Chapter 104

Chapter 104: Worshipping the Mountain God (II)

The worship of the mountain god has been a long-standing festival in Danzhou, its precise origins lost to time. Legend has it that Mount Danming was once shrouded in perpetual mist and infested with venomous creatures, deterring all who dared approach. In a nearby village, a mother and son eked out a meager existence. The mother, worn down by relentless toil, fell gravely ill. Hearing whispers of ginseng growing on Mount Danming—a root that could both heal his mother and be sold for much-needed money—the son, despite the mountain's fearsome reputation, steeled his resolve. Armed with only a stick, he ventured into the perilous wilderness.

The mountain proved as treacherous as the rumors claimed, yet it also teemed with hidden treasures. Unfamiliar with other herbs, the son sought only ginseng, recognizable by its human-like form, plunging headlong into the search. Predictably, he scoured the mountain from dawn till dusk, finding no ginseng and losing his way. As night descended, a thick fog enveloped the peaks, blinding him. He could only grope his way forward, cautiously feeling each step.

He stumbled and fell countless times, his body aching, his heart gripped by fear, crying out for his mother. Just as despair threatened to consume him, a familiar voice pierced the mist. His mother, against all odds, had come into the mountain to find him. Upon learning of her son's perilous journey, she had tearfully implored the villagers to join her search. But as darkness deepened, fear overcame them, and one by one they retreated, leaving only the mother to wander aimlessly, her voice echoing through the forest as she called her son's name.

Overjoyed at the sight of his mother, the son sprinted towards her, falling several more times, yet oblivious to the pain in his overwhelming delight. But his mother, having expended her last reserves of strength and inhaled too much of the mountain's poisonous miasma, collapsed before him—a miracle she had held on for so long. Overcome with grief and profound regret, the son wailed inconsolably in the forest. The cold night wind howled through the trees, its mournful cries mingling with his sobs, startling even the wild beasts.

Suddenly, a white tiger materialized from the darkness, its snow-white fur gleaming conspicuously, as if radiating light. The tiger was powerfully built, far more imposing than any human. Trembling with terror, the son heard the tiger declare itself the Mountain Deity, a spirit cultivating in these peaks. Moved by the profound bond between mother and son, it had brought ginseng. However, it demanded that the villagers offer sacrifices to aid its cultivation. Desperate to save his mother, the son readily agreed, swearing an oath to the heavens. The tiger vanished, leaving behind two ginseng roots, shaped like tiny humans, lying on the ground.

The son sold one ginseng and gave the other to his mother. Within days, she made a miraculous recovery, astonishing the villagers. The mother and son seized the opportunity to recount their encounter with the Mountain Deity. When the toxic mist on Mount Danming subsequently vanished, the villagers fully believed their tale. As time passed, the legend spread, and more people began to revere the Mountain Deity of Mount Danming.

Dong Yuting dismissed the story with a light laugh, finding such fantastical tales largely fabricated. Following the old lady’s instructions, she went to assist Zhao Fuying. However, Zhao Fuying was so capable that she hardly needed help; Dong Yuting found herself observing and learning instead.

Since the old lady wanted her to help but Zhao Fuying did not, Dong Yuting found herself with unexpected leisure. She watched as Zhao Fuying meticulously arranged for the three sacrificial animals. Although the household raised chickens and ducks, the offerings for the mountain deity required something grander: whole deer, sheep, and oxen. She dispatched the steward to procure them from outside, emphasizing the need to personally inspect and select only the plumpest and strongest. Given the Li family’s prestige in Danzhou, no vendor would dare offer scrawny animals. Nevertheless, the worship of the mountain deity was a momentous occasion, leaving no room for oversight, so Zhao Fuying insisted on the steward’s personal verification.

In addition to the three animals, offerings included the five grains, seasonal fruits, and Danzhou’s renowned local wine. Everything was prepared and ready to be transported up the mountain on the day of the ceremony. The ritual vessels, stored in the warehouse, had been cleaned early and fumigated with mugwort. With many attendees expected, dusty vessels would be an unacceptable sight.

Zhao Fuying managed everything with clear precision, assigning tasks to the servants so meticulously that each performed their duties without hindrance or overlap. Dong Yuting, though offering no practical help, gained invaluable insight from her observations.

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Before a bronze mirror, Dong Yuting was attended by Dong Zhi, who had returned from the old lady’s quarters, and Chun Yue. They stood on either side, helping her style her hair and put on earrings.

"Madam, these southern pearls would perfectly complement your outfit today."

Dong Yuting nodded casually, believing all her jewelry to be exquisite. For the mountain deity worship, she needed to dress formally, yet with the recent passing of the family matriarch last month, overly ostentatious attire was inappropriate. She chose a moon-white *ruqun* dress, overlaid with an apricot-yellow *shenyi* outer robe. Tiny southern pearls, each perfectly round and lustrous, adorned the hem of her skirt, serving as delicate embellishments due to their small size.

After completing her toilette, Dong Yuting emerged from the side room to find the children already waiting to greet her. Having recently received advice from Zhao Fuying, she scrutinized their appearances. Their journey had been rushed, limiting the jewelry and clothing they could bring. After a thorough look, Dong Yuting turned to Dong Zhi: "I recall several unused bracelets stored away. Please bring them for the young ladies."

The bracelets were silver with cloisonné enamel, adorned with intricate flower and bird motifs. Although the family matriarch had passed away last month, such a festive occasion still called for more than plain attire. These enamel bracelets were perfect—one for each, not overly precious, but certainly fine pieces.

Dong Yuting led them to see the old lady. Upon entering, she saw the old lady setting down a porcelain bowl and wiping her mouth with a handkerchief.

"Mother, are you still taking medicine?"

The old lady smiled. "It’s a sedative tonic prescribed by the physician. Nothing to worry about." She pulled Li Borui closer, patting his flushed cheeks. "Where have you been running off to so early in the morning?"

Li Borui grinned sheepishly. The old residence had two martial arts masters guarding the place, and somehow Li Borui had discovered them and latched on. This time, however, he dared not mention learning martial arts—after giving up halfway last time, he had been lectured by his mother and grandmother for days. Instead, he watched secretly, practiced in the courtyard, and early that morning, he and Li Boming had pretended to be martial artists fighting. Qiu Rong stopped them in time, worried they would work up a sweat, and coaxed them inside.

Qiu Rong tensed momentarily but relaxed when the old lady changed the subject.

The old lady had participated in Danzhou’s mountain deity worship before, finding it akin to a temple fair—lively and crowded for three days straight. Pleased by the festive atmosphere, she did not press Li Borui about his actions. If anything seriously amiss occurred, she would be informed without concealment, so she remained unconcerned.

The inner and outer households each had their responsibilities. The second master went to help outside, following the old lady’s instructions. She wanted her second son to gain experience, so as the worship day approached, she tasked him with assisting Li Xiuhong.

The old lady led the group to meet several prominent families of Danzhou: besides the Lin family, there were the Lius, Wangs, Zhangs, and others... but among them, the Li and Lin families held the highest status, with the Lin family slightly lower. The Lin family, in particular, was showing signs of decline due to a lack of heirs. Lin Yixuan’s elder brother had died young without children, leaving Lin Yixuan to shoulder the family responsibilities alone.

For the mountain deity worship, Lin Yixuan’s wife, Mrs. Wang, also attended. Pregnant, she naturally received extra attention from Zhao Fuying.

Mrs. Wang brought Lin Qingxuan along. She did not seem like a malicious stepmother but rather indifferent, maintaining a cold yet peaceful relationship. While other mothers would occasionally glance at their children during conversations, Mrs. Wang focused solely on her belly, frequently looking down. Since Lin Qingxuan was not her biological child, providing food and clothing was deemed sufficient; beyond that, she did not bother.

Other ladies might have cared for Lin Qingxuan for appearances, acting affectionate in public, but Mrs. Wang came from a humble background and was narrow-minded, unable to tolerate others. While busy, Zhao Fuying shared these details with Dong Yuting, adding that Mrs. Wang’s marriage to Lin Yixuan had resulted from him being drunk... in short, not a very honorable matter. Dong Yuting listened merely as a story.

Li Qingdai and the old lady were the two most senior attendees, so everyone gathered around them as they left the residence. Several carriages waited outside. Worshipping the mountain deity was essentially like attending a temple fair—just with a different deity—emphasizing the festive atmosphere over strict rules. Whether walking or riding in carriages was acceptable.

Servants carried the ritual vessels from the warehouse ahead of time. With plenty of time, the old lady and others chatted leisurely at the entrance before boarding their carriages. The streets were bustling. Li Borui leaned out to look, while Li Bohan sat beside him, watching closely to prevent him from tumbling out.

Dong Yuting lifted the curtain to peek outside. The streets were filled with vendors selling roasted chicken, steamed buns, rice balls... a dazzling array. Within a few steps, the steam from freshly baked buns wafted over, carrying an enticing aroma. The crowd moved in one direction—toward Mount Danming—though the carriage moved slowly. People made way at the sound of hooves, and a few daring children ran after the carriage before being scolded and pulled back by their parents.

Stalls lined the foot of Mount Danming, and Dong Yuting observed them along the way. The most popular items were tiger shoes, tiger-head hats, and tiger dolls, as the legendary Mountain Deity took the form of a tiger. Perhaps not daring to replicate the Mountain Deity exactly, the craftsmen made distinctions—these tigers had yellow and black fur instead of the legendary white.

At the mountain base, the carriages could go no further. The old lady alighted with Yuan Xiang’s support and looked up at the gently ascending steps. Funded by Danzhou’s prominent families, the stone path made the ascent easier for everyone. Previously, it had been a dirt trail worn by footsteps, but the stone steps added solemnity to the occasion.