Chapter 366: Qingqing · Lantern Festival Ancient Costume Limited Edition

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival.

Chen Shu is helping Qingqing put on her clothes.

A few days ago, he bought a set of traditional clothing and traditional elements for both Qingqing and Xiaoxiao.

The one he bought for Qingqing is a garment similar to the Song-style xiapei from his past life, originating from a dynasty preceding Dayi.

At this moment, Qingqing wears an elegant, understated tube top on her upper body and a lotus-root-colored pleated skirt reaching her ankles below. Chen Shu is currently bent over, tying the sash for her. As he ties it, he watches a video, eventually tying a beautiful imitation ribbon knot that hangs on her right side.

"Is it done?"

A cold, clear voice comes from above.

"Done."

Chen Shu straightens up, takes a step back to create some distance, and examines her.

At this point, the dressing is not yet finished; the light, thin fabric only reveals her tall and slender frame, which is somewhat on the thin side, and it is only after she drapes a long, front-opening robe over herself that she looks normal. Once she drapes on a silk wide-sleeved robe as thin as a cicada's wing, the ivory-white, semi-transparent fabric embroidered with a bird-and-branch pattern, the wide sleeves are light and nimble; before the wind even blows, the hem is already fluttering, immediately revealing a touch of ethereal, immortal grace, as if she is about to float away at any moment.

Chen Shu is momentarily stunned.

Even a fairy descending to the mortal world would likely not be her equal.

Ning Qing glances at him indifferently; she shows nothing on her face, but inside, she is a tiny bit smug.

Then, she picks up the xiapei from the side.

The xiapei is also made of silk, just like the wide-sleeved robe, but the fabric is slightly thicker, the transparency is slightly lower, and the embroidered flower-and-bird pattern is more abundant, with brighter colors. She drapes it over her shoulders, and thus, amidst the ethereal grace, a touch of exquisite temperament is added, and she lands back on the ground, no longer about to float away.

"Come help me."

"Oh, oh..."

Chen Shu only then snaps out of it and hurriedly goes to help her fasten it.

The xiapei is similar to a shawl; draped over the shoulders, it needs to be fastened, or it will slip off.

Ning Qing could fasten it herself, just as she is actually capable of tying the knot for the sash, but she just asks him to do it for her; she likes this process.

"Beautiful!"

Chen Shu stares intently at her, as if unwilling to miss a single second, and then says to her:

"Spin around."

Ning Qing silently complies.

As she spins, the hem of the skirt lifts slightly, the cicada-wing-like garment rises, and the xiapei also swings; perhaps only the term "peerless beauty" can describe her.

"Truly beautiful..."

Chen Shu cannot help but whisper softly.

Seeing his expression, the corners of Ning Qing's mouth curl up slightly, but she says nothing more, only lifting her feet to walk outside:

"Let's go."

As she walks, the hem of her skirt sways and her sleeves flutter, bringing with them a faint fragrance.

Chen Shu follows this figure.

Outside, Xiaoxiao has finished changing clothes even before them.

She is wearing an improved traditional element, resembling the Ming style from his past life, originating from the early days of Dayi—wearing a stand-up collar, front-opening garment inside, and a short, half-sleeved jacket outside. The short jacket is of a snowy-white, furry texture with a rabbit pattern on it, and below is a horse-face skirt. Hanging from her waist is also an exquisite little pouch, bright red, like a lucky bag.

She is truly a cute young lady of a wealthy family.

"Does it look good?"

The little girl looks at them with an expressionless face.

"It looks good!"

Chen Shu answers without thinking, looking her up and down: "This outfit of yours seems more convenient to wear than your sister's."

"That is because I am very focused when I get dressed, so I am faster than you two."

"..."

Chen Shu is silent for a moment, then turns and walks toward the courtyard gate:

"Let's go."

The sisters follow him one after the other. The younger sister, walking at the back, closes the courtyard gate and then trots to catch up. Before long, the two of them are walking on his left and right sides.

Outside, the sky is already turning dark.

Today, there is a lively lantern festival in the ancient town at the foot of the mountain.

Relying on the five-thousand-year historical heritage of the Spirit Sect, the Lantern Festival in Yuding Ancient Town is famous both at home and abroad. Many tourists travel thousands of miles to come here, and if they are lucky, they can also view the rapeseed flowers among the mountains after touring the lantern festival; it is very cost-effective.

There are also ancient cultivators of the Spirit Sect coming down from the mountain, and there is no lack of High-Tier big shots who were like gods in ancient times, which also attracts a portion of the tourists.

On this day, not a single regular street light in the ancient town will be turned on.

All lighting is supported entirely by various types of colorful lanterns.

There is no need to worry about it being very dark, because the colorful lanterns fill every corner of the entire ancient town; they are all meticulously designed, of all shapes and sizes, dazzling to the eyes.

At the same time, on this day, all residents, business owners, and service personnel in the ancient town will change into traditional clothing. There is no hard requirement for tourists, but most tourists, in order to fit the atmosphere, will also change into clothing that at least contains traditional elements.

Chen Shu and his group also followed the trend.

Even Taozi is wearing a semi-transparent light gauze ru-skirt—the kind made for cats.

As for what Chen Shu is wearing—

Omitted.

When they descend to the ancient town, the sky is completely dark.

The streets are packed with people; there is no day more lively than today. Everyone is wearing all kinds of ancient costumes, and for a moment, it feels as if they have traveled through time and space. Yet, the clothes everyone wears include styles from every dynasty, each one more beautiful than the last, and the materials are definitely not something ordinary people in ancient times could have possessed.

Chen Shu holds Qingqing's hand, refusing to let go, looking at the lanterns one by one.

Some lanterns are purely beautiful, but when he encounters one he truly likes, he leans in to look at the small characters written on the plaque below, which record the name of the lantern and brief information about the designer, and some even include an explanation of the design concept. He does not want to know the designer; he just wants to see what the name of the person whose design result struck his heart is. Some lanterns have poems or riddles written on them, and he reads them out to share with Qingqing and Xiaoxiao.

"Chang'e descends to the mortal world, guess a flower name," Chen Shu says, staring intently at Qingqing, "No cheating."

The little girl immediately revealed a thoughtful look.

Qingqing, however, showed disdain:

"Monthly rose."

"Why?"

"The moon is lonely."

"Next..." Chen Shu looked at the next one, "Weightlifting, guess an idiom."

"Calculating every ounce."

"Reacting so fast?" Chen Shu scratched his head and looked at the next one, "You definitely can't guess this one, 'bizarre', still guess an idiom."

"Great promise."

"..."

Chen Shu and Xiaoxiao exchanged a look, then said: "Answering so fast, you must have cheated!"

"Must have cheated!"

"No."

"Must have cheated!"

"Must have cheated!"

"I am very smart."

"I am also very smart! I didn't even react as fast as you!" The little girl stared at her with a serious face, "You must know the answer!"

"It seems you are not smart enough."

"!"

The little girl frowned, unable to accept this, so she turned her head to say to her brother-in-law beside her: "Next, we won't let her participate!"

"Good! Don't let her participate!" Chen Shu looked at the next one again, "Post, guess an idiom."

"Post..."

The little girl muttered, her brows tightly furrowed.

"Post..."

Chen Shu also frowned in thought.

Ning Qing, having her hand held by him, only looked at them indifferently and did not speak.

In the end, the two thought for a long time without coming up with the answer, and since there was no answer key on the lantern, they still had to ask her for help.

Facing the two's inquiry, Ning Qing slightly raised her chin and only said:

"I am not participating."

"Oh, hurry up and tell us, hurry up and tell us..."

"It was you who wouldn't let me participate."

"Hurry up and tell us, hurry up and tell us..."

"..."

Ning Qing felt him gripping her hand tighter; she pursed her lips before giving the answer:

"Listening to all directions."

"Why?"

"Ear, eight squares."

"…You can even think of something so tricky? You must have cheated." Chen Shu said firmly, "To maintain your high-IQ persona, what a pity, this method is ultimately a bit inferior."

"Cheater!"

"..."

Ning Qing silently shook her hand: "Let go."

"Why?"

"Let go."

"I exposed you a little, and now you won't let me hold your hand? Isn't that too petty?"

"Let go."

"Impossible."

Today's Qingqing was truly too ethereal; she rarely dressed herself in such a magnificent style, and Chen Shu dared not let go, for if he did, she would fly away.

"Brother-in-law—"

At this moment, the little girl dressed in an ancient-style padded jacket pointed forward: "There are prizes for guessing lantern riddles over there! So many!"

The two exchanged a look and both turned to look at Qingqing.

Qingqing was expressionless.

That night, she completely became a tool for the two to earn prizes, winning a bowl of potatoes, a bowl of jelly noodles, a cup of sour plum soup, a roll of paper, five skewers of toothpick meat, and one deep-fried giant squid; the expensive ones included a jar of honey and a set of ceramic bowls, with the ceramic bowls being the most expensive, which she only obtained after passing through many trials.

"A full harvest!"

Back on the mountain, Chen Shu was still immensely proud.

"They are all mine."

Ning Qing did not forget to remind him coldly from the side.

"Well, you, Secretary Ning, you're drawing such a clear line with me now." Chen Shu shook his head and said to her, "I am very disappointed in you; tonight you must let me check your development status to make up for it."

"..." Ning Qing pursed her lips, too lazy to pay him any mind, "When are we returning to Yujing?"

"In a few days, before the twentieth." Chen Shu thought for a moment and said, "Chen Banxia's birthday is on the twenty-first; if we don't go back, she will definitely make a fuss."

"Mr. Chen is working hard, being both a younger brother and an older brother."

"I thought you were a father."

"......"

Ning Qing walked silently toward the bathroom.

"Where are you going?"

"To change clothes."

"Why change clothes so early?"

"To cultivate."

"Don't change, just cultivate like this."

"No."

"I beg you."

"......"

Ning Qing stopped, turned to look at him for a few seconds, and ultimately walked back.

This person was shameless.

A moment later, she was in her ethereal ancient dynasty attire, sitting cross-legged; her pleated skirt was spread neatly on the bed like a flower, her ceremonial cape also draped tidily, and the ivory-white silk garment, which felt like sheer gauze, covered her body, though the bodice could not fully conceal her upper torso, revealing a patch of snow-white skin beneath her neck, and as she closed her eyes, she looked just like a fairy.

Chen Shu had started cultivating with her, but he couldn't help but get distracted, and his progress fell behind before he knew it.

More than four hours later.

The night on the mountain was already deep.

When Chen Shu opened his eyes, Ning Qing, who had finished cultivating first, had already changed back into her regular pajamas, was leaning against the headboard, covered by the quilt, and was staring at him.

"Heh..."

Chen Shu yawned and looked at her strangely: "Are you cultivating Eye Desire again?"

"So what?" Ning Qing raised an eyebrow at him, remaining indifferent, "Only you are allowed to look at me, but I'm not allowed to look at you?"

"Look then, look then."

"......"

"I feel like in a little while, I can try to attempt the Seventh Stage... When do you think I might succeed?"

"I don't know, and I can't guess," Ning Qing replied, "The apotheosis of the Calamity-Bearing Bodhisattva causes great interference to the prediction lines, especially for those of you who benefit during the Calamity-Bearing Bodhisattva's process of becoming a god; the future of the prediction lines is almost useless as a reference, and I don't have the ability to guess when you will succeed on my own."

"Is that so..."

Chen Shu nodded, indicating he understood, then asked another question: "And you?"

"It's still early for me."

Chen Shu nodded again.

Ning Qing had not entered the Forbidden Land, so her Spirit Sea cultivation was currently lagging behind most of the group members.

However, for a Secret Sect Practitioner, Spirit Sea cultivation was only auxiliary, and its main function was manifested in "killing," with little help in other aspects. For them, what was more important was their insight and attainment in the Secret Sect System.

"Ah..."

Chen Shu stretched, fell backward onto the bed, and then crawled into the quilt.

Ning Qing also lay down, letting him hold her; as long as his hands didn't wander, she would pretend she hadn't said "tonight is an exception" earlier, and even if his inherent Sword was poking her uncomfortably, she would just pretend not to know.

"Sing for me tomorrow," Ning Qing said to him, who was within arm's reach, her voice very soft, her breath like orchids, "Help me cultivate."

"You really do treat me as a cultivation tool."

"For every song you sing, I'll give you twenty yuan."

"Twenty?"

"I'll add five yuan for you."

"...... What exactly have I done to make you disrespect me so much?" Chen Shu said in a low voice, "If you had come to ask for my help as a girlfriend, you would have already received my promise, but you aren't even willing to call me husband."

"Thirty."

"Keep dreaming."

"Are you going to sing or not?"

"Not singing."

"......"

Ning Qing made a move to get up and sleep on the sofa.

"Sing, sing, sing!"

Ning Qing, carrying a bit of "so that's all it takes" contempt, lay back down.

The two still didn't stop chatting, still whispering, and because they were so close, they exchanged their warm breaths, only willing to fall asleep late into the night.

Golden Jasmine has initiated the Save Monthly Ticket Plan for you—

It's the end of the month again, and the monthly tickets in your hands are about to expire. If you all have nowhere to cast them, you can cast them for Jasmine. Otherwise, it's a waste if they expire; you'd be losing a hundred million!