Chapter 31: The Demon Lord Junzhu's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 31: Qiqiao Festival (1)

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

The little stallholders along the roadside have all started setting up their stalls. In front of the stall selling sugar-roasted chestnuts, hot steam rises; the chestnuts are plump and round, glistening with an enticing sheen, and that caramel aroma seems able to drill through the air straight into one's nose, making the heart itch. The stall selling glutinous rice balls — the balls are white as snow, like round, adorable pearls, soaking in sweet soup, making one want to taste a bite at first glance. And the stall selling osmanthus cake — pieces of osmanthus cake are stacked together, dotted with golden osmanthus flowers on top, emitting bursts of quiet floral fragrance, as if able to transport one into a dreamlike world.

Qianqian stands on this bustling street side, her eyes not enough to take it all in; at once she is dazzled by all these various delicacies, her saliva like beads from a broken string, almost flowing down. One moment she points at the sugar-roasted chestnuts saying she wants to eat them, the next she stares at the glutinous rice balls shouting she wants to eat those. Yan Si, meanwhile, follows tightly behind his younger sister, occasionally paying the bill along the way, busy and delighted, afraid his younger sister will get lost.

The group is walking leisurely when suddenly they see Qi Yu bringing Qi Xi out to play as well. The moment Qianqian's little face sees Qi Xi, it blooms like a flower, overjoyed beyond measure; the two young ladies immediately hold hands, chattering away as they share the tasty treats. Yan Wang and Qi Yu, finding such slow walking too boring, run off together to play, leaving Qi Xi with Yan Shuang'er. Qi Yu is completely at ease, knowing Yan Shuang'er will certainly take good care of Qi Xi.

Now it's good — Yan Si originally only needed to watch one younger sister, but suddenly it becomes two, and it wears him out. Yan Xiner and Yan Shuang'er, the two of them, walk arm in arm behind Yan Si; on one side they admire the beautiful night scenery of the street, on the other they feel the warm breeze brushing their cheeks. Colorful lanterns hang high on both sides of the street, their light casting the whole street in a dreamlike glow. Yan Shuang'er, while admiring this beautiful scenery, secretly keeps an eye out for suitable candidates to be her eldest brother-in-law, the little schemes in her heart almost impossible to hide. Yan Xiner, on the other hand, doesn't have so many thoughts; she simply goes with the flow, happily following everyone to enjoy this leisurely time.

As the two chat and laugh, they hear someone say the flower floats are starting to parade, beginning from the moat, circling once and returning; thus the crowd surges like a tide toward that wide moat. Yan Shuang'er, too, her face full of urgency, pulls Yan Xiner along, striding quickly toward the moat. Just then, a strange sight gradually appears in their view: a steed, pure white as snow, like a cloud, pulls a delicate carriage slowly forward. On the white horse's head sits a carefully worn, colorful floral wreath, as if adding a mysterious and noble air. This carriage is designed extremely uniquely — open-topped, completely exposed to the sky; the carriage's surroundings seem tightly encircled by a sea of colorful flowers, countless gorgeous blossoms vying in splendor, emitting bursts of refreshing fragrance.

Right then, on the carriage surrounded by flowers, stands a woman. She wears a robe pink as peach blossoms, the fabric light and flowing, as if it could dance with the wind. A thin veil rests lightly on her face, faintly revealing a trace of mysterious beauty. Her hair is pinned with all kinds of small, exquisite flowers, each seeming endowed with life, shining brilliantly. Around her neck winds a circle of exquisite floral wreath, complementing her attire, making her exceptionally moving. In her hand she holds a dazzling bouquet; the flowers in the bouquet are gorgeously fresh, as if carrying endless blessings and beauty.

It turns out this woman standing on the carriage is the one everyone calls the Matchmaker Goddess. Reportedly, she was selected after Tianxiang Building's entire afternoon of careful screening. Tianxiang Building — that is a place where literati and refined scholars gather; they often heatedly discuss poetry, songs, and other elegant arts there. The selection criteria for the Matchmaker Goddess are extremely strict: she must be already married, with a happy and fulfilling family life, and must be proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting — truly possessing myriad virtues. Such a choice also signifies passing on one's own happiness to others, while using one's own power and charm to help many men and women achieve beautiful marriages, letting more people harvest their own love and happiness. And behind that magnificent carriage closely follow twelve women of graceful figures; they are like a flowing scenic line, two by two, shoulders aligned, feet in step, walking slowly. Each woman holds an exquisite flower basket; the baskets are like small works of art, filled to the brim with colorful petals, as if a dreamlike gift meticulously woven by nature. They walk with elegant steps while gently scattering the petals from their baskets to the surrounding crowd; the petals dance in the air, falling like colorful snowflakes onto the mortal world. Those showered with petals — children's faces instantly bloom with innocent smiles; they cheer and jump, as if feeling health and vitality flowing through their bodies; unmarried men and women's eyes flash with expectant light, silently praying to find their own beautiful match; married people show satisfied expressions, as if seeing family happiness unfold before their eyes. Most people wholeheartedly hope to be showered with petals, to enjoy this mysterious blessing. However, Yan Xiner slightly furrows her brows; she feels this all carries a somewhat superstitious air, but Yan Shuang'er enthusiastically drags her toward the flower float, and helpless, she too is gently showered with petals. Beside them, Qianqian and Qi Xi, these two clever, mischievous, excitement-loving little ones, squeeze forward with all their might, afraid of missing this rare scene. Yan Si follows behind with a worried face, afraid the two naughty little ones will get lost, only able to follow step by step, squeezing forward. Thus the group slowly walks a circle with the flower float, as if immersed in a dream world. The flower float leisurely returns to the bank of that wide moat, quietly waiting for the parade to end. When the dazzling flower float parade finally draws to a close, the whole street seems to awaken from a dream, leaving behind a faint floral fragrance and beautiful memories in people's hearts. After the parade ends, many people start releasing flower lanterns; by the river there are many vendors selling flower lanterns. Yan Shuang'er, in high spirits, pulls Yan Xiner, trotting all the way to the lantern-release spot. They seem like two happy little birds, eyes flashing with expectant light. The two each select an exquisite pink lotus lantern; the pink hue is like peach blossoms just blooming at dawn, gorgeously fresh. They carefully pick up brushes, seriously writing their innermost wishes on small paper slips, then carefully tuck them into the lanterns.

Yan Xiner solemnly writes the words "Hope family stays healthy," her heart filled with deep love and blessings for her family. Yan Shuang'er writes "Hope eldest sister Yan Xiner soon finds a satisfactory husband"; this concern and expectation flows from her pen. After writing, the two look at each other and smile, eyes full of determination. Then they use matches to light the candles at the lanterns' bases; the weak flames instantly illuminate the entire lanterns, as if lighting the hope in their hearts.

Afterward, they gently place the lanterns into the river; the lanterns are like little boats carrying dreams, slowly drifting away with the current. On the black, ripple-glimmering river surface, these pink lanterns are exceptionally eye-catching; they are like stars twinkling in the night sky, reflected in the water, forming a beautiful scroll. As the river flows, the lanterns drift farther and farther; the lanterns' petals, under the candles' burning, slowly, gracefully bloom, as if displaying their beauty and mystery to the world.