Hu Tao planted her hands on her hips, utterly unconcerned.
"As the Director, I have every right to be—what's the harm in cutting a couple of bamboo stalks?"
"Director Hu."
Zhongli's voice sounded suddenly from behind her, making Hu Tao freeze on the spot.
She straightened up at once, a bright smile spreading across her face—without a trace of embarrassment at having been caught in the act.
"Oh, Consultant! You're up so early today?"
"I heard the sound of bamboo being cut, so I came out to have a look. I didn't expect it to be you, Director Hu." Zhongli's gaze landed on the two fresh, green bamboo stalks at her feet. "If the Director Hu wants some of my bamboo, how could I possibly refuse?"
"But Director Hu, I'd like to go out and purchase a few things."
"Ah, well…" Hu Tao's eyes darted about before landing on Jiang Bai.
If Zhongli went shopping, it would mean she'd have to spend a fortune today. But since she'd been caught red-handed, refusing would just give Zhongli other ways to empty her wallet.
She tossed her coin pouch to Jiang Bai.
"Jiang Bai! I'll leave this crucial mission—accompanying Mr. Zhongli on his shopping trip—to you! The budget's tight, so don't go overboard."
Jiang Bai weighed the purse in his hand and, glancing from its contents to Zhongli's infamous spending habits, got a bad feeling about this "shopping" excursion.
"All right, off you go! I'm going to make the xiao lanterns!" With two bamboo stalks under her arm and blueprints in hand, Hu Tao darted away, leaving nothing but a swirl of fallen leaves in her wake.
Jiang Bai followed Zhongli out the gates of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Today, Liyue Harbor was bustling: lanterns hung in front of every home, bright ribbons fluttered overhead, even the cats and dogs sunning themselves by the roadside seemed newly bathed and spotless.
People had all donned new clothes, exchanging joyful greetings for the Lantern Rite.
"It's so lively," Jiang Bai couldn't help but remark in awe.
"This must be your first Lantern Rite," Zhongli said, walking among the festive crowd, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"It is."
"The Lantern Rite has a long history in Liyue, full of traditions. You don't need to keep me company. I'm not buying much—go and have some fun."
"Huh?"
Jiang Bai had been ready to guard the coin pouch with his life, determined not to let Zhongli overspend. Now, he wasn't buying anything at all?
"Go on and enjoy yourself. Ah, but hand over the Mora."
Jiang Bai hesitated, then handed Zhongli the pouch Hu Tao had given him.
It had been for Zhongli to use anyway—no matter who held it, the result was the same.
"What about you, Mr. Zhongli?"
"I'll visit some old friends, and bring them a little something while I'm at it."
Zhongli glanced at the pouch—there should be just enough to buy a box of Lianli Zhenxin Powder.
"Happy Lantern Rite," Zhongli offered.
"Happy Lantern Rite!" Jiang Bai waved, watching Zhongli melt into the crowd.
With no need to tag along, Jiang Bai wandered Liyue Harbor alone, exchanging greetings as many people called out to him in passing.
He bought two sugar figurines and strolled back toward Wangsheng Parlor.
Licking his candy, Jiang Bai stepped into Hu Tao's courtyard.
"Director, is your lantern finished yet?"
"As if it could be done so fast!"
Hu Tao poked her head up from a heap of bamboo strips and xuan paper.
"What brings you back so soon?"
"Mr. Zhongli said he didn't need me, just took the Mora and left. So I came right back."
Jiang Bai handed her a sugar figurine, crafted into a little ghost shape on purpose.
"Candy for you, Director."
"I knew it! He's just out to scam me for my Mora!" Hu Tao chomped down on the sugar figurine, grinding it to bits as if it were a certain someone with an appetite for spending money.
A hundred thousand Mora! Just think how much bamboo she could have bought with that!
"I don't care—I'm going to cut a few more stalks!"
Not long after, Hu Tao returned with her arms full—not just bamboo, but a fine inkstone, top-quality pine soot ink, rare cinnabar pigment worth thousands, and several expensive-looking brushes of various sizes.
In high spirits, Hu Tao set everything aside and started working with Jiang Bai to assemble the lantern frame according to her blueprints. Once the structure was done, they pasted on the lantern paper.
Hu Tao picked up a brush and painted a cluster of red plum blossoms, then slipped in a large piece of floating life stone.
By midday, after countless steps, the enormous half-person-tall xiao lantern was finally complete!
Jiang Bai clapped and cheered.
"Truly worthy of being our Director—such skillful hands!"
"We'll set it aside for now. When night falls, we'll send it up together—I guarantee it'll be the brightest lantern in the night sky!"
Apart from releasing xiao lanterns, the Lantern Rite was also a time to honor the heroes of the past.
Hu Tao led Jiang Bai to clean every corner of the ancestral hall, burn incense, and place fresh offerings.
By dusk, after the sun had set, Hu Tao and Jiang Bai hauled their giant lantern to Wanmin Restaurant, delighting in the look of shock on Xiangling's face.
"Wow! That lantern's huge!"
Xiangling dashed inside and returned with her own lantern.
"Look at my Guoba lantern!"
She'd added ears and Guoba's face to her lantern—making it absolutely adorable.
"Not bad at all!"
"Come on, let's find a nice wide spot and set off our lanterns together." The two of them linked hands, hopping and skipping toward the docks, with Jiang Bai and Guoba each carrying a lantern behind them.
...
The docks were thronged with people, everyone clutching a lantern, waiting for night to deepen so they could launch their lanterns alongside the massive Mingxiao lantern.
Food stalls lined the festival streets, delicious smells wafting through the air and tempting every passerby.
As night gradually deepened, the xiao lanterns across Liyue shone even brighter than the stars above.
Hu Tao and Jiang Bai each gripped a corner of their lantern, making sure it didn't fly away before they were ready.
The huge Mingxiao lantern rose into the sky, its carved immortal figure almost coming alive as it danced across the heavens, drawing a brilliant arc through the night.
These were the immortals who had once given their lives for Liyue—there were so many, too many to count.
People everywhere lifted their own lanterns, releasing them to drift skyward.
Warm golden flames flickered inside, carrying wishes for the coming year as they floated over Liyue Harbor.
Hu Tao closed her eyes and whispered a gentle prayer.
"May Wangsheng Funeral Parlor thrive and flourish!"
"May I learn even more new recipes next year!"
"Lu-lu~!"
Jiang Bai made a wish too.
"May life keep getting better."
The giant lantern in his hands rose slowly, like a massive star climbing from the surface of the sea.
Nearby, a child pointed up in amazement.
"Mommy, look at that huge lantern!"
"Next year, we'll make one just as big!"
---
At Wangshu Inn, Zhongli and Xiao stood atop the roof, watching as guests below sent their lanterns skyward.
Zhongli turned to the person beside him.
"How are you feeling?"
Xiao bowed his head, respectful.
"Thank you, Lord Rex Lapis, for bringing the Lianli Zhenxin Powder. I'm much better."
"The last day of the year—let's send off a lantern together." Zhongli handed him a lantern.
Xiao was momentarily stunned, then took it, releasing the shining flame into the night.
Lanterns carrying countless wishes filled the Liyue sky.
---
"Translator chained me here and told me to write something clever. Consider this your mandatory reminder that if you enjoyed the chapter, you can toss your precious Powerstones into the void—every 100 of them forces out one extra chapter, like wringing blood from a stone. 100 = 1, 200 = 2, 300 = 3… you get the picture."
"If you're feeling dangerously generous (or just want to peek ahead), there's also a Patreon: patreon.com/wisetl. Allegedly, it's "voluntary support," but let's not kid ourselves—you're here for early chapters."
"That's all. Now leave me be." —Angelica Ainsworth