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Qian Dahu and Zhang Dafu exchanged glances, both thinking that Shen Zhu merely suspected Zhao Xiaohua of orchestrating someone to trip her up, but lacked evidence. With the ceremony for the Rain Goddess approaching, and Zhao Xiaohua willing to step up and understand the process without hesitation, it seemed practical to let her take the role.
As for the notion that Zhao Xiaohua might have a malicious nature and is unsuitable to be the Rain Goddess…
In these years, how could all the Rain Deities be kind-hearted individuals? As long as they hadn’t committed major wrongdoings before and could assume the appearance of the Rain Goddess in front of the villagers, who cared whether there was evidence pointing fingers at them for harming the previous Rain Goddess? If there was no evidence, then it wasn’t true.
“Miss Zhao, please prepare quickly. If this Rain Goddess ceremony goes well, you’ll have achieved a great accomplishment.”
Qian Dahu said to Zhao Xiaohua. This was the conclusion they had just quietly agreed upon with Zhang Dafu. Time was running out, and if they didn’t dress up the Rain Goddess soon, it would truly be too late.
Zhang Dafu also instructed the steward and servants nearby to hurry up and assist Zhao Xiaohua in dressing up.
Zhao Xiaohua thanked the two of them joyfully and then glanced shyly at Qian Guang before following the steward and several maidservants into another room.
In the room, Shen Zhu clenched her delicate hands into fists upon hearing the conversation. She harbored deep-seated hatred towards Zhao Xiaohua, convinced that she had orchestrated someone to harm her. Shen Zhu thought, if Zhao Xiaohua hadn’t been chosen as the Rain Goddess, why didn’t she lose face with her earlier? She had the means and a plan already set in motion, waiting for her here. What a despicable and cunning girl! And her fourth sister-in-law, too. She had such capabilities, yet adamantly claimed she couldn’t cure her. She just didn’t want to help her. Shen Zhu remembered them both. If she ever found a better opportunity in the future, she wouldn’t extend any favors to them.
Shen Zhu then mentally condemned everyone she could think of once again, feeling the itch returning but forced herself not to scratch. It was truly an unbearable ordeal.
“Young master, something else has happened,” a person rushed over, addressing Qian Guang. Since Zhang Dafu and Qian Dahu had left after resolving the situation, they came to Qian Guang first.
Qian Guang and Liang Fu were talking with Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi when Xiaori, Xinger, and Yueyue, who had been playing nearby, came running over.
The three children, two boys dressed in red and a girl in green, wore the same clothes as other children in the courtyard, yet they seemed different. Their fair, clean faces and shiny black hair made them irresistibly adorable from a distance. Up close, their big eyes and small mouths made people want to touch their hair and pinch their cheeks.
Qian Guang and Liang Fu were no exception. Seeing the three children, they thought they looked much better than they had a few months ago. They knew Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi were taking good care of them, and immediately felt that Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi were genuinely kind-hearted people. It was rare for someone to take in abandoned children and care for them so well, unless they couldn’t have children of their own. However, these newlyweds were not in such a situation.
With this thought, Qian Guang and Liang Fu regarded Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi with even more respect, realizing they were indeed people worth befriending.
While they were talking, they heard someone approach with bad news, putting Qian Guang in a sour mood.
“What’s wrong now? Why the panic?” Qian Guang’s mood soured immediately. “Earlier it was about the Rain Goddess, is something wrong with the children now?”
Qian Guang was displeased. He had been in the middle of a conversation with Su Zhi, asking her about her medical knowledge. His mood had been good until this interruption, and now his brow furrowed.
The servant looked distressed. “Master, you’re right. It’s about one of the boys. He suddenly got a stomachache and can’t come out of the latrine.”
How could this happen? Just when everything seemed settled.
Qian Guang was furious. He couldn’t understand what was going on. First, the Rain Goddess suddenly broke out in a rash, and now a boy was having diarrhea. Did this mean they had somehow offended the heavens this year? It seemed like a warning from above, and that was not a good sign.
Liang Fu suggested, “Cousin, we should quickly call for the local physician. This boy is young and frail. We can’t afford any more mishaps.”
The servant added, “The physician has already been sent for, but it looks like this boy won’t be able to make it. Master, perhaps we should find another boy to stand in his place.”
Qian Guang nodded in agreement. It was necessary. How could they allow a boy with diarrhea to participate in the ceremony? Not only would it risk disrupting the proceedings if he suddenly needed to use the latrine, but it would also be disrespectful to the Rain Goddess to let an ill child take on such a role.
Master Qian, perhaps my son could stand in as the boy? He has a handsome appearance that the Rain Goddess is sure to favor. Fourth Brother-in-law, could you please speak up for him? He’s your nephew, after all, and you know him best.
Sun Shi interjected at this moment, eager to make her suggestion. She and her son had been waiting for an opportunity to speak, and now it seemed they had found one.
“Wulang, bow to Master Qian, and to the young lady.” Sun Shi wisphered.
Guided by Sun Shi, Wulang stepped forward, his eyes wide with astonishment. After a moment’s hesitation, he performed the bow, albeit timidly. He seemed a bit nervous, attempting to retreat, but Sun Shi held his shoulder firmly, preventing him from doing so. Thus, he could only lower his head.
Qian Guang asked Shen Zi’an, “Fourth Brother Shen, who are these people?”
Shen Zi’an replied, “They are my third brother and his wife, and these children are my nephews and nieces.”
After saying these words, Shen Zi’an remained silent.
Su Zhi couldn’t help but think that the third branch of the family was persistent. They were still trying to have Wulang stand in as the Young boy participant. Time was running short, and although finding a boy was easier than finding the Rain Goddess, if a suitable candidate were available, Qian Guang might just agree to it. Moreover, Sun Shi had involved Shen Zi’an, which indirectly involved Shen Ziju. Qian Guang was likely to approve Wulang, as a boy didn’t require the same level of caution as the Rain Goddess. Besides, if someone like Zhao Xiaohua could be chosen as the Rain Goddess, then another boy like Wulang wouldn’t be a big deal.
Shen Ziping approached with a bold face and bowed, saying, “Master Qian, since our sister Zhu’er has been wronged and can’t become the Rain Goddess, why not compensate our Shen family by letting our Wulang be the boy? Our Wulang is obedient and well-behaved, he will surely do well as the boy.”
The Third and Fourth Brother chimed in from the side, and even Chunhua whispered softly.
Qian Guang looked at Wulang and thought that although the boy seemed a bit young and shy, he was indeed handsome. Dressed in red, he could certainly pass as a boy. Besides, he was from the Shen family, so it would be giving them face.
“Alright, let him be the boy,” he agreed.
Qian Guang’s decision was made, and his eyes involuntarily glanced at Su Zhi. Seeing no hint of joy on her face, he wondered if she had a bad relationship with the Third branch, but he didn’t dwell on it. There were plenty of other matters to attend to, and he had to get busy.
The members of the third household were all jubilant, and a smile spread across Wulang’s face. Becoming a young participant was a great opportunity for him. There would be rewards afterward, and he could boast about it in the future. Some boys who had been the boy would even have better marriage prospects later on. Considering Wulang’s fragile health, becoming the boy might help him secure a good match, ensuring he wouldn’t have trouble finding a bride in the future.
Most importantly, now that Shen Zhu couldn’t become the Rain Goddess, Wulang was the only participant left in the old Shen family estate. The three children of Shen Zi’an were not only not from the main line of the Shen family but also adopted children, while Wulang was the true grandson.
Shen Ziping and Sun Shi thought that with this advantage alone, they would be able to assert their dominance over others in the future. This was truly a blessing.
The members of the third household joyfully led Wulang away to change clothes.
After all the unexpected incidents, the ceremony finally began.
Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi couldn’t accompany the three children anymore. They could only follow closely beside the flower carts, staying near the three children. Although they knew that someone would take care of them and ensure their safety, they still couldn’t help but worry, so they stuck close by.
There were a total of three flower carts. These flower carts were horse-drawn carriages, with four wheels and a larger size than usual carriages. They had a platform on top, appearing somewhat elevated. However, there was a chair on top, allowing the Rain Goddess to sit securely without the risk of falling. The flower carts were adorned with silk and flower decorations, giving the impression of being covered in flowers of various colors. Hence, they were called flower carts. The reason for decorating the flower carts in this way was not only for aesthetic purposes but also to symbolize the revival of nature and the blooming of flowers when the Rain Goddess arrived.
On the first carriage sat the Rain Goddess, surrounded by three boys and three girls, each holding various fake grains, fruits, and vegetables. Behind the first carriage were two more, each carrying various offerings, also accompanied by three boys and three girls on each. Besides the three carriages, there were also two rows of men and women walking alongside, adding to the grandeur of the procession.
First, they made a lively stop in the town, where a ceremony was held on the stage of the Tian Sheng courtyard. Prominent figures made speeches, and finally, they continued their journey toward the outskirts of the town.
The journey went smoothly all along. They passed through several villages, following a well-planned route that didn’t involve too many twists and turns. Many curious onlookers followed behind, observing the procession. For the villagers, even though the journey was long, they didn’t feel tired, especially with such an exciting event to witness.
Some people, feeling tired, took shortcuts to reach the altar at the foot of Daqing Mountain and waited there. However, the crowd of spectators didn’t diminish, as some villagers who had waited in their villages followed along after the procession passed through.
Sitting atop a cart, Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi followed behind, joining in the joyous atmosphere. But just as they were enjoying themselves, an accident occurred with the leading flower carriage.