The Lantern Festival arrived unnoticed.
From the afternoon, various lanterns hanging within the Prince Mansion were gradually lit up for testing.
Under the corridors, in the courtyards, beside the pavilions, koi carp lanterns, lotus lanterns, revolving lanterns, palace lanterns... either hanging or carried, still or turning, exuded a hazy warm glow in the light of the still-bright sky. Servants shuttled among them, doing final checks to ensure that when the night fell and all lights were illuminated, none would go wrong.
A faint smell of gunpowder lingered in the air, prepared for the fireworks to be set off at midnight.
The main hall of the Prince Mansion had been converted into a venue for a night banquet, with long cases set out and seats arranged neatly to host dignitaries, Qin family relatives, tribal leaders, and their families.
