MM Racing Chapter 419 The Grand Show at the Meridian Gate
Chapter 419 The Grand Show at the Meridian Gate
Time slipped to November 7, 1989.
beginning of winter.
A crisp, first snow fell in Beijing during the day, and now the snow has cleared and the dark blue sky, like a huge black silk ribbon, gently envelops the Forbidden City.
This 600-year-old palace, stripped of the daytime hustle and bustle and the heavy dust of history, reveals its serene and beautiful outline in the deliberately created dim lighting.
Meridian Gate Square has been completely transformed.
The "Floating Jade Steps" runway, illuminated by hundreds of low-profile PAR spotlights hidden on both sides, resembled a piece of warm, lustrous jade, suspended above the ancient brick and stone floor.
The eighty-meter S-shaped curve is like frozen calligraphy, quietly waiting to be activated by footsteps.
The specially treated frosted texture of the countertop softens the light below into a uniform and hazy "light pad," where no lamps are visible, only the light itself.
At the beginning of the runway, the mirrored water feature is smooth and flawless.
Two centimeters of still water, the black waterproof paint perfectly swallowed all stray light, meticulously replicating only the majestic silhouette of the Meridian Gate, the starry sky reflected in the eaves, and even a wisp of drifting cloud.
The white mist created by dry ice flows silently on the water's surface and around the pool, as if time itself has been transformed into a visible haze here.
Five hundred modified Ming-style official hat chairs are already waiting on the tiered viewing platform facing the Meridian Gate.
The dark wood and dark red velvet cushions almost disappeared in the ambient light, ensuring that all eyes were drawn to the palace and the light-filled staircase.
The air was crisp and cool, yet faintly carried the subtle fragrance of plum blossoms, mingled with the clean scent of freshly fallen earth. This fragrance was slowly released from the specially designed cobblestone heaters on either side of the entrance passage, silently cleansing the minds of every visitor.
Starting at 6 p.m., guests holding invitations from Yahei began to slowly enter through the east and west gates. Lin San's network of connections was now displaying astonishing power.
Among the guests were both young people representing the new spirit of reform and an open vision, and heavyweight figures who were well-versed in traditional culture and held important positions.
The emerging forces in politics and business move with a steady pace, their eyes filled with scrutiny and expectation.
Zheng Xinmiao is a highly respected figure who once held an important position in the cultural field.
Han Meilin, a renowned artist whose powerful artistic language has shaken the world, is a symbol of a dialogue between Eastern and Western art.
Professor Yan Chongnian, a leading scholar in Qing Dynasty history, added academic depth to this fashionable event with his presence.
There is also Mo Yan, a writer who examines rural life and tradition from a unique literary perspective.
These top figures from various fields of culture, art, and academia, including Tang Liuqian, Li Wenbin, and Zheng Jiaming, stood side by side, forming an extremely rare and high-profile social scene in Beijing in the late autumn of 1989.
At the entrance, all guests were served a warm cup of "Palace Museum Winter Brew".
The amber-colored tea soup is infused with "Warmth Powder" personally crafted by Lin Yan.
After drinking for a short while, a gentle yet firm warm current rises from the lower abdomen, making one feel comfortable throughout the body, allowing one to fully immerse oneself in the sensory feast that is about to begin.
On the surface, they appear elegant and sophisticated, but behind the scenes, they are an impenetrable fortress.
The security system was established in accordance with the highest standards for large-scale public events.
Centered around the Meridian Gate Square, multiple security buffer zones were set up, with plainclothes and uniformed personnel closely deployed to ensure that people without tickets or passes could not possibly break into the core area.
All vehicles were directed to designated areas from a distance, and the area around the square was completely quiet.
Old Wu from the power supply team guarded several roaring diesel generators and the dense, yet well-hidden, cables—the very pulse of all the magical lights and shadows that night.
The master craftsmen assigned by the Palace Museum acted like the most vigilant guardians, scattered across various key construction sites.
Backstage, however, was a different scene altogether—bustling yet orderly.
The fuel-fired heaters kept the makeshift changing area warm and cozy.
Sister Zhang is like a general, commanding her logistics team.
The models all drank "Wenxu San" (a traditional Chinese medicine), and the foot patches continued to emit heat.
Before going on stage, they would put on heavy military coats until the very last second.
The edge of the mirrored pool was already covered with a thick non-slip carpet, and a dedicated person was assigned to hold dry, thick towels and foot warmers.
At exactly 7 p.m., the last ray of daylight disappeared.
"when--"
A deep, resonant chime, as if bursting forth from the depths of history, instantly silenced all the subtle sounds in the room.
Then came the second and third sounds.
The lingering melody lingered and echoed in the air above the square.
After the three chimes, all was silent.
Suddenly, a golden light shone from deep within the enormous archway in the center of the Meridian Gate.
Like molten gold, or like the dawn breaking.
A row of silhouettes gradually emerged.
The music begins with a wisp of harmonics from a guqin, mixed with long, drawn-out notes from a xiao (vertical bamboo flute) that seem to be sobbing in the wind, and extremely subtle electronic ambient sound effects that seem to be the building itself breathing.
The sound enveloped everything from all directions, blending seamlessly with the subtle fragrance of the plum blossoms, the ancient bricks beneath our feet, and the scenery before our eyes.
The first group of models stepped into the mirrored water feature through the golden gate of light.
The thin mist on the water's surface was disturbed, and began to rise and swirl.
The model's slender ankles stepped into the water, creating tiny ripples.
Step by step. Their figures were reflected in the water and blurred in the mist, reality and illusion, the present and the past, lost their clear boundaries at this moment.
The underwater diffused lights pierced through the water, creating a hazy pillar of light that draped them in a sacred veil.
On them is Libre de Soi's first collection: "Foundation Stones and Silk Whispers".
The clothing abandons all superfluous decorations.
The fabric used is the top-grade "Xiangyun Yarn" and "Fuguang Brocade" from Nanhai Yarn Factory, but the design is simplified.
The clean, straight-line cut draws inspiration from the slender silhouette of the Song Dynasty's jacket and the tailored look of modern suits.
The colors are almost off-white, like raw silk, calm dark blue, and deep black.
The greatest ingenuity lies in the structure—those seemingly simple planes, through hidden darts and internal supports on the curves of the human body, form an extremely exquisite three-dimensional space. When walking, the fabric flows with the body, shimmering with a luster like water ripples or rolling mountains.
This is no longer just wearing clothes; it's like draping a flowing scroll of Eastern landscape painting over one's body.
On the spotlight towers on both sides of the runway, the operators held their breath and focused intently.
The heavy lens of the carbon arc follow spot was held firmly in their hands.
The light spots precisely enveloped the models, moving at a steady pace with their steps, magnifying and highlighting the hazy, misty feel of "Xiangyun Yarn," the moonlit, understated luster of "Fuguang Brocade," and the subtle, barely perceptible patterns on the garments, presenting them to every viewer.
This is a perfect collaboration between human hands and machines, a light and shadow art of "handmade haute couture".
While the first group of models were still frozen at the end of the runway, the lattice gates covered with light gold gauze slowly rose, accompanied by the steady hum of the motors at the east and west side gates of the Meridian Gate.
Models from both the East and West filed out.
The soul of this series is "fusion".
Chinese elements such as stand-up collars, slanted plackets, and wide sleeves are deconstructed and recombined with architectural geometric lines, seamlessly integrating with Western three-dimensional tailoring, fine wool, and crisp satin.
A seemingly classic men's double-breasted coat, its silhouette is actually inspired by the robes worn by officials in the Qing Dynasty, with the back vent and internal structure providing unparalleled style and presence.
A women's evening gown features delicate Suzhou embroidery cloud patterns on the upper body, while the lower body abruptly transforms into a modern fishtail skirt. As the wearer moves, the delicate beauty of the East and the boldness of the West collide intensely yet coexist harmoniously.
At this moment, the colors and patterns of light on the runway began to shift for the first time.
The lighting technicians, standing by the PAR spotlights, rely on their honed muscle memory and the precise, second-by-second rhythm of the music to manually rotate the color-changing discs.
The jade-like halo on the runway gradually transitioned from a warm white to a noble light gold, complementing the gold threads and jeweled embellishments on the models' clothing.
The music becomes more ethereal at this moment, incorporating more natural elements: wind blowing through pine needles, snow falling on withered lotus leaves, and echoes from distant mountains.
This series returns to the ultimate Eastern philosophy.
Large areas of black, white, and gray, as well as a series of indescribable intermediate shades between blue and gray.
The style is extremely loose, like a Taoist robe or a scholar's deep robe, emphasizing the freedom and breathability of the body within the clothing.
The fabric uses an unprecedented composite process, combining extremely delicate silk with tough linen to create a contradictory yet charming texture—seemingly fragile and easily broken, but actually supple and resilient.
As the models walked, their clothes billowed in the wind, creating flowing lines that conveyed a sense of airiness, truly embodying the meaning of "flowing energy."
The final note is a grand and poignant Western string melody that suddenly cuts in, contrasting with the guqin melody that has been building up throughout, as if two rivers of time and space are converging and surging here.
The central gate of the Meridian Gate once again shone with light. This time, it was a pure, holy white halo, like a divine revelation.
Two models, dressed in a breathtaking gold-embroidered dragon and phoenix wedding gown, appeared side by side in the light.
The shimmering brocade on the female model's body seemed to glow under the beam of overhead light, radiating a moon-like luster from within.
The phoenix embroidered with gold thread, with her extremely slow and solemn steps, every scale and feather reflected a shimmering golden light, as if it were about to take flight into the night sky at any moment.
The ruby headdress in her hair and the white jade pendant at the male model's waist shimmered with a warm and understated luster under the light.
The moment they took their first step into the mirrored water feature—
On the towering palace walls on both sides of the Meridian Gate, several narrow-beam searchlights, which had been concealed beforehand and were the most powerful available in this era, suddenly lit up at the same time!
Several dazzling golden beams of light, like the sword of judgment in mythology, pierced the night sky at a specific angle, crossing and sweeping through the thin mist formed by dry ice, creating a magnificent "golden net of light"!
This sacred spectacle, composed purely of light, is more awe-inspiring and futuristic than any physical effect.
Golden light reflected in the mirror-like pool, where heaven and earth shone together, enveloping the two people dressed in magnificent robes, like an empress from mythology walking from the end of time to receive a coronation from both the present world and history.
The music reached its climax at this moment, with a grand chorus that blended Chinese chanting and sacred chant styles resounding, symbolizing the fusion and resonance of the best blessings from the East and West.
At this moment, time stands still.
The golden light slowly faded, and the music returned to a long, silent electronic tone.
Light once again streamed through the three archways of the Meridian Gate. All the models, regardless of their collection, had changed into the brand's signature pale gold robes.
The minimalist cut, devoid of any superfluous details, showcases only the sheen and drape of the fabric itself. They emerged slowly from three directions, standing quietly and evenly atop the S-shaped "jade steps," facing the audience.
At this moment, all the lights in the venue switched to the most uniform and softest warm white.
For the first time, the magnificent full view of the Meridian Gate was presented to everyone so clearly, completely, and serenely.
Red walls, yellow tiles, and majestic buildings, under suitable lighting, reveal a delicate texture and solemn grandeur that are difficult to see even during the day.
The models bowed slightly in greeting.
Everyone was awestruck by the final scene—the ancient palace was an eternal backdrop, the modern light staircase was a bridge between time and space, and the models in pale gold robes became divine humanoid symbols connecting the two.
Clothing and architecture, the present and history, achieve a perfect reconciliation and unity at this moment.
Together they form a complete and inseparable epic picture.
The silence lasted for ten seconds.
Then, applause, like a belated clap of thunder, suddenly erupted, sweeping across the entire Meridian Gate Square and lasting for a long time.
Lin Yan stood in the shadows a little behind in the audience, quietly watching all of this.
He saw Tang Liuqian holding Yang Xi'en's hand tightly, both of them with tears in their eyes.
Li Wenbin was so excited he almost jumped up, but Zheng Jiaming held him down firmly.
The elderly expert from the Palace Museum looked up at the eaves of the Meridian Gate, which were gently outlined by the lights, and nodded slowly and solemnly.
The grand event has ended, but its lingering charm will endure.