Chapter 451 An Encounter
Dragon boat racing is a relatively recent phenomenon, dating back only seven or eight years.
The people in Chang Le Fang were the happiest about this.
Because of this grand dragon boat race, especially the young men and women from the noble families of Chang'an, they loved this event the most, as it allowed them to participate collectively and show off their talents.
Moreover, the royal family always provides a special treat for the annual dragon boat races.
The dragon boat team that won the championship last year not only received gold, but also a place to study at the Imperial Academy.
In addition, people who want to watch the game will definitely eat, drink, and shop in Chang Le Fang, which will really generate revenue for Chang Le Fang.
Therefore, everyone living in Chang Le Fang, from top to bottom, especially loves this festival.
Nineteen drove the carriage directly to the carriage shop. Li San Niang even saw a sign standing up next to the carriage shop, which had information about the various dragon boat teams participating in this competition.
Looking at the notice posted on the board, Li San Niang said that there were a total of 35 teams in the early stages, divided into five rounds of competition, and the final ten teams would compete to determine the champion, second place, and third place.
A man standing next to the plank noticed Li Sanniang examining it closely and asked with a smile, "Madam, have you come to Chang Le Fang to watch the dragon boat races?"
Li San Niang was surprised that this person would talk to her. At first, she thought that this person was standing there waiting for someone like her.
However, one shouldn't hit a smiling face, so Li San Niang smiled and nodded.
"Is this your first time here, madam?"
"Would you like me to introduce you to my wife?"
Li San Niang exclaimed inwardly, "Ah!" She really hadn't expected the people of Chang Le Fang to be so enthusiastic.
Is this supposed to be explained?
"Haha, haha," at this moment, the old man who had set up a small stall next to the carriage shop selling some straw woven items he made himself laughed out loud.
Li San Niang turned to look at the old man, not understanding why he was laughing.
"My lady, please don't be offended. I meant no harm."
This man is a shop assistant from the back shop, out soliciting customers. He's not a bad person, don't be afraid, madam.
Seeing that Li San Niang didn't speak, the old man continued in a familiar manner, "I've been selling straw weaving here for five or six years. The shop behind here sells general merchandise."
Every year when there's a dragon boat race in Chang Le Fang, they set up this board to attract customers.
"Look, my wife, the patrol is right over there. This isn't a lie."
At this moment, the shop assistant chimed in, "Madam, our shop is a legitimate business. We're gambling on food, so it doesn't violate the law."
We are, after all, law-abiding citizens.
Li San Niang's surprised expression amused the waiter and the old man. The waiter, being very professional, stood aside and pointed to the ten teams on the board, saying, "Look, madam, this year everyone is most optimistic about the Chang'an Flying Dragon Team led by the Third Young Master of the Zhang family."
However, the Dongdu (present-day Luoyang) Fierce Tigers, to which Xu's second son belonged, were also highly regarded.
Then, even after the nineteenth carriage had stopped and arrived, the fellow still hadn't finished introducing the ten teams.
How do you place your bets here?
Seeing how eloquently the young man spoke, Li San Niang felt too embarrassed not to place a bet.
“We’re doing legitimate business, we don’t gamble with money, we only gamble with food.”
Then, the shop assistant led Li San Niang and the other two into the shop. As soon as they entered, Li San Niang could tell that it was indeed a general store.
There were many things on the cabinet, and items were also hanging on the three walls. Even the wall-mounted area had cabinets taller than a person, and there were many open burlap sacks on the floor.
Looking around, Li San Niang saw that not only grain was for sale, but also salt and sugar. There were also earthenware jars and basins in the corner, and many straw mats were hanging on one wall.
"Look, my lady, if you buy two coins' worth of goods in our shop, you'll get a betting ticket. If you win the bet, you can exchange the ticket for three naan breads."
This is a really good deal! What would you like to buy, my lady?
Our shop has everything imaginable, a complete selection of goods—food, drinks, household items, toys, you name it.
Finally, Li San Niang bought white sugar and brown sugar, and got a ticket with the shop's name printed on it. She then placed her bet on the Chang'an Flying Dragon team, which was considered the leader.
After leaving the shop, Li San Niang bought three straw hats from the old man to thank him for speaking up and saving her from the predicament.
So, by the time Li Sanniang and her two companions arrived at Juyi Tower, it was already past lunchtime. However, they saw Li Sanlang waiting for them at the entrance of Juyi Tower.
"Auntie!"
Why are you the only one here?
“Auntie, I waited for you here. Grandma was worried that you would be late and not be able to find us, so she asked me to wait for you here.”
When Li Sanniang heard Li Sanlang say that it would be another half hour before Li's mother and the others returned, she led Li Sanlang, Qiuxiang, and Shijiu directly into the Juyi Tower.
Although it was a holiday, it wasn't dinner time yet, and there were quite a few empty seats in the lobby on the first floor.
Li San Niang found a seat by the window, asked the waiter if she could order, and then ordered four bowls of soup noodles, a cold dish, and a plate of mutton.
When Li Sanlang heard that Li Sanniang had also called him, he quickly said, "Auntie, I've already eaten lunch, so I'm not hungry yet. You don't need to order me soup noodles."
"You're still young, growing taller all the time, how can you not be hungry?"
"You can eat that soup dumpling? It'll be a while before Mom and the others get back."
Therefore, Li Sanlang did not refute it.
After the waiter took the order and went downstairs, Li Sanlang noticed the straw hat that Shijiu had placed behind him.
Just as Li San Niang was about to explain what had happened by the carriage shop, she heard a clear, handsome male voice call out to her from behind, "San Niangzi?"
Li San Niang turned around and saw that it was Xu Jingzhen and Fang Chengxian!
Ah, no, besides these two, there were also two young men and a young woman standing nearby.
Li San Niang watched as Xu Jingzhen and Fang Chengxian explained a few words to the other three, who then followed the waiter upstairs to the second floor. Xu Jingzhen and Fang Chengxian, however, walked towards Li San Niang and the others.
Everyone bowed in greeting, and Li San Niang invited the two to sit down, but they did not accept.
"What a coincidence that I ran into Third Sister on such a day."
Is Third Sister waiting for Doctor Li and the others?
Seeing Li San Niang nod, Fang Chengxian said with a smile, "We finally managed to get together during the holiday. Originally, it was just Jingzhen and me who came, but we met some relatives on the way and came here together."
"I won't disturb you any longer, Third Sister. See you later."
After Fang Chengxian said this, Xu Jingzhen simply nodded without saying anything. The two bowed to each other and then went upstairs together.
Li San Niang didn't feel much in her heart, but she was worried about Fang Chengxian's health. She thought about how Fang Chengxian's condition was under good control when she took his pulse last time, so she didn't say anything to him. She just nodded, returned the greeting, and watched the two leave.
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