Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 473: Lantern Festival, let’s go watch the lantern parade together

The few of them chatted and laughed all the way, and returned to the restaurant in high spirits.

It was not until today that Shen Yu's family truly began to enjoy the fun of the New Year.

From the eighth day to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the shops open in the morning to sell breakfast, and around noon, the shops in front of the market all start to close and board up.

After leisurely eating lunch, we went out to have fun.

Or go to a temple fair to see all kinds of neat little gadgets.

Or go to a bookstore and pick out two newly published storybooks.

There are also acrobatics, operas, and exquisite performances performed by the various tile houses on Lejing Street, as well as a variety of snacks sold by boys carrying baskets.

Shen Yuzi came to Anping County and spent the happiest and most relaxing time there.

Of course, she doesn't just follow everyone to play.

During this period, she took some time off to visit the dental clinic.

Tell the dentist that he wants to rent a house near the market with convenient access and a clean courtyard suitable for opening a small clinic.

Also hire two hardworking, smart and observant guys to be responsible for greeting guests at the inn.

When the dentist saw that there was business coming, he naturally agreed.

But because it was still the Chinese New Year, the two agreed that Shen Yu would come to the dental clinic to listen on the 18th day of the twelfth lunar month.

She also followed the three ladies to a carpentry shop that sold sundries and tools.

We carefully selected samples of reasonably priced, sturdy and durable beds, cabinets, tables and chairs, and decided on the equipment needed for the inn.

After paying the deposit, the owner of the carpentry shop promised that all the ordered furniture would be completed around the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month and delivered to Fengnian Restaurant.

After all the furniture is ready, the inn can be decorated and repaired in preparation for its official opening on February 2, the day when the dragon raises its head.

In the blink of an eye, it is the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival.

On this day, early in the morning, I saw all the shops on the street opened and hung up various lanterns.

Although it was daytime and the candles in the lanterns had not yet been lit, one could tell that the lanterns were ingeniously made and each one was different. They were completely different from the round red lanterns that were usually hung in front of shops to illuminate the entrances.

Fengnian Restaurant naturally has to adapt to local customs.

Before the Chinese New Year, Li had prepared the lanterns to be used today.

Because Shen Yu was busy with various things before the Chinese New Year, he kept the lantern in the room in the front yard after buying it and never looked at it carefully.

Early this morning, Li directed the two boys, Yucheng and Dundun, to climb up and down to hang up the lanterns one by one, so that Shen Yu could enjoy the view.

The large lanterns that Li bought and hung at the door of the store were two meticulously painted revolving lanterns.

Shen Yu looked at the contents of the paintings carefully. One lamp showed a lively picture of a bumper harvest, while the other one showed elegant flowers, birds, fish, insects, and scenes of the four seasons.

Although they are somewhat crude, commercially printed prints with bright red and green colors, they have a kind of liveliness and abundance that echoes the life of ordinary people.

In addition to these two large lamps, there are a dozen or so small lamps hanging at the entrances of restaurants and inns.

In addition to the auspicious carp, goldfish, lotus and peony, the most interesting thing is that there are actually several round fruit lanterns.

The styles include peaches, persimmons and oranges. Although they are not big in size, they are delicate and exquisite, just like the real ones, and very beautiful.

Shen Yu followed with great interest, looked at it carefully for a long time, and exclaimed: "If the candles inside were lit at night, it would definitely look even better."

Li said proudly, "It looks good, right? I spent a long time choosing it."

"And when your uncle left, I asked him to take away four carp lanterns of various colors."

"Then he and your second uncle's family will each hang two lanterns in front of the courtyard gate. I guarantee that their lanterns will be the most beautiful in the whole village."

"I've never seen such vivid lanterns when I was in the countryside before."

Shen Yu nodded and smiled, flattering: "Mom, you are so thoughtful. Now the people in the village will envy the lanterns of the two uncles' homes."

Li smiled complacently and said, "Of course."

In the evening, the family had dinner early. Before it got completely dark, Yucheng and Dundun couldn't wait to light up all the hanging lights one by one.

Looking at the streets, although all the shops were closed, they had specially sent their waiters to light up the lights in front of their shops. Everywhere was brightly lit and bustling.

There will be a lantern parade hosted by the government tonight. It is said to be very lively and beautiful, with dragon and lion dances, flower boats and stilts. The best thing is the giant lantern pulled by a car.

The lantern parade will go around the main streets of the county town. The advantage of this is that people don’t have to travel far and can see the beautiful lanterns near their homes.

Shen Yu wondered why the government held the lantern parade.

On the one hand, of course, it is to suit the occasion during festivals and to decorate the peaceful and prosperous times.

On the other hand, the lanterns at that time were all lit with oil candles, and the lanterns were mostly made of bamboo frames and gauze, both of which are flammable.

If it were displayed in just one location, people from all over the county would crowd in, causing fires or stampedes.

It would be much safer to disperse the crowd.

Although the market is crowded with merchants, the main street in front of the market still seems narrow.

It is said that the lantern parade will pass through a wider street next door.

So after lighting the lanterns in front of their homes, everyone locked the doors, dressed neatly, and went early to the streets not far from here to reserve a spot.

Because they were worried about having to wait for a long time, everyone brought various stools, benches, etc.

Shen Yu's family is no exception.

Yucheng and Dundun volunteered to fold up seven or eight small cross stools, string them together with ropes, and then carry them on a stick and walk in the front.

Since the things on both sides were not heavy, everyone followed the two people with empty hands and smiles on their faces.

When the family arrived, many people were already standing on the street waiting, looking very expectant.

Li was thankful: "Fortunately, we came early and were able to occupy a seat near the street, so we can see more clearly."

After some arrangements, everyone had their seats. Shen Yu found it interesting and novel to sit on the street and watch the lanterns.

Probably because the west of the city is where the rich live, the parade starts from the west of the city, and it is estimated that it will take a long time to reach the east of the city.

Fortunately, there were tall shops on both sides of this street and there were many people, so Shen Yu didn't feel cold. It was completely different from the feeling of being blown by the cold wind when waiting for the flower boat by the canal. He just felt a little bored waiting.

Just as I was thinking about it, I saw a group of vendors carrying baskets coming over, shouting and leading the way, selling various snacks.

They don't pester people to buy, but just make up lyrics for the snacks they sell in a very distinctive tone, and drink them with enthusiasm, which is very pleasant to listen to and will not make people disgusted.