SFS Chapter 272 Shangyuan Chapter
Chapter 272 Shangyuan Chapter
After New Year’s Eve, the most important festival is the Lantern Festival.
The Lantern Festival, also known as the "Shangyuan Festival", "Little New Year", "Yuanxiao" or "Lantern Festival", is the first important festival after the New Year.
For three days before and after the Lantern Festival, the palace traditionally added yuanxiao (Chinese lanterns) to the evening meal. After breakfast each day, Yongzheng personally visited Fengxian Hall to offer yuanxiao (Chinese lanterns) to the ancestors. The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress would also gift specially prepared yuanxiao to concubines, relatives, officials, and foreign envoys.
From the 14th to the 16th, the emperor wore court robes for three days to celebrate the Lantern Festival. Colorful lanterns were arranged in the area centered on the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Nine large lanterns were hung under the eaves of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, five large lanterns were hung at the Hall of Mental Cultivation Gate, one large lantern each was hung at the Locust Gate and the Linzhi Gate. A total of 120 lanterns were hung on the corridors on both sides, and 190 lanterns were hung on the railings. Surrounding the Hall of Mental Cultivation alone, there were more than 300 lanterns that were lit all night long.
On the Lantern Festival, melodious music filled the air, firecrackers blasted from far and near, and thousands of lights shone brightly, creating a magnificent royal atmosphere everywhere.
A banquet had already been prepared in Chonghua Palace, and the concubines and wives of the royal family and princes had gathered.
After finishing the meal, everyone accompanied the Queen Mother, the Emperor and the Empress to the outside of Chonghua Palace to watch the fireworks show.
The fireworks boxes are arranged on a tall shelf, and each box is divided into three layers: the first layer is inscribed with the words "Peace in the World"; the second layer is inscribed with "Pigeons and Sparrows Flying in Groups", which means releasing animals; and the third layer is inscribed with the words "Boundless Happiness and Longevity".
In this lively scene, the concubines were bustling about, laughing and talking, looking up in amazement at the brilliant fireworks.
An Lingrong stood quietly among them, slightly tiptoeing, her eyes passing through the layers of figures and landing steadily on Shen Meizhuang's gentle and beautiful face.
Shen Meizhuang was originally looking up slightly, admiring the colorful fireworks that exploded in the night sky and slowly fell, but somehow, as if a string in her heart was gently touched, she seemed to have telepathy and subconsciously turned her head, her eyes meeting An Lingrong's gaze.
In an instant, the sky was filled with brilliant fireworks, and the bright and colorful light rose straight up, illuminating the entire night sky like daylight.
The light fell down, illuminating the faces of both of them. The soft light danced between their eyebrows, making it seem as if stars were twinkling in their eyes. It seemed as if only each other's images remained in their eyes, and everything around them gradually became blurred.
Yongzheng, who was surrounded by the crowd, looked at the dazzling fireworks with a dim look in his eyes and a faint expression on his face.
As everyone was watching the fireworks, they suddenly heard a crackling sound not far away, as if something was exploding, followed by the sound of increasingly hurried footsteps. But in the blink of an eye, a cry filled with fear and panic shattered the quiet: "Fire! Fire!"
The sound became sharp due to extreme fear, piercing everyone's eardrums.
As the words lingered in the air, thick smoke billowed like a surging black wave, rushing in from the direction next door. Aided by the wind, it quickly spread toward the concubines. In an instant, the expressions of the concubines, who had been so elegant and relaxed, suddenly changed, their faces pale.
Shen Meizhuang didn't have time to think about it and quickly came to An Lingrong and protected her behind her.
At the same time, a young eunuch came running over, panting, and knelt on the ground with a thud. He reported in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, there is a fire in Shufangzhai. The fire is extremely strong. Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, please leave here immediately."
Shufangzhai is next to Chonghua Palace. There is a large stage inside. Except on the days when operas are performed, few people come here.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongzheng frowned, his expression solemn, and he shouted loudly, "Send someone to put out the fire quickly."
After saying this, he looked at the Empress Dowager and said, "My Lady, your son will take you back to the Cining Palace. You can all go away now!"
The concubines had no time to care about anything else at this moment. Like frightened birds, they immediately scattered in panic. The scene that had been orderly just now suddenly became a mess. Shouts and screams were intertwined, and with the increasingly thick smoke, the whole atmosphere fell into extreme chaos and panic.
The roar of flames mingled with the noise of the crowd, sparks flew, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of smoke. Shen Meizhuang held An Lingrong's hand tightly, her gaze growing more resolute in the light of the fire, her tone filled with anxiety, "Rong'er, return to Yonghe Palace quickly."
"Sister, what about you?"
"I'm the assistant manager of the Six Palaces. Since something like this happened today, I must be here to take charge of the situation."
"elder sister!"
"Don't worry, I won't come near. Now I need to send people to put out the fire quickly. Just listen to me and go back quickly!" Shen Meizhuang gently pushed An Lingrong, with unquestionable determination in her eyes.
Although An Lingrong was extremely reluctant, she also understood that if she stayed here, it would only distract Shen Meiyu, so she bit her lower lip and turned to leave.
On the other side, Feng Ruozhao frowned, his brow furrowed in anxiety as he loudly directed the young eunuchs to put out the fire: "You guys, quickly fetch some water! Over there, move the flammable materials away! Move quickly, or the fire will spread!"
Her voice was particularly loud in the noisy fire scene. Although she was a concubine, she completely ignored her etiquette at this moment and only wanted to control the raging fire as soon as possible.
The blazing fire burned wantonly, its tongues licking the night sky. Heat waves rolled in, and sparks flew everywhere like fireflies. Shen Meizhuang frowned, hurriedly stepped forward, and came to Feng Ruozhao, anxiously asking, "Sister, is there anyone in there?"
Feng Ruozhao's face was solemn, and he quickly replied, "There was a young eunuch on duty inside, but the fire was too big, and no one dared to put it out!"
Xiao Shi, who was serving beside him, heard this and a look of determination flashed in his eyes. If someone dies, the Queen will be held responsible!
He suddenly grabbed the eunuch beside him, snatched the bucket from his hand, raised it high above his head, and poured the water down with a loud bang. In an instant, he was soaked to the skin, and his clothes were tightly wrapped around him. Before anyone could react, he rushed into the fire with all his might.
Shen Meizhuang's heart suddenly tightened, and she was about to speak out to stop him, but Xiao Shi's figure had quickly disappeared in the sea of fire and smoke.
An incense stick later, Xiao Shi finally emerged from the fire. His face was blackened by smoke and flames, his clothes were tattered and had been burned in many places. He was carrying a young eunuch on his back and struggling to move out.
Shen Meizhuang and Feng Ruozhao's faces, originally solemn and worried, suddenly brightened, and they quickly stepped forward. Shen Meizhuang took the lead and approached carefully to examine the young eunuch who had been carried out. Seeing that he was unconscious, but his chest was still rising and falling slightly, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and whispered to Feng Ruozhao, "It's good that he's still alive."
Feng Ruozhao's eyes were filled with relief. "Go get the imperial physician quickly."
On the other side, Shen Meizhuang asked about Xiao Shi's condition again. Seeing that he was not seriously injured, she was completely relieved and devoted herself to the tense firefighting work again.
(So far, I have completed my three-year tour of Ganlu Temple. I will get to the point tomorrow.
PS: It's been several days since I reached 50 words, and the completion rate is frighteningly low. Are there some book friends who just click on the reminder every day and leave without reading the content? Please don't tease me like this, my heart is hurting~)