Chapter 321: The First Day of the Festival Market

Before sunrise, the capital was already awake.

Usually, the streets at this hour were quiet.

Merchants would still be setting up stalls.

Commoners would still be asleep.

But today—

Everything was different.

Today was the first day of the Grand Festival Market.

And excitement filled every corner of the city.

---

As the eastern sky turned golden, crowds began flowing toward the market district.

Entire families arrived together.

Parents holding children’s hands.

Grandparents walking with canes.

Young couples laughing together.

Friends carrying baskets.

Everyone wore smiles.

Everyone carried anticipation.

---

Colorful banners stretched across the streets.

Red.

Gold.

Blue.

Green.

They fluttered gently in the morning breeze.

Rows upon rows of stalls lined the roads.

The market seemed endless.

Food stalls.

Clothing shops.

Jewelry displays.

Shoe merchants.

Toy sellers.

Furniture craftsmen.

Decorative lantern vendors.

Pottery makers.

Game booths.

Storytellers.

Acrobats.

Musicians.

Everywhere people looked—

There was something to see.

---

The most surprising thing, however—

Was the price.

A large wooden sign stood near the entrance.

Festival Special

Most goods available from 50 copper cents and above

The crowd stared.

Then stared again.

Many thought they had misread.

A middle-aged woman grabbed her husband’s arm.

"Is that real?"

The husband rubbed his eyes.

"It... it says fifty cents."

The woman looked ready to cry.

"Fifty cents?"

---

Normally, a beautiful embroidered handkerchief cost several silver coins.

Today—

Only fifty cents.

Simple shoes?

Fifty cents.

Hair ribbons?

Fifty cents.

Wooden toys?

Fifty cents.

Small home decorations?

Fifty cents.

Even food portions were sold at special festival prices.

---

The crowd exploded with excitement.

People rushed forward.

Not violently.

But eagerly.

Like children entering a dream.

---

A little girl stopped at a ribbon stall.

Her eyes widened.

Pink ribbons.

Blue ribbons.

Golden ribbons.

Beautiful ribbons she had only admired from afar before.

Usually she could only stand outside shops and look through the window.

Today—

She held one in her hand.

"Mother..."

Her voice trembled.

"Can I really buy it?"

The stall owner smiled warmly.

"Of course."

The girl looked at the small coins in her palm.

Enough.

For the first time in her life—

Enough.

---

Nearby, an old grandfather stood before a shoe stall.

His shoes were worn thin.

The soles nearly gone.

He had postponed replacing them for years.

Food was always more important.

Medicine was always more important.

There was never enough money.

Today—

He held a pair of sturdy new shoes.

His hands shook.

The merchant smiled.

"Festival price."

The old man nodded repeatedly.

Unable to hide his emotion.

---

Further inside the market—

Food stalls became the center of attention.

Steam rose into the air.

Delicious aromas drifted everywhere.

Roasted meat.

Sweet cakes.

Noodles.

Dumplings.

Soup.

Fresh bread.

Fruit skewers.

Sugar-coated snacks.

Children practically dragged their parents toward the stalls.

---

One young boy stared at a meat skewer.

His eyes almost glowing.

His mother looked embarrassed.

"We cannot afford—"

The vendor interrupted with a smile.

"Festival special."

The mother looked at the sign.

Her eyes widened.

Then she bought three.

One for her son.

One for herself.

One for her husband.

The little boy nearly danced with happiness.

---

At another stall—

Women crowded around colorful dresses.

Normally such clothing belonged to wealthy households.

Today—

Even ordinary families could purchase them.

One woman held a green dress against herself.

Her friends immediately began complimenting her.

"It suits you!"

"You look ten years younger!"

The woman laughed so hard she nearly dropped the dress.

---

Across the street—

The jewelry section was equally crowded.

Silver earrings.

Jade bracelets.

Hairpins.

Necklaces.

Decorative combs.

Young girls admired themselves in mirrors.

Older women secretly purchased gifts.

Men awkwardly selected jewelry for wives and sweethearts.

---

One nervous young man spent almost thirty minutes choosing a hairpin.

The merchant finally laughed.

"Are you buying it or proposing marriage?"

The entire stall burst into laughter.

The young man turned bright red and immediately purchased it.

---

Near the center of the market—

Games had been set up.

Archery.

Ring toss.

Lucky draws.

Target throwing.

Guessing games.

The area was packed with children.

Cheers erupted constantly.

Prizes ranged from candy to toys and small decorations.

Every victory brought excitement.

Every failure brought laughter. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

---

Street performers attracted enormous crowds.

Acrobats flipped through the air.

Sword dancers performed elegant routines.

Musicians played lively songs.

Storytellers recounted ancient legends.

Even adults stood mesmerized.

For a day—

Life’s hardships seemed distant.

---

The atmosphere became even more emotional when people began realizing something.

This festival wasn’t just entertainment.

It was opportunity.

---

Many commoners had spent years simply watching.

Standing outside expensive stores.

Looking through windows.

Admiring items they could never afford.

Dreaming.

Then walking away.

---

Today—

Those same people were customers.

Not spectators.

Not outsiders.

Customers.

---

A mother bought toys for her children.

A father purchased new shoes.

A grandmother selected a warm shawl.

A young girl bought her first hairpin.

A young man bought a gift for the woman he loved.

---

The city was overflowing with joy.

---

By noon—

The market was even busier.

Laughter filled every street.

Music echoed between buildings.

Children ran carrying prizes.

Families sat together eating festival food.

Friends compared purchases.

---

People talked excitedly.

"Did you see the prices?"

"I bought three things!"

"I bought gifts for everyone!"

"My children finally have new shoes!"

"Look at this lantern!"

"Look at this dress!"

---

For once—

The conversations were not about fear.

Not about disasters.

Not about strange events.

Not about palace rumors.

---

Only happiness.

---

And from the upper floors of nearby buildings, many merchants watched the scene below.

The market was packed.

Business was thriving.

People were smiling.

The city felt alive.

---

As evening approached—

Thousands of lanterns were lit.

Golden lights illuminated the streets.

The market transformed into something magical.

Almost dreamlike.

---

Children stared upward in wonder.

Couples walked hand in hand.

Families continued shopping.

The celebration showed no sign of ending.

---

And across the capital—

One thought was shared by everyone.

This was the best festival they had ever experienced.

A festival where ordinary people could finally participate.

A festival where dreams felt reachable.

A festival where even fifty cents could bring happiness.

And as lantern light danced across smiling faces—

The city celebrated late into the night.

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