The matter was debated in the court for a long time before it came to an end with Emperor Yuanhe's order for a thorough investigation.
As for Xiao Chensheng, he wasn't worried at all. That's just the kind of person he is. If Yu Nanqing wants to use him, then he has to be able to tolerate his temper. If that doesn't work, he has plenty of ways to leave the capital.
Yesterday, Su Wanyan said she wanted to form a dragon boat team, so today she went to the slums.
There were many able-bodied men working odd jobs there, and Su Wanyan thought they were quite capable in terms of physical strength and endurance.
However, before going to find someone, Su Wanyan went to the government office first, because although the dragon boat race is a folk activity, the teams that register also need to be approved by the government.
Because of Princess Su Wanyan's status, the entire process did not take too long.
However, Su Wanyan went there full of enthusiasm but returned disappointed.
She thought that as long as she formed a team, she could participate in the competition, but in reality, there were too many teams that wanted to compete, both inside and outside the city.
Therefore, dragon boat teams from towns and villages outside the city must compete before the Dragon Boat Festival, and only those teams that advance can enter the city to participate in the competition.
Of course, at this level, Su Wanyan is a princess consort, so she can get in through connections if she wants to participate.
But this presented another problem: they didn't have dragon boats for the race.
Building a dragon boat is a time-consuming and laborious process, and with only a little over half a month left, it's definitely not enough time. Even if we manage to finish it, there won't be enough time for a test run.
Therefore, Su Wanyan's enthusiastic plan was nipped in the bud before it could even be implemented.
Fortunately, there's always a way out.
Su Wanyan inquired about the dragon boat races from previous years and had already noted which teams were backed by powerful figures. Although her participation had fallen through, she could still use this as a starting point for conversation.
After finishing her planned tasks, Su Wanyan originally wanted to wander around, but remembering that she hadn't yet processed the herbs she had collected from the mosque the day before yesterday, she decided to head back home.
Coincidentally, when she returned to the Prince's Mansion, Yu Nanqing had just returned from court.
Su Wanyan glanced at the sky: "Is the court session over already?"
"Hmm." Yu Nanqing's eyes lit up when he saw Su Wanyan at the door, and his steps toward Su Wanyan became much lighter.
Today, that person looked sullen and had no interest in listening to government affairs. He directly summoned ministers who had matters to report to him to come to the Imperial Study, so the court session ended early.
"Let me tell you, the dragon boat race is probably..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yu Nanqing pulled Su Wanyan into his arms, inhaling the faint floral scent emanating from her, his gentle and warm voice slowly rising: "I heard... Xiao Chensheng sent you a box..."
He had heard about it in the imperial court, and he pursed his lips with worry and trepidation: "Is something wrong?"
He held Su Wanyan in his arms, her face almost buried in his shoulder. She could only tilt her head back slightly, revealing her nostrils as she breathed. She chuckled and said, "What could possibly happen? You think I'd be scared?"
"Yeah, I was just afraid you'd be scared." He didn't even dare to say the word 'head' outright because he was afraid of scaring her.
"Hey, I'm not that delicate." Su Wanyan pushed him away. "Stop hugging me, we're still at the main gate."
Passersby glanced in her direction, looking like they wanted to look but dared not, she was so embarrassed.
In modern times, she certainly wouldn't say anything, but in this feudal era, no one does this, so her doing it feels out of place, and being watched would definitely make her uncomfortable.
"Hmm." Yu Nanqing smiled and gently stroked her face. "It's good that you weren't scared."
As if remembering something, he asked again, "What was Yan'er trying to say just now?"
Su Wanyan looked slightly dejected: "What I meant was—we can't compete in the dragon boat race because there's not enough time, but I've inquired about other dragon boat teams."
Yu Nanqing didn't quite understand. Was this really that important?
Since yesterday, Yan'er has been bringing up the Dragon Boat Festival.
Just then, Su Wanyan started walking into the mansion, and he quickly followed: "On the Dragon Boat Festival, is Yan'er going to watch the dragon boat races?"
“Of course, I booked a table when I went out.” She chuckled, “and I booked more than one private room.”
There are still more than two weeks until the Dragon Boat Festival, so rooms are still relatively easy to book. But it's hard to say what will happen in a few days, especially for restaurants and hotels along the moat.
"Yan'er, take me with you!"
"What?"
"Remember to take me with you on Dragon Boat Festival!" Yu Nanqing said, chasing after her.
"I'm bringing you, of course I'm bringing you. I booked this room so we could go see it together. What's the point of me going alone?" Su Wanyan said with a smile.
Yu Nanqing's expression immediately brightened. Su Wanyan had been talking about socializing and trying to win people over these past two days, and he had thought she was excluding him again.
"Let's place some bets then."
Yu Nanqing asked in surprise, "Yan'er is confident? Which team have you chosen?"
"No, we'll buy them when the time comes."
Yu Nanqing was taken aback: "Doesn't Yan'er avoid doing things she's not sure about?"
"Tsk!" Su Wanyan glanced at him: "Why do you have to bring up something you shouldn't say? Don't you know how to have a conversation?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Nanqing quickly shut her mouth.
Su Wanyan looked at him with a smile: "Yu Nanqing, let me ask you something, if I spend money like this every day, won't I run out of money one day?"
Although Yu Nanqing's salary is high, the Prince's mansion also has many people to support.
Even if the number of people didn't reach the figure she had previously calculated, it was still a huge expense.
I saw that she spent a lot of money to book a private room when she went out for a stroll today, and she even felt a pang of regret when she spent the money.
"How could that be!" Yu Nanqing immediately said, "Even if Yan'er doesn't spend that money, it will just rot in the manor, what a waste!"
"I knew you'd say that, that's why I asked. I'm so happy to hear it." Su Wanyan couldn't stop smiling.
"..." The two walked side by side when Yu Nanqing suddenly stepped forward and blocked Su Wanyan's path, taking out a jewelry box from his sleeve: "Yan'er, this is for you."
"What is it?" Looking at the beautifully decorated wooden box in front of her, Su Wanyan had already guessed what it was.
He slowly opened the box, revealing an exquisite jade hairpin. Jade was strung throughout, adorned with gold patterns, and the butterfly-shaped design was inlaid with bright red blood jade.
Just by looking at it, Su Wanyan knew that this hairpin was very valuable.
Su Wanyan's eyes were filled with surprise: "Do you know, Yu Nanqing, whenever these exquisite things are actually placed in front of me, I realize that I not only like strange things, but I also like beautiful things."
No one dislikes beautiful things, especially something so exquisitely crafted and unparalleled.
Compared to the 'weirdness' she likes, sometimes it's really nothing.
Seeing that she liked it, Yu Nanqing's heart couldn't help but flutter. He gently picked up the butterfly hairpin with his slender fingers: "Shall I put it in your hair?"
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