The fifth day of the fifth lunar month is the Dragon Boat Festival.

Early in the morning, the villagers were busy worshipping the gods and ancestors, praying for blessings and warding off evil spirits, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

The sounds of children chasing and playing can be heard from time to time along the country lanes, and further away, the faint sound of firecrackers can be heard.

After hanging mugwort on the eaves, Shen Suqing went back inside to cook a zongzi (sticky rice dumpling). When he came out with the plate, the little girl who was sitting in the courtyard sipping calamus wine was gone.

Shen Suqing stood there dumbfounded, completely bewildered.

Where has the child run off to again?

At the gate of the fenced yard, Wangcai, showing off his snow-white teeth, jumped up and waved vigorously at Chen Suqing.

"Brother Er Gou! Brother Er Gou! Hehe, let's go out and have some fun, let's go see a show."

Standing next to him were Su Yun, who was carrying a basket of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and several other childhood playmates. They huddled together affectionately, each with a bright smile on their face.

Before Shen Suqing could respond, several people enthusiastically rushed in and surrounded the bewildered Shen Suqing, leading him toward the village entrance.

Wait...wait, he still needs to find Ah Zhi.

Shen Suqing wanted to struggle, but he couldn't resist the passion and was unable to extricate himself.

Along the way, they saw familiar distant relatives and elders, greeting each other with smiles. Even Mr. Su had rushed back from the county town, sitting at the gate of the courtyard with a smile, holding a teacup and looking at the young people with affection.

As we walked to the village entrance, the muddy ground was covered with red paper scraps left from exploding firecrackers. The village entrance was crowded with people, and the huge old locust tree was covered with red ribbons for prayers. Under the tree, on a simple stage, the elderly were rehearsing music for the last time.

The crowd was filled with laughter and the sound of newly lit firecrackers. Several children, who had secured good spots to watch the show, perched on the branches of the pear trees on both sides, their mouths still stained with malt sugar.

Flowers bloom in vibrant colors, and dragon lanterns dance to bring good fortune.

The warmth and comfort of everyday life are what truly soothe the human heart.

"Hey!! The show's started, let's go, Brother Er Gou, let's squeeze to the front."

Without saying a word, Wangcai pulled Shen Suqing, who was still trying to find the child, and squeezed to the front of the stage. The red curtain was pulled back, and firecrackers went off again, with bright red petals blowing all over the ground.

Amidst the sounds of gongs, drums, and suonas, the top scholar, dressed in a scarlet official robe, made a grand entrance.

Wearing a black gauze hat with a crane embroidered on his chest, his slender figure managed to carry off the old robe. Every movement of his eyebrows and every smile exuded the carefree and dashing spirit unique to a young man, full of arrogance and self-satisfaction.

Shen Suqing's pupils trembled, and he instantly stopped struggling.

Ah, paper?!

While he was still in shock, he saw a dashing young man dressed as a girl with high-heeled boots on the stage nod and smile, exuding elegance and high spirits.

"To save my beloved, I left my home, but who would have thought I'd become the top scholar in the imperial examination? The top scholar, wearing a red robe and a palace flower in his hat, how wonderful and fresh!"

Her clear and bright singing voice was completely different from her usual sweet and gentle voice. Her slender peach blossom eyes were outlined with makeup, and her slightly upturned eyes contained a bright smile. It was as if she had shed her former naivety and suddenly grown up.

In fact, Zhan Xinjia inherited her mother's face as a vicious supporting character, with standard peach blossom eyes and an oval face, like a peony blooming brilliantly in a prosperous era, with every frown and smile bright and beautiful.

However, in order to soften the aggressiveness of her appearance, she would often puff out her cheeks and open her eyes wide.

If she keeps up the act for too long, people will subconsciously overlook her true self.

On the stage, the handsome and dashing top scholar strode confidently, full of energy.

"I have attended the imperial banquet, and I have ridden my horse in front of the imperial street. Everyone praised my handsome appearance, but it turns out that the gauze hat was actually hiding my beautiful face!"

As the song "The Female Imperial Son-in-Law" reached its middle, the princess gracefully made her entrance.

Su Yun, adorned in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, with her red makeup, crimson lips, and black hair, possessed a captivating charm and a mesmerizing smile.

When the prince consort and the princess appeared together, the crowd erupted in deafening applause and cheers. Wangcai and the girl with the pink hat were laughing so hard they were doubled over.

"Ah Zhi is so cool!!"

"Oh my, look at the way the princess looks at her husband, half shy and half happy. She's almost drooling over the handsome prince. It doesn't look like she's acting at all."

...

Squeezed and jostled by the crowd, Shen Suqing smiled and looked up admiringly at the little girl on stage, dressed in his old robes, "acting recklessly."

No wonder Ah Zhi has been acting all mysterious with his junior sister these past few days. How come even the usually composed and dignified junior sister is fooling around with Ah Zhi?

Just looking at Ah Zhi's smug expression, it was as if one could glimpse his own past self riding in front of the Imperial Street through her shadow.

However, he wasn't as arrogant as she was back then. If his parents were still alive, he might have worn the same crimson official robe embroidered with cranes, full of vigor and ambition.

And the parents, just like you are now in the audience, will be smiling proudly at their child…

On stage, the play begins again, with the prince consort and the princess singing a duet.

"The dragon and phoenix candles shine brightly, and the bridal chamber is filled with joy. She has a furrowed brow and is unsettled, yet she is overjoyed to be a newlywed."

The prince consort was a picture of refined elegance, with clear and bright eyes and extraordinary good looks.

The princess sat on the bed, her face half-covered by a red veil, looking shy and timid.

Laughter and joking continued from the crowd.

He waited patiently and attentively for the play to end, but unexpectedly, as soon as the drums and gongs sounded, Wangcai pushed him directly onto the stage.

A bewildered Shen Suqing staggered a few steps, looking at the stage and the audience with confusion, while the laughter from the crowd grew louder.

The old village chief in the audience clapped enthusiastically and shouted, "Er Gou!!"

It was at this moment that the princess tugged at his sleeve and led him to the center of the stage.

The prince consort smiled and bowed to him.

She continued singing.

"I didn't take the imperial examination to become famous, nor did I take it to become a high-ranking official. It was for the sake of my beloved husband, Mr. Shen, so that we could be a loving couple, enjoying a beautiful and harmonious life!"

Shen Suqing stared blankly at the little girl in front of him.

Why is he still in the show?

What about a loving couple and a perfect marriage...?

This is utterly ridiculous and utterly disgraceful.

He stubbornly held this thought in his heart, yet the smile on his flushed face was impossible to hide. His lips curved upwards, and his eyes shimmered with a warm light, reflecting the lively atmosphere of the brightly decorated hall.

Zhan Xinjia took off his official hat and, without saying a word, placed it on Lord Shen's head.

Before Master Shen could react, she reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist with a grin.

"Alright, alright, our little Shen is the real top scholar!"

Shen Suqing lowered his eyes helplessly and gently touched the little girl's tied-up hair.

The sense of loss he felt when he wore this outfit years ago was completely dispelled at this moment, replaced by a sense of relief and understanding.

The play ended, the guests departed, and the grand spectacle came to a close.

Resting her head on her father's lap, Su Yun stared blankly at the departing figures of the young man and the little girl.

The little girl jumped up and said something. The young man first helplessly rubbed his forehead, shook his head and sighed. Then he reached out and pinched the little girl's face, laughing as he ruffled her hair.

Su Yun hesitated before speaking.

"Father, I might still have some feelings for Brother Chen, but I don't dislike Azhi either..."

Mr. Su gently stroked his daughter's hair.

"Fortunately, you are planted near pine and bamboo, not blooming at the same time as peach and plum." Your father named you this in the hope that your character would be like bamboo, tenacious, upright and unyielding, and that you would not lose your kind heart.

Our Yun'er has always done very well.

Upon hearing this, Su Yun proudly raised her lips.

Suddenly, she remembered the time when she and her sister Ah Zhi were secretly rehearsing for Brother Chen behind his back, and she couldn't help but blurt out, "We both love Brother Chen, so why do you still want to be with me?"

The little girl tilted her head in confusion, then smiled brightly and reached out to hug her.

"I like Lord Shen, but I like you too!"

The little girl kept talking.

Sister Su gave her her room to recuperate, Sister Su wiped her face, Sister Su tucked her in, and Sister Su cooked her fragrant porridge. Sister Su is as gentle as Master Shen.

The little girl loved everything in the world; the mountains and rivers were lovely, people were lovely, and even the wind and rain that lashed at her were lovely.

Although there is one person who will always be special in her heart, she will not give up the passion and sincerity that has kept her true feelings unchanged for sixteen years for this person. For her, love is just one way to experience life, not the only way.

Thinking of this, Su Yun couldn't help but smile, then sighed softly with a sense of melancholy.

But she always had a vague feeling that this peace wouldn't last.