Lantern Festival

"Lantern Festival..."

Liang Qu carried a lantern and gave it a gentle turn. The entire lantern was exquisitely crafted and nimble, about the size of a small watermelon. From its handle to the ribs holding open the lantern's surface, everything was made of delicate ivory-white tusk. The white paper pasted over it was traced with golden rolling clouds.

He raised his head to the sky.

Auspicious clouds drifted slowly, while the icicles on the treetops flowed with clear light.

Without realizing it, he had already been in the Imperial Capital for a month.

The New Year Festival was coming to an end.

Whoosh.

Bang! Before the sky had even darkened, colored lanterns fluttered everywhere. The first firework wrapped itself around children's laughter, shrieking as it burst into the night sky and scattered a pale orange glow.

Then, like the first rooster to crow in a morning henhouse, the entire Imperial Capital awoke and stirred. The shrieks came one after another as fireworks constantly rushed into the sky, like shooting stars fired in reverse.

Liang Qu looked up. He had never seen any place squander fireworks with such extravagance. At the instant night fell, the sky was dyed into a luxuriant basket of flowers, bursting with great blossoms of every vivid color.

Fireworks spread across the heavens. Moon Gazing Tower lit up from bottom to top, layer upon layer of splendid orange-yellow light rising until it became a beacon capable of illuminating the entire Imperial Capital, eclipsing the round moon above.

Gongs and drums rang out.

Fire Tree Silver Flower bloomed.

A vermilion dragon head wreathed in blazing flames roared past overhead.

The stilt-walking troupe swung their red sleeves, bamboo stilts beneath their feet rising more than a zhang high. Finding gaps in the crowd, they followed the dancing dragon