Annual Ceremony

Chapter 45 White Dew (Part )

There are four sacrifices in a year: spring sacrifice to the sun, summer sacrifice to the earth, autumn sacrifice to the moon, and winter sacrifice to the sky.

Each of the four seasons is divided into three periods according to the months: Meng, Zhong and Ji. Therefore, the Mid-Autumn Festival in August is also called Zhongqiu, which is the time to worship the moon.

When the White Dew is about to end, the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. The Zhan family father and son have just said goodbye to the Wang family and set off back to Xuancheng.

Zhenyi and Juzi spent this year's Mid-Autumn Festival in Tianchang with their family.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, a piece of news came from Jinling with the fresh fragrance of osmanthus, but the content of the news disappointed everyone in the Tianchang Wang family.

Wang Jie still failed to pass the imperial examination and fell ill.

To be exact, Wang Jie's health had not been very good before the exam. He forced himself to go to the exam room, and he held on for one exam after another. After he finished the exam, he collapsed.

After receiving the letter, Zhenyi quickly left Tianchang with her grandmother, father and uncles.

As the carriages and horses drove away, an elderly member of the Tianchang tribe who was seeing them off sighed with sorrow in his eyes: "We have to wait another three years..."

It only took the Wang family two days to return to Jinling.

Wang Jie had not yet recovered from his illness. He had a high fever for days, and his face was pale and thin. He wore a snow-white inner garment and a cotton robe. He insisted on staying in bed, kneeling on the ground and kowtowed, apologizing to his grandmother, father and uncles who had hurried back: "I am useless. I have once again disappointed my grandmother, father and two uncles..."

Old Mrs. Dong sighed: "You are still sick, what are you doing? Get up quickly..."

Wang Xipu looked at his son kneeling there for a moment, then turned his gaze to his wife and asked word by word, "This is not the first time you have taken care of the examinees. How could such a big mistake happen?"

Sensing that everyone was looking at her, the third wife felt embarrassed for a moment, but more importantly, she felt helpless and self-blaming.

The person who had worked the hardest and worried the most for this had now become the biggest sinner in the eyes and mouth of her husband.

She could not make any vehement excuses, and could only say with a sense of guilt and confusion: "I have been very careful about my diet and daily life, so I shouldn't..."

"Father, mother is not to blame for this." Wang Jie interrupted his mother's confusion, raised his head slightly, his eyes still lowered, and said in a hoarse voice: "It is my son who is not motivated and has failed the family's cultivation and appreciation..."

Yang Jinniang supported her younger brother and sister-in-law, who had also lost a lot of weight, and tried to whisper, "You can't blame Jie'er. The family has been so busy these past few months. Jie'er is a good child. Even if he doesn't say much, he can't help feeling sad in his heart... The doctor also said that Jie'er was too worried..."

After hearing these words, Wang Xipu finally directed his anger at his son: "What a worrywart!"

"You have never been asked to get involved in any of the family affairs, and you have never been asked to follow me on my trip back home. All of my considerations were made so that you could prepare for the exam with peace of mind... But you are so incapable of taking on big responsibilities and unable to accomplish anything big!"

"Does your current behavior bring honor to your family and comfort your great father's spirit in heaven?"

Wang Jie knelt there, his expression trembling with guilt, enduring his father's scolding.

"Old Third..." Mrs. Dong interrupted Wang Xipu's unfinished words: "Jie'er has always been responsible. He is the one who is most uncomfortable and blames himself now. Why do you have to hurt him like this?"

After all, they were not biological mother and son. This was a measured statement, but it still made Wang Xipu, who was away from home all year round, look embarrassed. Because of this barrier, even if he disagreed, he could only swallow it. He suppressed his emotions and lowered his head and said, "I lost my composure for a moment and made mother laugh..."

After saying this, he glanced at his son who was still kneeling there, and said solemnly: "It has come to this, take good care of him."

Immediately, he raised his hand to the old lady and saluted: "You have been in a hurry all the way, I will go and wash myself and change my clothes first."

Wang Xipu took two steps back, turned around and left the house. The old lady sighed and motioned for her second son to follow her and say a few words of comfort.

Wang Jie was helped back to the couch. The third wife, who always valued her dignity, felt ashamed and guilty, and couldn't stop crying. The first wife pulled her out and whispered to her, "If Jie'er saw you crying like this, wouldn't it make him feel even worse?"

"Jie'er, don't blame your father for his harsh words." Inside the house, Wang Xirui advised his nephew: "He has to mourn for three years. The unpredictable officialdom is bound to make people anxious. He is worried about his family and your future. It is normal for him to react like this..."

Old Mrs. Dong also comforted her grandson with a few words.

Listening to the consolation of his elders, Wang Jie leaned against the head of the bed, half-closed his eyes, and responded with "yes" again and again.

After the elders had finished speaking, Zhenyi was finally able to speak. Looking at her brother who was so weak and depressed, and even had a scraggly beard, she had thousands of words to say, but only one sentence remained: "Second brother...you have suffered."

Wang Jie finally raised his head and met his sister's eyes, which were slightly red due to worry. In an instant, two lines of tears rolled down his cheeks.

The adults paid attention to him, blamed him, had expectations of him, advised him, and taught him... But the second sister was like a ray of pure breeze that strayed into this busy world. Standing outside this fame and fortune, she saw at a glance all the "sufferings" that he had hidden and dared not and was too ashamed to show in front of others.

Wang Jie even saw the same pure worry in the eyes of a cat.

Looking at his second sister and Orange like this, Wang Jie was in a trance and returned to the days in Jilin. The small courtyard was simple, but he could see the open sky and mountains when he looked up. He always heard the voices of his grandfather and second sister discussing the seasonal celestial phenomena, and his nose smelled the smell of dust splashed by rain... It was the busy farming season, he was holding the grain cart in a dishevel, and a little girl suddenly held up an oil-paper umbrella for him.

Thinking of that pair of pure smiling eyes, Wang Jie's back bent a little bit. He had let down not only his family, but also the person who gave him the rabbit jade pendant... Could he expect her to continue waiting for him for three years? This was almost an unreasonable request, and he couldn't say it out loud.

Wang Jie had never gone to Jilin to deliver the message, but Chen Ningtian could learn the details from Zhenyi's letter. Wang Jie didn't know what she was thinking, and didn't dare to ask further. He just listened to his second sister conveying Chen Ningtian's advice to him to rest assured and take good care of his health.

Zhenyi also comforted her brother several times, and often mentioned her grandfather's words when he was alive.

Before winter came, Wang Jie finally recovered from his illness and gradually regained his spirits.

At the same time, Old Lady Dong made the decision to travel far away - to Sichuan, visiting relatives, old friends and colleagues who had been good friends with Wang Zhefu during his lifetime along the way.

"When your father entered the government, he did not take the imperial examination, but was recommended by his teachers..." The old lady said, "Nowadays, he can no longer stick to just one path..."

"He left nothing in his life except some connections and a good reputation. If they can help the family, it will be a small legacy." The old lady finished her words with only a sigh.

Wang Xichen and the others understood that their mother was trying to find a way out for the family by using the connections of her old friends in various places. Over the years, under the old lady's suggestion, even when Wang Zhefu was exiled to Jilin, the family never cut off its connections with various places.

But the brothers all knew that even though the family ties still existed, their father was gone, and their mother's behavior was no different from asking for help from someone in person...

Wang Xipu was surprised by the old lady's proposal, but also moved and admired her. He said with shame: "My mother is old, but she still has to work so hard for the family. I am really ashamed..."

"It's nothing." Mrs. Dong said, "I went back to Shuzhong to visit my relatives. If it gets out, it won't hurt your reputation."

The old lady's mother's family is in Shuzhong, and is considered a wealthy family locally. There are two brothers of the same generation as the old lady still alive in the family, and a nephew who is an official.

"Besides, the situation has become like this now. Staying at home is not a good idea... Luck is like water. It must flow to have a way out. Otherwise, it will become a stagnant pool of water."

"Besides, being kind to others and building good relationships, isn't it all for today?" The old lady said, "How many people in this world don't need to ask for help from others? I don't feel ashamed, and you don't have to feel embarrassed either."

The old lady's mind was always stable, and no one could easily interrupt her decision. Moreover, everyone knew that this was indeed a matter of benefit to the family.

But the journey is long and the old lady is old, so she must have a man to accompany her.

"I am willing to go, but since my mother has to go back to Shu to visit relatives, if I follow her..." Wang Xipu hesitated and looked at his two brothers: "I still have to listen to your opinions first."

What he meant was that he had no blood relationship with the Dong family in Shu, so it was not right for him to go along to visit his relatives. But the old lady knew very well that he was somewhat reluctant to put down his airs as an official to ask for help - the old lady did not intend to let him put down his airs either, as there had to be someone to support the family, so Wang Xipu's words were unnecessary.

But perhaps it was precisely because he was not a biological child and had to endure such sacrifices from his stepmother that he always felt a sense of gratitude and guilt in his heart, which made it even more impossible for him to remain silent.

In the old lady's view, it was human nature anyway, and there was no need to expose anything, so she just said: "You stay here, third son, and focus on taking care of Jie'er's studies for the next three years. This is also the most important thing."

Wang Xipu bowed his head and responded respectfully.

The entourage was almost certain, and Wang Xichen said, "Brother is not able to move around easily, so I will go with mother."

The old lady nodded and said, "Take Zhenyi with you. She has never been to her grandparents' home."

This surprised Wang Xichen, and Yang Jinniang was surprised. She didn't know if she would be able to come back in a few years. Zhenyi was already old enough to get married. The old lady was always sensible and knew the importance of things. She shouldn't...

After everyone left, the old lady left her second daughter-in-law alone to talk - Zhenyi was no longer as young as when she went to Jilin, and since she was going to take the child away again, she should calm down as a mother.

The old lady first talked about the recent situation of the Dong family in Shu: "... The Dong family is prosperous. The younger generations are either studying or doing business with foreign countries in the Western Regions. They have all kinds of jobs. Because there are so many options, the family will not collapse easily. It can be considered a stable small noble family... The west is far away from the Central Plains and the south of the Yangtze River. Although it is not as prosperous as Nanjing, it is more free and easy without so many restrictions..."

At this point, the old lady expressed her own considerations: "Zhenyi is no longer suitable for marriage in Jinling..."

Yang Jinniang was stunned for a while before she realized the old lady's intention.

Yang Jinniang heard several meanings in the word "unsuitable" in the old lady's words... Firstly, the Wang family is not what it used to be, and Wang Jie, who was favored by many people, failed to pass the imperial examination this year. Zhenyi has few choices for marriage, and it is difficult to pick a family that suits her.

Furthermore, after Zhenyi returned from Jilin, Yang Jinniang was vaguely aware of some discussions. Many people privately said that her daughter had been infected with the rough and rude spirit of Jilin... Yang Jinniang was panicked and angry, and didn't know what to do.

Under such circumstances, Zhenyi's choice of a son-in-law would inevitably be a disadvantage in the eyes of her mother.

Zhenyi's temperament and style were indeed different from those of ordinary Han women in the boudoir, and Yang Jinniang was also worried about her daughter's situation after she got married.

What she thought of, the old lady had obviously also thought of... This time, she took Zhenyi to Shuzhong with the intention of choosing a marriage for Zhenyi.

According to the old lady, she might have to start with her own nephew. It is said that most women in Shu can be the head of the household. If she can choose a suitable son from the Dong family, he will live a life of wealth and comfort. With the support of the old lady's family relationship, her mother will naturally be happy!

Yang Jinniang suddenly knelt down in front of the old lady and said with tears in her eyes: "My daughter-in-law has been useless all her life. She is always confused and can't keep up with the world... She is neither a good mother nor a good daughter-in-law... Fortunately, mother, you are so magnanimous and sensible, and you worry about everything for your daughter-in-law..."

"Thank you for your concern, mother. I will leave Zhen'er's future affairs to you!"

"..."

Eavesdropping - no, listening in on the conversation between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, Juzi couldn't help but think - So Zhenyi is going to marry in Sichuan? I heard that cats there eat raw chili peppers. As the most important dowry, should she also learn to eat spicy food in advance? Otherwise, what if the cats in Sichuan look down on her?
Zhenyi had no idea what Juzi was thinking, nor did she know about the conversation between her grandmother and her mother. At the moment, she was telling stories to put her sister to sleep.

After returning home, Yang Jinniang did not say much, but repeatedly reminded her daughter to serve the old lady well.

The departure date is set for the end of the first lunar month of next year, so that we can set off easily after the ice has completely melted.

Before that, Zhenyi accompanied her mother and took care of her younger sister every day, cherishing the time spent with mother and daughter.

This also led to Jingyi, who was reluctant to let her sister go out, crying uncontrollably when Zhenyi left and hugged her sister refusing to let go.

There is no little girl who would not like the big sister around her when she is young, who is always dressed cleanly, smells good and knows everything. Even if she does not have such a sister at home, she would choose the sister next door to like.

Because there are so many things I like, there are so many things I am reluctant to let go.

This time, Zhenyi did not pat her crying sister's mouth to amuse her. Instead, she patiently coaxed her sister again and again, made many promises, and made pinky promises four or five times before she finally coaxed her sister into submission.

After coaxing her sister, Zhenyi said goodbye to her mother and family members before getting back on the car.

It was clearly spring and the White Dew season had long passed. The moment Zhenyi got into the car, a layer of water vapor like white dew suddenly rose in front of her eyes, and the white water vapor condensed like dewdrops rolling down.

　It’s also a very long chapter, haha.

(Today my cat was stung by a bee! I was scared to death and worked hard for a long time, but luckily it was nothing serious...The silly cat was young and hot-tempered, and thought it was a fly. He caught it and slapped it under his claws, opened his mouth to bite it, and then was stung and spit it out immediately. Fortunately, it was a bee and not a bumblebee)
　
(End of this chapter)