Following Liu Xiaohua’s guidance, Su Wanli and Meng Wange walked through a narrow alley lined with a few red lanterns, then emerged onto a wide, bustling street.
The originally quiet and quaint Yunsheng County had suddenly become lively and vibrant.
Both sides of the street were adorned with brick-and-stone old houses hung with brand-new red banners inscribed with various blessings. Beneath the eaves, strings of paper red lanterns swayed in the wind, casting a soft, warm glow.
The air was thick with the sweet aroma of sugar-roasted chestnuts and baked sweet potatoes, mingled with the spicy scent of street-side stalls.
If that were all, it would be no different from the New Year.
But what truly set this scene apart were the people coming and going along the street.
They looked as if they had stepped out of a period drama, wearing all kinds of traditional costumes. Some donned flowing Hanfu, others elegant ruqun—a gathering of people from different dynasties.
Additionally, most of them wore antique animal masks of various shapes and designs.
Noticing the barely concealed astonishment on the two young ladies’ faces, Liu Xiaohua, who was walking ahead, puffed out her chest with pride. She turned around and wagged a finger at Su Wanli and the others.
“Ahem… Even though everyone’s wearing clothes you don’t normally see, this isn’t actually called cosplay. It’s more of a local traditional custom. Ah, do you two not know what cosplay is? Let me think… If I have to explain it, it’s more like a masquerade ball? Anyway, it’s a festival where you dress up as something different from usual, then eat and drink your way around.”
Liu Xiaohua did her best to explain the meaning of the festival in terms Su Wanli could understand. She then cleared her throat twice and waved at them.
“Alright, explaining too much is worse than experiencing it yourselves. I have to go catch up with some friends later, so I won’t keep you company! You two have fun! Enjoy yourselves!”
With that, before Su Wanli could even respond, Liu Xiaohua slipped into the lively crowd like a nimble fish and vanished in the blink of an eye.
“I see. An ancient-style festival?”
After hearing Liu Xiaohua’s words, Meng Wange nodded thoughtfully and began to observe the people passing by.
Indeed, since her first glimpse of Yunsheng County, she had felt that the scenery was quite quaint and elegant. The street, which served as the main venue for the festival, seemed to have undergone special modifications for the occasion. Apart from a few unsightly utility wires crisscrossing the sky, everything—from the blue stone-paved ground to the vermillion wooden doors and windows—showed no trace of modernization.
Among the people walking along the street, some were dressed casually in modern clothes, but most had changed into their treasured ancient costumes. Many Hanfu shops lined the roadside, as if encouraging others to join in the dress-up.
If it were Su Wanli, what kind of outfit would she choose?
To put it in perspective, given her status, she would probably be a noble lady from ancient times, wearing a light-colored ruqun with a group of guards following her.
Lost in this thought, Meng Wange subconsciously turned to look at Su Wanli’s expression.
Of course, as expected, Su Wanli…
Wasn’t thinking about any of that.
The moment her eyes landed on a mannequin in an antique clothing shop wearing a green long dress, only one thought occupied her mind.
—That would look perfect on Meng Wange!
Imagining Meng Wange in a flowing, elegant ancient-style long dress. Her light brown hair gently pinned up with a simple hairpin, a few strands falling softly beside her cheeks.
At the sound of a call, when she looked back, a faint smile would naturally curl at the corners of her lips, her eyes reflecting the countless lanterns…
It would be like a character stepping straight out of an ancient painting!
“Miss Su?”
A soft voice pulled Su Wanli back from her fantasy.
She looked up abruptly to find Meng Wange gazing at her with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Meng Wange’s gaze followed the direction Su Wanli had been staring in, landing on that very green dress.
“So, Miss Su, do you also want to see what you’d look like in ancient attire?”
“Uh, well, that… Actually, I’m not that eager, but that dress does seem to suit you quite well.”
Her desire to see Meng Wange in an ancient-style outfit reached its peak, and Su Wanli even forgot her villainess persona. She cleared her throat softly and said in a low voice.
“If you want, I suppose I could spare you one… I mean nine. Just nine pieces of cheap clothing; don’t worry about the price.”
“I see. Thank you for your generosity. But it would be a bit dull if only I dressed up.”
Meng Wange chuckled softly and gently linked her arm through Su Wanli’s.
“If possible, I’d prefer it if we both changed into outfits that complement each other.”
“Oh? You said it! After I change, you have to change too! Let’s go, hurry up—any later and the festival will be over!”
Pulled along by Su Wanli, Meng Wange showed no sign of impatience.
She docilely followed behind, letting that cool hand grasp her arm and lead her into the shop filled with dazzling choices.
The selection inside the clothing store was even more extensive than Su Wanli had imagined. All kinds of ancient costumes hung neatly on racks, making her head spin.
“Miss Su, which style would you like to choose?”
“Hmph, I’ll wear whatever I want. As for you, go pick out something you like.”
Su Wanli waved her hand with feigned impatience.
“I’m not in the mood to treat people anytime, so it’s just for tonight—once in a while, okay?”
Despite her words, Su Wanli’s eyes darted between the flowing gauze dresses and elegant Hanfu.
…Hmm, if Meng Wange is too reserved and embarrassed to buy something expensive, that won’t do.
Better to pick a few for her myself.
But which one is better?
I kind of want to see Meng Wange in that moon-white long dress—it looks ethereal.
That light yellow Hanfu next to it also looks nice, giving a friendlier impression…
“Ah, that one looks good too. Maybe I should just buy this entire row—no, these two rows…”
“Miss Su.”
Meng Wange watched Su Wanli’s gaze bounce between herself and the clothes and rubbed her temple helplessly.
“I think we should each choose our own clothes from now on, don’t you agree?”
“Huh? What do you mean? Of course I’m just choosing clothes for myself, just using your figure as a reference.”
“Is that so? In that case…”
Meng Wange’s eyes shifted toward the outside of the shop.
“I think I might prefer the style of another store. Please allow me to go take a look over there.”
“Wait, wait, hold on for me first. Attendant, no—shopkeeper! Come over here and help me wrap up these two rows…”
Before Su Wanli could finish shouting like some nouveau riche, Meng Wange immediately stopped her and shook her head gently.
“By the way, I just thought of something interesting.”