Ah Chen thought for a moment and said, "Let the elders discuss the Miao New Year's matter first, and then we'll choose."
"The final decision is yours, but--"
Under the starry night, Amo turned to look at Achen and said, "The Miao troops who went to various Miao regions replied that this year is the Miao New Year. Apart from Xiangxi, which has already made a clear statement, we should receive news from the other major Miao regions."
information?
What news is it?
Ah Chen really didn't know what this meant!
Amo asked softly, "Young prince, you don't know what day it was for our Miao people the year you officially ascended the throne, do you?"
"The days when the word 'future' is removed!"
"You can't even remember something this important? It's the Drum Festival!"
Drumming Festival?
Ah Chen was dumbfounded!
The Drum Festival!
"Our Miao people only celebrate the Drum Festival once every thirteen years! How did it coincide with my succession to the throne?"
"The two most important days are coinciding, how grand it will be! If you don't believe me, do the math, how old were you last time we celebrated the Drum Festival? I was only seven, eight or nine years old then."
flutter--
Seven, eight, or nine years old?
"Amo, is that how you calculate things?!" Achen laughed.
"Just kidding. Anyway, I was really young back then, not even ten years old."
The last Drum Festival was a joint ceremony led by the Holy Maiden Amo, who led the entire Miao region in the worship.
Amo said, "Although I learned a lot of traditional customs at that time, the Drum Festival was extraordinary. The elders were worried that I would forget the very important Miao rituals in the midst of the tension, so the most senior grandmothers were always by my side. Whenever they noticed that I was distracted or forgot something, they would remind me immediately."
“I know that you were very young at the time. When you were leading all the Miao people in the sacrificial ceremony, you almost fell. We were very, very far away and kneeling far away, so we couldn’t see where you were. It wasn’t until later that we heard that the platform was slippery and you tripped on the hem of your Miao dress.”
Many Miao people were punished for that incident.
From the clan elders to the Miao men who set up the stage, no one was spared. Even the aunties who sewed and batiked the holy maiden costumes were punished.
Therefore, the title of "Holy Maiden of the Miao People" is not just a simple title.
Amo leaned close to Achen and whispered, "I'll tell you a secret: actually, I was nervous at the time! Because several elders from the Miao tribes were also there."
cough cough--
Ah Chen choked!
Was the saint nervous?
My dear wife, it's alright if you're nervous, but that's tens of thousands of Miao people performing a sacrifice together!
After you became nervous, thousands of Miao people were punished.
At that time, none of us in Heiwu Village were spared, and I was naturally among them. The previous chief of the village blamed us for not doing a good job on the section of road we were responsible for.
However, we weren't responsible for the altar area; our group of kids were only responsible for the peripheral parts of the road.
The chief chief was punished by the clan elders, and when he returned, he punished our entire branch.
Even I, Mu Achen, a Miao girl, wasn't spared.
The more Ah Chen thought about it, the more he wanted to cry. It was too tragic!
The chief chief and the village elders were furious at that time.
Amo whispered again, "The elders know I'm nervous, but no one said anything!"
“But when you remove the word ‘future’ and add the Drumming Festival, it will be much more grand than last year’s Drumming Festival.”
"If the major Miao regions were to participate, it would be even more grand!"
"Therefore, this year's Miao Year is of extraordinary significance!"
"Ah Chen, Miao Nian, if you have any friends you'd like to invite, you should let them know in advance! Whether they come or not, it'll be good for our Miao family to make arrangements."
Afterwards, Amo told Achen some things he should pay attention to.
However, she only gave a general overview, since there's still some time to go, and she was afraid that Ah Chen wouldn't remember if she said too much.
But the Miao New Year is really lively.
Ah Chen thought for a moment and said, "I don't think I have anyone I particularly want to invite! I feel like I've wasted my life, I don't have any friends."
"That's just your feeling! If you spread the word, you can't even imagine how many people would come."
"I'll have to think about that."
"Don't overthink it. Just invite those you like, and ignore those you don't. Whether they come or not depends on their schedule! Keep it simple and relax!"
Amo didn't want Achen's mind to be constantly racing, so she changed the subject, pointing to the left front and saying:
"After we pass this village, we'll head to the right. At our current speed, it'll only take three or four hours to get there."
Ah Chen glanced sideways at the pitch-black night—
If the entire area were paved with asphalt, it would take less than an hour to drive there.
So we still have to work hard!
soon--
Ah Chen and his group changed course ahead, taking a shortcut through the forest, saving three or four kilometers. But just as they were about to merge with the newly paved road ahead—
"Holy Maiden, there is a fire ahead."
“A torch is in front, and there is a Miao person in front and behind.”
"Those in front hold torches, those behind carry firewood, and the girl in the middle has her head bowed and eyes downcast; it seems like—"
Aqin and Ayin exchanged a glance on the forest path. Clearly, they knew what it was, but they hadn't seen it for a while.
"Walking marriage!"
Of all the Miao people's marriage customs, Ah Chen dislikes the walking marriage the most, and it seems that what he fears most has come to pass.
He even thought of this during the Flower Festival this year!
Now that I've encountered it, that feeling has returned, still so desolate.
He spurred his horse forward and closed the distance slightly.
Under the starry night, I could see things a little more clearly than before.
Only in the Miao people's walking marriage custom is this truly --
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com