Chapter 333

Rong Feiyan pursed her lips and whispered:

"I hope he doesn't lead him astray!"

Watching the two walk toward the Xu family tent, Rong Feiyan said somewhat curiously:

"Eh, why are there so few carriages and horses from the Xu family today?"

"Why isn't even his personal servant following him?"

Seeing Xi Bu, behind Rong Feiyan, looked around and said:

"Da Niangzi, it should be that the Marquis's Madam is near His Majesty and the Empress! They might be in the Linshui Hall now."

Rong Feiyan nodded.

Ningxiang, on the other side, reminded: "Da Niangzi, behind the Duke of Qi's tent over there, it seems Madam Chai has gotten off the carriage!"

Hearing this, Rong Feiyan turned her head to look,

And happened to see Chai Zhengzheng, who was wearing emerald green jewelry on her head and a light-colored dress, walking out of the carriage.

Chai Zhengzheng, who had just come out, did not immediately walk down, but stood on high ground and looked around.

After her gaze paused, only then did she walk down the carriage with a smile on her face.

At this moment, Xu Zaijing and Rong Xian had already walked near the Xu family tent by the pool.

Like every other family, the maids and servants like Qingcao began to busy themselves with setting up the tent, making tea, and burning incense.

After Rong Xian made an appointment to have fun together when they had time, he bowed and said goodbye, returning to the vicinity of the Rong family tent.

At this time, Xu Zaijing had already entered his tent.

After dismounting, Rong Xian smiled flatteringly at his younger sister and said:

"Sister, Brother wants to borrow some silver from you; I'll pay you back after I get my pay!"

Rong Feiyan rolled her eyes at her brother and said somewhat angrily: "No."

After finishing, she turned and walked toward the tent.

Rong Xian walked a few quick steps to catch up, passed the two maids, and walked side-by-side with Rong Feiyan:

"Sister, Brother swears, I'm not borrowing money to go to Qiyun Tower, Feiyun Terrace, or any such places; it's for the sake of physical health!"

Rong Feiyan walked into the tent, sat on the armchair, and thinking of Kong Mama's teachings, she straightened her waist and looked toward Jinming Pool outside the tent.

Not far away, music played by the Jiaofang Division and Junrongzhi came from the water surface.

Seeing Xi Bu, the maid who followed in, took a cup of tea from a little maid and was about to offer it to her mistress, but was blocked by Rong Xian.

Rong Xian took the teacup from Seeing Xi Bu's hand, a flash of light in his eyes, and while handing the tea to Rong Feiyan, he continued to smile flatteringly:

"Sister, this is the secret recipe that Fifth Young Master Xu told your brother!"

Hearing Rong Xian's words, Rong Feiyan's action of taking the teacup paused slightly, her white teeth bit her lip, and she asked with narrowed eyes:

"How much do you want?"

Rong Xian's eyes were full of pride; he tried hard to suppress the corners of his mouth and said: "Two hundred *guan*!"

Rong Feiyan: "No!"

Watching her sister's appearance of drinking tea after a decisive refusal, Rong Xian couldn't lift the corners of his mouth, his eyes turned, and he said helplessly:

"Alright, alright! Just one hundred *guan*!"

Rong Feiyan waved her hand and said: "Good!"

Ningxiang, who heard the conversation, walked to the side and opened a wooden box.

After taking the silver notes from Ningxiang's hand, Rong Xian smiled and put them into his sleeve; he glanced at his sister, and after walking to the door, said: "Stingy!"

After finishing, he walked out quickly.

Rong Feiyan put down the teacup in annoyance, looking at Rong Xian's figure outside the tent.

"Brother, you'd better not have a next time!"

"Otherwise, you'll see!"

Rong Feiyan said resentfully.

"Sister, rest assured, if there's a next time, I'm a dog!"

Rong Xian's voice came from far away.

Seeing Xi Bu, off to the side, placed a plate of candied fruit on the table and said:

"Da Niangzi, this servant thinks you gave too much."

Rong Feiyan nodded, looking at the sparkling Jinming Pool outside the tent, not knowing what she thought of,

She whispered: "Must be careful this year; must not fall down again."

"Yes, Da Niangzi."

Duke of Qi's Prefecture tent,

Led by the maids of the Duke of Qi's Prefecture, Madam Chai, who was invited by Princess Pingning, walked over from behind the tent with Chai Zhengzheng.

Just after entering the tent, the two noble ladies of the Chai family heard Madam Wu's laughter coming from inside:

"Oh my! I said it, didn't I!"

"This peony jade carving on Jinming Pool is for whoever wins it to have good fortune!"

"Look at the Huyan family's Fifth branch, then look at An Jie'er's marriage; it's truly good!"

Seeing Madam Chai enter, the madams stood up one after another to greet her.

Chai Zhengzheng followed behind her mother, constantly squatting slightly to salute the madams in the tent.

After the greetings ended, Chai Zhengzheng stood beside her mother,

Looking at the madams sitting in the tent, she had mostly met them once or twice,

Princess Pingning in the upper seat, needless to say,

Sitting in the lower seats were Madam Bai of the Ningyuan Marquis Prefecture, and standing beside the armchair she was sitting on were the familiar Gu Tingyi and her brother.

Madam Wu of the Yongchang Marquis Prefecture had two women dressed as married women standing behind her, and beside the two women, there was also a girl who looked quite good.

When Chai Zhengzheng first came in, that girl's eyes were full of amazement, and then she looked at Liang Han beside Madam Wu without a trace.

Only after seeing that Liang Han was not staring at Chai Zhengzheng did she feel relieved.

This series of actions all fell into Chai Zhengzheng's eyes.

But the woman sitting opposite Madam Wu, she hadn't seen before.

Listening to the introduction just now, it seemed to be Madam Qiao, and her relationship with Madam Wu was quite good.

Thinking of these things, Chai Zhengzheng glanced at Gu Tingyi, and Tingyi, who received the 'signal', winked one eye mischievously.

Continuing the topic of the good fortune of the peony jade carving, the prize for winning the Jinming Pool competition,

The madams in the tent tacitly did not mention the Huyan family's eldest branch, who won the peony jade carving in the second competition last year.

Actually, if someone really brought it up, there would be things to say; after all, this behavior of the eldest branch of the Marquis of Jinghai embezzling public funds, 'digging the wall of Great Zhou', and 'fleecing Great Zhou's sheep',

How could they have good fortune? And how could they hold onto good fortune?

The madams were talking happily, and the youths in the field were also exchanging glances.

Especially Chai Zhengzheng, who was standing indifferently beside Madam Chai; her temperament and appearance were too outstanding.

Qiao Jiulang was somewhat nervous and didn't dare to look at her, and could only look at the girl behind Liang Han.

At this moment, after Qiao Jiu saw Liang Han opposite look at Chai Zhengzheng, he gave himself a wink and secretly gave a thumbs up,

Qiao Jiulang also took a peek, nodded slightly, and secretly gave a thumbs up as well.

Qi Heng looked at the two and raised his fist to his mouth to clear his throat: "Cough!"

The two hurriedly put away their thumbs.

When the two looked toward Qi Heng, they happened to see Chai Zhengzheng's gaze looking over.

Qiao Jiulang and Liang Liu Lang hurriedly shifted their gazes, looking elsewhere somewhat embarrassed.

Hearing Qi Heng's cough,

Tingyi took a look, and after taking in the situation in the tent, she leaned into Madam Bai's right ear and said: "Mother, these few boys are truly childish."

Madam Bai heard this, smiled and looked at Chai Zhengzheng, then turned her head to look at her own son on the left,

But she saw Gu Tingye's hands clasped in front of his waist, his right thumb somewhat helplessly folded into the tiger's mouth of his left hand; those who didn't know would think he was bowing.

Moreover, Gu Tingye's ears and face had a tendency to turn red.

After Madam Bai glared at her son, she sat up straight,

Crossed her left arm over her right arm in front of her chest,

And then, under the cover of her wide sleeves, Madam Bai's right hand reached onto Gu Tingye's thigh and twisted it hard.

Gu Tingye hurriedly looked outside the tent and whispered: "Mother, son was wrong!"

Only then did Madam Bai let go.

At this moment, the maid of the Duke of Qi's household walked over and said a few words to the mama at the door.

When the mama walked over to convey it,

The madams in the tent took the opportunity to rest their throats and drank a few sips of tea.

After listening to the mama's words, Princess Pingning smiled and said:

"Several madams, in a while, Madam Dou of the Duke of Consort Fu Guo's household will be coming over."

"The Duke of Consort Fu Guo was a classmate of my husband, the Duke, and when we were children, we often played at the Empress's knees."

Princess Pingning thought for a moment and said to Qi Heng, who was to the side:

"Heng Ge'er, you and Ye Ge'er,!"

"Go from the back, don't bump into the guests."

Hearing this, the few youths in the tent exchanged glances and walked together toward the back of the tent.

For some reason, when passing in front of Chai Zhengzheng, they all walked a few steps faster.

Just as they walked to the back of the tent, it was at this moment that a woman's voice came from the entrance:

"Princess, long time no see!"

The various madams in the tent also stood up one after another,

Hearing this voice, Gu Tingye, who was walking at the very back, looked back and said while walking:

"This Duke's wife brought two such little maids?"

Qi Heng, off to the side, stopped and looked back as well, saying:

"Second Uncle, what little maids? Those are the two legitimate daughters of the Duke's Prefecture."

Gu Tingye raised his eyebrows.

Hearing the conversation and seeing the reactions of the two, the curiosity of Qiao Jiulang and Liang Liu Lang, who were walking in front, was also hooked.

The two stepped back to take a look, and then exchanged meaningful glances.

The four came to the back of the tent,

In the sun, Liang Han said: "Where are we going?"

Looking at the dragon colt being unsaddled near the Xu family tent not far away, Gu Tingye pointed and said:

"Go find Jing Ge'er!"

No matter what, Sheng Hong was now a proper official in the Ministry of Personnel who had passed the imperial examinations,

And his deeds of 'working' while ill to handle official business and fainting in the yamen were known to everyone.

Even the Emperor had heard of it.

Moreover, his daughter had married into the Marquis of Yongyi's Prefecture, which was currently in favor, and was pregnant.

Therefore, the Sheng family's tent this year was moved further south than last year.

At the entrance of the Sheng family tent,

Changbai frowned as he looked at the books in the book box and said:

"This... how are these all books I read when I was small? Han Niu, did you take the wrong ones?"

The servant Han Niu, off to the side, bowed and said: "Young Master, this was Madam's instruction! She said you've been diligent enough, so relax today."

Changbai shook his head and sighed.

At this moment,

Changfeng walked over, pulled Changbai's arm, and said:

"Pei Erge, let's go, let's go see Jing Ge'er or Ye Ge'er!"

"Maybe Jiulang and Liang Liu Lang are there too!"

Changbai said helplessly: "I want to read!"

Rulan advised: "Pei Erge, we can see Eldest Sister by the way!"

Changbai glared at Rulan and said: "Eldest Sister must be recuperating at home; if you want to see her, go to Quyuanjie."

Rulan pouted.

Seeing Mo Lan, at the entrance, was holding her poetry collection 'Mo Yuan', looking toward the tents further south from time to time.

Minglan, who was standing at the very inside, lifted the lid of the food box and looked at the four *disu* conch pastries lying inside,

Her eyes turned, and she brought Xiaotao over, saying:

"Changbai Brother, maybe Jing Jing Biao Ge Jing brought books too?"

"Why don't we go take a look?"

"In case Jing Jing Biao Ge brought books, if we go, you can read too!"

Changbai was stunned, his eyes full of approval, and he pointed his finger at Minglan in the air.

Changfeng felt the strength with which Changbai was pulling away from his hand had lessened a lot,

And subsequently, the brothers and sisters led their servants and walked toward the Xu family's tent.

Inside the entrance of the Xu family tent,

Qingcao, who was standing guard here, looked at the Sheng family brothers and sisters walking over,

She walked outside with a smile, bowed, and said: "Greetings to Second Young Master, Third Young Master, Fourth Da Niangzi..."

Rulan, with sharp eyes, looked inside and jumped, saying:

"Pei Erge, look, I told you, Jing Jing Biao Ge is reading!"

Xique, beside Rulan, whispered:

"Da Niangzi, it was Sixth Da Niangzi who said..."

"What Little Six said is what I said!"

In the tent,

Xu Zaijing, who was holding a teacup and reading, looked outside, put down the teacup and book somewhat embarrassedly, and smiled:

"Changbai, haha, you're here."

Changbai, at the entrance, smiled and pointed at Xu Zaijing, walked in, and smiled:

"Jing Ge'er, did you bring a few extra books?"

Xu Zaijing signaled to Qingcao, and soon Qingcao carried the book box over.

"Find them yourself!"

Changfeng, off to the side, said listlessly:

"Jing Ge'er, why don't you and Pei Erge just rest? Reading books all the time is so boring!"

"Jing Ge'er, will Qiao Jiulang come here?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said:

"He shouldn't be coming; I heard from Rong Xian that those few families each put up two or three thousand *guan*, and each family chartered a small dragon boat for today."

Changfeng asked in confusion: "Ah? Jing Ge'er, why did they charter these small dragon boats?"

Xu Zaijing replied:

"For the peony jade carvings and other things on the flagpoles!"

"I heard that now it's spread throughout the Bianjing nobility that these prizes for winning the Jinming Pool competition have the effect of bringing happy marriages, marital harmony, and warding off bad luck."

Changfeng, Changbai, and the other brothers and sisters exchanged glances and asked in confusion: "Jing Ge'er, this... how did this spread? We hadn't heard of it before!"

Xu Zaijing scratched his forehead embarrassedly and said:

"Rong Xian said it spread after my sister got married."

"Today's competition has also changed from two times before to four times! The first two times are for the royal clan and the meritorious nobility, and the last two times are for the court officials."

"I heard that in order to share the joy with the people, until the garden closes, His Majesty ordered the Directorate of Palace Buildings to prepare thirty-six precious prizes with beautiful meanings."

Of course, the cost of 'signing up to charter a small dragon boat' later will change depending on the situation.

Changfeng scratched his head and said: "This, our family hadn't heard of it."

At this moment,

Huaxiang, from behind the tent, walked over, bowed, and said crisply: "Young Master, the Duke of Qi, the Marquis of Ningyuan, the Marquis of Yongchang, and the young master of the Qiao family have arrived."

Xu Zaijing was stunned, then looked at Changbai.

Changbai looked at his three younger sisters and said: "You all go back first."

Before Minglan could speak, she hurriedly walked to Xu Zaijing's table, put down the food box, and said: "Jing Jing Biao Ge, this is the *disu* I'm returning to you."

Xu Zaijing smiled slightly.

Subsequently, the three 'Lans' left the tent and walked toward their own tent accompanied by servants.

"Invite them in."

Huaxiang said yes.

But Xu Zaijing, Changbai, and the others waited for quite a while, but didn't see anyone come in.

Xu Zaijing pinched his brow; he knew what these people were doing.

Jinming Pool,

In the huge tent in front of Linshui Hall,

The Emperor and Empress were sitting at the very top, talking with Imperial Prince Zhao Fang.

Wang Ruofu sat behind a table with Mama Liu.

Mama Liu was still very nervous.

Wang Ruofu maintained a somewhat reserved smile, which made her cheeks ache,

Looking at Sheng Hong not far away,

Wang Ruofu felt her brain buzzing even now...

She, Wang Ruofu, had actually met the Emperor and Empress?

Heavens!

(End of chapter)