Chapter 22 Dragon Boat Festival

The case of Qiu Heng suing Han Ziheng for killing his adoptive father by running over with his horse is still unresolved, and the Dragon Boat Festival is approaching.

The Dragon Boat Festival features grand dragon boat races and other activities, and every year the riverbanks are packed with people. Officials also get a day off to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

In previous years, the entire Yongqing Marquis family would gather for this grand feast, but this year is different.

"I'm getting old and my energy isn't what it used to be. I can't stand being outside for most of the day. This Dragon Boat Festival, Xuan'er and the others can stay and keep your grandmother company."

Madam Zhao, the eldest wife, slightly pursed her lips.

The old lady was even more energetic than her; she felt ashamed that her granddaughter had gone to court and was embarrassed to face those ladies and wives.

The old lady did feel that Qiu Heng's actions had embarrassed her, and she was also worried about incurring secret retaliation from the Han family.

The boys are easy to talk to, but the girls are easily taken advantage of if anything happens to them. It's better to keep the granddaughters at home to avoid trouble.

"yes."

Once Qiu Xuan spoke first, her three younger sisters, Qiu Yun, Qiu Fu, and Qiu Ying, followed suit, regardless of their own thoughts.

The old lady looked at Qiu Heng, who remained silent.

Qiu Heng pulled out an exquisitely carved invitation from her sleeve: "I was just about to tell my grandmother that the Princess of Jiayi from the Kang County Prince's Mansion has invited her to watch the dragon boat races together on the Dragon Boat Festival."

"The Princess of Jiayi County?"

Not only was the old lady surprised, but the first wife, Zhao, and the second wife, Lan, were also surprised.

"You were the only one invited?"

"That's what the post says."

The old lady pondered for a moment and then instructed, "Bring plenty of maids and servants with you when you go out with your grandfather and the others."

The invitation from the Prince's Mansion was not to be refused. Moreover, at this time, the invitation from the Princess of Jiayi would allow other mansions to see that the Yongqing Earl's Mansion had not been greatly affected by the Han family's affairs.

But ironically, what she most wanted to keep at home was impossible to keep—the old lady's mood silently soured as she thought about it.

Once outside Qiansongtang, Qiufu burst out: "I've been looking forward to the Dragon Boat Festival for so long, and it turns out we're the only ones who can't go!"

The eldest wife patted her daughter's arm: "We're still outside, don't be stubborn. Your sixth sister is too reckless, and the old lady is just worried about hearing gossip when she goes out."

"Why does Grandmother feel ashamed? Sixth Sister did nothing wrong by seeking justice for her adoptive father."

If Qiuheng did something wrong, she wouldn't waste a bag of white sugar cake.

Qiu Fu felt she couldn't reason with her mother and stormed off in a huff.

The First Madam frowned as she watched her daughter's retreating figure: So it turned out that Fu'er's resentment wasn't directed at the Sixth Girl, but at the Old Madam.

This was truly unexpected for her.

On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Qiu Heng went out with Yong Qingbo and others, while Qiu Xuan and her sister, who stayed at home, received zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) wrapped by Fang Zhou.

The zongzi had already been cooked and were delivered by a maid from Lengxiangju.

"Sister Fangzhou made a total of ten kinds of fillings, without marking them, just going with the flow."

Qiu Fu's face darkened upon hearing this.

Ten kinds of fillings, you can eat the ones you don't like and gain weight, but you can't choose them. It must be that black-hearted girl Qiuheng's bad idea.

Qiu Ying, on the contrary, was eager to try: "This is so interesting, let's see who's lucky enough to eat what they like."

The zongzi were small and exquisite. The four sisters gathered together and ate them as if they were drawing lots, becoming more and more reluctant to talk as they ate.

Fangzhou's desserts are all delicious, no matter what the filling is!

The dragon boat races were watched by officials and nobles along the Yongle River in the inner city. Different spots were designated on both banks according to rank and status, with the best viewing spots reserved for the imperial family.

The Yongqing Earl's residence didn't occupy a good location, and they had only been in the pre-erected tent for a short time when the Jiayi County Princess sent someone to invite them.

"Go ahead, but don't be impolite in front of the county princess," Yongqing Earl casually instructed, quite at ease.

A young girl who is eager to climb the social ladder will surely be sensible in front of noble people.

"Sixth Miss Qiu!" Upon seeing Qiu Heng walking this way, Princess Jiayi quickly went out to greet her.

The scene was originally quite noisy, with the sounds of gongs and drums, laughter, and music. However, Qiu Liu's presence had been so prominent lately that the Jiayi County Princess's actions immediately attracted a lot of attention.

Also present with the Princess of Jiayi were the Feng sisters from the Marquis of Changchun's mansion.

Seeing the three people surrounding Qiu Heng, many people in the tents began to whisper among themselves.

"Is that Miss Qiu Liu? Wasn't it said that she offended the young master of Commander Han's family? How come it's Princess Jiayi—"

"Don't you know? At the Jiayi County Princess's birthday banquet, Qiu Liu Miss presented a pair of lotus-shaped pendants as a gift, which touched the Jiayi County Princess's heart."

"Is it the kind of scented ornament that Chen San has been working on day and night lately?"

"Yes, that's called Xiangpei. You didn't know that?"

The county magistrate of Jiayi pulled Qiuheng to sit down and eagerly showed her the newly made incense pendant: "I can't make lotus flowers, let alone butterflies. I thought this square pendant would be simple, but the edges are curling up. I don't know where the problem is..."

"There are specific techniques for demolding and water control..." Qiu Heng shared her knowledge patiently, explaining the key points.

Feng Caiyue nodded secretly.

It's rare to see someone as open and generous as Qiu Liu; these days, it's normal to cherish what you have.

"Cousin, we should at least let Miss Qiu have a cup of tea."

Princess Jiayi realized what was happening and personally poured a cup of tea for Qiuheng: "My mother isn't here today, but my father is with my uncle, so we can have a good chat and some fun."

"Isn't my cousin coming?"

When Ling Shizi was mentioned, Princess Jiayi wrinkled her nose in confusion: "Recently, my elder brother has been going to the Taoist temple to burn incense every day, as if he wants to visit all the Taoist temples in the capital. My mother is worried that he will become a Taoist priest."

“That would be a shame—” Feng Caixing blurted out, feeling a little embarrassed as she was looked at by three pairs of eyes. “The dragon boat race won’t start for a while, let’s go shoot the five poisonous creatures instead.”

Shooting the Five Poisons involves pasting images of five poisonous creatures onto a target. If you can hit them all, you'll be the center of attention.

There were already quite a few people playing on the Five Poison Target, while on the other side, young men and women were playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football), and in a slightly more remote area, groups of three or five gathered together to play Guanpu (another type of Cuju game).

"Princess, Miss Feng the Elder, Miss Feng the Second—"

Regardless of whether they knew each other well or not, the noble ladies all came over to greet her. But their attitudes toward Qiu Heng were quite different. Those who had no prior contact with her would at most nod, while those who had met her at the birthday banquet either pretended not to know her or greeted her warmly.

"Good!" A cheer rang out as Fang Rui, the noble lady of the Prime Minister's residence, shot the five poisons.

There was more than one target for the Five Poisons. Feng Caixing took a bow, aimed at one of the targets, and shot three of the poisons.

Feng Caiyue smiled and clapped for her sister.

"Sixth Miss Qiu, would you like to give it a try?" Feng Caixing asked, holding up her small bow.

"I can't shoot arrows." Qiu Heng waved her hand, her slender fingers pointing to the ground. "My sisters are playing, so I can learn some."

The atmosphere was just right, and the Lady of Jiayi County also began shooting the five poisonous creatures with great interest.

The girl standing to one side was quiet and well-behaved, like a harmless little deer.

On the football field, a playboy raised an eyebrow at his companion who was standing nearby: "See that? That's Miss Qiu Liu standing over there."

"Really?" Another spoiled young man dribbled the ball. "We've finally waited for this! Let me first collect some interest for Brother Ziheng!"

After he finished speaking, he stopped the ball on one foot, bounced it twice, and then leaped up to deliver a backhand hook. The ball flew like a shooting star, heading straight for the quietly standing girl.

Thank you to Moyu Moyi for the 10,000 coins, and thank you to all the readers who have given rewards and recommended the book.

(End of this chapter)