Qi Huaihe, dressed in a brown brocade robe with the character "福" (fortune) on it, behaving like a wealthy man, was seen pushing through the crowd with obvious delight. Beside him was Xin Xiyao, dressed in a lake-blue brocade jacket and skirt, her face beaming with smiles. Behind them were Qi Mingxuan and Qi Mingyue, also dressed as wealthy young masters and ladies. Mingxuan, eleven years old, already showed signs of maturity beyond his years, while Mingyue, eight, remained as lively as ever, her eyes immediately fixed on her father upon seeing the candied hawthorn in Chengyu's hand.
"Master Qi? Madam Qi?" Xiao Xun immediately understood and feigned surprise. "What a coincidence! I didn't expect to meet you here."
Xin Jiuwei smiled and exchanged a knowing glance with Xin Xiyao: "Madam Qi, it's been a long time, you look even better."
The two families "coincidentally" met, and the children immediately gathered together. Mingyue chattered incessantly, pulling Chengyu along, while Mingxuan bowed respectfully to Chengji, displaying a rather mature demeanor for a little adult. Chengrui looked curiously at the jade pendant at Mingxuan's waist.
"Since we've met, it must be fate," Qi Huaihe said with a smile. "The elegant seats at the 'Sihai Tower' up ahead offer a panoramic view of the lantern river. Why don't I host a dinner for Master Xiao, his wife, and the young masters and ladies to enjoy the lanterns, solve riddles, and rest a bit?"
Xiao Xun readily agreed: "In that case, we will trouble Master Qi."
Just as the group was about to move, a loud voice interrupted: "Hey! Brother Qi! Master Xiao! What a coincidence! To run into each other in this crowd!"
Xin Yunzhou, dressed in a dark blue martial arts outfit with a black cloak over it, strutted in with an imposing gait. Beside him was Xin Kui, wearing an apricot-yellow embroidered lotus-patterned jacket and skirt, holding the hand of a five- or six-year-old girl with two small pigtails and features strikingly similar to Xin Kui—their second daughter, Xin Yue (nicknamed "Little Yue'er" to distinguish her from Xin Kui). Xin Yunzhou's eldest son, Xin Rui (thirteen years old), followed closely behind his parents like a little guard, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily. Upon seeing Xiao Chengji, he immediately grinned.
This was an even greater coincidence. The crowd exchanged pleasantries, clearly delighted. Xin Yunzhou, oblivious to the stares of passersby with his loud voice, patted Xiao Xun's shoulder (being nervously glanced at by Chen Qing): "Master Xiao, you're getting healthier and healthier! And Madam, too, you're radiant!"
Xin Kui gently bowed to Xin Jiuwei and Xin Xiyao, then pushed Xiao Yue'er forward, saying, "Quickly call them Aunt and Auntie." Xiao Yue'er shyly hid behind her mother, but couldn't help peeking out to look curiously at Cheng Yu and Ming Yue.
Lin Jingshu's voice came from the crowd. She was dressed in a dark purple satin jacket with butterflies, looking both rich and neat. She came "hurriedly" with two maids carrying account books: "Oh dear! I was wondering why everyone had disappeared in the blink of an eye. Turns out we've all run into each other here! What a lively scene! Lord Su, hurry up!" She turned around and saw her fiancé, Su Wenqing, a lecturer at the Hanlin Academy, dressed in a blue robe. He was refined and gentle, following behind her with a mixture of helplessness and affection, carrying the few small lanterns she had just bought.
Thus, the "chance encounter" within the inner circle was completely fulfilled. A large group of people, though seemingly unstoppable, naturally blended into the bustling crowd and headed towards the "Sihai Tower." The children were especially excited; Cheng Rui and Ming Yue ran ahead, followed hand in hand by Cheng Yu and Xiao Yue'er, while Xin Rui and Qi Mingxuan flanked Xiao Chengji, whispering amongst themselves—they had clearly formed their own little group.
Sihailou is one of the most famous restaurants in Chang'an. It is built facing the street, and the private rooms on the third floor have excellent views, directly facing the most bustling Imperial Street and the giant Aoshan Lantern in the center.
The private seats had already been "reserved in advance" by Qi Huaihe. After everyone took their seats, they opened the carved windows and were able to see the entire river of lights and the bustling crowd below, a sight even more spectacular than from the street.
"Wow!" The children, peering out the window, exclaimed in amazement.
“Father…Father, look at that dragon lantern, its eyes can even move!” Xiao Chengji pointed into the distance, almost letting slip the secret.
"Mommy, so many lights! It's like stars falling down!" Chengyu snuggled up to Xin Jiuwei, her little face flushed with excitement.
The waiters served exquisite tea and snacks, along with the restaurant's specialty glutinous rice balls, in a continuous stream. The adults sipped their tea, watched the children play, and chatted idly.
Looking down at the smiling crowd below, Xiao Xun said to Qi Huaihe, "Master Qi, this year's lantern market seems even more lively than in previous years?"
Qi Huaihe cupped his hands and smiled, "Thanks to... cough cough, thanks to the peace and prosperity of the world, the weather is favorable, the trade routes are smooth, and the people have extra money in their pockets, so naturally they are willing to come out and have some fun. To be honest, the Ministry of Revenue estimates that this lantern market alone will boost various forms of consumption in the capital, and tax revenue will be several times higher than usual." He habitually began to do the economic calculations.
Xin Yunzhou took a bite of a sesame-filled glutinous rice ball and mumbled, "Lively is good! Lively scenes show the prosperity of our Great Liang! It's just that there are too many people, so security needs to be taken seriously." His professional instincts kicked in, and his eyes scanned the area downstairs like lightning, as if assessing where a stampede might occur.
Xin Xiyao and Lin Jingshu huddled together, whispering about which family had the newest and most ingenious lantern designs, and which silk shop had come up with new patterns, exchanging tips on managing a household and running a business. Xin Kui carefully cooled the glutinous rice balls for Xiao Yue'er while also looking after the other children.
Su Wenqing sat somewhat reservedly next to Lin Jingshu, and when Xin Yunzhou pulled him aside to ask about court anecdotes, he responded appropriately.
Just then, an even louder cheer erupted from the riddle-solving arena downstairs. A simply dressed scholar had just solved several difficult riddles, winning thunderous applause and a hefty prize.
Xiao Chengji watched intently, then suddenly said, "Father, that scholar is truly remarkable. 'Boundless falling leaves rustle down,' what character is it? It's the character '日' (sun). I thought about it for a moment before I understood."
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