The sun had yet to fully set, but Danyang City had become a dazzling sea of lanterns.
Fireworks rose from every direction. Out on the street, an elephant draped in gold and silver pulled an enormous lantern float several people tall through the streets, surrounded by townsfolk and children chasing after it to watch the spectacle.
Along the railings beside the street, many beautiful ladies dangled fruit from long poles to feed it. The elephant raised its trunk, curled it around the offerings, and delivered them into its mouth.
"Pawooo~"
"Wow! Mother, this elephant is so well behaved~"
Xie Jinhuan stood waiting by the street. At the sight of such splendid scenery, he could not help thinking of his father, whose fate remained unknown, and longing stirred in his heart.
Coal Ball had little concept of the Mid-Autumn Festival. All he cared about was eating. Seeing everyone feeding the elephant, he opened his beak in imitation, hoping the beauties on the second floor would feed him too.
As it happened, a brightly dressed lady above spotted him and really did toss down a green fruit, along with a flirtatious glance.
Xie Jinhuan caught the fruit. Since he still had a landlady to attend to, he did not go up to strike up a conversation. After he waited a little longer, hoofbeats came from the end of the street.
Clip-clop, clip-clop...
Looking back, he saw a luxurious carriage drawn by four pure-white horses abreast approaching from Wencheng Street. Light and shadows were visible inside, but not its occupants.
More than a dozen soldiers flanked it, with Liu Qingzhi leading in front. Steward Hou rode alongside, waving a white paper fan as he went. His shifty-eyed appearance made him look exactly like a lackey scouting pretty young girls for some dissolute