Shen Kan hurried back to Shenjia Village, not so much to pray for rain, but to come back to see the excitement.

Praying for rain was one of the typical characteristics of ancient agrarian societies, which revolved around the cultivation of crops and was widespread in all regions of the world, and almost all agrarian peoples had similar witchcraft activities.

In China, as early as the Western Han Dynasty, there were written records, especially in the north where there was often drought and little rain, there were those who asked for rain, there were those who painted Arhats, and more people asked for dragon kings and bodhisattvas, and at the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, people were more likely to ask for Emperor Guan.

Because Emperor Guan preached righteousness and protected the people, he was deeply respected by the people, so if he asked Master Guan to come forward, he would definitely be able to go to the Bodhisattva.

In Jiangnan, there are many areas where there is a custom of "walking the rain" and "thanking the rain", such as walking the rain, in which some widows and maidens sweep the soil along the street in front of them, throwing water with wicker, and people follow behind to beat gongs and drums to pray for rain. If there is a rainy weather, people will thank the rain and set off firecrackers in the sky, which means to tell the heavens that it has rained a lot.

In the area of Suzhou, there are three forms of ritual of praying for rain: receiving the Bodhisattva, carrying the dragon king to the countryside, and fighting the drought.

In fact, Jiangnan people rarely ask for rain, but are more troubled by excessive rainfall, and Xie Yu has more years.

As soon as I returned to the village, I saw that almost all the men had come out, and everyone gathered in the threshing floor, and the women and children stood around and watched.

Fourth Uncle Shen Jiaji pointed to a thief-eyed descendant and said, "Second-rate, you are not sincere, I don't want you to carry the Bodhisattva."

Everyone laughed, who told the second-rate son to steal chickens and dogs all day long, and lay on the widow's door.

"Old Uncle Li and Dazhu go to the top of the Wanmin umbrella, and the second dog you play the gong." Master Gu was also busy commanding, "Old Zhou, where is your suona?" Hey, there's still three palanquins left here. ”

In an instant, several people stood up, "I'll have one." Master Gu, do you think so?"

"I'll do it too."

"I'll have one too."

"Done, done." Master Gu smiled, but then shouted: "Everyone go and wash your face, especially the second dog, wash your face, so as not to be strange to the Bodhisattva."

The men immediately scattered to wash their faces, and they were not to blame, they were tired for most of the night last night, and everyone was so tired that they were sweating.

Later, the big guys ran back, and the scene seemed chaotic, and someone shouted, "Where's my drum?"

"Tell me to carry the sedan chair, and you get out of the way."

"Hurry up, everyone is ready." Master Gu shouted, "Gong!" Suona blows. ”

"Hit the gong quickly, did you hear the second dog? Deaf. ”

The second dog said, "I heard it." As he spoke, he raised his mallet and ...... Clang...... Clang......

Looking at their untrained appearance, Shen Kan, like the others, was already leaning forward and leaning back.

In this way, dozens of people carried all kinds of things and ran towards the field in a mess.

In the afternoon, the Bodhisattva was brought back, Shenjia Village killed a cow, burned ten catties of sandalwood, and the face of the invited goddess was smeared with flowers, and she carried a big gourd full of water on her waist.

Taking time, Shen Kan told the fourth uncle about Pei Zhixian's thoughts, Shen Jiaji was silent for a moment, and said: "You shouldn't have told me, the most important thing at the moment is to ask for rain, and don't ask about the rest."

At a glance, he knew that the fourth uncle was trying to avoid suspicion, Shen Kan smiled and said that he knew, and said secretly: "Fourth uncle, you cut ten catties of beef for me when you go back, I am so hungry."

Shen Jiaji smiled and asked, "Aren't you most concerned about crops?" Why, aren't you afraid of losing your heart?"

Shen Kan pursed his lips and said, "You guys are fooling people, aren't you killing cattle just to satisfy your hunger?" Only children believe that it is for the Bodhisattva. ”

"Huh." Shen Jiaji's expression was Shi Ran, "If it doesn't rain in three days, you have to kill another one." To tell you the truth, this time the village bought five cows. ”

"Five cows? Good boys. Shen Kan was speechless, and said in his heart that this is for rain, or for a feast? There must be both, and it can be regarded as the joy of the people in the village.

At the thought of eating shabu shabu and kebabs at night, Shen Kan's saliva was about to flow out, and he hurriedly ran home to prepare tools and condiments.

At present, it is natural to pay homage to Mr. Shen Kan first, Mr. Qianzhai's son and daughter, and the new rich young master.

When he thought of the little junior sister, he couldn't help but think of Wu Song's sister Wu Zixian, but he didn't expect that Shouwen's matter was her idea, this girl is not simple.

At the same time, Wu Song told his mother and sister that Mrs. Wu, like her son, was very surprised.

Wu Zixian and Shen Peiwei sat on the side reading a book, and said lightly: "I was originally a little suspicious, just because the pair that day lost him." If it weren't really important to Song'er, I thought that I might as well try again with Shouwen, but fortunately I still have doubts, otherwise I would have let him sit in the hall in a daze......"

"I'm glad my son is careful." Mrs. Wu was overjoyed, "But the resignation of this mediocre master is certainly a good thing, but where did the master come from?"

"Mother, don't worry." Wu Song said, "Uncle has already arranged it. ”

At this time, Pei Lingyan walked in with the maid, talked for a while, and according to her father's explanation, came to spy on Pei Wei's tone, and said, "I just heard something related to Pei Wei."

Shen Peiwei asked, "What's the matter?"

Wu Zixian, who was reading a book, raised her head when she heard this, and saw her cousin and said, "Didn't my father take Song'er to congratulate He Zhifu on his birthday today, and there is also a son of the Shen family with him."

Wu Song smiled and shouted, "It's that rough man."

Wu Zixian couldn't help glaring at her younger brother, and Shen Peiwei said in surprise: "It should be the fifth brother, he has a small character and a single name."

"Shen Kan?" Pei Lingyan chuckled, "This name is interesting." Then he put away his smile and said slowly: "Daddy heard him say that the son of the Ke family is now for you, and he is already terminally ill, and I am afraid that he will die soon."

The eyes of the people in the room widened instantly, and they looked at Shen Peiwei in surprise, but Wu Zixian frowned and looked at her cousin thoughtfully.

saw that Shen Peiwei's face turned pale, but immediately said coldly: "What does the illness of the son of the Ke family have to do with me?"

Everyone was not surprised by her resolute words, after all, once a person 'died', it was understandable that the girl became more stubborn.

Pei Lingyan whispered: "Aren't you distressed? He's doing it for you. This is what he became when he learned of his death. ”

"Poor one, Amitabha." Mrs. Wu was both pity and joy, and said solemnly to Shen Peiwei: "It is rare to have a lover when it comes to asking for priceless treasures, and it is difficult to find such a descendant with a lantern, Peiwei, don't hesitate, in case you hesitate a little, where is he?" It's too late to regret it. ”

"yes." Pei Lingyan echoed, "Daddy means that as long as you nod, you will immediately inform the news that you are not dead." ”

I didn't want Shen Peiwei to stand up suddenly, and said coldly: "If I use this to agree to the marriage, and it is clear that I have a private relationship, then I don't blame my father for killing me." No, absolutely not. ”

After speaking, Shen Peiwei turned around with a resolute face and walked away.

The rest of everyone looked at each other, seeing that she was talking to death, it was not good to continue to persuade, and at that moment Pei Lingyan sighed and wanted to reply to Pei Zhixian.

"I'm with you." Wu Zixian stood up.

The two sisters walked in the verandah, and Pei Lingyan said, "How true do you say she is?" Obviously, yesterday I also filled in the "Huanchun Yarn", ruthlessly hated the frangipani, turned it over and looked at it difficult to make a string, picked off the snow Mo to cook tea, in vain I knew him from spring to summer, just that, the life was thin because of the silk death, only the butterfly fixed the cocoon. You see, I'm still thinking about the past. ”

Wu Zixian chuckled and said: "I only remember your "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix", full of hatred and peach fang, a few branches of Yan Fuwenjun wine, the wind and the Song jade wall, no one is empty and melancholy, spring has been penetrated, it is the time to open, don't be ashamed of the tree for a lifetime."

"Dead girl, I'm just making the first word." Pei Lingyan glanced at her.

"Hey!" Wu Zixian smiled, "We all know that you miss your brother-in-law." ”

"Nonsense, why should I want him?" Pei Lingyan said angrily.

Wu Zixian smiled and said no more, faintly worried in her heart. It turned out that Pei Zhixian had recently promised to marry his daughter to the eldest son of He Zhifu, which was also because He He Zhifu would treat Pei Zhixian ceremoniously.

As mentioned earlier, the son of the prefect's family once secretly begged the maid Hongyu and wrote a love poem to Wu Zixian, implicitly expressing his love.

Now he is engaged to Pei Lingyan, which is why Wu Zixian persuaded his mother to move out and live in another place, just because he didn't want to cause misunderstanding to his cousin.

Seeing Pei Zhixian, Pei Lingyan told Shen Peiwei's attitude, and Pei Zhixian nodded with a smile after hearing it.

"Zixian, I want Song'er to go to Shenjia Village to worship Wang Qianzhai as a teacher, and your mother and daughter can also go over together. I have asked Shen Daogu to find you a house, you go back and tell your mother to see if she agrees. ”

"Shenjia Village?" Wu Zixian was slightly surprised, and immediately remembered the rough man in his mind.