With his aunt's words, Jiang Mingzhi went to Minghu with Wang Qiang in the afternoon, in a good mood.
As it happened, the second daughter of Duke Song, Qi Shuya, came to pay her respects to Zhang. Zhang thought Qi Shuya was generous and bright, so she suggested that she go out and have fun with Wang Zhaojun and the others.
Although they were not familiar with each other, it was always lonely in the boudoir. Qi Shuya was very curious about her two cousins. Seeing that they greeted her and were very friendly, she readily agreed. In the afternoon, she went to Ming Lake for a boat ride with Wang Qiang and Jiang Mingzhi.
Wang Qiang was a good-tempered person, and Jiang Mingzhi was older, so they quickly became close friends with Qi Shuya and got along well with each other.
Dongjun was thousands of miles away, and its customs and culture were completely different from those of Bianjing City. Wang Zhaojun talked about some interesting things she had experienced in Dongjun, and Jiang Mingzhi and Qi Shuya listened with great interest. The sky was clear and the air was fresh, and the pleasure boat was like a light boat, sailing on the clear waves, among the flowers and willows, with the morning breeze blowing on her face. It was a pleasure that Jiang Mingzhi had never felt before.
Because they were all girls, their aunt had told them before they went out that they were only allowed to drink some green plum juice. The green plum juice with a light alcohol content and a hint of fruity aroma made people slightly tipsy, which made Qi Shuya, who had always been reserved and gentle, bolder. She was actually instigated by Wang Qiang to dance a fairy dance on the deck of the pleasure boat. Jiang Mingzhi also borrowed a harp from the boatman and played a tune to accompany the dance.
Wang Qiang held up the white jade pot and wine cup, and imitated the literati in taking a sip, then she began to sing a poem. Everyone was in high spirits and enjoyed themselves very much.
The music of the piano is melodious, the dancing is beautiful, and the singing of poetry is clear and pleasant. There are many people boating on the lake today, and the passing pleasure boats have slowed down and looked over here.
The three of them were unaware and were happily enjoying the rare beautiful scenery. However, they did not expect that they had also become the beautiful scenery in the eyes of others.
"May I ask whose distinguished guests you are?"
I don't know who came forward first, approached Jiang Mingzhi and her friends' pleasure boat, and asked from the deck.
With someone taking the lead, the tourists, who were already full of curiosity, looked over here and moved closer almost imperceptibly.
All three of them were a little tipsy. Qi Shuya was wiping her forehead with the handkerchief handed to her by her maid. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she looked as beautiful as the first ripe cherries in spring. Jiang Mingzhi finished her song and leaned back slightly on the beauty seat at the bow of the boat. Wang Qiang was patting her shoulder and talking about how her cousin Shuya danced. The words came so suddenly that the three of them were startled.
The man's pleasure boat was getting closer, and the boatman stepped forward and asked, "Ladies, on the opposite boat are the second son of the Minister of Rites and the fifth son of the Minister of War."
The boatman's name was Xu Fu. He knew that these three people were all from wealthy families and was worried that they would offend him and he would be held accountable if they were held responsible. So he came over to ask, but there were far more than just these few people on the opposite boat. He only mentioned the few people standing on the bow.
Although Mingzhou was an open-minded country and not as harsh towards women as the previous dynasty, the three of them were all unmarried women. How could they be involved with a group of men? Qi Shuya blushed and shook her head, looking at the oldest one, Jiang Mingzhi, for help: "Cousin Mingzhi, let's get the boatman to the shore quickly."
Wang Qiang frowned, "It's broad daylight, and everyone is having fun here, why should we flee?"
Qi Shuya's face turned even redder, and she hesitated, waiting for Jiang Mingzhi to make a decision.
"I don't mean to be presumptuous. Please don't be alarmed, ladies. I just think you are like elegant lotus flowers, graceful and beautiful, so I wanted to make friends with you. Men and women in Jiangnan can even make friends through literature, so I'm disturbing you."
Seeing that the three people seemed to be frightened by him, the second son of Minister Zhou spoke again, but this time he was much more cautious.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
