The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 513: Where the Lights Dim

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, before it was even dark, the pulse of Bianjing (Kaifeng) was already beating.

The three-day Lantern Festival had no curfew, and the gates of the city were wide open. Crowds of people surged out of the crisscrossing streets and alleys like a spring flood bursting its banks, converging on the wide Imperial Street and its surroundings, flowing and rushing.

On both sides of the Imperial Street, a continuous line of lampposts has already been erected.

The craftsmen used their ingenuity to create lanterns depicting various animals, fairies, pavilions, and even the entire story of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." The light flowed through the colored paper, creating a dazzling array of colors that illuminated the entire street as if it were daytime.

Food stalls selling dough sticks, glutinous rice balls, and moon cakes were so enticing that people couldn't move away; performers of various arts, such as fire breathing, knife swallowing, tightrope walking, and fish and dragon dances, were surrounded by layers of people, with cheers, exclamations, and laughter rising and falling like waves.

On the Bian River, lights floated on the water, countless lotus-shaped water lanterns drifting downstream, their reflections mingling with the lights on the banks, creating a scene resembling a galaxy fallen to earth. The re-establishment of the Tang Dynasty and the renewal of all things were most vividly demonstrated in this grand spectacle of the Lantern Festival.

Within the imperial city, though lacking the hustle and bustle of the marketplace, there was a distinct sense of solemnity and prosperity.

In the corridors and pavilions, all kinds of palace lanterns were already neatly hung.

Unlike the lively folk lanterns, palace lanterns are made of more exquisite materials, with silk as the surface, gold thread outlining, and crystal and glass as decorations. Their shapes are either elegant or ingenious, and the light is more restrained and soft.

In front of Xuande Tower, a huge lantern canopy has been lit up. The mountains, rivers, figures, rare birds and animals on it are all made of colorful lanterns. The details are exquisite and they shine brightly, making the square in front of the tower look like a fairy palace.

Tonight, the emperor did not hold a banquet in the palace, but instead set up the banquet directly on Xuande Tower to show his intention to share the joy with his subjects.

From the rooftop, the view is expansive, the night breeze is slightly cool, but surrounded by the bustling world and the dazzling night view, how could one truly feel even a hint of cold?
The banquet did not lose any of its royal grandeur despite being held outdoors; rows of rosewood tables were set up, adorned with gold and jade cups, shimmering with brilliance.

Xiao Yan sat in the main seat, wearing only a round-necked red and yellow robe, with his hair tied up with an ordinary jade hairpin.

He was relaxed, holding a white jade wine cup in one hand, his gaze sweeping calmly over the inside and outside of the building. Inside, he saw the Empress and her concubines, their clothes elegant and their jewelry jingling, as well as the dignified and dignified ministers in purple and red robes; outside, the night view of Bianjing was vast and boundless, with thousands of lanterns lit up and people bustling about.

The Empress sat slightly to Xiao Yan's left, a faint and polite smile playing on her lips. She would occasionally turn her head to whisper a few words to him.

Ji Ruxue sat on the right, dressed in a lake-blue palace gown with a snow fox fur vest over it. She was still beautiful, but her temperament had become even more calm and gentle. She was carefully placing a deboned fish into Xiao Yan's plate.

Chi Meng stood next to Ji Ruxue, wearing her beloved Raojiang silver crown and brightly colored clothes. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the dazzling array of dishes and snacks on the table. She couldn't help but glance down at the dazzling sea of ​​lights and acrobatics downstairs. When she heard something interesting, she would subconsciously tug at Ji Ruxue's sleeve.

The surrendered official was positioned a little further away, lazily resting his chin on his hand, staring blankly at the crowd below, his eyes unfocused, seemingly lost in thought.

Shuliduo and Yelü Zhiwu sat opposite her, simply enjoying the Lantern Festival night view with her, quietly eating their meal, and occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones. Qianwu, Bago, Li Cunren, and others also took their seats according to their rank, displaying impeccable manners.

In the seat closest to the royal palace and near the railing, Hou Qing and his sister stood out.

The former was still dressed in white, but he was quite interested in a uniquely shaped palace lantern in front of him. He gently tapped the table with his bone flute, as if responding to its rotating rhythm, and studied it intently.

The older sister, on the other hand, was much more lively. She practically leaned over the railing, half her body hanging out, pointing at the sugar figurine and dough figurine stall downstairs, chattering away: "Oh my! Oh my! Hou Qing, look at that! It's so shiny! So pretty!"

As she spoke, she unceremoniously stuffed the exquisite pastries on the table into her bosom, her cheeks bulging. The palace servants stood by, seemingly used to this.

The wet nurse brought over Li Mingzhao, who was dressed in new clothes. The little guy was a little over six months old, chubby and startled by the loud noise downstairs. Then he was attracted by the dazzling lights. When he saw Xiao Yan, he opened his little hands, which were like lotus roots, and babbled for a hug.

Xiao Yan's smile deepened. He put down his wine cup, took his son, placed him on his lap, and patiently fed him a little rice cereal with chopsticks. Meanwhile, Li Dai was also brought over, but the Empress took him with a smile and gently teased him. He seemed quieter, only looking around curiously with his big, dark eyes, neither crying nor fussing.

This scene evoked different feelings in the people upstairs.

The Empress's smile deepened, and Ji Ruxue, watching, couldn't help but smile as well. Chi Meng, somewhat lost in thought, subconsciously touched her flat stomach.

When the surrendered official turned to look at Xiao Yan, his gaze happened to catch Chi Meng's subtle movement. He couldn't help but raise his carefully drawn eyebrows, then casually looked away. Even his elder sister was momentarily captivated, turning around and mumbling, "Oh my, this little one is so sturdy!"

Xiao Yan teased his son for a while, then looked up at Chi Meng, who had been rather quiet, and said with a smile, "Chi Meng, is it that these dishes don't suit your taste? I heard that Qian Wu specially asked the Imperial Kitchen to add a few dishes with a southwestern flavor today, something spicy."

Chi Meng looked up upon hearing the voice and quickly waved her hand, saying, "No, no, the food is all delicious!"

She paused, and seeing that all eyes were on her, her voice was slightly drowned out by the noise from downstairs, so she lowered it a little: "It's just... it's just that I remember at this time of year in Raojiang, my parents would take me to watch the moon-jumping ceremony, singing and dancing around the bonfire..."

The people nearby on the pavilion fell silent for a moment. Xiao Yan understood and softened his voice: "Once the affairs in the Southern Frontier are settled and the roads are clear, I will take you back to Raojiang to visit your family. We can also invite the Duke of Qian and his wife to stay in Bianjing for a while. What do you think?"

Chi Meng's eyes were slightly red, but she nodded vigorously and flashed a bright smile: "Thank you, little buddy! Oh no, thank you, Your Majesty!"

At this moment, Ding Zhaopu stepped forward and whispered that several ministers, including Han Yanhui, Jing Xiang, and Yang She, had arrived as promised. According to custom, on the Lantern Festival, the emperor often hosted a banquet for his close ministers as a sign of imperial favor.

Xiao Yan nodded: "Send it."

Several high-ranking officials, dressed in purple and crimson robes, approached in turn to pay their respects. Even on such an occasion, while sharing joy with the emperor, they maintained the deference of subjects. After Xiao Yan offered them seats, the emperor and his ministers exchanged brief pleasantries. After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.

Yang She, though his hair and beard were all white, was still in high spirits. He was clearly in a great mood today. He stood up with his cup in hand and said loudly, "Your Majesty, this old minister is deeply moved by this grand Lantern Festival. I have come up with a few lines of quaint poetry, which I wish to offer to Your Majesty to enhance the enjoyment of the wine."

Everyone's interest was piqued, and Xiao Yan smiled and raised his hand: "Master Yang, there's no need for such formalities, please feel free to do so."

Yang She cleared his throat, faced the mountains and rivers outside the building, raised his head and recited loudly: "Fireworks illuminate Bianjing, songs of peace fill the imperial city. All people rejoice on the Hongwu night, and together wish for the eternal stability and peace of our land."

Although the poem was simple, it was quite fitting for the occasion, and a sincere heart of praising the emperor was evident in its words. Everyone in the hall praised it. Xiao Yan also smiled and said, "Lord Yang is very thoughtful. I bestow upon Lord Yang ten bolts of gold and silk as a token of my appreciation."

Han Yanhui and Jing Xiang exchanged a smile. Neither of them composed a poem on the spot. Jing Xiang simply said from the bottom of his heart, "Having traveled through many chaotic times, I have seen much famine and displacement. The scene before us, where the people are at peace and everyone is happy, is truly a testament to Your Majesty's benevolence."

Han Yanhui chimed in: "Exactly. The implementation of the new policies, with their light taxes and reduced burdens, has allowed the people to rest and recuperate, resulting in today's full granaries and peaceful and happy people. This lamp and this fire are not merely icing on the cake, but truly reflect the will of the people."

Xiao Yan listened, his gaze once again falling on the faintly visible, dazzling lights outside the palace, and slowly said, "What you two ministers say is very true. I wish that one day, the lights of Bianjing will illuminate every corner of the world, so that every citizen of my Great Tang can enjoy this peaceful night."

As the banquet continued and several rounds of drinks were consumed, the cheers from downstairs grew louder and louder, like rolling thunder in spring, never ceasing.

Xiao Yan put down his wine cup and glanced at the sea of ​​lights and the surging crowd downstairs. Yu Youshu, who was standing next to him, immediately nodded slightly to the musicians. The musicians understood and the music gradually stopped.

Xiao Yan then stood up and said with a smile, "On such a fine night, we should not waste the lights of thousands of homes. My ministers, come with me to the top of this hill so that we can see my people more closely, and let my people see us, ruler and subject."

The Empress, Ji Ruxue, and the other concubines gracefully rose to their feet. Ministers Han Yanhui and Jing Xiang also immediately left their seats and respectfully agreed.

The group did not go far, but moved from the pavilion where the banquet was held to a more open area outside the railing to enjoy the view.

As soon as you step onto the building, a wave of sound hits you.

The square in front of Xuande Tower and the Imperial Street extending from it were already packed with people.

The crowd, who had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of that crimson-yellow figure, erupted in a deafening roar of "Long live the Emperor!" The sound was so loud it seemed to shake the tiles of the Xuande Tower. The imperial guards, gleaming in their armor, worked diligently to maintain order, creating necessary passageways and safe distances within the crowd.

Xiao Yan walked to the railing in front of the building and stood leaning against it.

A night breeze ruffled a few strands of dark hair across his forehead. Below, thousands of lights shone, and countless faces gazed upwards, their expressions radiating simple joy and contentment. The Bian River, like a jewel-encrusted jade ribbon, flowed through the city, with painted boats gliding by and songs drifting in the air. Further on, the lights of the residential areas and markets stretched endlessly, almost merging with the stars in the sky, indistinguishable from one another.

He watched quietly for a moment, a faint smile always on his face. The joy and jubilation of this vast and beautiful land, and its hundreds of millions of people, all rested on his shoulders.

He felt that weight with perfect clarity and profound intensity at that moment.

"How beautiful." The Empress sighed softly beside him, her phoenix eyes reflecting the dazzling river of light below. She paused for a moment, then spoke in a gentle and moving voice: "The imperial guards do not enforce the curfew, the jade water clock does not urge the time. The fire trees and silver flowers merge, the star bridge and iron locks open. The magnificent scenery under Jiulang's rule surpasses even the descriptions in ancient poems."

Ji Ruxue stood quietly on the other side of Xiao Yan without saying a word. She couldn't help but look up at his profile, which appeared even more handsome and clear under the bright sunlight. She then looked down at the peaceful and prosperous scene that he had created step by step with his own hands, and a gentle and satisfied smile appeared on her lips.

At that moment, Chi Meng and her elder sister were leaning on the railing, excitedly pointing at the huge phoenix lantern display in the distance. Hearing the crowd reciting poetry, she suddenly turned around, her eyes shining brightly, and exclaimed, "I think it's so beautiful too! It's like...like the fiery clouds in the sky, all falling into the river at once! It makes the whole river sparkle!"

Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle, his tone filled with admiration: "This metaphor... is vivid and lively, and the artistic conception is truly wonderful."

The surrendered official leaned against the railing, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yan's back. A half-smile curved his lips, exuding a seductive charm: "The moonlight and lanterns fill the capital, and fragrant carriages and jeweled canopies crowd the thoroughfares... Your Majesty, such a magnificent scene reminds me of some interesting past events."

Shuliduo nodded slightly and continued, "Being idle and unable to witness the prosperity of the dynasty, I am ashamed to join the villagers in the Zigu Festival. In the past, I only heard about it in poems, but today, having witnessed the grand scene of the Lantern Festival in the Celestial Empire, I know what a true prosperous age is."

Yelü Zhiwu obediently followed beside her, tilted her head and thought hard for a moment, then opened her clear eyes wide and nodded earnestly at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan turned his head and smiled at the two women. He had not expected that the surrendered minister and Shuliduo would both quote Li Shangyin's poems and each take their own meaning. This enchanting lady and the grassland empress dowager were both deeply immersed in the poetry and books of the Central Plains.

Han Yanhui, who accompanied the emperor to the tower, stroked his beard and sighed, “The Book of Songs says, ‘The capital region stretches for a thousand miles, where the people dwell.’ Only today do I understand its meaning. Such a sight could not have been witnessed without Your Majesty’s sagacity.”

Jing Xiang also said, "Only when the people live in peace and prosperity can they have the mind and resources to create such a magnificent era. Your Majesty's achievements are unprecedented." Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze, smiled, and said, "You all flatter me. This scene is worthy of being recorded in poems. Today, let's not be bound by formalities, and everyone can speak freely."

Upon hearing this, the courtiers, while showing some modesty, were also eager to try their hand at it, and soon began to recite the poems.

Han Yanhui was the first to recite a poem, which included the lines "The jade water clock urges the lamp to move the phoenix palace, the iron cavalry treads the moon to quell the dust of the south"; Jing Xiang then recited "Rice flows like oil and millet is white, public and private granaries are full"; the other officials, whether they racked their brains or were moved by something, whether they were praising the scenery or the emperor, all had their own excellent works to present.

What's even more remarkable is that the concubines in the harem were also infected by this atmosphere and participated. Their poems may not have been as polished and sophisticated as those of the court officials, but they possessed a unique charm and sincerity, some graceful and some lively, adding more delicate beauty to this Lantern Festival poetry gathering.

Xiao Yan offered his critiques one by one, his words concise yet incisive. The atmosphere on the balcony grew increasingly lively, with a constant flow of inspiration that drew cheers from all sides.

After the noise subsided, Xiao Yan's gaze swept over the ten-mile-long lantern market below, over the children laughing and playing among the luxury cars and horses, over the night filled with subtle fragrance, and finally, his gaze involuntarily returned to the elegant figure beside him.

Ji Ruxue seemed to sense something, and gracefully raised her eyes, meeting his deep gaze. Without a word, she simply raised the corners of her lips slightly, her clear eyes curving gently, like a still pool reflecting the stars and moon suddenly touched by a spring breeze.

“You Shu,” a strong impulse suddenly surged in Xiao Yan’s heart, an impulse to permanently etch this moment, this scene, and this person into time. He abruptly looked away and whispered, “Brush and ink.”

Yu Youshu, who was standing to the side, had already sensed Xiao Yan's interest. Upon hearing the voice, she immediately bowed and presented the brush and ink that had been prepared beforehand. The eunuch quickly carried over a small sandalwood table and placed it in front of the railing.

On the balcony, the music had quietly ceased, and all eyes involuntarily turned to them.

Jing Xiang paused, stroking his beard; Han Yanhui's eyes revealed anticipation; Yang She leaned forward slightly, holding his breath.

The Empress smiled knowingly and admiringly. The surrendered minister raised an eyebrow, his interest growing stronger. Chi Meng blinked curiously, and Shuliduo stopped whispering to her daughter, watching quietly. They all knew of the young emperor's extraordinary talent, his consistently astonishing creations.

Xiao Yan picked up his brush, hesitated for a moment, and then began to write on the spread-out Xuan paper. His brush moved like dragons and snakes, and lines of words flowed onto the paper like water:
"The east wind blows thousands of flowers into bloom at night, and blows them down like rain of stars."

"The road is filled with the fragrance of fine carriages. The sound of phoenix flutes moves, the jade pot shines, and fish and dragons dance all night."

"Moths, willows, and golden threads; laughter and sweet fragrance linger as they depart."

"I searched for him a thousand times in the crowd, but suddenly when I turned around, I found him where the lights were dim."

The pen stopped, and the words were complete.

The upstairs was completely silent for a moment.

The words are elegant and graceful, and the imagery comes one after another, vividly depicting the dazzling lights and bustling extravagance of the Lantern Festival night. However, the artistic conception transcends this extreme prosperity, revealing a calm and clear-headed perspective amidst the clamor.

Especially the last sentence, which ends abruptly with a lingering resonance, brings an extreme clamor to a quiet glance in a sparsely lit place. In an instant, all is silent, only the hearts are connected, the artistic conception is suddenly enlightened, and endless meaning arises.

Han Yanhui was the first to recover his senses and couldn't help but clap his hands in praise: "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Your Majesty's poem is an extreme depiction of extravagance, yet the concluding lines are ethereal and transcendent, with profound and lasting emotions, directly rivaling Li Bai and Du Fu and far surpassing them. 'Suddenly I turn around, and there she is, in the dim light'... Such imagery is truly a stroke of genius!"

Jing Xiang also let out a long sigh and said, "What we just wrote was merely a depiction of its appearance. Your Majesty's poem captures its essence. It is a quiet observation amidst the bustle and a profound exploration amidst the noise. Only someone with a broad mind could do this."

Yang She's beard trembled with excitement: "Your Majesty's literary and military prowess is unparalleled throughout history. To produce such a magnificent work during a time of national revival is truly a remarkable achievement in the literary world. This old minister is extremely fortunate to have heard such words!"

The officials bowed in submission, their praise coming from the bottom of their hearts, far from ordinary flattery. Faced with such words, any praise seemed perfectly deserved.

Among the concubines, the Empress carefully read the words, her gaze lingering on Xiao Yan for a moment before looking down at the lights below. A gentle smile played on her lips, as if she were deep in thought.

Chi Meng blinked, finding the words extremely beautiful, but perhaps not fully understanding their profound meaning. She only felt that her little pot was even more radiant and incredibly powerful.

The surrendered official's eyes gleamed with interest, and his gaze toward Xiao Yan grew increasingly intrigued. Shuliduo nodded slightly, seemingly savoring the nuances of the poem.

Ji Ruxue's heart stirred slightly when Xiao Yan wrote "I searched for him a thousand times in the crowd." When the lines "Suddenly I turned around, and there he was, in the dim light" came into view, she felt as if something had gently bumped into her heart, and a warm current suddenly surged through her body.

She subconsciously looked up at Xiao Yan's profile. The lights downstairs reflected in his eyes, flickering.

She suddenly felt that the city's dazzling lights and the cheers of the people seemed to have faded away and become blurred at this moment.

Only the person in front of me.

Only this one glance back, whether unintentional or deliberate.

It is crystal clear and dazzlingly beautiful.

She didn't think that "that person" must be herself, but the deep affection and difficulty of persistently searching amidst all the hustle and bustle and finally finding love in the words deeply touched her.

She recalled the ups and downs they had gone through together over the years, the changes in their identities, and the hardships and tacit understandings that were not meant for outsiders... A faint blush involuntarily rose on her cool and jade-like face, and she quickly lowered her head to avoid being seen by others.

Is he writing about this prosperous era, or... is he also writing about her?
At this moment, Du Wenwei, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward excitedly, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty's poem is truly a masterpiece, fully expressing the grandeur of this prosperous era and the deepest human emotions! I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to publish this poem in the Imperial Gazette, so that it may be displayed throughout the world, allowing all the subjects of our Great Tang to admire Your Majesty's literary talent and share in the glorious splendor of this Lantern Festival!"

Xiao Yan chuckled upon hearing this and nodded slightly: "Granted."

The official in charge of the official gazette was so excited that he repeatedly agreed and instructed his subordinates to carefully copy down the poem.

Xiao Yan then turned around and looked down at the boundless brilliance below once more: "Such a magnificent scene is worthy of the name 'Hongwu'."

As soon as he finished speaking, he slightly raised his hand in a gesture.

Zhong Xiao Kui, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately understood and turned around to send the pre-arranged signal downstairs.

In an instant, several sharp shrieks pierced the night sky.

Before the crowd could react, bursts of dazzling light and fire shot into the sky and exploded with a roar at the peak!

It wasn't just the monotonous sounds and flashes of fireworks. In the night sky, enormous, layered golden chrysanthemums bloomed, their petals exquisitely detailed, slowly unfurling; followed by crimson peonies, magnificent and resplendent; then, emerald green lotus leaves cradled pink lotus blossoms, elegant and unique; and finally, dragon-shaped fireworks roared and spiraled upwards, twisting their bodies in the sky, scales and claws flying, their crimson eyes gleaming.

"what--!"

"Good heavens, what...what is this?!"

"A dragon! A celestial dragon has descended to earth!"

"It was His Majesty who caused the gods to appear!"

Exclamations, praises, and cheers swept through the entire city of Bianjing like a tsunami.

The people looked up, mouths agape, their faces illuminated by the ever-changing colorful light, their eyes filled with unbelievable shock and joy. This was a spectacle they had never witnessed before, far surpassing any previous cannon or fireworks display.

This was naturally the work of the drought demon. In the Taiyuan mining area, he not only studied coal mines, but also, following Xiao Yan's vague hints, experimented with adding different minerals to produce "colored gunpowder" with various colors. Although the process was complicated and the cost was high, it was perfect for such occasions of sharing joy with the people.

Upstairs at Xuande Tower, everyone was moved, and Yang She was so excited that he almost burst into tears.

The women were completely mesmerized, only then realizing why Xiao Yan had invited them to climb the tower together to enjoy the view, utterly captivated by this unprecedented visual feast.

Chi Meng tugged at Ji Ruxue's sleeve, marveling repeatedly. Ji Ruxue looked up at the dazzling yet fleeting flower in the sky. The throbbing in her heart caused by the words intertwined with the magnificent scene before her, transforming into a gentle, serene, and contented smile on her lips.

Xiao Yan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the sky.

However, beneath his wide sleeves, his hand, which was behind his back, suddenly and gently grasped the slightly cool fingertips of Ji Ruxue beside him.

Ji Ruxue trembled almost imperceptibly.

She neither turned her head nor struggled to break free.

She simply pursed her lips slightly, and then quietly and gently grasped that warm and strong hand in return.

Their fingers intertwined quietly.

At the pinnacle of the mortal world, beneath a sky full of splendor.

Silence speaks louder than words.

(End of this chapter)