LGSLAW : Chapter 57 – Lantern Festival

Kofi bonus chapter

This year, Miao He was limited by his ever-growing belly, so he missed out on most of the festivities and just stayed home to eat. However, the Lantern Festival’s rituals were a must-attend, even with a big belly. One of the significant activities of the Lantern Festival was to worship the Heaven Official, praying for a year of favorable weather. Unless bedridden, everyone in the village had to participate to show their sincerity. This day also featured a lantern festival. Unlike the Mid-Autumn Festival, the lanterns this time symbolized driving away pests and warding off evil spirits, so skimping on the event was not an option.

The Miao family ancestral hall was bustling early in the morning. Along both sides of the open space in front, rows of wooden poles were already set up, ready to hang the lanterns each family brought. The village’s rule was that every household should bring a lantern to the Miao family ancestral hall when they worship the Heaven Official, so they could all be lit together at night.

Min Chun and his mother arrived with Miao Jue’s family. Miao Jin’er and Miao Duan’er, now rid of the gloom at home, wore newly made floral jackets, happily carrying the most eye-catching lanterns bought from town, instructing the men in charge of hanging the lanterns to place theirs in the most prominent spot.

After hanging the lantern, Miao Duan’er turned around, unfortunately meeting Min Chun’s gaze from a distance, which reignited her dislike. After the recipe leak scandal, she disliked Min Chun even more. Although her brother Miao Yuan explained that he could find the recipe from an ancient book, so could others, and defended Min Chun, Miao Duan’er didn’t believe it. She felt Min Chun owed her family and that her brother and grandfather were being too kind by not pursuing it. Seeing Min Chun acting as if nothing had happened, she felt a surge of anger.

With a scheme in mind, Miao Duan’er walked over to Min Chun’s mother, Aunt Yuan, and said with a smile, “Aunt, where is your lantern? In our village, everyone has to bring a lantern today to make the festival lively.”

Aunt Yuan was clearly taken aback. Wasn’t this implying they weren’t considered part of the family?

Min Chun sneered internally. The lantern they had hung was bought by him, yet she had the nerve to say such things. He wouldn’t argue but instead looked pitifully at Miao Yuan, the man who was supposed to marry him in a few months.

Indeed, Min Chun had given the preserved egg recipe to settle the issue with Dahe Restaurant, but the condition was that they must exchange birth characters and officially become engaged, with the wedding set for spring. This hadn’t been officially announced in the Miao family yet, so Miao Duan’er’s attitude remained the same.

Miao Yuan immediately spoke sternly, “Sister, why are you speaking like this? We are all relatives living together. There’s no need for such distance. Aunt, please forgive my sister’s lack of understanding.” He then bowed to Aunt Yuan.

Aunt Yuan was about to smile, but Miao Duan’er, pouting like a spoiled child, said, “But I was thinking for their sake. Even if we live together, we shouldn’t just assume we’re one family. Others might not agree, considering more lanterns mean a livelier festival.”

Aunt Yuan, of course, could sense the underlying hostility. She felt uncomfortable but considered herself lucky to have found relatives to rely on after the snow disaster. She had been worried about being a burden and had started looking for a match for Min Chun. Fortunately, Min Chun had managed to secure Miao Yuan, and since they were engaged, it was only natural for her to speak on their behalf.

“Duan’er, no, I should call you sister-in-law now. Soon, your grandfather will talk to you about Our Min Ge’er and Yuan’s engagement.”

Miao Duan’er’s face changed, “What did you say?! Engagement?!”

Her voice rose, drawing some attention.

Aunt Yuan smiled warmly and nodded, “Yes, it was decided recently. The wedding is set for this spring.”

Before Miao Duan’er could react, Miao Yuan’s mother, Lin Xue, was shocked and angry.

“Nonsense! How could it be possible?! How could Yuan be engaged, and I, his mother, know nothing about it?!”

The onlookers sensed drama and immediately started discussing.

“What’s going on? Who’s engaged?”

“I heard it’s Miao Yuan and Min Chun.”

“Hey, Miao Yuan? Didn’t his grandfather say the family wouldn’t marry a Ger?”

“Who knows? The strange thing is, Miao Yuan’s mother doesn’t know about it.”

“Could it be another secret engagement? Didn’t Miao Yuan have a similar issue with He before?”

Miao Jue and the village chief, along with some elders, had just finished discussing the details of the lantern festival in the ancestral hall and came out smiling, only to hear the commotion. Lin Xue, looking grim, grabbed Miao Yuan, demanding an explanation. Miao Yuan evasively said he would never privately decide anything against his elders’ wishes.

Miao Jue’s face darkened. He scolded Lin Xue, “What are you fussing about?! Do you want to make a spectacle of yourself?! Second daughter-in-law, do you not remember the rules?! If there’s an issue, discuss it at home!”

Lin Xue turned paler, realizing Miao Jue had indeed arranged Miao Yuan’s engagement. But what about Master Wang’s daughter? Even though Yuan didn’t pass the scholar examination this time and had to wait three years to try again, couldn’t Wang’s daughter wait? She knew how much the Wang family had liked Yuan at the lantern festival.

As the villagers tried to glean more details, another commotion arose.

A donkey cart had arrived at the open space in front of the ancestral hall!

Since it was such a short walk from the village, why would anyone need a donkey cart? Just as people wondered if someone from town had arrived, someone exclaimed.

“Hey, isn’t the driver Yang Datong and Yang Dachen?!”

“Huh? Did they go to town to pick someone up?”

“I don’t remember them having any relatives in town…”

Just then, Yang Dalang jumped out from the back of the cart. As everyone looked on in confusion, Yang Dalang turned back and gently lifted a chubby little ger, wrapped in a beautiful fur cloak, from the cart.

The little ger clearly had a belly, but in Yang Dalang’s arms, he seemed weightless. Yang Dalang carried him effortlessly towards the open space, followed by Yang’s second aunt, her eldest daughter-in-law, and two children, each holding a lantern. Half the town seemed to be there!

The crowd blinked, unsure how to react, and Miao Ping teased, “Dalang, you’re spoiling your ger too much. He’s just pregnant. What’s a few extra steps?”

“The snow is slippery, and he might fall. This is safer,” Yang Dalang replied.

Miao Ping smirked, “Protecting him like this is something else.”

Chen Rong, smiling, added, “There’s nothing funny about it. No amount of caution is too much now. But I see He’s complexion is great. This pregnancy seems very stable.”

After the hotpot meal, Chen Rong had been taking the ginseng from Yang Dalang, feeling a warm sensation in his stomach that he hadn’t experienced before, boosting his confidence that he might have good news soon.

Miao He smiled apologetically. He didn’t mind being carried; he wasn’t used to walking in the snow and hated the cold. Wrapped up like this, he could barely move. So, having a cart and being carried saved him some steps. But seeing everyone so shocked, he decided to get down.

He patted Yang Dalang and whispered, “Put me down.”

Yang Dalang didn’t put him down until they reached the cleared space in front of the ancestral hall, then kept holding his hand. Yang’s second aunt caught up with them, smiling as she handed a lantern to Yang Dalang and said a few words to Miao He, giving off a warm and close vibe.

Min Chun watched from a distance, involuntarily comparing himself to Miao He.

After all, that somewhat round but handsome face was a bit of an eyesore to him. He’s face was further accentuated by a fox fur cloak, making him look even more refined.

This scene reminded Min Chun of something female colleagues used to say.

It’s not about marrying someone with money; it’s about marrying someone willing to spend it on you.

His gaze shifted to Miao Yuan, who was also staring in a daze. Min Chun’s eyes narrowed.

“Dalang, He, you came at the right time! We were just talking about Miao Yuan’s marriage. It’s good news! I heard he’s engaged to Min Chun, who’s staying with their family!” a voice suddenly called out.

Everyone’s attention shifted back to Miao Yuan and Min Chun.

The speaker was Miao Qiang. Miao He glanced at him and then greeted Miao Yuan and Min Chun.

“Congratulations to both of you. Dalang, should we offer incense or hang the lantern first?” He asked nonchalantly.

Yang Dalang’s expression didn’t change. He no longer doubted his brother’s heart, not even a bit. “Hang the lantern first.”

“Alright. Let’s go hang it.”

Miao Qiang, looking as if nothing had happened, came over and smiled, “Dalang, after this, how about coming to my place for some sweet dumplings? Of course, He should come too.”

“No need. We’ll go straight home,” Yang Dalang frowned.

Miao Qiang, oddly confident, patted Yang Dalang’s shoulder.

“If you’re busy, we can do it another time. No matter what, I’ll be here.”

He then walked away.

Miao He blinked, feeling the last sentence had a deeper meaning. He looked at Yang Dalang, who also seemed puzzled.

But thinking it unnecessary to mind this immature boy, he figured they would have no further intersections.

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