The Xia Dynasty was newly established and countless tasks lay ahead. Yet in just two short months, Shen Yu and the others had erected the core administrative framework.
As the governors of each city successively assumed their posts, the banners bearing the character “Xia” were raised across all thirteen prefectures and fifty-six cities of the realm.
Having been displaced and destitute for far too long in the chaotic world, the common people finally had a place to settle and a livelihood to rely upon. Filled with newfound vigor, they poured all their energy into building prosperous lives.
The first Lantern Festival of the new dynasty was exceptionally lively.
The streets and alleys of Xindu City were hung with red lanterns, casting warm, golden glimmers across the surrounding snow.
The crackle of firecrackers had not ceased since the afternoon.
Children holding candied hawthorns and dough figurines darted through the gaps in the crowd, laughing until their cheeks turned rosy.
Long queues formed before the street stalls selling yuanxiao. Plump, white, glutinous dumplings bobbed up and down in boiling water, while the sweet fragrance of sesame filling mingled with the aroma of fermented sweet rice, drifting in all directions.
“This is what a life meant for the living truly feels like.” Pei Wanning stood atop the highest gate tower in Xindu City, gazing at the sea of smiling faces below, her eyes suddenly growing warm.
She still remembered how, years ago, when she fled an arranged marriage by sneaking out of Heluo inside her uncle's carriage, all she had seen along the way were starving, ragged refugees.
Back then, she had secretly sworn that one day she would change this world, even if it meant being smashed to pieces!
She had not let down her younger self.
“For the Xia Dynasty to have achieved such prosperity today was truly hard-won. Miss Pei, we ought to encourage one another to keep striving.”
Shen Yu stood beside Pei Wanning, maintaining a measured distance between them, displaying impeccable propriety.
Because neither he nor Pei Wanning were married, quite a few rumors about them had recently circulated through the city, making it necessary for him to avoid suspicion.
“As it should be.”
Pei Wanning tilted her head to look at him. “Second Young Master Shen, even though the Divine Lady no longer descends to the mortal realm, the city is still holding the Nuo dance and the god-invoking ceremony tonight. Don't you plan to vie for the chance to perform the dance for Her?”
“Better to leave the opportunity to the youths. Besides, with my current constitution, I couldn't compete with them anyway.”
Shen Yu slightly lowered his gaze, taking in the myriad city lights and the joyous, harmonious scene of the common people.
Pei Wanning's voice held a tinge of concern. “With things being so hectic lately, I haven't had the chance to ask: what did Physician Lin actually say about your illness?”
Shen Yu replied without batting an eye, “It is nothing serious, merely lingering symptoms from an old cold. Physician Lin told me that visiting him for a few more recuperation sessions will suffice.”
Hearing Shen Yu say this, Pei Wanning could sense he was hiding something, yet ultimately refrained from pressing further.
After all, everyone had secrets they could not reveal.
She looked up at the sky and murmured, “Second Young Master Shen, you were right again this time. The Divine Lady indeed intended for mortals to learn self-reliance and constant self-improvement. I have actually always admired you; you can always deduce Her intentions.”
The carefully preserved paper inscribed with the words “State of Xia” was the most direct and compelling proof.
“It is not that I can deduce the Divine Lady's intentions, but rather that every step I take has already been anticipated by Her. I am merely the one chosen by Her.”
Shen Yu's expression remained tranquil as he spoke.
Back during that Mid-Autumn Festival, when the Divine Lady had bestowed upon him that book from the future, he had known full well that even without an incurable ailment, he would certainly not live long.
For the shocking, revolutionary concepts within that book ran counter to so many deeply ingrained beliefs in this world.
Whoever brought it into the world was doomed to die.
Pei Wanning looked at the slightly distracted Shen Yu. “The Divine Lady choosing you surely wasn't just to convey Her decrees, was it?”
Hearing her question, Shen Yu slowly collected his thoughts. “You are very sharp, Miss Pei. But regarding this matter, treating it as if you know nothing is best for you, for the people of the realm, and for the nation itself.”
Seeing that it was impossible to pry anything from Shen Yu's lips, Pei Wanning wore a helpless look. “Forget it, keep it to yourself then.”
“I only wish to know whether the Divine Lady truly will never descend to the mortal realm again. Now that the realm is at peace, with clear seas and calm rivers, it would be a tremendous regret if She could not see it for Herself.”
Pei Wanning's eyes were filled with disappointment.
Shen Yu did not speak. He merely looked up, gazing into the distance at the setting sun that was slowly sinking beneath the horizon.
...
After night fell, the archaic and mysterious Nuo dance came to an end, and the grandest ceremony was just beginning.
After Xindu City became the new imperial capital, the Ministry of Works had taken less than two months to renovate and expand the city's Divine Lady Temple. At this moment, the newly planted pines and cypresses flanking the grounds were hung with red lanterns.
This being the first Lantern Festival of the new dynasty, Shen Yu and the others naturally hoped the Divine Lady would descend to take a look, yet they all knew deep down that She most likely would not.
Therefore, they had consulted and organized a procession of the goddess.
First, the divine statue would be invited out of the Divine Lady Temple, then paraded along Middle Street to the South Gate before looping back. The route passed through twelve wards of the city, with each ward setting up an incense altar where the common people could kneel and offer lanterns in succession.
In this way, they could demonstrate their reverence as devotees while also bringing peace of mind to the commoners.
As the crowd knelt before the temple, a bronze bell tolled three times.
The statue inside the hall was about eight chi tall, draped in plain white gauze. Its facial features were indistinct yet gentle in outline, sculpted precisely according to everyone's memory of the Divine Lady's initial descent to the mortal realm.
No livestock were offered upon the incense altar; only the five grains, freshly brewed rice wine, and a steaming bowl of yuanxiao were presented.
“Invite the deity!”
As the words fell, the crowd prostrated themselves on the ground.
After performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows, the temple keeper rose and lit the first thick stick of incense. Green smoke curled upward, condensing into a thin haze beneath the hall's beams.
“The Divine Lady has answered! Bear the litter—!”
In the next instant, eight burly men carried the statue out of the temple doors and set it steadily onto the pre-arranged imperial litter.
Gauze curtains hung down, with bronze bells at the four corners draped in pale-yellow fine silk, completely unadorned yet appearing all the more elegant.
The moment the litter moved, the commoners waiting on both sides knelt down in unison, raising the lanterns in their hands above their heads.
Viewed from afar, it resembled a winding dragon of fire.
Gongs and drums cleared the way, with the procession following closely behind.
Wherever the statue passed, the people handed their lanterns to the attendants beside the litter, who hung them upon its crossbars.
In less than half a street's distance, over a hundred lanterns hung from the litter. Firelight filtered through the thin gauze onto the folds of the statue's robes, making it seem as if the Divine Lady were truly walking through the mortal realm.
“The Divine Lady just looked at me!” A little girl with twin buns tugged at her mother's sleeve, her face flushed with excitement.
“Yes, the Divine Lady is looking at us!”
“May the Divine Lady bless the State of Xia for ten thousand years!”
Amidst the crackle of firecrackers, the procession advanced slowly.
Along the way, many scattered fresh flowers, red dates, and copper coins onto the path where the litter passed, an act meant to “retain blessings.”
Children ran behind the procession, their shoe soles trampling over the red paper scraps covering the ground, their laughter and clamor nearly drowning out the drums and music.
On a nearby rooftop, a snow-white little fox crouched near the edge of the glazed tiles.
“Host, they look so happy.”
The air beside it distorted slightly as Yun Shu's figure materialized, and she sat down with her knees drawn up.
“It is not enough.”
The night breeze brushed gently past the tips of her hair. “The Great God is a ticking time bomb. Only by eliminating the Great God can the people of this world remain this happy forever.”
“Don't you humans have a saying: those who uphold justice find abundant support, while those who act against it find little?”
The little fox looked down at the procession below. “And you have already become the faith of millions. You will definitely win.”
“Host, you are truly amazing.” The adoration in its eyes for Yun Shu could not be concealed.
“Just basic skills, don't make a fuss.”
Yun Shu handed the yuanxiao in her hand to it.
The little fox's eyes lit up.
Taking the bowl, it scooped up two yuanxiao with a spoon and stuffed them into its mouth, mumbling indistinctly, “So delicious!”
Soon, holding the bowl that was once again empty, it looked pleadingly at Yun Shu. “Can I have another bowl?”
“Restrain yourself; you've already eaten ten bowls.” Yun Shu looked at the little fox, who seemed like the reincarnation of a glutton.
“All right.”
The little fox gently set down the bowl.
It fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Host, if I lied to you, would you forgive me?”
“What are you talking about?” Yun Shu knitted her brows.
“I'm sorry, Host, I... bzzzt...”
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