Volume Two: No Way Forward Amid Mountains and Rivers Chapter Seven: The Festival

Yao Bo Gong stood beneath the porch, hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at the thickening snowfall as if lost in thought.

Huan Nu, hunched and weathered, approached from behind, her hands cupped against the cold. She glanced at Yao Bo’s peculiar demeanor, then couldn’t help but lift her own gaze skyward.

Suddenly sensing someone beside him, Old Yao whipped around and saw a bent figure staring at the heavens in an odd posture. He barked, “You fool, what are you sneaking around for, standing so quiet next to me?”

Huan Nu grinned and replied, “Manager Yao, there’s a group from the palace outside. They said with all these days of heavy snow and bitter cold, they’ve brought our master some silver coal, fine wines, and delicacies for a proper Spring Festival tonight.”

Old Yao snorted, “The palace won’t let us in, but they keep sending things over. I really don’t know what the Prince of Changshan is scheming.”

Huan Nu scratched her head and feigned confusion, “Right! Our master’s gone three times to request an audience with the prince, but he keeps finding excuses not to see her. At least the gifts and supplies never fall short.”

Old Yao turned and spoke to Huan Nu, “Yesterday I heard the master say everyone’s endured months of hardship on the road, so she wants the young ladies to enjoy a proper holiday. You hurry and make preparations, see what needs to be bought and get it. Don’t worry about the price.”

Huan Nu answered joyfully, “I’ll make sure the master has a comfortable festival. Though I used to just tend horses and drive carts in the Yan Kingdom palace, it’s the buying and arranging that I’m best at!”

Old Yao, seeing her boast again, impatiently interrupted, “Tending horses and driving carts are still your main tasks. If you plan to stay long beside the young lord, just do your work well!”

Huan Nu chuckled, “Manager Yao is absolutely right. I’ll get to it now.”

Night had not yet fallen, but in Changshan City, wealthy merchants were already setting off fireworks and firecrackers. At Zhuo Hua’s suggestion, everyone gathered in the kitchen to wrap dumplings together. The crackling of firecrackers and the steaming dumplings instantly brought forth the festive New Year atmosphere.

Zhuo Hua, his face radiant and slightly flushed with drink, raised a small cup and addressed everyone, “Tonight we celebrate the New Year together. It’s such joy. The New Year in this world is truly delightful!”

Old Yao quickly chimed in, “Heh, New Year’s is about drinking, eating meat, wrapping dumplings. And if the young lord gives us a big red packet, that’s even better! Hahaha!”

Zhuo Yun kept her head down, busy with the feast. Hearing the mention of red packets, she looked up and glanced around, “Where are the red packets? Where?”

Su Xin squinted her phoenix eyes at Zhuo Yun, then shot Zhuo Hua a look and pursed her lips, signaling Zhuo Yun to ask Zhuo Hua for one.

Little Zhuo, holding a drumstick, asked Su Xin in confusion, “Sister Su, why are you winking at me? Are your eyes uncomfortable?”

Qin Ying couldn’t stand it anymore and held out her palm to Zhuo Hua, “Since we’re all so happy, shouldn’t you, Young Master Zhuo, show your generosity?”

Zhuo Yun suddenly stood up, enlightenment dawning, “Oh~ Sister Su, you wanted me to ask my brother for a red packet!”

Everyone burst into laughter. Old Yao pointed at Little Fish, then at Su Xin, who was covering her face and shaking her head, laughing so hard he nearly doubled over.

Zhuo Hua laughed heartily and stood to address them, “Red packets! I have none on me, but I’ve ordered Old Yao to prepare them! And I have one special grand red packet: tonight, whoever finds the copper coin in their dumpling will…”

Before he could finish, Zhuo Yun cried out, and everyone turned to her. She pulled a golden copper coin from her mouth, holding her aching cheek and exclaiming in pain.

Laughter mingled with the sound of fireworks and the whisper of falling snow outside, painting a beautiful and touching scene of New Year’s Eve.

The fifteenth day of the first month: sunny.

After the snow ceased, Changshan City possessed a characteristic Central Plains heaviness. Not long after dawn, the servants at the courier inn began shoveling the accumulated snow from the courtyard.

Qin Ying rose early. Huan Nu had just finished adding straw to the stable when Qin Ying was already dressed and groomed.

Stepping through the moon gate, she encountered Su Xin, also elegantly dressed. Qin Ying teased, “Sister Su, I wonder which young gentleman is fortunate enough to invite you to the lantern festival today?”

Su Xin pursed her lips, “Certainly not our young master. Everyone knows that to save me, he promised this year’s Lantern Festival to you.”

Qin Ying, in good spirits, ignored Su Xin’s barbed words and simply reminded her to return early, then departed gracefully.

Arriving at Zhuo Hua’s courtyard, she found the door still shut and guessed that Zhuo Hua and Old Yao must have drunk together last night. She glanced at the still low sun, tightened her russet and white fur cloak, and sat in the courtyard to wait for Zhuo Hua.

Before long, the door creaked open. Zhuo Hua, his face smooth as jade, clad in a dark cloak and a scholar’s cap, stepped into the courtyard. He saw Qin Ying sitting at the stone table, her head resting on one hand, gazing at the sky. Zhuo Hua studied her: brilliant pearl hairpins, delicate makeup, skin like snow—she looked exceptionally lovely.

“You’re up early!” Zhuo Hua called.

Qin Ying turned quickly at his voice, and upon seeing Zhuo Hua, broke into a smile, “Zhuo Hua, do you know what day it is today?”

Zhuo Hua thought for a moment, “Today? Isn’t it the fifteenth of the first month?”

“And what day is that?” Jin Mu Gan pressed anxiously.

“It’s the Lantern Festival!” Zhuo Hua replied.

Qin Ying was delighted and hurriedly asked, “What do you do for the Lantern Festival?”

“The Lantern Festival? We admire lanterns!” Zhuo Hua said as he started to leave the courtyard.

Qin Ying quickly rose and grabbed his sleeve, “No more riddles! You promised me you’d accompany me to the Lantern Festival today, don’t you dare back out.”

Zhuo Hua froze, then feigned sudden realization, “Ah! So that’s today! My goodness, I nearly forgot.”

Qin Ying’s anger flared, and she reached out to strike him. Zhuo Hua raised his hand to catch hers, pleading, “Mistress, please show mercy! Let’s talk this over. Why do young ladies always resort to fists?”

Qin Ying lowered her hand and retorted, “Isn’t this just what you like?”

Laughing and chatting, the two entered the main hall, where everyone else was eating breakfast. Zhuo Yun greeted them, “Brother, Sister, you’re up! Come eat. Then we’ll go out to play! The streets are so lively today.”

As they ate, Old Yao leaned in to whisper to Zhuo Hua, “Master, there’s news from the Prime Minister’s residence.”

Zhuo Hua nodded and kept eating. Yet, he quietly transmitted his voice to Old Yao, “What is it?”

Old Yao was startled, but then composed himself and replied, “The White Tiger Palace just sent word. The purpose of the white fur has been discovered. That imperial advisor surnamed Yuan is transporting large quantities of silver fox and snow dog pelts to the northwest of Huaxu Kingdom, where the Sun Worship cult’s headquarters lies.”

Zhuo Hua’s brows knitted, his eating paused. Qin Ying leaned in, concerned, “Zhuo Hua, what’s wrong? Is the food not to your liking?”

Zhuo Hua smiled at her and shook his head, then resumed eating.

Old Yao continued, “After delivering the pelts, they are made into helmets.”

“Helmets?” Zhuo Hua asked.

“Yes, helmets,” Old Yao confirmed.

“You’re certain they’re only making helmets, not armor?” Zhuo Hua sounded tense.

Old Yao considered and replied, “I personally checked with the messenger on both sides. They only mentioned helmets, nothing else.”

Zhuo Hua grew more uneasy and sent another message, “Tonight, come with me to Huaxu Kingdom. We’ll investigate their stronghold.”

Old Yao was startled and raised two fingers, asking aloud, “Just the two of us?” His voice was loud; everyone stopped and stared.

Zhuo Hua cleared his throat, nodded, set down his food, wiped his mouth, and left.

Qin Ying, puzzled, asked Old Yao, “What are you two planning?”

Su Xin drew close to Old Yao, circled him, sniffed for a moment, and said, “It smells of conspiracy.”