novelden Chapter 188 Releasing Sky Lanterns
Chapter 188 Releasing Sky Lanterns
As night falls, more and more stalls selling lanterns and sky lanterns appear on the streets, their orange glow illuminating the entire area and creating a beautiful scene.
The locals all wore traditional local clothing, which was quite different from the clothing worn by Song Jiaojiao's family.
Basically, it's a two-piece outfit. Women wear a plain-colored, wide-sleeved cotton jacket with a front opening, and usually wear a matching tube skirt with embroidered patterns on the trim.
The head ornaments are mostly simple, with ordinary people mostly using fresh flowers as head decorations.
Mu Xue was very curious about the local clothing, and Song Jiaojiao didn't want to be too flashy, so she accompanied Mu Xue to a clothing store and bought several sets of local clothes.
They also provided two sets for each of Xu Sen and the others.
Mu Xue even used her own pocket money to buy several sets for Mu Qing, who was far away in her hometown. She truly never forgot her older sister, no matter where she went.
After changing their clothes, the two strolled along the street with the crowd. To celebrate the Lunar New Year, there was no curfew in Xishuang County these days, giving everyone plenty of time to enjoy themselves before heading home.
"Madam, the locals will also hold a sky lantern release ceremony tonight, right there in the open space in the middle of town where they hold the sacrificial ceremony," Xu Sen said softly from the side. In the past two years, he had heard a lot about the customs of other places at the escort agency, and the Water Splashing Festival in Xishuang County was one of them.
"Releasing sky lanterns?" Song Jiaojiao asked in confusion.
"Yes, it's like the Kongming lanterns we have back home, used to express wishes," Xu Sen said.
"So that's how it is," Xu Sen explained, and Song Jiaojiao immediately understood.
"Mom, I want to go see?" Mu Xue said coquettishly, clinging to Song Jiaojiao's arm and gently shaking it.
“Okay, but shouldn’t we go choose the sky lanterns first?” Song Jiaojiao was also curious, so she agreed.
"Okay, Mother, let's go choose a lamp now."
Mu Xue pulled Song Jiaojiao to the nearest stall. The various sky lanterns dazzled her, making her suffer from decision paralysis. She really didn't know which one to choose.
Song Jiaojiao looked at Mu Xue, who was struggling with her dilemma, and shook her head with a smile.
Song Jiaojiao's gaze was drawn to the various lanterns in front of the stall. There were so many different kinds of lanterns that Song Jiaojiao picked up a lotus lantern at random.
A red Chinese knot hangs from the long handle, and the lotus-shaped lantern has a candle in its center, which looks very beautiful against the pink petals.
After Mu Xue chose her sky lantern, she saw the lotus lantern in Song Jiaojiao's hand and liked it very much.
Then they went back and chose a carp lantern. The bamboo lantern was covered with oiled paper and shaped like a carp. The head, tail and body were divided into three sections. It would sway from side to side, just like a carp swimming in water.
It must be said that the craftsmanship of the ancients was truly exquisite.
Amidst laughter and cheerful chatter, Song Jiaojiao and her group slowly made their way to the altar.
A bonfire was lit in the center of the altar, and men, women, and children danced around it to the rhythm of the music, performing local traditional dances.
The sky was filled with countless sky lanterns, their vast expanse dazzling the sunlight. It truly made one realize how little knowledge one has when it comes to using it; the only word to describe it is "absolutely beautiful."
After excitedly releasing the sky lantern in her hand, Mu Xue joined the locals in their dance, holding up her carp lantern.
The orange-red firelight reflected on her radiant smile. Mu Xue imitated the locals' movements, swaying from side to side like a joyful little deer.
Song Jiaojiao watched quietly from the side. It was rare to see Mu Xue so happy after being out for so long.
As midnight approached, the grand banquet gradually came to an end.
On the way back to the inn, Mu Xue, her face flushed with excitement, exclaimed, "Mom, this place is so much fun! Mu Mu said there's a water festival tomorrow! Can I go?"
Mumu is a new friend of Muxue's. The two are about the same age and get along very well.
Mumu's parents run a small furniture store in town. Mumu's father is a carpenter, and all the furniture in the town is made by his own hands. They mainly make small pieces of furniture, while larger pieces are custom-made by customers.
Business wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either; it was enough to cover Mumu's family's daily expenses. Mumu was an only child, and her mother had a difficult childbirth, which damaged her health and may make it difficult for her to have children in the future.
"Okay, let's hurry back and get some rest so we'll have the energy to go out and play tomorrow," Song Jiaojiao said with a smile. It was rare to see Mu Xue so excited, and Song Jiaojiao didn't want to be a spoilsport.
Hearing Song Jiaojiao agree, Mu Xue's grin never stopped.
The next day,
Song Jiaojiao was awakened by Mu Xue, who got up early. Still half asleep, she completely forgot where she was and lingered in bed for a while before she became more awake.
Today, Mu Xue is wearing the local specialty clothes she bought yesterday. When she puts on these clothes, people who don't know her might think that Mu Xue is a local.
Song Jiaojiao yawned as she washed up. She had been traveling by carriage for several days, and the fact that she didn't get back to the inn until after midnight last night reminded her of the pain of staying up all night.
Looking at the energetic Mu Xue in front of her, Song Jiaojiao really didn't know how she could be so energetic. Was it because she was getting old?
"Mother, hurry up! Mumu and I agreed to meet at the altar last night," Muxue urged anxiously.
Song Jiaojiao looked at the sky outside; the sun hadn't risen yet, it was probably just past Chen Shi (7-9 AM).
"Mu Xue, it's still early. The sun hasn't even risen yet. Besides, we haven't had breakfast yet. We should eat breakfast before we go."
Song Jiaojiao slowly put down the cotton cloth in her hand and said softly.
"Oh dear, it's getting late. Let's eat and go early. Mumu said we should go early to get good seats." Muxue was excited at the thought of splashing water later.
Song Jiaojiao shook her head helplessly and had no choice but to follow Mu Xue to the dining hall. Breakfast had been prepared in advance, and it was obvious that this little guy had it prepared.
Following Song Jiaojiao's usual habits, the meal included steamed buns and millet porridge, along with local pickled vegetables and, of course, eggs, which were a daily necessity.
Mu Xue picked up the egg, peeled it quickly, and handed it to Song Jiaojiao, afraid that Song Jiaojiao would waste time at this step.
She then quickly ate the steamed buns, occasionally taking a sip of millet porridge. Watching Mu Xue eat in such a bold and unrestrained manner, she exuded the spirit of a chivalrous heroine.
Song Jiaojiao was starting to wonder if she had been raising Mu Xue in a bad direction; she and Mu Qing were completely different.
Seeing Song Jiaojiao staring blankly at her, not having eaten a single bite of the egg in her hand, Mu Xue mumbled something indistinctly.
"Mom, hurry up, I'm almost finished eating."
Coming to her senses, Song Jiaojiao chuckled and began to eat, unconsciously speeding up her pace. Breakfast, which usually took her fifteen minutes to finish, only took her half the time today.
Song Jiaojiao was dragged out of the house by Mu Xue right after she finished eating.
The streets today are completely different from yesterday; every household has wooden buckets and large vats filled with water placed in front of their doors.
They just waited for the ceremony to begin before splashing water.