The Prince of Jin was surprised, delighted, and worried all at the same time.
Surprisingly, Meng Lang's experience that time was exhilarating and still fresh in my memory, but I never expected that it would leave such a foreshadowing.
Does that also help with fertility?
It seems that when he takes action, she takes the initiative far more than he does!
The joy is naturally the addition of a new member to the family, and having already had three sons, this time it will definitely be a daughter.
Yanran is wonderful, but who wouldn't want an extra daughter?
What worries him most is Tang Zhuyun's health, especially since he's not by her side. Pregnancy is tough and difficult for her, and he doesn't know how she'll get through it.
The thought of Xiu'er and Mingzhu by his side eased the anxiety in Prince of Jin's heart.
A-Yun, you and the children must take good care of yourselves. I'll come back to pick you up.
He wrote and tore up the letter repeatedly, writing and tearing it up again. He spent most of the night writing a single letter, carefully instructing Tang Zhuyun on many things.
The most important thing is to prioritize her own well-being and never try to be strong.
Tang Zhuyun received the thick letter and asked someone to give Xiao Ye two extra chicken legs.
I'm so exhausted!
Before we knew it, it was Dragon Boat Festival, which was also Little Tangyuan's third birthday.
Various celebrations continued in the capital, with dragon boat races remaining a traditional event.
His Majesty was unwell and unable to attend this year, Prince of Ding presided over the ceremony.
Yanran originally thought it wouldn't be as lively as before, but when she arrived, she found it was even more lively than in previous years.
Haha, the emperor is still ill, and these people below are already thinking about how to curry favor with the possible new emperor.
Meng Yulan, carrying Little Tangyuan, Yanran to them from afar, but didn't join in.
When Little Tangyuan saw her older sister, she cried out anxiously, crushing the pastries in her hands into crumbs and staining her dress. Meng Yulan shook her head helplessly and ordered someone to take her to change her clothes.
Yanran was much taller than her peers, with a slightly dark complexion but a healthy, radiant honey color. Her eyes were bright and black. She was dressed in riding attire, and only after sitting down did she place the riding whip beside her. Her back was straight, and she exuded a heroic spirit that made her stand out.
She sat casually in her seat in the Prince of Jin's Residence, completely unconcerned about the stares from those around her.
She liked this position; it offered a high vantage point and a wide view.
The river rippled with clear blue water, and more than a dozen dragon boats were ready to go. The strong men wore tight-fitting clothes, their heads tied with colorful ribbons, their muscles were well-developed, and they were full of energy.
Yanran watched intently, secretly applauding.
Is it pretty?
"It looks good," Yanran said subconsciously, then realized what she meant and said with a grin, "Cui Xiaoqiu, what brings you here too?"
Hasn't he always been uninterested in such fanfare?
Cui Xiaoqiu said, "I came with my grandfather."
"Come sit down." Yanran patted the seat next to her, but her gaze lingered on the dragon boat team members with great interest.
She was observing to see who had the greater potential to win.
Ah, if only the Prince of Jin's Residence could participate. What business is it of the others?
Cui Xiaoqiu didn't sit down immediately, but only told her, "It's crowded and chaotic, don't wander around. We'll go home after the dragon boat race."
Although they were going back to their own homes, hearing those words still brought a slight sweetness to his heart.
Yanran nodded haphazardly, then complained, "Cui Xiaoqiu, don't block my way! Which team do you think will win? I'm planning to bet more and make a big profit."
Cui Xiaoqiu: "I'm betting on Prince of Ding."
Yanran glared at him. "I won't!"
Cui Xiaoqiu shook her head, saying with a mix of helplessness and indulgence, "Watching them is useless; the winner was already decided."
Prince of Ding is riding high; who dares to defeat him?
Yanran's face fell. "Isn't this funny? It's clearly a matter of skill, yet they still managed to fake it."
But they forgot that the Prince of Jin was also a master of forgery back then.
"Place your bets if you want, it's just for fun." Cui Xiaoqiu quietly took a silver note from her sleeve and handed it to Yanran.
Yanran took it, saw that it was a one-hundred-tael silver note, and chuckled, "I'll give you half if I win. Go on ahead, don't block my way."
Knowing she couldn't stay any longer, Cui Xiaoqiu turned and left.
No sooner had he left than another person appeared beside Yanran.
However, because of the grand entrance, Yanran started rolling her eyes before she even got close.
--Jiang Ruo has arrived.
Jiang Ruo's maid came over to set out snacks and brew tea, and even burned incense, leaving Yanran speechless with disbelief.
Jiang Ruo didn't feel disliked at all. She nudged Yanran with her elbow and said, "I'll sit with you so you won't be bored."
I find you annoying...
Yanran asked, "Why are you here?"
"There are only a handful of fun things to do in Beijing every year, how can we miss it?"
What happened to your eyes?
Jiang Ruo had dark circles under her eyes, indicating she hadn't rested well.
Upon Jiang Ruo's eyes showed a hint of grievance, and her eyes welled up slightly. She waved her hand to dismiss the maids before whispering, "I cried half the night thinking about him."
Last year during the Dragon Boat Festival, she and Wen Heng booked a private room at a teahouse to watch the dragon boat race together.
Of course, it was the private room she had booked.
The two stood by the window, and she quietly reached out to hold his hand, Wen Heng did not refuse.
Jiang Ruo was overjoyed, and her little hand gripped his fingers even tighter, refusing to let go.
She liked him so much, but in the end...
Yanran: "If you want to, just go find it. Why are you crying? Have some self-respect."
"I finally made up my mind to let him go, why torture myself again?"
"Then you might as well just ignore it."
"That won't do either," Jiang Ruo said. "I have to see... he gets married."
The sounds that followed turned into sighs and sorrow.
Yanran: "I don't understand you."
"Forget it, let's not talk about that." Jiang Ruo wiped her eyes hastily, and, true to her proud county princess self, said, "Let's watch the dragon boat races."
Prince of Ding arrived surrounded by a crowd and uttered some grand and dignified words.
For Yanran, it means, "I know you're talking, but I know it's all nonsense, so I won't listen."
She wants the dragon boat race to start quickly!
Just now, when she was about to place her bet and saw that everyone around her was betting on Prince of Ding to win, she got angry and slapped the hundred taels that Cui Xiaoqiu had given her.
I bet on Prince Rong's Residence to win!
The Prince Rong's Residence is the place where Linlin was bullied when she was studying there...
But today, it all depends on whether they can deliver.
Jiang Ruo saw this and also bought one hundred taels. After the others left, she said, "Do you have some inside information to help me get rich?"
Yanran: "... I just don't like the Prince of Ding."
Jiang Ruo: "... Then why did you buy the Prince Rong's Residence and not something else?"
"Because the drummer from Prince Rong's Residence is the youngest, we should encourage him."
Jiang Ruo: "..."
However, she didn't care about the hundred taels of silver. Following Yanran's gaze, she vaguely saw a boy of about thirteen or fourteen years old at the bow of the dragon boat, which was tied with purple silk. He was gripping the drumsticks tightly, biting his lip, and looked very nervous.
After drinking two cups of tea, Yanran noticed the dragon boat race hadn't started yet and said, "I'm going to change."
Jiang Ruo said, "Go quickly, or I'm afraid you'll miss it."
On her way back after Yanran her clothes, Yanran was talking to Jiang'er with her head turned to the side when she suddenly felt a flash of light that dazzled her.
Yanran remained calm, her eyes darting around before her gaze quickly settling on a guard at the sidelines.