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The Fu family was not a large clan. The direct line consisted only of Fu Yuan, while the collateral branches remained in their ancestral home and rarely visited the capital. The Old Madam’s maiden family had long since fallen into decline, so there was little interaction with them.

Because of this, during the New Year holidays, the only family to pay Fu Yuan a visit was the Xie family.

The seven days passed in a flash. Once his holiday ended, Fu Yuan returned to duty. Fu Yuzhang, however, felt no sympathy for his father as a corporate slave. In this era, the life of an official was incredibly comfortable; there were no mandatory KPIs to meet, nor were there any punch-in machines. Officials in leisurely departments could simply sign in and leave, or spend the entire day sitting in the office sipping strong tea. The most strenuous work they did was cleaning their own rooms.

Modern corporate slaves would be moved to tears hearing this.

Aside from his title as the Marquis of Changping, a first-rank nobility, Fu Yuan also held the post of Commander of the Imperial Guard and Infantry Division. This was a position of real power, overseeing the infantry in the capital, and could only be held by the Emperor’s most trusted confidant.

After understanding the functions of this office, Fu Yuzhang felt that his previous assessment of his father as "useless" had been too hasty. Given Fu Yuan’s age and current rank, if Fu Yuan were considered useless, then ninety-nine percent of the people in the world would be utter failures.

It was only because Fu Yuan wanted his descendants to follow the path of civil service examinations that he didn’t push Fu Huai’an to inherit his mantle and pursue a career in the nobility; otherwise, his rise in rank might have been even faster.

Even though officials had returned to work, the festive atmosphere of the New Year remained thick. The major markets were surging with crowds; people were packed so tightly that if one squeezed in, they might lose their shoes or hats.

The servants of the Marquis’s estate wore new clothes and beamed with joy. Fu Yuzhang frequently overheard the wet nurse and the maids discussing the tall, festive colorful towers erected at the restaurants outside, and how every household was making lanterns in anticipation of the Lantern Festival.

The wet nurse happily distributed malt sugar to the other maids, her face glowing. "My husband won twenty taels of silver at the *guanpu* (gambling/betting) game yesterday! What a stroke of luck!"

The maids exclaimed in surprise, happily taking their sugar and sharing anecdotes about their own brothers’ experiences with *guanpu*. Fu Yuzhang listened in and realized that the families of the maids were quite unlucky; they had lost more than they won, and instead of winning a prize, they had lost a good amount of copper coins.

The wet nurse continued, "The government has also set up *guanpu* stalls for the Lantern Festival, filled with precious jades, curios, tea, wine, and silk. My husband wants to try his luck there too. If he wins, we won't have to worry about our livelihood for the rest of our lives!"

A maid added, "You can bet at all the major restaurants and shops. Last year, I went to Old Man Zhang’s incense shop and won a bag of agarwood!"

"Your luck is good. I always lose, so I gave up on that and went to watch Lady Jiang and Autumn Fifth Lady’s sumo wrestling instead. Oh my, the scene was intense—the cheering nearly deafened me!"

Fu Yuzhang was enthralled and felt a surge of excitement. The Lantern Festival sounded incredibly lively; the people of the Great Qi Dynasty had such rich entertainment!

He wanted to see it! He had to see it!

Possessing great initiative, Fu Yuzhang waited by the door all day. When Fu Yuan returned, Fu Yuzhang immediately flashed a brilliant smile, reached out his hands toward his father, and called out "Daddy" in a sweet, melodic voice.

Hearing Fu Yuzhang call him with such a musical tone, Fu Yuan raised an eyebrow in surprise and reached out to pick him up.

Once in Fu Yuan’s arms, Fu Yuzhang became even more excited, waving his hands and feet as he tried to express his thoughts: "Lantern Festival... see lanterns!"

The words came out in fragments, but Fu Yuan understood. He looked at Fu Yuzhang with surprise. "You even know about the Lantern Festival?"

Fu Yuzhang felt indignant. Did a child not deserve to know about the Lantern Festival? He wanted to see the lantern show and watch the performances!

Fu Yuan tapped Fu Yuzhang on the nose, feeling quite helpless. How could such a tiny little thing be so obsessed with going out to play?

Seeing that Fu Yuan was slow to agree, Fu Yuzhang’s face fell, and he began to struggle in his father’s arms—he was a very pragmatic child.

Fu Yuan gave Fu Yuzhang a light pat on the bottom. Amidst the toddler's shocked expression, he said slowly, "Do you still want to go see the lantern show?"

Fu Yuzhang’s face changed in an instant, turning back into a sweet, considerate baby. "Daddy is hard-working! Daddy is amazing!"

Fu Yuan looked at his small son and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. However, Fu Yuan was a man of his word; what he promised Fu Yuzhang, he would fulfill, and he wouldn't brush the child off just because he was young.

The Marchioness, however, was very worried. "The Lantern Festival is crowded and chaotic. There are many kidnappers hiding in the crowds, and the firecrackers and iron flower displays might frighten little Zhang."

Tucked in Fu Yuan’s arms, Fu Yuzhang shook his head frantically. "Not scared, not scared, not scared—"

The Old Madam couldn't help but laugh, taking Fu Yuzhang into her arms. "You’re craftier than a monkey!"

Fu Huai’an was very excited and whispered to Fu Yuzhang, "The Lantern Festival last year was so lively! Daddy even held me while I shot an arrow and won a *moheli* (clay doll)!"

Fu Yuzhang suddenly turned his head to look at Fu Yuan. "Shoot!"

I want to shoot and win a prize too!

Archery—what an interesting activity! He absolutely had to experience it!

Fu Yuan was confused at first, but after hearing Fu Huai’an’s explanation, his expression grew even more helpless. "Why do you want to join in on everything?"

Holding a two-year-old to shoot an arrow was one thing, but was it the same as holding a nine-month-old baby?

Fu Yuan looked skeptically at Fu Yuzhang’s fair, chubby hands, doubting the boy could even span the width of a bow with both arms spread wide.

Fu Yuzhang strangely understood the look in Fu Yuan’s eyes. He immediately waved his hands, patted his own chest, and flashed his four tiny milk teeth, looking full of confidence. "I, strong!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Fu Yuan couldn't hide his smile either; he found the child too cute and nodded in agreement. "Alright, when the time comes, I’ll take you to shoot an arrow too."

Fu Huai’an also grinned, took hold of Fu Yuzhang’s hands, and patiently taught him how to draw a bow.

Fu Yuzhang was bundled up so roundly that his two hands could barely meet. He followed Fu Huai’an’s lead with intense focus, and the two brothers played happily, making the onlookers laugh.

On the day of the Lantern Festival, Fu Yuan was granted another three days of leave, just in time to spend the holiday at home with his family.

Early in the morning, Fu Yuzhang was already thinking about the night market. He excitedly tugged at Fu Huai’s collar, laughing as he said, "Go out play, go out play!"

Fu Huai’an was incredibly patient with Fu Yuzhang. He gently unhooked Fu Yuzhang’s hands from his collar, smiled, and praised his younger brother, "Zhang is so clever. We can go out and play tonight."

When evening arrived, Fu Yuzhang was bundled up tightly. Not trusting the wet nurse, Fu Yuan held him personally. He had his guards carry Fu Huai’an by his side, while on the other side walked Xie Yaoniang, dressed in her finest attire. Surrounded by a circle of guards, it was clear to anyone that this was an outing for a noble family.

Fu Yuzhang leaned excitedly on Fu Yuan’s shoulder, his eyes wide as he curiously took in the surrounding scenery.

Every household hung lanterns, not the usual simple red ones, but a vast array of styles. As Fu Yuzhang looked up, he saw sphere lanterns, shadow play lanterns, silk lanterns with poetry, and lanterns depicting figures—thousands of them, shining everywhere, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Fu Huai’an tapped Fu Yuzhang’s shoulder and said excitedly, his voice raised, "Zhang, look! That’s the Ten Thousand Eye Luo lantern!"

Fu Yuzhang followed Fu Huai’an’s finger and saw a lantern of immense wealth, decorated with brocade and white silk. It was cut with a hundred flowers and ten thousand eyes, resembling stars orbiting a moon, truly breathtaking. To the right, a spinning horse-riding lantern, depicting warriors galloping and clashing in battle, was equally eye-catching.

The most spectacular sight was the "Ao Mountain." It wasn't a real mountain, but a "lantern mountain" formed by a collection of lanterns. Fu Yuzhang had to strain his neck to look up, unable to see the top. He only saw two huge pillars in the middle resembling elephant legs, wrapped with golden dragons, each dragon holding a lantern in its mouth. It was incredibly magnificent.

Fu Yuzhang’s mouth hung open in surprise, and he was momentarily stunned. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed a lantern mountain could be so breathtaking as to leave one speechless.

Beyond the various lanterns, performers who usually performed in the entertainment districts began showing off their unique skills.

Someone carried a brazier with roaring flames and shouted, "Watch the fire-hiding act!"

Fu Yuzhang looked toward the sound and saw the performer take off his outer robe, cover the brazier with it, and rub the robe in his hands as if the brazier had vanished. Then, with a shout, he threw the robe to the ground, picked it up, and put it on. In an instant, flames erupted from his sleeves and collar, but he remained calm, opening his robe to reveal the fire still burning inside.

The crowd cheered thunderously, asking for the performer's name and where he usually performed so they could support him later.

Another person came up beating a gong, performing a sword-swallowing act; there were also puppet shows, magic tricks, people walking on knife ladders, and acrobats leaping over long poles... Fu Yuzhang felt his eyes weren't enough; he wished he could grow three heads and six arms like Nezha to take it all in.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd exclaimed, "Iron flower display!"

I know this one! Fu Yuzhang turned his head quickly and saw clusters of sparks spraying out from the air, resembling a meteor shower, fluttering down to the ground. The shock of it was beyond words. Fu Yuzhang was speechless, instantly understanding why the maids and servants in the estate were so obsessed with the Lantern Festival.

Such a grand spectacle—it would be a great pity not to see it in person.

Fu Yuzhang felt he had truly gained knowledge tonight; he hadn't seen anything like this in his previous life. Satisfied!

In such a lively setting, there were naturally shrewd peddlers. They walked through the crowds with baskets and backpacks, crying out their wares: malt sugar balls, honey-preserved fruit, lotus roots filled with glutinous rice...

Fu Yuzhang touched his tummy and looked longingly at Fu Yuan, his spirited eyes clearly spelling out two words: "Want eat!"

Fu Huai’an was unconditionally supportive of his younger brother and chimed in, "Daddy, it’s rare for us to go out. Let us try the snacks from outside!"

Fu Yuan raised his children rather strictly, but seeing both his sons looking at him with such anticipation, even his heart, which he considered hard as iron, softened. He gestured for a guard to buy two sugar figurines.

Once Fu Yuzhang had something to satisfy his cravings, he was very content. He studied the sugar figurine of the New Year’s baby and took a big "nom" bite into its head.

So sweet!

Fu Huai’an peeked at Fu Yuan’s expression, relaxed, and also put his sugar figurine into his mouth.

Seeing them both satisfied, Fu Yuan couldn't help but smile.

With the sugar in his mouth, Fu Yuzhang’s attention shifted from the lanterns and food to the passersby. This was a revelation; the "country bumpkin" Fu Yuzhang was shocked again: they were wearing lantern balls on their heads! There were also exquisite headpieces like snow plums, bodhi leaves, and moth peaks. The men had their own tricks: they made moths out of white paper, stuck them onto bamboo slips, and inserted the slips into their caps. Under the bright lights, the white moths fluttered in the breeze, looking incredibly lifelike. In the surging crowd and under the lantern light, it was as if moths and butterflies were dancing everywhere, and occasionally one could see scenes of butterflies playing among plum blossoms.

This was truly interesting! Fu Yuzhang looked up at Fu Yuan again. Fu Yuan, having experience, ordered a guard to buy lantern balls from a peddler, and one was inserted into the hats of both Fu Yuzhang and Fu Huai’an.

Fu Yuzhang was finally satisfied. With the lantern balls on, he lit up wherever he went—he was essentially carrying his own spotlight!

Fu Yuan remembered his promise and found a stall that used archery for *guanpu* games. He held Fu Yuzhang’s hand and taught him how to shoot. However, Fu Yuzhang was too small and short-limbed, and just as Fu Yuan had feared, his arms couldn't even span the width of the bow.

Fu Yuzhang pouted, aggrieved: couldn't the merchant provide a bow suitable for a child?

The shopkeeper on the side scratched his head, never expecting someone to bring a child under a year old to shoot for prizes. Was this how noble families raised their children?

In the end, Fu Yuan drew the bow and shot the arrow, winning the *moheli* for Fu Yuzhang.

Fu Yuzhang applauded excitedly, and Fu Huai’an also had a great time. Back at the estate, they were still thinking about the festival. Fu Huai’an whispered to Fu Yuzhang, "I really envy Daddy for being able to go out and play every day."

Fu Yuan, who happened to overhear this, thought: ...Sometimes, having ears that are too sharp is not a good thing.

Out of a bit of mischief, Fu Yuan calmly reminded Fu Huai’an, "Master Zhou returned to his hometown for the New Year, and the journey is long, which is why you’ve had a few months of easy life. After your birthday, Master Zhou will return to the estate. If your lessons are not done well then, I’m afraid you’ll be scolded."

Fu Huai’an didn't react much to this; being a prodigy with superior learning ability, completing the tasks Master Zhou assigned was a breeze for him.

Fu Yuzhang, however, glared at Fu Yuan indignantly: parents who mention school when a child is having fun are the most annoying!

Fu Huai’an didn't understand and thought Fu Yuzhang was angry because he heard he had to study. He immediately comforted his brother gently, "Although Master Zhou is quite strict in his teaching, he is very humorous and witty in his daily life. He has traveled all over and is very knowledgeable. When you start school, Master Zhou will tell me many interesting stories. You will definitely love listening to them, Zhang!"

What? Master Zhou was that interesting?

Fu Yuzhang nodded like a chicken pecking at rice and agreed loudly, "Love listening!"

Fu Yuan glanced at the little one and seized the opportunity. "If you want to hear them, when Master Zhou returns to the estate, you can go to the West Wing with brother An to study."