【New Red Mansion】Perfect World

The origin of lanterns can be traced back to the custom of lighting lanterns on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Lanterns come in various shapes and forms, and what Yuanyang is teaching them to make today is: the "Five Blessings Lantern" that collects five wishes.

The cotton yarn was cut into pieces 30 centimeters long and centimeters wide. They were immersed in five different dyes. After all five dyes were colored, they were taken to the hanging rope in the yard to dry.

The bamboo strips were cut into a width of 5 mm and bent into a suitable shape on the candle in front of them. Yuanyang made thumb covers with bamboo leaves in advance to protect the ladies' thumbs.

Especially Pin'er, who was afraid that the bamboo would hurt her hands and she would not be able to play the zither. Pin'er was very careful and was also very careful when shaping the zither on the candlelight.

The shaped bamboo pieces are fixed with cotton thread, which is a test of patience and is also the reason why the Jia family asked the girls to make their own lanterns.

In the afternoon after lunch break, after waiting in the wind and sun, the cotton yarn pieces were dried. From a distance, Jia Mu's yard was decorated with these flying cotton yarn strips, which made it look more lively.

Use the tracing chalk used for cutting clothes to draw the shape to be cut on the gauze, which is a bit similar to the shape of leaves on a tree, and then cut them carefully one by one.

The leaves are sewn together like sandbags, and finally put on the bamboo lamp frame made in the morning, which looks like a plump fairy peach. Then it is fixed with the pre-sewn base, and fixed from top to bottom in the order of red, yellow, green, blue and purple. It just corresponds to: blessing, wealth, longevity, happiness and wealth.

Yuanyang held up the lantern in his hand and spoke a series of auspicious words: "Red can also symbolize passion and good luck (meaning a beautiful life and continuous good luck), yellow symbolizes wealth and dignity (meaning a successful career and a rich life), green symbolizes life and growth (meaning a long life and peace and prosperity), blue symbolizes wisdom and rationality (meaning increased wisdom and a peaceful state of mind), and finally purple symbolizes mystery and purity (meaning nobleness, auspiciousness, romance and happiness)."

Everyone was pleased with what they heard, and Grandmother Jia was even happier. She ordered Amber to fetch some more gold and silver threads so that they could decorate the lanterns as they liked.

*

The next evening was the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.

In the banquet hall on the third floor of the main building of the Jia family's new garden, Jia's grandmother held a family dinner. Jia Zheng came back for a rare visit, and even Jia Huan was brought back from school. Except for Jia Yuanchun, everyone else was gathered together.

The waiters were busy serving the dishes: the first dish was: goose liver with ice cream, the goose liver was made into a gourd shape, topped with bright red cherry juice, and decorated with fresh strawberry leaves. A few pieces of fish tail made of sugar flowers decorated the plate.

The second dish is: Jade pepper and bamboo shoots. The bamboo shoots are made into a twisted style, which is refreshing and cute. The plate is decorated with purple orchids.

The third dish is: Tiger vegetable mixed with sea cucumber. In the center is a cluster of sea cucumber, surrounded by shredded red, yellow, blue and green peppers, as colorful as a painter's palette.

The fourth dish is: Fengshengshuiqi fishing for jellyfish heads. Shredded carrots, bamboo shoots, shredded radish, chopped coriander. All rolled into a ball of wool, surrounded by jellyfish heads.

The fifth dish is: Rich Flower Branch Roll. A tender white boat floats on an orange-red lake, and the boat is decorated with tender buds, like a sail. Move along the turntable of the dining table, and the boat seems to start sailing.

The sixth course is: Australian lobster sashimi. A pine tree stands obliquely, with icicles of different heights scattered around. The sashimi seems to be standing on a podium holding a medal, with the lobster standing upright behind it. It is even more like a fairy when it is served.

At this time, the first soup served to each person is: clear chicken soup soaked with fish maw. The soup is as green as jade, clear and white.

The seventh dish is: Steamed Grouper with Colorful Threads. The orange fish leaps out of the dish, looking as if it is about to leap over the dragon gate.

The eighth dish is: Stir-fried snow crab in the typhoon shelter. The crab shell is in the center, and the crab meat and crab legs surround the crab shell. The two crab claws are placed in front, still majestic.

The ninth dish is: Charcoal grilled Australian beef ribs. The ribs are placed vertically in the middle, decorated with five cute little tomatoes. The shredded lettuce next to it is also arranged in vertical strips, decorated with orchids. On the far right is the main dish, the cut meat is sliced ​​and neatly arranged in vertical strips.

The tenth dish is: Spicy and Crispy Pork Neck. The fiery red chili peppers and the bright green Sichuan peppercorns make the meat look spicy and playful.

The eleventh course is: Wild Morel Mushrooms Stuffed with Black Pork. The black pork is hidden inside the morels and arranged into a flower shape, the center of the flower is decorated with green beans, and then poured with thick sauce, the petals immediately become crystal clear.

The twelfth dish is Thai-style cooked oysters. It is garnished with chopped red and green chilies, topped with delicate lemon slices, and topped with a long-marinated secret sauce to enhance the flavor.

When the dishes were almost all served, Jia She gave a toast first, followed by Jia Zheng. Everyone raised their glasses and the feast began.

When the toast was raised again, Grandmother Jia suggested that Baoyu give a toast, and Baoyu spoke openly:

"The bright moon shines down, just like the warmth in the room. Today's family dinner, with all the relatives gathered together, is the greatest joy in the world. May the elders be healthy, like the lush pines and cypresses, and enjoy the joy of family. May the brothers and sisters love and live in harmony, and may the family business prosper and everything go smoothly. May the sisters have eternal beauty and more talent, like the blooming flowers, beautiful and moving. May this Mid-Autumn moon always shine on our family, and bring peace and reunion every year. Let us raise our glasses together, for this beautiful moment, for this strong family love, cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses. Others were fine, but Jia Zheng, who was sitting next to Lady Jia, nodded, which was rare. His eyes couldn't help but become moist.

Wang Xifeng saw that everyone had almost finished their soup, so she asked the waiter to remove the soup bowls and bring each person a portion of the best official shark fin Buddha jumps over the wall. The golden soup bowl matched the ingredients very well.

After a few rounds of drinking, Wang Xifeng saw that the empty dishes on the table had been removed, so she hurriedly arranged to prepare two more seasonal dishes, and then arranged to serve the lobster porridge that had just been prepared for two dishes, and first served a bowl to Jia Mu. Jia Mu liked porridge and drank a few more mouthfuls.

When Lady Jia put down her bowl and chopsticks, the others also stopped eating. Then a plate of fruit and a cup of fresh tea were placed in front of each person.

Xu Ping came over and whispered in Wang Xifeng's ear: "The teacher we invited is ready."

Wang Xifeng quickly informed Jia's mother: "Today we have only invited a famous Peking Opera teacher to sing: "Chang'e Flying to the Moon."

"That's wonderful, but the teacher is also thinking about reuniting with his family, so we shouldn't bother him. Now that he's here, please invite him in and finish singing so that he can reunite with his family."

Wang Xifeng turned around and whispered a few words to Xu Ping, and Xu Ping went out to make the arrangements.

The stage in the restaurant had already been set up with a bright moon and a few auspicious clouds made of gold thread. Instrumental music started, and a dignified and pretty figure came on stage. Not only was she dressed as Chang'e, but her arms were decorated with colorful ribbons used in long silk dances.

The first thing he sang was: "Lotus steps move in front of the jade steps, looking at the beauty under the crystal curtain." Then he squatted down and stood up to sing:

"There are so many harmonious couples in the world, fresh melons and delicious wine are used to celebrate the wedding, the whole family drinks and talks about their heartfelt songs, the whole family enters the embroidered silk curtain together, thinking of Chang'e sitting alone in the cold palace, who knows how lonely and cold she is." After singing, she even danced with the colorful long silk.

After the performance, Jia's mother asked for a big red envelope and a few gift boxes of mooncakes. The family dinner was almost over. When Jia's mother heard that lanterns were made in the garden, she wanted to go and see them. So she was surrounded by everyone and came to the garden.

A table of fruits and vegetables was set up in the largest pavilion in the garden, and those who came there to admire the lanterns were the younger generations accompanying Lady Jia.

Baoyu led the way with a moving crab lantern in his hand, while Lin Pin'er held a small rabbit lantern. Tanchun held a large rolling lantern, which was lit with a candle but could be rotated at will. Tanchun kept fiddling with the lantern in her hand, smiling like a flower.

Yingchun held a delicate butterfly lantern that could flap its wings, Xichun held a small bat lantern, and Jia Lan followed behind with a giant fish lantern.

Along the way, strings of small red lanterns led the way, and in the front stood a huge and majestic golden dragon lantern, with its body stretching and undulating and its head looking majestic.

Turning again, two fish leaped up, followed by the Qilin lantern, the lotus lantern, the palace lantern...

"It is beautiful and big, but it is not as delicate and delicate as the ones in our hands," Tanchun commented.

"When you were a child, you liked big lanterns the most. Now that you have grown up, why do you like small lanterns?" Baoyu teased.