"Boom! Boom! Boom!" A burst of festive firecrackers suddenly erupted, kicking up large patches of white snow from the ground. In every street and alley, countless children laughed and wrestled playfully, covering their ears as they set off cheap "Thunder Cannons" that made loud bangs but produced little spark—all thoroughly enjoying themselves.
The twenty-fifth Lantern Festival since Emperor Gaozong of Daxia ascended the throne finally arrived amidst these thunderous explosions. This day also marked the fifty-seventh birthday of Emperor Gaozong, Zhao Zhengde. The entire nation was permeated with an artificially orchestrated celebratory atmosphere. The government's provision of free firecrackers to the residents of Zhenhuang City successfully amplified the festive spirit. The master of Shengjin Palace greatly appreciated this initiative by the capital's prefect and immediately issued a commendation, praising Wei Shuyou, the capital prefect who hailed from the Wei Clan.
Amidst the roaring firecrackers, the Zhuge residence also intensified its preparations for this important festival. On this day, a heavy snow fell over Zhenhuang City, with flakes as large as goose feathers swirling down from the sky. Elderly residents in the city remarked that this year's snowfall was somewhat unusual, as frost had only just begun to form around this time in previous years.
Chu Qiao wore a newly made light pink dress and jacket, covered by a fox fur cloak. Her fair, jade-like face was nestled in the snow-white fox fur, her cheeks flushed pink, and her large eyes round and bright. Fluttering snowflakes landed on the tip of her nose, and the child wrinkled her nose slightly, looking exceptionally adorable.
"Xing'er, the young master is calling for you."
The newly arrived maid Huan'er came running over, panting heavily with her hands on her hips, gasping for breath as she called out.
Chu Qiao slowly turned around and, seeing Huan'er's disheveled hair, naturally stepped forward. Standing on her tiptoes, she smoothed Huan'er's hair and said calmly, "Look at you, couldn't you have slowed down? What could be so urgent that you had to run here in such a frantic hurry?"
Huan'er was already eleven years old, but for some reason, she always felt like the child when facing this little one who wasn't even eight years old. Obediently bending over to let Chu Qiao tidy her hair, she said, "Xing'er, you should go quickly. The young master is waiting for you."
Chu Qiao lowered her hands and nodded, saying, "Let's go." She then led the way toward the study, her small steps steady and unhurried.
Huan'er watched for a moment, frowning, then shook her head and hurried to catch up.
Compared to Chu Qiao, Zhuge Yue was the true master of taking his time. Pushing open the door to the study, she saw the fourth young master of the Zhuge family sitting on a heated platform, intently studying a game of chess, his brow slightly furrowed in deep concentration.
Chu Qiao carefully checked each item they would need for the trip, one by one, then quietly handed them over to the other attendants. After completing everything, she poured a cup of light tea and gently placed it on Zhuge Yue's desk. She then sat down in front of the incense burner, resting her chin in her hands, waiting quietly.
Time passed slowly. The attendants outside had already peeked in multiple times. Finally, Zhuge Yue pushed the chessboard aside and stood up. The maids waiting nearby immediately stepped forward to help him into his deerskin boots. Dressed in a moon-white robe with dark blue floral patterns and draped in a large crimson fox fur cloak, the boy, not yet thirteen, exuded an undeniable air of maturity.
"Let's go."Zhuge Yue said in a low voice and led his subordinates out the door. A row of fine horses stood waiting outside the Zhuge family's main gate. Due to Zhuge Yue's delay, the other young masters of the Zhuge residence had already left ahead. A servant knelt on the ground with bowed head. Zhuge Yue calmly stepped forward, used the servant's back as a step, and mounted the horse.
After preparing to depart, Zhuge Yue suddenly turned to the Green Mountain Courtyard maids standing at the gate to see him off and asked, "Xing'er, have you ever seen the Lantern Festival celebrations?"
Chu Qiao was taken aback and quickly shook her head. Zhuge Yue nodded. "Come up, I'll take you with me."
Chu Qiao was stunned for a moment before realizing what Zhuge Yue meant by "come up" and hurriedly said, "Young master, this isn't proper."
Zhuge Yue frowned, about to speak, when Chu Qiao immediately stepped forward and said, "Xing'er can ride a horse herself."
Zhuge Yue looked doubtfully at Chu Qiao's small frame, his skepticism evident.
"If the young master gives Xing'er a small horse, Xing'er can ride it."
Hearing this, Zhuge Yue smiled faintly and nodded to his close attendant Zhu Cheng. Soon, a small chestnut horse was led out. Though small in stature, it was still much taller than Chu Qiao. Everyone watched Chu Qiao, noticing she wasn't even as tall as the horse's legs, and some couldn't hide their schadenfreude.
The child circled the small horse twice, raising her hand high just to reach its back. A trace of amusement flashed in Zhuge Yue's eyes as he was about to have someone help her mount when suddenly he saw the child grab the reins, exert a little strength, and nimbly climb onto the horse with surprising agility.
Exclamations of admiration immediately rose from the crowd. Zhuge Yue turned back to see the child dressed in pure white like a small snowball, yet sitting upright and proud on the horse. He couldn't help but chuckle softly before turning and riding away.
Of course, Chu Qiao knew how to ride a horse. Although her current body was inconvenient, fortunately, the small horse was very gentle. Seeing the other horses depart, it obediently followed along.
Zhenhuang City had no curfew, and today being the Lantern Festival, the streets were especially lively. As evening approached and darkness fell, the streets glittered with colorful lanterns, fiery trees and silver flowers, while a gentle fragrance filled the air. Looking around, the Jiwei Road crossing the city was filled with exquisite lantern displays. Two rows of bright red lanterns lined the street like long dragons, and countless buildings became performance stages. Singing, dancing, acrobatics, plays, and noisy music all converged in one place. Lanterns and fireworks lit the city's night as bright as day, while countless vendors hawked their wares on the streets. They sold warm wine and tobacco, tea snacks and clothing, fruits and vegetables, household utensils, incense medicines and fresh flowers, cosmetics and fireworks—every delightful trinket one could imagine was available in abundance. The nightscape of this prosperous era unfolded like a brilliant brocade, all the splendor one could imagine chaotically mixed together, winding and turning, advancing and obstructing, spreading overwhelming luxury across the north-south grid of Zhenhuang City.
Chu Qiao sat on her horse, looking left and right at this rare ancient night scene.
The Zhuge family was a prominent noble house, and wherever they went, pedestrians made way. Passing by an ornate pavilion, she saw numerous brightly colored lanterns displayed on the platform. Their designs were unique, featuring various charming animals as well as immortals and flowers, all exceptionally novel and exquisite.The vendor, seeing Zhuge Yue had stopped, immediately fawned by rushing forward with a large golden dragon lantern, spouting auspicious pleasantries. Zhuge Yue seemed not to hear, pointing to a lantern on the high platform and saying, "Bring that one over."
The vendor looked back and was stunned to see that the renowned fourth young master of the Zhuge family was pointing at a snow-white rabbit lantern.
Holding the lantern in his hand, a rare smile appeared on Zhuge Yue’s typically indifferent face. He then handed the lantern to Chu Qiao, saying, "For you."
Chu Qiao was slightly taken aback, instinctively reaching out to take it, even forgetting to say thank you. Zhuge Yue’s expression remained calm as he turned his horse and continued forward, as if nothing had happened. The attendants around them cast strange glances, carefully skimming over Chu Qiao with speculative undertones.
Chu Qiao found it both amusing and exasperating—did he really think of her as a child?
The rabbit lantern was exquisitely crafted, entirely white with bright red eyes. As Chu Qiao gently tapped its mouth with her finger, a small pink paper tongue suddenly popped out, startling her.
Just then, a light laugh sounded. Chu Qiao turned her head, but a parade of colorful lanterns happened to pass in front of her, blocking her view. Golden dragons, colorful phoenixes, jade butterflies, white foxes, celestial maidens, water deities, fragrant grasses, and orchids—every imaginable design dazzled the eyes. The bustling crowd came and went, and carriages and horses flowed like a river along the main street of Jiuwei, under a blaze of brilliant lights and dazzling jade-like radiance.
It felt both long and short—after what seemed an indefinite time, the lantern procession slowly dispersed. On the other side of the street, by the frozen Chishui Lake, the snow lay vast and white. Willow branches drooped low, adorned with snowy attire. A black steed stood idly nearby, while a young man in blue robes leaned lazily against a tree trunk, arms crossed. His bright eyes gazed toward her, a faint smile on his lips, his dark pupils like jade.
With a loud bang, everyone looked up at the sky. Fiery trees and silver flowers filled the air—fireworks bloomed like celestial maidens dancing with flowing sleeves, or like brocade sunsets drunk with color, dazzling and intoxicating to behold.
Just then, some mischievous child threw a firecracker under Chu Qiao’s horse. The little red horse, on its first outing, was startled and reared up, bolting wildly in no particular direction.
The servants from the Zhuge family cried out in alarm, but a thick crowd separated them from Chu Qiao, making it impossible to reach her quickly.
Seeing this, the young man under the tree swiftly mounted his horse, cracked his whip, and galloped off in urgent pursuit of Chu Qiao.
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