Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 323 Selected
As the sun sets in the west, the sky gradually darkens.

Aying handed a lantern to Yan Ciwan. It was a very ordinary paper lantern, but it had a red string and a bell tied to the bottom.

"Everyone who participates in the prayer meeting must carry one of these lanterns."

Yan Ciwan took the lantern: "Shall we set off now?"

"Okay." Ah Ying, who was also carrying a lantern, said as she walked out. "Just follow what we do. Don't make any noise or look around. If you break the rules, the village chief will punish you for offending the moon goddess, so you have to be careful."

The two stepped out of their house and found many villagers carrying lanterns outside.

When they saw someone they knew, they simply nodded to each other without making a sound, maintaining absolute silence throughout.

Soon, people noticed Yan Ciwan's unfamiliar face. They all looked at her with surprise, wondering how an outsider like her could have gotten in.
However, out of respect for the rules, no one present asked any questions.

Yan Ciwan and Aying both slowed down and fell to the back of the group.

They walked quietly through the night, and after leaving the village, they arrived at the Moon River.

On the calm river, there was an altar on the riverbank, covered with incense, candles and offerings for worship.

The villagers found their familiar spots and stood in line. Yan Ciwan and Aying remained at the back of the crowd. Once all the villagers had arrived, the village chief slowly appeared in everyone's sight, leaning on his cane.

He stood behind the incense table, pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve, unfolded it, and began to read it slowly.

"In the nineteenth year of the Qianyuan era, the year of Guimao, in the first month of autumn, we respectfully offer sacrifices of three kinds of sacrificial animals, five kinds of grains, pure wine, seasonal fruits, incense, candles, silk, and jade to the Moon Goddess."

It was a very ordinary sacrificial prayer, but Yan Ciwan started to drift off as she listened. She looked around and saw that all the villagers present were listening intently to the village chief reciting the prayer.

The full moon in the night sky is reflected on the river, but because the water flows continuously, the moon's reflection can never be complete.

Yan Ciwan's ears twitched; she sensed someone approaching.

By this time, the village chief had finished reciting a blessing. He picked up the copper bell from the incense table and gently shook it. The clear sound of the bell drifted on the night breeze, accompanied by the soft murmur of the flowing river, creating a lingering and melodious effect.

The villagers knelt down and slammed their heads on the ground.

Seeing this, Yan Ciwan had no choice but to kneel down along with Aying.

The bell stopped ringing, and the village chief continued reading.

"Pray to the Moon Goddess: Control the waves and keep them calm, so that no one may drown. Send down clouds and rain to relieve the drought. Protect my people, so that their boats may sail smoothly. Protect my land and water, so that our land may be prosperous forever."

After reciting the prayer, he placed the prayer in his hand above the incense and candles, letting the flames light them.

After the prayer text was burned to ashes, the village chief picked up the three cups of wine placed on the incense table and poured them all into the Moon River.

Only after the village chief announced the completion of the sacrificial ceremony did everyone stand up.

Yan Ciwan looked up and saw that a bamboo raft had appeared on the previously empty river. Two burly men dressed in black were standing on the raft. They lifted all the cloth bags piled on the raft onto a plate. Finally, they lifted a dark, heavy earthenware pot.

The large earthenware jar was placed in front of the incense table, while the other cloth bags were placed beside it.

The village chief took out a booklet and addressed the villagers.

"Same as always, line up in order and come over to receive your food and holy water."

Upon hearing this, the villagers' eyes lit up immediately. To them, both food and holy water were incredibly precious things. They quickly formed a long line in front of the village chief, with Yan Ciwan and Aying silently standing at the very end of the line.

Yan Ciwan noticed that Aying's expression was off, so she gently tugged at her sleeve and mouthed silently, "What's wrong?"
Ah Ying shook her head and gestured for her to be quiet, indicating that she should not make a sound.

Their movements were small, but they still caught the village chief's attention. He stopped what he was doing and had the two women standing at the back of the line brought over.

After seeing the two women clearly, the village chief was quite surprised and asked, "Madam Xiao, what are you doing here?"

Yan Ciwan looked embarrassed and said somewhat awkwardly.

“I heard there was a prayer ceremony in the village, so I shamelessly begged Aying to bring me along. I wanted to pray for my mother and hope that the moon goddess could bless her to recover soon.”

The village chief expressed his understanding, and an appreciative look appeared on his wrinkled old face: "The Moon Goddess likes children as filial as you the most."

Upon hearing this, Aying's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

She had a bad feeling. Every time the village chief chose a divine servant, he would say something similar, praising the person in the name of the moon goddess.

Could it be that the village chief has taken a liking to Yan Ciwan this time?
Yan Ciwan felt embarrassed by the praise. She lowered her head and whispered, "I'll do anything to cure Mother's illness."

Ah Ying really wanted her to stop talking, but the village chief was watching right in front of her, so Ah Ying didn't dare to make the slightest move and could only worry anxiously in her heart.

The village chief was increasingly satisfied: "Excellent, the Moon Goddess is moved by your filial piety. Would you like to stay and become her most loyal servant?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present was astonished. They had never expected that the village chief would appoint an outsider as a divine servant; this was an unprecedented precedent.

Aying's suspicions were confirmed; the village chief had indeed chosen Yan Ciwan.

According to the rules, no one, regardless of who they are, can refuse to be chosen as a divine servant; otherwise, they will be considered to be showing contempt for the moon goddess and will be severely punished.

Aying's heart was pounding, and her palms were sweating with nervousness.

What should I do next?
Yan Ciwan's face lit up with surprise: "Can I really do it?"

The village chief smiled and said, "You are outstanding in every way, and you are the best candidate to become a divine servant."

Yan Ciwan seemed to remember something, and the joy on her face faded. She hesitated and said, "But if I go to the Moon Goddess's side, what will happen to my mother? She is still sick and cannot be left unattended."

The village chief said gently, "Please don't worry about that. You can take your mother with you to the Moon Goddess. You can ask the Moon Goddess to bless your mother, and she should recover from her illness soon."

Yan Ciwan's worries turned to relief, and she said with great joy, "That's wonderful! Thank you, Village Chief. I'll go back now and bring my mother over."

"No need for such trouble. You wait here, and I'll have someone go and fetch your mother."

Yan Ciwan was embarrassed: "Wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?"

"It's nothing," the village chief said, turning to one of the men in black. "Go to Aying's house and bring Xiao Niangzi's mother here."

"Yes."

The man in black turned and hurriedly left.

Aying was extremely anxious, but Yan Ciwan looked like she had gotten a great deal and kept grinning foolishly.