The ancient sounds of jade drums and zithers hovered in the air, pleasant and mysterious, with lingering echoes.

On the high platform in the distance, there were sacrificial offerings such as beef, mutton, and grains.

In the center of the altar, Fengjian Qingli was wearing a red and white mask, a loose robe, holding a long sword in his hand, and performing a beautiful sword dance.

While dancing, he spoke ancient words.

The general meaning is to pray for good weather, a good harvest and to express respect to the gods.

The people under the altar were all wearing wide-sleeved robes, wearing jade and gold crowns, holding a bunch of feathers in their hands, and walking and dancing mysterious steps to the music.

Feng Jianyu had intricate red patterns painted between her eyebrows, and wore a golden crown on her head. Her long clothes were adorned with irises and embroidered with large patches of lotus and hibiscus flowers.

She bowed to the sky every three steps, and walked up to Xie Ling and the others. Holding a square white porcelain wine glass in her slender hands, she handed each of them a glass of wine.

The wine is clear, and its rich fragrance spreads silently, mixed with the scent of vanilla and orchid on the girl's body, like a light misty rain.

Feng Jianyu shook the golden hairpin on her head and explained happily: "Some are made of osmanthus, pepper and orchid, and some are made of vanilla. They are all very fragrant."

Gu Wei took a sip, the fragrance lingered on his lips and teeth, and childhood memories instantly swept back.

This was not the first time he participated in such a sacrifice.

He had participated in it once ten years ago at the Pei family in Qinghe.

It was exactly the same as the Pei family's sacrificial ceremony, whether it was the high altar, the music of drums, harps and flutes, or the fine wine brewed from fragrant herbs and osmanthus, everything was exactly the same.

Romantic and mysterious, with a solemnity that transcends time.

Naturally, Pei also participated in the Pei family's sacrifices. When she was a girl, she did the same job as Feng Jianyu is doing now, wearing a golden crown, with orchids pinned on her clothes, and toasting the envoys from afar.

It seems that the Feng family really values ​​them.

This is the most solemn etiquette to treat good friends or confidants.

Pei and Gu Wei were drinking while suppressing their surprise and continued to observe to see if there was anything different.

After drinking, Feng Jianyu took Xie Ling's hand and led her into the Feng family's dance group.

The Feng family members also ran over and pulled Gu Wei Shujian and the others towards the altar.

Soon, everyone gathered around the altar and began dancing.

The mysterious music became louder and louder, like the sound of an ancient dragon, solemn and dignified.

Suddenly, a pure red bird flew from the sky and landed on Fengjian Qingli's shoulder.

Everyone's attention was attracted by it.

Grandpa Feng, who was standing next to the altar, almost lost his balance. His eyes were wide open and he was muttering something.

Gu Wei frowned, worried that Bifang would affect the Fengjia Village's sacrifice, and hurriedly called out, "Bifang, come back!"

Bifang obediently flew back to Gu Wei's shoulder and rubbed his shoulder to apologize, as if to say that it didn't mean it.

Grandpa Feng's sharp eyes pierced through the bustling crowd and stared at Gu Wei, tears streaming down his face in an instant.

He raised his wrinkled hand to wipe away his tears, then lowered his eyelashes, not knowing what he was thinking.

The sacrificial ceremony did not end until the evening. The women in Fengjia Village were very good at cooking. The morning offerings were made into delicious dishes and placed in the center of the altar. Everyone sat around casually, chatting and drinking.

There is a crescent moon hanging high in the sky, behind a big tree in the distance.

Grandpa Feng handed Fengjian Qingli a wooden box and said something shocking.

"Just follow them."

Fengjian Qingli stared at the wooden box in his hand in a daze. This was the box placed on the high platform in his house. Ever since he was a child, he had been very curious about this thing.

But my grandfather never allowed me to get close to it. During festivals, the whole village had to kneel down and kowtow to it, just like worshiping a god.

Hearing what Grandpa Feng said, Fengjian Qingli almost dropped the box in his hand. His whole body trembled, and his face was full of disbelief.

"Grandpa, what are you talking about? I follow them? Where to?"

Grandpa Feng put his hands behind his back, his eyes deep, "The world is so big, just follow that kid named Gu Wei. Grandpa taught you poetry and etiquette. Your talent is no less than ten people in this world. It's time to show your talents."

Feng Jian Qingli still didn't understand, "Didn't Grandpa say that it's better to stay here safely? My sister and I escaped, and you punished us when we came back. Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Grandpa Feng patted him on the shoulder and said, "Young man, you must try your luck. It's not time to open this brocade box yet. When the time comes, you will open it naturally."

Fengjian Qingli returned to the altar with a heart full of questions and looked at Gu Wei in a daze.

Wearing the sacrificial robe, Fengjian Qingli is the solemn priest of Fengjia Village.

But when he took off that piece of clothing, he was just a sixteen-year-old, simple boy who had not yet experienced the hardships of life.

The boy didn't understand why his grandfather would let him follow this person.

He picked up a piece of braised pork depressedly and bit into it hard, just in time to meet the eyes of the Bifang bird on Gu Wei's shoulder.

The strange thing is, he actually understood the look in the bird's eyes?!

The bird seemed to be saying, "Why is this braised pork so delicious? You eat it so happily, let me have a piece too."

Fengjian Qingli tentatively picked up a piece of meat and left the long table.

Sure enough, Bifang flew over and began to peck at the meat in his hand.

Fengjian Qingli widened his eyes and looked at the Bifang Bird in disbelief for a moment.

"Thank you, little human, but this meat is really not tasty."

Feng Jian Qingli couldn't help but retort, "Aren't you still a young bird too?"

After the words fell, the man and the bird were all shocked and said in unison: "Can you understand me?"

Fengjian Qingli reached out his hand carefully and touched Bifang's head.

Bifang proudly pointed its butt at him and quickly flew away.

Only Fengjian Qingli was left standing there, wondering.

He always felt that he had touched upon some truth, but it seemed to be blocked by thick fog and he couldn't see it clearly.

The boy leaned back and looked at the starry sky, feeling excited and confused.

What is the world outside like?

Grandpa Feng saw the interaction between the man and the bird, and his wide sleeves were blown up by the wind, fluttering in the air.

His eyes were full of vicissitudes, he stroked his beard and sighed, "It's all fate. The prophecy made a thousand years ago turned out to be true. Fortunately, my Feng family has not broken its promise..."

On the altar, Gu Wei leaned close to Pei's ear and said, "Mother, do you know what happened?"

Pei shook her head. "Your grandfather has a personality like a clam. How could others know what he doesn't want others to know? The Feng family and the Pei family are indeed related. Even the customs of the banquet after the sacrifice are exactly the same! Could it be that they were one family five hundred years ago?"