Chapter 25: The Festival of Lanterns

The annual Festival of Lanterns arrived like a tide of color and light, sweeping through the palace grounds with a joyous clamour. Silk lanterns—scarlet, gold, and jade—hung from every eave, their candlelight flickering like fireflies in the twilight. Music and laughter echoed along marble walkways as courtiers, commoners, and foreign dignitaries mingled beneath the lantern glow.

Li Xiao stood at the edge of the imperial courtyard, her lavender gown catching the lantern light. In her hand, she held a folded paper lantern—blank, awaiting its inscription. Tonight, she would join the tradition of writing a wish on her lantern before setting it afloat on the koi pond, hoping for the empire’s continued peace and prosperity.

Beside her, Grand Advisor Jin Tao adjusted his dark robes, his silver hair shining in the lantern glow. His crimson eyes softened as he watched the crowds. “This festival celebrates light guiding us through darkness,” he said quietly. “A fitting symbol for our journey.”

Li Xiao smiled. “From rebellion to renewal, we have walked through shadows together.” She unfolded her lantern and dipped her brush in ink.

Drawing inspiration from Japanese festivals like those in Hotarubi no Mori e, where lanterns float to bridge worlds, Li Xiao carefully wrote her wish in flowing characters:

May the empire’s lanterns never dim, and may compassion and justice light our path.

She set the lantern aside and turned to Jin Tao, who held his own blank lantern. He dipped his brush, hesitating briefly before writing:

May Li Xiao’s light forever guide me.

Li Xiao’s breath caught. She met his crimson gaze, her heart fluttering like a moth to flame. He smiled—a rare, genuine curve of his lips—and handed her the lantern.

They joined the procession toward the koi pond, where palace attendants set small wooden rafts afloat. Each lantern carried a prayer, a dream, or a vow. The water’s surface shimmered with reflected lights as the rafts drifted toward the center.

Li Xiao and Jin Tao knelt at the water’s edge. She placed her lantern on the raft and gently pushed it into the current. Its soft glow bobbed among hundreds of others, each flame a promise to the night.

Jin Tao followed, setting his lantern alongside hers. As they watched the rafts drift away, a hush fell over them. The only sound was the gentle lapping of water and the distant melody of zithers.

Li Xiao turned to him, her dark eyes reflecting the lantern light. “Your words…” she whispered.

He met her gaze steadily. “Your guidance has been my lantern.”

She reached for his hand, their fingers intertwining. “Together, we will keep this light alive.”

As the festival continued, diplomats from the Western Isles approached, led by Ambassador Eirian. They presented gifts of island pearls and spiced teas, tokens of gratitude for the renewed alliance.

“Grand Advisor,” Ambassador Eirian said, her sea‑green robes shimmering, “we honor this night’s festival as a symbol of our shared future.” She offered Jin Tao a box of pearls.

He accepted with a bow, then turned to Li Xiao. “Archivist Li Xiao, your lantern glowed brightest of all.”

Li Xiao blushed. “It is but a small light.”

Jin Tao’s hand brushed hers. “Small lights together banish the deepest darkness.”

Later, Li Xiao wandered the lantern‑lit corridors, gathering her thoughts. A troupe of dancers performed beneath a canopy of lanterns, their movements graceful as drifting petals. The scene reminded her of the poetic beauty in The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, where fleeting moments become eternal.

She paused by a reflecting pool, the lanterns’ glow mirrored in the water. A soft voice at her shoulder made her turn. Sister Wu stood there, her silver hair adorned with a small lantern clip.

“You honor the festival well,” Sister Wu said, her eyes kind. “You have grown from a humble maid to the empire’s guiding light.”

Li Xiao bowed her head. “I owe much to Counselor Jin Tao.”

Sister Wu nodded. “And he to you. But remember, even the brightest lantern needs fuel. Take care of yourself.”

Li Xiao smiled. “I will.”

As the night deepened, Jin Tao found Li Xiao by the reflecting pool. He offered her a cup of warm rice wine. She accepted, and they sipped in companionable silence.

A sudden gust of wind scattered lantern petals across the water, and Li Xiao shivered. Jin Tao draped his dark cloak around her shoulders.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He met her gaze. “Always.”

They watched the lantern reflections drift until the final flames flickered and died, leaving only memory and promise in their wake.

The next morning, Li Xiao returned to the Secretariat, her heart still aglow from the festival’s magic. She found Master Shen waiting with a stack of new decrees—plans for cultural exchanges, joint festivals with the Western Isles, and a permanent Lantern Council to oversee future celebrations.

Li Xiao’s eyes shone as she read. Each decree bore the seal of Grand Advisor Jin Tao and the emperor’s mark. She bowed. “I will see these through.”

Master Shen smiled. “With you at the helm, they will flourish.”

That evening, Jin Tao summoned Li Xiao to his private study. He stood by the window, the setting sun casting long shadows. In his hand, he held a small scroll tied with silver ribbon.

“Li Xiao,” he said, stepping forward. “This is the emperor’s new edict, appointing you Head of the Lantern Council—an honor befitting your spirit.”

Her breath caught. “Head of the Lantern Council?”

He nodded. “Your light guides us all.”

Tears of joy filled her eyes. She knelt and accepted the scroll with reverence. “Thank you, Counselor.”

He lifted her to her feet and embraced her. “Your light will shine for generations.”

Outside, the palace walls stood silent as stars emerged in the night sky. Within, Archivist and Grand Advisor—now partners in love and leadership—looked toward a future alight with promise, their hearts as steadfast as the lanterns that had brought them together.