Border Cook

Chapter 669 Lantern Festival

When Lu Qiyan arrived home, Xia Mingyue was making Yuanxiao at home.

Roll Yuanxiao.

Roll the prepared Yuanxiao filling into small balls, and then shake the small balls continuously in a larger basket to ensure that the Yuanxiao filling is fully coated with glutinous rice flour.

As the basket kept shaking, the Yuanxiao were covered with more and more glutinous rice flour, and became bigger and bigger. When the Yuanxiao reached a certain weight, Xia Mingyue put them in a small basket next to it and kept them ready to be cooked and eaten at any time.

Three kinds of Yuanxiao fillings are made.

Eight-treasure fillings, black sesame fillings, and red bean fillings were placed in small baskets with paper labels on them and piled up like small hills.

Seeing Lu Qiyan coming back, Xia Mingyue smiled and asked, "Are you back?"

"Yes." Lu Qiyan took out the lantern he had chosen and showed it to Xia Mingyue. "Take a look, my lady. Is it good-looking?"

There are several lanterns, in the shape of lotus, rabbit, revolving lantern, and this year's zodiac sign, in the shape of an ox.

Each lantern is exquisitely made and looks very beautiful.

"It's really beautiful." Xia Mingyue was impressed by the craftsman's exquisite craftsmanship. She couldn't wait to put the lantern on the table, inserted a small candle, lit it and looked at it carefully. She couldn't help but praise it again, "It's really beautiful!"

"You look better." Lu Qiyan replied with a grin.

"You're so talkative." Xia Mingyue smiled and blew out the candle and put down the lantern. "After eating Yuanxiao, how about we go to the street to see the lanterns together?"

"Okay." Lu Qiyan nodded. "I heard that there will be dragon and lion dances on the street tonight, fireworks to watch, and we can guess lantern riddles. It's very lively."

Today is the fourteenth day, although it is not the actual day of the Lantern Festival, but the Lantern Festival usually lasts from the fourteenth to the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, and it is lively for three whole days.

Just go.

Xia Mingyue made all the remaining Yuanxiao and asked Yinqiao to cook them, while she went to change her clothes.

The Yuanxiao were cooked quickly and were served together with some other food.

The soup dumplings are exquisite and small, with a filling made of pork, pork skin and water, and some shrimp paste is added to it. They taste fragrant and delicious.

The steamed buns are served with a few refreshing and delicate side dishes, and at the end, there is a bowl of soft and delicious, but slightly hard and chewy, Yuanxiao with a sweet and fragrant filling...

Lu Qiyan and Xia Mingyue both enjoyed the meal very much.

only……

Lu Qiyan put the bowl down and looked around, "Why don't we see Yun Ji?"

"We are all going out to stroll around and enjoy the lanterns. Where do you think Yunji will be?" Xia Mingyue smiled cunningly.

"No wonder." Lu Qiyan smiled mysteriously.

No wonder Xia Yunji didn't rush out when he took out the lantern...

But it’s better this way. When I go out alone with my wife, there are no extra annoying people around me, only the intimacy of the two of us.

Very good!

If Wu Jin hadn't followed...

Seeing Wu Jin following Xia Mingyue closely, holding a rabbit lantern in his mouth with a smug look on his face, and even Xia Mingyue looking after Wu Jin from time to time, Lu Qiyan suddenly felt that his original dream of the two of them going out to enjoy the lanterns in a loving manner was shattered.

But seeing Xia Mingyue smiling happily at this moment, her smile was even more beautiful than the bright moon in the sky, the corners of Lu Qiyan's mouth, which had been drooping, raised again.

After all, nothing is more important than making my wife happy, right?

Lu Qiyan smiled and grabbed Xia Mingyue's hand and continued walking forward together.

Watch dragon and lion dances, enjoy fireworks, guess lantern riddles, watch shadow puppet shows, buy dough figurines, play Guanpu, draw sugar paintings...

The two people and the dog were having a lot of fun, with smiles on their faces almost overflowing.

On this side, Xia Yunji was already at the gate of Fan Mansion, having walked around for the 101st time.

He came to invite Fan Jinglan to go out and enjoy the lanterns together.

When he came, he was full of ambition and had an imposing manner, but when he arrived at the gate of Fan's mansion, he hesitated and did not dare to go forward.

Although he had been here before, it was always to deliver gifts. This was the first time he had invited Fan Jinglan out.

Xia Yunji felt that he needed to behave appropriately, have sufficient reasons, and not appear to overstep the boundaries, and more importantly, leave a good impression in front of the Fan family.

So this wording becomes very important.

"I am General Xia Yunji of the Divine Tiger. I would like to ask if Madam Fan is at home. I would like to ask Madam Fan..."

"No, no, if I just say I'm the Divine Tiger General, won't it seem like I'm showing off my position and achievements?"

"I'm Xia Yunji. May I ask if Madam Fan is at home? I'd like to invite Madam Fan to go enjoy the lanterns with me..."

"It doesn't seem right. If he comes to invite Madam Fan without telling her, wouldn't it be inappropriate? And he hasn't formally met Madam Fan yet. It would be a bit rude to take Madam Fan out directly."

"Shouldn't I ask Mrs. Fan if she's free first, visit her first, and then ask if I can invite her to go out and enjoy the lanterns together?"

"But what if Mrs. Fan disagrees?"

The more Xia Yunji thought about it, the more he felt that there was no solution or wording that was appropriate at the moment. He was just like an ant on a hot pan, turning around in circles.

"What are you doing?"

The questioning voice sounded, and Xia Yunji was immediately frightened and said hurriedly, "No, I didn't do anything..."

But when he saw that the person asking the question was not someone else but Fan Jinglan who had poked her head out from inside the wall, he narrowed his eyes and smiled, "It's you."

"Of course it's me." Fan Jinglan blinked. "Someone just came to tell me that someone was sneaking around outside the door, so I was a little curious about what kind of bold person in the entire capital would dare to wander around outside the Fan Mansion. I never thought it was you."

"Tell me, what are you doing wandering around outside and talking to yourself?"

"I..." Xia Yunji scratched his ear a little embarrassedly, took out the lantern that he had subconsciously hidden behind his back, and said with courage, "I want to invite Madam Fan to go to the street to enjoy the lanterns together!"

Enjoy the lanterns?
Fan Jinglan was startled for a moment, then smiled, "Then why don't you come in, but instead keep pacing back and forth outside?"

"I..." Xia Yunji felt more and more embarrassed. "I was afraid that Madam Fan or Lord Fan would not agree. I was also afraid that you, Madam Fan, would not be at home. I was also afraid that if I said something wrong, it would leave a bad impression..."

Fan Jinglan, "..."

He is very honest and speaks very directly, but he is hesitant...

Fan Jinglan couldn't help laughing out loud.

Xia Yunji became increasingly uneasy and spoke timidly, "Did I say something wrong?"

"No." Fan Jinglan narrowed her eyes and smiled, "It's just that I've never seen you like this before."

The Xia Yunji she saw before was brave and courageous, straightforward and fearless, but now hesitant and indecisive.

It really is……

Kind of cute! "Really?" Xia Yunji chuckled and waved his hand nonchalantly, "It's okay, you'll get used to it after watching it more often."

Fan Jinglan, "..."

If so, will this situation become the norm in the future?
But it doesn’t matter. It’s not impossible to look at such a lovely Xia Yunji from time to time.

Fan Jinglan's mind moved slightly. She had originally poked her head out from the top of the wall, then she climbed up the wall, exerted some force, and jumped down from the top of the wall, landing steadily in front of Xia Yunji.

"Let's go."

"Where are we going?" Xia Yunji blurted out.

"Aren't you going to invite me to see the lanterns? I agreed..."

Before Fan Jinglan finished her words, Fan Hongyu poked his head out from the top of the wall and shouted, "I don't agree!"

"Brother!" Fan Jinglan stamped her feet anxiously.

"Unless you take me with you!" Fan Hongyu put forward his conditions.

It is impossible to stop the two people from watching the lanterns, but he can take a step back and follow the two people. This way, he can satisfy the two people to watch the lanterns and ensure the safety of his younger sister. It is the best of both worlds!

Fan Jinglan, "..."

Xia Yunji, "..."

Xia Yunji had no right to refuse, so he remained silent and only looked at Fan Jinglan. After thinking for a moment, Fan Jinglan nodded, "Okay."

"Then let's go." Fan Hongyu nodded happily, and just like Fan Jinglan just now, he climbed over the wall and left.

However, Fan Hongyu's skills were slightly less agile than Fan Jinglan's, and he was not as light when he landed.

Fan Hongyu didn't care about these details. He just took a lantern from Xia Yunji and happily led the way. "Let's go."

"Walk."

Fan Jinglan and Xia Yunji followed side by side behind.

The gatekeeper at the main gate of Fan's mansion was stunned when he saw the three people walking away. He looked up at the gate next to him again and again.

If his understanding was correct, the vermilion wooden board next to him with golden copper nails on it should be the gate.

This gate should be used for people to leave.

Maybe……

As the night deepened, the streets became more and more lively.

The moon is above the willows, and the bright moonlight pours down all over the ground. Everything in the world seems to be covered with a thin veil, so beautiful.

The Lantern Festival is a time for young men and women to meet, see each other, and get to know each other. At this time, young men and women are often seen in pairs, and everyone is used to it.

A group of three people like Xia Yunji, Fan Jinglan and Fan Hongyu were indeed quite conspicuous, while a group of two people and a dog like Xia Mingyue, Lu Qiyan and Wu Jin were even more surprising.

When these five people and one dog met on the street, walking together, the men were young and talented, with handsome appearance and good temperament, and the women were dignified and beautiful, as pretty as flowers, people could not help but cast their eyes and found it difficult to look away.

Especially these five people and one dog, they held many lanterns in their hands.

These lanterns are not the ones sold on the streets, but the ones hung in front of each shop for customers to guess lantern riddles.

From this we can infer that these people not only have good looks and temperament, but more importantly, they are talented!
How can this person be so perfect?
All of a sudden, many gazes that were originally just observing gradually became heated, and some people were even eager to try, thinking about whether to strike up a conversation.

But when he saw the gentle and elegant man with a strong and fierce aura, he carefully gathered the cloak for the beautiful and elegant woman next to him, put her hands to her mouth, and gently breathed on her to keep her warm...

When the young man who looked sunny and bright considerately offered fruit to the girl next to him who was as bright and beautiful as the sun, and used a handkerchief to wipe the sugar stains from the corners of her mouth, some people who originally had some thoughts in mind suppressed all the thoughts that had arisen in their minds.

But some people turned their attention to Fan Hongyu, whose temperament was as gentle as jade.

Around the Lantern Festival, if one goes out with friends to admire the lanterns and is alone, he must be unmarried.

There is a play!

So, some women hesitated for a moment, unable to suppress their inner thoughts, and walked closer to Fan Hongyu and others.

He took off his purse and quietly threw it aside.

The exquisite and cute little wooden sculpture that I just bought pretended to fall to the ground accidentally.

He was walking normally, and when he reached his side, he tripped over his left foot and fell on him.

Follow him from behind, suddenly reach out and pat him, wait for him to turn around, then pretend to be surprised that you have recognized the wrong person...

So, before he had walked far on the street, Fan Hongyu had already encountered N+1 accidents and had chats with several women.

The more they talked, the more Fan Hongyu frowned.

It was not until a woman came to him again and asked him if she had picked up a handkerchief on the way that Fan Hongyu finally couldn't help but speak, "I haven't been to the streets in the past few days. The security of this capital city has become so bad. I need to ask the Imperial City Bureau how they usually do things!"

Fan Jinglan, "..."

I finally understand why my eldest brother has not yet married at such an old age.

Even the iron chains tied by Yue Lao could be cut off by him!

The capital city was bustling and there was no curfew. At this time, there were still carriages coming in and out of the city gate.

A very inconspicuous, gray carriage entered the city. Seeing that the main street was congested, it took the side roads.

Inside the carriage, one can still feel the hustle and bustle of the capital during the Lantern Festival.

The person in the carriage seemed to be unable to help himself and lifted the curtain, revealing his face.

The man with handsome face and deep eye sockets is Xiao Luoan.

But at this moment, Xiao Luoan's face was pale, his lips were pale, and he looked extremely weak.

At this moment, the action of lifting the curtain involved the wound, and Xiao Luoan couldn't help but let out a "hiss" and frowned.

"Master." Cen Ying asked with concern, "Take care of yourself."

"It's okay." Xiao Luoan said with a smile, "It's just that I haven't seen such a lively scene for a long time, so I was a little distracted for a moment."

"Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. It will probably be as lively as this in the next few days."

Cen Ying thought for a moment and suggested, "Let me buy you a lantern."

One must buy a lantern for the Lantern Festival. Xiao Luoan will be back tonight, so he must first go to the palace to meet the emperor, and then he must recuperate in the palace. He must not wander around the streets admiring the lanterns.

Buying one can be considered as fulfilling a wish.

"it is good."

Xiao Luoan nodded, paused, and said, "Buy two."