Downstream was the place for washing dishes, vegetables, and clothes.
It had to be said that the person who dug this small stream was very far-sighted. Not only did they leave a clean spot for fetching water, but they also created several diversions, making washing things much cleaner.
After the four female passengers finished their tasks and returned, the open space in the yard was also piled high with rice, flour, and vegetables.
"Is all this from the village?" The four female passengers were somewhat taken aback by the mountains of food.
These villagers were too exaggerated. Not only did they let them stay for free, but they also fed them for free. No one would believe they had no other intentions.
After everything was put in place, everyone finally began their life in the village.
Cooking was a communal effort, and even Ning Wei and Li Ye helped with whatever they could.
The villagers were not particularly curious about the arrival of their group, nor did they deliberately strike up conversations with them.
Thus, so far, they were only familiar with Aunt Zhang and her husband.
Everyone's activity range was basically confined to this yard, as if they considered it a safe house.
Every day, Ning Wei would go to the village entrance to see if the thick fog had dispersed, and then take a walk in the graveyard.
She was not one to sit idle and sometimes wandered around the village.
Through her subtle inquiries, she learned about some of the people and events in the village.
This village was originally established by a family surnamed Zhou, so the village heads had always been members of the Zhou family.
The village head's family was also the wealthiest in the entire village. It was rumored that they were landlords before, with large courtyards of multiple entrances. However, due to the rampant bandits, they brought their immense wealth to this place to protect their descendants.
"July fifteenth, a bride is married, dressed in red and buried in the earth; young Master Zhou is overjoyed." This was what a child less than four years old said.
Ning Wei looked at him with some confusion and then asked a villager beside her, "What is this child talking about?"
The villager hurriedly covered the child's mouth, his face showing panic. "He's talking nonsense. Children love to make things up."
Ning Wei was unconcerned. She smiled and bid farewell, then turned back to the yard.
The next second, she told everyone about this conversation, adding a reminder: "Since it's about the Zhou family's young master getting married, it seems our group of girls has been targeted again. It's best not to leave this yard. As soon as the seven days are up, we can leave safely."
Zheng Qu then looked at Song Zhi with great smugness, "I said it was marrying a ghost bride, it has nothing to do with us men."
Seeing his gloating expression, the four girls, excluding Ning Wei, ground their teeth in annoyance.
At this moment, Aunt Zhang came over again. She beckoned all the girls to go to the stream to wash their feet, saying it was a village custom and today was the day to cleanse the girls of bad luck.
As for how to remove bad luck, it involved taking off shoes and socks and soaking their feet in a special stream diversion. Once the herbs flowed from top to bottom and passed by everyone's feet, it would be considered complete.
Furthermore, Aunt Zhang mysteriously added that if the herbs lingered on anyone, it meant that person would have a peaceful and prosperous year.
Although she spoke enthusiastically, the five girls had no desire to participate.
"Aunt Zhang, we are not from the village, so..." Tang Tang attempted to refuse.
"No!" Aunt Zhang's expression changed instantly when she saw they were reluctant to go.
"The village has its rules. All women in the village today must go to the stream to wash away bad luck, or they will bring misfortune to the villagers for a year. If you don't want to go, then pack your things and leave the village immediately!"
Aunt Zhang spoke sternly. Judging by her demeanor, if Ning Wei and the others insisted on not going, the villagers might really drive them away.
Aunt Zhang was usually quite amiable, so her sudden change in attitude caught everyone off guard.
Mei Nan stepped forward to mediate, "It's just washing feet. Ning Wei, you girls should try it. Maybe your luck will really improve after washing."
Mei Nan acted as an elder figure in the group, so when he spoke, Aunt Zhang's expression softened slightly.
However, his next words made Aunt Zhang's face darken again.
"We've never heard of such a custom before. I wonder if there's any chance for us men to wash our feet too?"
Aunt Zhang flatly refused, "No! Only women can wash today!"
"Then can we watch?" Song Zhi asked next.
Aunt Zhang's expression became even more exaggerated, "How can that be! How can a woman's feet be casually seen by men!"
These words sounded more like something from feudal society.
With no other option, Ning Wei and the other girls had to follow Aunt Zhang out.
Aunt Zhang was very cautious, repeatedly looking back to make sure no men were following.
Upon arriving at the stream for washing feet, they saw that all the feet submerged in the water belonged to young girls.
There were also several women of Aunt Zhang's age, but they were milling around, likely acting as security.
"Ning Wei, what should we do?" This custom sounded wrong from the start. Who knew what was in this water?
Seeing them hesitate to take off their shoes, Aunt Zhang became anxious.
She urged the five, "Hurry and take off your shoes and socks, the herbs will be added soon!"
They dared not take them off and looked pleadingly at Ning Wei.
Ning Wei smiled and took off her shoes. The others followed her lead.
Because they arrived late, they could only sit in the back positions.
As soon as their feet touched the water, the icy water felt like hands, enveloping each person's feet.
Aunt Zhang walked around, examining each pair of feet in the water.
These feet varied in size and skin tone. Among them, one pair was the most beautiful, plump and fair, like a baby's feet.
Aunt Zhang looked approvingly at the owner of this pair of feet and then continued her rounds.
Ning Wei tried to lift her foot, but it was pulled back forcefully by an invisible force. The others also noticed something was wrong, their faces turning pale with fright.
Aunt Zhang reminded them again, "Until I say it's over, no one can take their feet out prematurely, or you will face the consequences, understand?!"
"We understand, Aunt Zhang," the village girls replied in unison.
Ning Wei and the others merely opened their mouths slightly in agreement, thinking to themselves, *Even if I wanted to take them out, I couldn't!*
The ritual of washing away bad luck officially began. Aunt Zhang walked to the upstream end and took out a large handful of herbs from who-knew-where, with a small white flower mixed among them.
She placed the herbs in the water, and the bundle slowly drifted downstream.