Chapter 128 Lantern Festival
From New Year's Eve till the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, there is no place on the street that is not bustling, and it almost goes on all night long.
After working hard for a whole year, it's time to find a reason to relax during the New Year. Secondly, it's a festival tradition and you have to wear new clothes, visit friends and family, and save up a year's money. It would be a pity to be pinching the pennies during the New Year.
Every shop, stall or vendor in the city also hopes to make a profit during the festival, so the stalls on the streets are almost always busy.
The stalls operating at the night market were closed down, and those operating at the morning market rushed in to take their places.
After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the excitement will come to a halt. Both the common people and the officials have to take a break and start the new year's "work".
Therefore, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month can be regarded as the last day of the Chinese New Year, and people naturally want to take advantage of this day to have some fun.
In addition, this day is the Lantern Festival, and the liveliness is no less than that of New Year's Eve.
Shen Yuan had agreed with her elder sister long ago that on the Lantern Festival, they would go out to the street together. Grandma and the eldest aunt had been here for a long time and had hardly gone out.
"Your young master Xie sent someone to deliver a holiday gift this morning, and everyone in the family got one. Are you really not going to celebrate the holiday with him today?"
"Yes, I told him a long time ago that he would be with you today. He is also accompanying the princess and Mr. Xie to celebrate the festival together."
Shen Yuan was choosing clothes to wear for going out tonight while answering her sister's questions.
"Even if we're married, we can't be together all the time, right?"
"Yeah, that's true." Shen Xi nodded, feeling that she didn't know as much as her sister about this. "My grandmother is still worried about your marriage, so I told her that you have a clear mind and don't need to worry too much."
"I know, but like my grandmother, sometimes you have to give her something to worry about. She's not used to it if you don't let her worry about anything."
Shen Xi was amused by her sister's words, but when she thought about it carefully, that's the truth. When she gets older, if you don't let her worry about things, she will find life boring.
The whole family went out together today. Several days in advance, Shen Yun asked the housekeeper to book a banquet at the restaurant. On the Lantern Festival, the family had dinner at the restaurant and then went shopping to see the lanterns.
"A few days in advance, the rooms in Tianyue Building were not available for booking, but the view here is also good, and you can also see the river."
The restaurant was the same one the family had visited during the Dragon Boat Festival the year before. It was built by the river. From the window of the room, one could see the painted boats on the river, with their carved beams and painted rafters, and could faintly hear the sounds of stringed instruments coming from the boats.
Old Madam Shen stood by the window and looked at it for a long time. She smiled and said, "Even the pleasure boats in the capital are different from those in our place. They are much bigger than those in Nanjing. But although they are bigger, they are not as exquisite as those in our place."
Shen Yuan heard the voice and went over to look at the pleasure boats on the river with his grandmother. "Grandma, are you missing home?"
Old Madam Shen was born and raised in Jinling and has lived in Jinling almost all her life. Now that she has come to the capital, she inevitably misses her hometown a little. However, in front of the younger generation, the old lady is unwilling to admit this.
"From what you said, this isn't my home?"
"How can that be possible! If this isn't your house, then whose house is it?"
When Old Lady Shen came, she originally thought that she was here to see her grandson Ke. But her grandson's wife happened to be pregnant, so she decided to stay for another month to see her give birth before leaving.
As a result, now, her granddaughter is getting engaged during the Dragon Boat Festival, and Old Madam Shen is reluctant to miss this event. So, all in all, she will have to stay in the capital for nearly half a year.
Not to mention Old Madam Shen, even Shen Xi and Madam Shen were also a little homesick.
Staying at home all the time is indeed a bit boring. Shen Yun has taken this into consideration and has made preparations in advance.
"There is a manor outside the city. I have asked someone to clean it up. In two days, mother, sister-in-law, Yingniang, Xixi and Manman, why don't you go to the manor to play for a few days." Shen Yun finished speaking, glanced at his daughter's expression, and added, "Don't worry, it's not the manor we went to last time. This one is not far from the city. People from the City Defense Department will patrol it every day, so there won't be any danger."
To be honest, there are only these things in the capital, nothing new. It would be better to live outside the city and enjoy the mountains and rivers.
As for Shen Su, since he is going to take the exam soon, he should just stay at home.
"Well... after we all leave, you will be alone at home?"
Old Madam Shen was somewhat tempted, but she thought about how pitiful her son would be living alone at home.
"Grandma, I'm still here! You guys go have fun, Dad and I are the only ones left."
"From tomorrow on, I will be on duty at the Dali Temple every day, so I won't be able to stay at home for long. The scenery on the farm is nice, and you can go hiking in your spare time. It's good for your health! What do you think, sister-in-law?"
Shen Yun has also noticed these days that his mother is doing better here, but his sister-in-law is really having trouble getting used to it.
Mrs. Shen didn't expect that her brother-in-law would ask her, but she was willing to live in the manor for a few days.
"Well... let's do as my uncle says."
"My sister, sister-in-law and I agree!"
"Okay, you guys pack up the things you need to take with you in the next two days, and I'll have someone clean up. But you'll only be staying here for half a month. On February 8th, the three princes will get married together. There will be a banquet on Yu Street for the people to enjoy, and there will also be a palace banquet in the palace. It's going to be very lively."
"Three princes getting married together? What a blast that would be. We have to see it."
"Mother, you don't just have to watch the fun. Don't forget that you are still a third-rank lady, and you still have to go to the palace to drink a glass of wedding wine."
The three princes got married together, which had never happened since the founding of the country. The emperor also issued an edict that officials of the fifth rank and above in the capital and their families could enter the palace to attend the princes' wedding banquet.
"I can even drink at the princes' wedding? This is really a great opportunity."
"Grandmother, when you return to Nanjing, you must invite all your old sisters to your home and have a good talk with them! Tell them that your visit to the capital has ruined your future."
Shen Yuan's words made everyone laugh, even Old Madam Shen herself couldn't help laughing.
After the family finished their dinner, the streets became bustling. If one could fly to the sky, one would be able to see the entire capital city ablaze with lights.
"Kang Ge'er, you have to protect Ying Niang and don't let anyone bump into her."
"Don't worry, Dad."
Shen Su stood beside his wife, with one arm around her shoulders and the other hand protecting her belly.
Sisters Shen Xi and Shen Yuan also stood on the other side of their sister-in-law, protecting her.
Old Madam Shen and Madam Shen walked behind them, while Shen Yun walked at the end alone.
He Ying had not originally planned to come out, for fear of being hit in the stomach. However, Shen Su felt that if the whole family came out, his wife would be too lonely at home alone.
However, they did not stay outside for long. They just walked along the street where there were not many people around and bought two lanterns. Then he accompanied his wife home.
"Third Miss! Fourth Miss...Sister-in-law, Brother Shen, what a coincidence, you are out to admire the lanterns too?"