Chapter 149: Lantern Festival (Bonus Chapter)
"Yes!" Fu Tingyun replied with a smile. "We're going to West Street to see the lanterns." As she spoke, it suddenly occurred to her that A Sen had been staying in the outer courtyard these days and hadn't visited her room. Could it be that he felt awkward now that she had officially married into the family? Thinking this, she asked him gently, "Would you like to come with us to see the lanterns?"
A Sen's eyes lit up, but he quickly glanced at Zhao Ling and mumbled, "I... I don't want to go..."
Why did that sound so insincere?
Fu Tingyun turned to look at Zhao Ling.
She saw him standing there with his usual composed demeanor, hands clasped behind his back, his expression stern.
She smiled at A Sen and said, "What's gotten into you? You're being so hesitant—it's like you've become distant from me."
"No, no," A Sen hurriedly replied. "I haven't grown distant from Sister-in-law." His eyes darted around. "I... I just wanted to ask if you could bring me some honeycomb toffee from Chen Fu's shop when you come back? I can go to West Street with Brother Zheng San and the others tomorrow."
Fu Tingyun patted his head and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I'll definitely bring you some honeycomb toffee when I return."
A Sen grinned and nodded, his bright eyes crinkling like crescent moons, the lively and carefree spirit returning to his face.
Zhao Ling helped Fu Tingyun into the carriage.
As soon as they were inside, she tugged at his sleeve. "What exactly did you say to A Sen?"
"I don't know what you mean," Zhao Ling said, feigning ignorance. "When did I ever say anything to A Sen?"
"You still won’t admit it," Fu Tingyun glared at him. "Then why was that child looking to you for approval before speaking? Tell me, what did you say to him?"
"I really didn’t say anything," Zhao Ling stubbornly denied, then whispered in her ear, "I’ve been with you every day these past few days—when would I have had time to bother with anything else? You can’t wrong me like this." His tone was suggestive.
Fu Tingyun wasn’t fooled. "You know what you did. If you won’t admit it, I won’t press further. But he’s your brother now—don’t keep treating him like a servant. Also, once you return to the palace after your leave, make some inquiries. A Sen isn’t a child anymore, and it’s not right for him to just follow me around. He needs a proper tutor to start his education. I’m not expecting him to pass the provincial exams or become a Presented Scholar, but at the very least, he should earn the rank of licentiate. That way, whether he goes into business or farming, he’ll have some standing."
"Understood," Zhao Ling replied somewhat dejectedly. "I’ll ask Mr. Zhao about it."
Fu Tingyun smiled faintly.
Zhao Ling had probably wanted to spend time alone with her, which was why he’d meddled like this.
She leaned in and planted a light kiss on his cheek, saying shyly, "Let’s go see the lanterns."
Zhao Ling seemed instantly revitalized by the kiss, his spirits lifting as he pulled her into his arms.
Fu Tingyun quickly protested, "We’re going to see the lanterns soon. If you mess up my makeup and make me the subject of gossip, I’ll never go out with you again."
Zhao Ling chuckled sheepishly and obediently settled for just holding her.
Still a little uneasy, Fu Tingyun lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside, pointing at an archway by the road. "Where is this?"Zhao Ling had brought her out for fun in the first place. Seeing her interest, he was naturally happy to explain. Leaning toward the carriage window for a glance, he said, "This is the memorial arch of Shuangnian Street."
The coachman, finding Zhao Ling's answer too brief, couldn't help adding, "Madam, you might not know this. Shuangnian Street connects to Chaoyangmen Avenue, hence this memorial arch was erected here. To the east lies Chaoyangmen Avenue, and to the west is Shuangnian Street. Speaking of Shuangnian Street, there's an interesting story. It's said that during the previous dynasty, there was a family named Chen who had two sons. The elder was called Da Nian, and the younger Xiao Nian..." The coachman narrated in detail, like a storyteller, captivating Fu Tingyun, who occasionally chimed in with questions, further fueling the coachman's enthusiasm. Along the way, he talked about Danian Street, then Mingzhao Lane, followed by Anle Hall. His humorous delivery had Fu Tingyun laughing heartily, and she kept asking Zhao Ling, "Did you hear that?"
Zhao Ling would smile and nod, replying, "I heard."
Fu Tingyun would then eagerly listen to the coachman's tales again.
Watching Fu Tingyun's flushed cheeks from laughter, Zhao Ling felt an immense joy in his heart.
Making A-Jun this happy—that must be what completes his life!
In the distance, the dazzling lights of West Street were already visible.
The coachman stopped the carriage by the roadside and said with a smile, "Sir, Madam, the carriage can't go any further. I'm afraid you'll have to walk in to see the sights."
Zhao Ling helped Fu Tingyun alight from the carriage. Before them stood a towering lantern structure, even taller than Penglai Pavilion, built from colorful lanterns. Fireworks burst in the night sky, and crowds of well-dressed men, women, and children passed by in cheerful groups. Though they hadn't yet entered West Street, the lively, grand spectacle of the capital's lantern festival was already evident.
Fu Tingyun grew excited.
Zhao Ling took her hand and said, "Stay close to me so you don't get lost."
"Mhm!" Fu Tingyun nodded repeatedly.
Rabbit lanterns made of sheer silk, revolving lanterns crafted from horsehide, octagonal glass lanterns, and beaded lanterns of white silk... Fu Tingyun, squeezed among the crowd, couldn't take her eyes off them.
Suddenly, a paper-wrapped fried pig's ear appeared before her.
"Here, eat while you look," Zhao Ling said with a smile. Then he added, "See any lantern you like? We can buy one to take home later."
Their circumstances were different now compared to when they were in Zhangye.
After buying this house, getting married, and supporting a large household, Zhao Ling, who had once been single, now had family responsibilities, along with necessary social engagements and obligations. Every penny saved counted!
Fu Tingyun shook her head. "I'll tell you if I see one I like."
Unaware of her thoughts, Zhao Ling smiled and nodded. Spotting a hawthorn juice stall surrounded by people, he said, "Wait here. I'll get you a cup of hawthorn juice." Without waiting for her reply, he squeezed through to the stall.
Fu Tingyun stood there, smiling, suddenly finding the noisy crowd and bustling street utterly endearing.
When Zhao Ling returned with the juice, she pulled him to a trinket stall and bought a peachwood hairpin for him. "It's inexpensive, but it has good symbolism. The craftsmanship is simple yet natural, carrying a sense of wisdom hidden in simplicity."
Peachwood was believed to ward off evil.
Zhao Ling lowered his head. "Put it on for me."
Fu Tingyun removed his bamboo hairpin and replaced it with the peachwood one.Zhao Ling took her hand. "Come, I see a lantern riddle stall ahead. Let me win a lantern for you."
Fu Tingyun's eyes and brows were brimming with smiles as she followed Zhao Ling to the stall.
True to his word, Zhao Ling won a melon-shaped lantern painted with the Four Gentlemen of flowers on white silk.
"We can hang this above our bed later," Fu Tingyun said delightedly as she carefully held it, afraid the crowd might crush it.
Chatting and laughing, stopping and going, eating and drinking, they enjoyed themselves until Fu Tingyun began yawning. Only then did Zhao Ling lead her out of West Street.
When they reached where their carriage was parked, the driver was nowhere to be found.
After searching for some time without success, Zhao Ling grew annoyed seeing Fu Tingyun yawn repeatedly. "Tomorrow I'll speak to the carriage house manager—that driver should have half his wages docked."
West Street was still packed with people. The driver probably hadn't expected them to leave so soon and had gone to see the sights himself.
"Let's not dock his pay," Fu Tingyun said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "How about we walk back instead? That way the driver will have to search for us—wouldn't that be more amusing?" The thought of the driver frantically looking for them made her giggle.
Seeing her happy, Zhao Ling naturally agreed. If A-Jun grew tired, they could always hail another carriage.
As they walked back slowly by the light of Fu Tingyun's lantern, she reminisced about lantern festivals from her childhood: "...Once a relative's child got lost. Xiu Zhu carried me on his back, Chen Sheng carried Fifth Sister, and Huai Sheng carried Sixth Sister, while our family guards surrounded us. When I saw all those lanterns lining the streets, it was like the Milky Way had descended to earth—I was so awestruck I couldn't speak! Fifth Sister teased me, saying it was just shops hanging lanterns by the magistrate's order, yet I stared like a country bumpkin. When we reached Xi'an and saw the lantern-filled streets, she joked I'd start drooling." She smiled fondly at the memory. "Who knew I'd grow up to live in the capital and see its lantern festivals too!"
Zhao Ling gazed at her with a smile.
"Is the lantern festival in Jiangnan like the capital's?" Fu Tingyun asked.
"Different," Zhao Ling replied gently. "Though households hang lanterns and wealthy families sponsor lantern towers, most are built by lakes. The reflections on the water mirror the towers, creating countless twinkling lights under the starry sky—beautiful but delicate. The capital's wide streets lined with lanterns and towering displays every few steps feel more majestic."
"The capital is the imperial city after all, right under the Son of Heaven's feet," Fu Tingyun nodded. Remembering Zhao Ling's dislike for Jiangnan, she asked about Shuoping. "Do they hold lantern festivals for Mid-Autumn there?"
"Shuoping is poor. When my father served there, they held no festivals," Zhao Ling said. "But they have a special mooncake with sugar filling that locals store in jars to gift relatives during New Year."
"What other customs does Shuoping have?" Fu Tingyun asked with interest."Let me think about it," Zhao Ling said with a smile. "It's been so long, my memory isn't very clear anymore..."
Although carriages passed by on the road, they were all occupied. The two continued walking and chatting until they saw the memorial archway of Shuangnian Street.
Fu Tingyun couldn't help but heave a long sigh of relief.
Only then did Zhao Ling realize his oversight and quickly said, "Are you tired? Do you want to rest for a while before continuing?"
"No need," Fu Tingyun shook her head. "We're almost there—just one more turn." As she spoke, she quickened her pace onto Shuangnian Street. Her legs felt weak, and the lantern in her hand swayed slightly. The already flickering candle flame wavered in the wind a few times before turning into a wisp of smoke, plunging the surroundings into darkness.
"Just when it rains, it pours," she muttered under her breath, but Zhao Ling heard every word clearly.
After a moment's thought, he suddenly stepped forward and crouched halfway in front of Fu Tingyun. "Come on, I'll carry you on my back."
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Dear sisters and brothers, here's today's bonus update.
O(∩_∩)O~
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(End of Chapter)
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