Facts proved that Dexi's experience was correct. There was indeed nothing wrong with Yinzuo's throat. After he came back, he took medicine for two days and was almost well. There is a saying that goes, "Child, child, don't be greedy. After Laba Festival, it will be the New Year." After the ice skating ceremony, time passed quickly and soon it was New Year's Eve.
The New Year celebrations in the Qing Palace this year were no different from those in previous years, and were still unremarkable. Yinzuo also performed steadily as in previous years. With his pleasing face, eloquent tongue, and skin thicker than a city wall, he coaxed the Empress Dowager and his father's group of wives into smiling faces in the Empress Dowager's Shoukang Palace, and finally came out with a pile of purses in satisfaction.
If you want to know when the capital is the most lively, it must be the Lantern Festival. It is said that the moon is above the willows and people make appointments after dusk. It is not even dark yet, and the people that Yinzuo made an appointment with have arrived.
"Sixth Brother, are you ready? Can we set off now?"
Yinsi, Yinlu, and Yinzhao had been out countless times, so they could still remain calm at this time. However, Thirteenth and Fourteenth, who were allowed to go out of the palace for the first time this year, were obviously impatient. Yinzuo was hurriedly dragged out by Fourteenth. When he stood up, his arm accidentally hit the corner of the table, which made him frown in pain. It took him a long time to feel better. When the pain passed, he immediately raised his hand and slapped Fourteenth on the shiny forehead.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Since I said I would take you with me, how could I really abandon you?"
Fourteen also knew that he was wrong in this matter. He was afraid that his sixth brother would really not take him with him in the future. Even if he was slapped on the forehead, he could only smile apologetically.
"Sixth brother, although I've always heard from Ninth and Tenth brothers how lively it is outside during the Lantern Festival, I've never seen it. Now that I can finally go out, I'm a little excited. Sixth brother, I was the one who was right just now. Please don't leave me alone."
Of course, Yinzuo would not abandon Fourteenth Prince just because of such a small matter. Without any further delay, they gathered their men and headed out of the palace.
The east wind blows thousands of flowers into bloom at night, and blows down stars like rain. The capital city is more lively than ever during the Lantern Festival. In addition to the various lanterns lining the streets, there are dragon and lion dances, lantern riddles, iron flower making, acrobatics, and small vendors selling all kinds of food and small items. The cries of hawking can be heard from all directions from time to time. This lively scene makes Thirteen and Fourteen, who are out of the palace for the first time, feel that their eyes are not enough to see enough.
"Wow~~Nine Brother, you really didn't lie to me before. The New Year celebration outside the palace is really much more interesting than inside the palace."
Perhaps because he was too excited, Fourteenth's voice was not restrained at all, which scared Yinzhen so much that he quickly covered his mouth. Fortunately, the street was very busy at this time and there were many guards around, so it did not attract too much attention.
"Keep your voice down, we're outside the palace. Watch what you say. The streets are packed with people today. You and Thirteen must stay close to us and don't run around. If you get separated with so many people on the street, it will be troublesome."
Fourteen nodded hurriedly, and Yin'er finally released his hand covering his mouth. They continued strolling along the street, and after a few steps, Fourteen's attention was drawn to a small stall selling dough figurines. He broke free from Yin'er's hand, grabbed Thirteen, and ran over there.
"Dexi, quickly take your men and catch up with those two guys. Make sure they stay under guard. Don't let anything get into trouble. I knew Fourteenth was always a worry. It seems Yinzhen ignored your words just now."
Looking at Yinzuo's furious look, Yinzhen couldn't help but think of the time when he and Yinzuo left the palace for the first time. It seemed that his sixth brother had scolded them in the same way.
"Don't worry, Sixth Brother. Didn't Dexi follow with his men? He's always reliable and will definitely keep an eye on those two guys for you. Thirteen and Fourteen, this is their first time seeing such a commotion, so it's natural to be excited. But after seeing this more often, it won't be a novelty anymore."
"Sixth brother, do you think this dough figurine looks like Fourth brother?"
Although this was the etiquette, it was still hard for Yinzuo not to feel a headache when facing such a troublesome brother like Fourteen. While they were talking, Thirteen and Fourteen came back with a few dough figurines each. Fourteen handed the dough figurines in his hand to Yinzuo, pointed at one of them and asked with a smile.
It was obvious that the masked figure was made based on Fourteen's description. His facial features were naturally not very similar to Yinzhen, but more like Fourteen. But if you look closely, you can see that the masked figure's expression does have some of Yinzhen's coldness, and everyone couldn't help but laugh.
"This dough figurine is made with great skill. Even though Fourth Brother isn't here, and the facial features are modeled after Fourteenth, the spirit is captured very well, with some of Fourth Brother's flavor."
Since it is the Lantern Festival, how can we miss the activity of guessing lantern riddles? Thirteen and Fourteen were quickly attracted by the colorful lanterns hanging on both sides of the street and wanted to go over.
"Sixth brother, I want to take that carp lantern back to give to my mother. Can you help me win it back?"
The owner of the lantern stall was an old man. When he saw that Yinzuo and the others were dressed in luxurious clothes, he knew that they were wealthy people. When he saw that Fourteen took a fancy to the carp lantern, the treasure of his shop, he hurriedly stood up and greeted them.
"Young master, you have a really good eye. I'm not bragging. Go around the capital and ask around. If we say my family is second to none in lantern-making craftsmanship, no one dares to claim first place. This carp lantern is our shop's treasure this year. The way to get it is simple. See the lanterns all over this wall? As long as you can guess the lantern riddles correctly and connect them into a line, whether it's horizontal or vertical, you'll be eligible to go up and shoot at the lantern. Although guessing the lantern riddles is free, shooting at the lanterns costs money. One ounce of silver per arrow. See that bronze gong up there? Shoot it three times and you can take the lantern."
Yinzuo immediately became interested when he heard this. Regardless of the boss's skill in making lanterns, he was quite good at doing business. He attracted customers by offering free lantern riddles and made money by spotlights. The gong looked quite large, but it was night time. Although the street was not too dark, the gong was hung so high that it was not easy to hit it, let alone hit it three times.
"Okay, boss, how about we guess riddles while my brother does the archery?"
Among them, Old Ten is the best archer, so the heavy burden naturally falls on him.
The boss looked at Yin Zuo, who was pointed at by Yin Zuo, and saw that Yin Zuo was only a boy of eleven or twelve years old. He did not think that Yin Zuo's archery skills could be very good, so he readily agreed.
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