Volume 1 Chapter 18

  In the tenth month of winter, the cold wind is piercing.

  Xia Cong came slightly late to the east wing of Li Yuan's residence to have a meal with his mother, Shui Shi, and younger brother, Xia Ziyun.

  These days the weather is getting colder and older, Mrs. Xia is old, her body is not very good. Today, she was exempt from going to the various masters in the mansion to ask for peace.

  Xia Ting also slept for another hour because of this. Shui Shi didn't rush her, but instead waited patiently with Xia Zi Yun until she woke up and had breakfast together.

  As soon as I stepped into the hall, the cold feeling instantly disappeared. Several charcoal braziers were neatly placed in each corner, and the faintly jumping red flames were constantly emitting heat, making people feel a warmth.

  Xia Ting walked over to the dinner table and sat down beside Shui Shi as usual.

  Shui looked at his daughter and said with concern, "Ning'er, it's so cold outside, you should wear more clothes, don't catch a cold."

  Xia Ting nodded with a smile "I know, Mother. You and Yun'er should also pay attention to keeping warm."

  As she spoke, she ladled out bowls of porridge for Shui Shi and Xia Zi Yun.

  Shui's family happily drank a mouthful of porridge, and then suddenly remembered something, turned his head to Xia Ting and said "In a few days it will be the Lantern Festival, at that time you also go out and take a look. The Lantern Festival in this capital must be more lively than the one in Yixing City."

  Upon hearing this, Xia Ting's chopsticks paused in mid-air as she was picking up food. It turned out that the Lantern Festival was just a few days away? She had been busy running around lately and didn't even realize that the Lantern Festival was approaching.

  In an instant, Xia Ting's eyes flashed. As if she had thought of something, she lightly hooked up the corner of her mouth. The Flower Lantern Festival was indeed a great day.

  The five-day period passed in an instant.

  On this day, Tianqi Country welcomed its annual Flower Lantern Festival.

  On this evening, almost all young men and women will go out to admire the lanterns and have fun. The streets are filled with flowers and lanterns swaying in the breeze.

  In previous years, when in Yixing City, Xia Ting would also go out to participate in the Flower Lantern Festival, blending into this lively and festive holiday like everyone else. But this year's Flower Lantern Festival has another significant meaning for Xia Ting.

  That's what she will use to promote her shop and wine house at the lantern festival tonight.

  A few days ago, when accompanying his mother to dinner, he inadvertently heard her mention that the Lantern Festival was approaching this year. This couldn't help but make Xia Ting's eyes flash with inspiration, and suddenly an idea came to him.

  She wanted to release 'Kongming lanterns' on the day of the Lantern Festival, in order to promote her shop and wine house, believing that the flying lanterns would set the whole Kyoto abuzz.

  Time waits for no man, Xia Ting immediately picked up the lamp and fought at night, drew several styles of flower lamps, and ordered Wan Yu to hand them over to Chang Nuo, asking him to take them to his father, and must rush out this batch of lamps before the Lantern Festival.

  Because of concerns that the lanterns might burn up halfway, Xia Ting added a protective layer around each candle, limiting each flower lantern to only one small section of candle and restricting its flight time to prevent it from burning up.

  She designed the Kongming lanterns into small and lovely shapes, pasting various bright-colored papers on them. A propaganda leaflet was hung under each lantern, and the weight of the lantern itself was controlled so that it would not fly too high.

  Waiting for the Lantern Festival to arrive, so that her Mei Ren Tang and Nuan Yan Lou can be known by all of Kyoto.

  That night, Xia Ting informed Shui Shi and then hastily left the mansion with Wan Yu to meet up with Chang Shu and Yu Shu.

  As for Li's family, they had long gone out with their two daughters to attend the lantern festival.

  The streets are decorated with lanterns and streamers everywhere, bustling with excitement. Many young men and women stroll around, chatting and laughing nonstop.

  Xia Ting arrived at the agreed meeting place, and Chang Shu and Yu Shu were already quietly waiting there.

  This is a small courtyard behind the Warm Smoke Building. The location is relatively secluded and not easily found, so she chose to light up the flower lanterns here.

  In the center of the courtyard, two large square tables have been neatly arranged. On top of them, dozens of small and exquisite flower lanterns are lined up in an orderly manner, each with a bracket underneath, and several firecrackers are placed beside them.

  Xia Ting didn't say much and directly said to Chang Shu and Yu Shu, "Light the lanterns." The flower lantern festival had already begun, and now was the perfect time to release the lanterns.

  Four people each took a lighter and lit the candles in the lantern one by one.

  Chang Shu and Yu Shu saw Xia Ting's calm face as she lit the flower lantern, but in their hearts they were skeptical: Can this lantern really fly? Why does Miss always come up with such strange ideas.

  Before long, a flower lantern placed on the edge of the table showed signs of rising. As the candle burned and produced hot air, the pale blue beautiful flower lantern finally flew up slowly and rose into the night sky.

  Miss, look! It's flying, it's really flying!

  Chang Shu and Yu Shu were also shocked: "Good heavens, it really flew! Such a lantern, Miss, how did you think of it? It's truly a wonder of the world."

  Xia Ting looked up at the flower lanterns rising into the night sky, unable to conceal her excitement and joy. Perhaps inspired by this first flower lantern, several others on the table also took off smoothly.

  Chang Shu and Yu Shu worked hard to light one lantern after another. After all the lanterns on the table were lit, more than half of them had already flown into the night sky.

  The lanterns on the table had flown away more than half. Wan Yu hurried to the wall where the lanterns were piled up and back and forth, one by one, transported them to the table. The four of them worked together, one after another, lighting up all 300 lanterns.

  Before long, the dark night sky was filled with all sorts of beautiful lanterns.

  The streets of Kyoto were bustling, with lights shining everywhere. The vendors' calls, the noise of people guessing lantern riddles and the laughter of children running around with flower lanterns all mixed together.

  Outline the prosperity of Kyoto at night.

  In the midst of a bustling crowd, someone suddenly pointed at the night sky and shouted "Look, what's that?"

  Everyone looked up and saw beautiful lanterns of various colors floating in the night sky.

  A halo of light shines out from the lamp, and as one gazes into the distance, it is like a night sky studded with countless twinkling stars. It's incredibly beautiful.

  This strange and beautiful scene shocked men and women in Kyoto, and everyone was amazed to point at the flower lanterns and discuss them.

  At this time, some of the floating flower lanterns, due to the candles being almost burnt out, slowly floated down from the air. Some brave people couldn't resist their curiosity and stretched out their hands to catch them. After catching them, they saw the flyers hanging under the flower lanterns, which triggered even more intense discussions.

  The whole Kyoto was stirred up by this, and people stretched out their hands to catch the falling flower lanterns.

  Some lanterns fell halfway and drifted into various mansions, causing the surprise and discussion of the ladies and maidservants in each mansion.

  Some of the lanterns that flew even farther drifted into the imperial palace, startling the night watch eunuchs and maids who were on duty, leaving them staring blankly; they soon came to their senses and hastily ran off to report to their mistress.

  On the day of the Lantern Festival, Xia Ting's meticulously designed lanterns successfully made a sensation throughout Kyoto. After each meal, everyone would chat about it for a few sentences, and the trend was getting more and more intense.

  After releasing the flower lanterns, Xia Ting didn't stay to watch the scenery, but instead took Wan Yu back to the Xia Mansion.

  As soon as I entered the house, I saw that all the maids and young servants of the Xia family were gathered together in twos and threes, holding promotional flyers from the flower lanterns and chattering non-stop.

  Back at the Li courtyard, she saw her mother, Shui Shi, holding a flower lantern and chatting with her personal maid, Bi Yan. Her younger brother, Xia Zi Yun, was sitting on the side, playing with another flower lantern.

  Xia Ting walked into the house, and Shui Shi looked up to see her daughter return, hastily beckoning her to come over and sit down.

  "Look, Jing'er, this flower lantern can actually fly! The scene just now was truly astonishing."

  She handed two promotional flyers to Xia Ting's face "This paper says that 'Meiren Hall' and 'Nuanyan Building' will open in two days, introducing it so well, mother is also tempted" After finishing, she praised again.

  Xia Ting's expression was calm and collected "Since mother likes it, let's go take a look together in two days."

  Shui's expression was hesitant "Is this okay? I don't know if Madam will agree."

  Xia Ting furrowed her brow, "It's not like she's her slave, why does she need her consent to go out? It's settled then, the day after tomorrow I'll take you and your brother to take a look."

  Then asked a few more questions of Shui's family, before finally returning to his own room somewhat tired.

  Behind her, Wan Yu followed into the house, with an excited and intoxicated expression, saying "Miss, you are really amazing, this evening's scenery is simply too beautiful"

  Xia Ting softly "hissed" and said "Keep your voice down, don't you want the whole Xia household to know it was me who did it?"

  Wan Yu hastily covered her mouth and nodded carefully.

  Xia Ting nodded and waved her hand, saying "Go back to sleep, you've been tired all night" Wan Yu cleverly bowed and retreated.

  On the soft bed, Xia Ting's mouth curved into a smile: The opening day after tomorrow is really something to look forward to.

  Digression

  Sorry guys, Clip Clip has something on today so the update is late.