Chapter 22: Dragon Boat Festival

The case of Qiu Heng suing Han Ziheng for killing her foster father with a horse had not yet concluded, and the Dragon Boat Festival was approaching.

The Dragon Boat Festival featured grand activities like dragon boat racing, and every year the riverbanks would be crowded with commoners. Officials would also have a day off to enjoy the festive festivities.

In previous years, the entire family of the Earl of Yongqing's manor would inevitably join this grand feast, but this year was different.

"I am getting on in years and my energy is failing; I cannot endure staying outside for half a day. For this year's Dragon Boat Festival, Xuan'er, you and the others should stay behind to accompany your grandmother."

Beside them, the Eldest Madam, Lady Zhao, slightly pressed the corners of her mouth down.

The Old Madam had more energy than she did; it was simply that she felt her granddaughter had lost face by suing an official and was too embarrassed to see the other ladies and matrons.

The Old Madam indeed felt that Qiu Heng's actions had caused her to lose face, and she was also worried about provoking secret retaliation from the Han family.

The boys were easy enough to manage, but young girls were vulnerable and could easily suffer losses; it was better to keep the granddaughters at home to avoid the storm.

"Yes."

Qiu Xuan spoke first, and the three younger sisters—Qiu Yun, Qiu Fu, and Qiu Ying—all complied, regardless of what they were thinking.

The Old Madam looked toward the silent Qiu Heng.

Qiu Heng pulled an exquisitely carved invitation from her sleeve: "I was just about to tell Grandmother that County Princess Jiayi of the Prince of Kang's manor has invited me to watch the dragon boat races together this Dragon Boat Festival."

"County Princess Jiayi?"

Not only was the Old Madam surprised, but the Eldest Madam, Lady Zhao, and the Second Madam, Lady Lan, were equally taken aback.

"She only invited you?"

"That is what the invitation says."

The Old Madam pondered for a moment and instructed, "When the time comes, bring more maids and servant women, and go out with your grandfather and the others."

An invitation from the Prince's manor was naturally something that could not be refused. Furthermore, receiving an invitation from County Princess Jiayi at a time like this would allow certain households to see that the Earl of Yongqing's manor had not been significantly affected by the matter with the Han family.

Yet, ironically, the one person they most wanted to keep at home could not be restrained—the Old Madam's mood soured slightly at the thought.

Upon leaving Chontong Hall, Qiu Fu threw a tantrum: "We've been looking forward to the Dragon Boat Festival for so long, and in the end, we are the only ones who can't go!"

The Eldest Madam patted her daughter's arm: "We are still in public; do not throw a fit. Your sixth sister acted too impetuously, and the Old Madam is merely worried about hearing idle gossip when we go out."

"Why does Grandmother think it is a disgrace? Sixth Sister did nothing wrong by seeking justice for her foster father."

If Qiu Heng had done something wrong, she wouldn't have wasted a bag of white sugar cakes on her.

Feeling that she could not reason with her mother, Qiu Fu left in a huff.

Watching her daughter's retreating figure, the Eldest Madam frowned: So, Fu'er wasn't resentful of the sixth girl, but of the Old Madam.

This was truly unexpected.

On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Qiu Heng went out with the Earl of Yongqing and the others, while the sisters staying at home received zongzi wrapped by Fangzhou.

The zongzi had already been cooked and were delivered by a young maid from Lengxiang Residence.

"Sister Fangzhou made ten different fillings in total. She didn't mark them specifically, intending for it to be a matter of fate."

Qiu Fu's face darkened upon hearing this.

Ten fillings, and if you ate one you didn't like, you'd just get fat without being able to choose—this was surely that wicked girl Qiu Heng's bad idea.

Qiu Ying, however, was eager to try: "This is quite interesting; let's see who has the luck to eat something they like."

The zongzi were small and delicate. The four sisters gathered together to eat them as if drawing lots, and the more they ate, the less they cared to speak.

Everything Fangzhou made was delicious, no matter the filling!

The officials and nobles watched the dragon boat races by the Yongle River in the inner city. The banks of the river were divided into different sections based on status and rank, with the best viewing spots reserved for the Imperial Family.

The Earl of Yongqing's manor could not secure a prime position. Shortly after they entered their pre-erected canopy, someone arrived from County Princess Jiayi's manor to invite them.

"Go on. Do not be impolite in front of the County Princess," the Earl of Yongqing instructed casually, feeling quite at ease.

A young girl who was eager to climb the social ladder would surely be well-behaved in front of the nobility.

"Miss Qiu Sixth!" Seeing Qiu Heng walking this way, County Princess Jiayi stepped forward quickly to greet her.

The scene was naturally boisterous, filled with the sounds of gongs, drums, laughter, and music. However, because Miss Qiu Sixth's presence had been so high lately, the County Princess's gesture immediately drew many gazes.

Accompanying County Princess Jiayi were the sisters Feng Caiyue from the Marquis of Changchun's manor.

Seeing the three of them surrounding Qiu Heng, many people in the canopies began to whisper.

"Is that Miss Qiu Sixth? Didn't they say she offended the son of Commander Han's family? How could County Princess Jiayi—"

"Don't you know? At County Princess Jiayi's birthday banquet, Miss Qiu Sixth gave her a pair of lotus incense pendants as a gift, and they hit the mark perfectly with the Princess's tastes."

"The kind of incense ornament that Chen San has been obsessively studying lately?"

"Yes, it's called an incense pendant. How could you not know?"

County Princess Jiayi led Qiu Heng to a seat and could not wait to show her the newly made incense pendants: "I couldn't make the lotus, and the butterfly is even harder. This square plaque seemed simple, but once finished, the edges curled up. I don't know where the problem lies..."

"There are specific techniques for demolding and moisture control..." Qiu Heng did not hold back her knowledge, patiently explaining the key points.

Feng Caiyue nodded inwardly.

It was rare to see Miss Qiu Sixth being so open and generous; in this day and age, it was normal for people to guard their secrets jealously.

"Cousin, you must at least let Miss Qiu Sixth have some tea."

Realizing herself, County Princess Jiayi personally poured a cup of tea for Qiu Heng: "My mother didn't come today, and my father is accompanying my Imperial Uncle, so we can chat and have fun properly."

"Is Cousin not coming?"

Mentioning Heir Ling, County Princess Jiayi wrinkled her nose in confusion: "Lately, my eldest brother goes to the Taoist temple every day to burn incense, as if he intends to visit every single Taoist temple in the capital. Mother is even worried he might become a Taoist."

"That would be such a waste—" Feng Caixing blurted out, but after being met with three pairs of eyes, she felt a bit embarrassed. "The dragon boat race won't start for a while; let's go play 'Shooting the Five Poisons'."

"Shooting the Five Poisons" involved sticking images of five poisonous creatures on a target; if one could hit them all, it would be a great show of skill.

Many people were already playing at the Five Poisons target, while on the other side, young men and women were playing *cuju* (ancient football), and a little further away, groups of people were gathered for *guanpu* (a gambling game).

"County Princess, Miss Feng the Eldest, Miss Feng the Second—"

Regardless of whether they were close or not, the noble ladies gathered to greet one another. However, their attitudes toward Qiu Heng were distinct: those who were not acquainted simply nodded, while those who had seen her at the birthday banquet either pretended not to know her or greeted her warmly.

"Great!" A cheer rang out; it was Fang Rui, a noble lady from the Prime Minister's manor, who had hit the Five Poisons.

There was more than one Five Poisons target. Feng Caixing took a bow, aimed at a target, and hit three of the poisons.

Feng Caiyue smiled and clapped for her sister.

"Would you like to try, Miss Qiu Sixth?" Feng Caixing asked, holding up a small bow.

"I do not know how to shoot an arrow," Qiu Heng waved her hand, her slender fingers elegant. "You sisters play; I will just observe and learn."

The atmosphere was perfect, and County Princess Jiayi also enthusiastically began shooting at the Five Poisons.

The young girl standing to the side was quiet and well-behaved, like a harmless little deer.

On the *cuju* field, a dandy raised an eyebrow to a nearby companion: "See that? The one standing to the side is Miss Qiu Sixth."

"Really?" another dandy boy replied while controlling the ball. "I've finally been waiting for this. Watch me collect some interest on behalf of Brother Ziheng!"

As he finished speaking, he balanced the ball on one foot for a few taps, then leaped into a back-hook kick. The ball flew like a meteor, heading straight for the quietly standing girl.