However, it was said that after Mrs. Cheng Zhu went to ask for a blessed jade fish pendant for the eldest princess, she sent a young boy to inform them of their plans to return home.
The group of people even packed their things and gathered in Cheng Zhu's room to sit around.
Mrs. Cheng Zhu opened the lid of the tea, blew away the floating tea leaves, and took a sip. When she put it down, she did not put the lid on the cup. The maid on the side knew this and immediately added some more for her.
The tea in this temple has a refreshing fragrance and a slightly bitter taste, which is exactly the taste she likes.
Soon, the young man came back, bowed his head and said, "Madam, I already know that I will be the host. I just wanted to persuade the host to say, 'Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow will be the lantern festival at Shenghe Temple. The lights will be bright, the streets will be empty, and the surroundings will be very lively.
Why don't you all stay and enjoy it?'"
In the past, this lantern festival was only a Dharma gathering in the temple, with thick ordinary candles burning and lamps representing the light of the heart.
Later, small vendors gradually set up various lanterns for sale on the long steps leading to the temple. The novice monks in the temple let them go with the idea of not disturbing people's livelihood.
As a result, there were more and more people selling lanterns, and there was no room for them on the long steps, so they were placed at the foot of the mountain. Gradually, the types of lanterns sold by the vendors became more and more complete, and this Dharma Festival seemed to have become a unique lantern festival in Beijing.
Zhao Rongke had been looking forward to this lantern festival for a long time, so he was very excited, "In that case, it's okay to stay one more day."
I heard that the temple also prepared materials for pilgrims to make their own lanterns. In the past, she was always alone in the mansion. Even if she made appointments with a few noble ladies from the capital to watch them together, they would always worry about her identity and be very reserved.
It's hard to get close to her.
But things are different now. Xingqiu is in good health. With him by his side, I don't think it will be as boring as in previous years.
The eldest princess had said so. Even if Mrs. Cheng Zhu wanted to return home, she could not let her down, so she asked the young man to reply.
Not long after Ruan Yuyi returned to the wing, a maid brought the materials for making lanterns. There were only a few simple things, such as processed slender bamboo strips, some rice paper, scissors, pen and ink, thin thread, etc.
Taking a closer look, she saw a piece of gold-sprinkled rice paper inside, which seemed a little out of place when placed alongside these ordinary materials.
Mu Xiang took the things and thanked her.
"Is this rice paper sprinkled with gold also from the temple?" Ruan Yuyi pointed and asked.
Although Shenghe Temple is rich in incense, the novice monks in the temple have always believed in frugality. If they have a lot of money, they usually use it to do good deeds. Such extravagance is really not like their style.
The maidservant was serving Zhaorong. She bowed and said with a smile, "Girl, you have good eyesight. This is indeed not something from the temple. Her Royal Highness the Princess sent someone to buy it. She thought it was too much, so she is called a maidservant."
I’ll bring you some.”
Originally, I wanted to send some to Cheng Zhu, but at her age, she was not very interested in these. Except for the two female relatives on this trip, the extra portion was distributed to a few maids who were accompanying her.
.
"Then thank you, Your Highness." Ruan Yuyi said.
It seems that Zhao Rong is really looking forward to this lantern festival, and she is in such a good mood that she can still miss her part.
After seeing off the eldest princess, Ruan Yuyi and the two had nothing to do, so they also put up lanterns.
Mu Xiang's hands are really very dexterous, and the movements of tying the bamboo strips are also skillful. The bamboo strips cooked in hot water are extremely flexible, and they seem to have spirituality on her fingertips, and she can manipulate them at will.
Ruan Yuyi looked a little crazy, thinking that she was not making lanterns, she was clearly doing magic tricks.
On the other hand, I originally wanted to pierce a rabbit on my hand, but the joints of the bamboo strips were firmly pierced, but the rabbit was actually a bit rounder. When I smeared it with paper paste, it looked more like a stuffed rabbit.
When Mu Xiang saw it, she couldn't help but lower her head and smile, "Miss, your lamp is really pleasing to the eye. This rabbit looks like a lucky one." He is just a bit greedy.
Ruan Yuyi was concentrating on giving it a nod. Hearing this, he put down the pen in his hand and said, "Just laugh. If the wood spirit does it, I won't make you laugh away."
Thinking about the window grilles Mu Ling had cut before, she seemed to think of Mu Ling making lanterns, and she couldn't help but curl her lips.
"Young lady is always good at making fun of people. If the wood spirit hears it, she will definitely stop doing it," Mu Xiang continued.
Making lanterns is also a laborious task. Ruan Yuyi picked up the remaining materials and made a smaller one. When it was all completed, her fingers were already a little red from being put on them, and this red mark was like the tips of bamboo shoots.
On his fingers, he looked extremely pitiful.
She gently rubbed her fingers and asked Mu Xiang to give the little one to Cheng Rui. However, she did not put a candle inside because she was afraid that he would burn his hands by touching it randomly.
During dinner, Ruan Yuyi was worried, so she only ate a little soup and couldn't eat any more. Under Mu Xiang's urging, she reluctantly ate another piece of cake as big as a palm.
She fiddled with the two lanterns in front of her under the swaying candlelight, thinking to herself until nightfall, and then finally stood up, "Maybe I won't come back tonight, and if someone comes looking for me, I'll have to ask you to help cover it up."
She picked up the round rabbit lantern in her hand and whispered to Mu Xiang.
She thought about choosing one to give to the prince, but the wood fragrance was so exquisitely made that she was so happy that she would not give it away. In comparison, this rabbit lantern was much inferior.
Mu Xiang was startled after only hearing half of the sentence. It took her a long time to understand what she meant. She pursed her lips but couldn't respond, "Miss, is this really the only way?"
She gently squeezed Mu Xiang's palm to comfort her.
Since Qiuniang can win his pity, she doesn't think she can't.
Time is passing by day by day, and although the wedding date is unknown, it will only get closer. Therefore, she needs to find peace of mind, or a small shelter that can protect herself.
Mu Xiang also knew that this had been decided long ago, so he had to send her to the gate of Jiang Huaiyang's yard without saying a word, and after another explanation, she reluctantly walked away.
Ruan Yuyi stared at Mu Xiang's back for a long time, feeling a sour feeling in her heart.
It will be good after this period of time, even if you use some unsightly means, as long as you can get a free body.
Swallow all the tears for now, maybe they can go back to Jiangnan after the matter is done.
Holding the lantern, Ruan Yuyi was waiting to open the door when she happened to pass by a young novice monk, who was the one who recognized her at the door of the hall that day.
The little novice monk was holding a lamp to illuminate the road. The candlelight was not very bright and could only illuminate the land below his feet. "Donor, your lantern is so beautifully made." He seemed to be passing by.
"My little master is very complimentary, but I just do what I want."
The glimmer of light was like a firefly, but it reflected her eyes as pale as glass, and her voice also sounded clear and light, almost blending with the night wind.
The young novice monk smiled at her and said, "If the donor is willing to hang this lantern somewhere in our temple, we will never take it off."
Although Ruan Yuyi has been a woman for more than a year, she still has the heart of a girl. Only someone like her could produce such a delightful rabbit lantern.
After the little novice monk finished speaking, he nodded and walked away. The candlelight was not visible until the corner.
She felt a little calmer in her heart, and turned around and entered the courtyard - this time from the front entrance, and no one stopped her.
Xu knew what was going to happen next, so she gripped the light pole tightly in her palms, and her palms even became slightly wet.
She had comforted herself long ago, but as soon as she arrived at the door of Jiang Huaiyang's usual room, she felt uneasy again. She hid behind the wall and hesitated for a long time.
She carefully discerned the movement inside, and only when there was no sound did she dare to peek her head quietly. When she saw Jiang Huaiyang on the bed, who seemed to be fast asleep, a tight string loosened.
In a corner of my heart, I was actually hoping that even if I went in, he would not wake up.
But what she didn't know was that as soon as she stepped into the courtyard, Jiang Huaiyang opened her eyes suddenly, her eyes clear and clear.