ENLIGHTENED

THREE

          It was the night of the Spring Festival. The streets were lit up with decorative lanterns and lights, illuminating the people enjoying the different sights and sounds of the different festivities the town could offer. Merchants selling their best merchandise, food carts lined up for townspeople to enjoy some delicacies and entertainers gather round in circles to bring life to the occasion through music and dances. And in the sea of people, the Crown Prince and his friend blended themselves as they dressed in common clothes to experience the festival outside the palace walls.

"Excellent feast," Yuan said as he rubbed his stomach in satisfaction. "I feel like I fed myself a meal good for three days. If this was my life, I'd doubt if I could still fit into my armor or hop into my horse?"

The Crown Prince gave a hearty laugh at his friend; indeed the feast was sumptuous. "A night of frivolity is enough, my friend." He looked around in awe as he saw so many things were happening at once in the place. "It's been a while since we last had our share of enjoyment in spring festivals. We barely notice it when we were deployed."

"True," the other nodded.

As they strolled, the sight of a girl doing some sort of fan dance caught their attention and in an instant, Yanan remembered one thing.

"Remember I told you that we'd go and visit your sister on the night of the festival?"

Yuan looked at the monarch; his face fell anxious as he heard those words from him. "Have you lost your mind? We are not armed and there aren't any soldiers tailing us. If we get abducted – "

"Says who?"

Yuan looked at his friend's face anxiously as he saw the latter's lips form a smirk.

This is not going to be good.

Four guards were standing in full suits as they guarded the gates along with eight others on the walls of the Peach Palace. Yanan had no plans on taking all twelve of his guards, but since Yuan insisted for the monarch's safety, the former had no choice but to oblige. After all, they were both unarmed and the plan of coming to the place was not discussed at all.

"Da jie!" Yuan exclaimed as he ran to his sister who welcomed him with open arms.

"I'm happy you could come," Yanyu said as she faced her brother. "Our other sisters are here, too. I didn't tell them anything about your arrival."

"It's a pleasant surprise for them," he replied happily.

"Your highness," she turned her attention to the Crown Prince and bowed. "I'm honored you could come."

The monarch looked around and smiled over the paper lanterns of gold, red and peach, surrounding the place, extending to the interior of the place. "I'm glad I came to somewhere more festive than the palace." He reached for a nearby lantern and held it on his hand.

Then the sound of a drum roll came floating in the air. "Please, come inside. The performances is about to start." Yanyu said as she held her brother's hand. She wanted to take them into the platform but Yanan declined and asked to just watch the entertainment from afar. Instead, he insisted that Yuan join his sisters at the banquet.

It was just like the spectacle in the palace – however, there was more color and more people enjoying the scene. The movements of each dancer were more elaborate like it was ultimately made for the occasion. Cloths of different shades went into the air with other dancers using other props like swords and the infamous red fans. It was an extraordinary feat.