NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 25
Li Xia took the pouch and instantly felt relieved of any sadness. She coquettishly said to Auntie Mei, "Auntie, you always spoil me."
Auntie Mei snorted. If Li Xia wasn't her own flesh and blood, she would have beaten her.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Liuzhou was bustling with a lantern festival that lasted all night. Many officials' wives would attend, seeing it as an opportunity to expand their social circles. Mrs. Lu had reserved a spot early.
As the magistrate, Li Ming had to remain vigilant during such a big lantern festival, fearing any mishaps. He wouldn't be able to enjoy the lanterns with his family on Lantern Festival night.
Li Xia only realized on Lantern Festival night that they were going out in the evening. Now, she had no desire to go out. Nighttime was for resting, not for going out to play. But Auntie Mei wouldn't allow Li Xia to make excuses. After dressing her up all afternoon and giving her some money, Auntie Mei was willing to let Li Xia go out.
After being dolled up by Auntie Mei and Qiu Ju all afternoon, Li Xia was finally allowed to go out. As she got into the carriage and saw Li Xin also dressed up, she glanced at her sympathetically. Li Xin felt inexplicably uncomfortable under Li Xia's gaze.
Li Shan also didn't go this time because Li Yao was seriously ill again, and Aunt Wang wouldn't allow Li Shan to go. No matter how unwilling Li Shan was to quarrel with Aunt Wang, she couldn't get her consent and was locked in the room.
Mrs. Lu took Li Hui, Li Xin, Li Xia, Li Chou, and Li Guang to the reserved teahouse. They sat down in the private room, and a waiter served them tea and snacks. The lights along the street illuminated the starry sky, making the area as bright as day.
Li Xia finally felt excited as she looked at the beautiful lanterns below and smelled the delicious food, unable to resist the urge to go downstairs. But before she could say anything to Mrs. Lu, Li Guang spoke up.
"Mother, can we go downstairs to get a closer look at the lanterns?" Li Guang asked Mrs. Lu's opinion. Seeing the eager eyes of the children, Mrs. Lu nodded in agreement. However, she instructed them to take their servants with them.
Li Xia went downstairs with Qiu Shui and Qiu Ju. Auntie Mei, worried about Li Xia, sent Qiu Ju to stay by her side again. This time, Auntie Mei strictly instructed Qiu Ju never to leave Li Xia's side.
She reminded Li Xia again not to cause any trouble and to stay with Li Xin to see the lanterns. Li Xia agreed, but when Li Xin asked her to go see the lanterns, Li Xia shook her head, uninterested, and said she wanted to eat instead.
Li Xin and Li Hui enjoyed the lanterns together, marveling at the various shapes of the lanterns on the street.
Li Xia didn't care about her identity and stood on the street, eating roasted sweet potatoes, candied haws, melon seeds, chestnuts, dried fruits, pastries, etc., until she was full before stopping and heading back.
When she returned to the private room, there was only one maid inside. Upon inquiry, Li Xia learned that Mrs. Lu had gone to see other ladies. Her siblings hadn't returned yet.
Feeling bored, Li Xia sat by the window, sipping tea and waiting for the others. Although she had eaten a lot downstairs and felt full, walking back had made her feel like she could eat a little more. After finishing the tea, she started eating chestnuts again.
Satisfied, Li Xia closed her eyes and felt a little sleepy. Now, if only there was a bed for her to lie down and sleep. Qiu Ju brought a cloak for her to put on.
Li Xia was dozing off when a loud rumble echoed. Startled, she woke up and opened her eyes, looking towards the source of the sound. A massive blaze illuminated the area.
"Fire!" the maid inside the room shrieked.
"Quiet!" Qiu Ju scolded, then looked worriedly towards the street. The crowd outside was in chaos, running away from the fire. Some were shouting and looking for people. It was chaotic, and the fire was spreading fast towards them. The teahouse was not safe; they needed to leave quickly. "Miss, we can't stay here. We need to go."
"Let's find Mother first," Li Xia said, getting up. Qiu Ju, Qiu Shui, and the maid followed behind Li Xia. Opening the door, they saw others in the teahouse also in a panic, trying to leave. The fire was spreading rapidly; the teahouse, made of wood, would catch fire soon.
Qiu Ju led the way, preventing people from bumping into Li Xia. Mrs. Lu came out from another lady's room, hurrying towards the private room they had reserved, looking very anxious.
With such a big fire, Li Hui and Li Xin might not have returned. Finally pushing through the crowd, Li Xia saw Mrs. Lu walking towards her alone. Mrs. Lu's face turned even paler. Her children should be on the street.
Seeing Mrs. Lu's pale face, Li Xia stepped forward. "Big brother and sister went to see the lanterns, accompanied by guards. They'll be fine."
Li Xia's words made Mrs. Lu nod. With Li Hui there, acting cautiously, he would protect Li Xin. Now, the priority was to leave this place safely. Calming herself down, Mrs. Lu said to Li Xia, "Let's go," leading the way towards the door.
Everyone in the teahouse wanted to escape death. They all tried to squeeze out, blocking the door.
Realizing the situation was dire, Li Xia subtly moved her right hand, and the crowded people at the door felt a strong force behind them, pushing them out. Fortunately, there weren't many people under the eaves. They quickly got up and ran towards the street. Those who had been crushed at the bottom got up, feeling around to make sure they were okay, feeling a bit strange. But now was not the time for strangeness; they rushed into the crowd and ran towards the street.
Taking advantage of the gap, Li Xia and Mrs. Lu, along with their servants, rushed out. There were even more people on the road. Li Xia was pushed into the crowd and just turned back. Where did everyone go? Where was Mother? Qiu Ju and Qiu Shui were also missing.
Li Xia looked around but didn't see anyone. With the crowd pushing her forward, Li Xia had no choice but to keep moving. As she walked, a young girl ahead screamed and fell forward. She was about to fall, and she might have died. Li Xia swiftly moved forward, pulling her up with force. With one hand protecting the girl and the other pushing away the crowd, she walked towards the wall. Pressed against the wall, there was less pushing force, and Li Xia finally breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at the girl she was holding.
When Wang Lan was pushed forward, she thought she would surely die today, but she didn't expect someone to pull her up forcefully and bring her to the wall. Seeing the young girl who saved her, Wang Lan held back her tears and said, "Thank you."
"Let's hold off on thanks for now; let's get out of here first," the jostling behind them urged Li Xia to pull Wang Lan forward. Pushing through the crowd, Li Xia shielded her companion from those with ill intentions. Sneaking in a couple of extra steps whenever there was a gap, she couldn't believe that even at a time like this, some people were still thinking about stealing. "No need for thanks, but if you insist, a couple of bags of silver would do," Li Xia casually replied as they made their way forward.
"No matter what, I have to thank you. If it weren't for you, I might not be alive," Wang Lan followed behind Li Xia.
Pushing through the crowd, Li Xia replied nonchalantly, "Words are cheap. If you really want to repay me, just hand over a hefty sum of silver."
Listening to Li Xia's down-to-earth way of asking for repayment, Wang Lan chuckled. This girl was truly unique. But her straightforwardness was quite endearing. Thinking to herself, she vowed to tell her mother and give a thousand pieces of silver to the person who saved her life.
Li Xia escorted Wang Lan to the street corner where Li Hui was maintaining order. Li Hui's face was grave, but there was no sign of Li Xin. Li Xia reached out to signal, "Big brother, I'm here."