Chapter 488: [Lantern Festival] (Part 2)

Wu Jing Shan and Wen Bo Yuan exchanged a glance, only to see Hu Xiaotian already stepping inside. Outside, snow had just begun to fall again. After entering, Hu Xiaotian brushed the snow off his clothes, stamped his feet, shaking off the ice and snow onto the ground. After finishing, he let out a long sigh and said, "I've advised her for half a day, but the Princess still insists on going to see the lanterns—what should we do?"

Wu Jing Shan and Wen Bo Yuan silently stared at him, thinking, "You just keep acting; everything is your doing, pretending innocence in front of us—who are you trying to fool?"

Hu Xiaotian saw that neither of them spoke, knowing they were surely blaming him for this. He took a step toward Wen Bo Yuan and said, "General Wen, you said to have people guard the Princess's residence, allowing no miscellaneous persons to enter—so how did the Princess learn about the lantern fair?"

"Uh..." Wen Bo Yuan had always known Hu Xiaotian was despicable, but he didn't expect this guy to be despicable to this extent, even trying to turn the tables. Wen Bo Yuan let out a cold snort and said, "Lord Hu, didn't you just go there?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "General Wen, are you doubting me by saying that? I swear to heaven, if I, Hu Xiaotian, ever took the initiative to mention the lantern fair to the Princess, may I be struck by lightning and pierced by a thousand arrows." The truth is, the lantern fair wasn't his idea at all; even if it were, he'd still dare to swear—this fellow never believes in superstition.

Wen Bo Yuan, hearing him utter such a vicious oath, couldn't help but feel somewhat shaken. Could it be that the Princess's suggestion to see the lanterns truly had nothing to do with him?

Wu Jing Shan said, "Lord Hu, it's the New Year—how can you utter such a vicious oath? No one said they don't believe you. We three are on an envoy mission to Da Yong, sharing the same goal: to deliver Princess Anping safely to Da Yong, with no one wanting extra trouble. In my opinion, why not have you, Lord Hu, go persuade the Princess again and see if you can talk her out of going to see the lanterns?"

Hu Xiaotian sighed and said, "I've already tried. The Princess won't listen; you don't understand—our Princess Anping is gentle on the outside but firm within. Once she decides on something, not even nine oxen can pull her back."

Wu Jing Shan said, "If that's really the case, we can only prepare in advance. If necessary, we can have Heavenly Wave City send troops to assist in defense and seal off Observing Ripple Street."

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, "The Princess specifically ordered that we must not disturb the local populace because of her visit to see the lanterns. In my view, we should wait until nightfall, escort the Princess out and back quickly—there's no need to mobilize a large force." He smiled at Wen Bo Yuan and said, "General Wen, your martial prowess is superb and you have many capable subordinates; with you protecting her from the side, I think there should be no problem."

Wen Bo Yuan furrowed his brows and said, "Since the Princess is determined to go, we can only follow her wishes. Here's what I'll do: I'll have people change into plain clothes to protect her along the way, and I'll also bring a few experts to provide close protection."

Wu Jing Shan said, "Really, we don't need to notify Heavenly Wave City?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Staying vigilant is appropriate, but there's no need to go overboard. We're still within Dakang's territory; Heavenly Wave City's security has always been good, and we already have plenty of people protecting us—we're just going to stroll around the lantern fair. It's not a battlefield, so Sir Wu is being overly cautious, isn't he?"

Wu Jing Shan said, "Being cautious is always good." He said that aloud, but deep down he also thought Hu Xiaotian's words made some sense.

As night had just fallen, Princess Anping Long Xi Yue left the inn accompanied by Hu Xiaotian and the others. The distance from the inn to Observing Ripple Street was a little over one li, and because of the lantern fair that evening, the residents of Heavenly Wave City, with their families, all headed to Observing Ripple Street to see the lanterns. At dusk, the road was bustling with people—traveling by carriage would be slower than walking. Thus, the Princess decided to go on foot.

Hu Xiaotian and Zi Juan walked on either side of Long Xi Yue, while Wen Bo Yuan led two warriors behind her. Ahead of the Princess were Zhan Peng and Zhao Chongwu, both experts from the Divine Strategy Manor Goose Unit, tasked with clearing the path.

The entire party wore plain clothes; Zi Juan held a snowball in her arms, bringing this little dog out to see the sights.

Hu Xiaotian left the inn, looked left and right, and saw that both sides of the street were hung with lanterns and decorations—a lively scene. The snowfall was light, sparse flakes falling silently; the red and white contrast added a special festive cheer of the New Year, and occasional crackling of firecrackers sounded from time to time.

Wen Bo Yuan's gaze turned to the rooftops on either side, where more than a dozen figures leapt and moved along the walls. They were also his subordinates, responsible for high‑point vigilance, checking for possible dangers; it could be said their precautions were thorough, almost guaranteeing absolute safety.

Long Xi Yue held a palace lantern in her hand, its warm light illuminating the way ahead. Gazing into the distance at the lantern market, sparkling like a galaxy, she felt an unprecedented ease. Snowflakes from time to time landed on her pretty face, quickly melting on her skin, bringing a faint coolness. She finally realized she had left Kangdu, left the palace that was like a cage. Although her future fate was merely moving from one cage to another, at least now she had her beloved by her side.

Her beautiful eyes glanced toward Hu Xiaotian, unintentionally revealing a hint of tenderness. Hu Xiaotian, however, seemed not to have noticed her gaze; he gently supported her arm and said respectfully, "Princess, please walk carefully!" How could he have missed it? But with so many people around, he dared not show any obvious reaction.

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the first full‑moon night of the year, symbolizing the renewal of all things and the return of spring to the earth. Ordinary people celebrate this night—not only as a continuation of the New Year, but also placing their hopes on a beautiful life in the coming year.

According to Dakang's folk tradition, on this beautiful night with the bright moon high overhead, people light tens of thousands of colored lanterns, running about in celebration. They go out to admire the moon, set off fireworks, guess riddles on lanterns, eat yuanxiao together, and enjoy family reunions—everything is warm and harmonious.

Upon reaching the main street, they merged into the joyful crowd, seeing lanterns of various shapes and myriad forms, and the smiling faces of those around them— their mood would be lifted, becoming cheerful.

As dusk had just fallen, because of the snowfall, no moon was visible in the sky. Every brick, tile, blade of grass, and tree in Heavenly Wave City was cloaked in silver white. At the entrance to Observing Ripple Street stood a towering gateway made of flower lanterns—majestic and radiant, lights interwoven, a riot of color. The whole of Observing Ripple Street surged with people, having become a river of flowing lanterns, a terrestrial Milky Way.

Stepping into Observing Ripple Street meant entering a world of lanterns: there were crimson and scarlet hundred‑flower lanterns, the Nine‑Lotus Treasure Pagoda lantern high above the road's center, revolving lanterns, jade‑rabbit lanterns, peacock‑display lanterns, Zi‑Ya's Investiture of the Gods lantern, three‑battle Lü Bu lantern, great havoc in Heavenly Palace lantern—all manner of gods and buddhas surrounded you, as if you had stepped into a fantastical, otherworldly mythic realm.

Going further, there were gourd lanterns, cabbage lanterns, watermelon lanterns, chili lanterns, and radish lanterns—like walking into a lively vegetable garden. Everywhere rose the sound of merry singing and laughter.

Princess Anping clung to Zi Juan's hand like a child, occasionally pointing and exclaiming with bursts of laughter.

Hu Xiaotian gazed at her gorgeous, peerless visage from the side; in his memory, Long Xi Yue rarely showed such joy—perhaps this was her true self. She ought to have been in her innocent, carefree years, yet she was reduced to a bargaining chip in political exchanges. While lamenting Princess Anping's unfortunate fate, Hu Xiaotian felt deep within a resolve to protect her safety for life; this time, no matter the cost, he would rescue her from the tiger's den.

Ahead appeared a stretch of animal lanterns: kitten lanterns, lamb lanterns, puppy lanterns. The snowball that Zi Juan held in her arms, perhaps seeing its kin, barked excitedly. The various colored lanterns were lifelike, vividly beautiful, beyond description—truly the work of masterful craftsmanship, dazzling the eyes, bewildering the sight; one could truly say the myriad world lay before one's eyes.

Wen Bo Yuan and the few warriors assigned to security dared not focus solely on admiring the beautiful scenery around them; they remained constantly alert to the people passing by, while also guarding Princess Anping to prevent her from being separated by the crowd.

Princess Anping had previously learned about Heavenly Wave City's lantern fair; she told Hu Xiaotian, "Heavenly Wave City's lantern fair is said to be the largest of its kind in the world. Each year, before the Shangyuan Festival, artisans begin their preparations, gathering colored paper, dyes, iron wire, bamboo strips, silk and cloth, then proceeding through the steps of cutting, trimming, painting, dyeing, assembling, wrapping, and threading. In the hands of these skilled craftsmen, the materials become lifelike, varied flower lanterns."

Hu Xiaotian complimented, "Princess, you are truly well‑versed and knowledgeable; astronomy and geography hold no secrets for you."

The Princess laughed, "That's hardly an exaggeration; I've only seen it in books before, and today I'm seeing it for the first time with my own eyes."

On Observing Ripple Street, myriad lanterns vied in brilliance, crowds thronged the street, lights flickered— the scene was extraordinarily lively.

The crowd ahead surged and gathered at the roadside, yet over there lantern riddles were hung—a favorite pastime of talented scholars and beauties. The Princess, rarely this happy, got so excited that she overlooked the throng around her and reached out to grab Hu Xiaotian's arm.

Wen Bo Yuan had been watching the Princess's every move; seeing her seize Hu Xiaotian's arm, his pupils contracted sharply and a flash of jealousy shot through him—but then he thought, Hu Xiaotian is merely a eunuch; why should he be jealous of a eunuch?

The Princess pointed to the lantern riddle above her head and said, "Only two people remain in the residence—guess a food." After a moment she laughed, "Isn't it tofu?"

The old man in charge of the riddles there laughed, "Miss, you guessed right—it's tofu!" He handed her a cloth tiger as a prize, and the Princess replied, "Thank you, sir." Only then did she realize she had been holding Hu Xiaotian's arm all along; her pretty face flushed red, and she hurriedly let go. Wen Bo Yuan observed this, a new doubt arising in his mind—looking at the Princess's bashful demeanor, it seemed somewhat odd; why would she act this way toward a eunuch?

The Princess pointed to another lantern riddle and said, "Unhappy?"

Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start when she suddenly uttered those words—how could she be unhappy when everything was fine? Following the direction of her finger, he realized she was reading a lantern riddle; the clue was "unhappy." Long Xi Yue blinked her bright eyes and said, "You guess!" From her expression it was clear she had already figured out the answer. (To be continued…~^~)