flstandardbreds Chapter 125 The Lantern Festival Banquet Begins
Chapter 125 The Lantern Festival Banquet Begins
In the afternoon, even more people came, all relatives from the clan. Everyone gathered together in a lively atmosphere, chatting and laughing.
Jia Hu and his friends, along with other children, were to host their peers and play with them.
When the banquet was approaching, Jia Hu took the children ahead of him to wait in the main hall.
Before long, it got dark. The lights in the courtyard had already been lit, and the crowds coming and going were all dressed up in their finest attire, adorned with various jewelry, hairpins, and silks. The women looked like fairies descended from heaven, and the men were all elegant and charming. Regardless of age, each had their own kind of handsomeness and beauty, a truly breathtaking sight!
Jia Hu was a sight to behold. It must be said that the Jia family's genes are quite strong; each member has their own unique beauty.
Bathed in the lamplight, and shimmering with various gold, silver, and jade artifacts, it truly resembled a gathering of immortals.
After everyone is seated, the younger generation should first bow and offer toasts to the elders.
After Jia Hu and the other children bowed and said some nice words, they were able to sit there obediently.
Looking at the place before him, Jia Hu couldn't help but recall the Lantern Festivals described in the book.
The book describes the Lantern Festival three times.
The first time was when Yinglian went missing, which was a kind of omen. However, if you prepare in advance, this tragedy will not happen. How could someone like Xue Pan be worthy of Xiangling!
Kuang Xiangling is truly pitiful. She originally had a happy family, with loving and doting parents. She was a beloved young lady, but she ended up like that, which is truly regrettable!
The second time was when Yuan-chun visited her family; that was quite a spectacle!
Thinking of this, Jia Hu sighed deeply. Yuan Chun is not even a month old yet, so these things will not happen in the future.
Jia Hu was filled with emotion upon recalling the memory, and he couldn't help but pick up the fruit drink on the table and take a sip.
The outside environment was very noisy, but the Jia family felt as if Hu'er's voice was ringing in their ears.
Hearing his sigh, Jia Daishan realized that this was the second time Hu'er had mentioned Xiangling. This time, however, there were more clues. Her original name was Yinglian, and she had gone missing during the Lantern Festival. There was no further news. However, Hu'er had her own plans, so he would lend a hand when the time came.
Looking at everyone, at this place that resembled a marketplace of fame and fortune, where people were clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, Jia Hu was reminded of Yuan Chun's visit home.
This was a complete tragedy. Yuan Chun selected four plays, and the riddles and firecrackers involved were actually a bad omen for her grandmother. The answer to the riddle was really bad, and the firecrackers would shatter as soon as they exploded.
Even Sister Feng said at the time that the Jia family was at its peak, like a blazing fire and blooming flowers, but prosperity must eventually decline!
At that time, no one could see the signs of the Jia family's decline. No matter which family produced a concubine or had a family visit, they certainly wouldn't be able to see it.
However, her grandmother must have sensed it at the time, but she was already old and powerless to change anything.
When Grandmother Jia heard this, she was filled with emotion, feeling guilty for bringing the Jia family to such a state.
But on the surface, she still had to smile and greet her nieces and grandnieces with a smile as they offered her drinks.
Jia Hu looked around and saw that many of the clan members had come today, including relatives he didn't recognize. Everyone was gathered together and seemed genuinely happy.
However, by the third time, it was already late in the process, and the signs of the Jia family's decline in numbers were already evident.
I remember when we invited men and women from the clan, there were elderly people, people who had no one to look after their homes, people who were sick, and people who were jealous of the Jia family's wealth but lamented their own poverty. Many people did not come.
Fortunately, Sister Feng was quick-witted and had high emotional intelligence, which made everyone happy.
But now, Jia Hu looked around and saw that the hall was packed with people, both inside and outside, and there were hardly enough seats left; it was quite cramped.
Jia Daihua, Jia Daishan, and the rest of the Jia family listened as Jia Hu recounted how the Jia family celebrated the Lantern Festival. Looking at their relatives and friends now, they felt even more distressed.
How can a family prosper for a long time? Of course, it depends on the number of its members. If the number of members is not as good as the previous generation, and there is a lack of successors, then the family is not far from its demise. No wonder Hu'er sighed when she saw this scene.
Although Jia Zhen and Jia Zhu were still young, they could tell that they were also feeling down.
Jia Hu felt that his low spirits were unacceptable; this was the reunion he had longed for. He immediately began to encourage himself, shouting a thunderous pep talk in his mind.
【Jia Hu! Cheer up! This is a happy day! What are you thinking about! Such a wonderful day, none of those things will happen in the future, be happy! Be happy! Today you should be the happiest child in the world!】
Come on, everyone! Come from all directions! Come on, come on!
The sudden, deafening cheers made the people of the Jia family tremble with excitement, but their mood improved considerably.
Yes! None of those things will happen anymore, so we should be happy.
Jia Zhen and Jia Zhu exchanged a glance, then immediately raised their fruit drinks and said to Jia Hu:
"Brother, your brothers, let's raise a toast to you today!"
Jia Hu looked at his two younger brothers, who resembled bandits, and wanted to laugh. He had completely led them astray. He had clearly taught them chivalry, but how had he produced two heroes?
Jia Hu, however, was in a good mood. He raised his fruit drink, clinked glasses with his two younger brothers, and shouted:
"cheers!"
Three radish heads, and they immediately finished the drink.
Those around them couldn't help but laugh at the way the three brothers drank. The children followed suit, raising their cups to toast each other, making the adults laugh non-stop.
Jia Hu, Jia Zhen, and Jia Zhu, holding cups, joined the group of children, going around the room toasting people incessantly.
The adults all gave them face, and imitating them, they clasped their hands in greeting and drank in unison.
What better way to celebrate a festival than with a theatrical performance? The Jia family had already invited the best opera troupes, and after everyone had finished their drinks, the opera began.
Jia Hu was looking forward to seeing the Jia family's lavish display of wealth when they distributed money, and sure enough, he heard his great-uncle and grandfather say in unison:
"reward!"
Then servants carried out large winnowing baskets that had been prepared earlier, and began scattering money from them onto the stage. The money clattered and jingled as it landed on the stage, while the opera continued, with performers throwing various somersaults and tumbling moves, winning cheers from the audience. The money from the several large winnowing baskets below was scattered even faster.
Jia Hu and a group of children watched, mouths agape, listening to the clinking and tinkling sounds of money and opera music.
There was also the reward money. But it couldn't really be called a reward; it had to be money given to Wenbao to buy fruit. Even if it was a reward, there was another explanation. Jia Hu was completely satisfied and exclaimed how delightful it was!