Chapter 227: Picking Weeds from the Immortal Pond, Lotus Lanterns Reflecting the Starry Sky
The next morning, just as daybreak approached, Sizhui was awakened by the chirping of birds outside the window. He jumped up, quickly changed his clothes, and ran to the courtyard. Wei Wuxian was already waiting for him with a bamboo basket on his back, and Lan Wangji was carrying a food box filled with prepared snacks and water.
“Zhui’er, you’ve arrived just in time!” Wei Wuxian smiled and waved, “Your brother Lin and grandfather are already waiting at the door. Let’s go to the Imperial Garden now!”
Si Zhui skipped over and took Lin Yan's hand, his eyes full of anticipation. They chatted and laughed as they walked towards the Imperial Garden. The morning breeze, carrying the fragrance of the fairy lotus, felt particularly comfortable brushing against their cheeks.
The fairy pond in the Imperial Garden was even larger than Sizhui had imagined. Lotus flowers, pink, white, and pale purple, filled the pond, blooming like colorful clouds in the morning light. Wei Wuxian put down his bamboo basket, rolled up his sleeves, and jumped into the shallow water. "Zhui'er, watch out! Daddy will teach you how to pick lotus pods!"
He reached out and grasped a lotus pod, twisted it gently, and plucked the plump pod, throwing it to Sizhui: "Look, choose the ones with shiny green shells and plump seeds, they're sweet!"
Si Zhui imitated him, tiptoeing to reach a shorter lotus pod and carefully twisting it off. As soon as he peeled a lotus seed and put it in his mouth, the sweet taste instantly spread on his tongue, even sweeter than the star dew fruit he had eaten last time.
"Delicious!" Si Zhui's eyes lit up, and he hurried to pick a second one. Lin Yan stood beside him, helping him hold the swaying lotus stem and occasionally wiping the dew off his face.
Jun Wu and Mei Nianqing sat in the pavilion by the pond, watching the children play. Mei Nianqing took out the materials he had prepared for the lotus lantern—sheets of pale pink lotus paper, thin bamboo strips, and wicks soaked in nectar. He patiently taught Si Zhui how to weave the bamboo strips into a circle, "First, bend the strips into a circle, then secure them with cotton string. Be gentle and don't break them."
Si Zhui studied very hard, and although his fingers were a little clumsy, he slowly managed to weave a small circular skeleton. Wei Wuxian came over and joined in the fun, "Daddy Nianqing, I'll make one too! I want the biggest one, so it will be the brightest at night!"
Lan Wangji sat nearby, watching their frantic activity. He couldn't help but laugh, and he too picked up a piece of lotus paper and helped paste it onto Sizhui's woven frame. As the sun set, several lotus lanterns were finally completed—Sizhui's was small and exquisite, Wei Wuxian's was indeed the largest, and the one Jun Wu and Mei Nianqing had crafted together was embellished with fine silver foil, making it particularly delicate.
As night fell, tiny lights flickered around the pond. People held lotus lanterns and gently placed them on the water. Sizhui's lantern drifted away with the current, its wick's light reflected on the water, juxtaposing with the stars in the sky like a streak of diamonds scattered across the pond.
"It's so beautiful!" Si Zhui lay by the pond, looking at the direction where the lotus lanterns were disappearing into the distance, his tone full of amazement.
Wei WuXian sat beside him and ruffled his hair. "Let's come here every summer to release lotus lanterns, okay?"
Si Zhui nodded vigorously and turned to look at the people around him - Lan Wangji was looking at him gently, Lin Yan handed him a peeled lotus seed, Jun Wu and Mei Nianqing stood side by side by the pool, the moonlight shining on them, the scene was as warm as a painting.
Si Zhui suddenly felt that perhaps this was what happiness was all about—having family by his side, a loved one by his side, being able to do the things he loved together, and being able to make ordinary days full of joy. He quietly held Lin Yan's hand and leaned closer to Wei Wuxian, his heart filled with peace.
The night breeze blew gently, and the lotus lanterns drifted slowly on the water, carrying everyone's wishes, drifting away into the distance. But the lights of Yunshen Pavilion remained warm, waiting for them to return and continue writing this chapter of love-filled years.
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