The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 342 The Goddess's Birthday

The chaotic and lively days passed quickly, and before we knew it, it was the goddess's birthday.

Many members of the Liumu tribe who were away from home returned, and the tribe's territory was already bustling with activity before dawn.

The two young girls who brought Zheng Xun clothes waited at the door, talking in hushed tones.

"Speaking of which, we've celebrated the Goddess's Birthday so many times, but only this time was there a real Goddess present."

"That's why we're so lucky. There are so many people in this world who believe in God, but we're the only ones who can see God himself."

Zheng Xun inside the house: ...

Although her brother said that he and his sister had indeed saved these people's lives, she didn't have the abilities of a goddess.

I'm still a little shy...

I thought I wasn't susceptible to flattery, but it turns out it was just that the other person wasn't praising me enough.

She quickly opened the door and welcomed the person in.

Upon meeting Zheng Xun, the two lively little girls instantly transformed into composed believers.

"My lord, I will help you get dressed."

Zheng Xun glanced at the extremely intricately designed dress and agreed.

Although the two girls tried their best to remain calm, their unsteady hands betrayed their excitement and nervousness.

Zheng Xun looked at the little girl who was earnestly hanging the necklace around her neck, and a mischievous thought suddenly came to mind.

She suddenly moved closer and tucked the little girl's sideburns that had fallen onto her cheeks behind her ear.

The little girl froze instantly, and after a couple of breaths, her face turned bright red.

Zheng Xun chuckled: "Let's continue."

These two little girls are very devout.

She is really strange.

Before I met her, it was easier to maintain my faith.

But once they get closer, they'll realize that she's just an ordinary person who needs to eat, drink, and relieve herself.

How can one maintain worship and faith in an ordinary person who is not much different from oneself?

Zheng Xun tried hard to observe everyone in the clan's territory, and every time he saw their pure and sincere hearts.

She doesn't understand.

She even began to suspect that her brother had tampered with these people's belongings.

While I was thinking, I finished tidying up the clothes.

"Sir, are you satisfied with this?"

They brought over a glass mirror, and through it, Zheng Xun saw a somewhat unfamiliar version of herself.

The makeup softened her features while retaining her dignity, making her seem approachable at first glance, yet unapproachable upon closer inspection.

She was adorned with many ornaments on her head and body, mostly made of unknown emeralds. A lifelike flower branch rested on her left shoulder, its orange-gold gradient flowers appearing as if they had just been picked if one did not reach out and touch them.

To make it appear more flowing, the decorations only extend to the waist, the skirt of the dress gradually darkens in color, and a light, flowing train extends from the back.

Embroidery can appear heavy, so the patterns on the fabric are all woven during the weaving process, and the colors transition very naturally.

This outfit was different from the goddess attire Zheng Xun had imagined; she thought it would be as ethereal and otherworldly as her everyday clothes.

But this dress further accentuates the goddess's majesty and benevolence.

What's most remarkable is that this outfit takes great care of Zheng Xun's feelings; although it looks dignified, it is very comfortable to wear.

Zheng Xun genuinely felt that the Ministry of Rites should have come here to learn more when they were tinkering with the imperial robes.

Once everything was finished, Xin Hongcai, who had been waiting outside, came in.

She clasped her hands together above her head and bowed deeply: "The celebration will begin at 9:00 AM. You may rest here or go out for a stroll."

"Go out and see."

Xin Hong naturally had no objection.

Wei Yanxing and Lü Mengying were already waiting outside. Upon meeting, Lü Mengying immediately noticed the unusual nature of Wei Yanxing's attire.

She said he hadn't made a sound at all; it turned out he had this trick up his sleeve.

Oh no, once when he was on a mission outside and the conditions were inconvenient, he sewed clothes for her. He also once gave each member of the Azure Dragon Guard a set of exquisite zodiac ornaments.

I knew he was good with his hands, but I didn't expect him to be this good!

She glanced down at her exquisite attire, but standing next to His Highness and Wei Yanxing, she was completely overshadowed.

Whether she's just a supporting character or not doesn't matter, but she can't lose to Wei Yanxing!

She stood silently in place, her face expressionless, but she looked inexplicably pitiful.

Weird.

It's impossible to be pitiful.

Suddenly, Lü Mengying moved in front of Wei Yanxing, grabbed his neck, and was about to throw him to the ground.

Wei Yanxing's alarm blared, and he broke free from her control, darting behind Zheng Xun.

"Master, look at her~"

Lu Mengying's face turned as if she had swallowed a fly: "What else can you do besides tattling?"

Wei Yanxing grinned, thinking, "It'll be useful to complain."

Zheng Xun turned to look at Wei Yanxing: "You really didn't prepare anything for her?"

Wei Yanxing spread his hands innocently: "Master, it's not that I'm targeting her, it's just that there's no other way. There's only so much time, and no one has helped us prepare decorations for our clothes. I've done my best. Actually, I was just teasing her. Look at the repeated items on my clothes, they're all for her."

He removed half of his ornaments, leaving him completely bare.

Zheng Xun remained silent.

Okay, this time she's sure there's really nothing between them.

Xin Hong frowned: "Impossible! My Six Mothers Clan is not that stingy, and we have spare decorations, enough for everyone to choose from."

Wei Yanxing looked at Lü Mengying with feigned grievance: "Why did you lie to me? I really thought..."

He deliberately exaggerated his acting, making it obvious to anyone that he already knew about Lü Mengying's plans.

He deliberately made a big fuss about it.

Lü Mengying snorted coldly: "Wei Yanxing!"

"Oh, I know you won't let our grudges affect your business, you must have prepared something for me."

Lu Mengying didn't say anything, but pulled him out from behind Zheng Xun: "Either hand it over, or you'll leave with a bruised and swollen face today."

Wei Yanxing, who was being firmly suppressed by her, shouted: "My face is the princess's face!"

"Ah."

"You don't follow martial ethics!"

"I'm just too much of a martial arts enthusiast." Otherwise, I wouldn't have been tricked by him so many times.

Looking back now, everything is meaningless in the face of absolute power.

She grabbed Wei Yanxing's collar, her expression indifferent: "Do you know why you can't surpass me no matter how much you practice? It's because you're too clever."

Before resorting to force, he always tends to calculate first. He thinks too much and never pushes himself to the limit, so his slow progress is inevitable.

Wei Yanxing was silent for a moment: "I'm not lying to you, it really is too late."

The best has already been given to His Highness. His Highness's formal attire cannot be perfunctory, and there is not enough time left for him to come up with another set for himself.

Lu Mengying released him and threw him the accessories prepared by the Six Mothers Clan: "Don't waste time."

After this incident, the two returned to their old ways, one becoming taciturn and the other cynical.

Zheng Xun shook his head helplessly.

Xin Hong asked curiously, "You're not going to do anything about it?"

"Don't worry about it."

They weren't really angry.

Wei Yanxing and Lü Mengying were actually quite calm.

As they said, they all wanted to become His Highness's most trusted people, but there must be a sequence to everything.

For example, they are both members of the Azure Dragon Guard and both serve His Highness, but now it is the two of them who are more useful.

What they were vying for was His Highness's favor and trust, and for status and power.

However, they are also partners who trust each other, so they won't quarrel to the point of damaging their relationship.

What was described as a struggle between the two was actually just an opportunity to showcase their abilities.

With his two quiet little followers by his side, Zheng Xun was led around by Xin Hong.

Although the Six Mothers Clan's territory was small, the Goddess's birthday celebration was extremely grand, clearly requiring considerable effort.

Their festive atmosphere was particularly strong. Not only were every household cleaned up, but lanterns with the image of Liumu Mountain were also hung on the eaves.

In what should be a season of withering vegetation, the roadside trees are adorned with lifelike silk flowers, blooming without leaves, intricately and vibrantly, their colorful hues seemingly borrowing spring from the trees.

Xin Hong was highly respected among the Six Mothers, and Zheng Xun was their revered goddess, so wherever the two went, the carpet spread out.

The crowd parted to make way for them, and so many people bowed in unison, their faces showing the same piety. This scene was even more spectacular than the submission of officials.

The streets were lined with fine wines brewed by various families. These wines were not for sale, but for exchange; they were wines used for worshipping the gods, and the people did not drink them normally.

On this day alone, young and old, big and small, those who know how to drink will drink to their heart's content, and those who don't will just lick their lips; in short, everyone will participate in this lively celebration.

Everywhere I went, and in every corner of my eyes, there were smiling faces filled with happiness. The scene looked just like a paradise.

Wei Yanxing raised his fan and rested it on his chin: "I have a feeling something's not right."

Lü Mengying didn't take his words to heart, describing his reaction as "jealousy."

They say discouraging things because they are jealous of other people's happiness and can't stand seeing others do well.

She grumbled inwardly, but her hand touched the hilt of the sword.

Xin Hong didn't hear what the two were saying, but Zheng Xun did.

[Isn't that a bit odd? There are so many children on the street, and children's emotions are often uncontrollable, but the children on the street are all smiling brightly, without a trace of gloom on their faces. Isn't that strange?]

Even if today is indeed a good day, and they can play with their friends to their heart's content, and eat snacks to their heart's content...

Not every child cares about religious beliefs, and even the best days won't stop a child from throwing a tantrum.

What's most terrifying is that these children's smiles are all genuine.

If I weren't the god they worship, I might have thought there was something wrong with this sect.

Lü Mengying and Wei Yanxing looked at each other in bewilderment.

Does the princess mean that she really is the goddess they worship?

No!

They love to call her "Little Fairy" or "Little Deity," and she really really is!

However, this is not the main point.

After observing for a while, they found that, just as His Highness had said, everyone around them was too happy, their happiness seemed somewhat fake.

For some reason, even in broad daylight, they felt a strange chill.

Zheng Xun glanced at Xin Hong and said, "The children here are all quite well-behaved."

"That's natural. The first word our Six Mothers' children learn isn't 'father' or 'mother,' but 'goddess.'"

Xin Hong was clearly very proud, and even his tone sounded like he was asking for credit.

As the one being worshipped, I didn't feel particularly lucky or happy when I opened my eyes; I just felt bewildered.

Or rather, the emotions of the entire Six Mothers Clan are quite inexplicable.

When it comes to her own affairs, she is the type of person who always needs to find out everything before she can feel at ease. However, given her brother's prior warning and Xiao Jinlong's subsequent behavior, she knew she shouldn't pry too much.

After all, none of the Six Mothers had any ill intentions towards her, nor would they harm her.

But I still can't get used to it.

All she could do was try her best to overcome it and try not to think about it.

As the hour of Si (9-11 AM) draws closer, changes are occurring in the streets and homes of the Liumu tribe.

Incense burners and offerings were placed at roadside stalls and outside every house.

Zheng Xun, the person being worshipped: ...

How should I put it? It feels strange to be alive and have people burning incense for you.

When it was almost time, Xin Hong took Zheng Xun to the Goddess Temple in the clan's territory.

Wei Yanxing then spoke up: "I've been here for ten days, and this is the first time I've known there's a Goddess Temple here. There must be something wrong!"

Lü Mengying was speechless: "They worship a goddess."

So isn't it normal to have a temple dedicated to the goddess?

Wei Yanxing sneered: "Ha, you don't believe me?"

"Do not believe."

Although he only guessed correctly once, he said there was a problem ten times out of ten, so the chance of him being right is fifty-fifty.

"Just you wait and see! Those who truly believe in the faith would want to go and worship every day, so why would they build the temple so far away?"

Soon, Zheng Xun sat in a sedan chair and was carried onto a wide and flat stone-paved road, heading towards the back mountain along the roadside flowering trees.

Behind her was a vast crowd, who bowed every ten steps, clasped their hands together, and bowed in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, the formation eerily orderly.

Moreover, despite the large group, there wasn't a single sound; it was as silent as a wandering ghost.

Only Xin Hong's hoarse voice, chanting obscure hymns in a strange tone, could be heard from the front.

Wei Yanxing glanced back. Everyone was wearing the same color dress. The emeralds on the dresses seemed to melt in the sunlight, like sticky algae in stagnant water, damp and smelling of silt.

Wei Yanxing turned around, his back covered in a bead of white sweat.

The forest was too damp and cold, so he couldn't help but raise his hand to wipe his arm.

Lu Mengying gave him a cold look, signaling him to be quiet.

Wei Yanxing lowered his hand and said in a low voice, "I really envy your slowness."

His voice wasn't loud, but the surroundings were so quiet that it stood out exceptionally well amidst Xin Hong's voice.

The people behind him all looked up and gave him disapproving looks.

Wei Yanxing kept a straight face and stood ramrod straight, trying his best to appear calm.

A soft laugh came from inside the sedan chair, breaking the tense atmosphere.

Wei Yanxing was deeply moved. His Highness had saved him from dire straits! His Highness was truly kind! He hadn't made a mistake in following him!

He was also His Highness's most loyal follower; he was His Highness's man in life and His Highness's ghost in death.

Zheng Xun spoke again: "Wei Yanxing, bring the water bag."

No one glared at Zheng Xun; everyone lowered their heads and stopped bowing, and even Xin Hong's voice stopped.

Wei Yanxing, carrying a water bottle, quickly approached the sedan chair.

With his backer backing him up, he raised his voice and said, "Luckily I prepared water. Oh well, it's not the priest's fault. It's the first time, so some oversights are inevitable!"

Zheng Xun: With green tea, it's even more refreshing!

Lu Mengying, who witnessed his transformation from trembling to boldly sarcastic remarks: ...

Could someone please come and subdue this monster?