Ning Wan Wan turned to the busy Chang Nanny and called out, “Chang Nanny, please move chairs to the corridor later and light a few more charcoal braziers. Grandmother and I will sit in the corridor and listen to the excitement. I heard Persia has presented the Emperor with many novel fireworks.”
Chang Nanny happily responded, “Yes,” and began instructing the servants to arrange everything.
The grandmother and granddaughter sat in chairs in the corridor, warming themselves and chatting.
In the distance, the Five Phoenix Tower at Zhengyang Gate and the four corner towers of the Purple Gold Palace were brightly lit, with red lanterns reflecting the light of the tall Changqing Tower in the western city.
Ning Wan Wan knew without going out that Biandu street was packed with families rushing to watch the palace’s Nuo ritual. The sounds of gongs, firecrackers, and laughter continued until late into the night before gradually subsiding.
Ning Wan Wan noticed that Ning Lao Tai had fallen asleep in the chair. She leaned close and softly called, “Grandmother… Grandmother?”
Chang Nanny smiled, “The old madam has fallen asleep.”
“Quickly help grandmother to bed.”
Ning Wan Wan and Chang Nanny helped the grandmother to bed, covering her with blankets before rising.
Chang Nanny advised Ning Wan Wan, “Miss, it’s late. You should rest. We servants can keep watch.”
Ning Wan Wan shook her head, “I can’t sleep. I’ll stay here. If any of you get tired, you can rest.”
Chang Nanny quickly instructed the servants, “Bring two warm foot warmers for the miss and add some silver thread charcoal to the brazier.”
Ning Wan Wan returned to the corridor chair, leaning back and gazing at the bright night sky.
Suddenly, she remembered her time locked in the Cold Palace, a lightless existence where seeing the night sky felt like a luxury. She had thought she would die quietly in the dark until one day, Si Zhan, wearing armor, broke open the Cold Palace doors.
That night, the Eastern Palace was illuminated by raging fires, bright like tonight’s sky.
After a while, Fei Yi softly reminded her, “Miss, it’s midnight.” Just then, a series of “whoosh” sounds erupted in the night sky, followed by fireworks blooming in dizzying patterns; sometimes resembling peonies, other times celestial maidens, all bizarre and dazzling.
