A castle in the air.
When the old woman heard Mu Achen's words, her face was so wrinkled from laughing that it almost twisted into a knot.
"Grandma, I've been waiting for you to ask about this for a long time. There are many etiquette rules; do you remember them all?"
“I have prepared paper and pen. Grandma, please tell me what to write down.”
The old woman nodded, "In our Miao people, customs vary from place to place, even within a few miles. The etiquette after successfully begging for a flower ribbon also differs, and it also varies depending on whether the two parties know each other or not."
"Since you've already made contact with the Holy Maiden, tell Grandma, has the Holy Maiden given you her approval?"
"I agree."
The old woman smiled even more happily this time, "In our Miao family, marriage is a free choice of partner, regardless of wealth or poverty. But the Holy Maiden is different from other girls. It's not easy to win her heart!"
"During the drum festival, there will definitely be many young men competing with you."
"When you ask for a flower ribbon, you need to be thick-skinned, bold, stylish, and patient."
"Remember, our custom is that you can steal things, but you can't steal things during the Drum Festival. Don't get it wrong."
…
The old woman carefully explained all the rules to Mu Achen, explaining that if he broke them or didn't know proper etiquette, he would be ridiculed.
"Also, according to our custom, after successfully obtaining the flower ribbon, the girl must be taken home to be recognized by her family. Your father and mother must be present during this process. If they have passed away, the girl must first be taken to offer sacrifices. Then, the marriage certificate must be made overnight!"
"The marriage certificate should be made on the spot by the elders of the village, preferably the one with the highest rank. If several elders make it together, the number of people and the amount of the certificate will be different. The elders who make the marriage certificate should also be given red ribbons, and the amount of money is not important. It is just a courtesy."
"There are also gifts for the bride's family. Besides the gifts for the bride's family, we also need to send gifts to the bride's family... Don't worry, Grandma will read them to you slowly so you can remember them. Make sure you remember them clearly."
…
From Mu Achen's rooftop terrace, one could see the entire orchard.
At this moment, the scene of Ah Chen and his grandmother sitting on the rooftop was also witnessed by the Miao villagers who were picking fruit in the garden.
From the direction of the greenhouse, Chief Mu approached Chief Tang with a broad smile, cupped his hands, and said, "Brother Tang, I want to congratulate you in advance."
Chief Tang was secretly delighted, but said aloud, "It's not so easy for a son-in-law to win my daughter Amo's flower belt at the Drum Festival and have her mother personally put a silver necklace on her."
“Brother Tang, if you keep your mouth shut, I’ll tell the Holy Maiden what you’re thinking when she calls later.”
"You old fox!"
Chief Tang deliberately put on a stern face and said, "My Miao people believe in free marriage, but we must also be polite and respectful. I have tolerated that brat Mu Achen for a long time. If he does not follow the customs and rules during the Drum Festival, see how my Que Dong Village will deal with him."
“I trust Ah Chen from our Black Crow Village. His ideas are always strange and unusual. It seems that the two of us will have to think about the Drum Festival for a while.”
“Your son, Azhuang, is not young anymore. During the Drum Festival in a month, you must make sure he finds a girl to bring home.”
"Okay, okay, I like hearing that."
The two chieftains laughed.
A sense of joy quietly spread.
…
dusk.
The setting sun was like blood, and the horizon was gradually tinged with a faint golden hue. The orchards on the mountaintop were illuminated by the evening glow, making them look like a dream.
Just after dinner, Chief Tang led the chiefs of dozens of nearby villages to Mu Achen's house.
In the spacious main room, dozens of village chiefs, all over fifty or sixty years old, were whispering among themselves.
The core members of the younger generation, the uncles and brothers, stood to one side. There were hundreds of them, but fortunately, Mu Achen's family was large enough.
"Uncle Tang, the way you're making this scene makes me feel like you've come to accuse me of something?"
According to custom, Mu Chen, being a junior, shouldn't sit down, but since he was injured, he had no choice.
Moreover, he has now unknowingly become the backbone of everyone's wealth and prosperity.
“Ah Chen, I am the head of the nine elders of the Miao clan, you must call me Elder; we are here to see you today mainly about the Holy Maiden’s participation in the Drumming Festival.”
The elderly Miao man speaking was over seventy years old.
His face was kind, his hair was as white as silk, and his wrinkles were as deep as ravines, telling the story of the vicissitudes of time.
Mu Chen looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the elder's eyes were shining with a resolute light. Although he was slightly hunched over, he was still vigorous and full of energy.
Mu Chen knew that his descendants of Chi You had nine supreme elders, but he had never seen them.
These nine elders are highly respected by all Miao people. Their status is above that of the village chief. Their ancestors took it upon themselves to protect the Miao king, a duty passed down from generation to generation, with each elder designating a successor before their death.
Unfortunately, the Miao King never appeared in the world, and the appearance of the Holy Maiden made the nine elders very happy.
Now that the Holy Maiden is participating in the flower-begging activity of the Drumming Festival, the nine clan elders will naturally have to show up.
But Mu Chen was puzzled. Why would they come looking for him?
Mu Chen struggled to his feet, bowed respectfully, and said, "Please give your instructions, Elder. Mu Chen of the Black Miao branch will do his utmost."
"You're injured, sit down!"
As soon as Mu Chen sat down, the elder said bluntly, "We, the nine elders, have discussed it, and the Holy Maiden agrees. You will lead the ancestral worship ceremony at this year's Drum Festival, along with the Holy Maiden."
Should I follow the saintess and lead the way?
Mu Chen was stunned.
That's an ancestral worship ceremony! In previous years, wasn't it always the Holy Maiden who led it all by herself?
Besides, even the chieftain of their Black Crow Village isn't qualified to be in the leadership category, so how could it be a junior like Mu Achen?
"Achen, what are you standing there for? The clan elder is asking you a question!"
Chief Mu quickly spoke up to remind her, adding, "Being chosen by the elders to lead the ancestral worship alongside the Holy Maiden is not just your honor, but the glory of our Black Crow Village, and even the entire Black Miao branch."
"Grandpa, I know of these great honors, but am I worthy?"
The elder said, “Although you are young, your hard work for my Miao family over the past six months has been evident to all! The Holy Maiden also said that this year, Mu Achen of the Black Miao will be enshrined in the ancestral hall with her.”
"Elder, can I still ask for flower ribbons at the Drum Festival?"
Upon hearing this, all the Miao men of the uncle and peer generations laughed.
This little thing hesitated for so long because it was worried about this; it was afraid it wouldn't be able to participate in the flower-collecting activity.
The elder said, "This won't affect anything. After the ancestral worship ceremony, you can go and ask for flower ribbons to find the girl you like."
"Alright, I'll follow the elders' instructions. I'll do whatever you tell me to do."
Mu Chen agreed.
Black Crow Chief Mu Aye breathed a sigh of relief and spoke again:
"Ah Chen, this year's Drum Festival is of special significance. It's the first time the Holy Maiden has participated in the Flower-Begging Drum Festival. I just discussed it with Chief Tang, and everyone is very supportive. So, Guo Lin is prepared to set aside 600,000 for the various expenses of the Drum Festival. What do you think?"
"Six hundred thousand isn't enough! Three million, Guolin will take three million, and the other two million four hundred thousand is mine. Uncle Agan, please make a note of this, and when Guolin settles the final accounts, remember to remove my share."
"Ugh---"
Three million?
This number left all the clan elders and village chiefs in the main hall completely stunned.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com