Who is More Mad
As she approached the entrance of the courtyard, Xianyue found herself at the center of a gathering, her hands raised high. The usually reserved servants stood on their tiptoes, straining to see, while her closer maidens bounced around like rabbits, all vying for the red envelope she held. Others on the periphery, many clutching their own envelopes, jostled for a closer look; there was no need to mention who among them was the generous benefactor.
"Whoever grabs it first gets to keep it."
The excited screams surrounded her, yet every word she spoke was crystal clear. Through the throng, her face emerged, her dark hair rarely tied back with a blue ribbon, cascading over her shoulders. A few rebellious strands escaped, and whether from intoxication or exhilaration, her fair skin glowed with a rosy hue, reminiscent of blooming peach blossoms, truly enchanting.
The servants, hearing her proclamation, grew even more animated, gathering their strength to snatch the red envelope from Xianyue's grasp. Leian, too, joined the fray, yet no matter their efforts, the neatly folded envelope remained securely between her fingers. If she did not wish to part with it, who could possibly take it from her? No matter how cunning their schemes, they would ultimately leave empty-handed.
Xianyue waved the envelope in the air, her steps unwavering. In an instant, the crowd had shifted to her rear. She deftly sidestepped a few individuals, emerging from the mass, and withdrew additional envelopes to toss into the air. As they arced gracefully, the throng surged forward to claim them. Although the scene was chaotic, no scuffles broke out; once an envelope landed in someone's hands, the scramble ceased.
With a clap of her hands, Xianyue's eyes sparkled under the bright lights, illuminating her face. If they were servants from another household, they would have surely turned the situation into a brawl; indeed, Lan Yixuan's servants proved to be more refined than others.
"To my courtyard!"
Though directed at Leian, her voice rang out, overpowering the cacophony surrounding her—the jubilant cheers and the crackling fireworks were no match for her presence.
As she beckoned, a throng of people followed closely behind.
Indeed, as Xianyue had stated, Lan Yixuan was extravagantly generous, not just towards her but also towards the household servants. No affluent families in the camp could rival him; for ordinary citizens, a modest salary could sustain an entire family for a month. Moreover, since Lan Yixuan spent much of his time away, as long as they completed their tasks, they had ample free time. Though they coveted the red envelopes in Xianyue's possession, they understood that sacrificing such a good position for a fleeting benefit was unwise; thus, no brawls ensued.
Xianyue waved her hand and dashed towards her courtyard, with Leian dutifully trailing behind. The others exchanged glances, and without a second thought, they joined in.
After years of working in the estate, this was their first experience of such merriment.
Upon reaching her room, Xianyue presented Leian with the large box brimming with fireworks and firecrackers. "Take this to the courtyard outside."
She gestured towards the center of her small yard, nudging Leian gently. Without hesitation, he accepted the box, not uttering a word, yet his confusion was evident—why did the young master single her out? Why was she the chosen one? Though her features were exquisitely delicate, she could not compare to Princess Chuxue in beauty, nor did she possess her demure nature. Unlike the princess, who willingly submitted to their young master's whims, now, when Xianyue's bright eyes sparkled with joy, her radiant smile truly captivated him. The stars in the sky seemed to pale in comparison to her beauty; her smile could uplift the spirits of those around her.
"What are you standing there for?"
Xianyue waved her fingers in front of Leian, then playfully kicked his shins without hesitation. Frowning, he quickly dismissed the momentary feeling of attraction as mere illusion.
This brazen woman was utterly unworthy of someone as divine as their young master.
Leian let out an indignant huff, yet he dared not resist. He had long known that Xianyue acted on impulse, but tonight she seemed particularly wild. Fearing her mischief might extend to him, he swiftly turned and relocated the box to her designated spot.
The servants in the estate, save for those bound by pressing tasks, had all gathered in Xianyue's courtyard, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
"Fetch me an incense stick," Xianyue instructed the group clustered at the entrance, and promptly several individuals turned to retrieve the requested items.
The box was massive, capable of holding the contents of two. "Help me unload the fireworks."
Crouching, Xianyue opened the box and addressed Leian, who stood behind her.
As the last of the fireworks were extracted and arranged in a circular display, swift-footed servants returned with the incense sticks Xianyue desired. With a flourish, she lit the fireworks, kneeling in the center of her courtyard.
"Boom."
"Boom."
"Boom."
Tonight's sky, devoid of the moon but littered with stars, was exceptionally bright. At this hour, everyone had just finished their New Year's feast, and the heavens were awash with vibrant fireworks. Yet, in this corner of the sky, it felt as though the air had ignited in an instant.
The dazzling brilliance of countless fireworks shot skyward, resembling sudden flashes of lightning as they tore through the night, vibrant hues exploding in a symphony of light, drawing the gaze of all who watched from the courtyard. With faces illuminated in delight and excitement, the gathered servants gasped in awe.
"Boom boom boom."
**The Sound**
The sound was no longer intermittent but rather a continuous roar, echoing in her ears as if threatening to shatter her eardrums. The once monotonous sky erupted in a dazzling display of brilliance at this moment.
Xianyue gazed upwards, feeling as though the fireworks were blooming flowers, blossoming like night-blooming cereus, exquisite enough to leave one breathless, their brightness nearly blinding, then cascading like fallen stars from the heavens.
Closing her eyes, she was enveloped in a cacophony; alongside the explosive crackles of fireworks, excited shrieks rose and fell, creating such a lively atmosphere that she couldn't help but smile.
Opening her eyes, she retrieved a short firecracker from the box, perfectly sized to fit in her palm. Xianyue felt it was crafted just for her. With a grin, she lit it and tossed it toward the area where the crowd was densest.
The sharp crackling continued, quickly drowned out by the screams of both men and women, their excitement palpable. Undeterred, Xianyue eagerly grabbed several more bundles of firecrackers and hurled them into the throng. Though the servants were startled by this unexpected assault, none retreated; they screamed in delight, interspersed with bursts of laughter.
Fireworks continued to shoot into the sky, and through the myriad of dazzling lights, Xianyue spotted Leian standing quietly to the side, his eyes betraying a hint of fear. With a playful smile, she impulsively gathered a handful of firecrackers, igniting them before launching them at him.
"Ah!"
"Ah!"
Before the firecrackers even reached his feet, Leian had already screamed and fled, faster than ever, spinning on his heel to cling to the lacquered red column, paralyzed with trepidation.
"Ha ha!"
"Ha ha!"
Xianyue pointed at the terrified Leian, laughing with unrestrained joy. "Leian, you coward!"
Leian glared at her in frustration, vexed. He was the coward, but she was certainly no lady; what woman would find such delight in playing with firecrackers? In his experience, daughters of high officials typically stood aside, watching others ignite fireworks, scurrying away at the sound, or at least standing far off, covering their ears.
"Master."
Xianyue reveled in her playfulness, her joy as pure and innocent as that of a child.
Leiyun stood behind Lan Yixuan, the light beneath the eaves flickering. He glanced up, catching only the side of his face, his lips slightly curved in a smile, and couldn't help but feel lighter in spirit. How wonderful it would be if life could remain this way forever.
She stood at the heart of the fireworks display, her dark hair dancing in the breeze, her smile radiant. Her eyes reflected the blooming fireworks, mirroring their vibrant bursts, igniting firecrackers that she tossed into the crowd. When she watched them scatter like startled birds, a sparkle akin to fireworks lit her gaze, mischievous and triumphant.
Lan Yixuan lingered at the doorway, not yet entering, tightly clutching a blue ribbon in his hand. His eyes remained fixed on Xianyue's smiling face, though he struggled to suppress his emotions, fearing she might discover his secret admiration and that her smile would fade.
"Leiyun."
Lan Yixuan called softly, and Leiyun stepped forward, bowing.
"Tell me, who do you think is more mad, the two of us?"
His words were directed at Leiyun, yet his gaze never wavered from Xianyue.
"Master."
Leiyun gasped, noticing the upward curve of Lan Yixuan's lips. "I wonder how long she can continue to smile like that."
Not for long, he thought, for that person would not allow it.
Leiyun remained silent; he could sense the master wished for her to be happy for a lifetime. As for how long that might last, he could only guess.
Following Lan Yixuan's gaze, Leiyun beheld her smile, which truly was breathtaking, beautiful enough that one could gaze upon it for a lifetime without growing weary.
That night, Bai Zhanfeng was unexpectedly detained by some matter and did not arrive. Xianyue played with the household servants until late into the night before finally retiring. The next morning, when she awoke, the sunlight poured in, blindingly bright. Several maids stood by her bedside, all watching her intently. Upon seeing her awake, they rushed to her side, and it was only then that she learned it was already afternoon.
"Miss Xianyue, the master instructed us to attend to your bath and change as soon as you woke up."
Xianyue murmured in response, rubbing her eyes and still lying in bed. "What is it?"
"To the palace."