"The birthday is near, so I urge all the filial guests to step on the auspicious time, follow the auspicious path, enter through the auspicious gate, and come into the manor to celebrate for the birthday star!" The leading steward stepped back, slightly bowed, his legs one in front of the other, resembling a bowing stance, his left hand gesturing towards the door in an inviting manner.
It seemed this was the arrangement for their task, and no one had other options. Led by Xiang Fengchen and Nalan Shuo, everyone gathered together and stepped out of the temple. Outside, the birthday procession holding red lanterns just stood there in the dense fog, eerily quiet.
The procession lined up, remote figures indistinct, only the fire-red lanterns held in hands visible, hiding behind the mist like eyes refusing to close in death.
As soon as Yang Xiao and the others stepped across the temple's threshold, the steward straightened up and shouted into the fog, "Begin—the birthday celebration—"
