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The capital truly flourished.
When she was in Anhe Village, Qu Hongling had heard Sister Ye speak of the land around the capital as a place where the human world abounded in fireworks; its prosperity was a spectacular sight to behold.
There were teahouses and taverns with never-ending music, tile-roofed brothels with continuous opera singing, shops and stalls full of rare treasures glittering to catch the eye, street performers juggling and showing off their skills in every corner, with crowds of onlookers packed like sardines...
Yet, Qu Hongling, who had long yearned for this place, didn't feel the excitement she had imagined when she truly stepped into this bustling area.
The busy streets filled with carriages were no match for the narrow, old alleys of Anhe Village.
The dance sleeves fluttering and diverse performances of the high tile-roofed buildings were no match for the simple erhu playing of a few old men sitting under the eaves in the village.
