Chapter 971 - Chapter 971: A Gentleman Will Pursue a Graceful Lady
Chapter 971: A Gentleman Will Pursue a Graceful Lady
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The way she glared and covered her mouth was just like when she was young. She was playful and cute, making Yin Huaixi want to laugh but not dare to. He could only hold back his laughter with all his might. His hands were not careless either. He quickly poured a cup of digestive tea and handed it over.
Yu Youyao quickly took the teacup and took a few sips. Then, she saw Yin Huaixi sweep away the remaining soup and dishes on the table at an unbelievable speed.
She did not eat elegantly, but she was not rude either. It just had the feeling of ending the battle quickly.
Why hadn’t she realized in the past that he ate like he was in a war?!
At this moment, the sound of a gong sounded outside.
Yu Youyao immediately stood up. “Is the dragon boat race about to begin?”
“The three gongs are to remind the participants to board the boat immediately.” Yin Huaixi nodded and walked out of the tent with Yu Youyao. There was a shade outside and a table and cushions.
As soon as the two of them sat down, a few maidservants served tea, snacks, fruits, nuts, and so on. They filled the table.
Then, familiar officials, generals, and their families came over to greet them.
When King Yue Fei and Eldest Princess Shaoyi arrived, they did not make a fuss, nor had there been any news earlier that they were coming to see the dragon boat race. When they saw them, they were all traveling in simple clothes and sitting together. Even the servants were pushed aside and did not go forward to serve them personally. No matter how stupid they were, they could still sense that something was amiss.
Then, they recalled that there had been rumors previously that King Yue Fei admired Eldest Princess Shaoyi’s talent and character. What else did they not understand?
She was clearly a graceful lady. A gentleman would pursue her.
King Yue Fei was using the dragon boat race to seek favor with her.
Therefore, the people who had come to pay their respects were tactful. After being polite, they did not pester them anymore, in case they delayed King Yue Fei’s approach and caused trouble.
The sheds of Madam Huang and General An Yuan’s wife were arranged on both sides of Yu Youyao.
Yu Youyao thought of the city and the Hundred Herbs event. She couldn’t help but ask, “It suddenly rained in the morning. How was the Hundred Herbs event?”
Mrs. Huang smiled. “The competition started at half-past six in the morning. Participants will be ranked based on the number of flowers, plants, and medicinal herbs picked within two hours. When it rained, the participants had already left the mountain. The competition continued as usual. However, many people who participated in the talent competition were drenched in the rain. Fortunately, there’s a lot of rain in Liaodong. Everyone has made the corresponding preparations, so there won’t be too much of a problem.”
In the Liaodong area, it rained heavily every year in late spring and early summer.
Everyone was already very experienced in dealing with such weather.
General An Yuan’s wife also smiled. “This rain has added a lot to this year’s Dragon Boat Festival. Many commoners knelt down and shouted for the protection of the Dragon God. They all said that this year would definitely be a year of harvest.”
The “sudden” rain during the Dragon Boat Festival in Liaodong made the refugees in the nearby areas overjoyed. Many people rushed out of their houses and knelt on the ground that was filled with mud in the heavy rain. They cheered happily and hugged their heads while crying.
The heavy rain completely washed away the haze in the hearts of the refugees.
Yu Youyao thought of the sweet potato vines that covered every piece of land in Liaodong and couldn’t help but agree deeply. “Everyone’s lives will get better and better.”
Madam Huang continued to talk about the Hundred Herbs.
Yu Youyao listened with interest.
At this moment, there were two more bangs.
Yin Huaixi explained, “This is the last preparation for the participants. The dragon boat race is about to begin.”
Yu Youyao felt a surge of excitement. She quickly sat up straight and looked at the river. The dragon boats of the various families were neatly parked at a blue belt that served as the starting line.
There was a sea of people on both sides of the riverbank, but the scene was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Everyone looked nervously at the river.
When the last bell was rung, the dragon boats scrambled to break free of the blue belt and rowed forward bravely. Cheers erupted from the shore, and deafening shouts shot into the sky.
Yu Youyao subconsciously stood up. There were ten people on each dragon boat, and there were five people on each side. Each of them was holding an oar and rowing at the same time.
This process emphasized teamwork.
As long as there was a person who rowed faster, slower, or stronger, the dragon boat would slow down, or deviate from its position, causing it to collide with the dragon boat beside or behind it. Alternatively, because it deviated from its position, the boat would be a step behind.
There was a culture of unity here.
All the customs of the Dragon Boat Festival included people’s yearning and expectations for a good life. A good life depended on everyone working together.
Madam Huang was the banker. She had set up a boat betting game, where the people placed their bets on which of the ten dragon boats teams would win first place. The bet was not big, and the people who participated were all familiar families. It was a small bet to increase the fun of the dragon race.
Such a bet was very common in the dragon boat competition.
Yu Youyao also offered ten taels of silver. “I bet on Team Cyan.”
Team Cyan was the dragon boat of the Xie family.
The Xie family had contributed greatly to the successful holding of the various activities during the Dragon Boat Festival.
Unfortunately, the Xie family eventually obtained third place.
Yu Youyao’s ten taels of silver were wasted.
General An Yuan’s wife became the biggest winner. She teased, “I’ve saved on all my cosmetics this year.” Then, she turned to Yu Youyao and asked, “When is the Jade Pavilion opening? When the time comes, take care of your business.
You have to give me a 20% discount.”
Everyone knew that the outbreak in the camp could be controlled and prevented. Eldest Princess Shaoyi’s incense medicine played a key role.
The reason why Jade Pavilion had never opened was because Eldest Princess Shaoyi fully supported the prevention and treatment of the epidemic and couldn’t care less about opening it to earn money.
It was no secret that Eldest Princess Shaoyi was good at incense medicine.
Therefore, when General An Yuan’s wife asked this, many of the madams present were very interested.
Everyone loved beauty.
They were all people with dignity. Rouge and powder were indispensable. Typically, when the families interacted, they had to put on makeup. If they didn’t, not only would they embarrass themselves, but it would also be very rude.
One would dress up more glamorously and solemnly because they respected and valued the host.
Yu Youyao smiled and said, “I’m already preparing for the opening. I’ll pick a date carefully after the Dragon Boat Festival. When the time comes, I’ll give you a discount.”
The dragon boat race consisted of three rounds in total.
After the first round began, the second batch reached the starting point.
After the first round ended, there was a bang, and the second round began right on the heels of the heels.
The pace of the competition was tight and tense.
By the time the three rounds were over, the sun was already setting in the west. Yu Youyao was still a little unsatisfied.
On the bank of the river, many people threw the dumplings into the river. No matter how difficult their lives were, they still generously sprinkled food into the river and let the fish fight for food. This was done to mourn their lost relatives and pray for safety.
Yu Youyao was deeply moved..