Now that her goal has been achieved, Mrs. Qi smiled, picked up the palace powder box, and went back to the room slowly.

※※※

Mei Xiaotong took "Su Wen" and went home happily, she had already seen that Imperial Doctor Du was a hard-mouthed and soft-hearted person, and he was very honest in his actions, if he really didn't want to teach himself, he could use such a high standard of requirements?

She is a mature student, and she must learn to be considerate of this arrogant master! Therefore, she has to study hard, well, she is going to have a Yulan Festival in this way, or will she bring some tea for Imperial Doctor Du when the time comes?

Yulan Festival, on the fifth day of May every year, in the time and space before Mei Xiaotong, it was called the Dragon Boat Festival, but this time and space is called Yulan Festival, and it is also an extremely grand festival.

Because the herbs and trees on the fifth day of the fifth month of May are the strongest day, picking the herbs on this day and bathing in water can remove skin diseases and drive away evil spirits.

On this day, everyone has to take a bath in orchid soup, that is, to bathe with herbal water, hang calamus at the door to ward off evil spirits, and wear incense sachets and five-colored silk threads to ward off the five poisons.

On this day, the married daughter should return to her parents' house with a five-color gift.

Although it is not yet the fifth day of the fifth month of May, the shops on the street have begun to sell related five-color silk threads and five-poison sachets.

There are also various festivals of the Yulan Festival.

When Mei Xiaotong arrived home, Mrs. Zhang was also discussing with Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Ding what to do during the Yulan Festival.

Seeing Mei Xiaotong coming back, I just asked her what she thought.

According to the past, in Qilidun, it was only early in the morning, while the dew was not dry, the herbs were picked back, and then a large pot of potion was boiled, and the family took a bath and finished their work.

At most, Mrs. Zhang will tie five-colored silk threads to Mei Xiaotong and secretly boil an egg.

But now that the family is having a better time, and the city has also paid attention to these festivals, Mrs. Zhang is particularly interested.

Listening to Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Ding carefully talk about how the Yulan Festival is celebrated in this city, I listened to it for a while, but I didn't expect that there were still these particularities in the city.

In particular, I heard that Jing County also has a unique custom, because Jing County is near the water, and there are not many students in Jing County.

Although it is said that the students pay attention to their individual cultures, at the beginning of the establishment of Evergreen Academy, there was an old tradition that dragon boat races were held by the river on the day of the Yulan Festival.

In the beginning, it was a competition between students within Evergreen College.

Later, there were more and more academies in Jing County, although they were not as famous as Evergreen Academy, but if they pressed Evergreen Academy on the Dragon Boat Festival, it was also a capital worth talking about.

Therefore, this has become a traditional project in Jing County, and at this time, the dragon boat race of men, women and children in Jing County is held.

The government also sets up some stands by the river every year, and those eunuchs or wealthy families will go to set up some good locations and bring their families to watch dragon boat races.

There will also be a handicap set by the government, and everyone can bet on each dragon boat team.

Crush one of the teams to win the championship.

Each bet only needs five cents, unlimited bets, and wait until the end of the final game, calculate the odds, and then return to everyone.

Even if you are from an average family, you can take out these five cents, and if you are lucky, you can multiply it several times, or more.

Therefore, this is also one of the favorite activities of the people of Jing County.

Not only was Mrs. Zhang fascinated by it, but Gu Yu couldn't walk anymore.

After seeing Mei Xiaotong come back, he came back to his senses, brought water to Mei Xiaotong to wash her face and hands, and served tea, but she didn't fall at all.

It can be seen that the little girl is working very hard to prove herself.

Mei Xiaotong took a sip of tea, seeing that Mrs. Zhang was so interested, thinking that she was in better health now, and it was good to go out for a walk on such a festival.

Looking back at Gu Yu's stunned appearance, he couldn't help but smile: "I'll let Brother Song see if we can also set a place in our house at night, and then we will all go and see the excitement!" ”

Not to mention Gu Yu, even Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Ding are all happy.

Mrs. Zhang was a little hesitant: "Why spend that money?" What else is the location? The river is so long and so wide, why don't we go and occupy a place earlier? If you have money, you won't buy that empty shelf! Instead, you ask Hua Hao, are they with us that day, or with the academy? ”

Mei Xiaotong put her arm around Mrs. Zhang: "Mother, it's rare for us to meet, pay for a position, how good is it for us to see it comfortably?" Your body is not yet complete, where can you squeeze it with people? Let's go tomorrow, and we won't eat lunch at home, so it's good to set a table outside. ”

Seeing that Mrs. Zhang still wanted to object, she said: "It's just right, these days when my mother is sick, Gu Xiucai in the front yard, and the ancient lady on the other side of the door have also helped our family a lot, take this opportunity to invite them to sit and have a meal, which is also right." ”

Hearing Mei Xiaotong say this, Mrs. Zhang did not object: "It's still my daughter's thoughtfulness, I should invite them to a meal to thank you!" It is said that distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors, I think Gu Xiucai in the front yard is a good child, although he looks similar to the second child, he is not as conscienceless as the second child. There is also the ancient lady on the other side, who is also warm-hearted. ”

Seeing that Mrs. Zhang didn't object, Mei Xiaotong began to think in her heart, who else did she need to invite, she had come to the county seat for so many days, and she had accepted a lot of favors, so it was time to return the favor. When An Huahao came back in the evening, as soon as Mei Xiaotong told him, An Huahao smiled: "But it just so happened that this year, there was a dragon boat race member in the academy whose foot was twisted, and the master in charge of the competition found me today and asked me to replace him." ”

Mei Xiaotong looked An Huahao up and down, indeed, with his physique, among a bunch of students, he simply stands out from the crowd, born hunting, who is not looking for him?

"Then it seems that on the day of the Yulan Festival, I will have to press the Evergreen Academy to win. I don't know if Brother Song, can you let me win some silver? Mei Xiaotong smiled.

She listened to Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Ding during the day

Yes, Evergreen College has been pressed down by other colleges in the dragon boat race for many years, and last year was the worst, and it didn't even enter the top three.

An Huahao naturally knew that Mei Xiaotong was joking, and also smiled: "No, the academy has not won the championship for several years, and the master in charge this year has been ruthless, it is said that he has been training since the beginning of the year, and he wants to be ashamed of himself this year!" ”

When Mei Xiaotong heard this, she was also interested and asked a few more questions.

An Huahao also heard some things about the dragon boat race from his master today, and saw that his daughter-in-law was interested, where was there anything to hide.

Fifteen and fifteen have said it all.

It turned out that when he returned to his hometown to establish the Evergreen Academy, the situation was not very good.

The world is not peaceful.

In addition, the academy was built on a mountain, and it is said that there were once mountain bandits nearby.

When Lu Changqing Daru chose the site at that time, there was a small road in the mountain behind the academy, which led directly to the river.

In order to prevent the mountain bandits from hurting people, Da Confucian took precautions and bought several small boats by the river, and once there was danger, he planned to take his family and students to escape along the river.

Because I was afraid of leaking the wind, I took students to practice rowing every day under the pretext of exercising their physique.

Later, the balance of the world was over, and in order to commemorate the friendship of the great Confucian and caring for the students, the students of the Great Confucian took this as a fixed project of the academy, which was held once a year until today.

After a long time, I don't know how it has become a custom in Jing County.

Mei Xiaotong was speechless, the truth of this history is actually like this.

An Huahao patted Mei Xiaotong on the shoulder, and when he first heard it, he was also disillusioned.

"But what you said is also true, at that time, our academy will also have a special stand, and the location there will be better and safer. I'll go tomorrow to see if I can book a place next to the academy, who else do you think you need to invite? An Huahao also happened to want Xiaotong to go out with his mother-in-law, and he couldn't do anything else during this filial piety period, but this festival or something, it was rare to be able to go out and relax quickly.

The two discussed the people they wanted to invite that day, in addition to Gu Niangzi, there was also Gu Zikai, after thinking about it, there were also shopkeepers Wu and Li Jiushao, and there were Imperial Doctor Du and his wife, these were all to be invited.

There are also the families of those students in the academy who are now in a small circle with whom they have a good relationship.

People don't come to talk about it, but they must not be rude on their side.

The young couple agreed before going to the kang to rest.

Wait until An Huahao comes back the next night and tells everyone that the location has been booked.

Because of its special status, Evergreen College has always been in the best position, with its own grandstand and a large location, which is basically reserved for the families of the masters and students of the college.

This year, Evergreen Academy held his breath, and he was really optimistic about An Huahao's tendon meat, and as soon as he told the master in charge, the master agreed with his mouth.

The family listened

Dusit is in shape.

Mrs. Zhang thinks that her son-in-law is really good, and she has only been in the academy for a long time to have such a ability.

Only Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Ding know that the location of this academy is excellent, where can ordinary people get it? I didn't expect my master to be so capable, and he became more and more desperate.

It was Mei Xiaotong who smiled at An Huahao: "Brother Song, then you have to work hard, and you have to be worthy of the position given by the master!" ”

An Huahao shook his head, knowing that Mei Xiaotong was ridiculing herself, and wanted to say something, but seeing Mei Xiaotong's smile like a flower, she just nodded.

Since An Huahao has set the location here, in the evening, the two of them will write a post, and An Huahao will send it to the other side of the academy.

Mei Xiaotong took the post and went to Dr. Du's house first.

Mrs. Du also watched the dragon boat race when he was a child, and now that he looks back, it is also a strong stroke in his childhood memories.

Satisfied, but still unforgiving: "Can't you take care of your heart all day long?" It's either rouge gouache, or hanging out—"

Mrs. Qi on the side pinched Imperial Doctor Du and asked him to restrain himself, and said with a smile: "That's just right, I have long heard that the dragon boat race in Jing County is very lively, and I can watch it this year." Whether you go or not, I will go that day! ”

Imperial Physician Du reluctantly said: "That's it, that's it, I'll reluctantly accompany you that day, otherwise I'm afraid you won't even know the place!" ”

Mrs. Qi almost laughed angrily, she didn't know this, and the people below didn't know? Dead old man, when is it, it's still a dead duck with a hard mouth!

Ignoring Imperial Doctor Du at the moment, he only told Mei Xiaotong about the customs and habits of the Yulan Festival and the like.

Mrs. Qi is a person from the capital, and the customs there are slightly different from those of Jing County, in addition to bathing in orchid soup, she also has to tie five-color silk threads, eat five-poison cakes and drink realgar wine.

Naturally, Mrs. Qi brought these customs over, and she had already prepared the five poison cakes and realgar wine, and she had to let Mei Xiaotong take them home to taste them.

Mei Xiaotong was not polite, and accepted it with a smile.

After visiting the Du family, Mei Xiaotong went to the auspicious dyeing workshop in person, and the shopkeeper Wu greeted him, and when he heard about the intention, it was a pity that Li Jiushao had rushed back to the capital and wanted to go back to the house for the holiday.

He also wants to go back to Shiqiao Town to accompany his wife and children for the holiday, but after the festival, he will be able to see his wife and children take over to the county seat.

Mei Xiaotong first congratulated the shopkeeper Wu, and then made an appointment to wait for their family to arrive and visit before leaving.

When Mei Xiaotong came home, she knocked on the door of Gu Niangzi's house opposite, Gu Niangzi happened to be at home, picked up the post, and heard that she invited their family to watch the dragon boat race during the Yulan Festival.

Before Gu Niangzi could say anything, her two boys cheered.

Gu Niangzi felt most sorry for the child, and I heard that it was the location of Evergreen Academy, which was a good place known to everyone in Jing County, where was she willing to refuse.

He nodded in agreement.

I felt a little embarrassed and stuffed the wormwood cake I made at home

gave Mei Xiaotong a plate before stopping.

Mei Xiaotong came out of Gu Niangzi's house with wormwood cake, and saw a carriage slowly stop at the door of her house.

Immediately stopped and looked over.

The coachman was blind, and after stopping, he was not sure, he looked around, just saw Mei Xiaotong, and hurriedly saluted: "This lady, may I ask, is this Song Xiucai's family?" Mei Xiaotong glanced at the coachman suspiciously, and then looked at the carriage again, the curtain of the carriage shook slightly, it seemed that someone was picking up the curtain to look out, and when she saw Mei Xiaotong looking over, she put down the curtain.

There was a question in her heart, Mei Xiaotong didn't show it on her face, but asked, "Who are you?" What to do with Song Xiucai's family? ”

The coachman paused for a moment before he said, "My master is a relative of Master Song Xiucai-"

Before he finished speaking, a somewhat familiar voice came from the carriage: "Tian Da, put down the stool and let me come down!" ”

Mei Xiaotong's mind turned, and she immediately knew who was in the carriage.

It's actually Zhang Qiuju!

How dare she come?

Mei Xiaotong suddenly remembered the words of the shopkeeper of Ritian, what did he say, they will be their own relatives in the future, and they will let Zhang Qiuju take the Fang family to move around more.

Could it be that this is coming to walk around?

didn't enter the door at the moment, only sneered and held the plate of wormwood cake given by the ancient lady, stood at the door, and looked at the carriage coldly.

The coachman listened to Zhang Qiuju's instructions, hurriedly put down the stool, and waited carefully aside.

The carriage curtain was lifted, Zhang Qiuju had a smile on her face, as if she was nothing, and when she saw Mei Xiaotong, she called out affectionately: "Isn't this a niece?" But by coincidence, I'm going to your house to talk to your mother! ”

He stepped on a stool and got out of the carriage, carrying a few gifts wrapped in brown paper.

Mei Xiaotong didn't answer her words, only glanced at it, and said coldly: "What are you doing?" You're not welcome in my house—"

For the Tian family and Zhang Qiuju, she didn't even bother to do superficial work.

Zhang Qiuju's face stiffened, if it was before, she would definitely throw her hands and leave, who is rare? remembered his man's instructions, so he had to stand firm with a cheeky face, with a smile on his face: "Look at what my niece said, why is she so arrogant at a young age?" Didn't we make those things clear and clear a few days ago? But it's all a misunderstanding, your little family doesn't understand, wait for me to enter the house, and talk to your mother-"

As he spoke, he wanted to cross Mei Xiaotong and enter the courtyard.

After taking a step, Zhang Qiuju found that she couldn't walk, and her arm seemed to be clamped by iron tongs.

Looking back, on her arm, Mei Xiaotong's slender white hand was holding her arm, and the other hand was still holding the plate of grass cakes, looking at her with a smile.

Mei Xiaotong was about to speak, when she heard the courtyard door creak open, and Mrs. Wu poked out half of her head: "The lady is back, the old lady said to let the guests in."

Go. ”

Mei Xiaotong was stunned for a moment, and glanced at Mrs. Wu, who nodded.

Only then did he let go of his hand and went into the yard.

I saw Mrs. Zhang sitting under the porch, Mrs. Ding and Gu Yu waiting beside her, and tea and half a table of snacks were placed on the table.

Especially Mrs. Ding, who is called a diligent waiter, will add tea for a while, and ask if it suits her appetite for a while, so she will go to feed Mrs. Zhang with her own hands.

Gu Yu half-squatted on the ground, lowering his head and hammering Mrs. Zhang's legs.

Although Zhang Qiuju had a smile on her face, she was not convinced, even if Zhang Chuntao had a talented son-in-law now? I don't know if I can get the lift.

Besides, it's just a country woman, even if her son-in-law wins the lift, can she still win in front of her son-in-law? Can't be careful?

Where can I compare to myself, the family business is big, and now there is a girl to serve?

Therefore the heart comes with an indescribable secret pride.

As a result, as soon as I entered the yard, I was immediately stupid when I saw Mrs. Zhang's style.

My own family has only bought a girl now, and I have teamed up with my daughter-in-law-Fang's family, this spring peach is good, one person needs two, no, three people to serve?

After Mrs. Wu came in, she also walked to Mrs. Zhang's side with low eyebrows and pinched her shoulders.

Zhang Qiuju didn't know how she got in, and she didn't know how she sat down.

When she came back to her senses, she was already sitting at the table, and the gift she had brought was placed on the table, and no one looked at it more.

And Mrs. Zhang was asking her, "What are you doing here?" ”

Zhang Qiuju barely cheered up and squeezed out a smile: "Isn't this about to celebrate the Yulan Festival?" I didn't think about it, eldest sister, you are new to the city, and you don't know the customs of Jing County, so you came to tell me, so you don't know, right? ”

(End of chapter)