Fourth, ancestor worship

Sister, it seems that the shadow was frightened by my appearance, I explained softly, This is the portrait of our ancestor

In the midst of my despondency, I wanted to pull Yan Zhi back to the room to sleep. Just as I lowered my head to leave, a sudden flash caught my eye, and a grotesque and terrifying face loomed before me. I was startled and took a step back, my entire body tensed. Had I not been wearing a long, straight-cut robe that constrained my legs, I would have undoubtedly kicked out with my right foot without hesitation at that moment

I ... ...

Bang! With my eyes closed, I fell headlong down.

As noon approached, the main event of the day—the sacrificial ceremony—finally commenced. The customs and traditions of the large family were naturally significant. Yin Shi, as the eldest son of the main branch, had firmly established his position as the head of the Yin family, and he led the entire sacrificial ceremony.

New Year's Day, also known as Yuan Dan, Zheng Dan, Shuo Dan, Zheng Shuo, Zheng Zhao, Yuan Hui... The various names for colors, as expressed by different people, momentarily left me a bit taken aback

After a night of such turmoil on New Year's Eve, I finally managed to doze off next to the bed in a daze. Not long after, I was startled awake by a cacophony of crackling sounds coming from outside the house

I was inexplicably scolded, and I touched my nose, forcing myself to pretend to be aggrieved

Yin Xing sneered coldly: "Indeed, my sister spends all day holding a copy of the 'Book of Documents', and it is not a waste of her eyesight; she has truly learned quite a bit about Confucian rituals."

Miss! Yan Zhi was the first to notice that something was amiss, but she did not dare to speak out loudly. After a while, Liu Ji also came over, hurriedly calling for the maidservants, and together they helped me up with great effort.

Big brother... I called out in a guilty whisper

He is not Yin Lihua's full-blooded elder brother; Yin Lihua's biological mother has the surname Deng, and in terms of lineage, she is a distant aunt of Deng Chan. Yin lost his mother at a young age, and when the Deng family entered the household, he was still quite young. However, no one in the Yin family dared to overlook the presence of this legitimate eldest son, even after the Deng family gave birth to their daughter Yin Lihua, followed by their second son Yin Xing and third son Yin Jiu.

It is indeed wine brewed with peaches

Wait! I suddenly shouted, "Who is this...?"

I cannot help but feel a bit guilty, after all, pretending to be confused was merely intended to allow me to take a break and avoid kneeling for a long time, without considering the impact it would have on others

What the hell is this...

I was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. How did I not think of this earlier? Yin Lihua has been ill for more than half a year, her body is weak, and she nearly lost her life. Isn't fainting at the slightest provocation supposed to be the prerogative of patients like her?

Although only about ten years old, the pair of eyes sharp with a hint of disdain and coldness, the facial contours distinct, and the features seem somewhat familiar

Liu Ji commanded two maidservants to step forward and support her on either side. At that moment, I realized that Yan Zhi was no longer in the side chamber, and I couldn't help but ask in surprise: "Where is Yan Zhi?"

Ancient people had very peculiar practices regarding names and titles, much like my nominal elder brother. "Ci Bo" is not his true name; his real name consists of the character "Shi," while "Ci Bo" is his courtesy name.

I quickly closed my mouth, initially thinking it was the return of a shadowy presence, but upon further reflection, I found it rather unlikely

"Are you done looking?" After the maid who had not yet left the room closed the door, Yin Xing shot me an annoyed glance. "Although I am your younger brother, such a way of looking at someone is quite disrespectful for a woman."

Aunt! Liu Ji anxiously pinched my philtrum.

Liu Ji was momentarily taken aback, but fortunately, even though she was surprised by my strange behavior, she did not embarrass me in front of others. Instead, she kindly explained, "This is peach branch," pointing to the bowl of soup, "This is peach soup... used for exorcising evil spirits."

This likely occurred around the turn of the Common Era, that is to say, approximately 2,000 years ago from the present day

I shook my head somewhat guiltily and said softly, "Much better, thank you, big brother"

A tightness gripped my heart as I looked again at Liu Ji, whose lips were tightly pressed together, her face growing increasingly pale

Liu Ji was momentarily taken aback, but soon smiled: "Aunt's complexion looks much better. I heard that last night, Uncle drove away the evil spirits for her..." Her eyes sparkled with joy.

Rouge is a servant; when I say go east, she does not dare to go west. Thus, she forcefully stepped out the door and witnessed quite a spectacle.

"In a while, go to Yin Lu to collect twenty boards, including the last time's negligence in protecting the master... I do not wish to see this for a third time"

Miss, that is Fang Xiang

I blinked, slowly widening my smile, when suddenly I felt a chill on my cheek, as if water droplets had splashed all over my face. Although the weather was cold, the sky was clear with no clouds in sight, making it impossible for a sudden light rain to occur

I am somewhat confused. As a member of the household, I naturally understand better than anyone what kind of person this Lord Guan Zhong is... However... is this not an alternate historical period? How could a historical figure like Guan Zhong possibly exist?

Although he is just in his early twenties this year

"Does my sister really not remember?" Yin looked at me in a daze, gazing at me with a hint of sympathy

"Is this guy even human?" I exclaimed in anger, slamming my fist on the table. "Your own sister is dying, and you actually say you won't be sad?" I shook my head in disbelief and shouted, "Yin Lihua, what kind of person are you? How can you be such a failure at being human? Your social relationships are so poor that you might as well be dead!"

Goodness, this family truly has a bad reputation; otherwise, how could it be that from the eldest to the youngest, each one is so peculiar and sarcastic?

"Yes." A cool voice responded from behind.

I stared at that silk painting, and the more I looked, the more suspicious I became. The figures and background depicted on it resemble so closely the one hanging in the main hall of my ancestral grandfather's house in the countryside

I thought that even acting should not be overdone, so I pretended to be in pain, moaning softly, trembling as I opened my eyes.

Sister! He bent slightly at the waist, which could be considered a gesture of greeting

I looked at him suspiciously and said, "You are ... ... "

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, which they refer to as the Yuan Day, I got out of bed amidst the crowing of the rooster and the sound of firecrackers.

Her speech was not very coherent, and after asking for quite a while, I finally managed to grasp the general idea

The mask features four distinct golden-yellow eyes, and it is a square-shaped mask! My hand is concealed within my sleeve, with my fingers tightly clenched together

Is the ancestor... is he surnamed Guan

I looked up in surprise and saw Yin Xing kneeling properly under the bed, a faint sadness showing on his handsome face: "Mother's timidity and cowardice have caused the three of us siblings to suffer cold stares since childhood. If I only had an incompetent mother, it would be one thing, but my elder sister... has further brought shame to the Yin family, making people think you are a fool who seeks controversy and invites ridicule.

Judging by their height and physique, all those performing the Xian dance are children. The leader of the dance wears a black top and a crimson skirt, with a mask covering his face, which is fierce and terrifying. I caught a hurried glimpse; under the glow of the fire, the mask was glaringly adorned with four large, glittering golden eyes, which sent a shiver down my spine, prompting me to quickly avert my gaze.

I nodded silently: "My mind is in a mess. Can you tell me, little brother, what exactly is going on?"

My mind is thundering as if it has been run over by a steamroller, and after a moment of chaos, four words jump out: "Wang Mang's Reforms"

The hand holding the spear slowly moved to the mask, then the thumb and index finger pinched the edge of the mask and gently pushed it upward, revealing a youthful face that, although somewhat childish, was quite delicate and handsome.

This is the principle I have consistently adhered to

I certainly could not recognize these two individuals, and for a moment I was taken aback, unsure of how to respond

It can be said that the ancestors were originally the same person

Liu Ji walked ahead with a smile, holding a branch in her hand, waving it around as she walked. Behind her followed a group of servants, mirroring her steps. The close maidservant lowered her head, holding a lacquered square tray in her hands, on which rested a bowl of slightly murky soup.

"Do not pay attention to them," Yin Xing suddenly lowered his voice and whispered in my ear, "They are merely the guests taken in by the elder brother."

Isn't this exactly what my sister wants?" He smiled slightly, giving a gentle command, "Xing'er, take your sister back to her room.

Miss Yin! The two individuals bowed in greeting

She exclaimed, "Not at all, my dear aunt has overwhelmed me." After saying this, she affectionately came over to take my hand

Madam, the eldest son has arrived. Outside the bamboo curtain, a servant quietly reported, and through the sparse gaps in the curtain, three or four figures could be faintly seen approaching from the side chamber.

"Miss, the Second Young Master just came over to pray for you." Yan Zhi breathed a sigh of relief and said with a happy smile

I was suddenly jolted, just about to jump up and argue, when Yin Shi unexpectedly reached out and pressed down on my shoulder with such force that it knocked me back into my original position. "If you're tired, just go back to your room and rest."

So... are the Guans and the Yins originally from the same family

Pain

At this moment, Liu Ji was dipping a branch into the bowl of soup, spilling it along the way

Hmm. He gently nodded, pulling me to kneel on the mat together. "The ancestor of the Yin family, Guan Xiu, is the seventh great-grandson of Guan Zhong. Many years ago, the ancestor moved from the State of Qi to the State of Chu and served as the minister of 'Yin Yi'. The people of that time took the place as their surname, calling him 'Minister Yin'. Later generations changed the surname to Yin, and this is the origin of my Yin family. During the Qin and Han dynasties, the Yin family migrated to Xinye and has since resided here."

I watched with great interest as these children leaped and danced, their movements graceful and exuding a primal beauty of wildness

"Compared to my timid sister, I prefer my strong elder brother." He stood up and slowly walked towards the door, "So, if you had really died from illness before, I wouldn't be sad... not at all."

Yin's third son, "I", is the full-blooded younger brother of Yin Xing

"The servant is here." A timid female voice floated out from the corner

I casually took the branch from her hand and asked curiously, "What are you doing with this?"

Does not losing his temper on the spot imply that he has not yet realized it

I clumsily returned a greeting, reluctantly calling out, "Sister-in-law." In the end, I added, "Happy New Year."

The door was gently opened, and a boy, approximately eight or nine years old yet nearly as tall as Yin Xing, slowly stepped over the threshold, holding a scroll of silk painting high with both hands

With a "buzz" in my head, for a moment, I almost thought that my trick had been exposed by him

The ability to adapt and be flexible is the ideal way of survival

She is my sister-in-law, Liu Ji, the fortunate woman whom Deng Chan envies and laments. I have no way of knowing her real name; anyway, the women here are accustomed to appending characters like "Ji," "Shi," or "Nu" to their surnames as a form of their names, while their actual names are often not well remembered.

"Lihua." The voice was neither cold nor warm, seemingly devoid of any emotion

Yin Shi, a man who cannot be easily provoked by anyone.

I stifled my laughter and continued to pretend to be unconscious, but my legs were so numb that it felt as if thousands of tiny ants were gnawing at them, causing immense discomfort

Yes, the ancestral name is Xiu.

A child who has lost the protection of their mother can still grow up to be so outstanding in such a large and complex family; indeed, Yin Shi is not an ordinary person

This is a type of Nuo dance, and the custom here is to hold the Nuo ritual on New Year's Eve, aimed at driving away evil spirits and epidemics

Whoever you are, how dare you intimidate others like this? If this is truly out of malice, I will not hesitate to beat you up

Are you feeling better?" He squatted down, half-kneeling on the mat

Second Young Master! Yan Zhi exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly bowed.

I jumped up directly from the bed, strode down to the ground, and the shadow looked back at me in surprise

I feel ashamed; it is entirely due to my inadequate study of history in high school. If Ye Zhiqiu were here, he would certainly be able to explain the entire sequence of events clearly. Alas, my shallow knowledge of history only allows me to know that the eunuch Wang Mang usurped the Western Han dynasty's power and established a new dynasty as emperor

Although Yin Xing is four years younger than "I", he is slightly taller than me and his speech and actions reflect a rare caution and steadiness for someone of his age. I am quite curious as to why he always seems to harbor a subtle hostility towards me, so I frequently steal glances at him.

How could someone with the surname Yin be associated with someone with the surname Guan?

Upon reconsideration, it seems that Yin Lihua truly could not endure such a family environment, so she really passed away, and then heaven took me to take the blame.

The tedious and cumbersome ceremony lasted for nearly three hours without conclusion, with continuous kneeling and bowing, leaving my legs numb and my back sore. Fortunately, I have been practicing Taekwondo for many years; otherwise, I might have fainted.

The sound of rustling garments from the two side rooms could be heard, suggesting that other female members of the family were hastily retreating. Suddenly, the bamboo curtain at the door was lifted; before the curtain could be fully rolled up, with a swish, a hand swept aside the curtain, and a tall figure had already stepped through the door.

What I originally intended to say was: "Happy New Year, bring on the red envelopes!" However, I changed my words at the last moment; I would never dare to genuinely ask her for the red envelopes.

I saw that she meant no harm, and her tone of voice seemed genuinely happy for me, so I relaxed and smiled, saying: "Li Hua has caused trouble for my sister-in-law."

Originally, I was weak and frail, and Yan Zhi was ordered to accompany me in the room to rest early. However, as soon as I heard the thunderous sound of drums and gongs coming from outside the window, I could no longer contain myself

I completely do not understand. Busy asking about the rouge, the rouge whispered: "This is about the Twelve Divine Generals..."

"Guan Xiu?!" I exclaimed. "Heavens, what kind of international joke is this? It really is the same person?" I grabbed Yin Jiu's collar and said, "How could Guan Xiu become the ancestor of the Yin family? He clearly has the surname Guan!"

I understood implicitly as Yin Xing led me back to the back hall. Yin Shi engaged in quiet conversation with the two attendants, seemingly completely forgetting about me, this younger sister

At this moment, I cannot help but feel a wave of emptiness and gloom. On New Year's Eve, it is supposed to be a time for family reunions. At this time in previous years, I would have already been at home enjoying the New Year's Eve dinner with my parents, watching the Spring Festival Gala at 8 PM

I was thrown into a state of confusion by a subtly suggestive remark from Yin Shi. Before I could collect my thoughts, the young man had already lifted his face and said in a low voice: "Sister, do you need someone to prepare a soft sedan chair?"

I lowered my face and remained silent. It would have been fine if he hadn't brought up the past, but as soon as he mentioned it, I found myself at a loss for words, unable to respond.

I am a person with a strong curiosity; when I encounter something I do not understand, I find it difficult to keep it to myself. Moreover, as I am currently in a state of "amnesia," it is only natural that I seize the opportunity to ask questions about the rouge, using forgetfulness as an excuse.

Surname Yin, given name Shi, courtesy name Cibo

I am dizzy! How could this happen? I woke up and found myself as an ancient person from 2000 years ago? Am I considered dead in the modern era, or am I still alive?

Addressing someone of a similar age as "big brother" initially made me quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, I have always been rather easygoing and do not rigidly adhere to such trivial matters. After all, the consequence of being overly pedantic is merely to hinder one's own comfortable material life.

I am Yin Jiu

With this understanding, I, who have always been astute in recognizing the times, have decided that in order to live comfortably in the future, I will resolutely avoid provoking hidden agendas unless absolutely necessary

I remember when I first understood what was going on, I foolishly asked Deng Chan why I had no characters. She smiled and said, "When you reach the age of fifteen, if you want small characters, just have your brother bring them to you."

The curtain was rolled up again, and outside the door stood two young men in green. When they saw the two brothers Yin Shi and Yin Xing come out, they greeted them with smiles. However, when they realized that I was behind Yin Xing, their smiles suddenly froze on their faces

What a terrifying gaze this is

He briskly walked in, slowly unfurling the silk painting and hanging it on the wall. At first glance, the portrait did not seem remarkable; after all, the appearances of ancient figures often appear quite similar. However, upon a closer look, I suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

Just as the complaints continued incessantly, a childish male voice suddenly rang out from outside the door: "Sister, may I come in?"

"Sister..." Yin was so frightened that she stammered, "Sister, you... how could you forget? The ancestors of the Yin family were indeed the Duke of Guan Zhong from the Spring and Autumn period!"

The so-called Nuo dance initially gave me the impression of a kind of exorcism dance similar to that performed by African tribesmen. The most vivid memory I have is from the documentaries frequently aired on television, depicting a group of Black individuals leaping around a bonfire, brandishing long spears in a frenzied manner

The official in charge of expelling malevolent spirits and diseases has come to perform a ritual dance before the young lady, who has been ill for quite some time. Today, the second young master has disguised himself as the official to specifically dance the ritual and drive away the spirits. Now, it seems that everyone has just sent the impurities out the door, and the young lady's illness is sure to improve very soon

How to say this? "Pray for blessings?" From the way he looked just now, it is clear that he was deliberately trying to scare people, like a child who enjoys playing pranks on others

Yin Xingyuan had already reached the door when he heard my question and couldn't help but turn back to glance at me

My heart skipped a beat as I suddenly recalled that the reason this young man's features looked familiar was that he bore a striking resemblance to me.

I turned around in surprise and anger, just about to erupt, when a group of women walked over gracefully. Leading them was a delicate young woman, around seventeen or eighteen years old, not particularly striking in appearance, yet remarkably graceful in her movements, her steps light and elegant, and she just so happened to share the surname Liu

Liu Ji taught me how to dip a peach branch in peach soup and sprinkle it around. One morning, I almost followed her through every corner of the Yin family's various houses.

Sister is a useless person! I didn't expect him to respond so readily, as if he didn't need to think much at all, "Just like mother..."

The corners of his mouth curled up again, followed by a sneering laugh. He put the mask back on and skipped past me, with the twelve divine generals still dancing and prancing behind him. A crowd of people surrounded them, laughing and following their lively procession as they made their way towards the main gate

My heart raced, and the words of Yin Xing sounded ominous no matter how I heard them: "No... no need."

I furrowed my brow slightly and raised my hand to wipe the water stains from my face. Suddenly, I heard the continuous sounds of laughter and joy from the people passing by, who were actually delighted to be splashed with soup.

"Auntie." Liu Ji smiled at me affectionately, her brows gentle and amiable

The leader of the dance is named Fang Xiang. Following the direction indicated by the rouge, I looked down and saw that Fang Xiang was covered in bear skin, holding a spear in one hand and a shield in the other, with twelve children following behind, also wearing masks. I dared not look directly at those masks; I could only see these children holding long spears, charging in all directions.

You—" I tensed my back, just sitting up straight, while Yin Xing had already stepped out of the room without looking back

Guan Zhong

After waiting for a long time, Yin Shi remained silent. The room was so quiet that I could only hear the faint sound of breathing. Suddenly, I felt that familiar sense of oppression reemerge, causing a subtle tightness in my chest. I cautiously raised my eyes, only to find Yin Shi staring at me with a blank expression.

In addition to the thirteen children performing the Miao dance, there was a large group of teenagers around, their heads wrapped in red scarves, holding torches, and shouting in a raucous manner: "Jia Zuo eats evil spirits, Wei Wei eats tigers, Xiong Bo eats phantoms, Teng Jian eats misfortune, Lan Zhu eats calamity, Bo Qi eats dreams, Qiang Liang and Zu Ming together eat the dismembered dead and parasites, Wei Sui eats observation, Cuo Duan eats giants, Qiong Qi Teng Gen together eat sorcery..."

On the eve of the New Year, just as the sky began to darken, I was fortunate enough to witness a unique ceremony for the first time—Zhu Xian.

This is truly an eye-opener; it turns out that even without firecracker and firework made from gunpowder, the ancients of this era could still create a unique festive atmosphere for the New Year

A group of people gathered in front of the hall steps, throwing pieces of peeled bamboo into the fire, laughing and shouting: "Evil spirits of the mountain, firecrackers for peace!" As soon as the bamboo was roasted, it immediately emitted crackling sounds similar to firecrackers.

Oh? I chuckled awkwardly, lowering my eyelids in guilt. "Is there really such a miraculous thing as being reborn..." After a pause, I couldn't help but curiously ask, "What kind of person did you think your sister was before?"

Peach soup? As I leaned closer, I敏感ly caught a faint fragrance. How does it have a hint of alcohol?

Before the festival began, two maids holding ceremonial vessels accidentally knocked over the tribute fruits. At that moment, Yin Shi merely frowned without showing any visible anger. I had secretly praised his good temper, but unexpectedly, someone behind him came over and roughly dragged the two maids away to be given twenty lashes.

Dusk

Yin Xing's gaze was quite peculiar, as if he were looking at a stranger, filled with a strange sense of confusion and inquiry, causing my scalp to tingle under his intense stare

I did not expect him to be unremarkable in appearance, yet when he spoke, he was neither servile nor arrogant, and quite impressive. I could not help but laugh and said, "Alright, then please go ahead and hang it up."

This superstitious belief in ghosts and deities reminds me of shamans, so I chuckled twice and replied, "Yes, yes, it will get better soon."

No

Although it was barely audible, being so close allowed me to hear that scoff, which was laced with a tone of disdainful mockery

Liu Ji let out a sigh of relief, as she was tense, a layer of sweat beaded on her forehead, and her complexion appeared somewhat pale

I cannot discern whether Yin Shi is concerned about my health; on the contrary, I feel that beneath his tightly furrowed brows and his unsmiling eyes today lies a profound chill

Wang Mang! Wang Mang! Wang Mang... ...

I must admit that when I saw such a similar scene in an instant, my emotions were filled with excitement and shock, because although I had not been here for long, the people here gave me the impression of being cultured and polite, the type that is particularly mild-mannered in their actions. It is hard to imagine such refined and classical individuals suddenly breaking into an exorcism dance.

Yin was momentarily taken aback, and gradually revealed a defiant disdain in his expression, scoffing as he said: "What is Wang Mang but a usurper, a traitor to the state!"

Then... I felt a chill all over my body, my mind was still in a chaotic state, and I always felt that something was different. The answer was on the tip of my tongue. "Then... what dynasty is it now? The New State... didn't you just say it was the Qin and Han? What is the surname of the emperor of the New State? What is his name?"

After I finished tidying up, I excitedly ran outside only to realize that it was not firecrackers being set off outside

I have listened to it several times and finally memorized it. There are a total of twelve names: Jiazuo, Huaiwei, Xiongba, Tengjian, Lanzhu, Boqi, Qiangliang, Zuming, Weisui, Cuoduan, Qiongqi, and Tenggen. The names of the divine generals are not only strange but also difficult to pronounce. This alternate era is indeed fascinating, with its peculiar and bizarre creations. Sometimes, I feel that the customs and culture here are very classical and elegant, while at other times, I find them quite primitive and ancient. It is filled with mystery and contradictions, unlike any historical drama I have seen on television.

The corners of Yin Shi's mouth twitched slightly, and a strange glimmer flashed in his elongated, upward-turned eyes: "Your health is not good; remember to take good care of yourself." Although his deep voice still carried no trace of emotion, it was enough to somewhat calm my racing heart.

"... ... Yes." Yan Zhi trembled as she lowered her head

Good, please come in

I pursed my lips in disagreement, imitating his tone, and said: "Although I am your sister, it is inappropriate for men and women to be too familiar with each other. It is also quite rude for you to stay alone in my room."

Watching the two being dragged away while crying out in despair, Yin Shi still wore an indifferent expression. This reminded me of the trembling voice and timid demeanor from that day, and I finally began to understand the source of her fear.

Rouge

Amidst the repeated chants of reverence, the embroidered portrait of the ancestors is hung high in the hall, as the descendants kneel in pious worship and bow their heads.

Yin lowered his head and replied: "Elder brother conveyed the message, although sister has left the gathering due to her physical discomfort, the ancestors must not be neglected. Therefore, I have brought the ancestral portrait to hang in sister's room, and she should worship and bow to it day and night, never forgetting her roots"

I heard my elder brother say, "Out of the blue, he suddenly exclaimed, 'This time, having just recovered from a serious illness, my sister has turned misfortune into fortune and undergone a complete transformation.'"

Compared to Liu Ji's sincere attitude, my kneeling and bowing seemed very insincere. When a voice sang loudly in the hall, I merely nodded my head slightly like a chick pecking at rice, just going through the motions. Fortunately, in the side chamber, besides Liu Ji and me, there was only a group of maidservants accompanying us. At this moment, they dared only to hold their breath and prostrate themselves on the mat, not daring to make a sound, let alone notice that their young lady was being perfunctory and slacking off during the ceremony

Compared to Yin Xing, Yin is noticeably thinner—Yin Xing has a face shape similar to mine, appearing quite refined and delicate, while Yin has a square face, slightly darker skin, and at first glance, his expression seems lewd, making him not the kind of child who is immediately endearing.

Who is it that dares to be so disrespectful to me, the esteemed daughter of the Yin family? I frowned in displeasure, and Yan Zhi, feeling tense, reached out to support me, seemingly afraid that I might faint from surprise.

The face does not reveal any differences; it is merely that the person's posture and movements are very familiar, so familiar that... it cannot be more familiar!

Is there something going on

Although I am also a descendant of the Yin family, as a woman, I can only kneel in the side chamber and bow my head. The person kneeling in front of me is Liu Ji, while the matriarch, Mrs. Deng, has been unwell and has been lying on the couch for over a year, thus she has not participated in the sacrificial rites.

Yin Shi cast a glance at me that seemed like a smile yet was not, then slowly rose from the mat and exited the side room. After Yin Shi turned around, I noticed that there was still a young man in a blue shirt kneeling behind him.