On the second day of the second month, the Dragon Raising Its Head, everyone had a day off.
The second day of the second month was also known as the Spring Plowing Festival and the Spring Dragon Festival. There would be dragon boat races that day, and Emperor Deyuan would personally dot the eyes of the dragon boats.
For once, Jian Ruonan got up early.
She rose at the hour of the Snake that day. Though outsiders would consider that late, it shook the entire Jinyang Marquis's Residence.
The maids of Deer Song Courtyard told everyone they met, "The Fifth Miss got up so early today!"
After getting up and washing, Jian Ruonan changed into festive new clothes and went to Westglow Garden.
Everyone from the Elder Branch had already gathered in Westglow Garden and was waiting only for the Fifth Miss. As soon as the maids saw her arrive, they hurried to lay out the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
A child of about three sat primly with a brush in his hand while Min taught him to write.
He was Jian Zhang's son by a concubine. He rarely visited the main wife's quarters, and Jian Ruonan had only seen him a few times.
Teng and Jian Xilu were each writing with a brush as well.
"What are you doing?" Weren't they going to watch the dragon boat races? Why were they writing instead?
"Fifth Sister, come write a few strokes!" The moment Teng saw Jian Ruonan, he dropped his brush and hopped down from his stool.
The little cub held a bowl of hot tea and eagerly trotted over to his fifth sister.
"Nan Nan, you got up so early today." Seeing Jian Ruonan's puzzled expression, Min explained with a smile, "Tomorrow is Wenchang Bodhisattva's birthday."
By Great