
In the deep and long-standing traditions of Halturia that go back five thousand years, being called ‘younger sister’ is a big deal. It means she’s seen as the legitimate daughter of the principal wife, closely tied by blood, the one meant to continue the family lineage represented on those ancestral tablets!
While she’d been accepted into the Burnetts by other family members like Carlos and Olivia or the family patriarch, they had never introduced her to their ancestors. Maybe they were wary of Stephanie’s reaction, or perhaps Philip had his reservations.
But today, Jordan took her through the Burnetts’ whole history, fully welcoming her into the family. This gesture meant that by honouring their ancestors, she was now truly a Burnett!
However…
As a wandering spirit occupying the body of the real Burnett daughter, what claim did she have to the protection of Milly’s ancestors?
With her lips tightly pressed together, Milly knew better than to voice such doubts in the presence of so many ancestors. Even so, she couldn’t take advantage of their kindness without acknowledging it, “Jordan, I really need to… “
“Milly, kneel!” Jordan’s icy command interrupted her.
Milly faltered, wanting to clarify, “Jordan, I need to tell you, I’m actually not… “
“Milly!” Jordan’s voice turned more stern, his eyes warning her, “Say what you need to outside. The Burnetts won’t tolerate delay; they dislike it when they’re kept waiting. Don’t upset or annoy them.”
His tone left no room for argument.
Milly held back her words under his intense look and authoritative tone.
Inhaling deeply, she obediently knelt on the cushion before her, adopting the same posture as Jordan, “Milly, I pay my respects to the ancestors.”
She didn’t dare to claim she was the rightful Milly or to call them her ancestors.
The divine is to be revered, and she was cautious not to be disrespectful.
Jordan seemed to catch on to her thoughts and didn’t push her further. After witnessing her compliance, he continued, “Oh ancestors, I introduce her to all our
forebears with this bow. From today, Milly will be recognised as a descendant of the Burnett lineage. She will be added to the family records per our family traditions. No matter who she marries, she will be buried in the Burnett family tomb and carry the Burnett name. She is now a direct heir of our ancestors, and I ask the celestial ancestors to shower their blessings on her.”
Milly followed suit, joining her hands and bowing three times as he did.
As the incense burned down, the room filled with thick smoke that enveloped the spirit tablets on the altar, casting a mysterious haze.
Milly closed her eyes and silently prayed. Ancestors of the Burnetts, I am a lost soul from another world, lucky enough to inhabit the body of your kin with no ill will. If you genuinely watch from the skies, I beg you to ensure the flourishing of the Burnetts’ safety.
Whether it was her imagination or not, the smoke hovering above the platform slowly dispersed, some swirling around her, lightly touching her hair as if being caressed by caring hands.
Suddenly, the tension and unease that had lingered before began to fade. In that moment, the centuries-old connection. seemed more straightforward.
She felt like she finally belonged as Milly.
This sudden realisation made Milly snap in surprise, looking at the spirit tablets. They seemed the same, as if everything was just her imagination, yet someone had comforted her.
Jordan left the family chapel visibly upset.
Milly followed him closely, but they could have spoken more. She treads lightly, trying not to upset him further.
She wasn’t sure what he was planning. Despite his evident agitation, he had taken her to the family chapel to pay respects.
The Burnett family greatly emphasised their lineage, which you could see from their large family chapel and deep family history. It struck her that everyone’s name was listed except for Stephanie’s in the family tree kept there.
It was odd because everyone in the Burnett family, including Philip, had always shown Stephanie much love. Yet, they left her out of the family tree. This highlighted how much they cared about keeping their bloodline pure within such a distinguished family!
It made sense for Jordan to want to add her to the family tree since she was a legitimate member of the Burnett family by blood.
But she just couldn’t shake off a feeling of discomfort about it.
So, she thought about clearing things up when they were in the family chapel. Still, Jordan unexpectedly interrupted her, as if he knew what she would say
Could Jordan actually understand more about this situation than he lets on?