“Boom! Boom! Boom!” An explosion of festive firecrackers erupted, blasting large patches of white snow into the air. Throughout the streets and alleys, countless children laughed and played, covering their ears as they set off the relatively inexpensive “Single Thunder Crackers” that made loud noises but produced few sparks, enjoying themselves immensely.

The twenty-fifth Lantern Festival since the enthronement of Emperor Gao of the Great Xia Dynasty had finally arrived amid the rumbling sound of firecrackers. This day was also the fifty-seventh birthday of Emperor Zhao Zhengde. The entire nation was filled with a deliberately created festive atmosphere. The firecrackers freely distributed to the citizens of Zhenhuang City by the government successfully added to the grandeur of this celebration. The master of the Golden Palace greatly appreciated this approach taken by the Metropolitan Governor, and immediately issued a commendation, rewarding Metropolitan Governor Wei Shuyou, who hailed from the Wei clan.

Amidst the booming sounds of firecrackers, the Zhuge manor was also busy preparing for this important festival. On this day, Zhenhuang City was shrouded in heavy snow, with flakes as large as goose feathers drifting down from the sky. The elderly in the city said that this year’s heavy snow was somewhat unusual, as in previous years, frost had just begun to appear at this time.

Chu Qiao wore a newly made light pink gown with a fox fur cape draped over it. Her small face, as white and delicate as jade, was nestled in the snow-white fox fur, her cheeks tinged pink, and her large round eyes sparkling. Snowflakes fell gently on the tip of her nose, and the child wrinkled her small nose slightly, appearing especially adorable.

“Xing’er, the Young Master is calling for you.”

The newly arrived little maid Huan’er came running over, panting heavily with her hands on her waist, calling out between deep breaths.

Chu Qiao slowly turned around, saw Huan’er’s disheveled hair, and naturally walked forward, stood on her tiptoes to smooth her hair, saying calmly, “Look at you, couldn’t you have walked more slowly? What urgent matter could there be that you had to run like this?”

Huan’er was already eleven years old, but for some reason, when facing this little one who wasn’t even eight yet, she always felt like she was the child. She obediently bent down to let Chu Qiao fix her hair, saying, “Xing’er, please hurry, the Young Master is waiting for you.”

Chu Qiao put her hand down, nodded, and said, “Let’s go.” She led the way toward the main hall, taking steady, unhurried steps.

Huan’er frowned as she watched for a moment, then shook her head and hurriedly followed.

Compared to Chu Qiao, Zhuge Yue was the one with a slow temperament. Pushing open the door to the main hall, she saw the Zhuge family’s Fourth Young Master sitting on a heated couch carefully examining a game of chess, his brows slightly furrowed, appearing very focused.

Chu Qiao checked each item they would need to bring along one by one, then quietly handed them to the other attendants. After everything was prepared, she poured a cup of clear tea, gently placed it beside Zhuge Yue’s desk, and then sat directly by the incense burner, resting her chin on her hand as she waited quietly.

Time passed slowly. The attendants outside the door had already peeked in many times. Finally, Zhuge Yue pushed aside the chessboard and stood up. The waiting maids immediately came forward to help him put on his deerskin boots. Zhuge Yue wore a moon-white robe with dark blue flowers and a large red fox fur coat. Though not yet thirteen years old, he carried himself with an unmistakable maturity.

“Let’s go.”

Zhuge Yue spoke softly and left with his entourage. In front of the Zhuge family’s main gate, a row of fine horses was waiting. Due to Zhuge Yue’s delay, the other young masters of the Zhuge manor had already departed. A servant knelt on the ground with his head bowed. Zhuge Yue walked forward calmly, stepped on the servant’s back, and mounted his horse in one fluid motion.

After everyone was ready and about to depart, Zhuge Yue suddenly turned his head toward the maids from Green Mountain Courtyard who were respectfully seeing them off, and asked, “Xing’er, have you ever seen the Lantern Festival?”

Chu Qiao was startled and quickly shook her head. Zhuge Yue nodded, “Come up, I’ll take you.”

Chu Qiao was stunned for a moment before she realized what Zhuge Yue meant by “come up,” and quickly said, “Young Master, this is against protocol.”

Zhuge Yue frowned, about to speak, when Chu Qiao immediately stepped forward and said, “Xing’er can ride a horse herself.”

Zhuge Yue looked doubtfully at Chu Qiao’s small body, his skepticism very obvious.

“If Young Master gives Xing’er a small horse, Xing’er can ride it.”

Hearing this, Zhuge Yue smiled lightly and nodded to his attendant Zhu Cheng. Soon, a small chestnut-colored horse was led out. It was small, but still much taller than Chu Qiao. Everyone’s eyes were on Chu Qiao, seeing that she wasn’t even as tall as the horse’s legs, and some looked on with schadenfreude.

The child walked around the small horse twice. Even when she raised her hand high, she could barely touch the horse’s back. Zhuge Yue’s eyes flashed with amusement, and he was about to call someone to help her up when he suddenly saw the child grab the reins, use a bit of strength, and climb up onto the horse in one swift motion. Her movements were surprisingly agile.

A series of admiring exclamations immediately arose from the crowd. Zhuge Yue turned his head to see the child dressed all in white, like a small snowball, sitting upright on the horse with her head held high. He couldn’t help but laugh softly before turning to ride away.

Of course, Chu Qiao knew how to ride a horse. Although her current body was not very convenient, thankfully this small horse was very docile and obediently followed the other horses when they started moving.

Zhenhuang City had no curfew, and today being the Lantern Festival, the streets were even more lively. It was approaching evening, and the sky was gradually darkening. The streets were illuminated with colorful lanterns, like trees of silver flowers, with fragrant breezes drifting by. Looking around, the Nine Wai Road that ran through the city was filled with exquisite lantern decorations. Along both sides of the road were two rows of large red lanterns stretching like dragons, and countless buildings had been transformed into stages. Singing, dancing, acrobatics, drama, and clamorous music all converged in one place. Lanterns and fireworks made the city’s night as bright as day. Countless small vendors were shouting to attract business on the streets, selling cooked wine, tobacco, tea, food, clothing, fruits, vegetables, household items, utensils, fragrant medicines, fresh flowers, cosmetics, and fireworks. Every little trinket that could please people was available. The nightscape of this prosperous era unfolded like a brilliant brocade, with all the magnificent splendor imaginable chaotically mixed, winding and turning, progressing and receding, spilling boundless extravagance across the north-south warp and weft of Zhenhuang City.

Chu Qiao sat on her horse, looking around, taking in this rare sight of ancient nightlife.

The Zhuge family was a prestigious clan, and wherever they went, people made way for them. As they passed an ornate pavilion, they saw many brightly colored lanterns displayed on the platform, in unique styles—there were various auspicious animals, as well as immortals, flowers, and plants, all quite novel and distinctive.

Seeing that Zhuge Yue had stopped, the stall owner immediately came forward with a large golden dragon lantern, his mouth full of auspicious words. Zhuge Yue seemed not to hear and pointed to a lantern on the high platform, saying, “Bring that one here.”

The stall owner looked back and was surprised to see that what the renowned Fourth Young Master of the Zhuge family was pointing to was actually a snow-white rabbit lantern.

With the lantern in his hand, Zhuge Yue’s usually indifferent face showed a rare smile. He turned and handed the lantern to Chu Qiao, saying, “For you.”

Chu Qiao was slightly taken aback and instinctively reached out to take it, even forgetting to thank him. Zhuge Yue’s expression was calm as he turned his horse and continued forward as if nothing had happened. The attendants around them cast strange glances, carefully passing over Chu Qiao, with speculative meaning in their eyes.

Chu Qiao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry—he was treating her like a child.

The rabbit lantern was made very exquisitely, pure white all over with red eyes. Chu Qiao reached out and gently touched the rabbit’s mouth, and a small pink tongue made of colored paper suddenly stuck out, startling her.

Just then, a light laugh suddenly sounded. Chu Qiao turned her head, but at that moment, a procession of colorful lanterns just happened to pass in front of her, blocking her view. Golden dragons, colorful phoenixes, jade butterflies, white foxes, fairies, water gods, fragrant grasses, and orchids—every kind imaginable, dazzling to the eyes. The bustling crowd moved back and forth, with a steady stream of horses and carriages traveling along the main street of Nine Wai. The lights were brilliant, the jade blinding.

Time seemed to pass both slowly and quickly. Eventually, the lantern procession gradually dispersed. On the other side of the long street, by the frozen Red Water Lake, the snow stretched endlessly. Willows drooped low, snow hung from the trees. A black stallion stood leisurely nearby, and a young man in a green robe leaned casually against a tree trunk with his arms folded. His bright eyes looked toward her, his smile faint, his dark pupils like jade.

With a loud bang, everyone immediately looked up to the sky. Fiery trees and silver flowers filled the heavens as fireworks bloomed, resembling the long sleeves of celestial maidens dancing, or the sunset glow of magnificent brocade, dazzling and mesmerizing to behold.

At that moment, a mischievous child suddenly threw a firecracker under Chu Qiao’s horse. The small red horse, out on its first outing, was immediately startled. It reared up and galloped away without direction.

The servants of the Zhuge manor cried out in alarm, but unfortunately, they were separated from Chu Qiao by a large crowd and couldn’t get through immediately.

Seeing this, the young man under the tree leaped onto his horse in a flash, raised his whip, and galloped urgently in Chu Qiao’s direction.

Today’s first update, and the second update coming later.