Time passed.
Lantern Festival.
Imperial Capital of Dashang...
Fire-trees and silver flowers fill the sky, climbing the mountain, star bridge, filled with melodious songs...
Noisy affairs hang beneath the lanterns, all singing songs of peace.
Restrictions lifted this night, all night bright, various unique lanterns, everything available.
Snowflake lanterns, plum blossom lanterns, spring ice shatters; embroidered screen lanterns, painted screen lanterns, a mix of colors. Walnut lanterns, lotus lanterns, hanging high; green lion lanterns, white elephant lanterns, lantern racks elevated...
Some spirited nobles "compete in lantern brilliance," erecting enormous towers and giant building lanterns on the low hills of the Imperial Capital, visible even from over ten miles away.
However, the liveliest spot was definitely Xuanwu Taoist Temple.
Inside the temple, in front of Emperor Monarch Xuanwu's main hall, myriad exotic flowers and grasses were illuminated by the lanterns.
