On the night of Wen Qingyu’s birthday, the vermillion gates of Jinlan Manor were thrown wide open. Thirty-six lotus-based lanterns, each inscribed with the character for "longevity," bathed the Shuanghua Courtyard in a glow as bright as day.
Wen Qingyu sat reclined on a phoenix-patterned nanmu chair, the hem of her gold-embroidered butterfly dress spreading across the stone tiles like a long, flowing tail. The six jade bracelets and gold bangles on her wrists chimed as she moved; she was already tipsy from the mere anticipation of the wine.
The gatekeeper had sent out invitations to various estates the day before, and guests were now pouring into the manor in a constant stream, leaving piles of birthday gifts in the courtyard that resembled small hills. Wen Qingyu had never enjoyed such a star-studded celebration; even back at her father’s estate, he had always avoided lavish displays for fear of drawing unwanted attention to his official rank.
Chapter 29