Annual Ceremony

Chapter 44 White Dew (I)

When they set out from Nanjing, the Wang family members repeatedly reminded Wang Xichen and others that when they returned to Tianchang, they must not mention the matter of Wang Zhefu's cremation in Jilin. The family members were afraid that Zhenyi, a young girl, would not be able to keep secrets, so they asked Wang Xichen to discipline his daughter.

The coffin that contained only a handful of Wang Zhefu's ashes was buried amid the weeping of the crowd.

After the burial arrangements were completed, Zhenyi returned to Jinling from Jilin, and then from Jinling back to Tianchang. After a long and tiring journey, she finally fell ill due to the autumn dryness.

At night, Juzi, who took the initiative to take care of Zhenyi, put one of his front paws on Zhenyi's forehead. Feeling the burning sensation under his paw, he ran to Wang Xichen's room and hit Wang Xichen with his cat fist to wake him up.

Zhenyi had a fever for three days. On the fourth day, Juzi repeatedly tested Zhenyi's forehead temperature, and every time he touched it with his claws, it felt icy cold. Finally, there was no sign of fever.

Orange felt relieved and finally returned to his usual lazy attitude, and was able to take care of his slightly sloppy hair - this is what it's like to take care of a sick child. Being a parent is stressful and it's always easy for the child to be unkempt.

The fever subsided, but Zhenyi was still coughing and her voice was hoarse.

Old Mrs. Dong's health was not good either. She had been ill for a while when she returned to Jinling. Now that the funeral was over and her worries were at ease, her body seemed to suddenly relax and all the suppressed illnesses came out. Fortunately, they were not serious and she just needed to recuperate for a while.

After discussion, the Wang brothers decided to stay in Tianchang for a while. Letting their mother recuperate was the most important thing, and they could also talk with the clansmen about the clan's future plans and ways out.

Wang Zhefu left an old house in Tianchang, which has been guarded by an old servant named Han for many years. The old servant is over sixty years old, with gray hair and a hunched back. Old Lady Dong asked Zhenyi to call him Grandpa Han.

"How dare I call you that..." The old servant bent over in fear and waved his hands repeatedly: "Second Miss, just call me Old Han."

"She also grew up eating the rice and vegetables you planted, so it's not an exaggeration to call her Grandpa Han." Old Mrs. Dong said with a smile.

Old Han was an old servant of Wang Zhefu. He had always kept the old house in order and also took care of several acres of fields and vegetable gardens. Every time the harvest came, he would pick the best grains, rice, fruits, and vegetables, stack them neatly in baskets, and have the Wang family members take them to Jinling.

Zhenyi called out "Grandpa Han" again, and Old Han finally dared to nod in response, while raising his sleeves to wipe his tears.

Old Han and his grandson cleaned out several bedrooms in advance. Wang Xirui and Wang Yuan lived in one, Wang Xichen and Wang Xipu lived together, Zhenyi slept with her eldest mother, and the servants lived in the two side rooms in the east and west.

The Wang family members would come from time to time to give them some things, from small things like bowls and plates, oil, rice, and a small charcoal stove to large things like tables, chairs, screens, and cots. Mother Zhuo, Tao'er, and a few servants also added some daily necessities. After six or seven days of adding things, the house gradually began to look like a home.

The father and son of the Zhan family were not in a hurry to leave. On weekdays, they either helped the Wang family to deal with the follow-up affairs, or visited relatives and friends with the three brothers Wang Xirui, or introduced each other to the prestigious Anhui literati in the nearby area.

After Mrs. Dong fell ill, Zhan Mei came to visit her every other day and also visited Zhenyi. Zhenyi was unable to get up and see him during the first few days after her illness, so Zhan Mei greeted her politely through the screen.

Whenever Zhan Mei came, he would always bring some food and drinks. Zhenyi had a poor appetite due to her illness and had some dietary restrictions, but even so, Zhan Mei would always find many different kinds of food while making sure she was well fed.

Following Orange, who had a satiated appetite, I felt that children really needed to go out and travel more often, just like this knowledgeable boy from the Zhan family. Although he was young, he was much more proficient in eating than others and was not ambiguous at all.

As for the young man's academic performance, Juzi also learned some from Wang Xirui and Zhan's father. Zhan Mei traveled with his father since he was young. He had more teachers than his godfather. He learned a wide range of subjects and never formally attended a private school. Zhan's father was not in a hurry. He felt that it was more important to let his child travel thousands of miles and hone his character. Now that Zhan Mei was seventeen years old, Zhan's father planned to wait until the middle of February next year before letting Zhan Mei try to take the college entrance examination.

Orange feels that in this feudal era where everyone studies hard for fame and career, being able to be so unhurried, steady and calm is not necessarily a bad thing. Can this be considered some kind of anti-involution?

As the boy from the Zhan family grew up, his aura became increasingly pure and peaceful, as if there were fresh breezes and clear streams all around him, worthy of being a tree.

Zhan Mei, your zodiac sign is tree - this is the exclusive certification of Orange - Orange has been bothered by the existence of the twelve zodiac signs for a long time. How authoritative is the twelve zodiac signs without the cat?
On the sixth day after Zhenyi's illness, her symptoms had mostly subsided, and she was finally allowed by her father to walk around the house. When Zhan Mei came to visit again, he no longer had to talk to her through the screen.

An autumn rain suppressed the flying dust, moistened the sky and the earth, and made the air clean and fresh.

Every bluestone brick in the old courtyard bears the traces of time, along with the dense thin leaves swaying on the old jujube trees, all washed shiny by the rain.

Zhan Mei stood under the jujube tree and said, "I still remember there was an old jujube tree like this outside the Jifang Book House."

"Yes..." Wang Yuan nodded, and looked at the jujube tree with his hands behind his back. After a moment, he said, "The jujubes from that jujube tree are big and sweet... This one doesn't look bad either. It looks like it should be ripe too, right?"

As he spoke, he stood on tiptoe, stretched out his hand to grab a branch of the jujube tree, and used his other hand to pick dates.

On the side, Zhenyi, sitting on a bamboo stool, was still immersed in the wet mood of seeing the jujube tree and thinking about the Jifang Book House, recalling the old days when her grandfather taught her to read and write.

The orange lying on another bamboo stool sighed in his heart, a jujube tree teaches benevolent people to have benevolence, teaches wise people to have wisdom, and teaches eaters to have different opinions on food.

After tasting one, Wang Yuan, the eater, gave a serious evaluation - it lacked some sweetness and the jujube skin still had a slightly grassy and astringent taste. It would be best to enjoy it after it has been exposed to the sun for three to five days.

Tao'er brought over a pot of tangerine peel tea. Wang Yuan drank one cup and was called away by his father.

In the afternoon, under the jujube tree, Juzi squatted on a bamboo stool with his hands in his pockets, listening to Zhan Mei talk about what he had seen and heard together with Zhenyi and Tao'er who was standing beside them.

Zhenyi, who had lost weight due to illness, held a cup of warm tea in her hand. When she heard something interesting, she would ask Zhan Mei a few questions, or she would also talk about her experiences in Jilin.

Speaking of Jilin, the shadow of my grandfather is everywhere, which is unavoidable. Although Zhenyi did not reveal her sadness, her deepest thoughts are often hidden in the most ordinary words.

Zhan Mei's grandfather also passed away two years ago. The two old men were close friends during their lifetime. Zhan Mei, who had also experienced the pain of separation, tried to comfort Zhenyi, saying that the prince might have met his grandfather, and the two old men had reunited after a long separation and might be playing chess and drinking wine at this time.

This is a beautiful idea, and it is wonderful because it is easy enough, and it also shows the gentleness and care of the comforter. However, Zhenyi said without fear of spoiling the mood: "If it can be like this, it is very good, but I have never really believed in it."

Hearing such feedback, Zhan Mei was secretly very happy.

Based on the second sister's decent demeanor when treating others, she could have just brushed it off even if she disagreed. But the second sister never brushed it off - how can you say that this was not a clear and honest treatment without any disguise?

This second sister who shows a slightly "rebellious" background is the real second sister.

For Yu Zhenyi, honesty was one aspect, and the other aspect was subconscious. In this consciousness, the brother of the Zhan family made her feel very trustworthy and safe. She was almost certain that he would not be displeased by her truthfulness or misunderstand her intentions.

This sense of trust and security makes people feel relaxed - and it also makes cats feel relaxed.

Zhan Mei was not displeased at all. When she came to her senses, she said with shame: "I don't believe that the soul still exists after death, but I can still face the difference between life and death calmly. My second sister is much more resilient than me."

Being suddenly praised was beyond Zhenyi's expectation, which made her feel a little embarrassed. She used her index finger to gently scratch her temple, which was a little itchy from a strand of hair.

Zhan Mei seemed inexplicably happy because of her straightforward "I don't believe it", so he asked her: "From what you just mentioned about Jilin, it seems that you are still learning mathematics?"

Zhenyi nodded: "I am lucky to have received all the teachings from my great father, and I dare not waste a single day."

Zhan Mei seemed even happier, and suddenly said, "Second sister, wait a moment!"

He walked out of the yard quickly and took out a rattan bookcase from the car. The servant followed closely behind him: "Sir, let me carry it!"

Zhan Mei walked very fast, with the corners of his robe flying, holding the book box, and put it in front of Zhenyi. He bent one knee, squatted, and opened the book box for her to see.

Zhenyi reached out to take the few books he handed over, and then looked into the book cage, only to see that most of them were related to calculation. The books were either new or old, with different shades of ink, and some were even hand-copied.

Zhan Mei picked up book after book, talking about their origins. This book was obtained from a certain bookstore, this book was asked from a good friend last autumn, and that book was accidentally obtained from a Taoist priest during his travels...Juzi was stunned - what's the difference between this and going out for a trip and bringing back ten pounds of test-taking books for children as specialty gifts every time you arrive at a place?
But Zhenyi was overjoyed and felt like she had found a treasure.

This gift was really precious to Zhenyi, and even made her feel that she was not receiving the gift without any merit. After thinking about it, she asked Zhan Mei what kind of books he liked to read, and she would try to find some for him in the future.

Zhan Mei smiled and said it was not necessary. He only said that he and Wang Jie had been friends for many years, and he often looked for books for Wang Jie when he was away. Finding some books on accounting was just a matter of convenience. He also said that the Wang and Zhan families were old friends, and the Wang family had helped the Zhan family a lot. Zhenyi really didn't need to take such a small matter to heart.

Facing Zhenyi's eyes, the young man added: "Liuzhi's sister is also my sister. Since you call me brother, it's just a small matter between us. It's not worth mentioning."

Liuzhi is the name of Wang Jie.

Zhan Mei was afraid that Zhenyi would refuse, so he quickly diverted Zhenyi's attention with his words, flipped through a book, found a page that he didn't understand, and asked Zhenyi for advice.

After asking this question, Zhan Mei felt a little regretful. What if her second sister had not learned this either?
Zhenyi's expression had become serious. She leaned forward slightly and looked sideways. After thinking for a moment, she asked Taoer to get her paper and pen. She closed the bookcase and used it as a small table. She spread out the paper and wrote while slowly answering Zhan Mei.

Zhan Mei half-squatted at first, then stood up, lowered his head and listened carefully.

Zhenyi sat on a bamboo stool, using her book box as a table, leaning over to write.

In the afternoon autumn sun, Orange felt drowsy after listening to the music.

When Zhan Mei lowered his head, he could always inadvertently see Zhenyi's serious brows and eyes, which were full of rigor.

Zhan Mei was not good at mathematics, but he could clearly perceive that Zhenyi was the one who could truly appreciate the supreme interest and boundless romance contained in deep mathematics, and it had been like this since she was seven years old.

She is talented, and she values ​​academics and is keen on exploration, so she should have remarkable achievements to match.

Over the next few days, when Zhan Mei was talking with Zhenyi about mathematics or poetry, he often had such thoughts.

On this day, when Zhan Mei came over again, Zhenyi was writing a letter on paper on the stone table in the yard. It was a family letter. Wang Yuan dictated it and asked his second sister to write it for him.

Seeing Zhan Mei coming over, Wang Yuan greeted her with a smile.

Just as Zhan Mei walked under the jujube tree, there was a sudden "bang" and a date hit his shoulder.

Zhan Mei looked up subconsciously and saw Orange had climbed up the jujube tree and was reaching out for the jujubes.

Wang Yuan was surprised and said, "...Juzi is also very hospitable. When he sees guests coming to his house, he even knows to give them dates as gifts!"

Zhan Mei couldn't help but laugh and bent down to pick up the date.

Wang Yuan was still amazed, but his mind was not telling the truth. Rather than believing that Orange was giving away dates as gifts, he was more likely to believe that Orange had hit someone on purpose. After all, Wang Yuan and Orange had been friends since childhood.

In Juzi's eyes, Wang Yuan—tsk, a good-for-nothing, dissolute prodigal son.

In Wang Yuan’s eyes, Orange is—tsk, an evil big yellow cat that does all kinds of evil.

However, Zhan Mei was convinced that Juzi had good intentions, so he blew on the date he picked up, wiped it, and ate it with great care.

After hearing Zhan Mei say that the dates were very sweet, Wang Yuan started to get bamboo poles to hit the dates. Zhenyi finished writing a letter home and ran over to help pick dates.

After working like this for half an hour, they got half a wooden basin full of dates.

Zhan Mei helped to fetch water from the well, washed half a basin of dates cleanly, and brought them to the stone table in the yard. Wang Yuan invited everyone to eat dates together.

The old lady sat in the porch, watching the lively scene in the yard with a smile.

Picking dates, pomegranates and eating sweet potatoes are the most common things during the White Dew season.

The three Wang brothers and their father Zhan talked about the White Dew solar term and began to recite poems.

Holding the jujubes with his hem, Old Han recited a proverb in his authentic Tianchang accent: "The beans are round, the millets are yellow, and the bent ones are sorghum. No one is interested in watching the dew turn white, as every family is busy harvesting in autumn."

What else is he reciting: "…the night of white dew and autumn wind, the nights are cooler."

After the old man finished reading, he saw Wang Xichen and others laughing, and he looked a little embarrassed, realizing that he had made a fool of himself.

But Zhenyi smiled and said, "It not only describes the solar terms but also takes farming into account. It is easy to understand and has a good rhythm. It is a good poem."

Wang Yuan spat out a date pit and said, "Why are we just listening to father and his friends reciting poems? Second sister, pick out a good poem and recite it for us to hear!"

Since she was going to chant, she had to chant something that was appropriate for the White Dew season. Zhenyi chanted a line from Cao Pi's "Yan Ge Xing": "... the autumn wind is bleak and the weather is cold, the grass and trees are shaking and the dew turns to frost."

I also read Bai Juyi's poem: "The breeze blows on the pillow, and the white dew wets the clothes..."

After hearing this, Mr. Zhan praised him repeatedly.

These two poems are not widely circulated, but this little girl can recite them at will, which shows how knowledgeable she is. She must have read a lot of books, and not just superficially.

Hearing his daughter being praised, Wang Xichen just smiled and told Zhenyi not to seek popularity or show off.

He spoke gently, not really blaming her, perhaps just out of parental modesty, but he did think it was not right for a girl to recite poetry among men.

As a courtesy, Wang Xichen suggested that Zhan Mei also recite a White Dew poem.

When it comes to Bailu, even those who are not familiar with poetry, like Juzi, seem to be able to recite at least one catchy line: "Reeds are green, Bailu turns to frost, the so-called lover is on the other side of the water" -

The voice of this famous quote inevitably appeared in Zhan Mei's mind, but he subconsciously avoided it.

That is conscious avoidance.

But this avoidance seems to indicate something.

The young man suppressed the beating of his heart and chanted: "The sentry drum stops people from walking, and a wild goose cries in the autumn. The dew is white from tonight, and the moon is bright in my hometown..."

A group of migrating swallows just happened to fly over the courtyard, flying south as per the season.

　Today is Frost Descent.

(Although the update is late, this chapter has a lot of words, cough cough cough)
　
(End of this chapter)