Chapter 261: Lantern Festival (Part 2)

Erya opened her hands and put them to her mouth, saying sweetly, "Don't miss it if you pass by. I'll draw you beautiful flower ornaments for free!"

Nothing can resist the temptation of the word "free".

The small stall was immediately surrounded by a group of young women.

The three sisters, Daya, all have different flower ornaments painted on their foreheads as a sign.

Erya also pulled Yunting to demonstrate on the spot.

Daya took up the brush, dipped the wolf-hair brush into indigo paint, and with a few strokes, she sketched out a lifelike eight-treasure flower between Yun Ting's eyebrows.

Yun Ting proudly showed it to everyone.

He was born with a good appearance, and the flowers and ornaments made him look even better.

The women around immediately started talking to Daya and asked her to help them draw.

But I still confirm in advance whether it is free.

"It's free, definitely free. Everyone, line up, don't rush, take your time, one by one." Erya smiled like a flower. "Although we don't charge money, we won't cheat. If you have time, you can take a look at the flower ornaments we made before. These can be pasted multiple times-"

Erya and Sanya each held the finished flower ornaments and showed and introduced them to the customers.

When Yun Ting saw a woman with a man, he asked them to buy something for the female companion.

In a short while, the small stall was surrounded by people.

At the same time, Lu Qiniang and Xiao Yan seemed to be in a bleak situation.

There were many people looking at the items but few asking the price. After half an hour, only a peach wood comb and two bath beans were sold.

"Erya is right." Lu Qiniang sighed, "Business is really not going well here."

"She is very smart! Maybe she will become a wealthy businessman in the future." Xiao Yan handed her a carp lantern with a smile.

"How much?" Lu Qiniang asked hurriedly, "You said I couldn't bear to see you, so you spent money recklessly."

She was still holding the unfinished mutton wontons in her hand, and next to it was the stick for the candied haws that she had just eaten.

Well, she told Xiao Yan that these were food for the children, wouldn’t it be a waste if she ate them?

But Xiao Yan told her that she had never eaten it when she was a child, so this was her way of making up for it.

Lu Qiniang was about to refuse, but then she heard Xiao Yan say quietly, "You don't accept my feelings, so why are you rejecting such a small thing? Do you have to set clear boundaries with me?"

What else could Lu Qiniang say?

General Po Lu began to feel resentful.

Eat it.

Anyway, the family is not short of this little money now.

But Xiao Yan kept buying and buying, and compared with his own bleak business, it felt so uncomfortable!

Lu Qiniang had just stuffed a wonton into her mouth when she suddenly heard a shrill voice—

"The Holy Chariot Passing the Street——"

emperor?

Master Li is here?!

Lu Qiniang was so excited that she swallowed the mutton wontons, which had thin skin and large fillings and cost thirty cents a bowl, whole.

There are ten in a bowl, and each one costs three cents. If you eat it without tasting the meat, you will lose a lot!

Everyone on the street retreated to the sides and knelt.

Lu Qiniang also lifted up the hem of her skirt and knelt on the blue bricks beside the road, but Xiao Yan quickly stuffed a straw mat that he had prepared long ago under her knees.

Xiao Yan knelt beside her.

Seeing that there was no straw mat under his knees, Lu Qiniang asked him in a low voice, "Why did you prepare only one?"

"I'm fine."

"Come here and squeeze in." Lu Qiniang moved a little to the side.

And Xiao Yan really came over and sat next to her.

This is too close.

Lu Qiniang felt uncomfortable all over, but didn't dare to say anything.

"Abandoned Mother, you can peek." Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle when he saw her lowering her eyes obediently.

"I won't watch it. What if they catch me?" Lu Qiniang said in a muffled voice.

Having said that, she still secretly lifted her eyelids and looked over.

Thirty-six pairs of eunuchs in crimson robes held golden peacock fans to clear the way, and the vermilion palace lanterns cast a warm glow on the stone pavement.

The hooves of the black-armored cavalry following behind were all wrapped in cotton, so they landed very lightly.

"Xiao Yan," Lu Qiniang didn't dare to look at him presumptuously, and asked in a low voice, "Is Jiang Xuan here too?"

"Yes, he is. He is with the prince."

The emperor rides in a sedan chair today, while the prince rides on horseback.

The silver-embroidered python pattern on the prince's ochre-yellow round-collar robe shone coldly in the twilight. A jade pendant inlaid with gold dragons and tigers hung from a belt around his waist. His face was covered with a silver mask, making his temperament even more gloomy.

Suddenly, the cry of an elephant ripped through the twilight, and six brocade-covered elephants carrying gilded incense burners appeared before them.

Lu Qiniang couldn't help but look up.

So big!

She was at a loss for words to describe her shock at seeing the elephant.

"This is an elephant that was presented as tribute by the Kingdom of Nanyue several years ago." Xiao Yan explained to her in a low voice.

"It's the elephant in the story of the blind men and the elephant, right?"

"right."

"How much food do we need to eat in a day?"

Only the emperor can afford it.

A quarter of an hour had passed by the time the emperor's procession passed, and Lu Qin's legs were numb from kneeling.

Xiao Yan helped her up, then went to buy her a bag of freshly roasted chestnuts, and sat beside her to peel them for her.

"No, I can do it myself." Lu Qiniang bit the chestnut shell with her teeth until it made a crisp sound. She whispered to Xiao Yan, "I remember that the emperor left the palace to celebrate the Lantern Festival five or six years ago. Why did he think of it again this year?"

"Maybe he wants to see the fireworks."

Xiao Yan placed the peeled chestnuts on a handkerchief and handed it over.

"You should eat too. I'm full today. Xiao Yan, we don't have much business here. Why don't you go over there and help out?"

Xiao Yan thought to himself, this is Daya's filial piety to you and me, you should appreciate it.

"No need," he said. "Wait a little longer. Maybe business will pick up soon."

On the other side, Daya and her friends’ stall was indeed very lively.

"The flower ornaments between your eyebrows are more exquisitely drawn than those of Mr. Wu from the East Market!" The girl in the goose yellow shirt looked left and right in the bronze mirror, the magnolia outlined by silver lines on her forehead was dripping with dew.

Daya pursed her lips and smiled: "Sister, with your appearance and character, you deserve some elegant and fancy things."

Crowds of people came in, carrying the sweet aroma of sugar figures. A thin layer of sweat appeared on her temples, but she still carefully mixed the colors for each visitor.

Suddenly, a young man and woman appeared in front of the stall.

"Please, young lady, draw a special one."

A deep, hoarse voice broke through the noise.

Daya looked up and saw a well-defined jaw under the gilded mask.

Dark patterns floated on the black brocade robe, and the mutton-fat jade pendant hanging from his waist was clearly reflected by the glass lantern in his hand - it was clearly a rare double-sided openwork carving.

It turns out that it was an acquaintance!