On the winter solstice, the snow falls heavily and the air is freezing. The roofs, the ground, the road, and the treetops are all covered with a thick, soft snow. The sky and the earth are all white. After dawn, the heavy snow falls heavier and heavier, and you cannot make out people ten steps away.
The sacrificial activities were carried out as usual. Everyone in the mansion, young and old, dressed neatly and gathered in the ancestral hall before dawn. Together with the clan members who had come from other prefectures, they prepared to worship their ancestors at an auspicious time.
The three sacrificial animals and various offerings had been prepared long ago. At the command, they were placed steaming hot on the altar.
Then the male members of the Xu family lined up in front of the ancestral tablets according to their seniority. The master of ceremonies first loudly praised the virtues of the ancestors, and then sang the kneeling ceremony, repeating this over and over again, standing up and kneeling, for about an hour before completing it. They could not leave yet, but had to stand still and listen to the instructions of the clan elders, who recounted the various benevolent deeds of their ancestors and warned the clan's children to carry forward the fine traditions of their ancestors and not forget their ancestors. Another half hour passed before the men's worship activity was considered over.
The men stepped aside, and the women followed the previous example and lined up to enter the ancestral hall. It was the same procedure, but it was more difficult for the women to do it. They had to stand up and kneel down. Some of them hurt their waists on the spot, and their legs and feet trembled, and they could hardly hold on to the end.
This is the most solemn winter solstice worship ceremony of the year. Mei Niang, as the eldest grandmother of the eldest house and the wife of the marquis, was dressed in full imperial headgear and had a distinguished status. She was originally standing in the third position, but was assigned to burn the first incense stick. Facing the ancestral tablets standing on top, she looked respectful and solemn, but secretly complained in her heart: I don’t know if I can get any benefits from the Xu family, but I have spent a lot of effort to worship the ancestors of the Xu family. Alas! Even if it is for Heng'er, the beloved Heng'er, he is my son in heaven!
Yes, he is the son of Qin Meiniang and Cen Meimei!
And that one, Xu Junying, he also had a part.
It's so ridiculous, I can't explain it!
Heng'er also participated in today's sacrifice. He was held in his place by a young servant. He wore a purple brocade robe, a tiger-head hat decorated with gold foil and pearls, a longevity lock made of eight treasures and gold thread around his neck, and thick-soled calfskin boots inlaid with gems on his feet. Madam Zheng dressed him very carefully. He was very sensible. During the sacrificial process, which lasted such a long time, he neither cried nor made a fuss. He pursed his little lips and looked around curiously, watching the actions of his elders. The older generation of the clan looked at this strong and cute little baby and couldn't help but smile. They kept praising him for having the style of his father and ancestors. Xu Junying just smiled faintly and didn't say a word.
After that, the younger generations will pay their respects to the elders. The meaning of this is the same as kowtowing to the elders during the Spring Festival, except that the younger generations need to show enough sincerity, because on this day the elders are only responsible for accepting gifts and no lucky money is given.
Mei Niang and Ning Rulan stood together and watched Heng Ge'er, supported by the young servant, kneel down to worship the great grandmother. Old Madam Xu saw how lovable Heng Ge'er was and loved him so much that she insisted on hugging him and kissing him before letting him go. Heng Ge'er and Shen Ge'er kowtowed to the second master Xu Xiping. Xu Xiping laughed and helped them up one by one, touched Shen Ge'er's face, and lifted Heng Ge'er up and shook him, and Heng Ge'er giggled. Then he kowtowed to Xu Junying. Xu Junying stood upright with his hands behind his back and said lightly:
"Okay, grow up quickly and get up!"
No one came to help, so the two servants had to help the young master up each.
The more the two little boys bowed, the better their luck became. Their uncles would usually hold them in their arms and tease them for a while before letting them go.
Mei Niang looked at Xu Junying's arrogant look and felt so angry that her teeth were itching: What kind of father is he? What kind of elder is he
Is it great to have been a general? Very iron-blooded and cool. Don't marry a wife and be a father. It's not easy for a little kid to kneel and kowtow. He earned it just like that!
She thought silently in her heart. Since she came into this world, in all these days, Xu Junying seemed to have never hugged Heng'er once, except for that night when he suspected that she was a zombie and wanted to snatch Heng'er from her arms.
He doesn't like Heng'er!
Why? He was not moved by such a beautiful and lovely child, his own flesh and blood, and he had no desire to hug or kiss her
Mei Niang looked at Xu Junying with doubt, unable to understand what was going on.
Xu Junying was also under pressure at this time. Heng'er was sent back to Old Lady Xu. The old lady smiled and waved to Xu Junying:
"Come here! You have been away from home for a long time, and the relationship between father and son is already unfamiliar. You can't ignore Heng'er anymore. You should hug him and get closer to him. You are a father now, so don't always have a stern face. This is your son, not your soldier!"
Xu Junying had no choice but to take Heng'er from the servant. Little Heng'er might not be used to Xu Junying's indifference, so he dared not laugh or cry. Both father and son had stern faces and stared at each other, neither of them said a word, which made the people around them laugh continuously.
The second wife laughed and said, "It's true. Father and son are father and son. They have the same temper and their expressions are exactly the same!"
Old Madam Xu smiled so hard that her eyes narrowed into slits. "That's right! Heng'er looks like both his grandfather and his father, and he's very lovable. How's the baby boy that Junlang just gave birth to last night? Is he crying or making a fuss? Did he just report the news in the ancestral hall?"
The second wife said happily, "Old Madam Cheng, remember that there is a second master. That child is really good, he doesn't cry or make a fuss. He is supposed to be here more than half a month early, but he is very smart, his hair is like black satin, and his eyes, wow, they are so bright!"
Old Madam Xu nodded continuously, "Very good, he's a good child! Junying's Heng'er was delayed for more than half a month, and the Taoist who predicted his birth last time said that because of this delay, he has a very precious fate. Junlang, on the other hand, came more than half a month early, so I'll find a chance to predict his birth as well. These two brothers, one is delayed and the other is early, which is very strange!"
"That's right, the second master asked someone and he also said that it was a very good fortune!"
"That's good, that's good! Oh, these two little enemies, it's really a delight to see them together."
Xu Junying didn't have the patience to listen to all this. He turned around and saw Mei Niang standing there looking at him. Coincidentally, Heng'er also saw Mei Niang, and became agitated. He pulled Xu Junying's collar, pointed at Mei Niang and shouted. Mei Niang thought that Xu Junying would bring the child to her, but when he waved, the young servant came out. Xu Junying handed Heng'er to the servant and gave him a few instructions. The servant actually took Heng'er and walked away, refusing to let her see Mei Niang again.
Mei Niang gasped in anger. Ning Rulan patted her hands and said, "You have a lot to do later. I'm afraid that Heng'er will be a burden to you if he's here."
Mei Niang thought that she would be very busy soon. She had to take care of a lot of aftermath affairs, and she had to accompany the old lady to meet many people from the clan. After that, there would be a banquet, and the arrangement and delivery of sacrificial offerings, etc. She really wouldn't have time to hug Heng'er, so she had to shut up and remain silent.
At noon, the sacrifice was over, and the whole clan set up a banquet in the open halls on both sides of the ancestral hall. Hundreds of people, young and old, had a reunion dinner. Because of the slippery road caused by the heavy snow, Mei Niang went back to Mrs. Xu and the second master and told them to put only a small jar of wine on each table, so that everyone could have a sip or two to warm up. The clan members all agreed and praised the head grandmother for being so thoughtful at a young age. Seeing that the snow was still falling heavily, they didn't want to stay any longer and wanted to go home early. So after eating their fill, each family received some offerings removed from the large offering table, intending to take them home and offer them on their own small offering tables in the ancestral halls, and then said goodbye and left.
At nightfall, the Xu family set up two tables in the large flower hall. Mei Niang personally selected the ingredients and asked Mother Cai to prepare a hot pot feast. The family was eating happily. Mei Niang and Ning Rulan also joined them. They got up from time to time to look after the family, serve the food to the elders, and persuade their younger brothers and sisters to eat more. Mei Niang also asked for a few jars of the best apricot blossom wine to be brought in from the wine cellar. When the second master saw it, he couldn't help but feel secretly happy, but he kept silent.
He loved drinking, but as the elder, he should not drink or drink less at family dinners, and should also control the younger generations from drinking and having fun. But he had a new grandson, and his eldest son Xu Junlang finally had a son. He had long thought that he should drink a glass of wine to celebrate, but he was afraid that the old lady would blame him and his sister-in-law Zheng would not like it, so he did not bring it up. However, his niece-in-law Mei Niang was a straightforward person, and she quietly served the wine. He was happy to go with the flow, and said nothing. His nephews and nephews poured him a glass of wine and drank it. The fragrant, sweet, smooth and mellow apricot wine made him feel comfortable and happy.
Mrs. Zheng had red eyes as she looked at Mei Niang with dissatisfaction. This heartless woman was giving people wine to drink at this time and she didn't feel sad for Junjie at all. Has she really forgotten everything
She hid and cried several times today, watching the clan's nephews and nieces worship their ancestors. In previous years, her son Xu Junjie stood in the place where someone else stood this year! Heng'er saluted the clan elders and kowtowed to Junying. His cold look hurt her heart. If Junjie was here, he would lift Heng'er up with both hands and hold him in his arms! The whole family celebrated the winter solstice in the flower hall, eating delicious food and drinking spicy drinks, but where was her son? The seventh brother Junjie, he was forgotten by his family, lying alone in the dark and cold ground!
After three rounds of drinking, the old lady's face turned red. Mrs. Zheng couldn't bear it anymore and suddenly covered her mouth and cried out!
The lively and cheerful hall suddenly became quiet. Those who were drinking quietly put down their cups, and those who were eating gently put down their chopsticks.
Mei Niang was holding Heng Er and feeding him two mouthfuls of broth. Seeing this, her mind suddenly buzzed: Oh no! I'm so confused! He actually asked for wine. That, that old seventh brother Xu Junjie, didn't Xu Junying's half-brother just die not long ago? I forgot everything!
She stared at Mrs. Zheng, then looked at Xu Junying. Xu Junying had a blank expression on his face. He glanced back at her indifferently without saying anything.
The blush on Mrs. Xu's face faded, and gradually a ball of coldness gathered. She said to Mother Ji: "The eldest wife is tired today, send her back!"
Madam Zheng stood up, came forward, knelt down in front of the old lady, and cried, "Mother! Ancestor!"
Old Mrs. Xu looked sad: "Go back and rest! No one will forget Old Seventh. He is in my heart... What am I, an old woman, living for so long for?"
Mrs. Zheng stopped talking and held her breath, not daring to cry anymore.
Xu Junying came over and helped Mrs. Zheng up: "Mother, your son will take you back!"
Mei Niang knelt down holding Heng'er and looked at Madam Zheng pitifully: "Mother, it's my fault!"
Mrs. Zheng broke away from Xu Junying, bent down and picked up Heng'er from Mei Niang's arms, bowed to Old Lady Xu, and left quickly.
Zheng Meiyu, who was standing in the corner, looked at everyone nervously, bowed hurriedly, and followed them out.
Soon the sound of Heng'er crying was heard. Mei Niang bit her lip, closed her eyes, and continued to kneel there.
Old Madam Xu looked at her and sighed, "Get up! You can't be blamed for this, you did nothing wrong. Get up early tomorrow and go apologize to your mother-in-law. For Heng'er's sake, she won't make things difficult for you. You... poor Junying only has Heng'er as his son, so he has to let her take the child away!"
Under the curved corridor, Madam Zheng hugged the crying Heng'er tightly, tears streaming down her face as she walked. She refused to let the old woman next to her hold her. She held tightly onto the hem of Heng'er's outer robe, where there was a slightly thicker spot with fine stitching and a piece of white linen sewn inside. That was the mourning cloth Heng'er was wearing for Junjie!
Heng'er, he is Junjie's son, he should and must wear mourning for Junjie!
She was once shocked that Mei Niang was pregnant with Junjie's child, and she tried her best to cover it up and embellish it. She arranged the doctor who diagnosed Mei Niang's pulse, the date and month of pregnancy, and the midwife who delivered the baby. She didn't know how these two enemies could get together in such a short time. Junying had only been away for half a month when Mei Niang became pregnant. Heng'er was actually born at full term, but according to the wedding date, she had to say that the birth was delayed. It was normal for children to be delayed or early, but she was still worried, so she found the wandering Taoist priest to tell Heng'er's fortune. If she gave him more money, the Taoist priest would naturally speak according to her wishes. The old lady was happy to hear it, and she didn't have any doubts at all. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)