CH-083

83 Winter Has Arrived, and Spring Will Soon Follow

The consecration ceremony officially commenced on the fourth day.

The proceedings were scheduled to begin at ten o'clock in the morning, yet at six o'clock in the early hours, Shu Li was roused from his warm bed by a flurry of bustling deacons from Sidan City.

"Please arise, Lord Bishop of Savoy. It is time to prepare for the purification bath."

The deacons' tone was respectful and gentle, but their actions were utterly merciless.

No sooner had they spoken than they whisked away the covers from Shu Li's body, along with the small, warm fox, Naxi, who had been sleeping cozily beside him.

Shu Li was instantly jolted awake by the sudden assault of cold air.

The entire bathing process consumed a full hour.

The three deacons had a clear division of labor: one combed out his hair, gently rinsing it with fragrant infused water; another meticulously trimmed his nails; and the third used warm scented balm to wipe down his shoulders and arms, spreading it evenly with his fingers and massaging it in with repeated motions.

Fragrance swirled thickly, and steam rose in billows, creating an overwhelming sense of ceremonial gravity.

Within the rose-scented bath, steeped with bundles of boiled herbs, Shu Li first felt awkward and ill at ease, then his expression turned blank, and finally, out of sheer boredom, he began to yawn repeatedly. Drowsiness surged back with irresistible force.

The previous evening, after the name of the new bishop had been confirmed over dinner, Shu Li had spent the entire night ensnared in the dilemma of intricate wardrobe coordination, without a single moment of rest.

Although he himself was usually adaptable to circumstances, wearing whatever he was given, Bishop Hugo and Father Simeon were utterly uncompromising. Father Simeon, in particular, agonized over every detail, from the pattern on a sash to the hue of a gem on the mitre. Even the question of whether to bind the strands of hair falling beside his ears with gold thread was debated for nearly half an hour.

In response to Shu Li's bewilderment, Bishop Hugo spoke with earnest gravity: "The bishop's back will be depicted in the murals. How can we permit even the slightest flaw?"

Father Simeon added, "This is the first time the Northern Territory has welcomed such a young bishop. It will draw the entire city's populace to observe. Without the finest presentation, how could we ever justify ourselves to those devout believers who have waited so long?"

Shu Li could only choose to remain completely silent.

He understood that no matter how forcefully he argued his case, they would not heed him. It was better to cooperate actively and strive for an early conclusion to the ordeal.

At ten o'clock in the evening, just as Shu Li believed the matter had finally been settled, Leighton and the Dean of Sidan Diocese appeared, bearing another set of vestments. With great solemnity, they presented it before the assembled group.

First, allow me to reintroduce the Dean of the Diocese.

He was currently the highest-ranking clergyman at Sidan Church—or, one might say, Leighton's father—and the primary authority responsible for all church affairs.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Leighton's father was expected to be appointed as the next Bishop of Sidan in the near future.

The ecclesiastical faction formerly led by the previous Bishop and Vice Bishop had completely collapsed due to its involvement in the case of the gold hidden within the sacred statues. The potential power shift and the anticipated conflicts of authority within the diocese had thus dissolved into thin air.

For Leighton's father, this meant that Sidan Church had been handed over to him with the utmost ease. Upon assuming his new position, he would not have to worry excessively about the lingering influence of the former bishop's faction.

Yet, within this development, there was both joy and sorrow.

He had never harbored any expectation of ascending to the episcopal seat in his lifetime. He had placed all his hopes on his son, investing considerable effort in cultivating Leighton. The most optimistic scenario he had envisioned was that in fifteen or twenty years—or perhaps after his own death—his son might eventually rise to the rank of bishop.

Who could have foreseen that fate would suddenly veer off course, making him the bishop instead, thereby plunging his son's future into an awkward predicament?

For according to canon law, high-ranking clergy within a local diocese cannot be held concurrently by individuals with direct lineal blood relations, so as to prevent hereditary succession and corruption of the office.

If he now became bishop, Leighton's advancement within Sidan Church would be capped at the rank of priest.

All of this had transpired too swiftly, too unexpectedly.

The father and son had not yet had time to fully comprehend what they could do, or should do, in light of this situation.

For the moment, the consecration ceremony was of paramount importance, and both men therefore devoted their full attention to Shu Li.

"This is the vestment worn by the first canonized bishop of the Northern Territory," Father Leighton explained. "Woven with gold thread and made of silk, it has a history of seven hundred and fifty years. For a long time, it has been preserved as an antique, imbued with extraordinary significance."

As he spoke, Father Leighton's expression could scarcely conceal his excitement.

"We all agreed that tomorrow's consecration ceremony will undoubtedly be the most magnificent and memorable page in the history of the Church. In addition to the newly enhanced decorations of the venue, we recalled that the church still possessed such a sacred relic. Thus, we hastened to bring it here."

When Bishop Hugo and Father Simeon beheld the vestment, their eyes practically gleamed with light.

Shu Li, however, felt a pang of trepidation. He warily scrutinized the garment that looked decidedly "venerable," his mind flooded with thoughts such as, 'Surely this hasn't been washed in all those years?', 'Could there be some ancient, lethal bacteria still clinging to it?', or 'Is this garment even wearable?'

Despite their evident excitement, he simply lacked the courage to voice these concerns aloud.

Leighton paused, his gaze shifting between Bishop Hugo and Father Simeon. "Unlike the common long chasuble, this garment employs the traditional silhouette of a chiton. The fabric falls naturally, its surface rippling with inherent folds, exuding a classical and elegant beauty."

He then turned to Shu Li, his tone filled with conviction. "If worn with this sacred relic, it would further accentuate your distinguished bearing and extraordinary presence."

Shu Li: "…"

He was uncertain how others perceived the latter part of that statement, but to him, the words that followed seemed somewhat excessive.

At this juncture, even putting aside concerns for his health, considerations of propriety demanded a steadfast refusal.

Yet before he could even open his mouth, the elder beside Father Leighton, whose features bore a resemblance to him, spoke with genuine sincerity: "It is my heartfelt wish, through the bestowal of this sacred relic, to extend my blessings that the newly appointed Bishop of the Savoy Diocese may, in the years to come, become the legendary fourth canonized clergyman of the Northern Territory."

Shu Li fell silent at once: "…"

These words struck directly at the hearts of Bishop Hugo and Father Simeon, and both men voiced their enthusiastic approval.

Thus, the ritual of adorning the new bishop in his sacred vestments continued late into the night.

By the time Shu Li returned to his bed, he still had to contend with Simeon and Raymond, who were far too exhilarated to even consider sleep.

…

Now, soaking comfortably in the bath, Shu Li's eyelids were engaged in a pitched battle against the weight of sleep.

Beside the bath, Father Leighton repeatedly urged, "Bishop Aris, please try not to fall asleep just yet. Let us first review the order of proceedings."

The preliminary preparations for this consecration ceremony had all been delegated to Father Leighton for execution.

Firstly, his rank among the clergy of Sidan City was relatively high, granting him intimate knowledge of all ceremonial preparations.

Secondly, within the entirety of Sidan Church, he had the most frequent interactions with Shu Li and had been personally appointed by Bishop Hugo.

Since Father Leighton was the individual most familiar with Shu Li, who hailed from the Carson Diocese, it was only natural that he be entrusted with the entirety of the pre-ceremony preparations.

"After we have reviewed the proceedings, a full body massage will be administered to alleviate any morning swelling. Following that, you will have a half-hour period for supplementary sleep."

Shu Li felt he might not last that long. Just the bathing process alone consumed an hour; a full body massage would surely take at least another hour. By then, he would already be wide awake.

"Could I perhaps have some hot food first?" he asked.

Father Leighton looked somewhat troubled. "It is required that one remain fasting until the ceremony concludes. Bishop Aris, would you consider drinking some water instead?"

Before Shu Li could respond, Raymond and Father Simeon, who were standing nearby, had already begun to cheer him on.

"Persevere!"

"Just hold on a little longer!"

They were like spectators urging on a sprinter in the final stretch, lacking only banners and shouts of encouragement to complete the scene.

It was evident that the two men had been unable to sleep the previous night; their eyes were now visibly bloodshot.

Shu Li sighed inwardly and readjusted his own state of mind.

After learning the previous day that he had been selected as bishop, he had plunged into profound self-reflection—what exactly had he done wrong during these eight or nine months since his arrival in this world?

He truly did not understand.

One thing he could grasp, however, was that Bishop Hugo was still suffering from the lingering effects of his brain injury sustained in Carson City. To some extent, Hugo harbored an affection for him akin to that of a grandfather doting on his own grandson. This became especially evident when, following the public announcement of the bishop's name, certain individuals questioned whether Shu Li's age and qualifications were sufficient for the episcopal office. Bishop Hugo had directly brandished a Papal Dispensation, rendering his critics utterly speechless.

At that moment, Shu Li understood definitively that Bishop Hugo had been paving the way for his elevation to the episcopate from the very beginning.

Of course, Shu Li had also entertained the possibility that Hugo viewed him as a younger, more malleable figure, easier to control and more likely to comply with the various regulations and systems Hugo intended to implement for the new schools.

Nevertheless, he recognized that Bishop Hugo's goodwill towards him was genuine, even if it was intertwined with his own ambitions.

Shu Li genuinely wished to assist him, but this desire could not run counter to his own fundamental attitude towards life.

He gazed out the window at the gradually lightening sky, his head feeling heavy and muddled, while his feet were being pressed down by Father Leighton as he tried on the third pair of ceremonial bishop's boots.

In truth, he felt a faint urge to flee, yet he knew escape was impossible.

"Lift your foot again," Leighton instructed, pulling his attention back to the present. Meticulously, Leighton compared the boots against the color of the adjacent vestments. "It was too dark to tell last night, but looking at it now in the daylight, the color of these boots is the most suitable for this attire!"

As he compliantly had the boots fitted, a soft sigh escaped Shu Li's throat. He felt like a fawn captured and forced to attend a grand banquet, finding itself in a place where it did not belong.

He could scarcely be bothered with the duties of a mere priest, and now he was expected to oversee the faith and administration of an entire diocese?

And most crucially, could no one see that he utterly lacked the temperament of an authority figure?

He clearly possessed a demeanor that invited gentle teasing. In the pastoral district, Finnian frequently remarked on his clumsiness. He was utterly dependent on Elder Jager's assistance for any form of planting or fieldwork. Were it not for Herens's occasional provisions, he would scarcely taste meat from one year's end to the next.

His abilities were modest, and he lacked both the proper attitude and the drive for governance. His mind was perpetually occupied with thoughts of eating and drinking.

In what conceivable way did he resemble a bishop?

And the most absurd issue of all was the matter of the annual tribute.

"Two thousand silver coins…" he muttered, the taste in his mouth turning bitter. "I couldn't even manage a hundred silver coins without relying on gifts from others' weddings to supplement my income…"

Leighton seemed to catch a murmur. He looked up instinctively and asked, "Bishop Aris, did you say something?"

"…I said the instep of this boot feels a bit tight," Shu Li swiftly amended.

In truth…

It was not that he was incapable of resolving the issue of the annual tribute.

Shu Li continued his internal analysis.

The fact that he had enabled Cecilia to earn one hundred silver coins per month in Carson City was not due to any miracle, but rather the application of his intellect.

If he genuinely set his mind to acquiring wealth, he could organize a merchant caravan, open a teahouse, or establish a printing press. He had no shortage of ideas.

Even if he could not execute them himself, he could entrust the Finnian family to carry them out, subsequently dividing the proceeds and allocating a portion as donations to the church. That would suffice.

The crux of the matter, however, was this—he simply had no desire to exert himself.

All he wanted was to live quietly, to eat his fill, to have clean clothes to wear, to avoid being singled out, expelled, or noticed. He wished to cultivate a small vegetable patch, keep a little pet, and in his idle moments, stroll over to visit the homes of friends and family. He yearned for more time to simply savor life.

Why must he become entangled in so many complicated affairs?

He sighed and murmured softly, "…I still do not wish to be a bishop."

Unfortunately, no one heard these words.

Or, if they were heard, in this critical juncture where the arrow was already fitted to the string and had to be released, those present either feigned deafness or did their utmost to console Shu Li, urging him to complete the consecration ceremony that everyone had so meticulously prepared.

Before the formal robing, Shu Li was permitted to return to bed for some supplementary rest.

The warming stone had been prepared, and the bedding was invitingly comfortable.

Within it lay Naxi, the little fox, peacefully dozing.

As soon as Shu Li slipped back under the covers, Naxi stirred, detecting an unfamiliar scent. But upon lifting its head, it saw Shu Li's face.

The fox proceeded to sniff Shu Li's face and neck, inspecting him thoroughly, its expression a mixture of strangeness and familiarity.

"Don't you recognize who I am?" Shu Li could not resist teasing it.

Upon hearing his voice, Naxi seemed to fully relax. Before nestling into the crook of Shu Li's embrace, the little fox made a point of licking Shu Li's face, leaving its own scent upon him. Only then did it feel assured enough to drift back to sleep alongside him.

He slept soundly until nine o'clock.

After such a restful slumber, Shu Li's spirits lifted once more.

Since matters had progressed to this point, he resolved to simply be a good bishop. After all, the Savoy Pastoral District was only a tiny patch of land.

Furthermore, upon ascending to the rank of bishop, he could legitimately petition the Metropolitan See for increased ecclesiastical resources for the Savoy Diocese—whether in terms of personnel, books, or sacred vessels. He could even intervene in affairs that had previously fallen under the jurisdiction of other dioceses.

Before, as a mere priest of a small pastoral district, his voice might have gone unheeded by his superiors.

Now, as the Bishop of a Diocese, a simple statement such as, "The faith-building endeavors of this diocese urgently require support," would carry considerable weight. Resources previously allocated solely to central towns could now be gradually secured for his own district.

He had initially perceived the role of bishop as a burdensome encumbrance, but upon closer consideration, it might not be entirely detrimental.

After all, within the Northern Territory, apart from the Cardinal, whose rank exceeded his own, there was no one else of superior ecclesiastical standing.

One could never go wrong by ascending to greater heights.

*

At twenty minutes to ten, the bells had not yet tolled, but sunlight was already streaming through the stained-glass windows, spilling pools of gold across the floor.

Clad in snow-white vestments, Shu Li was escorted from the robing room and stepped into the long corridor leading to the main ceremonial hall.

His pace was neither hurried nor slow, and behind him followed a retinue of deacons who consciously maintained a respectful distance.

The white vestments spread out like the first frost upon a misty morning, the hem falling in natural folds. They made him appear like a monk strolling amidst a gentle breeze, or perhaps an emissary descending into the mountains, bringing a refreshing clarity and brightness to the solemn and dignified passageway. He commanded the attention of all who beheld him.

"Your Grace, Bishop Aris is approaching—"

Roy was still in the midst of informing the Duke, who stood at the end of the corridor engaged in conversation with other ceremony participants, when he caught sight of Shu Li walking upon the scarlet carpet.

The Duke turned to look as well.

The young priest from the early spring days now had his hair meticulously arranged in gentle, obedient curves. Strands of fine gold thread were woven through his dark locks, catching the light and shimmering with each subtle movement.

His carefully styled bangs were swept back and bound, revealing a smooth, clear brow and delicately shaded features.

His entire countenance was refined and unadorned, his features gentle yet bearing a hint of casual, unintentional languor.

When he was not smiling, his temperament was detached and serene, and it was difficult to discern what might possibly disturb his composure.

Yet the moment his attention was captured or he glanced over in response, the subtle arch of his eyes carried a worldly sharpness that was not to be underestimated.

Such ethereal beauty, possessing no oppressive quality whatsoever, nonetheless made it profoundly difficult to look away.

Midway down the corridor, Shu Li spotted a familiar figure standing at the far end of the portico. He could not help but think inwardly that it was truly a case of enemies being fated to cross paths.

From the winter hunt to the written examination hall, he had meticulously feigned ignorance of the Duke's presence.

Now, on his way to the ceremonial hall, he was forced into a direct encounter with him. Though his good mood instantly soured, Shu Li summoned the poise and composure befitting an adult.

To take a detour now would be an admission of weakness and timidity.

A true man must face adversity head-on!

As he drew closer to the Duke, Shu Li inclined his head in the direction of Duke Claude, signaling a minimal acknowledgment of his presence.

Duke Claude, however, evinced no intention of reciprocating the greeting. He merely regarded Shu Li with cold indifference.

Just as Shu Li was about to pass before him, Claude's voice, flat to the point of callousness, rang out unbidden.

"On you, the color of blood remains the most pleasing to the eye."

The words, though spoken lightly, swept past like a frigid blade across the heart—simultaneously a biting mockery and an unveiled expression of contempt.

Shu Li's footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

A tremor ran through the solemn procession.

Among the clergy, some registered shock and suspicion, while others surreptitiously exchanged glances.

The knights standing behind Claude instinctively held their breath, their gazes darting rapidly between the two figures.

The two men were evenly matched in presence, and for a moment, no one dared to utter a word, fearful of being drawn into this invisible confrontation and left battered and disheveled in its wake.

Shu Li did not respond immediately either. Before turning his gaze towards the Duke, he first directed his eyes towards the blue sky and the frost-rimmed eaves, and only then did he finally speak, his voice soft and measured.

"Your Grace."

"Winter has indeed arrived, but spring will soon follow. Lest you forget, allow me to offer a gentle reminder."

He paused for a beat, his tone as mild as if they were merely discussing the weather: "That matter you spoke of in the summer… about killing me come winter. If you do not act soon, Your Grace, the season for it will soon have passed."

The Duke's gaze turned several degrees colder. The stern silence etched between his brows caused the aura of lethal intent surrounding him to intensify.

Meanwhile, on Shu Li's side, Raymond and Father Simeon immediately turned their anxious faces towards him. Leighton also subconsciously took a half-step forward, only to be gently halted by Shu Li's raised hand.

Roy, ever loyal to the Duke, felt compelled to speak, even though he was reluctant to cause actual harm to Father Aris. He sought a measure of redress for his humiliated lord: "Shall I go after him?"

Should he go and intimidate that Aris fellow a little?

Claude frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "That will not be necessary." He remained standing motionless where he was, his gaze as unyielding as cold-forged iron.

Two hours later, the consecration ceremony concluded flawlessly.

On the fifth day since his arrival in Sidan City, Shu Li finally embarked on his journey home. Leslie, Kevin, and Seamus rode out on horseback specifically to see him off, promising to meet again come spring.

A new life was already waiting for him just ahead.