On the day of the Lantern Festival.
The Capital City streets were extraordinarily bustling and lively.
Many traditional festival customs that are rare in modern times can be found here.
The charm doesn’t fully show during the day.
As night falls, the Capital City becomes adorned with colorful lights everywhere.
Ancient craftsmanship is exquisite, and the styles of lanterns are varied and complex.
Tiger lanterns, Jade Rabbit lanterns, water caltrop lanterns, dragon and phoenix lanterns, peace lanterns, water lanterns, revolving lanterns, and many others—all lifelike.
The entwining lights form a dazzling scene like stars in the night, illuminating the entire streets and alleys as if it were daylight.
Street-side taverns and vendors line up closely, the streets full of throngs of people, exceptionally lively.
There are jugglers, dragon and lion dancers, stilt walkers, and circus monkey performers—these folk customs unseen in the royal palace.
The lively laughter of children fills the streets.
Some children throw firecrackers, some buy snacks.
Some set off fireworks, some watch the circus.
No matter rich or poor children, everyone gets some small treats to satisfy their cravings.
This keeps the vendors on the street busy.
In the cold weather, some of them are even bare-chested, serving bowl after bowl of delectable snacks amidst the clamor of gongs and drums.
Behind all these smiling faces, there’s a thriving and prosperous family, making people’s hearts involuntarily excited.
Everywhere on the street is filled with joyous laughter, the buzzing of gongs and drums.
Meanwhile, the scene in street-side restaurants is another story.
While it’s slightly quieter compared to the street, the festival atmosphere is no less.
The ground floor hall is packed with guests, and the waiters are busily sweating.
The second-floor elegant seats are full of guests, storytellers and singing girls are enthusiastically busy.
The third floor private rooms, behind layers of curtain, are also filled with people.
There are misses from official families, there are madams from wealthy households.
Typically finding it hard to venture out, they seize this good occasion to invite a few friends to see the excitement.
In one of the large private rooms.
Lady Ni and Xia Ruqing, accompanied by Xia Chenghui and Yue Er, are also enjoying the lanterns and scenery.
A shopping spree like this is only fun with women together.
Having men around is somewhat inconvenient, so Zhao Junyao and Xia Tingfeng went to the next room to have tea.
On this side.
Xia Ruqing and Ni Manxue sit at the table by the window, the table is filled with delicacies, the scene outside the window is beautiful.
Xia Chenghui and Yue Er are lively beside them.
The two sisters-in-law accompany each other, occasionally sharing some intimate words, occasionally sipping a couple of good wines.
Whether laughing or sighing, they are all delightful moments.
Xia Chenghui is only a few months older than Yue Er, both children are under three years old and about the same age.
Even if he hadn’t seen her.
Yet Xia Chenghui, well-educated, knows how to give way at a young age.
With Lady Ni’s good guidance, he is very affectionate and polite to his cousin Princess Yue Er.
Yue Er, though spoiled, has a good nature.
Even if her mannerisms are somewhat unruly, her intentions are nonetheless kind.
Thus, these two kids quickly became very familiar after a day, joking and playing together, making the atmosphere especially lively.
Yet after playing for less than half a Shi Chen, Yue Er started to protest to go down.
Even Xia Chenghui, usually obedient and sensible, stared at the street below in longing curiosity.
Xia Ruqing was a bit worried.
"Yue Er!"
"There are too many people down there. Can’t we just have fun up here?"
Yue Er pouted her little mouth.
"No!"
"Yue Er wants lanterns!"
Beside her, Xia Chenghui looked at Yue Er, then at his mother, his eyes also filled with longing but trying hard to restrain it.
Xia Ruqing pointed at Yue Er’s nose.
"Look at your brother being good, why aren’t you obedient!"
However.
Xia Chenghui, being just over two years old, is surprisingly so sensible, causing astonishment.
Yue Er, glancing at Xia Chenghui, remained unmoved and began tearing up.
"Mother!"
"Yue Er is also obedient!"
"But Yue Er just wants to go down!"
Seeing her like this, Xia Ruqing’s heart softened instantly.
This little girl is clever.
If she cried and fussed, she might have hardened her heart.
But seeing those tearful eyes, Xia Ruqing was rendered helpless.
Thinking for a while, Xia Ruqing said.
"Then go ask your father next door!"
"If your father agrees, then we can go down, alright?"
Yue Er instantly burst into laughter, extending a small finger.
"Mother’s word is a promise! Hook!"
Xia Ruqing warmly hooked pinkies with her daughter.
Yue Er excitedly ran to the next room.
At that moment.
Zhao Junyao was discussing state affairs with Xia Tingfeng.
Having nearly finished, they each poured fine tea and started to drink merrily.