Finally, the annual dragon boat race was held as scheduled.
Since the dragon boat race was at Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Wang Simeng got up very early today. Mo Beichen was already waiting in the Goddess's Residence's living room.
Wang Simeng also gave everyone in the household a day off, allowing them to go out and have some fun today.
Today she wore a white silk skirt with a light blue gauze overlay, looking playful and cute, her dark hair casually half-loose. Her face was rosy and tender, with cherry-like lips; every smile and frown was beautiful and captivating.
"Meng'er is so beautiful!" Mo Beichen exclaimed with gentle eyes upon seeing this.
"There's nothing I can do, I'm naturally beautiful." Wang Simeng smiled and said smugly.
A smile appeared on Mo Beichen's lips, and a hint of doting flashed in his eyes.
"Meng'er, let's go."
"Um!"
The two flew together to Luoshen Lake in the eastern suburbs, where the dragon boat race was being held.
The lakeside was already packed with people. The competition hadn't even started yet, but applause and drums were already deafening on both banks. Officials were on hand to maintain order from time to time.
There were also many street vendors around, their smiles wide and their eyes almost disappearing. They sold everything imaginable: steamed buns, mantou, porridge, oil pancakes, flatbread, melon seeds, and more. It had practically become a food street.
Suddenly, some people saw Wang Simeng and Mo Beichen flying over and were extremely excited.
"Look at the sky! The goddess and the regent are here!" someone shouted excitedly, pointing at Wang Simeng and the other person in the sky.
Everyone looked up at the sky.
"My God! The Goddess and the Regent have arrived."
"Wow! I saw a fairy again."
"A goddess! It's a goddess!"
...
Wang Simeng and Mo Beichen flew down from the sky and arrived at the huge pavilion in the center of Luoshen Lake.
By this time, quite a few people had already arrived in the pavilion.
The Emperor and Empress sat in the very center. On either side were princes, nobles, and court officials who had come with their families. Everyone took their seats, and tea and snacks were placed in front of each person.
"Greetings, Goddess, Regent!" Everyone hurriedly stood up and bowed respectfully.
Wang Simeng smiled and nodded: "Please, everyone, no need for formalities, please be seated."
He then greeted Emperor Yongshun and the Empress. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty the Empress!"
Emperor Yongshun nodded and said with a gentle smile, "Goddess and Regent, please take your seats. The competition is about to begin."
Mo Beichen followed Wang Simeng to her seat. After taking his seat, he looked around with a calm expression.
Wang Simeng looked into the lake.
There were twenty teams in this competition. I heard that there were twice as many teams participating this year as in previous years. These are the twenty best teams that were finally selected.
The dragon boats used in the race are completely different from the boats used in everyday life. The hulls are carved from wood, and the dragon boats, each with a different color and shape, are lined up in a row.
The rules of the competition are also very simple.
Whoever reaches the shore first wins.
The young participants were full of vigor, each with a red cloth wrapped around their waist.
Everyone, take your positions.
"The competition begins!" The gongs and drums sounded at the same time.
As the drums sounded, the twenty teams on the lake began to paddle with all their might. The dragon boats shot off like arrows, cutting through the waves. The twenty drums on the dragon boats were also struck with a deafening roar.
The people watching the dragon boat races on the lake were cheering and shouting for their favorite teams. Some even brought their own gongs and drums to beat and encourage their teams.
The young people moved in perfect unison and at lightning speed, as if they were already used to this kind of competition.
The race quickly entered its most crucial moment, and one of the dragon boats that had been racing side by side suddenly accelerated.
The dragon boat drew a beautiful arc in the lake, overtaking another team and leaving it far behind.
The other dragon boat teams also noticed this and sped up, trying to close the gap and overtake the teams in front. Unfortunately, the dragon boats in front were too fast, and no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't catch up.
The people by the lake were so excited when they saw this that they stood up, waved their arms, and shouted.
Even the noble ladies and officials in the pavilions gripped their embroidered handkerchiefs tightly and couldn't help but cheer loudly.
Go, Xiao Hong! Go, Xiao Hong!
Wang Simeng was also excited, cheering in her heart for the first red dragon boat.
Finally, the first red dragon boat reached the finish line first. Then the second and third dragon boats also arrived successfully.
The cheers on the shore grew even louder, and most people's cheeks turned bright red.
Wang Simeng was also thrilled and clapped her hands in approval.
After the competition ends, prizes will be awarded to each team.
The top three winners were overjoyed to receive their prizes. The prizes included gifts from the Emperor and Empress; although there was only one, it was a royal gift, and displaying it at home would be a source of great prestige. It would benefit both the children and adults in the family.
They held the free experience vouchers for the goddess's cinema, hotel, and buffet, grinning from ear to ear.
Besides the top three, other contestants also received consolation prizes ranging from a few coins to tens of taels of silver.
After the dragon boat race ended, the crowd finally left. Some bought food from the stalls, while others flew kites together as a family, keeping the atmosphere lively.
Those who received the first three vouchers quickly contacted their families and took them to enjoy the food together.
Some people gave the cosmetic sets they received to their wives or sisters in the family.
Emperor Yongshun, the Empress, and others returned to the palace to rest. They awaited the banquet and open-air movie to be held in the palace that evening.
Wang Simeng looked at Mo Beichen. "Want to go for a stroll in Qingshan City?"
"Okay! I'll listen to Meng'er." Qingshan City was where they met, and he really wanted to go there.
"Come with me!" Wang Simeng said with a smile, pulling him to the Fairy Music Pavilion.
She led Mo Beichen into the teleportation array.
Mo Beichen had a great understanding of formations, and he knew what they were when he saw the formation on the ground.
Wang Simeng activated the formation, and a beam of light shone, instantly transporting the two to the warehouse of the Wonderful Mall in Qingshan City.
Wang Simeng and Mo Beichen looked around and walked out of the warehouse.
At this time, Qingshan City was also very lively, because it had a wonderful shopping mall, as well as various wonderful shops, and many food and game stalls.
After watching the dragon boat race, the people went straight to the West District. The West District was much more bustling than it had been six months prior, even surpassing the other three districts.
Now, whenever out-of-towners come to Qingshan City, the locals will invariably recommend that they visit the West District. Anyone who comes to Qingshan City but hasn't been to the West District or shopped at the Wonderful Mall is considered to have wasted their trip.
In just a few months, Qingshan City became even more prosperous, and housing prices in the western district gradually rose.
Many wealthy families have even bought expensive houses in the West Side, all wanting to be closer to the Wonderful Shopping Mall.
After all, it's convenient to buy anything and go shopping. Plus, the streetlights on those streets in the Xicheng District are on at night, a stark contrast to other areas. Who wouldn't want to live nearby?
Wang Simeng and Mo Beichen arrived at the snack street together.
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