Font Size:
Su Zhi and Shen Zi’an exchanged a glance, realizing they had guessed correctly. It seemed that Shen Zhu indeed wanted to go and choose the Rain Goddess. But why involve them in her decision?
Shen Zi’an asked, “Elder Brother, did you hear why our parents summoned us?”
Shen Zigui replied, “I didn’t hear the reason. I overheard Third sister-in-law talking about the Rain Goddess, so I assumed it might be related to that. I’m not sure about anything else.”
Shen Zi’an nodded, turning to Su Zhi, “Wife, let’s go and see what’s happening.”
Su Zhi called out to White Wolf before taking Yueyue’s hand, gathering Xiaori and Xinger, and following Shen Zi’an alongside Shen Zigui out of the house.
Before reaching the Shen residence, they encountered Dazhu’s wife, who upon spotting Shen Zi’an and the others, approached with a smile, blocking their path. She exclaimed, “Brother Zi’an, Sister, I heard your three children have been chosen by Li Zheng to be part of the Rain Worship Festival as the young participants! Congratulations! This is a great honor, boosting your reputation and earning you some money. It’s a pity my Tiedan is past the age limit, or he could have been chosen too. Yueyue, come here, let Auntie touch your face. Look at this adorable little face, so lively. Why didn’t I have the luck to find such a beautiful young girl? If I did, I would have her marry my Tiedan. Yueyue, what do you think of my Tiedan? Will you marry him?”
Yueyue took a step back, avoiding Dazhu’s wife’s touch on her face, blinking as she replied, “Tiedan pulls my hair. I don’t want to marry him!”
Dazhu’s wife burst into laughter, a cacophonous sound that rivaled a flock of ducks, squinting as she remarked, “My Tiedan likes you; that’s why he pulls your hair. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t even bother with you. I won’t let him pull your hair anymore. Instead, I’ll have him help you deal with those little troublemakers. If you marry him, Auntie will give you delicious treats. Will you be my daughter-in-law? How about that?”
Shen Zi’an and the others frowned. They were concerned about Dazhu’s wife openly coaxing a young girl like this in front of them. Even though Yueyue was young, it wouldn’t be appropriate if Dazhu’s wife continued to suggest that Yueyue wanted to marry her son, Tiedan.
Su Zhi lifted Yueyue and addressed Dazhu, saying, “Dazhu’s wife, my Yueyue is still a child. Please refrain from saying such things to her; she doesn’t understand. If Tiedan is eager to find a wife, perhaps you should consult a matchmaker.”
Seeing Su Zhi’s stern expression, Dazhu’s wife sensed her displeasure and decided to drop the subject. She attempted to explain, “I was just playing around with Yueyue because she’s so lovable. Don’t be upset, Sister.”
Su Zhi huffed, stating, “Yueyue shouldn’t be played with like that. If you continue, please refrain from speaking to her in the future. Don’t talk to us either. We don’t appreciate this kind of playfulness.”
Dazhu’s wife fell silent, feeling embarrassed. She had only meant to tease Yueyue, who looked adorable and was well-liked by her son. Despite only being adopted by Su Zhi, Dazhu’s wife still liked Yueyue. She had hoped to establish a closer relationship with Shen Zi’an’s family through this connection. However, with Su Zhi’s firm stance, it seemed her attempts were futile. She realized it was best not to risk losing everything for a small gain.
“Tiedan’s mother, what are you doing outside? Come back, Tiedan is trying to climb off the heated brick bed again!” Zhao Dazhu shouted from the courtyard.
“I’m coming, I’m coming! This child, it’s still windy outside. Why run around? If he falls ill again, we won’t have money for medicine!” Dazhu’s wife scolded from the yard while turning to Su Zhi, adding, “Sister, if your three children get selected, remember to distribute sweets. It’s a big occasion!”
Su Zhi watched as Dazhu’s wife hurried back into the yard. She thought to herself that even if her children were chosen, there was no need to distribute sweets. Dazhu’s wife seemed unable to see others prosper without trying to impose a burden on them, always eager to disrupt their happiness. It was truly exasperating to deal with her each time.
Yueyue asked, “Mom, why can’t Tiedan get off the heated brick bed?”
“Because Tiedan isn’t well. It’s windy outside, and if he runs around, he might get sick.”
Su Zhi patiently explained to Yueyue, thinking about how Tiedan had fallen into an ice hole during winter, barely surviving. Although he had been saved, his health hadn’t been the same since. If it hadn’t been for Dazhu’s wife trying to blame the incident to their family, she would have considered using some Lotus Flower pollen for Tiedan. However, due to that incident, she had refrained from using it again. Despite his mischievous nature, Tiedan was actually a good child, showing affection whenever they met.
Su Zhi contemplated treating Tiedan’s health issues if they persisted, recognizing that it was crucial not to let a child suffer due to adults’ mistakes, especially since he was a decent child.
“Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister, come in quickly!” Wang Shi stood at the door, beckoning Shen Zi’an and his wife. She had heard Dazhu’s wife’s voice in the courtyard earlier and had come out, witnessing Dazhu’s wife heading inside.
“Today, Aunt Li visited their house. It was Aunt Li who discussed the matter of the young participants with them. I even heard her mention wanting her daughter Xiaohua to participate in the search for the Rain Goddess. Her Xiaohua can’t compare to our Zhu’er.”
Wang Shi and Su Zhi walked inside, conversing. Currently, their relationship was average—not overly close but not distant either. They wouldn’t get too personal, but they could engage in conversation, like now discussing Aunt Li. Of course, Wang Shi had her own ulterior motives; she didn’t want Zhao Xiaohua to be chosen as the Rain Goddess. Instead, she wished for Shen Zhu to be selected. When a household had a young woman chosen as the Rain Goddess, not only would she receive praise, but also her family’s other women would be admired.
In the past, those chosen as Rain Goddesses married into respectable families. Those without engagements would be sought after by matchmakers, from reputable families. Even the other women in the selected maiden’s family would be favored. People assumed that a family producing a Rain Goddess must be of high standing, and they would also hold the other women in high regard. If they couldn’t marry the chosen Rain Goddess, they would seek out her sisters or nieces.
All the women Wang Shi knew of who had been chosen had married into good families.
Wang Shi thought that if Shen Zhu became the Rain Goddess, her two daughters would naturally benefit. She didn’t want Zhao Xiaohua or anyone else to be selected. She understood that Shen Zi’an and his wife had been summoned for this purpose, so she felt the need to inform Su Zhi about the situation.
Su Zhi had already heard about the Rain Worship Festival from Shen Zigui. Now, hearing Wang Shi’s words further confirmed that they had been summoned for this festival. She wondered what role they were expected to play. Did they intend to elevate Shen Zhu to the status of Rain Goddess? That seemed beyond their capabilities.
Wang Shi is right. Zhu’er is indeed suitable for being the Rain Goddess,” Su Zhi responded to Wang Shi. With the Shen family considering Shen Zhu for the role, Su Zhi saw no reason to object. She believed Shen Zhu was a good candidate, possessing beauty, intelligence, and good skills. Compared to previous Rain Goddesses she had heard of, Shen Zhu seemed just as suitable. Su Zhi had no strong opinions on Shen Zhu becoming the Rain Goddess. If she was chosen, that was fine; if not, it wouldn’t affect them. She was more concerned about why Shen Youfu and Shen Zi’an had called her and Shen Zi’an.
Sun Shi, who had overheard Su Zhi’s words from the adjacent room, chimed in with a smile, “Oh, Fourth Brother and Sister, you speak well. Zhu’er would definitely make a great Rain Goddess. I heard that your three children are also being considered as young participants? That’s wonderful news. Let’s discuss something; I hope you agree.”
Su Zhi inquired, “What is it?”
Sun Shi said, “It’s not a big deal, but could you let my son, Wulang(The Shen’s Fifth Grandson), also be considered as one of the young participants?”
Su Zhi raised an eyebrow and replied, “Third Sister-in-law, I don’t quite understand your request. The selection of the young participants isn’t something I can influence. If Wulang wishes to participate, he should approach Li Zheng, not me.”
Sun Shi hurriedly explained, “Li Zheng mentioned that each village can only recommend six children for selection, and he has already chosen the candidates. Since you’re sending three, isn’t that a bit too much? Could you possibly make room for Wulang?”
Su Zhi realized Sun Shi’s intention. Even if she agreed to let one of Xiaori or Xinger step back to make way for Wulang, Li Zheng wouldn’t likely approve. Even if he did, considering Wulang’s frequent illnesses and frail appearance, he wouldn’t be a suitable candidate. Anyone who had seen Wulang knew he was often sickly and frail, hardly fit to be a young participant. Sun Shi seemed to be overestimating her son’s abilities.
Dalang(The Shen’s Eldest Grandson) smiled and interjected, “Aunt Sun, Wulang’s fragile health won’t suit being a young participant. He definitely won’t be chosen. It’s best to drop this idea.”
Sun Shi glared at Dalang and retorted, “Nonsense! Wulang is perfectly fine. Your opinion is not needed here. Mind your own business.”
Wang Shi snorted, pulling Dalang away. She preferred not to get involved in the troubles between the third and fourth households.
Sun Shi then turned to Shen Zi’an with a smile, saying, “Fourth Brother, please consider agreeing to Third Sister-in-law’s request. Your older brother and sister-in-law are frequently unwell. If Wulang becomes a young participant, it might bring blessings, possibly improving our health. You are your older brother’s true sibling. Don’t you wish for his well-being? I know you’ve changed now; you are wealthy and have a Sacred Beast. A word from you would make a difference. They will surely let Wulang participate. Please help your older brother and sister-in-law!”