Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 435: 435: Having Fun on Lantern Festival

While they were looking for spaces to park, Liu Sisi led the children off the carriage.

Elderly Mr. Di seemed quite restrained, constantly adjusting the new clothes Liu Sisi had made for him.

“Father-in-law, come this way. Be careful not to get pushed around in the crowd.”

This wasn’t just a bustling scene; it was simply overcrowded.

They had initially been standing on the roadside waiting for others, but they were pushed by the crowd, involuntarily moving forward.

In the end, they hid beside an architectural pillar to escape the crowded streets.

When Di Yelei and Zhang Peng found them after parking the horses and carriage, it was almost noontime. Meanwhile, the children were already snacking on various treats.

Liu Sisi had bought the snacks from a candy shop behind them. As the children had been waiting for a while, she didn’t skimp on spending silver for them.

Soon, the children had each chosen their favorite snacks.

When they finally caught up with Di Yelei and the others, Di Yelei was supporting Elderly Mr. Di, Zhang Peng was holding Da Mao, YingEr was holding Guihua’s hand, leaving Liu Sisi empty-handed, and feeling somewhat embarrassed.

The variety of trinkets and toys on the streets seemed endless, from dough figurines to monkey shows, candy to ribbon flowers, and food of all kinds. There were so many things it could be dizzying.

While small items were displayed at the roadside, the shops inside were filled with a dazzling array of products. The central avenue, separated from the main roads, was flooded with people performing lion dances, dragon dances, and stilt-walking performances. Each time they passed by, they would create a stir in the crowd.

Especially when those dressed as the so-called Eight Immortals, the Jade Emperor, fortune children, and others passed by, they would generously scatter copper coins and candies, celebrating with the people. This caused even more commotion and excitement among the passersby.

Liu Sisi was surrounded by everyone to protect her from getting pushed. She involuntarily moved along with the crowd.

Finally, after much effort, they managed to break free from the crowded streets and found themselves by the river within the city.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief!

“My goodness! It was so crowded this year that I almost couldn’t get out of the crowd.”

Everyone laughed and joked about it. Seeing a small noodle restaurant nearby, they decided to go in, since they didn’t feel like pushing through the crowd again. They found an empty table by the window and sat down.

The waiter came and started with a series of auspicious words.

“Red lanterns hang high, the thundering noise of firecrackers fills the air, fragrant dumplings bring happiness, sincere blessings for a safe journey. May the splendor of colorful lanterns, the festive cheer of celebrations, the warmth of gatherings, and the sweetness of tastes be with you. Wishing you all a happy Lantern Festival, good health, success in all your endeavors, and a joyful reunion …”

The waiter’s smooth speech made everyone laugh, and Di Yelei quickly thanked him.

“Everything’s great, we’re all celebrating together. Brother waiter, please tell us about your restaurant’s delicious dishes, and we’ll have one of each!”

“Dear customer! Our restaurant only serves one dish — ramen. Would you like one bowl per person?” The waiter replied cheerfully.

“It’s not Lanzhou ramen, is it?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Sisi immediately replied.

“Wow! You guessed it right! Our boss is from Lanzhou, and it’s indeed Lanzhou ramen we’re serving! Would you like to try some and see if it suits your tastes?”

The waiter smiled with his eyes squinted.

“Let’s go for it! One bowl per person!”

Liu Sisi made the decision first.

Soon, the ramen was brought up. As expected, the noodles were indeed topped with a large mutton slice, almost the size of a palm.

After being in the crowd all morning, everyone was naturally hungry and thirsty. At the moment the ramen was brought up, they did not care about anything else, picked up the noodles, mixed it, and started to eat.

These noodles were different from the Lanzhou ramen in the next life.

Although it was also a clear broth, mutton, and pulled noodles, these noodles had a very strong texture. The most important thing was that the soup base contained nearly half a bowl of broad beans stewed in mutton bone soup until they were tender.

The few people didn’t care about the heat and ate all of the soup, meat, and noodles without leaving a single bit. They couldn’t stop smacking their lips, it was really too delicious!

When it was time to pay, Di Yelei took out silver coins very freely and took an extra 200 copper coins as a reward.

After leaving the noodle restaurant, everyone strolled along the inner river to slowly digest the food they had eaten earlier.

“I can’t believe how good that soup was! It may not look like much, but it’s so rich and delicious! Next time we come to the city, we should eat it again.”

Guihua, who was standing beside her, also savored the taste.

“It’s true, since we were all so hungry just now, the food naturally tasted delicious. Plus, the weather is cold, so the hot soup is naturally savory. I’m afraid by the time we come back next time, you’ll find the taste just so-so.” Liu Sisi looked back at the noodle restaurant, which was gradually getting farther away, and poured cold water on the enthusiasm.

“Sisi, why did you have to say that? Maybe next time we come to the city, it’ll still be just as delicious.”

Guihua clearly didn’t like the cold water Liu Sisi had poured.

Liu Sisi just smiled and didn’t say anything more.

“Oh! What a coincidence, Mrs. Di is also out shopping and enjoying the lanterns?”

Suddenly, a surprised voice came from diagonally across, and Liu Sisi had to marvel at how small the world was.

“It turns out to be Mrs. Ran. I must pay my respects! I assume you are also here to enjoy the lanterns? But why are you here alone?” Liu Sisi quickly greeted her and asked casually.

The woman who greeted her was none other than the wife of the wealthy salt merchant, Mrs. Ran!

Mrs. Ran’s eyes disappeared when she smiled: “How could that be? I came out today to accompany Prefecture Princess Luo and the County Magistrate’s wife to enjoy the lanterns. They are both waiting for me in the wine-house right now. By the way, Heir Luo is also with us. Why don’t we all go there and sit for a while?”

Mrs. Ran suggested while speaking.

“This… wouldn’t be too good, right?”

Liu Sisi hesitated, she didn’t want to go to the wine-house, where they would sit for half a day when they had come out to enjoy the lantern riddles with everyone.

Perhaps sensing Liu Sisi’s difficulty, Mrs. Ran’s eyes turned and she immediately laughed!

“Look at how confused I am! Since you all came out as a big family, you must be here to enjoy the lanterns together. How about we all sit at the wine-house for a while and then go shopping and guessing lantern riddles together?”

Liu Sisi wanted to refuse, but when she looked back at Di Yelei, he nodded at her instead.

She changed her refusal words at the last moment and agreed to the invitation: “That sounds good! It’s been so long since I’ve seen Prefecture Princess Luo that I’m really starting to miss her. Now is the perfect opportunity to pay her a proper visit.”

Everyone then followed Mrs. Ran toward the direction of the wine-house.

This wine-house was not just any place, as it was the newly opened one by Nan Tianzong. What a coincidence!