In the Lu family's villa located on the outskirts of Shuojing, an old man's furious voice echoed through the air: "Impossible! Don't even think about it!"
Lu Zhaoan calmly sipped his tea, remaining unmoved as the old man in front of him jumped up and down in anger.
This old man was none other than Master Zhang, who had previously made aquatic porcelain for Jinyulou.
Master Zhang had no children, so he stayed at Lu Zhao'an's villa in search of a place to live out his old age, where he spent his days making porcelain figurines for him.
He was proud and arrogant, and his interactions with Lu Zhao'an were always casual. Lu Zhao'an, in turn, always held this master craftsman in high esteem.
Seeing that Lu Zhaoan remained unmoved, the old man took a few steps to stand in front of him, bent down, brought his face close to Lu's, stared at him, and asked, "Did you hear that?"
Lu Zhaoan put down his teacup and said pitifully, "Master, I am like a rootless duckweed. Please take me in soon."
As he spoke, he turned to look at Afu.
Ah Fu was clever; he pulled out another gift box from somewhere and placed it on the table that was already piled with exquisite objects.
Master Zhang sighed: "This place originally belonged to your Lu family. I am only staying here temporarily because of your patronage. If you really wanted to stay here, why did you have to ask my opinion?"
"I'm afraid you yourself want to return to the Lu family, but you're undecided, which is why you've come here."
Lu Zhaoan's gaze seemed to wander, and he remained silent.
Master Zhang stroked his beard, straightened his back, and revealed a completely different kind of wisdom and open-mindedness, with a hint of otherworldly elegance.
"No matter what, that is still your home. What have you been doing all these years traveling around? Have you forgotten? You must return to the Lu family to achieve your goal."
Master Zhang's words were pointed, and everyone present clearly understood the deeper meaning behind them.
Lu Zhaoan's fingers tightened, and his muscles tensed. Seeing that he remained silent, Master Zhang sighed and walked towards the door.
The person had already reached the door, but couldn't help saying again, "If you really want to stay here overnight, everything is still in the same old place. You can pack it yourself."
Lu Zhaoan looked up, but the old master's figure had already disappeared at the end of the covered corridor. The flowers and plants in the courtyard swayed, but there was no sign of the Mid-Autumn Festival's liveliness.
He paused for a moment, then chuckled softly.
The early autumn wind carried a slight chill, and Gu Yaoniang subconsciously pulled her outer garment tighter as she walked along the streets of Shuojing.
Gu Xingzhi made an excuse to send her out to see the river lanterns and then sent her away.
She was genuinely curious about the sights and sights of Shuojing City, so she took Bizhu with her and went out.
Recalling how her three maids vied to accompany her when she went out, Yao Niang couldn't help but laugh.
In the end, Bizhu was chosen because she was the most composed. Yaoniang also gave Bitao and Bishuang each a small purse containing some loose silver, and told them to go and have fun.
The two girls then happily took their little purses and left.
"Is my wife a little cold?"
Bizhu noticed Yaoniang's little actions and asked her kindly.
"It's nothing," Yao Niang said with a smile, lowering her hand. "It was just a subconscious reaction."
Shuojing City is bustling with activity tonight, with crowds of young ladies dressed up and strolling hand in hand with their friends, admiring the lanterns and snacks along the street.
Gu Yaoniang was quite curious and wandered aimlessly towards the lower reaches of the Jade Belt River in the city.
Seeing her so excited, Bizhu felt quite cheerful herself. She followed beside her and told her about the customs of Shuojing City.
"This is the first time my wife has spent the Mid-Autumn Festival in the capital. Unmarried women and men in Shuojing City will release a river lantern on the Jade Belt River today, praying to meet their soulmate and have a happy marriage."
Gu Yaoniang raised an eyebrow slightly: "Aren't ordinary river lanterns usually released for deceased relatives? Shuojing is different from other places."
Bizhu smiled lightly, "My lady, you don't know, but the river lanterns for the Ghost Festival and Qingming Festival are for the deceased."
Gu Yaoniang couldn't help but feel a little strange: "No matter how exquisite it is, it used to be given to the dead. Wouldn't it be considered unlucky to use it for praying for marriage?"
Bizhu was surprised: "How could you think that, madam? Although they are all river lanterns, the lanterns for deceased relatives are simple and undecorated, just a lonely white paper boat."
The river lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival are exquisite and elegant, making them perfect gifts for loved ones. It's said that on this night, lovers release lanterns, and the farther they drift with the water, the longer and more sweet and fulfilling their relationship will be.
Gu Yaoniang looked around and saw that there were indeed some couples carrying exquisite river lanterns, walking towards the riverbank arm in arm.
Bizhu whispered again, "The Emperor in the palace also said that river lanterns bring blessings and good fortune. The same applies to seeking marriage. My lady, please don't say those things again."
Gu Yaoniang then understood.
Throughout history, the love between men and women has always been a topic of great interest, and common festivals are often imbued with a romantic touch. The Lantern Festival, the Qixi Festival, and now the Mid-Autumn Festival are all examples of this.
Today, trade in Dacheng is booming, and there are more and more artisans making increasingly exquisite river lanterns.
Beautiful things are always accompanied by even more beautiful expectations.
Seeing that she didn't say anything more, Bizhu tentatively asked, "Would you like to buy a lamp too, madam?"
Gu Yaoniang quickly shook her head: "You should know about my past. I don't have a sweetheart now, and I have no intention of getting married, so I won't join in this fun."
Bizhu knew that Yaoniang had no interest in marriage, but she still advised, "If you don't want to marry, you can seek other things."
Yao Niang still refused. Seeing this, Bi Zhu stopped trying to persuade her.
Yao Niang noticed that most of the pedestrians were heading in the same direction. Although that area was close to the imperial city and also by the river, ordinary people rarely went there specifically.
She couldn't help but ask, "Bizhu, why are they all heading that way?"
Bizhu let out a soft "Ah!" and said with a smile, "I forgot to tell you, my lady. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Emperor will order the sluice gates of the Jade Belt River beside the palace wall to be opened, and he will lead the princess and princes to release blessing lanterns into that section of the Jade Belt River within the palace."
People lined the river downstream outside the palace, hoping to receive a river lantern blessed by the sage and be protected by his grace.
"A blessing lamp?"
Yao Niang was somewhat puzzled.
Bizhu was clearly very happy to introduce these customs to Yaoniang. She nodded: "The Sage is a true dragon emperor, blessed with great fortune and compassion for his subjects. He personally bestows blessings upon them every year."
Hearing this, Gu Yaoniang understood even more why people used river lanterns to make wishes. Since it was said by a sage, then the idea that river lanterns bring good fortune was indeed true.
Seeing that Bizhu seemed somewhat longing for it, she thought for a moment and said, "Let's go take a look too!"
Bizhu was somewhat excited, but she was always calm and composed, and hid it very well. She simply nodded and followed Yaoniang forward.
But as Yao Niang walked, her eyes were drawn to a river lantern at a small stall on the street.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com