Chapter 129.2 – Shangyuan Lantern Festival (Middle Part)

The butler looked up in a daze, and his heart suddenly felt empty – the lantern at the top was the best palace lantern his master had found. It overwhelmed the rest of the competitors and made him proud for days. He guarded this lantern tower today because he was valued by his master’s family, so he couldn’t lose this palace lantern too early.

If the arrow hit, the palace lantern would belong to the contestant, but if it didn’t, the palace lantern might be destroyed by the arrow.

He deliberately had someone look for a powerful bow because the other party’s body was thin, and he wanted to make her unable to draw the bow to avoid the possibility of damage. If he had known that she could draw it earlier, it would’ve been better not to do any small tricks and just generously let her win!

The butler thought of a lot of things in an instant, and the arrow’s flight also ended in an instant.

Lu Qipei’s archery skills were indeed amazing. Although she pushed herself a bit using a three-stone bow for the first time, the latch on the palace lantern was much thicker than the arrow shaft.  For someone who could do the Connected Arrows, this kind of difficulty was not a big problem.

The arrow hit the latch under everyone’s watch, and the crowd burst into cheers.

The butler’s face quietly changed a few times, but in the end, he smiled and raised his face, and showed a look of conceding defeat. He cupped his hands and said, “Young Master is very skilled, this palace lantern is yours!”

The glazed palace lantern she won was exquisitely crafted and had ingenious design – it was no wonder that the lantern tower’s owner valued it a lot and didn’t want to lose it so early. But this thing was nothing in Qi Yang’s eyes, and not even as important as covering up her Prince Consort’s face as soon as possible.

Lu Qipei offered the palace lantern as a gift and said, “Ah Ning, this is the palace lantern you wanted. I won it, don’t you like it?”

Qi Yang was a little speechless as she looked at Lu Qipei’s brilliant smile. She didn’t need to look to know how much attention the other party had gained and how many gaze she had attracted. Her heart immediately felt a little sour, and she casually stuffed Lu Sheng to Lu Qipei’s arms like a bag, put the ugly mask on her again, and quickly dragged her away.

Lu Sheng didn’t understand anything, while Lu Qipei held the lantern and hugged the child, only feeling somewhat amused. But maybe thanks to Lu Sheng, the others immediately knew that this was a family of three, and even though they knew that Lu Qipei was very handsome underneath her mask, no one was stupid enough to approach the three of them.

With the attendants opening the way, the three quickly left the lantern tower, merged into the crowd and went somewhere else.

Aside from the lantern towers and riddle guessing, what was even more lively was the singing, dancing and acrobatic shows surrounding the lantern towers. As soon as the drum sounded, even Lu Sheng, who had been temporarily attracted by the glazed palace lantern, looked over with curiosity.

Qi Yang and Lu Qipei didn’t want to squeeze in with the others, but seeing that Lu Sheng was interested, they also came over.

The songs and dances performed on the streets on Lantern Festival were certainly not the gentle and soft kind like those at palace banquets, and the dancers were not even women. There was a bonfire burning on the wide open space, and people wearing masks with their upper bodies naked were walking in strange steps around the bonfire, singing and dancing. It was said that this dance evolved from ancient sacrificial rituals, to pray for blessings and ward off disasters. Many people were also joining in the fun and dancing along.

Lu Sheng gave a few more looks at the liveliness, but she knew that Qi Yang and Lu Qipei would not join in such a commotion, not even with the masks. The two of them hugged Lu Sheng and watched the excitement for a while, then walked again to the next place.

Next was an acrobatic troupe, with people stacking stools, spinning plates and throwing knives while blindfolded. The amazing performance also drew cheers from the audience.

There were also people singing opera, monkey shows, shadow puppet shows, puppet shows and all other kinds of excitement. The little dumpling was entranced by the sight, and Lu Qipei and Qi Yang also watched the excitement for a while. When they were leaving, Lu Sheng showed a rare moment of reluctance.

Lu Qipei went to the puppet show troupe and to buy a puppet – the troupe was also selling them. They wanted to make money, and if they could make money buy performing puppet show, they could naturally earn some money selling the puppets. It’s just that the flexible puppets were exquisitely made, and the price was quite expensive, so ordinary people wouldn’t even think of buying them, or gave up after asking the price.

Of course, she bought the puppet to coax the child, and Lu Sheng was indeed overjoyed after receiving the gift.

But Qi Yang approached Lu Qipei and blinked at her, silently berating her for buying gifts for just the child.

Lu Qipei and Qi Yang looked at each other for a moment, and she suddenly couldn’t help but laugh – at this moment, she really felt that they were a perfect match. If they weren’t both women and had children in the future, just how much vinegar would she drink in the future, and how sour Qi Yang’s stomach would be¹?

At this moment, Lu Qipei gave an awkward smile and conveniently stuffed the glazed palace lantern she had been carrying to Qi Yang’s hand. A puppet bought with money, what about it? This glazed palace lantern was the one she worked hard to win for her!

Qi Yang couldn’t keep pretending to be resentful anymore, and chuckled as she handed the palace lantern back, “You take it, why would I carry two lanterns?”

Lu Qipei obediently took the palace lantern back again, and the two of them immediately laughed and exchanged a few words. The small sourness in Qi Yang’s heart also dissipated.

It was getting late, and they had to go outside the palace gates to join in the liveliness, and watch the Emperor and the Crown Prince ascend the tower and light the lanterns.

Author notes:

Lu Sheng (shrugging): Not only can I emit light and heat², I can also brew vinegar! Does anyone want to be jealous? If it’s not sour, there’s no need to pay…

Qi Yang & Lu Qipei (in unison): Give me one catty³!

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