Chapter 44 Heartbeat

"Manman, do you want to go with us?"

The He family's private room was not in the same restaurant as the Shen family's, but it was not far away. Now that the competition had not started yet, it was a good time to go over there.

Shen Yuan shook his head, "Sister-in-law, you go with my brother. I'll stay here with Dad."

Although Shen Yun didn't say it, he felt very happy in his heart that his love for his good girlfriend was not in vain.

However, he still asked his daughter to go with him, "It's the Dragon Boat Festival, and it's only right to go and greet the elders. Dad has nothing to do here by himself, and it's not far away, so you can come back anytime."

After his father had spoken, Shen Yuan followed his brother and sister-in-law, brought his own rice dumplings, and went to the He family's private room. Before leaving, he also tied the colorful rope that He's mother had given him.

Sure enough, Mr. and Mrs. He were very happy to see the three children. Before Shen Yuanli finished his ceremony, he was held in his arms.

"Manman has grown taller and more beautiful. Come and eat some rice dumplings. We have both sweet and salty ones. I asked the waiter to heat them up and just brought them back." He's mother took one and put it in Shen Yuan's hand, then invited her daughter and son-in-law to eat as well.

He Ying had been here for quite some time, and only now did she find the right moment to speak, "Why isn't Grandfather here?"

He's father replied, "Your grandfather asked the emperor to leave."

"You saw the Tianyue Building next door when you came here, right? It's right there."

In today's dragon boat race, in addition to the ministers of the court and the common people of the capital, the emperor, empress, princes and princesses, and other royal family members have come. Tianyue Tower is exclusively for the royal family.

Shen Yuan was eating a zongzi and could not speak, so he nodded vigorously. Tianyuelou looked more luxurious than other restaurants nearby, and there were many imperial guards guarding the door.

I think the Emperor might be in the mood to compose some poetry at such a grand ceremony as today, so he specially invited the Grand Scholar to accompany him.

"Eat slowly, don't choke." Mrs. He smiled as she watched Shen Yuan eat the rice dumplings and reached out to pour her a cup of tea.

She had watched Shen Yuan grow up since she was a child, and now that the two families were related by marriage, Shen Yuan was like her second daughter.

After they talked for a while, Shen Yuan heard the sound of drums outside and knew that the dragon boat race was about to begin.

"Aunt, Uncle, it's too pitiful for my father to be alone there. Let my brother and sister-in-law stay with you. I will go back to accompany my father."

Shen Yuan has called Madam He his aunt since he was a child, so Lord He is naturally his uncle. He still calls them that even when he grew up. After all, they are all family members, so it doesn't matter what they are called.

"We've only been sitting here for a while, and Auntie hasn't kissed you enough. I think we should just book a private room next year and not go through all that trouble."

Shen Yuan nodded obediently, and the hairpin on his head swayed with the nodding movement.

"Okay, I'll tell dad when I get home that we'll be together next year. I might come back later, and I'll have some rice dumplings to help digest the food."

These words made everyone in the room laugh.

Shen Su stood up and prepared to go back with Shen Yuan, "Brother will take you there."

But Shen Yuan disagreed, "I'm not a three-year-old brother. It's only a few steps away, and Qingdai is following me. She won't get lost. You are not allowed to send me off."

It was very lively outside today, so Shen Yuan brought the four maids beside her out to let them see the excitement. However, only Qingdai followed to the He family.

"Okay, okay, I won't send you off. Just be careful when you go back."

"I know!"

Without saying anything more, Shen Yuan took Qingdai out the door and went downstairs.

"Qingdai, we have to go back quickly. I think the competition is about to start."

"Yes, don't worry, young lady. We will be there soon. I think we won't miss it."

Shen Yuan and Qing Dai quickened their pace and almost bumped into someone at the corner of the stairs.

"Ms. Shen, why are you in such a hurry? You're bumping into people."

Shen Yuan was stunned for a moment, but not because of Qin Ruyue in front of him.

But she reacted quickly and apologized to Qin Ruyue, saying that she had walked in a hurry today and did not see anyone at the corner.

"I'm sorry, Miss Qin. I left in a hurry and didn't see you."

Shen Yuan apologized sincerely, but Qin Ruyue found it boring. She said "it's nothing" with a cold face, then stepped aside from her and went upstairs.

Before Shen Yuan had time to think about what he had just "heard", he heard louder drums and cheers outside, and hurriedly quickened his pace to the restaurant where his private room was located.

Fortunately, the two restaurants were not far away, and when Shen Yuan arrived breathlessly, the dragon boat had just set off.

On the vast water, four dragon boats set off side by side. Because the water from which they set off was quite far away from where Shen Yuan was standing, it was difficult to tell who was in front and who was behind.

Shen Yun saw the young lady coming back panting, and half of her body leaning out of the window, which made his eyelids twitch, so he quickly reached out and pulled her back.

"Be careful, or you'll fall down and I, your father, won't be able to catch you."

Shen Yuan pulled back a little, but still said, "I'm not afraid of falling down. There are so many imperial guards down there. They can pick me up as soon as I get down."

"They are coming, they are coming. I don't know which team is leading the way."

The sound of the drums controls the rhythm of the dragon boat race, and likewise, it also controls the hearts of the spectators on the shore.

Listening to the drumbeats, Shen Yuan felt his heart stirring, as if he were standing on the dragon boat.

The further they went, the farther apart the four or five dragon boats were. Shen Yuan finally saw the people on the first dragon boat clearly.

The one leading the group, wearing a white tight-sleeved outfit and wielding the oar, could it be anyone other than Xie Shaoqing...

——Dong--! Dong--! Dong--!

This is the sound of drums.

—Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

This is Shen Yuan's heartbeat.

Her heartbeat didn't slow down until the first dragon boat left her sight.

"Haha! That old bastard Zong Yongzhao fell into the water!"

Shen Yun was also staring at the water at this moment and had not yet noticed his daughter's abnormality.

After hearing what his father said, Shen Yuan came to his senses and took a closer look. Sure enough, several imperial guards at the water's edge were jumping into the river to catch an adult who was struggling in the middle of the water.

"Is Lord Zong the one who quarreled with you last time?"

Hmm... the size seems a little... Shen Yuan watched as the three imperial guards went over to pick it up, but they couldn't lift it up.

"It's him!" He actually dared to say at the court meeting that those in the Dali Temple were just idlers. He, a vice minister of the Ministry of Justice, actually managed the Dali Temple. It was really incomprehensible. It would be better to let him drink more river water before catching him!

Thunderous cheers rang out on both sides of the river. Shen Yuan looked into the distance and realized that the dragon boat that Xie Hui was on had reached the finish line.

However, this is only the first group, with four dragon boats in one group, and there are three more groups to come. The first place winners of these four groups will have another race to decide the winner.

Shen Yuan touched his chest, as if he realized something.

"Dad, when will you get promoted?"