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As Zhang Dafu and Qian Dahu watched, the Rain Worship Festival was about to commence. It had been confirmed by the doctor that Shen Zhu’s condition couldn’t be immediately cured. Moreover, considering her sudden affliction before this, even if she were to recover suddenly now, she probably wouldn’t be allowed to continue as the Rain Goddess. After all, who knew if those red rashes might suddenly reappear? So, they immediately decided to replace her as the Rain Goddess. When they saw someone willing to take over, and she wasn’t too bad-looking either, they readily agreed.
Su Zhi couldn’t help but think how unpredictable life could be. She didn’t believe in the notion of fate determining one’s destiny; at least she had the ability to change Shen Zhu’s fate. However, she was unwilling to do so for her. Moreover, she suspected that Shen Zhu’s sudden outbreak of red rashes was too coincidental to be a matter of fate; it was likely orchestrated by someone. Now, seeing this newly appointed Rain Goddess, she was even more certain of this, Su Zhi thought to herself.
“I won’t agree to her becoming the Rain Goddess”
Shen Zhu’s voice came from inside the house. It turned out that Shen Youfu, standing at the door, had heard about the plan to appoint Zhao Xiaohua as the Rain Goddess and is angry. Shen Zhu immediately became agitated. In her mind, Zhao Xiaohua was no match for her. Otherwise, why was she chosen while Zhao Xiaohua was rejected? Now that she was unlucky, this inferior person was getting the benefits she wanted. She felt resentful.
Shen Zhu began to shout loudly, claiming that someone had tampered with the Rain Goddess’s clothes she had worn before. It must have been manipulated, and the person behind it was related to Zhao Xiaohua.
Shen Zhu’s voice was loud enough for everyone in the courtyard outside to hear, including Qian Dahu, Zhang Dafu, and others. Zhao Xiaohua, seeing the expressions on their faces, felt a sense of impending trouble.
“Respected sirs, please don’t believe Sister Zhu’s words. She’s just upset and confused. Since she can’t be the Rain Goddess, she doesn’t want anyone else to have the opportunity, especially not me, just because we’re from the same village,” Zhao Xiaohua said, looking aggrieved and sad, lowering her head as if about to shed tears. But a hint of satisfaction and resentment flashed in her eyes. She was pleased that Shen Zhu not only couldn’t be the Rain Goddess anymore but also, with this commotion, would likely be seen as a jealous and narrow-minded woman. She resented Shen Zhu for being so ruthless, even at a time like this, not forgetting to step on her. She deserved to be embarrassed, preferably never being able to show her face again.
Originally, being from the same village, we should have been as close as sisters. But perhaps because we’re similar in age, others love to compare us. In her heart, she believes I can’t compare to her. This time, she was indeed chosen as the Rain Goddess. She must be unhappy that someone like me, who she sees as inferior, took her place as the Rain Goddess. That’s why she’s saying all this.
Zhao Xiaohua took a handkerchief to wipe her tears, rubbing her eyes until they turned red, as if she were really crying.
Shen Ziju’s expression wasn’t too good either. He thought his sister had really done something wrong this time. Even if she had doubts, she shouldn’t have shouted like that. Even if she felt aggrieved, her grievances weren’t as important as the Rain Worship Festival’s ceremony. If her outburst disrupted the proceedings, she would bear a great responsibility. Of course, he believed that his sister Shen Zhu, as just one person, couldn’t influence the decisions of people like Qian Dahu and Zhang Dafu. But it was certain that they wouldn’t have a good impression of her in the future.
Shen Ziju realized that his usually flexible-minded sister had indeed been greatly affected this time. She was starting to lose sight of the bigger picture.
“Uncle Qian, Uncle Zhang, what my sister meant is not as Zhao’s sister claimed. She and Zhao’s sister are of similar age and usually have interactions. Every time they meet, they address each other as sisters. How could my sister be unhappy about Zhao’s sister taking her place as the Rain Goddess? It’s not like giving it to someone else would be better than having a sister from the same village take on the role. My sister’s words just now were really for the sake of the Rain Worship Festival. She had doubts in her heart and didn’t want the Rain Goddess’s reputation to be tarnished.”
With these words, Shen Ziju cleanly shifted the responsibility away from Shen Zhu. He transformed her from a narrow-minded woman into a responsible woman willing to offend her sister for the greater good.
Qian Guang chimed in, “Indeed, the Shen family’s sister shouldn’t be that narrow-minded. Father, Uncle Zhang, let’s just listen to why the Shen family’s sister said those things.”
Liang Fu also echoed a few words of agreement. She didn’t do it because she had met Shen Zhu; it was just because she was Shen Zian’s sister. She also wanted to repay the debt of gratitude. It was a simple matter of giving face.
Qian Dahu nodded, and Zhang Dafu did the same. He valued Shen Ziju and Shen Zian’s reputation, so naturally, moreover he valued Su Zhi’s face even more. He had been in business for many years and could discern people’s intentions. He knew that this woman was clever and could come up with delicious dishes. There would be more recipes in the future. For those who were beneficial to him, he would offer some help, just as a matter of course.
At Shen Zhang shi’s persuasion, Shen Zhu quieted down. She also realized her mistake; she shouldn’t have shouted so loudly. It was bad for her image, especially with such influential figures present. If her reputation were tarnished, it would be disastrous. Fortunately, Shen Ziju helped her salvage her reputation, so she finally calmed down.
Shen Zhang shi also understood why her daughter had acted that way. She told Shen Zhu that she would explain to the outsiders. Regardless of whether Zhao Xiaohua became the Rain Goddess, she would ensure that things didn’t go too smoothly for her.
Standing at the door, Shen Zhang shi said, “Everyone, my daughter was just upset and shouted impulsively, which was improper. Please forgive her. As you all know, the Rain Worship Festival ceremony is extremely important, as it affects the weather and peace for the entire year. Naturally, we must be careful. We can’t afford another disaster like before, caused by the Rain Goddess’s carelessness, which brought criticism upon us.”
As Su Zhi listened to Shen Zhang shi’s clear and deliberate voice, she couldn’t help but admire how articulate and composed she was. She had never asked about Shen Zhang shi’s family background, but how could she have raised such an eloquent and theatrical person? Normally, someone like this should have ambitions, like Shen Zhu. With such talent, even if she couldn’t attain the status of the main wife in a prominent household, she could still become a favored concubine. Yet, she married a rural man and became an ordinary wife. It was truly a pity.
Others nodded in agreement with Shen Zhang shi’s words, thinking she made sense.
Shen Zhang shi continued, “My daughter has never suffered from this illness before. Her sudden affliction seems too coincidental. Why did it happen at this time, preventing us from selecting a suitable Rain Goddess? Then, someone volunteered themselves. It’s no wonder my daughter would be suspicious.”
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze towards Zhao Xiaohua, feeling that her appearance was indeed too conveniently timed.
“I happened to be at the doctor’s when Sister Zhu had an accident. I was concerned, so I hurried over. I wasn’t here earlier. Sister Zhu was already sick by then. How can Sister Zhu blame me and say what she did? I feel wronged. I can’t bear this great responsibility,” Zhao Xiaohua said, feeling the pressure as everyone looked at her. But she still wore a look of grievance, thinking to herself that they had no evidence against her. What could they do to her? Even if they found another Rain Goddess now, it would be too late. She would have to take the role herself. As long as she became the Rain Goddess, even if they only suspected her before, they couldn’t do anything to her later, even if they confirmed her involvement. After all, she had become the Rain Goddess.
Shen Youfu stepped forward and pointed at a man lurking at the back of the crowd. “Mao Laoliu, was it you who entered this house and tampered with the Rain Goddess’s clothes without anyone knowing? People don’t know your relationship with Old Li, but I know for sure if it was you.”
Mao Laoliu, a man of similar age to Shen Youfu, immediately became agitated upon hearing Shen Youfu’s accusation. “Shen Youfu, how dare you say something like this, you’re really despicable. Just because your daughter isn’t favored by the Rain Goddess and isn’t allowed to be the Rain Goddess, you blame others? Are you so resentful because my granddaughter didn’t have any accidents and she is now being chosen as the rain goddess, you’re trying to stir up trouble? Are you so unwilling to let people from Riverside Village have a chance to shine? You’ve really turned malicious. Li Zheng, you have to mediate this.”
Mao Laoliu was also quick-witted. He immediately twisted the reason for Shen Zhu’s illness, portraying it as dissatisfaction from the Rain Goddess, and even found Li Zheng, the village head, as his backer.
Li Zheng, standing nearby, frowned upon hearing this exchange. As soon as he learned that Shen Zhu couldn’t be the Rain Goddess, he became anxious. If Riverside Village had a Rain Goddess, it would bring him some recognition. If it suddenly couldn’t happen, he would be ridiculed by the heads of other villages. Fortunately, Zhao Xiaohua stepped up, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn’t let others ruin this.
Li Zheng immediately said to Shen Youfu, “Let’s have a civil conversation. Don’t bring up irrelevant matters and invite ridicule from others.”
Seeing Li Zheng siding with Shen Youfu, Mao Laoliu straightened his back and said, “Exactly, don’t bring up irrelevant matters. If we start, I could also bring up some of your past deeds. I’m sure your son, daughter, and daughter-in-law would love to hear about them.”
Shen Youfu was about to erupt again, but Shen Ziju stepped in to stop him. He suddenly remembered that his daughter’s matters were important, but his son’s matters were even more crucial. In front of so many people, he had to save face for his son. He could only grunt and say nothing more.
Su Zhi, however, became curious about the past deeds of these two couples. She figured they couldn’t be pleasant matters. Since Li Zheng probably knew about them too, they weren’t secrets. She would have a chance to inquire about them later. It wasn’t gossiping; it was just that these people had caused her trouble before, and if she knew about their ugly deeds. She could use that knowledge to keep them in check.