Lantern Festival

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Lantern Festival, which is known as the Shangyuan Festival among the people, and is also commonly known as the "Festival of Lanterns". According to custom, the Spring Festival does not end until the Lantern Festival is completed, so the Lantern Festival is also one of the most important festivals in Dahua.

 The Lantern Festival Lantern Festival is said to have been passed down from the time of Xiang Yu, the founding emperor of Chu. When Chu and Han were fighting for hegemony, it is said that the Jade Emperor ordered Lord Huodexing to burn the capital on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Xiang Yu, the emperor of Chu, learned about it in a dream, so he led his ministers and people in the capital to greet Xingjun and begged him hard. Mr. Huo Dexing couldn't bear the loss of life, and he was afraid of violating the laws of heaven. When we were in a dilemma, a wise man came up with a plan. That night, lights were lit inside and outside the capital, from the imperial palace to the people's courtyards, and everything was bright, just like daytime. The fire shines straight into the sky, as if fire from heaven is coming, hiding it from the Jade Emperor. Since then, every fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the capital city has been lit up with lights to commemorate this event. This is the origin of Lantern Festival lantern viewing. In order to honor Lord Huodexing, later generations used glutinous rice flour to make balls to worship the gods. They were shaped like pearls and were called "tangyuan" in the south and "Yuanxiao" in the north.

 The Lantern Festival is the beginning of spring, when everything comes to life, and people who have been dormant all winter start to go out for activities, which is more lively than the Spring Festival. But I won't go out on the fifteenth day. According to Dahua's customs, tonight is the time to eat Yuanxiao, and you can only go out for a long trip after eating Yuanxiao.

 The carriage of Lin Wanrong and the two ladies entered the city. The eldest lady looked at the beautiful scenery outside and sighed slightly: "From the third day of the Lunar New Year until today, we have traveled for more than ten days and nights, and unknowingly it has arrived at the Lantern Festival. "

 Other people's Lantern Festival is about family reunions and harmony, but they traveled far away before the fourth day of the first lunar month. It was really hard work.

 The second young lady went on a long trip for the first time. Her eyes were slightly red and she said, "Sister, I miss my mother a little bit. I wonder what she did at home alone. Did she eat Yuanxiao?"

 Lin Wanrong also felt a little uncomfortable when the two ladies mentioned it. I wonder what Qiaoqiao and Nizi are doing at this time? Are you staring at the white glutinous rice balls in the bowl in a daze, with tears falling into the bowl? Thinking about the farewell, Na Nizi actually cried and fainted in his arms. Lin Wanrong couldn't help but feel sad. Having a wife means caring about her. This is absolutely true. Fortunately, Xianer received the news from Sister An. We arrived in the capital early, otherwise, we don't know what the scene would have been.

 "Miss, do we have a place to eat Yuanxiao tonight? I'm a little hungry." Putting aside the thoughts in his heart, Lin Wanrong laughed and guided the two sisters.

 "I just know how to eat!" The eldest lady said softly: "When we reach the semicolon in Beijing, what else can we do without yours?"

 The carriage moved forward a few steps, but could no longer move. It coincides with the Lantern Festival, and every household in Beijing comes out to enjoy the lanterns. The roads were so crowded that it was difficult for even pedestrians to pass, let alone carriages.

 Yushuang was young and missed her mother for a while. Looking at the lively scene outside, she suddenly felt longing for it. She wiped away her tears and said: "Sister, since the carriage can't move, why don't we get off the car and walk. Today is the Lantern Festival. . It's very lively outside, let's go out and have a look too?"

 The eldest lady is mature and prudent. No one in the Xiao family dares to mess with her in Jinling, but this is the capital city. No one knows the Xiao family, so it's better to be cautious.

 Seeing the eldest lady shaking her head slightly, the second lady hugged Yu Ruo's arm and said coquettishly: "Sister, it's a rare day for the lantern festival today, so let's go out and have fun!"

 This girl. The eldest lady sighed helplessly, glanced at Lin San, and asked for his opinion: "What do you think?"

 Lin Wanrong smiled bitterly and said: "The carriage is difficult to move at the moment, and I have to get off if I don't want to, so I will satisfy the second lady's wish."

 Yu Shuang looked at him and smiled sweetly, biting her red lips. If her sister hadn't been by her side, she would have jumped up to hug his neck and kissed him. The eldest lady said helplessly: "Okay. But this capital is not Jinling, we must be careful, especially you!" The eldest lady glared at him, with some anger in her eyes, and then said: "There are many people outside, the three of us Let's walk together, but don't get separated."

 Three people walking together? What kind of move is this? I haven't tried it yet. Lin Wanrong laughed, opened the curtain and jumped out of the car, looking around.

 A bright bright moon rises from the east, and the land of the capital city seems to be covered with a silvery veil. The city is bustling with traffic, lanterns are everywhere, and people are coming and going like a tidal wave. Everyone is holding a small lantern in their hands. There were even young ladies from wealthy families, shouting in front of them and dozens of servants, carrying lanterns of different sizes and swaggering across the border, crowding the streets.

 On both sides of the avenue, there are flying pavilions on the eaves and colorful lanterns hanging high. The revolving lanterns, jade rabbit lanterns, gourd lanterns, watermelon lanterns, cat lanterns, doll lanterns, peacock tail lanterns, and Ziya sealing lanterns are all lifelike, just like the blooming flowers, each with its own mood and beauty. The walking crowds rushed to watch and pointed at the various lanterns. There was laughter and laughter everywhere, and it was extremely lively. The festive atmosphere is even worse than New Year's Eve.

 Lin Wanrong took a quick glance and shook his head uncontrollably. No matter which dynasty he was in, the capital had the most people. This was simply a golden rule.

 The two sisters got out of the car and looked ahead. The second young lady was young. When she saw this lively scene, her little face turned red with excitement and said, "Lin San, is this the Capital Lantern Festival? It's much more lively than our lanterns on the Qinhuai River."

 Although the eldest lady has traveled many places, this is the first time she has seen such a lively scene tonight. She looked around a few times and sighed deeply: "Who can sit idle when seeing the moon, but can't hear the lights anywhere?" It seems? In the past, in Jinling, we would also enjoy flower lanterns at this time every year. When I was young, my mother took me to watch them several times. At that time, I thought that Jiangnan was the most prosperous place in the world. Now that I have arrived in the capital, I have seen this During the Festival of Lights, I realized that my vision was too short-sighted before."

 "More people don't mean prosperity. I still miss Jinling a little more." Lin Wanrong smiled slightly and said meaningfully.

 A surging crowd rushed forward, and the two young ladies were so shocked that their faces turned pale in the crowd. Lin Wanrong spread his arms to protect the two of them, and said with a smile: "Don't be afraid, that's what happens when there are too many people. What's more, the two ladies This young lady is so beautiful and beautiful that everyone loves her. If you don't squeeze her, it would be abnormal. I will squeeze you back later to avenge you."

 The second young lady chuckled, and the eldest lady said softly: "Don't cause trouble. We have just arrived in the capital, so we have to be careful. Lin San, there are many people here. You hold Yu Shuang, we must be together, Qian Don't get separated."

 "Look." The second lady exclaimed. He pointed his slender little finger in the distance, his eyes flashing with excitement.

 The eldest lady and Lin Wanrong looked at the situation. I saw a square lantern city erected on a high platform in the distance, majestic and brilliant, shining with the moon. The majestic and gorgeous climbing gate, the slightly flashing sea of lights at the city head, and the majestic atmosphere are dazzling. There is a nine-lotus lantern elevated in the center of the lantern city, surrounded by a sea of lanterns. Thousands of people were moving.

 "This is the official lantern, right?" the eldest lady said softly.

 "What is an official lantern?" Lin Wanrong asked curiously. When it comes to this, he is a complete novice.

 The eldest lady glanced at him and said with a smile: "It turns out that there are times when you don't know it. I thought nothing in this world would be able to stop you."

 This little girl took the opportunity to retaliate, and Lin Wanrong smiled: "If you can know 70% to 80% of the things of heaven and earth, you would be lucky."

 "Bragging." The eldest lady covered her lips and chuckled, with a faint pink color on her face: "The so-called official lanterns are actually lanterns paid for by the government. The annual lantern festival is actually a lantern festival. Rich people have The wealthy households will spend money and money to make lamps. The government is no exception. This is called having fun with the people. The bigger and more beautiful the lamp is, the higher his status is."

 It turns out that this is what it is, it's just a bunch of stupid and rich guys showing off their money. Lin Wanrong was greatly disdainful. Now that the barbarian invasion is imminent, the court will not spend its money wisely. It is really sad that it is wasted in these places.

 The second young lady couldn't bear it anymore and said softly: "Sister, Lin San, let's go forward and buy some lanterns to look at." After she finished speaking, she grabbed Lin Wanrong and started to walk forward. The eldest lady was helpless. He shook his head and smiled bitterly, and said in Lin Wanrong's ear: "Remember, we must stay together and never separate."

 Lin Wanrong's heart felt hot. Isn't this girl hinting at something? He smiled, nodded and said, "Remember. We will be together forever, even if we die."

 Xiao Yuruo's face flushed with embarrassment, and she said softly: "I don't know what you are talking about, I don't want to pay attention to you, Yushuang, let's go."

 There are many people on this street and it is crowded. The two women were walking in front. How could Lin Wanrong feel relieved? He hurriedly stepped forward and took Yu Shuang's little hand with one hand. The second lady smiled sweetly at him.

 Seeing that the eldest lady was not squinting, Lin Wanrong was too lazy to think too much. He stretched out his big hand and touched Xiao Yuruo's little hand.

 The eldest lady's eyes fell on the lantern in front of her, but her face was pink, her little hands were trembling slightly, and they were stained with sweat from nervousness. Lin Wanrong held her little hand. She glanced at Yu Shuang nervously. Seeing that she didn't notice at all, she couldn't help but glare at Lin Wanrong, and her little hand struggled slightly.

 Lin Wanrong said sternly: "Hold it, but don't get lost. It won't be easy to find it back if we are separated."

 I hate you so much, the eldest lady bites her silver teeth secretly. She no longer dares to speak, let alone struggle.

 I really didn't mean to make this happen. Lin Wanrong held the eldest lady's little hand, and her heart was trembling slightly.

 From the sweat beads on the eldest lady's palms, he could feel Xiao Yuruo's nervous and excited mood. Is she considered an aunt? It seems not anymore. I took the second young lady's hand and then the eldest young lady's hand. I really couldn't tell who was the eldest sister-in-law and who was the sister-in-law. If it's messy, just mess it up, and don't mess up. Anyway, the meat will always be in the pot when it gets rotten. He smiled and scratched the palm of the eldest lady's hand, feeling indescribably proud.

 With a few "boom" sounds, brilliant fireworks flew into the sky. Amidst the explosions, they turned into colorful and dazzling patterns. People looked up and heard cheers. Looking around, there are colorful lanterns everywhere, colorful and colorful, vying for beauty.

 "The wishing tree!" Yushuang, who was leading the two of them, suddenly shouted loudly.

 wishing Tree? Lin Wanrong was stunned for a moment. Is there such a thing now?

 Looking in the direction that the second lady pointed, I saw a tall ginkgo tree rising into the sky on Qianmen Street. Looking at the trunk and branches of the tree, it seemed that it was thousands of years old. There are all kinds of exquisite little lights hanging on the trees. The branches are covered with colorful ribbons, which look very beautiful when they complement each other.

 The thousand-year-old ginkgo is a great blessing. Legend has it that if you make a wish under the ginkgo tree, your wishes will come true. The tree was already crowded with all kinds of women, wrapping the sachets with their wishes on ribbons and tying colored stones on both sides. Throw it on a tree branch and hang it high.

 Seeing that all women were gathering here and the crowd was relatively loose, the second young lady suddenly broke free from Lin Wanrong's big hand. He pulled his sister and said, "Sister, let's go over there and make a wish. Bad guy, just wait for us here and don't come over."

 Damn it, if I don't go, who will protect you? What if you encounter a group of female perverts? He thought righteously, followed the two young ladies and blended into this group of women with a cheeky spirit.

 The eldest lady's face was slightly red. Reasoning with this person won't work anyway, so let him do it.

 The young ladies who were making wishes didn't take a serious look at the servant in the green robe and hat. Perhaps in their eyes, this man might not even be considered a man. It's just that they don't know that this servant may be the most awesome servant in history. He stole a pair of sisters and is a role model that everyone in the servant world admires.

 There is no point in being shameless. Lin Wanrong glanced briefly and saw all kinds of wishes written in the ladies' sachets.

 "Ask for a good husband!"

 "I hope Mr. Zhang next door returns as soon as possible!"

 "I beg the Minister of War to accept me as your eighteenth concubine!"

 Lin Wanrong was sweating profusely and felt that he had come to the wrong place.

 Yushuang whispered a few words in her sister's ear and secretly glanced at Lin Wanrong's face. With a slight blush on her face, she found a sachet and put her wish in it.

 The eldest lady was silent for a while. I also wrote a wish and put it on the other end of the rope. Yushuang flicked her little hand. The sachet, which carried the wishes of the two sisters, was hung firmly on the tree branch.

 "I hit it, I hit it." The second young lady jumped up excitedly, her little face was full of joy, and the eldest lady looked softly and smiled slightly. The moonlight, lights, and fireworks shone on the flowery faces of the two sisters, reflecting their curvaceous and graceful figures, making them indescribably charming.

 What a sister-in-law! Throwing really accurately!

 Lin Wanrong laughed, stepped forward and said, "Congratulations, congratulations. What kind of wish did the second lady make?"

 Yushuang said softly: "Don't ask, otherwise it won't work."

 Lin Wanrong whispered in her ear: "Are you thinking of continuing the family lineage of my Lin family as soon as possible? I would know it even if you don't tell me."

 The second young lady snorted and hid behind her sister in shame. The eldest lady rolled her eyes at him and said, "Don't bully Yushuang!"

 "What did the eldest lady wish for? Oh, I didn't say anything -"

 The young lady hummed softly: "If I say a few words to you every day, I will be more angry." Lin Wanrong and the eldest lady secretly scolded each other every day, and if they got more heated, he would have already I'm used to it, not to mention that there's Yushuang beside me. This is much more exciting than Miss Pao holding an open flame. Don't men just like this?

 "Ladies, do you want to buy a lantern? A good-quality Lantern Festival lantern costs twenty taels of silver each. I guarantee that your wishes will come true and your dreams will come true." Several vendors selling lanterns standing nearby shouted loudly. The women who had made their wishes earlier had already bought a few lanterns and carried them in their hands, looking at them as if they were more beautiful than the flowers.

 Twenty taels of silver each? Damn it, why don't you go and rob it? You must be a moral person! Lin Wanrong was a profiteer, and he despised these vendors. Unfortunately, the second lady liked them very much. She had already walked up to them and said, "Is this a Pisces lantern?"

 "Exactly, exactly. Miss, the location of this double fish lantern is an allusion to mutual affection. It is just right to buy it as a gift to your sweetheart." Those vendors always said this when they saw the young woman, and they almost always tried their best. Yushuang glanced at Lin Wanrong shyly and did not dare to speak.

 Since my wife likes it, I have no choice but to pay for it without hesitation. Lin Wanrong stepped forward, pointed to the largest Pisces lantern and said: "This, the largest one, how much money is it?"

 "Fifty taels of silver!" Taking advantage of the good business tonight, the vendor sat on the ground and raised his price.

 Damn, I can buy half a bottle of perfume. Lin Wanrong took out the banknote and said: "Hey, one hundred taels. If you dare to ask me for money, I will smash your stall! Second Miss, do you like it?"

The hawker secretly smacked his lips upon hearing this, "I'm going to give you some money." I'm a fool. I don't know whose servant this is, he dares to seduce the young lady, he is so courageous and courageous!

 Yushuang nodded gently, her face flushed and her eyes tender as water. She said softly: "Lin San, thank you. We will be the fish that help each other and be together forever."

 She got the small regular script. He lightly wrote a line of small characters: "I wish I could be a winged bird in heaven!" After finishing the question, he threw the small letters to Lin San and ran away in shame.

 We are an old married couple, so why should we be ashamed? Lin Wanrong smiled and took out the pencil and added a line at the end: "We will always be wedded to the ground." He lit the candle in the lamp and burned it for a while. The second lady held it with him. With Pisces. The lantern slowly rose and flew straight into the sky. Yushuang's face flushed with excitement, and she held his hand affectionately, feeling indescribable joy.

 The eldest lady looked at the two of them and sighed softly. Lin Wanrong said with a smile: "Miss, which lamp do you like, I will buy it for you. The banknotes on my back are too heavy, which is really troublesome, so you can save some money for me." Reduce the burden."

 The second young lady also said: "Sister, you can choose one too. Bad guy, you can't favor one and favor the other, but you also have to give your sister a light."

 Sweat, second lady. The idiom "prefer one over another" is not used in this way and may cause other people to misunderstand. He was thinking wildly, but he was a little proud. He took the second lady's hand and stroked it gently.

 The eldest lady's cheeks glowed, and she snorted: "Mother put all the banknotes on you. You spend money so lavishly, be careful, I will tell mother to punish you." The eldest lady is now smarter, Knowing that there was nothing he could do against Lin San, he put all the responsibilities on Mrs. Xiao, which was considered a moderate improvement.

 Lin Wanrong laughed and said: "This banknote is what I earned with my hard work, and no public funds were used. You can choose the lamp with confidence."

 The eldest lady's face turned slightly red, she walked to the lantern stall and carefully picked out the lanterns. I looked at mandarin duck lanterns, lotus lanterns, and Guanyin lanterns one after another, but I didn't know which one to choose.

 Lin Wanrong picked up a lamp and said, "Just choose this one, this one is better."

 Xiao Yuruo looked at the lantern in her hand, but it was a lantern with red threads that was a month old and one person taller. The kind-hearted Yue Lao tied the red thread around the ankles of a young man and woman, stroking his beard and smiling.

 Xiao Yuruo's heart was pounding, she glanced at him secretly, and then turned her head hurriedly. Thinking of the red thread cut by Qin Xian'er that day on the boat, it almost made her want to die. Her eyes were a little moist, she bit her silver teeth lightly, glanced at Yu Shuang, and said nothing.

 Lin Wanrong didn't bother to care what the eldest lady thought. He lifted up the red line lamp and said, "Boss, how much does it cost?"

 Seeing that he was a big customer, the boss said, "My guest has already bought a lamp just now. This lamp is cheaper, fifty taels of silver. This is a loss of capital!"

 "What?" Lin Wanrong glared and said, "Fifty taels of silver?"

 The hawker boss was startled: "This, sir, we can discuss it. Otherwise, we can make it ten taels cheaper, what do you think?"

 "Damn! Why is such a good floor lamp only worth fifty taels of silver?" Lin Wanrong said angrily: "If you don't increase it to one hundred taels of silver, I will never buy it."

 The boss was stunned for a long time and stammered: "One - one - one hundred taels of silver?"

 "Luo Luosuo, how can he make a big business?" Lin Wanrong handed him the banknote, took the red thread lamp, gave it to Xiao Yuruo, and said with a smile: "This is for you."

 Others couldn't understand his strange bargaining theory, but Xiao Yuruo knew it in his heart. Although it was funny, he couldn't laugh. There was a layer of mist in his eyes, and he said softly: "Thank you, I like it very much!"

 She took out a piece of red thread from her arms, but it was the one that Xian'er cut off that day. The eldest lady's face turned red, she glanced at him secretly, her hands trembled slightly, and she tied the red thread to the two people on the lantern.

 "Sister, what's wrong?" the second young lady asked in confusion.

 "This is a sad story. I will tell you when the raw rice becomes cooked rice." Lin Wanrong chuckled.

 When the eldest lady mentioned lower regular script, she didn't know what to write. She hesitated for a long time, but she ended up writing: "Lovesickness is like dust——"

 Is this for me to continue? The second young lady is still around! Lin Wanrong chuckled and was about to step forward to write. When he glanced into the distance, he suddenly heard a "pop" and the pencil in his hand fell to the ground.

 Lin Wanrong stood there blankly as if he had been struck by lightning, unable to move anymore!