Chapter 469: Worship

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Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The Su family’s preparations for this year’s festival included three meat dishes: braised pig’s head, white-cut whole chicken, and steamed whole fish. The three vegetarian dishes were scallion tofu, leek sprouts, and boiled seasonal vegetables.

With just two people in the kitchen, the six dishes were prepared efficiently. As soon as the cooking was completed, a commotion arose outside. Su Bing went to answer the door, welcoming Aunt Zhang and her family who had come to help carry items.

By this time, daylight had broken. It was a special day, and the entire village had already awakened. From inside the house, the intermittent sound of firecrackers could be heard.

Su Bing and Su Li had taken leave from school to help at home that day. They had a formal task: to hang and set off firecrackers.

After the helpers had carried away all the items needed at the ancestral hall, Gu Zi went upstairs to check on Lele. She instructed Su Jing to go ahead to the ancestral hall.

Seeing that most of the people had left, Su Bing and Su Li carried a cluster of firecrackers outside. Su Bing skillfully tore open the packaging.

The brothers unrolled a long string of firecrackers, stretching from the right side of the main gate to a far point on the left. Once spread out, the firecrackers could almost encircle the front door and the wall of the Su family’s courtyard.

Su Li, holding a box of matches, ran out from the courtyard, excitedly saying, “Brother, I’ve never lit firecrackers before. Let me do it!”

Su Bing had no intention of arguing with his younger brother over this. He ran a safe distance away. Su Li crouched next to the firecrackers, mimicking the actions he had seen others do. Half-squatting, with his bottom slightly raised, he struck a match and lit the fuse. He then covered his ears and ran towards Su Bing. Halfway there, the firecrackers began to explode. The crisp sound was a direct assault on the senses.

For those who feared the sound of firecrackers, it would likely cause a sense of disorientation and trembling, an uncomfortable feeling.

However, Su Li was not one of those people. He found the sound interesting and joyful. He instinctively stopped and turned back to watch. Golden sparks flickered along the fuse.

The red firecracker wrappers burst in all directions, falling like petals scattered by a fairy. At the same time, smoke swirled, and the distinctive pungent smell of firecrackers filled the air. It should have been an unpleasant smell, but at that moment, it was strangely appealing.

It was only then that Su Li remembered that in his nervousness, he had forgotten to take the matchbox when he ran.

Su Li prepared to retrieve the firecrackers, but Su Bing held him back. “Wait until the firecrackers have finished before you get them. If you’re going to light them, you need to be safe,” he cautioned.

Su Li found his elder brother’s caution somewhat of a dampener, but he refrained from reaching for the matchbox. Instead, he watched the firecrackers explode in a trail from right to left, disappearing behind the corner of the wall. His enthusiasm quickly reignited.

The sound of the firecrackers attracted many of the village children. Today was a day of worship in the village, and the children had eagerly run out to join the festivities. Knowing that the Su family was hosting the event, a group of children had gathered in front of their house, hoping to scrounge some food.

When Gu Zi descended the stairs, she saw many children playing with firecracker wrappers at the front door. One of the children spotted her and immediately stood up to greet her. “Beautiful auntie, can we have some candy?” he asked.

Standing outside the house, Gu Zi watched the children at the gate with a smile. She was well aware of their intentions.

“Why not? Wait here for me. Su Bing, come hold your sister,” she instructed, handing Su Le to her eldest son before turning to go inside the house.

When she emerged again, she held a variety of treats in her hands: White Rabbit Creamy Candies, peanut nougat candies, and more.

She distributed the candies among the children, who were delighted with their sweet rewards. Some thanked her and left, while others departed without a word, undoubtedly heading to the ancestral hall to seek more treats.

The ancestral hall was even livelier. Offerings had been laid out, and many people had come to pay their respects, each showing off their skills.

Some played the erhu for the Su family’s ancestors, others performed traditional operas for them to watch, and the old man who guarded the hall, once a storyteller, was now regaling the ancestors with tales.

These performances were ostensibly for the entertainment of the ancestral spirits, but the villagers also took this rare opportunity to enjoy themselves. Gu Zi, who had always been interested in traditional culture, was naturally eager to immerse herself in the experience.

When the time came for the formal incense offering, Su Shen and the men from the pig farm arrived. They were clean and neatly dressed, having made a special effort to groom themselves. They bore no traces of blood or the smell of slaughter, showing the utmost respect for their ancestors.

As Su Shen led Gu Zi and their two boys to offer incense, murmurs spread through the crowd. “Since when do women serve as the main officiants at worship ceremonies? Su Shen is spoiling his wife too much…”

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