On the first day of the lunar new year, villagers visited one another to pay respects and exchange new year greetings. Chen Shi also got up early and went out to wish the village elders a happy new year, speaking a few auspicious words.
The young people in the village were likewise beaming with joy. Upon seeing Chen Shi, they bowed to address him as Master Juyuan, hoping to rub off a bit of the Literary Aura of the Star of Literature.
The old men and women of the village all said that Chen Shi was the Star of Literature descended from heaven, which was why he had been able to place first in the provincial examination. There was also a rumor that on the day Chen Shi was born, his mother dreamed of an old woman chasing a flock of rabbits past; one of the rabbits jumped into her belly, proving he was a celestial star descended to earth.
Once he finished making his rounds, Chen Shi went to offer incense to his Godmother and Scholar Zhu. He even brought Empress Shi Ji out, having her offer three sticks of incense to Godmother and throwing in one for Scholar Zhu by the way.
"This scholar ghost is going to get stuffed to bursting on my incense," Empress Shi Ji said.
Yet after her stick of incense burned down, Scholar Zhu was still hanging safely from the crooked-necked tree, swaying in the wind with no intention of bursting at all.
Empress Shi Ji was taken aback. "The scholar ghost has a bit of skill."
Chen Shi went to pay his respects to Grandpa next, pouring out his longing and affection.
On the second day of the new year, he packed fruit, vegetables, meat, and eggs, and headed to Gangzi Village