Chapter 52 – Ancient Era: A Dance to Enchant the City—The Emperor’s Celestial Fairy (22)
Once the imperial edict was issued, Wu Fanghao entered the palace—but that was all she managed to do.
As she gently traced her fingers over the intricate carvings of the palace walls, the corners of her lips curled upward uncontrollably.
She wouldn’t stop here. No, she wouldn’t!
…
The Qixi Festival—legend has it that on this day, the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd reunite on the Magpie Bridge in the heavens.
Among the common folk, unmarried girls pray devoutly to the skies, hoping that if their hearts are sincere, the heavens will bless them with a beautiful romance. For married couples, heartfelt prayers are said to ensure a lifetime of happiness together.
On this clear summer-autumn night, countless stars adorned the sky. Below, the streets glowed with a sea of lanterns, bright and festive.
Red silk banners stretched across the streets, linking them together in an unbroken line of celebration. Even the street performers had donned new clothes, putting on their best shows. Young ladies and gentlemen strolled the lively streets, some carrying lanterns, others standing before market stalls, lost in thought as they tried to solve riddles and other small games…
“Ah-Wu, over here, over here! I want to eat that!”
A young boy wove excitedly through the bustling crowd, turning back every now and then to call out to the tall young man following behind him—his arms full of various purchases.
Bai Tang’s eyes sparkled as he stared at a row of bright red, glistening candied hawthorns, nearly drooling at the sight.
“Little master, would you like a skewer?”
The elderly vendor smiled kindly. “I’ve coated them in plenty of sugar—fragrant and sweet!”
He plucked a skewer from the stand and handed it to Bai Tang.
“Thank you, Grandpa!” Bai Tang’s face lit up with joy. “Grandpa, can I have two more?” He held up two fingers to indicate the number.
“How much?” Jiang Liangwu asked cheerfully, paying for the treats without hesitation.
Bai Tang grinned like a child with a treasure as he distributed the candied fruit.
“This one’s for Ah-Wu, and this one is for Grandpa Li!”
Since they had to keep a low profile outside the palace, Bai Tang smoothly changed his way of addressing them.
Eunuch Li was deeply moved—what a well-mannered child!
If only his own grandson were still alive, he’d be around this age too…
Wiping away the tears at the corner of his eyes, he nodded emotionally. “Good, good, good… Thank you, young master.”
“Ah-Wu, eat up! It’s sweet and sour, really delicious!”
Bai Tang took a big bite of his sugar-coated hawthorn with an enthusiastic “Awoo!” before eagerly urging Jiang Liangwu to accept the untouched skewer he had saved for him.
“I feel like your skewer tastes better,” Jiang Liangwu remarked, his gaze fixed on the sheen of oil on Bai Tang’s lips.
Not understanding what he meant, Bai Tang handed over his half-eaten skewer of candied hawthorns.
However, Jiang Liangwu didn’t take it. Instead, he pointed at one particular piece. “I think this one tastes the best.”
Bai Tang took another bite, bringing the next piece to his lips—only to find that, in the blink of an eye, half of it was suddenly missing.
!!!
Jiang Liangwu looked utterly satisfied. “As expected, it’s really sweet.”
It was unclear whether he was talking about the candied fruit… or Bai Tang.
Stealing food was unforgivable.
To a foodie, food was life itself.
Bai Tang puffed up his cheeks in protest, glaring at Jiang Liangwu. “You already have your own! Why are you stealing mine?!”
With a huff, he turned away, too angry to even look at him. He tugged at Eunuch Li’s sleeve.
“Grandpa Li, I want to go see the lanterns.”
Eunuch Li chuckled at the playful sulking between his masters. Bai Tang was so adorably earnest that the elderly eunuch couldn’t help but melt inside. Smiling until his eyes crinkled into thin lines, he said, “Alright, Grandpa will take you to release a lantern.”
“Not bringing Ah-Wu along.” Bai Tang was still fuming.
“Alright, we won’t bring Young Master.”
Eunuch Li bought Bai Tang a rabbit-shaped lantern and, following the flow of the crowd, led him toward the riverside.
The gentle murmur of flowing water blended with the laughter and chatter of young men and women. The faint scent of rain from earlier in the evening still lingered in the air. Droplets clung to the leaves, sliding down into the river below.
Author’s Note:
I told you there would be sweetness, and I delivered! More sugar coming in the next chapter!!!