บท 49: Blessing Festival (5) Lanterns

As the last rays of sunlight filtered through the temple's windows, the women led by the empress dowager walked to the courtyard to participate in the last event of the festival, the lighting of Blessing Lanterns.

Flanking the courtyard on two sides stood stalls adorned with an array of lanterns, meticulously crafted with intricate patterns, soon to be adorned with the wishes, aspirations and dreams of the women gathered here. Across from them, were tables with ink and brushes for them to write on.

In the heart of this courtyard, a woodpile stood tall. Its flame would become the focal point of the evening's ritual, serving as the communal fire for the other women's lanterns, a symbolic gesture embodying the unity of the imperial family.

"Make a sincere wish, and the lanterns will carry your desires to the Heavens, granting whatever your heart truly yearns for," spoke Guifei Rong. Her gaze, filled with a warmth that surpassed all others, settled fondly on Han Aeng. "Last year, I wished for a charming daughter-in-law, and here you stand."

Han Aeng returned the smile; she was becoming rather fond of her mother-in-law.

Her gaze shifted back to the Empress Dowager, who accepted the torch from the waiting priest. She ignited the Blessing Fire with a steady hand, its flames leaping to life with radiant warmth.

Guided by Guifei Rong, Han Aeng approached the stalls. As if waiting for her, a priest presented her with a lantern adorned with delicate floral patterns in shades of pink and gold.

She accepted the lantern and brush from the waiting priest and turned to join Guifei Rong.

"It suits you, Young Miss Han," the priest muttered to himself.

Instinctively, she turned, locking eyes with another young priest. His gaze held a flicker of curiosity before swiftly darting away as if he had been caught in the act.

She paid no heed to him and scanned the area for the priest who had served her. However, he was nowhere to be found.

A peculiar sensation prickled at the back of her mind, a feeling she had once experienced in the old priest's room.

As expected, whoever was after her had a connection with the inner court.

Before she could dwell on the matter further, Guifei Rong's words drew her attention. "This is the one time I won't accompany you. Secrets of the heart are a secret for a reason." With a mischievous wink, she disappeared into the bustling crowd.

Han Aeng shook her head, a grin slowly spreading across her face at Guifei Rong. Always marching to the beat of her own drum, that mother-in-law of mine.

She settled at an empty table, dipping her brush into the ink. The tip hovered over the parchment lantern before her.

There was nothing she had wanted to write.

Amidst the shimmering sea of lanterns, Han Aeng stood in a silent daze, her thoughts drifting away from the commotion.

What did she wish for? Security? Peace? An uneventful life?

After much debate, she inscribed a single word, each stroke deliberate and carefully filled with quiet intent—Home.

She didn't elaborate. If the Heavens truly listened, as everyone claimed, they would understand the depths of her heart's desire without further explanation.

Approaching the flickering flames, she watched the others. The courtyard, once bathed in the fading light of dusk, now glowed with the ethereal beauty born from the collective hopes. And soon, hers would join them.

Intently, she watched as the flames flickered softly, and its glow enveloped the thin walls of the lantern. She let her lantern soar into the night sky with a gentle release.

Carried away by the gentle breeze, its soft glow illuminating the darkness as it ascended. Watching the lantern drift, she offered a silent prayer of a sort.

If what the priest said is true. If you truly are looking out for me... Please don't deny me this time.

At that moment, something extraordinary occurred, capturing the attention of everyone present. All eyes were drawn to the defiant glow from Han Aeng's lantern, seemingly having taken on a life of its own. The flames blazing with an intensity that was both mesmerizing and unsettling.

Despite the surprise and confusion surrounding her, Han Aeng herself stood transfixed. Her eyes reflected the flames dancing in a rebellious fervour.

"That..."

"I've never seen that happen before."

A collective gasp broke through.

In a sudden burst of glory, the lantern erupted into flames

As the flames consumed her lantern, a sense of resignation washed over Han Aeng, leaving her feeling stripped bare of her hopes and desires.

Each flicker of the flames ignited a cascade of painful memories, a relentless torrent of past failures and disappointments. The memories flashed before her eyes mercilessly—broken promises and the heavy burden of her shortcomings.

Its parchment engulfed in a fiery embrace, crumbling into ash as if rejecting the very essence of her wish.

Well, I guess I won't be holding onto that false hope that someone up there might finally hear me. Right, I always knew my prayers fell on deaf ears; they stopped listening a long time ago.

Despite her attempts to convince herself not to be hopeful, the persistent ache in her heart betrayed her true feelings. With each passing moment, the realization grew stronger; she was truly alone in her struggles.

The Heavens truly had turned a deaf ear to her pleas.

She had always poured her heart into prayers, hoping for guidance or solace, only to be met with silence. And it led her to make a few mistakes she wasn't proud of.

Perhaps she was doomed to repeat the mistakes of her past. Maybe she was undeserving of the life she wanted.

The weight of her fears presses down on her shoulders, threatening to crush her beneath its heavy burden.

Her shoulders slumped, suffocating her with a sense of shame and inadequacy. Her eyes fixed on the ground as if unable to meet the accusing gazes of the onlookers.

Grappling with her inner turmoil, Han Aeng became increasingly conscious of the subtle shifts in the atmosphere around her. The nervous glances exchanged between the women gathered nearby, and the hushed murmurs that rippled through the crowd seemed to converge upon her like a suffocating blanket of judgment.

With each passing moment, the crowd's scrutiny threatened to engulf her.

Amongst them, Mei Fubai's lips curled into a smug smile, a predator basking in the downfall of her prey. Her eyes sparkled with malicious glee, relishing in Han Aeng's discomfort. She leaned close to her companions, whispering words of doubt and suspicion into their ears.

"I wonder if her wishes were too ambitious for the Heavens to bear. One must consider the consequences of such audacity."

5th Princess consort, Lai Chumei, shuddered at the implication of Mei Fubai's words. "You mean the lantern burning is a harbinger of ill fortune?"

"No, no, we can't say that. It's Chancellor Yi's curious selection of a bride for Dahai-ge! How could she possibly bring bad luck?"

As Mei Fubai's voice pierced through the murmurs around her, Han Aeng slapped herself mentally.

She suddenly felt foolish. What was she doing, allowing herself to be swayed by such a silly thing? She had survived this long without Heaven's help. Why would she need them now?

That's right, since they reject me, I'll reject them tenfold!

Han Aeng straightened her shoulders, lifting her chin in a silent declaration of defiance. Her eyes, filled with determination, remained locked on Mei Fubai, who met her gaze with equal resolve.

Guifei Rong's voice rose above the murmurs and speculation as she stepped forward. "It is said that Heaven works in mysterious ways, and perhaps this is no exception," she began, her tone steady and reassuring. "Rather than viewing this event with fear or confusion, let us instead see it as a testament to the strength and resilience within each of us."

The Empress Dowager also approached, her expression unreadable. She echoed Guifei Rong's sentiments. "It serves as a reminder of the fortitude that lies within each of us."

Turning towards Han Aeng, she continued, "Perhaps Han Aeng's wish was not meant to be granted in a conventional manner, but rather through her own actions and determination."

Taking the hint from the Empress Dowager, the crowd dispersed.

Han Aeng exchanged a few words with the Empress Dowager, her gaze respectful as she watched the older woman depart. "Chenqie will remember your guidance."

"It's probably because the Heavens didn't want to receive something she sent over that they burnt the lantern into ashes," Mei Fubai giggled, her words meant only for her friend's ears. Unbeknownst to her, Guifei Rong caught every whispered syllable.

Guifei Rong's expression shifted, her unhappiness evident. She looked between Han Aeng and her lantern before swiftly thrusting it into Han Aeng's hand. "Now help me send mine off," she urged her tone firm yet gentle.

Without another choice, Han Aeng accepted the lantern from Guifei Rong's outstretched hand, her fingers curling around the delicate frame with care.

"You're not meant to show your wishes to others, but I'll show you mine," Guifei Rong continued, her voice tinged with a hint of mischief as she pointed to the writing on the side of the lantern.

'A cute child that resembles my daughter-in-law.'

Han Aeng's eyes grew wide. Her lips twitched between a smile and a frown.

"I'm sure I shouldn't be the one to send it off," she protested weakly, feeling unworthy of such a heartfelt yearning.

Guifei Rong merely shrugged, a soft smile playing at the corners of her lips. "You're the only one who can grant me this wish, so it makes sense you do."

A faint pink blush spread across Han Aeng's cheeks, and she averted her gaze. Mother-in-law, you think too highly of me.

"Go on, send it to the heavens for me."

With a steady hand, Han Aeng released the lantern towards the heavens. Watching in silence as it ascended higher and higher, its glow shimmering against the backdrop of the night sky until it was finally swallowed by the darkness above.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For a lot." Han Aeng replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thanks to my mother-in-law, chenqie's first Blessing Festival ended on a happy note."

Guifei Rong tapped Han Aeng's shoulder affectionately with hers, a playful twinkle in her features. "You can thank me by making my wish come true."