Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 42 - 41 Five Gods Temple

Chapter 42: Chapter 41 Five Gods Temple

Chapter 42 -41 Five Gods Temple

The days quietly slipped away, Shen Chengyao had been back for several days and brought with him an unfavourable piece of news: the family had moved away three years ago, supposedly to stay with distant relatives, selling all their properties and farmlands.

The villagers had no idea where they had gone.

Initially, Shen Chengyao had only suspected a connection between Yun’er’s abduction and them.

Now, he felt more certain that there was.

At the same time, he began to construct excuses for himself, attributing Yun’er’s abduction to the family’s desire for revenge for their daughter, who died from consuming toxic food sold by the grocery store.

He believed this had nothing to do with the main family.

From his childhood memories, his eldest brother was very loving towards their siblings, and always stood up for him if other children bullied him.

If there was something delicious, he made sure to include him.

Chengyao thought it impossible such a brother could do such a act.

Yet what he failed to consider was how people change, how the dazzling outside world could drastically alter a person through various events and experiences.

After all, how many people in this world were truly constant and would never forget their initial intent?

A person, when tired, longs for rest; when faced with hardship, seeks help; when frightened by poverty, strives to earn money; and after suffering, could hardly bear to abandon the present sweetness of life.

Similarly, after getting used to shortcuts, one would resist exerting more effort.

Who can definitely claim that no one in this world would change?

One can merely observe whether the person is changing for better or for worse.

Xiao’er insisted that Shen Chengyao report their suspicions about the family abducting Yun’er to the Government Office.

After all, the government would have far more resources to investigate the matter after obtaining clues.

Finally, the fifteenth arrived.

Shen Chengyao, with his family and Jingjie’s fourth aunt, set out for the Five Gods Temple.

The Five Gods Temple was built on the slope of the highest mountain in the Five Gods Mountains range—the Five Gods Peak.

There was an official road leading directly to the Five Gods Peak, and a broad, flat area at the foot of the mountain served as a parking lot for the pilgrims’ vehicles and horses, where a small fee of five coins could ensure safekeeping for a morning.

Legend tells that the Five Gods Mountains were once inhabited by five deities who protected villagers nearby.

These villagers had been blessed with good weather for a century.

However, after the Five Gods ascended to heaven, the county suffered a severe drought and locust plague.

This led to several deaths due to starvation, as people believed that the calamities were caused by the absence of their protector deities.

Therefore, it was proposed that a Five Gods Temple be built on the Five Gods Mountain so that the Five Gods could once again oversee the mountain and ensure the villagers’ favorable weather conditions.

The idea was greatly approved, and with funding from both the Imperial Court and villagers’ own contributions, the Five Gods Temple was constructed.

The road leading to the Five Gods Mountain was paved with rock, and quite wide—about one and a half meters.

Every hundred stairs, there was a landing.

In total, there were five hundred stairs.

On usual days of the month, merchants would often sell their goods on these platforms, while those who couldn’t obtain a spot on the platforms would hang a rectangular tray around their neck to display their goods.

However, today marked the annual festival of the Five Gods Mountain, an occasion drawing large crowds.

Officials nearby the Five Gods Mountain stopped merchants from selling their goods, fearing that businesses could obstruct worshipers’ path and cause accidents.

Xiao’er had originally planned to sell silk flowers and rag dolls at the fair too, but Mrs.

Liu shared that a year ago, a fatal conflict had broken out due to overcrowding by vendors.

This prompted the government to issue a strict prohibition of trade near the Five Gods Mountain during major holidays and festivals, with violation resulting in confiscation of all merchandise and a one-year imprisonment.

When Xiao’er and his party reached the foot of the mountain, both the bottom and the hundred-stair laneway were swarming with visitors.

In the past, both ascending and descending the mountain was done via the same stairway.

However, due to the popularity of the Five Gods Mountain, accidents were not uncommon during the festivals.

Therefore, the government funded the construction of a separate downhill road, which was considerably narrower than the stairway, just wide enough for two people to walk side by side.

This arrangement took into account that some children might need to be guided by their parents.

Shen Chengyao carried two food boxes filled with sacrificial offerings, with Xiao’er and his three brothers following behind him.

Mrs.

Liu, carrying the Jin siblings’ younger sister, and Mrs.

Lu walked behind them.

It was no easy feat walking the 500 stairs, considering it was roughly like climbing 25 levels—thus, they had to rest multiple times.

Some affluent ladies barely managed to walk a small segment before they were whisked off by their servants.

There were almost none who could persevere to the top.

Of course, it was different for those whose wishes were profoundly important.

Out of sheer devotion or to display their sincerity, they held on.

Human willpower was indeed beyond comprehension.

Despite how exhausted all the children were, none of them clamored to be carried like other children their age.

Only when Jingjie was too tired to proceed did Mrs.

Lu carry her for a short distance, but even she could not be carried for long.

When they finally reached the top, even Xiao’er was covered in sweat.

The Five Gods Temple, having stood for centuries, had more than the prime temple at the midpoint of the mountain.

Below it, smaller temples were built such as the Songzi Niangniang Temple, God of Wealth Temple, Wenquxing Temple, and more.

Yet, regardless of the main purpose of one’s visit, one would always worship the Five Gods in the prime temple prior to visiting other temples.

This was a long-standing tradition which everyone adhered to.

In front of the main hall, there was a flat open space, half an acre in size, all paved with rocks.

In the middle sat a large incense burner, with a large offering table in front.

Mrs.

Liu passed her younger sister to Shen Chengyao to hold, and began to arrange the offerings and tea.

She lit the incense, and everyone, apart from the youngest sister, was supposed to offer the incense stick-personally.

The children were not tall enough, so it was Shen Chengyao who lifted them up to finish the task.

After offering incense, they kneeled down and kowtowed three times before they were finished.

Then, Mrs.

Liu brought everyone inside the hall to donate to the oil lamp.

Mrs.

Liu donated ten taels, Mrs.

Lu donated one tael, and then several people took up the fortune-telling cylinder and drew a lot.

Mrs.

Liu, Jingrui, and Jinghao all drew the best lot.

Shen Chengyao did not draw; he claimed his fortune would be the same as Mrs.

Liu’s, so he didn’t need to.

Mrs.

Lu also drew a good lot.

Xiao’er drew the best lot ever, which made the whole family smile like flowers, envied by those who were not happy with their lots, and those behind them were itching to try.

“There’s a best lot in this cylinder?

Why haven’t I heard about this before?” A worshipper found this strange and asked out loud.

Hearing that someone had drawn the best lot, and that everyone else in the family had also drawn good lots, the monk in the temple gave them an extra glance before explaining, “Master Yunfa just returned yesterday and added the best lot last night.

There’s only one.

You’re so lucky to have drawn it, young donor.

Master Yunfa said, whoever draws this lot can find him in the backyard to tell their fortune.”

Everyone was shocked when they heard this, and their eyes were eagerly fixed on Xiao’er.

They wondered who this little girl was and how she was lucky enough to draw the best lot.

Master Yunfa is the highest mage in the Minze Dynasty, and his fortune-telling has never been wrong.

These past few years, he has stopped telling fortunes, saying that the secrets of heaven should not be revealed too much.

Xiao’er didn’t really want to go.

The best lot said: Blessings over the world.

She didn’t consider herself so great!

Both Shen Chengyao and Mrs.

Liu were very excited.

They felt fortunate that they had come.

It turned out that they needed to offer thanks to the gods.

They hurriedly urged Xiao’er to follow the young monk.

The young monk saw Xiao’er hesitating and thought she was afraid to leave her family.

He said, “The young donor is still young.

Who are her parents?

One of you can accompany her.”

With crowds everywhere, Shen Chengyao was worried that if he left, Mrs.

Liu might not be able to handle the kids alone.

So he let Mrs.

Liu, who was holding the youngest sister, go with Xiao’er.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they reached the backyard, Master Yunfa came out of his meditation room to greet them.

He gently bowed his body forward, “Please come in, donors.”