Chapter 50: Dragon Boat Festival (1)

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  Because Sun and Yang were too obvious, it wasn't just Peony who noticed, but others did as well that there was a problem between the three of them.

  Previously, Xue still thought that harmony was precious and tolerated Sun and Yang in every way. After being provoked several times, she couldn't bear it anymore, grasped the handles of Yang and Sun, and gave them a hard time in front of the whole family, fully maintaining her dignity as the eldest daughter-in-law. Gradually, the three people developed to the point where they didn't even speak when they met.

  Everyone knows what's going on, but since Xue Shi is the eldest daughter-in-law and has been helping Madam Cen manage the household for a long time, her position cannot be easily shaken. No one dares to openly disagree with her or question her, they can only secretly suspect and spread rumors that the eldest daughter-in-law is unbearable, too self-centered, not only unable to tolerate the younger sister-in-law but also the old master's concubine and illegitimate brothers and sisters-in-law.

  In order to maintain family harmony, Wu and Bai repeatedly acted as peacemakers, but to no avail. Cen's attitude was also puzzling, turning a blind eye and still relying heavily on Xue, pretending not to know about the matter. Her attitude seemed too biased towards her eldest daughter-in-law, even more so than her own daughter, so everyone's gaze at Xue became even more complex.

  Xue was like being roasted on fire, she vaguely knew it had something to do with the last time Sun was scolded, but didn't know why they suspected her and wouldn't listen to her explanation. She cried secretly many times, but didn't dare tell her husband, just gritted her teeth and endured.

  In comparison to Sun's and Yang's attitude, she cared more about Cen's and Peony's attitude. Cen was indifferent and didn't show any unusual behavior, seemingly still relying on her as before. The only one left was Peony. She had thought of having a frank talk with Peony several times but always turned back when seeing Peony quietly working beside the peonies, ending up sighing instead. If Peony herself didn't know about this matter and she told her, it might make Peony overthink and fall ill or even move out, how would that end? It would be even more impossible to resolve, and also exactly what that person who was secretly plotting wanted.

  On the eve of Dragon Boat Festival, Peony and Xue Shi were preparing the longevity lockets for everyone in the family to wear. Peony looked at Xue Shi's face, which had suddenly become thinner over the past few days, and asked: "Sister-in-law, what time are we leaving tomorrow?"

  Xue's hand paused, and he looked down, saying: "There are too many things at home, otherwise I would ask your second aunt to accompany you."

  "Alright, sister-in-law, I still think it's best if you accompany me. We've already agreed on this a long time ago, don't try to back out now."

  With such a warm tone, it was just like when she was a child. Xue's family was stunned, raised her eyes to look at Peony, and Peony looked into her eyes and said softly: "These days I've seen that my sister-in-law has lost weight, and seems to have something to say to me, but I always can't wait. Although I couldn't help you with anything, I can understand the difficulties of my sister-in-law. I'm not a child, nor am I the weak and sickly Dan Niang from before. Whatever it is, my sister-in-law can tell me directly. We are family, not outsiders."

  Peony's eyes were clear, her expression was gentle, and her tone was soft and calm, making people feel relaxed when they looked at her. Xue Shi held Peony's hand, and her eyes couldn't help but turn red. What could be more touching than being understood by others for someone who has been wronged? As the most advantageous daughter-in-law, she didn't need to do something that would offend her parents-in-law, husband, or sister-in-law, giving others a handle to grab onto. Moreover, when she gave Peony that dowry money in the past, she really hadn't envied her at all.

  Xue Shi finally calmed down after a while, reached out to hold Mudan's hand, looked at Mudan's beautiful phoenix eyes, and said word by word: "Dan Niang, don't worry, I and your brother truly care about you. No matter what the future holds, we will take care of you."

  Although she is not a person who relies on others to live, Xue's words are extremely rare. Peony has thought about it for many days and finally feels that judging a person's character cannot be determined by just one thing. She doesn't know the truth or who is right or wrong, but through her detached observation over these days, she saw a side of people that others usually can't see. Lin Mama and Yu He stood up for her, but she felt that even if they had ulterior motives, the moment they welcomed her back home was genuine. When facing the Liu family, their front line was also united; when they protected her by hiding her behind them, it was without hesitation. Family relationships are precious and worth maintaining with care, so how can a single sentence lead to all this trouble?

  At dinner time, Mrs. Xian noticed the difference between Xue Shi and Peony, and was very pleased. After dinner, she called Peony into her room, dismissed everyone around her, and smiled: "Was it your elder sister who found you, or did you find your elder sister?"

  "Peony smiled and said, 'She came to me several times without saying anything. I saw that she was struggling to hold back her emotions, so I took the initiative to speak up. It turns out you knew everything all along but didn't care, which wasted my efforts in trying to be considerate of your feelings. I didn't dare tell you because I was afraid it would hurt you.'"

  Madam Cen sighed, gently stroking Peony's head and said, "What don't I know? I just want to see how they'll jump around and what kind of waves they can make. Your sister-in-law is someone who can swallow her losses for the greater good, you must remember her kindness to you and your brother in the future."

  Peony heard Mrs. Cen's words and seemed to be hinting at something, furrowing her brow: "Do you know who it is?"

  Madam Cen smiled slightly and didn't answer Peony's question, instead she pulled her hand to the back corridor: "Let me see, what should my Dan Niang wear tomorrow? Since it's going to meet a noble person and also to ask for something, she can't dress too gaudy or too simple, we need to choose carefully."

  Madam Cen's hands were well-maintained, warm and soft to the touch. The warmth spread from her palms to Peony's body, making her feel languid and playful as well. She pouted and said, "Mother, I'm a bit nervous. I don't know what kind of person that noble is or what his temper is like. Will he be willing to help me? Can you come with me?"

  "Mother is old, can't squeeze with you. Just stay at home and take care of the house with your fifth aunt." Mrs. Cen took a narrow-sleeved Luo skirt with ivory white embroidery and green peony from Yuhe's hand, looked at it against the lamp light with narrowed eyes, nodded in satisfaction: "What kind of skirt to match?"

  Xu'er handed over a six-piece jade green gauze skirt and a snow-white light silk scarf with great tact. Mrs. Cen was satisfied: "Right, right, that's it. The hair accessory is simple, I remember you have a pair of butterfly-patterned gold pins, just use those."

  After deciding on her outfit, Xiao Er and Kuan Er busied themselves next door preparing hot water, a steamer, and fragrant herbs for Peony to steam and perfume her clothes.

  To prevent the peony and Mrs. Bai's meeting place from being occupied by others, and to let the family members have a good spot to watch the excitement later, on the second day, early in the morning, as soon as the gate of the alley was opened, He Siliang brought several strong and capable family members, hastily grabbed some pancakes, and rushed to occupy the place.

  When the time came, Peony finished dressing up and brought out a long-life thread made of five-color silk threads. She tied them one by one on the arms of He Zhizhong, Mrs. Cen, her nephews and nieces. After she finished here, Xue Shi also directed the crowd to hang the long-life thread on the door of each room.

  When breakfast was served, Mrs. Cen sternly swept her eyes over the crowd and said, "Today is a holiday, no one is allowed to stir up trouble."

  Everyone looked at each other, nodded in agreement, and immediately beamed with joy. He Zhizhong instructed his sons: "It's rare to have a few days off throughout the year, divide into two people to go to the shop to keep an eye on it, and the rest of you eat and clean up before heading out."

  As soon as the words fell, He Sanlang, He Wulang, and He Liulang all voluntarily expressed their willingness to stay behind and take care of the shop. After confirming the personnel who would be staying behind, everyone's enthusiasm became even more high-spirited. Sun was the most eager to have fun and couldn't wait to announce the latest news he had heard from the servants: "I heard that tonight is open night."

  "White's joke: 'You just knew this now? I've known it for a long time.'"

  "Goodness gracious, I haven't finished speaking yet. I heard that the Taichang Temple borrowed over 500 sets of women's undergarments from the villagers for the scattered performers to use. Who knows how many people will come and what kind of performance it will be, or how lively it will be."

  Yang sighed: "If it were in our Yangzhou, it would be a competition. The prefecture and county governments would spend money to invite musicians and compete for victory or defeat. Many colorful tents would be set up along the river, waiting for the three drumbeats to sound, the drums would ring out, people would shout, and the boats would speed by, ah, what a lively scene! Unfortunately, I won't get to see it again in this lifetime."

  He Zhizhong glanced at her and said in a bad tone, "If you want to go back to Yangzhou, it's not impossible. If you think it's not good-looking, just stay at home and serve the lady."

  "Yes." Yang immediately thought that all his actions in the past few days were probably seen by him, and he was just waiting for an opportunity to fix himself, so how dare he provoke him? At this point, he humbly lowered his head and didn't dare say another word.

  Everyone happily left the house, but saw people gathering in groups of three or five, rubbing shoulders and filling the streets. Peony followed behind her father, brother, and sister-in-law, but also discovered that she hadn't been out on the street for several days, and today was different from usual. The number of women wearing veils was fewer than before, most people walked with their hair exposed, dressed in bright colors, and full of energy. The men's hats were indeed as Li Yi had predicted, mostly tilted upwards.

  When the crowd arrived near Dongshi, they had already heard the noise filling the sky, and the music and dance performance was about to begin. He Dalang and He Erlang led several strong and valiant family servants, protecting their families, and rushed to the place that He Silang had occupied in advance.

  The peony had just stood up when a sudden drumbeat sounded from the top of the Diligent Government Building, and everyone fell silent. The peony stood on a low stool that He Siliang had ordered to be prepared in advance, looking up with raised head, but only saw flags fluttering and canopies like clouds on top of the building, and many people standing above, one person standing on the building shouting something loudly, but couldn't see clearly what it was, only knew that everyone knelt down and shouted "Long live" three times. After a while, when that person finished speaking, everyone shouted "Long live" again, stood up and stood aside, so many people, all shouting with all their might, indeed shaking the mountains and rivers.

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