Chapter 637: Garlands, Willow Branches, and Lanterns
"If the Marshal is interested, he would probably marry the most beautiful Somahua in our tribe. Look, Commander, those people over there are putting lanterns on the riverbank. It is said that if they make a wish in the lanterns, they will receive the protection of the God of Fire and be able to be with their loved ones for the rest of their lives."
Soma flower means azalea, and in these tribes, it refers to beautiful women.
Jia Cong nodded slightly as he listened. The tribes in southern Xinjiang did have many customs that were different from those of Daqian, and even had completely opposite understandings of some things. However, no matter which side's beliefs were, they were worthy of respect.
Behind Jia Cong, Lu Feng was also laughing and looking around. Suddenly, Yue Ling beside him suddenly stepped on him.
Lu Feng glared and was about to call him a "little bitch" when Yue Ling gestured and quietly pointed at Jia Cong. Seeing Lu Feng's confused look, Yue Ling gritted her teeth and took two steps forward .
But before she could say anything, Lu Feng took two steps back in disgust. "You little bitch, just say what you want to say. Don't get so close to me. I'm responsible for the Marquis's safety. If you block my view, I won't let you off."
Lu Feng and Jia Cong were only two feet apart. With Jia Cong's hearing ability, how could he not hear what he said?
Lu Feng had come into contact with Yue Ling many times these days. Even Cheng Yuhu told Jia Cong that Lu Feng might have fallen in love with the little girl named Yue Ling.
Jia Cong was naturally happy to help his brother find his lifelong happiness. But listen to what this bastard said. If it weren't for the inappropriate moment, Jia Cong would definitely not mind kicking him. "You, like me, still expect to get married? You'll be single forever."
Yue Ling stared at Lu Feng with her eyes fixed. She really wanted to draw out her sword and dig open this guy's head to see what was inside.
After taking a few deep breaths, Yue Ling managed to suppress her anger, pulled Lu Feng aside, and whispered a few words very quickly.
Lu Feng scratched his head for a while before muttering, "Then I'll help you this time. But, you little bitch, remember, you already owe me twice. If you don't give me a few dozen taels of silver, I won't accept it."
Yue Ling rolled her eyes and didn't even think of looking at him again.
Then, Lu Feng rubbed against Jia Cong's side and said, "General, look at how lively it is by the river. Since we are here, how about we go and take a look?"
Jia Cong glared at Lu Feng first, then smiled at everyone and said, "Since that's the case, let's go down and have some fun."
As they weaved through the crowd, they had to admit that the people of Southern Xinjiang were far more open-minded than those of Daqian. In the open space, men and women sang to each other, openly expressing their feelings. Numerous elderly women offered a variety of food for passersby to enjoy. Many held willow branches and garlands, singing beautiful songs, while others pounded the octagonal drums at their waists, attracting the attention of those around them.
Because they were in the crowd, Jia Cong did not ask anyone to stop the people from the tribe. After all, he was just there to watch the fun, and it would be inappropriate if it affected other people's celebration of the festival.
Therefore, everyone was separated. Even Lu Feng, who was following closely, was pulled a little away by Yue Ling, regardless of his shyness. Only Miaoyu stayed with Jia Cong closely. She even quietly reached out her hand, held the corner of Jia Cong's clothes, and followed closely.
The rest of the food was excellent, and Jia Cong even savored the lumps of meat and the wine with great interest. The only thing that embarrassed Jia Cong was that women kept coming forward to offer him branches or garlands of flowers.
If I refuse, it may not be appropriate, but if I don’t refuse, that would also be inappropriate.
Miaoyu's eyes flashed and she winked at Yueling who was not far away. Soon, a branch of blooming flowers and a willow branch appeared in Miaoyu's hands.
She hurried two steps to walk alongside Jia Cong, and said with a somewhat evasive look, "It's not good to have people come to bother me all the time. But if you wear one too, I think no one will bother me anymore."
Jia Cong turned his head in some surprise. Miaoyu bit her teeth lightly, put the willow branch into Jia Cong's hand first, and then stood on tiptoe to insert the bright branch in her hand into Jia Cong's head.
He looked at her twice, with a hint of smugness in his eyes.
"Give me that willow branch." Miaoyu said with her head down, and snatched the willow branch away.
Afterwards , the two walked side by side. Occasionally, Miaoyu looked up at the flower branch on Jia Cong's head, but quickly lowered her head. However, the joy in her eyes was hard to conceal.
There was a huge rack by the river, filled with a variety of lanterns. However, these lanterns were unattended. Men and women who needed one would approach and take any one, but they would also leave some money, meat, or ornaments in the place. This huge rack was now more than half empty, and no one had taken the money or other items that had been placed on the rack.
When they reached the river, Miaoyu whispered, "Let's light a lantern too."
Jia Cong nodded, and then Miaoyu went forward to take a look, and finally her eyes fell on a lantern on the third floor. This lantern was a painted boat made up of peach blossoms. On the painted boat, a man and a woman in white clothes stood facing each other.
Miaoyu looked at it for a long time and was about to take the lantern down, but suddenly remembered that she didn't have any silver or money on her. She turned around to look for Yueling, but found a silver ingot on the shelf.
He turned around in surprise and found that it was the silver and money that Jia Cong had put in.
Miaoyu felt as if her heart was about to jump out. She just stared at Jia Cong blankly and even forgot about the lantern.
"Hurry up and take the lantern. If someone else takes it first, won't you be disappointed?"
Jia Cong's voice brought Miaoyu back to her senses. She turned around in panic, stepped forward and gently held the lantern in her arms. At this moment, she was like... holding the whole world.
The two walked forward to the side of the river, borrowed a candle from someone else and lit the incense and candles on the lantern, and then Miaoyu carefully placed the lantern into the water.
The lanterns fluttered and drifted downstream. Miaoyu turned her head to look at Jia Cong, then solemnly closed her eyes, clasped her hands together in front of her chest, and silently made her own vow.
An unknown amount of time passed before the lanterns drifted away and merged into the water, becoming twinkling stars. Only then did the two of them stand up.
The two of them merged into the crowd again. Miaoyu plucked up her courage and, like the men and women beside her, stretched out her trembling hand and placed it in Jia Cong's palm.
Jia Cong's palms froze for a while, and finally he slowly closed his palms.
It was almost midnight before they left the crowd and returned to the camp.
Miaoyu returned to her tent and lay on the bed, but she couldn't fall asleep for a long time!
