V3: Chapter 13: Happy Times are Coming to an End
The setting sun gently casts its golden rays upon the winding river, bathing its tranquil surface in a soft glow. This river, named the River of Eliana, flows through the city, nourishing every inch of the royal capital.
On its banks, a group of commoners, dressed in simple, plain clothes, have gathered. They come to this sacred water with their own prayers and hopes. The air is filled with the faint scent of grass and the warmth of burning firewood, occasionally punctuated by the melodious chimes of distant church bells, adding a touch of solemnity and tranquility to the scene of prayer.
The women, dressed in colorful long dresses, their hems gently brushing against the moss on the riverbank, carry either bouquets of flowers or small bundles tied with thin strings, filled with slips of paper inscribed with prayers or blessings for the health and safety of their families. Their faces radiated piety and anticipation, their eyes sparkling with longing for a better life.
Liang Lin and the others stood on the riverbank. Though they weren't wearing colorful dresses, they held the same things as the common people, gazing at the rushing river.
This time, their wishes were selfless; the slips of paper thrown into the river were all blessings for their families and hopes for a bright future.
Of course, except for the two little girls, Carol and Alice. They wrote things like wanting to eat something delicious and wishing their mothers would be gentler.
As a soft chanting arose, an elderly priest slowly entered the crowd.
He wore a long robe and a crown of thorns, carrying an intricately carved wooden staff. His steps were steady and solemn. The priest stopped, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Then, he slowly opened his eyes and began to chant ancient prayers in his deep, resonant voice.
"This doesn't seem to be the same priest from before~"
Carol muttered softly, nudging Alice beside her with her elbow.
Alice looked at the priest and nodded. "It definitely doesn't seem to be the same priest from before. This priest is much older than the previous one."
Liang Di made a "shh" gesture to them.
"Shh, you two, keep your voices down. Why are you discussing other people so loudly? Go away, go play somewhere else."
Led by the priest, the commoners knelt down, gently placing their bouquets of flowers and paper into the river, letting them drift away with the current. At that moment, the river seemed to come alive; each ripple carried the people's prayers and hopes.
Liang Lin and the others followed suit, placing their flowers and notes into the river as well.
Carol, beside Liang Lin, tugged at her sleeve.
"Mama, when can we go to the bonfire party?"
Children, of course, prefer parties and such; they sound much more interesting than prayer activities.
"Soon. Look, the sun has already set; the bonfire party is about to begin."
Just as Liang Lin said.
As the first spark leaped onto the dry wood, the bonfire party officially began.
The firelight instantly illuminated everything around, warming the cold air.
Commoners gathered from all directions, dressed in thick winter clothes, their faces beaming with festive joy, carrying various lanterns and torches, adding color to the cold winter night.
"Oh oh oh!!"
Carol, who hadn't been behaving very well along the way, finally cheered. She ran happily, holding Alice's little hand, forgetting all about the adults.
As the crowd gathered, the square gradually became bustling with noise.
Children excitedly weaved among the adults, chasing and playing. Carol and Alice joined in, following a group of children, making a ruckus.
Young people sat in small groups around the campfire, laughter and cheers rising and falling. The elderly sat in specially provided chairs, watching all this with loving eyes.
"I feel like I'm getting old too, actually wanting to sit with them," Hilary said, smiling at Octaville as she looked at the group of elderly people.
Octaville, rather tactless, retorted, "Well, you're already an old lady."
Then she received a heavy punch from Hilary.
"Pfft!"
She almost got beaten to a pulp.
Liang Lin and Liang Di were surrounded by a group of young people. Liang Lin was recounting her experiences on the battlefield, and the young people around her looked on with admiration and envy, greatly satisfying Liang Lin's vanity.
As night deepened, the climax of the bonfire party quietly arrived.
A melodious folk tune drifted from a small house on the edge of the village. It was a band spontaneously formed by the villagers, playing cheerful melodies on traditional instruments.
As the music began, the villagers joined in the dancing, from young children to elderly elders. In the firelight, everyone's face was filled with happy smiles, their shadows elongated and intertwined in the bonfire's glow.
Liang Lin wasn't really keen on dancing with them this time. She felt a bit tired, probably because she was getting older and didn't want to join in the fun as much. She watched Carol and Alice, the two little girls holding hands, dancing around the campfire. She couldn't quite make out what kind of dance it was; it looked a little comical, but the smiles on their faces were genuine and happy.
"That's nice,"
Liang Lin said to Liang Di beside her.
The surrounding noise was too loud, and Liang Di didn't hear her clearly.
"Huh? Sister Liang Lin, what did you say?"
"Nothing."
Liang Lin smiled, shook her head, and looked at her child again.
She felt that life with a daughter and a wife was quite nice.
During the breaks in the dance, the commoners prepared a sumptuous feast. Steaming stewed meat, fragrant roasted sweet potatoes, golden and crispy bread… all sorts of delicacies filled the long table.
Everyone sat together, enjoying the food and sharing stories. The aroma of food mingled with laughter.
“Miss Liang Lin! Tell another one, please!”
“Yes! Miss Liang Lin, please tell one!”
“We love listening to your stories! They’re so cool! They get us so excited!”
Liang Lin was a little flattered by the praise. Although she was much more composed than she had been two years ago, she still had a little vanity.
“Ahem!”
She coughed lightly twice, a little embarrassed.
"It can't be me talking all the time, it'll be boring for everyone sitting here."
The people around her were very supportive.
"How could it be boring?! Miss Liang Lin, your stories are so interesting!"
"Miss Liang Lin, tell us another one!"
"Tell us one! Tell us one!"
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