I relied on a system to prolong my life in ancient times.

Chapter 265 Lantern Festival

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Lantern Festival.

The streets of the capital were adorned with all kinds of lanterns, bustling with people and creating a lively atmosphere.

As evening approached, the Xiao siblings discussed going out to enjoy the lantern festival that night.

"Sizhe, you brothers have to protect your sister well, understand?" If it weren't for Xiao Siyue wanting to go out and play, Old Lady Xiao wouldn't have wanted her to go to any lantern festival at all.

The annual lantern festival attracts many visitors, and the crowds can easily cause people to get separated. It would be terrible if someone lost their precious grandchild.

"Grandma, don't worry, we will protect my little sister." Xiao Sizhe assured his wife.

"Yue'er, stay with your brothers and don't run around, understand?" After instructing his brothers, he then gave Xiao Siyue his instructions.

"Grandma, I won't run around. I'll stay with my brothers." Xiao Siyue nodded.

"Alright, go ahead, and come back soon."

The siblings walked in a large group towards the street. By this time, it was getting dark, but the street was as bright as day, with bright lanterns everywhere.

The place was packed with people, incredibly noisy, and filled with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, making it even more bustling than during the day.

"The lantern festival in the capital is really lively!" Xiao Sizhe exclaimed.

"Second brother, have you ever been to a lantern festival before?" Xiao Siyue asked curiously. She had never been to a lantern festival before. Back in Qianyuan County, there were no lantern festivals, and the streets were just decorated with lanterns.

"I was fortunate enough to encounter it once during my travels before, but it wasn't as grand as the capital." After all, the capital is the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, so it's naturally incomparable to other places.

"Let's go, let's go take a look ahead." Xiao Siyue saw that there was a lot of noise ahead, with a group of people gathered around, but she didn't know what they were doing.

As the group walked in, they saw that someone had set up a platform there, and a middle-aged man was standing on it, passionately introducing himself to the crowd below.

"Hello everyone, my master is holding a lantern riddle party here today. Those who guess the riddles correctly will receive a lantern. Everyone is encouraged to participate."

As the man spoke, he pointed to the lanterns hanging behind him. Xiao Siyue looked and saw that there were at least a thousand lanterns. This man was really generous. Moreover, the lanterns were not all the same, and each one was very beautiful.

However, what attracted her was not these ordinary lanterns. She saw several extremely exquisite lanterns hanging higher up. They were clearly meticulously crafted, with complex shapes, and they looked beautiful hanging there, which Xiao Siyue loved.

"Second Brother." Xiao Siyue tugged at her second brother's sleeve. She knew her abilities were limited and she probably couldn't guess many of them correctly, so she could only ask her smartest second brother for help.

"Yue'er, is there a lantern you like?" Xiao Sizhe asked gently, looking down.

"Mmm, that, Second Brother's koi fish design." Xiao Siyue said excitedly. The koi fish was made so realistically, so lifelike, and since koi fish represent good luck, Xiao Siyue took a liking to it at first sight.

"Alright, then I'll do my best, Second Brother." Since it was rare for his younger sister to speak up, Xiao Sizhe naturally wouldn't refuse.

People had already climbed onto the platform, but they were all heading towards the ordinary lanterns, and before long, many of the lanterns had been taken away.

Xiao Siyue quickly pulled her brothers up as well. Although they didn't have the ability to win those special lanterns, Xiao Siyue still planned to take a look at these ordinary lanterns and see what riddles they contained and whether she could guess them.

Xiao Siyue was rather short and couldn't see the riddles.

"Brother, can you show me what's written on it?" Xiao Siyue could only turn to her own brother for help.

"Hmm, let me see. This says:"

"From afar, the mountains are colorful; up close, the water is silent."

Spring has gone, but the flowers remain; people come, but the birds are not startled.

Xiao Siyue thought for a moment, then excitedly asked, "Brother, it's a painting, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's a painting. Yue'er is so smart, you guessed right, but it's still a bit inferior to mine." While praising Xiao Siyue, Xiao Siyue didn't forget to praise herself as well.

"Hmph, brother is so arrogant." Xiao Siyue snorted twice and continued towards the next lantern.

"Siyue?" Xiao Siyue was just about to ask her brother to read her a riddle when she heard someone call her.

"Sister Ningzhi?" Xiao Siyue looked over and saw that it was Xi Ningzhi and her older brother Xi Yifan.

Xiao Siyue's first reaction was to look at Xiao Siyuan, who had come out with them, and sure enough, Xiao Siyuan was looking at Xi Ningzhi.

Wow, those two haven't seen each other in ages, they must miss each other terribly.

"Sister Ningzhi, are you here to guess the riddles too?" Xiao Siyue walked over and pulled Xi Ningzhi, who took her hand in return.

As Xiao Siyue spoke, she also gave Xiao Siyuan a look and proudly shook Xi Ningzhi's hand.

Xiao Siyuan smiled helplessly; his little sister was getting more and more mischievous.

"Yes, my brother and I came to join in the fun, and we didn't expect to run into you guys." Xi Ningzhi was quite happy. Today, she not only met Xiao Siyue but also saw Xiao Siyuan. She was secretly delighted.

“Sister Ningzhi, let’s go together. I just guessed one correctly,” Xiao Siyue immediately extended an invitation.

"Okay." Xi Ningzhi nodded.

"Brother, quickly look at this riddle!" Xiao Siyue immediately directed Xiao Siyu to look at the riddle.

"It can make the leaves fall in autumn and the flowers bloom in February."

"A thousand-foot wave crosses the river, ten thousand bamboo stalks bend."

Xiao Siyue thought for a long time but still couldn't figure out the answer to the riddle.

"Sister Ningzhi, have you guessed it yet?"

"Hmm, it should be the wind," Xi Ningzhi said somewhat uncertainly.

"Brother?" Xiao Siyue looked at Xiao Siyu.

“You guessed right, it’s the wind.” Xiao Siyu nodded.

"Sister Ningzhi is amazing, she guessed right."

"It's just that she's brave; Siyue is also very capable."

“Sister Ningzhi is naturally intelligent and a great talent, don’t you think so, Third Brother?” Xiao Siyue winked at Xiao Siyuan.

“Yes, Ningzhi is a rare and talented woman.” Xiao Siyuan looked at Xi Ningzhi and smiled, his eyes full of tenderness.

Faced with her beloved's praise, Xi Ningzhi felt a little embarrassed and lowered her head shyly.

Xiao Siyue chuckled inwardly. Today was another day of helping out. These two were really showing off their love, while there were so many single guys like them.

"Come on, Ningzhi, let's continue and see what other interesting riddles there are?" Xiao Siyue pulled Xi Ningzhi and led the way inside.

Next, the group guessed several lanterns, but they didn't take them all down. She didn't need that many; she'd rather leave them for others.

In a short while, all the items were gone, and everyone's attention was drawn to the few special lanterns.

"Second Brother, get ready quickly, it's about to begin." The middle-aged man from before stepped onto the platform again.