Chapter 471 - Double Third Festival
Lanterns lit up Shangjing amidst the darkness of the night...
The denizens of Shangjing seemed to be competing against each other as the more popular shops had more elaborate lanterns. In addition to drawings of nature on the lanterns, there were even some lanterns with riddles on them, which provided entertainment to those walking on the street. Many people surrounded some of the lanterns with riddles to try and decipher the answer. The ones who managed to answer the riddle correctly would often shout in joy, as it meant that they had the right to take the lantern back home. Those who got the wrong answer were taunted and teased for their wrong answers.
Shangjing was crowded and lively tonight.
Li Huowang dodged a young boy running toward him as he slowly guided the carriage along the street. The girls were carrying lanterns while the boys were riding bamboo horses. The children were happy as they played around.
It has only been a few months since Doulao destroyed the city, but it's already this lively. Is this what they call the "Surveillance Bureau method?"
Li Huowang looked around before turning to Bai Lingmiao and asking, “Shangjing shouldn't have a curfew right now. Anyway, do you know what festival is going on?”
“Senior Li, it’s the Double Third Festival,” Bai Lingmiao answered in a soft voice. Her eyes were transfixed on the book in her hands.
“Double Third Festival?” Li Huowang looked into Hong Zhong’s memories and learned that the festival was to celebrate the girls' coming of age.
Parents would dress up their daughters, who were at least fifteen years old, every single time on this day of the year. They'd eat pancakes, black glutinous rice, and drink floral tea.
Afterward, they'd come out and play while wearing pomegranate flowers in their hair before praying to the God of Prosperity for an auspicious marriage later down the road in their life.
The girls celebrating the festival had to separate themselves from the males. They couldn't show themselves on the streets as well. The matchmakers would seek them out as well to pair them with a groom.
Li Huowang mumbled while walking toward the house that Ji Xiang had given to him.
Just as they were about to reach the alleyway where the house was located, Zhuge Yuan’s illusion stood before Li Huowang.
“Hm? What’s wrong? Is there an ambush?!” Li Huowang tensed up, and his eyes became filled with killing intent.
Zhuge Yuan sighed and shook his head. Then, he pointed at Bai Lingmiao, who was sitting in the carriage.
Li Huowang finally understood what Zhuge Yuan was trying to say upon seeing the forlorn look on Bai Lingmiao’s face.
“Miaomiao, have you never celebrated this festival before?”
Bai Lingmiao shook her head. “No, I was supposed to join, but Dan Yangzi had already kidnapped me."
Li Huowang saw Zhuge Yuan pointing somewhere. He was pointing at a stall selling pomegranate flowers. Li Huowang bought one and placed the vivid red flower on Bai Lingmiao’s white hair.
“It's fine. We can just celebrate it now," Li Huowang said. He did not wait for her answer as he pulled her into one of the nicer-looking clothing shops in the distance.
Li Sui wanted to follow them, but Li Huowang stopped her and said, “Li Sui, bring the carriage back home.”
Bai Lingmiao's demeanor and looks had changed completely with her new clothes, which were a nice pastel skirt, a pale blue veil, and a bluish-purple dress.
Bai Lingmiao looked so great in her clothes that she attracted everyone's eyes as she walked down the streets. The clothing shop was clearly ready for the festival and had made several dresses in advance.
Bai Lingmiao discovered that the dress was perfectly suitable for her body type, but she wasn't used to feeling so many stares at her. She picked at the flower embroidery on the sleeves of her dress.
“Senior Li, why are they staring at me?” Bai Lingmiao asked.
“Because you're the most beautiful girl in Shangjing! Why else would they stare at you? Anyway, what are we supposed to do during this festival? Ah! We need to eat pancakes, drink floral tea, and eat black glutinous rice as well!
"Don’t worry about anything tonight; just focus on enjoying the festival! This night belongs to you!” Li Huowang exclaimed.
At first, Bai Lingmiao was quite reserved, but the joyous mood soon influenced her.
Li Huowang led the way for her as well, and Bai Lingmiao was eventually all smiles as she walked down the streets.
They walked around the prosperous city and took in the scenic view. They also challenged a few riddles and ate a few pancakes.
Bai Lingmiao truly enjoyed every single second of the festival, especially the good food and her new set of clothes. Li Huowang and Zhuge Yuan were standing behind Bai Lingmiao and were staring at her with a smile.
Swoosh!
Zhuge Yuan opened his fan with a swing and fanned himself. “Junior Li, I feel that your wife has something hidden in her heart.”
Li Huowang nodded. “I know, I know...”
“Do you want me to help?”
“Senior Zhuge, I know you are knowledgeable, but it isn't quite appropriate for you to help in something like this. Anyway, I don’t really know the answer. We can only hope that time will eventually heal what has been plaguing her.”
The two engaged in some small talk until Li Huowang noticed a young boy holding a jade cat doll. The boy had pale skin but had great looks; there was also an air of elegance to him.
There were many girls on the street, so it wasn't strange to find many boys, too, but Li Huowang was surprised by how he couldn’t see the Ten Emotions and Eight Sufferings of the boy before him.
The boy was accompanied by several tall servants.
Li Huowang was also astounded to see that he couldn’t gauge their strength.
Li Huowang was flustered upon realizing that they were walking toward him. Who are they? Why are they approaching me in casual clothes? Have they discovered my true identity?
Li Huowang was thinking about what to do when the boy entered a jade shop at the side of the street. Li Huowang was worried and carefully approached the shop.
It turned out that the boy had entered the shop to have his jade cat appraised.
The owner complimented the jade cat in the boy's hand, and the boy was clearly happy with his compliments. “Haha. I knew it! My eyes have always been great! To think that what I bought for five hundred taels was actually worth five thousand!”
His servants complimented him even while exiting the shop.
They ignored him and walked away, making Li Huowang just a bit. Still, he was a bit confused. What happened just now? Are they really just passing by? Am I too tense?
Just then, Li Huowang noticed that the boy was walking toward Bai Lingmiao. Li Huowang ran over with his bronze coin sword. He was ready to brandish it at a moment's notice.
“Sorry for bothering you, kind miss,” said the boy while staring at Bai Lingmiao’s white hair with admiration in his eyes.
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