On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Liu Xiaoyan accompanied her parents to leave Haicheng City and went to Liu's father's hometown to visit the graves of Grandpa Liu and Grandma Liu. Luo Lie originally planned to take a good look around Haicheng City, but his old father, who was traveling around the world in South Africa, called him back to his hometown in Zhejiang Province. In his father's words, you are in the Eastern country, it would be unfilial if you don't show your face in front of your ancestors!

Because Haicheng City is about five or six hours away from Taizhou City, Luo Lie did not drive, but chose the high-speed rail known as the "Eastern Speed". Taking the high-speed rail was already commonplace for Luo Lie in his previous life. In his previous life, he had taken the train at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station more than once, but when Luo Lie came to Haicheng Railway Hub Station, known as the "First Station in Asia", he was still deeply shocked by the magnificent architecture, modern facilities, and efficient and orderly riding efficiency.

After finding his seat and sitting down, Luo Lie's heart was full of expectations. As the train slowly started, he was surprised by an unprecedented sense of stability. The scenery outside the window passed by quickly, as if time was compressed at this moment.

The high-speed train was speeding on the rails, and the speed made Luo Lie dumbfounded. He looked at the fields, villages and cities flashing outside the window, and a strong shock surged in his heart.

Luo Lie couldn't help taking a few selfies on the high-speed train and uploaded them to his social media, with the caption: "Super fast, stable and comfortable, and thoughtful service. The high-speed rail of the Eastern Power is great!"

About three hours later, we arrived at Taizhou Station in Zhejiang Province. Walking out of the high-speed railway station, Luo Lie was shocked by the scene in front of him. Taizhou, this ancient and vibrant city, is full of festive atmosphere. The streets are decorated with lights, red lanterns are hung high, and people have bright smiles on their faces. Luo Lie took a deep breath and felt the breath of his hometown, which was a unique smell mixed with soil, flowers and fireworks.

Take a taxi to Ziyang Street, an ancient street of Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings full of Jiangnan style. The bluestone road is winding, with antique buildings on both sides. The wooden doors and windows, carved beams and columns all show the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional architecture. On the street, there are many shops, including traditional snack bars, handicraft shops, teahouses, etc.

The homestay booked by Luo Lie this time is deep in Ziyang Street. It is a traditional Jiangnan residence with white walls, black tiles and a deep courtyard. Walking into the homestay, a warm atmosphere hits you. In the courtyard, there are some flowers and bonsai, which add vitality to this small space. The room is simple and comfortable, with wooden furniture and soft beds, making people feel as if they are back home.

Looking out of the window of the room, in the distance is the Jiangnan Great Wall, which is like a giant dragon winding over the mountains of the ancient city. The ancient city wall is made of gray bricks and stones. After years of baptism, it has precipitated a heavy historical heritage. On the city wall, the battlements are neatly arranged, as if telling the story of the wars of the past; the winter sun shines on the city wall, adding a touch of warmth to this majestic building.

Nearby is the solemn and peaceful Shenlong Temple, with red walls and black tiles, flying eaves and brackets, showing the unique charm of Buddhist architecture, with smoke curling and Sanskrit sounds. The sun shines through the gaps in the leaves, forming patches of light, like the light of Buddha; the bells of the temple echo melodiously, allowing people's hearts to find a quiet place in this noisy world. Because it is during the Spring Festival, Shenlong Temple is even more lively, and many believers and tourists come to burn incense and worship Buddha, praying for peace and smoothness in the new year.

After a simple settlement in the homestay, Luo Lie wandered around Ziyang Street all afternoon. During the Spring Festival, Ziyang Street was decorated with lights and colorful flags, and it was full of joy. The big red lanterns were hung high, and the colorful flags fluttered in the wind, adding a strong festive atmosphere to the ancient street. People were bustling in the streets and alleys, and there was constant laughter. In the snack bar, there are waves of tempting aroma. Seaweed cakes, egg white lamb tail, wheat shrimp and other ancient city specialties make Luo Lie salivate; and traditional handicrafts such as paper cutting, embroidery, and wood carving make Luo Lie a little fan in seconds. He keeps recording with his mobile phone and then shares them with his friends on his social media.

The next morning, according to the location sent by his old father, Luo Lie took a taxi to the ancient village where his family is located. The village has been very lively, and every household is preparing for the ancestor worship ceremony.

When he came to the sign-in place under the stage at the entrance of the village hall to report, Luo Lie first found the names of his grandfather, father and himself on the thick family tree, and then stated his identity to the elders sitting at the sign-in place, and finally followed his relatives into the family's old house, which is a traditional building with a long history, white walls and black tiles, carved beams and painted buildings, exuding a simple atmosphere.

In the hall of the old house, the elders are busy preparing offerings. Luo Lie is goodLooking at the exquisite food, flowers and incense in wonder, he was filled with awe. He knew that these offerings were not just material things, but also the family's sincere heart for their ancestors.

The day of the ancestral worship ceremony finally arrived. In the early morning, the sun shone on the ancient village, covering everything with a golden glow. Luo Lie and his family members dressed in traditional costumes and walked solemnly to the ancestral hall. The ancestral hall is located in the center of the village. It is a magnificent and solemn building that carries the history and glory of the family.

Entering the ancestral hall, Luo Lie was deeply moved by the scene in front of him. In the center was the ancestral tablet, in front of which were rich offerings and burning incense. On both sides of the tablet were hung the family motto and portraits of the ancestors. The ancestors in the portraits had kind faces and their eyes revealed wisdom and majesty. The ancestral hall was crowded with family members, and everyone looked solemn, quietly waiting for the start of the ancestral worship ceremony.

At 9:58 in the morning, with the sound of a melodious bell, the ancestral worship ceremony officially kicked off. The elders of the family first went up to the altar and bowed three times to the tablets of their ancestors. Then, a respected elder picked up the sacrificial text and read it in a loud voice.

The content of the sacrificial text was full of respect and gratitude for the ancestors, reviewing the history and glory of the family, praying for the ancestors to bless the family's prosperity and the safety and happiness of future generations. Luo Lie listened quietly, with a strong emotion in his heart. He seemed to see the figures of his ancestors working hard and struggling on this land, and saw the inheritance and continuation of the family.

After the sacrificial text was read, the younger generations of the family knelt down and bowed to the tablets of their ancestors in turn. Luo Lie also followed everyone, knelt on the ground devoutly, and kowtowed. At that moment, he felt an unprecedented sense of belonging and mission. He knew that he was a member of this family and could not forget his roots no matter where he went.

After the kneeling ceremony, the elders distributed the offerings to the younger generations. These offerings symbolize the blessing and care of the ancestors. Everyone took the offerings with a grateful smile on their faces. Afterwards, the young people in the family carried a roasted whole pig and walked around the ancestral hall, symbolizing the family's wealth and unity.

At the ancestral worship ceremony, there were also folk artists performing wonderful programs. There was a melodious guzheng performance, and the weeping melody seemed to be telling an ancient story; there were wonderful dragon and lion dance performances, with giant dragons flying up and down and lions majestic, and the scene was very spectacular; there were also traditional opera singing, and the graceful singing made people intoxicated.

Luo Lie was attracted by these wonderful performances, and he deeply felt the unique charm of Taizhou folk culture. He was deeply moved by the people's respect for their ancestors and the inheritance of traditional culture.

After the ancestral worship ceremony, the family members sat together for lunch. The table was filled with a variety of delicious dishes, all of which were specialties of Taizhou. While tasting the food, everyone shared each other's stories and lives. Luo Lie listened to the elders talking about the family's history and traditions, and his heart was filled with emotion.

After lunch, Luo Lie rushed back to the B&B on Ziyang Street, ready to check out and return to Haicheng City, but was still blocked at the door by a group of people...

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