Chapter 154 Chang'an Lights
Chapter 154 Lanterns of Chang'an
As August drew to a close, the autumn winds of September brought the fragrance of osmanthus and the message of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The summer retreat at the Lishan Villa was pleasant but short-lived, and the entire Duke's Mansion needed to return to the capital before the Mid-Autumn Festival to prepare for this most important festival of the year, a time for family reunion.
On the day of their return to the capital, the children were all a little reluctant to leave. Gu Sheng, clutching a small jar of pretty pebbles he had collected, begged his father to come again next summer. Mingxuan, though not explicitly saying so, also revealed a longing for the freedom of the mountains and fields in his eyes. Only Mo'er, the youngest and most innocent, was held in her wet nurse's arms, babbling and playing with her fingers, filled with excitement at the prospect of returning to the bustling capital.
Looking at the children, Su Wanrou felt a pang of emotion. Life in the mountains was peaceful and serene, seemingly isolated from the world, but ultimately, they belonged to the magnificent city of Chang'an, to the bustling, brightly lit city.
As the carriage entered the city gate, the lanterns were already lit. With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the streets and alleys of the capital were adorned with colorful lanterns, vying for attention and illuminating the night sky as bright as day. Shops and restaurants were bustling with customers; the cries of vendors, the laughter of children, and the rumble of carriages mingled together, creating a vibrant and prosperous symphony. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked mooncakes, the mellow fragrance of osmanthus wine, and the rich scents of dishes prepared for family reunions—a truly enticing aroma.
"Mommy, look! That rabbit lantern is huge!" Gu Sheng peered out of the car window, excitedly pointing to a giant revolving lantern on the street. It depicted the story of Chang'e flying to the moon, with the Jade Rabbit pounding medicine in a lifelike manner.
"Yes, it's really beautiful," Su Wanrou replied with a smile, her gaze involuntarily drifting to Gu Yangui beside her. Since the day they swore their vows for three lifetimes in the mountains, a deeper understanding seemed to have developed between them. No words were needed; a single glance was enough for them to understand each other's hearts. Now, watching his serene profile reflected in the flickering lights outside the window, Su Wanrou felt a sense of peace and warmth in her heart. This bustling world, because of his presence, had become the place her heart longed for.
Back at the Duke's mansion, everything was already prepared. The steward led the servants to properly arrange the luggage, and the mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, filled with festive cheer. After a short rest, Su Wanrou immediately devoted herself to preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet. This was her first major festival as the mistress of the Duke's mansion after making a vow for three lifetimes, and it held extraordinary significance. She hoped to make it as perfect as possible.
The altar for the moon-worship ceremony should be set up in the open pavilion of the back garden. A complete set of sacrificial utensils, seasonal fruits (especially a large watermelon symbolizing reunion), various mooncakes (five-nut, red bean paste, jujube paste, and ham are essential), and freshly harvested lotus root, water chestnuts, taro, and other "reunion fruits" are necessary. Gifts and rewards for everyone in the household must be sealed in advance, as there may be imperial decrees; preparations must be made for receiving them and returning the favors. Finally, the banquet menus for tomorrow and the day after must reflect the dignity of the Duke's mansion while also catering to the family's tastes…
Su Wanrou was busy but not chaotic, arranging everything in an orderly manner. Gu Yangui, on the other hand, was pestered by Mingxuan and Gu Sheng to go to the market to buy the latest lanterns. He didn't like noise, but seeing his sons' expectant eyes and Su Wanrou's smiling gesture, he nodded in agreement and went out with his two excited children and a few guards.
When night fell completely, Gu Yangui and his two sons returned, each carrying several lanterns. Mingxuan chose an exquisite unicorn lantern, Gu Sheng brought back a large, adorable carp lantern, and even Gu Yangui carried a simple lotus lantern, saying it was for Mo'er. Of course, the most numerous were all kinds of rabbit lanterns, large and small, in various shapes, filling the corridor.
"Mother, the street is so lively! There are acrobatics and dragon dances!" Gu Sheng's little face was flushed as he eagerly described what he had seen to Su Wanrou.
Su Wanrou listened to her son's chatter with a smile as she accepted the lotus lantern Gu Yangui offered. It was warm to the touch, and the lampshade was decorated with delicate cloud patterns, making it exceptionally elegant. She looked up at him, her eyes questioning. Gu Yangui nodded slightly and said softly, "I passed by a lantern shop and thought this one was serene and suitable for Mo'er."
Su Wanrou understood immediately; he must remember her fondness for the lotus's elegance. This subtle thoughtfulness touched her heart more than any sweet words.
On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the weather was perfect, with clear skies and gentle breezes. Early in the morning, palace eunuchs delivered festival gifts, consisting of brocade, palace cakes, and fragrant medicines, representing the imperial favor. Gu Yangui led his family to the front hall to express their gratitude and reward the eunuchs. Afterwards, Su Wanrou also began distributing festival gifts and rewards to the servants in the household, and everyone's face was filled with joy.
In the afternoon, the family sat together, enjoying the various mooncakes carefully prepared in the kitchen. Su Wanrou had specially cut the mooncakes into small pieces so the children could easily eat them. Gu Sheng ate his mooncake with red bean paste all over his mouth, still clamoring for the largest piece with the word "reunion" printed on it. Mingxuan, already acting like a little adult, ate politely, but his eyes were full of satisfaction. Mo'er, held by her wet nurse, could only watch longingly, smacking her lips, making everyone laugh. Although Gu Yangui didn't like sweets, under Su Wanrou's expectant gaze, he ate a small half of a ham mooncake, a faint smile always playing on his lips.
The warmth of family gathered together, sharing precious moments, is a feeling that no delicacy can compare to.
Night finally fell, and a golden full moon slowly rose into the dark blue sky, its clear light bathing the pavilions and towers of the Duke's mansion in a soft silver glow. In the open pavilion of the back garden, the altar for moon worship had already been set up, with fruits and mooncakes piled high, and incense smoke rising in wisps.
As the head of the family, Gu Yangui took the lead in burning incense and praying for the moon goddess's protection, wishing for peace and prosperity for the family and the nation. Following him, Su Wanrou led the children forward to pay their respects in turn. Mingxuan's demeanor was solemn, and Gu Sheng, imitating his brother, did a respectable job. Mo'er, held by Su Wanrou, also waved her little fist at the full moon, as if greeting it.
After the moon-worship ceremony, it was time for the children's most anticipated moment—to admire and play with the lanterns. The garden was filled with lanterns of all colors, adorning the night with dazzling lights. Mingxuan and Gusheng, each carrying their own lantern, chased and played among the artificial hills and pavilions, their clear laughter startling the birds perched in the trees. Mo'er, carrying her small lotus lantern, was supported by her wet nurse, walking unsteadily, the lantern's light reflecting in her bright, dark eyes.
Su Wanrou and Gu Yangui stood side by side by the waterside pavilion, watching the children play. The bright moon in the sky and the lights on the shore were reflected in the water, shimmering and dreamlike. The evening breeze carried the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, refreshing and delightful.
"Time flies," Su Wanrou sighed softly. "Last Mid-Autumn Festival, Mo'er was still an infant, and this year she can already walk with a lantern."
Gu Yangui held her hand, his palm warm: "Days pass by in such reunions." He paused, his gaze turning toward the imperial city, where lights shone brightly and the faint sounds of courtly banquets could be heard. "Look at Chang'an."
Su Wanrou followed his gaze. From the high-lying back garden of the Duke's mansion, one could see most of the capital. Thousands of lights, like scattered stars, shone brightly against the backdrop of the moon and the Milky Way. On Zhuque Avenue, a procession of torches stretched like a dragon—the imperial regalia; the East and West Markets remained bustling with activity, the lights of restaurants and teahouses as bright as day; in the ordinary alleys, the warm glow emanating from the windows of every household intertwined to create a vast, boundless sea of lights.
These lights are a symbol of peace and prosperity, a testament to family reunions. Under each lamp, perhaps a similar story unfolds: the joy of a long-awaited reunion, the warmth of family gathered together, and the hopeful anticipation for the future.
"Do you remember our first Mid-Autumn Festival after we got married?" Gu Yangui suddenly asked.
Su Wanrou paused for a moment, then remembered. At that time, she had only recently married into the Duke's mansion, and was still unfamiliar with Gu Yangui, and even more cautious with Mingxuan. That year's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, although the etiquette was impeccable, always felt separated by an invisible layer of distance. During the moon worship ceremony, she didn't even dare to look up at the bright moon that symbolized reunion, only feeling that its clear light was somewhat cold.
“I remember,” she answered softly, her tone tinged with a wistful sense of nostalgia, “Back then… I always felt that this mansion was too big and the moon was too far away.”
Gu Yangui tightened his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace, and gently nuzzled the top of her head with his chin: "And now?"
Su Wanrou leaned against his strong chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, watching the children laughing and playing in front of her, and gazing at the dazzling sea of lights in the distance that symbolized a prosperous and thriving era. Her heart was filled with a huge and reassuring sense of happiness.
“Now,” she raised her head, her eyes reflecting the bright moon and the lights, shimmering with light, her voice gentle yet firm, “now I only feel that the moon is full and people are at peace, that this is a prosperous and peaceful world. With my husband and children by my side, every light in this world is warm and dear.”
Gu Yangui lowered his head and placed a kiss on her smooth forehead, his gaze as deep as the night: "Among these lights of a prosperous age, one is lit for us. In the future, there will be many more."
His words were simple, yet they revealed the most basic truth of happiness. The nation is vast, but the family is small. This magnificent land stretching for thousands of miles, this ancient city of Chang'an illuminated by countless warm and loving families, possesses true soul and warmth precisely because of these millions of warm and harmonious homes.
As night deepened, the children, tired from playing, were taken to rest by their wet nurses and maids. The garden gradually quieted down, with only the lanterns under the eaves still casting a soft glow. The full moon had risen high in the sky, its clear light growing ever brighter.
Su Wanrou and Gu Yangui did not immediately return to their room. Instead, they stood together by the waterside pavilion, enjoying the tranquility that followed the commotion.
"Returning home after the banquet," Su Wanrou called softly, "thank you."
"Thank me for what?"
"Thank you for giving me a home, allowing me to have my own light among the myriad lights of Chang'an." Thank you also for giving me the courage to make a three-life vow, hoping to see the splendor of this world with you through countless lifetimes.
She didn't say what she wanted to say, but Gu Yangui seemed to understand. He simply hugged her tighter, responding to her deep affection with his actions.
The moonlight is like water, the lights like stars. The moon is full in the sky, and families are reunited on earth. The lights of this prosperous Chang'an will forever illuminate their path as they walk hand in hand, from youth to old age, from this life to the next.
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