met free Chapter 175 Opening an Ancestral Hall
Chapter 175 Opening an Ancestral Hall
The refugees were filled with excitement. Chen Zihao shouted, "Ms. Shen is right. Since we are members of Daqing Village, we must participate in the village's activities."
Others responded, “Yes, we want to participate in the village activities too!”
A group of people walked towards the village entrance in a mighty procession.
When everyone was gathered, the village head stood on a big rock, smiling with a smug look on his face.
"I've gathered everyone here today because I have good news to share! The third son of the Lin family, Lin, has passed the imperial examination! And he's the top scorer! "
As soon as the head of the village finished speaking, there was a burst of warm applause from the crowd below.
"Third Brother Lin has made great progress! He's really amazing!"
"That's right, our Daqing Village has finally produced a scholar!"
"From now on, when we go out, we can hold our heads high. Those villages next door say that there are no educated people in Daqing Village. Now we can shut them up!"
Not only the village head, but everyone else in the village was happy about this. Seeing Aunt Zhang and the others standing there, the villagers rushed over to congratulate them.
"We will buy some food in a few days and will definitely treat you all to a meal. Everyone is welcome to come then! By the way, there will also be my son Xiaohai's full moon banquet, which we will hold together then. Come, everyone!" Aunt Zhang greeted with a smile.
"Don't worry, we will definitely go. My mother-in-law and I will go early to help wash the vegetables and cook."
"Yes, there are so many people in our village, you will definitely be too busy to handle it. When the time comes, my eldest sister-in-law, my younger brother and his wife will all go to help."
"My brother and I helped move tables and chairs and carried pots and pans."
When the villagers heard Aunt Zhang say this, they all laughed so hard that they couldn't stop, and responded one after another that they would come to help when the time came.
The refugees stood there at a loss. They had nothing to offer, not even a table or chair. They only had bowls for eating and a few large basins for vegetables.
Seeing them all lowering their heads, Shen Wanning quickly said, "Chen Zihao, you and everyone else will come together. We may not have enough bowls, so you'll need to bring your own bowls and basins. We also have chairs and tables, so bring as many as you can."
The refugees' eyes lit up. Chen Zihao raised his head and asked, "When the time comes, can we...can we also go to the banquet?"
Shen Wanning nodded and said, "Of course you can. You are part of our Daqing Village. If we have activities in Daqing Village, of course you have to participate!"
The village head then said, "Yes! Since they are all villagers of Daqing Village, they can all go and eat! The daughter of the old Lin family is a capable person. Eating her meal won't make them poor, so don't worry."
When the headman said the last sentence, there was a hint of joking in his tone.
Tie Niu hit Chen Zihao on the shoulder and said, "We never treated you as outsiders when we were working together! Why do you still think you're not from the same village as us?"
Chen Zihao was so moved that tears filled his eyes. Coming to the old locust tree today, and Shen Wanning inviting them to a banquet, all these things showed that they were gradually integrating into Daqing Village.
The people of Daqing Village are also accepting them, so what reason do they have not to consider themselves as villagers of Daqing Village?
"Thank you to the host, thank you to the village head, and thank you to everyone for helping us through this difficult time. Not only did they take us in, but they were also willing to accept us. Thank you so much."
Chen Zihao cried with tears and snot, and bowed to everyone.
Seeing this, the other refugees followed his example and bowed to express their gratitude.
"Okay, okay, stop crying on such a happy day. The head of the village still has something to say!" Aunt Zhang hated to see so many people crying, it made her feel very uncomfortable.
The village head continued, "This kind of happy event should also make our ancestors happy! Therefore, today, with everyone's witness, we will open the ancestral hall, burn incense to our ancestors, and inform them of this matter!"
"Good! Good! Good!" Another burst of response broke out from the crowd.
Then, under the leadership of the village head, everyone went to the Lin Family Ancestral Hall.
After opening the door of the ancestral hall, the head of the village led Lin Jingyou in, burned three incense sticks to the ancestors, and told them that Lin Jingyou had passed the imperial examination.
Xu whispered in Aunt Zhang's ear, "Mother, if my third brother passes the imperial examination, we'll have to open an ancestral hall. If he passes the imperial examination and becomes the top scorer, won't we have to open ancestral halls twice more?"
Aunt Zhang glared at her. "Such a lot of talk! If the third child gets the top spot in the imperial examination, won't he have to stay in the capital? How will he have time to return home to worship his ancestors?"
"That's right!" Xu touched her nose and replied.
Lin Jingyou walked out of the ancestral hall and saw Shen Wanning standing in the crowd at a glance, so eye-catching.
Shen Wanning panicked for a moment and quickly held Aunt Zhang's arm, "Mom, let's go, let's go back!"
Lin Jingyou walked up to her and echoed, "Well, let's go home!"
Walking on the street, while no one was paying attention, Lin Jingyou quietly held Shen Wanning's hand. The wide sleeves covered their hands, so the people behind them couldn't see clearly.
Shen Wanning's heart skipped a beat and she quickly looked around. Seeing that no one noticed them, she felt relieved.
She tilted her head and glared at Lin Jingyou. Lin Jingyou pursed his lips and smiled, but did not let go of her hand.
Aunt Zhang noticed their little movements and pretended not to see them, but she slowed down her pace.
"Mom, why are you walking so slowly again? Aren't we in a hurry to go back and make soup for my second brother and his wife?" Xu asked curiously, standing on the other side of Aunt Zhang.
Aunt Zhang glanced at her sideways and said, "I'm old and can't walk much anymore. I'm out of breath after just a few steps. It's better to walk slowly to avoid falling. If you're in a hurry, go back first. I have the third brother and Wan Ning here with me!"
"Okay then, mother, please walk slowly. I'll go back and make some crucian carp soup for my second brother and his wife." Xu said and walked quickly towards home.
As soon as Xu left, Aunt Zhang immediately changed her expression and asked stealthily, "Third brother, Wan Ning, tell me the truth, what are you two thinking right now?"
Shen Wanning was surprised that Aunt Zhang would ask this question at this time, and she subconsciously wanted to shake off Lin Jingyou's hand.
"Mom, we...we..." Shen Wanning stuttered a few words and couldn't say anything.
Lin Jingyou took over the conversation and said, "Just like what mother saw, from now on I am no longer your son, but your future son-in-law!"
Shen Wanning, who was originally nervous, burst out laughing when she heard him say that. "It's only been a short time, and you don't even want your mother anymore?"
Aunt Zhang was also amused by his words and shook her head. "It's rare to hear such a witty remark from you. I thought you were only capable of nonsense!"
"Seeing you two together, mother can finally feel relieved! When you were not at home, mother worried day and night about what to do if Wan Ning fell in love with someone else. Now mother can finally feel half relieved!" Aunt Zhang sighed.