Chapter 325, Pomp and Circumstance
By the time Daohua had washed and dressed, it was already 8:00 a.m.
Daohua Caocao ate a few mouthfuls of rice, then pulled Dong Yuanyao and the Li brothers and sisters out of the door.
"My aunts, you are finally out!"
As soon as Daohua and the others walked out of the gate, Yan Wenkai jumped off his horse and walked quickly to Daohua's side: "What took you so long?"
"I got up late." Daohua explained briefly, then looked around and saw that her three brothers and Brother Dong were all there, but she didn't see Xiao Yeyang.
Daohua frowned slightly, but quickly let it go and said with an apologetic smile, "I didn't know you guys were coming. I'm so sorry to have kept you all waiting."
Dong Yuanxuan came over with his horse and said with a smile: "It's okay, we just arrived."
"Just arrived?"
Yan Wenkai looked at Dong Yuanxuan in disbelief: "We have been waiting for almost half an hour, and you said you just arrived? If I had known I would have to wait so long outside, I would have gone inside the mansion."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at Yan Wenkai in confusion.
Yan Wenkai felt uncomfortable being stared at, especially seeing his sister glaring at him angrily. He stepped back belatedly, smiling awkwardly as he did so, "Since everyone is out, let's get going."
Dong Yuanyao covered her mouth with one hand and walked towards the carriage holding Daohua with the other.
“Hahaha~”
After getting on the carriage, Dong Yuanyao couldn't hold back her laughter anymore and burst out laughing: "Yiyi, I found that your fourth brother is really a funny guy. So funny."
Li Zixuan and Li Zixin were also laughing quietly.
Daohua glanced at Dong Yuanyao and said, "Living treasure? I'm giving it to you. Do you want it?"
The smile on Dong Yuanyao's face suddenly disappeared, and he shook his head decisively: "Forget it, I can't afford it, I'll leave it to you."
The group headed straight for Wangyangkou.
By the time they arrived, Wangyangkou was already packed with people, and the shouts were deafening.
The dragon boat race has begun, and the spectators are cheering enthusiastically for their favorite dragon boats.
“So many people?!”
Looking at the crowds of people, Daohua felt a little discouraged. She liked the hustle and bustle, but not overly crowded occasions.
After getting off the carriage, Daohua stood on tiptoe and looked around. All she could see were human heads.
"Let's go!"
Dong Yuanyao pulled Daohua and, under the guidance of Dong Yuanxuan, walked straight towards the observation deck where there were few people.
Observation stands are built on the river bank, with one every few meters. Each one is about 20 to 30 square meters, with tables and chairs placed on it. The closer to the competition point, the more crowded the observation stand.
These observation platforms are controlled by the government office and rented out at high prices to dignitaries who come to watch the dragon boat races. Every Dragon Boat Festival, the government office makes a fortune.
After moving through the crowd for a while, Daohua and his group arrived at a viewing platform closer to the front.
At this moment, the observation deck on their lower left was almost occupied, but there were still many empty seats on their upper right.
Dong Yuanyao saw Daohua staring at the empty observation decks and sneered, "The big shots always arrive last."
Daohua smiled and nodded: "Aren't uncle and aunt coming to watch the dragon boat race?"
Dong Yuanyao curled her lips and said, "Come, of course I'm coming, and there will be many people following me."
Daohua nudged Dong Yuanyao with her hand: "Why are you speaking in that tone?"
Dong Yuanyao tilted his head towards Daohua's ear and whispered, "Including this year, my father has been the governor of Zhongzhou for five years and has never been high-profile in public."
"But who would have thought that now here comes Jiang, the Minister of State, and right in front of all the officials, he urged my father to bring everyone to watch the dragon boat race on the Dragon Boat Festival."
"You don't know. When my mother found out, she was so angry that she smashed her favorite glass tea set. My grandmother was so angry that she drank porridge for three days in a row."
"My father was assigned as the Governor of Zhongzhou. He has been very cautious over the years, fearing that his political enemies would seize upon him and report him to the Emperor, leaving him with a bad impression."
"It's been low-key for four or five years, and now it's all gone."
As if to confirm Dong Yuanyao's words, there was suddenly a commotion among the crowd. Daohua looked back and saw a group of officials in official uniforms strolling towards them, chatting and laughing, looking very proud.
Among those walking in front was Dong Yuanyao's father, Dong the Governor.
Behind the officials followed a group of women in gorgeous clothes, some holding round fans, some waving brocade handkerchiefs, talking and laughing, and walking slowly.
As soon as this group of people arrived, the crowded crowd immediately made way for them to pass.
Officials occupied the first few observation platforms according to their rank, and the following ones were for female relatives.
As soon as these people sat down, the best observation decks were all occupied.
No, there's one vacant spot.
The one with the best sight line and closest to the choke point is still empty.
Daohua didn't look at it any more, quickly retracted her gaze, and said lightly: "What a grand ceremony."
Dong Yuanyao saw Madam Jiang walk straight past her mother and take the middle seat on the fifth viewing platform. She snorted coldly, "How can such a grand ceremony truly reflect her dignity?"
Her father was the governor, the highest official in a province. A wife's status depends on her husband's, so her mother should sit in the middle position. Mrs. Jiang was just the wife of a councilor, but she relied on the power of the empress dowager and the queen to look down on others.
Hateful and disgusting!
Daohua patted Dong Yuanyao's hand and said, "Let's go watch the race down below. Do you recognize any dragon boats? Let's cheer for them."
Dong Yuanyao stopped paying attention to what was happening with his parents and just turned his attention to the dragon boat on the river below. Unexpectedly, there was a commotion in the crowd again.
"Who is it this time?"
Daohua turned her head curiously, and then her expression froze.
Surrounded by a group of guards, Xiao Yeyang, wearing a jade crown and an indigo robe, walked over with a folding fan in hand. His handsome face had an innate nobility, and his every gesture revealed the pride and dignity of a royal family.
Behind him followed a beautiful girl with a sweet smile and a delicate figure.
The girl seemed unable to walk too fast. With a slight sound, Xiao Yeyang, who was walking in front, would stop and wait for her, and then the two of them would walk side by side again.
"Are you okay?"
Seeing Daohua staring at the little prince and Jiang Wanying in a daze, Dong Yuanyao stretched out his hand and waved it in front of her eyes a few times.
Daohua came back to her senses and glanced at Xiao Yeyang, who was talking to the girl with his head down. She quickly looked away and said calmly, "What can I do? I'm just a little surprised to see Xiao Yeyang make such a high-profile appearance."
Having said that, he paused and asked casually.
"Who is the girl next to Xiao Yeyang?"
Dong Yuanyao said, "Jiang Wanying, the apple of Jiang Canzheng's eye, and the young prince's cousin." She glanced at Daohua, pondered for a moment, and then said, "She grew up with the young prince in the Empress Dowager's palace."
Daohua was stunned: "So, they are childhood sweethearts?!"
(End of this chapter)
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