Chapter 109: Ancestral Hearth Ceremony
Chapter 109: Ancestral Hearth Ceremony
The longer Hu Ma stayed in this world, the more he respected it. His respect wasn't for any individual but for the fact that humans, as a group, deserved respect for being able to survive in this world of evil and deceit.
Because of this, he understood how important the Ancestral Hearth Ceremony was to the village. In his previous life, Hu Ma knew about these rituals, but he didn't believe in them much. He often found it hard to understand why older people would go to such lengths to prepare for these seemingly meaningless ceremonies.
He even thought they were wasting time and money on these intangible things. But now, he gradually understood.
Showing respect for the unknown is itself a form of life attitude. In this world, these rules and rituals are shrouded in a mysterious and solemn aura.
Especially, why did Grandma insist on staying at the Ancestral Hearth? Was it just to be protected by the hearth ash and to have a protective charm?
Not necessarily.
After gaining experience and learning the skills of the Age Keepers, Hu Ma knew that there were many ways to survive in this world. For example, the surrounding towns and villages didn't have an Ancestral Hearth, but they could still avoid evil spirits by worshiping the Red Lantern Lady.
The Ancestral Hearth seemed to be an ancient and traditional way of warding off evil and honoring ancestors in this world...
The more skills Hu Ma learned, the more he realized how unfathomable Grandma was. He held a deep reverence for every decision she made, so he took the Ancestral Hearth Ceremony very seriously.
Fortunately, Second Uncle was there to guide and help prepare.
The Ancestral Hearth Ceremony was a major event in the village, and every household had to prepare well. Second Uncle, being a member of the Zhou family, also had his own things to do. However, since the Zhou family was in charge of the ceremony, Second Uncle found time to teach Hu Ma what to prepare, when to go to the Ancestral Hearth, what to wear, and what to say.
Hu Ma carefully noted everything and prepared everything Second Uncle mentioned to the best of his ability.
A few days later, it was already the end of the year. The villagers who usually drank and played cards suddenly disappeared, and their faces showed a serious and solemn expression.
Just after noon, the villagers, carrying their bundles and leading their children and elderly, quietly made their way to the Ancestral Hearth in the center of the village. From a distance, the crowd looked mysterious and silent.
The Old Clan Leader stood beside the Ancestral Hearth, lowering his voice to command the villagers to kneel according to the old rules and to avoid fighting.
Fights over positions to be closer to the ancestors were not uncommon.
"Little Hu Ma, come to the front."
Seeing that the hearth was already full of people, the Old Clan Leader noticed Hu Ma carrying a bundle and called out softly.
So, Hu Ma squeezed through the crowd. An old man kneeling in front motioned his family to move back to make room for Hu Ma.
Hu Ma nodded gratefully, and they understood each other without words.
The one who gave up his place was from the Cui family.
The Cui family was one of the four major families in the village and could be considered the second largest. However, because of the Cui Old Lady's misdeeds, the entire Cui family lost face.
When the Red Lantern Association held a grand feast for the children, not a single member of the Cui family dared to attend.
Afterward, everyone asked how to send their children to the association, but the Cui family couldn't ask.
But during this ancestral worship, they had to kneel in the front, just as before. The difference was that the position previously occupied by the Cui Old Lady and her four strong and arrogant sons was now taken by another elder of the Cui family.
However, this was according to the old rules. This year was different. One, because a new elder, Hu Bai Shi, had joined the hearth, and two, because the Hu family had a young steward.
Changing positions could lead to fights, but under special circumstances, it had to be changed. Moving Hu Ma to the front wasn't just a sign of respect for him but mainly for Grandma and the Hu family.
Of course, Hu Ma's position as a steward played a significant role.
The Cui family could have refused and even caused a commotion, but this Cui elder directly gave up his place.
Even the Old Clan Leader's call for Hu Ma to come forward was intentional.
This was an opportunity to ease tensions and resolve enmity with the Cui family.
Although the Cui family only moved back one position, it was a big deal in the village.
No matter how powerful Hu Ma became in the future, he wouldn't be able to cause trouble for the Cui family again.
And the Cui family could finally use this opportunity to sever ties with the Cui Old Lady's branch and avoid being implicated.
...
...
"Please let the ancestors open their eyes..."
At the front, closest to the Ancestral Hearth, the Old Clan Leader called out in a long, drawn-out voice. The villagers, led by the heads of households, untied their bundles, placed them on the ground, and took out incense, bowls, and paper.
They lit the three incense sticks, raised them high toward the Ancestral Hearth, and the incense filled the hillside.
The Old Clan Leader waited for a while, ensuring that all the families had lit their incense. Then, he raised his own incense and shouted:
"First, we bow to our ancestors for protection, so that evil spirits and demons do not touch us."
"Second, we bow to our ancestors to protect our homes and fields, so that high walls and strong fortifications ward off evil spirits."
"Third, we bow to our ancestors to bring us good fortune, so that our crops are bountiful and our jars are full of money."
"Fourth, we bow to our ancestors, hoping they ascend to heaven soon, so that our descendants are free from troubles and our ancestors can rest in peace..."
"..."
With each phrase, the Old Clan Leader held three sticks of incense and bowed toward the Ancestral Hearth. Behind him, the people on the hillside followed suit, bowing in unison. For a moment, the air was filled with the fragrant smoke, and the mountains and fields were silent. Even the children in the crowd seemed to be influenced by the solemn atmosphere and did not cry or fuss.
Three Gods and Four Ghosts—whether it was the Ancestral Hearth, they bowed four times.
Hu Ma followed the elders around him and the Old Clan Leader, bowing in turn, his mind silently pondering.
"Is what the Old Clan Leader is saying a result of his sincere thoughts, or is it something passed down through generations?"
"In these ancient traditions, the words are simple and straightforward, but they seem to carry a deeper meaning, like a kind of heartfelt prayer..."
"..."
After bowing to the Ancestral Hearth, it was time to offer the sacrifices.
At the Old Clan Leader's command, everyone brought out the fish, meat, rice, and grain they had prepared and placed them before the Ancestral Hearth. Afterward, they returned to the crowd.
In no time, the area around the Ancestral Hearth was filled with bowls and plates, all brimming with food that each family had saved up and was usually too precious to eat.
"May the ancestors rest assured that this year, our Dayang Village will be free from disasters, and our descendants will be safe..."
After setting out the offerings, the Old Clan Leader straightened his back and spoke to the Ancestral Hearth, his voice the only one heard amid the fragrant smoke. He seemed to be recounting the major events of the village, even mentioning the achievements of Hu Ma and others.
"Let's burn the paper..."
After finishing his words, the Old Clan Leader bowed again and shouted loudly to the crowd behind him.
The previously silent and solemn crowd became busy again. Those who had offered sacrifices rushed forward to retrieve their offerings. The ancestors only spiritually partook of the offerings; they did not actually consume them, so each family had to take them back.
However, the rules of Dayang Village had their unique characteristics. When retrieving the offerings, there was no distinction between one's own and others'. People took whatever they saw.
The villagers did not mind; they took from each other, knowing that it was a gift from the ancestors.
Even if someone took the pig head they had prepared and they only got back three steamed buns, they did not feel wronged. Instead, they saw it as a good omen.
At the same time, as people retrieved their offerings, the heads of each household began burning paper. For a moment, paper scraps flew everywhere, and the fire spread, causing some to have their eyes reddened by the smoke.
The Old Clan Leader had already arranged for people to stand guard around the area to prevent the flying embers from igniting the hay stacks. However, it seemed that these guards were standing there in vain because the paper burning this year seemed particularly effective.
The wind swirled, drawing the flying embers back as if the ancestors in the Ancestral Hearth were possessive and did not want their descendants' offerings to be taken by others.
"Alright, it's time to invite the ancestors home for the New Year!"
After the paper burning, the atmosphere lightened somewhat. The Old Clan Leader turned to the villagers with a smile.
The villagers still did not speak much, but they carefully picked up the incense they had burned, muttering words like "Father, Mother," "Grandfather, Grandmother," "Older Brother, Younger Brother," inviting their ancestors to follow the incense and return home for the New Year.
As they spoke, they dispersed from the Ancestral Hearth, and from a distance, one could see the flickering incense rising toward each household.
That day, every household in the village had a table set with delicious food, and the Eight Immortals tables and Grandmaster Chairs were polished clean.
However, no one would sit in the Grandmaster Chair, and the seats around the table would remain empty.
The dishes were on the table, but no living person would sit there.
Hu Ma also followed the rules, holding the three sticks of incense that were not yet burned out. He invited his grandmother home for the New Year, knowing that her situation was different, so he was unsure if he could truly bring her back.
But the rules must be followed without error. In his small house, he set out the wine, dishes, and Grandmaster Chair, and placed the three sticks of incense in the incense bowl on the table.
He glanced outside; it was already dark.
Everyone stayed in their own homes, even Second Uncle would not come over today. It was just him and Little Red Apricot.
Looking at the empty Grandmaster Chair and the straight-burning incense, he did not know if his grandmother had returned.
Just as he was about to put a plate of dumplings into the pot, he suddenly saw Little Red Apricot sitting on the threshold, as if waiting for something. She looked out the door and broke into a simple smile, calling out to Hu Ma in a clear voice:
"Grandmother is back for dinner..."
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