Chapter 183: First Release I wonder how busy Master is these days...
Outside Jiangyang Prefecture.
The clouds were sparse and the sun was busy, illuminating the vast rice fields outside the city.
The wheels made intermittent noises, and because there were so many people on the road, the traffic was not smooth, but it did not affect Wen Yu in the car who was resting with his eyes half closed.
The luncheon meal lasted for a long time. Everyone talked about everything under the sun and spoke freely. They drank a lot of realgar wine as they were in high spirits. Add to that the various dishes prepared by Uncle Song, and everyone was completely satisfied with the food and drink.
It was just that I had been invited by Lord Mu to go out and watch the ceremony of the Dragon Boat Festival sacrifice on the Yuan River. I couldn't delay any longer, so I left without taking a nap.
Wen Yu, now drowsy, finally understood what it meant to be lustful when one is warm and well fed.
She was still dozing off, and seemed to be about to fall asleep.
Song Linsheng, who was sitting beside her, raised his sleeves to fan Wen Yu, his movements gentle and slow, for fear of disturbing her deep sleep.
"Master, Madam Wen, we're here!" Along with the sound of horse hooves, Xiyan's reminder came into the car.
"Xiaoyu, Xiaoyu?" Song Linsheng called softly, but without any intention of urging her.
When Wen Yu slowly opened her eyes, her hazy gaze finally focused on Song Linsheng's concerned face. "Hmm..."
"How about I have Xiyan take you back to rest? I can go to the ceremony alone." Song Linsheng was still gently waving his fan. "Don't worry, I'll be back home to find you as soon as the ceremony is over."
Wen Yu's mind was completely blank, and she was dazed for a moment until she heard what Song Linsheng said.
"No need." Wen Yu shook her head and sat up straight. "I'll go with you."
"Just consider it as an opportunity to experience the customs of Jiangyang. I have never seen the scene of the Dragon Boat Festival sacrifice." Wen Yu added.
She rubbed her eyes and woke herself up instantly. "It's okay, I'm fine."
Song Linsheng hesitated for a moment, still looking hesitant, but seeing the determination in Wen Yu's eyes, he had no choice but to agree.
"That's fine. After the sacrificial ceremony is over, we'll return home."
"Yeah." Wen Yu nodded.
Song Linsheng and Wen Yu lifted the curtain and got out of the car one after another. As soon as they stood still, they saw Mu Tong coming towards them from not far away.
"Master Song—Madam Wen—"
Mu Tong was wearing a light blue robe, and his steps were light yet steady, rushing towards this side like waves.
"Lord Mu!" Wen Yu's eyes lit up, and he immediately became energetic, raising one hand and waving it.
Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, and there are festivals and sacrifices on the banks of Yuanshui River, so the roads are crowded with pedestrians, shoulder to shoulder, and in an endless stream.
Wen Yu waved her sleeves, like a blooming goose yellow flower, standing out in the crowd.
Mu Tong smiled even more when he saw this, and took two quick steps to come in front of Wen Yu and Song Linsheng.
"Madam Wen, have a happy Dragon Boat Festival." Mu Tong smiled, still as charming and dashing as ever. "Have you tried the green zongzi?"
"I've eaten! It tastes delicious!" Wen Yu clasped his hands together and clenched his fists, bowing to Mu Tong, "Master Mu, stay healthy!"
Shen Sheng, who had fallen behind just now, caught up with Azhu, Ayuan and Yanzi, and greeted Lord Mu politely.
Until Shen Sheng took Ah Zhu to the other side to fly a kite, and the laughter on this side ended, it seemed that nothing happened to Song Lin.
Song Linsheng raised the corners of his eyebrows, but smiled without saying anything.
Finally, Mu Tongcai turned around and saluted Song Linsheng, "Sir Song, I have been waiting for you for a long time. I wish you good health."
Song Linsheng nodded and politely returned the greeting to Mu Tong, "Master Mu, are you well?"
Mu Tong made way for Song Linsheng and Wen Yu and said, "Sir, Madam Wen, please come this way."
"The sacrificial ceremony is about half an hour away. My Lord and Madam Wen can walk around and come back to the viewing platform later."
The Dragon Boat Festival is an extremely important festival in the middle of the year. There is also a sacrificial ceremony today, so both sides of the Yuanshui River are very lively. Not only are there many tourists, but there are also countless vendors.
Children fly kites, women pray for good fortune, and men race dragon boats on the Yuanshui River. They are all busy but also complement each other, weaving a prosperous scene together.
"Well, Lord Mu, you have worked hard." Song Linsheng replied politely to Mu Tong.
Wen Yu walked between the two men with his arms folded, but was not disturbed by their conversation at all. He just stared at the surface of the Yuan River a little further away.
"Song Linsheng, look—" Wen Yu pointed and took a few steps forward, "What is that?"
On the wide Yuanshui River, rows of bamboo rafts are connected end to end, with their sides dotted with scale-like colorful silk. As they move slowly forward, they look like a giant dragon swimming in the water.
"It's a dragon boat race." Song Linsheng explained, "It's just..."
However, in previous years, the dragon boat race was usually funded by various businesses in the city, each of which provided its own racing boats, and the top three would compete to establish the reputation of their own business.
But it has never been like today, with only one dragon boat.
"It's just that the Yuanshui River is silted up this year. Although it was cleared a while ago, it's still not as good as in previous years. Fearing something might happen, we've changed to this kind of dragon boat parade."
Mu Tong, standing by, answered carefully, "It's only for display and parade, not for competition."
"I see." Song Linsheng nodded slightly and greeted Mu Tong again. "Master Mu has been working very hard on this matter recently."
It was also his fault that he had not paid attention to this matter recently, and was unable to answer Xiaoyu's questions at this time. Song Linsheng was silent for a while.
"No, no, you are too polite, sir." Mu Tong responded politely, but not too modestly.
It looks neither humble nor arrogant, like a tree standing proudly.
Wen Yu withdrew his gaze from the dragon boat and fell on Mu Tong——
Lord Mu is truly a man of distinguished stature and elegant demeanor.
Wen Yu straightened the corners of her lips. For some reason, she couldn't help laughing when she saw Lord Mu's serious look.
How strange! How strange!
Wen Yu and his group were strolling along the makeshift street market consisting of various vendors when they suddenly heard a voice calling out.
"Master Mu!" The man who came out from the stall behind him was very enthusiastic. "Grab a lantern and go play!"
In his hand, he held a triangular lantern that was entirely green, with colorful silk threads hanging from it. If it weren't for the candle in the middle, it wouldn't look like a lantern, but more like a huge green-brown object.
"Mr. Wu, how is your business today?" Mu Tong took the lantern with a smile and started chatting with the man warmly without any hesitation.
"It's all thanks to you, adults, for taking care of us. There are many people outside the city today, so I came to join in the fun." After saying that, Wu Dabian turned around and went back to his stall.
Mu Tong, holding the lantern, handed it to Wen Yu beside him, "Madam Wen, take it and play with it!"
"Me?" Wen Yu took the lantern with both hands, but was a little confused. "Give it to me?"
Mu Tong chuckled softly, not taking it seriously. "Yes, you can hang it under the porch and light it up at night to avoid being afraid of the dark."
Afraid of the dark?
Wen Yu paused. He hadn't heard this word for a long time.
But her fear of the dark was something that happened in Houchun Mountain. Ever since she transformed and followed her master, she has not been afraid of the dark for a long time.
Wen Yu remained silent and did not refute Mu Tong's words. She just stood there with her head lowered, holding the strange green-brown lantern.
I don’t know what Master has been busy with these days.
It's been a while since we last met regarding Chen Mian's matter, and I haven't seen Master in a while...
"Thank you, Lord Mu, for your kindness." Song Linsheng, who was standing beside him, stepped forward and thanked Mu Tong.
Mu Tong didn't take it seriously, "Your Excellency, that's nothing but a lantern."
As he spoke, Mu Tong took out a purse from his waist and wanted to give Wu Da some money.
Even though Wu Da gave it to him with good intentions, he should not let others lose money. Opening a business is not easy.
But before Mu Tong could make any move, a silver ingot had already landed on Wu Da's stall.
"Ah? What would you like to buy, sir? Lanterns? Colored ropes?" Wu Da was momentarily stunned, then quickly went about his business, displaying the small items on his stall one by one. "Would you like to take a look?"
Song Linsheng smiled faintly and shook his head. He raised his sleeve and pointed at the green-brown lantern in Wen Yu's hand behind him. "Pay for this lantern. Keep it."
After saying that, Song Linsheng returned to Wen Yu's side, leaving behind Wu Da's cry of "Hey, I haven't given you the change yet!"
He has never liked owing favors to others, and he doesn't want Xiaoyu to feel any scruples because of owing favors to others.
Mu Tong's hand holding the purse stopped halfway, and after a moment of silence, he put the purse back on his waist.
Occasionally, the river breeze blew, bringing the amber ribbon in his hair to his eyes, obscuring the changes in brightness in his eyes, making it difficult to see clearly.
Soon, as if nothing had happened, Mu Tong raised his sleeve and stretched out two fingers. His slender fingertips pinched the hairband and threw it behind him.
"Your Excellency is really..." Mu Tong smiled indifferently and did not continue.
Song Linsheng's lips curved slightly, outlining a proper smile, "Master Mu, please forgive me for laughing."
On this side, you and I were fighting each other, and there seemed to be silent smoke of gunpowder in the air.
Wen Yu, on the other hand, just lowered his head and walked slowly with the green-brown lantern in his hand, concentrating on his work and not being disturbed at all.
Seeing her so silent, Song Linsheng and Mu Tong stopped talking and just followed behind her.
"Mrs. Wen is polite."
A male voice sounded, and Wen Yu finally stopped. He looked up and was a little surprised.
"Chen Mian?" Wen Yu's surprise was evident in his words.
The person who came was Chen Mian, who had not been seen for a long time. He was dressed in a blue shirt and simple clothes as usual. Although his face was thin, he was still energetic.
"That's right, Madam Wen is here to visit the sacrificial market today too?" Chen Mian smiled thoughtfully and gently. "I saw Madam Wen and the Master from afar and came over to pay my respects."
As he spoke, Song Linsheng and Mu Tong, who were two steps behind, also caught up.
Chen Mian greeted them one by one, then said goodbye with an apologetic look, "I still have official business to attend to, so I can't spend more time with Madam Wen and the two adults. I'll take my leave now."
Wen Yu nodded and watched Chen Mian's figure disappear into the crowd and head towards the altar.
"I actually met Chen Mian today..." Wen Yu murmured. She was really surprised.
I wonder how Zhibai has recovered since Master's last treatment...
When she has time, she must avoid Song Linsheng and go to Chen Mian's house.
"Chen Mian is a clerk in the government office, so it's only natural for him to be here on official business today." Song Linsheng replied softly.
Mu Tong nodded affirmatively, looking at Chen Mian's receding figure, "The main sacrificial rituals of this sacrifice will be completed by Chen Mian."
"Speaking of sacrifices..." Mu Tong raised his eyes and glanced at the sky. "It's getting late. It's better to invite you, my Lord, and Madam Wen to come up to the stage and watch the ceremony. Please."
Song Linsheng nodded, "Xiaoyu, please."
Wen Yu nodded, walked ahead, and Song Linsheng and Mu Tong followed closely behind.
The three men, as small as beans, moved through the crowded crowd and headed towards the viewing platform.
When he reached the foot of the viewing platform and was about to climb up, Wen Yu suddenly stopped.
"That is..." While looking sideways into the distance, Wen Yu did not forget to tug at the corner of Song Linsheng's clothes.
Song Linsheng followed suit and looked in the direction Wen Yu was looking.
The bustling crowds of people crowded together——
The father carries the child on his back, the mother carries snacks, the old people gather to talk, and occasionally three or two kites fly in the sky, pulling the children running on the ground.
Lively and cheerful are the portrayal of both sides of the Yuanshui River.
Everything seemed normal.
"Xiaoyu, what's wrong?" Song Linsheng asked.
Wen Yu pondered for a moment and shook his head.
"Just now...that person seemed to be Mr. Zhou."
But in the blink of an eye, when she wanted to see more clearly, the man disappeared again, which made her dare not confirm it rashly.
Song Linsheng looked up when he heard this, but there was no sign of Mr. Zhou. "It's the Dragon Boat Festival today, and Mr. Zhou is not at home. It's possible that he is here to watch the ceremony, which is not surprising."
"Maybe... I'm seeing things..." Wen Yu closed his eyes and suppressed the guesses in his mind.
"Let's go." Wen Yu pulled Song Linsheng's sleeve, "The sacrifice is about to begin."
Looking from afar at the sacrificial altar opposite the viewing platform, Lord Mu had already stood in the middle of the altar.
Song Linsheng nodded, and went up to the viewing platform with Wen Yu.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
