Chapter 431: 427: Negligence_1

In a flash, it was the fifteenth of the first lunar month. Yingbao and her mother changed into their light dresses, and went to enjoy the lanterns with a group of palace maids and servants.

Weng Xiuxiu also came along, carrying her daughter, fitting right in with the crowd.

She and her daughter Wan Zhu were well-fed and well-clothed in the Jiang Family. They quickly regained their health and vitality, and Xiuxiu appeared to have rejuvenated significantly.

“Mother, they’re beautiful!” Wan Zhu hugged Weng Xiuxiu’s neck with one arm, pointing at the festival lanterns on the roadside with the other.

Weng Xiuxiu nodded with a smile, “Whichever one you like, mother will buy for you.”

The county lord and Anren were both very amiable and had given her an extra red packet for the New Year, amounting to ten taels in total, as a gift for Wan Zhu.

Xiuxiu planned to buy a rabbit lantern for her daughter to bring her joy.

Wan Zhu withdrew her hand and whispered, “No, let’s save the money for mother’s old age.”

Xiuxiu kissed her daughter’s little face and said, “Mother’s old age is still a long way off, and festival lanterns aren’t expensive. If Zhu likes one, we’ll buy it. You can even light it tonight.”

Only then did Wan Zhu nod and look carefully at both sides.

The eaves of the shops on both sides were hung with all kinds of colorful lanterns emitting warm glows. There were glazed palace lanterns, lotus lanterns, horse lanterns, white elephant lanterns, and crab lanterns.

There were also toad lanterns, official dolls’ lanterns, carp lanterns, immortal crane lanterns, peacock lanterns, mandarin duck lanterns, bull lanterns, and sheep lanterns—a great variety indeed.

In front of the merchants’ shops, all were hung with crab lanterns and square-hole money lanterns, symbolizing wealth from all directions and the ability to maneuver freely.

Yingbao and her mother strolled leisurely, finally stopping in front of their own shop.

She spent over two thousand taels of silver to purchase this three-story building, which was now managed by her second cousin, temporarily selling potted plants for all seasons.

When the price of potted plants went down in spring and summer, she would let her second cousin rent out one floor to sell Qinchuan County’s specialties.

Or perhaps opening a rouge and makeup shop wouldn’t be a bad idea, by that time, her cousin Yanru could manage it.

Considering Yanru could make rouge and makeup, she was likely experienced in that field and would find it easy to manage.

Moreover, with her backing, old makeup shops wouldn’t dare to make any underhanded moves.

“Madame Jiang, Yingbao, please go upstairs, everything is ready.”

Jiang Quan stood smiling at the door, “When the parade comes by later, you can watch it from the upstairs.”

Yingbao nodded and led her mother and the maids and servants to the second floor.

The second floor was quite spacious, with tables and chairs near the window for pleasant viewing.

The second cousin had even instructed the servant boys to brew almond tea and light many lanterns, lighting up the entire floor.

Under the eaves of the first floor, about a dozen lanterns were hung, and about ten colorful streamers were hung. On the streamers were yellow strips of paper, each with a riddle written on it. Visitors could guess the answers. Whoever guessed correctly could receive a corresponding prize.

The rewards that Yingbao offered were very generous. She told the palace maids and servants by her side, “You all can guess too. If you get it right, you can get a prize.”

The least valuable prize was three colored sugar balls, followed by five candy balls, then ten candies, a silk flower, a lantern, and so on, with the top prize being a pair of silver-bead flowers worth five taels of silver.

All these prizes were listed on a large red paper, and posted at the entrance of the shop to attract customers.

Seeing that the county lord had given them permission to participate, the palace maids and servants couldn’t hide their excitement. After bowing, they ran downstairs, laughing and joking around the lantern riddles.

Magnolia and Meixiang did not go downstairs, but stayed quietly by the county lord’s side.

Xinghua, Zhenzhu, and Hupo had learned quite a few characters under Yingbao’s supervision and could barely understand the riddles on the lanterns. However, among the servants, only two could read, and the others were just there for the excitement.

Whether they could read or not, these young girls standing under the lanterns at the entrance of the shop made a beautiful sight, quickly attracting a lot of young men.

Jiang Quan had a few servant boys nearby to watch, not allowing anyone to take advantage of the girls.

Weng Xiuxiu also came to guess the lantern riddles with her daughter, and actually guessed several correctly, though they were all candies.

Wan Zhu joyously took down the yellow strip of paper that her mother had correctly guessed and handed it to the servant in charge of distributing rewards.

This servant was an official slave, named Xiong Shan, around thirty years old, a robust servant assigned to Jiang Jie by the Imperial Court.

“Uncle Xiong, my mother has guessed another one right, the answer to this riddle is ‘Beginning of summer’, is it correct?” Wan Zhu grinned at Xiong Shan with a smile.

Xiong Shan took it and checked the answer.

The riddle was ‘Yu the Great becomes the king’ (guess one solar term), and indeed, the answer was ‘Beginning of summer’.

“That’s correct, here are your prizes.” Xiong Shan counted out five candies for Wan Zhu.

Wan Zhu was overjoyed and stuffed all the candies into her little bag.

“Mother, my bag can’t hold anything else.” Wan Zhu nestled in Weng Xiuxiu’s arms and said.

Weng Xiuxiu, cradling her daughter, laughed and said, “Then let’s stop guessing and go buy a lantern.”

“Alright.”

Xiong Shan glanced at the mother and daughter, then suddenly said, “I happen to have a rabbit lantern here, I’ll give it to you.”

He then took out a small colourful rabbit lantern from behind him, it was just the right size for a child of Wan Zhu’s age to carry.

Wan Zhu cheered and happily took it, “It’s beautiful, thank you, Uncle Xiong.”

Weng Xiuxiu felt somewhat apologetic and asked, “How much for the lantern?”

Xiong Shan: “I’m giving it to Wan Zhu, it’s free.”

“How can we accept this?”

“It’s a toy for children, worth nothing. Besides, you’ve helped me make clothes before.” Xiong Shan glanced at Weng Xiuxiu, “Xiuxiu, it’s not easy for you to raise a child. If you ever need help, just let me know. I will definitely help if I can.”

Weng Xiuxiu’s pretty face blushed, she gently nodded her head.

Suddenly, the street was in an uproar, with the sound of gongs and drums echoing through the air.

A group of shirtless men held aloft the Nomaden Dragon Lantern, waving it incessantly. From a distance, the dragon on the lantern seemed to have come alive, baring its teeth and claws.

Following the dozen or so men holding up the dragon, dozens more were carrying various Carp Lanterns, singing and dancing as they walked: “In the first month of the year, the mirror of jade shines on the emperor’s platform, lusty songs and quick drums bring the celebration, as the golden dragon and carp descend to the mortal world, bringing longevity for ten thousand years…”

Following the dragon procession were many dancers and musicians, as well as people dressed up in various characters, such as Zhong Kui, Xiangliu, God of Wealth, Goddess and so on, dancing as they walked.

These parades would walk around the Duan Gate of the Imperial City twice to perform for the Emperor and the imperial consorts on the Xuande Tower.

Only after the dragon-dance procession had passed did Yingbao come down from the upstairs with her mother.

As she passed by Xiong Shan, she glanced at him.

This man had a stern face and a robust body, which matched Weng Xiuxiu quite well.

Alas, she had neglected the matter of lifetime partners for the servants and maids in her household.

Especially the four Palace Maids given to her by the Emperor, and the two male servants of Jiang Jie, all of them were not young anymore.

Just like Meixiang, she should be nineteen this year, right? Lan Xiang should also be eighteen or nineteen, it was high time they got married.

But what kind of families should she find for them to match?

Unlike normal servants, these palace maids were of good social status and could be sent back to their families when they got older if their masters were willing.

However, Yingbao couldn’t just let them go, considering that they were sent by the Emperor and could very well be his spies.

Perhaps, when she returns, she should ask Meixiang and the others if they want to get married.

If they do, she could arrange for them… hmm, to seek a husband.