LGSLAW : Chapter 53 – River Lanterns

Normally, the village is quite dark at night, but tonight, torches are set up along the path leading to the river, making it lively despite the lack of a formal lantern festival.

Where there are crowds, there is money to be made. Quick-witted villagers set up stalls along the road. There are stalls selling river lanterns, candied hawthorn, sweet potatoes, osmanthus cakes, sesame cakes, and cool drinks, as well as bamboo and wooden toys for children. Festivals are the happiest time for children, and these stalls are sure to make a profit.

The villagers, in small groups, walk towards the river, each carrying a river lantern. Most of these are the cheapest white paper lanterns made to look like lotus flowers. When lit and floated down the river, the glowing white lotuses gently drifting with the water create a romantic and poetic scene. It’s no wonder this Mid-Autumn night also serves as an opportunity for matchmaking.

In his original memories, Miao He had several encounters with Miao Yuan by the river during Mid-Autumn Festival. Fortunately, these were not personal experiences, so Miao He only vaguely remembers them. Now, holding hands tightly with Yang Dalang, he walks briskly, curious and excited by everything he sees.

Biting into the sweet and sour candied fruit he just bought, Miao He enjoys it immensely. The fruit used here isn’t hawthorn but pickled black pear. The tart, juicy flesh contrasts deliciously with the sweet sugar coating, offering a different taste from the hawthorn version.

“This is so good! It seems we haven’t planted these little pears yet. We should save the seeds for planting,” Miao He said, munching happily.

Yang Dalang extended his hand under Miao He’s mouth. “Give it to me.”

His intention to catch the seeds directly from Miao He’s mouth made Miao He blush. “I can do it myself.”

“No need, I’ll take it.”

Seeing his insistence, Miao He obediently spat the seeds into his hand and then offered him the remaining candied fruits. 

“Try some too. There are still two left. They’re really tasty!”

“Mm.” Yang Dalang didn’t take them with his hands but naturally leaned in to bite one off the skewer.

Such an intimate and natural action caught the attention of passersby. Both of them were considered quite attractive in the village. Miao He, with his increasingly fair and tender complexion, glowed under the lantern light. His curved eyebrows and constant smile made him look even more charming than some girls. 

As for Yang Dalang, dressed in fine clothes, he looked exceptionally handsome. His muscular build was well accentuated by the clothing. Even his fierce scar seemed less noticeable in the evening light, revealing his handsome features. Many people were surprised to realize that Yang Dalang was actually quite good-looking.

Moreover, this young couple was currently a hot topic in the village, making everyone passing by steal a glance or two.

This included Min Chun, who watched from the shadows.

Min Chun accompanied his mother tonight, while his intended husband, Miao Yuan, was not in the village. Comparing his own situation with the seemingly blissful and loving scene of Miao He and Yang Dalang, Min Chun couldn’t help but wonder why his life, as a fellow time traveler, was worse than that of a native ger.

Perhaps due to the initial rivalry over Miao Yuan, even though Miao He never noticed his existence and no longer had any relationship with Miao Yuan, Min Chun couldn’t help but glance at Miao He whenever they crossed paths.

And with each glance, a subtle envy and resentment would surface, even a bit of regret towards Yang Dalang. Min Chun thought, why hadn’t he chosen Yang Dalang back then? At the time, he only saw Yang Dalang’s miserable situation—no resources, nothing to exploit. Who would have thought he would turn things around so quickly? But it was too late to change his choice now…

As Min Chun pondered, more and more people gathered around Yang Dalang and Miao He. These were the men who had recently worked at Miao He’s house and their families. The well-paid and well-fed work of clearing the mountain made them stop to chat with Yang Dalang and Miao He when they met by the river.

This gathering of people coincidentally ran into another group—Miao Jue’s family.

Lantern floating is an activity for the whole family. Miao Jue led his son and daughter-in-law, along with their grandchildren, all surrounded by Miao Li and other relatives, gradually approaching Yang Dalang and Miao He.

From a distance, it looked like two armies facing off.

This was the first time the main parties involved in the land dispute and the feast incident had met face to face!

For a moment, the atmosphere seemed to freeze.

Busybodies, sensing the tension, stopped to watch the scene unfold.

Unexpectedly, it was Ying, the eldest daughter-in-law beside Miao Jue, who spoke first.

She stepped forward, smiling brightly, “Oh, isn’t this He and Dalang? What a coincidence! We were just praising your new house and wanted to congratulate you. I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Yang Dalang nodded briefly, pulling Miao He closer. The people who had gathered around them stepped back slightly, creating a clear space between the two groups.

Ying continued to smile, “Dalang is still as quiet as ever, but that’s okay. As long as you’re living well, that’s all that matters. Look at you two, so close and happy. I’m really happy for you. Our Yuanzi, on the other hand, has been so focused on his studies that he hasn’t settled his marriage yet. I hope he can be as affectionate with his future wife as you are.”

Her words made people realize that Miao Yuan, who should have been with his family for the lantern floating, was not present. Someone asked, “Is Yuanzi still in town studying? Why didn’t he come back for the festival? It’s Mid-Autumn, after all. No matter how hard he’s studying, he should take a break.”

Ying seemed to have been waiting for this question and quickly answered, “He wanted to come home for the festival, but he had an appointment to attend the town’s lantern festival.”

Putting two and two together, someone suddenly realized, “Wait, does this mean Miao Yuan is going to meet a prospective match at the town’s lantern festival?”

“Exactly! Even his mother went with him. It’s a proper meeting.”

Instantly, there was a buzz among the onlookers.

Miao Jue, who had been standing with his hands behind his back, his head held high, and a smug look on his face, glanced triumphantly at the young couple opposite him. He thought, so what if you live in a brick house? My Miao family can afford to build one too. But more importantly, we have status, officials, and power. Who cares about you peasants living off the land?

This matter, however, was fraught with uncertainty. For instance, the match depended on Miao Yuan passing the scholar exams, and the dowry required was still unknown. Concerned about the reputation of the magistrate’s daughter, Miao Jue had been cautious. Initially, he didn’t want Miao Yuan to meet the girl at the festival.

However, news about Yang Dalang’s family kept coming, and the news about the brick house had once again tarnished their family’s reputation! Coupled with the enthusiasm of Yuanzi’s mother, who kept pushing for it, Miao Jue finally decided to spread the news and show off a bit.

Even if the match didn’t work out, Miao Yuan attending the lantern festival to meet the girl was real. Now, with the villagers’ admiration and respect back on his side, Miao Jue felt his move was right.

He didn’t expect that this move would completely change the future.

In the shadows, Min Chun smirked.

Seeing this scene solidified his previously hesitant plan.

***

After that brief encounter, both parties had nothing more to say and quickly dispersed.

The surrounding onlookers also gradually left.

Tonight’s main event of floating river lanterns was yet to be done. Yang Dalang took Miao He to the river, carefully lit the lantern, and held it while making a wish. Then, he handed it to Miao He, who did the same before placing the lantern in the water, letting it drift away with the gentle current.

As more and more lanterns floated down the river, the tiny lights, along with the reflection of the bright moon in the water, created a dreamy, beautiful scene, like a celestial river.

A cool breeze blew in from the river, carrying a hint of chill.

Yang Dalang pulled Miao He closer and asked, “Are you cold?”

Miao He shook his head, “No, I’m not cold.”

“Tell me if you get cold, and we’ll go back.” Yang Dalang held his hand and rubbed it.

“No, I want to stay a bit longer. It’s so beautiful.”

“Okay.”

“What wish did you make?”

“I wished for our family to be healthy and safe.”

“Me too. I made the same wish. What did you wish for before?”

“…For my mother to be healthy and safe.”

Sensing a bit of stiffness in him, Miao He quickly said, “Oh, it’s okay, it’s okay. It will come true in the future! I’m very healthy!”

“Yes!” Yang Dalang hugged him tighter.

Miao He felt like he had messed up a romantic moment due to his inexperience in dating.

Sigh, it’s better to change the subject.

“Let’s plant more osmanthus trees. Maybe we’ll attract bees and get honey. We should find someone in town who knows how to harvest honey. Let’s ask Shopkeeper Fang. He sells honey in his shop. We could ask the beekeeper to help us set up beehives. That way, Shopkeeper Fang would have more honey to sell.”

“Okay.”

“And black pears remind me of dates. We don’t have jujube trees, red dates, or black dates. Second Aunt mentioned that date paste cake is also very delicious. I should learn it from her next time and give it a try…”

“Okay.”

As they huddled close, whispering to each other, they were unaware that a pair of eyes was watching them from a distance.

It was Miao Qiang.

He felt that wherever Miao He was, Dalang could no longer see him.

Rain : Just give up bro..

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