Light Dance Jiajing

Nadam is held in summer and autumn every year, when livestock are fat and strong. It is the most grand event on the grassland. The Tumed is a larger tribe in Mongolia, so the Nadam event is particularly grand every year. The lamas have to perform sacrifices for several consecutive days. They burn incense and light lamps, chant scriptures and pray to the gods for protection and to eliminate disasters. Altan also goes up to the platform after a series of procedures such as fasting, bathing, and praying, and announces the opening of the Nadam Festival.

Mei'er was in the midst of a crowd of people. The herdsmen around her were all joyful. The festive atmosphere also infected her, and she unconsciously followed the people's brisk pace. Hundreds of makeshift tents were arranged in a staggered manner, like a city of tents. Mei'er felt very novel walking among them.

"Anan, the wrestling is about to start, let's hurry over." Daimuxi and Saiyinbul pulled Mei'er and trotted along the way. They saw four fields in the open space. There were already players standing in each field. Mei'er and the others squeezed into the crowd and saw two wrestlers saluted each other and then stepped back. They both wore high boots, leather waistcoats on the upper body, wide wrestling pants on the lower body, and colorful ornaments around their necks. They took big steps, circled the field, and began to fight. Both of them had broad backs and thick shoulders. They held each other's shoulders and tried to knock their opponents down. The two were evenly matched. Mei'er was also worried about the fight on the field. There were three games like this, and the winner of two games would advance to the next round. Mei'er cheered with the audience outside the field, and she was more nervous than the wrestlers on the field.

Zixuan brought Ayuan with them, mixed in the crowd. They also wore Mongolian clothes, but anyone could tell they were Han Chinese at first glance, because most Mongolians had dark red complexions, while Zixuan's skin looked fairer among the men, and Ayuan was even weaker, far from the healthy dark red color of Mongolian women. Zixuan showed no expression along the way, as if he was not interested in the Mongolian things. Ayuan observed his expression and said, "After all, they are barbarians from outside the Great Wall, and they can only do some fighting." Zixuan nodded. Ayuan was about to say a few more words when she saw Meng'er in red clothes and another woman not far away. Two girls outside were talking and laughing, and ran out from the crowd. Over there was a wrestling arena. The three girls seemed to be not satisfied yet, and they were running and laughing together. Ayuan subconsciously looked at Zixuan, and saw that Zixuan was looking at Meng'er and the other two intently. There was no extra emotion in his eyes, as if he was looking at ordinary irrelevant people. But why was he still looking at her? Ayuan's heart, which had just been relieved, was lifted up again. She knew Meng'er's identity, and how could she compare with her? Meng'er was so young and energetic. Ayuan clenched her fists tightly. This girl must be a big worry for her.

As night fell, the melodious sound of horse-head fiddle floated across the grassland. A blazing bonfire was lit in front of the big tent in the center of the venue. The herdsmen gathered here, and young men and women sang and danced around the bonfire. Daimuxi pulled Mei'er and Saiyinbul to join them. Mei'er could not sing Mongolian songs, so she jumped around with them. Gradually, drums were sounded, and the young people consciously clapped their hands to the beat, singing and dancing around the bonfire. Mei'er was sweating all over, but she had no intention of stopping. It had been a long time since she felt so happy and free. Even the floating clouds in the night sky seemed very vivid. Altan looked at Mei'er, and his heart relaxed unconsciously. Seeing her dancing with completely wrong steps seemed particularly real and vivid.