Chapter 27: Skies Aflame

The sky above Liángzhōu blazed with the first hues of dawn, as if anticipating the grand Sky Lantern Ceremony to come. Li Xiao stood on the rooftop terrace of the Lantern Council pavilion, overlooking the palace grounds below. Hundreds of sky lanterns—delicate orbs of rice paper and bamboo—lay stacked on low tables, each inscribed with wishes of peace and unity in both imperial script and the flowing characters of the Western Isles.

Beside her, Grand Advisor Jin Tao oversaw the final preparations. His crimson eyes reflected the lantern stacks, and his white hair caught the morning light. He carried a silk-wrapped scroll—a personal message from the emperor himself, granting his blessing to the ceremony.

Li Xiao approached, curtsying as he unwrapped the scroll. She read the emperor’s words aloud:

“May these lanterns carry our hopes across the heavens, bridging sea and sky, land and heart. Let the empire and its allies be bound by light unbroken.”

She bowed deeply. “Your Majesty’s blessing will guide us.”

Jin Tao offered her a small, rare smile. “Come. The Isles’ envoys await.”

Below, in the eastern courtyard, Ambassador Eirian and her delegation had assembled. Their sky lanterns bore the azure wave motif and prayers in their own elegant script. The air buzzed with excitement as imperial courtiers and foreign dignitaries gathered beneath a canopy of lanterns strung between pines.

Li Xiao led the procession, her lavender robes swirling, lantern in hand. She offered a respectful nod to Ambassador Eirian, who returned it with a warm smile.

“Archivist Li Xiao,” Eirian greeted, “the Isles’ lanterns are honored to fly alongside yours.”

Li Xiao’s heart fluttered. “It is our privilege.”

Jin Tao raised his hand, calling for silence. The musicians fell quiet, and a hush settled over the crowd. He spoke, his voice carrying across the courtyard:

“Today, we release our lanterns as symbols of hope and unity. Let them rise as one, showing that despite borders, our hearts beat in harmony.”

A cheer rose in response. Li Xiao and the Isles’ envoys moved to the launch area: a circular stone platform at the courtyard’s center. The assembled guests fanned out around it, each holding a lantern.

Li Xiao held her lantern aloft, the paper shell inscribed with:

May compassion lift our realm to new heights.

She lit the candle inside, the flame flickering as it caught the morning breeze. She inhaled, steadying herself, and stepped forward onto the platform. Ambassador Eirian joined her, their lanterns side by side.

At Jin Tao’s signal, they released their lanterns. The paper shells caught the rising air and lifted slowly, gracefully, into the pale sky. The crowd watched in awe as the first two lanterns ascended, trailing ribbons of colored silk.

One by one, the guests released theirs: imperial princes, foreign diplomats, palace ladies, and common artisans. The sky filled with glowing orbs, drifting upward toward the sun’s warm glow. Li Xiao felt her breath catch as her lantern rose, carrying her wish above the palace walls.

As the lanterns ascended, a sudden gust of wind scattered silk ribbons and sent one lantern spinning wildly. Gasps rose from the crowd. Li Xiao’s heart lurched—if a lantern drifted toward the palace’s sacred shrine, it could ignite the thatched roof.

Jin Tao’s hand tightened on her arm. “Stay calm.”

He stepped forward and whispered an incantation—a simple but effective ritual taught by the Isles’ envoys—calling the winds to settle. The breeze stilled, and the spinning lantern righted itself, drifting safely upward. A murmur of relief rippled through the guests.

Li Xiao exhaled, her pulse still racing. “Thank you,” she whispered to Jin Tao.

He nodded, his crimson eyes soft. “You handled that well.”

She managed a small smile. “Your guidance taught me to stay steady.”

The lanterns continued their ascent, becoming pinpoints of light against the brightening sky. Li Xiao and Jin Tao watched until the last lantern vanished above the rooftops. The crowd broke into applause, and music rose once more as dancers emerged, performing a new Lantern Council dance blending imperial grace with Isles’ folk steps.

Li Xiao joined the dancers for a moment, her robes swirling, lantern glow reflecting in her eyes. She felt a surge of joy—this was the culmination of months of work, a testament to unity forged through trials and trust.

That evening, after the festival concluded, Li Xiao and Jin Tao walked through the silent courtyard, now empty of guests. Lantern stubs lay scattered like fallen petals. The moon rose overhead, its silver light mingling with the fading glow of lanterns.

Jin Tao paused by the reflecting pool. He reached into his robe and withdrew a small wooden box. Inside lay two tiny lantern charms—one lotus-shaped, one phoenix-shaped—carved from mother-of-pearl.

“For you,” he said, handing her the lotus charm. “A reminder of your guiding light.”

Li Xiao accepted it, her fingers brushing his. She opened the box to reveal the phoenix charm. “And this is for you,” she said softly. “To remind you that compassion and strength can soar together.”

He looked at the charm, then at her. His crimson eyes shone. “Thank you, Li Xiao.”

They clipped the charms to each other’s robes—lotus and phoenix entwined—then stood in companionable silence. The palace walls loomed around them, guardians of countless stories. But tonight, their story shone brightest: Archivist and Grand Advisor, bound by duty, trust, and the shared promise of light that would never fade.