It was the day of the Dragon Boat Festival.
Madam Yun enthusiastically ordered the servants to decorate the residence. After all, this was the first festival Yue’er would celebrate after returning home.
She had even decided to personally make zongzi.
Looking at the various oddly shaped rice dumplings, Master Yun’s eyelid twitched slightly.
“My dear, you’ve worked hard. Why not rest for a bit? This is enough already.”
“Do you think Yue’er will like these zongzi?” Madam Yun asked eagerly.
“Uh… since you put so much care into them, Yue’er will definitely like them.” Master Yun rubbed his nose awkwardly.
Truthfully, he wasn’t very certain.
“Father, Mother, what are you doing in the kitchen?”
Yun Zhiyue walked over.
The moment Madam Yun saw her, she happily picked up one of the freshly wrapped dumplings.
“Yue’er, today is the Dragon Boat Festival. Mother specially made zongzi for you. They’ll be ready to eat in half an hour.”
These bizarre-looking things were supposed to be zongzi???
Doubt flickered in Yun Zhiyue’s eyes, but seeing the genuine anticipation in Madam Yun’s gaze, she smiled warmly.
“Thank you, Mother. Mother treats your daughter so well.”
Since it was the Dragon Boat Festival, Yun Zhiyue had given all the workers the day off. Even Lüliu had gone home to visit her family.
Soon, the zongzi were fully cooked.
Under Madam Yun’s eager gaze, Yun Zhiyue took a bite.
A little salty.
Second bite.
Very salty.
Had her mother mistaken salt for sugar?
“Well? How is it? Is it delicious?” Madam Yun asked expectantly.
“Uh… Mother’s cooking is very good. The zongzi are delicious.” Yun Zhiyue smiled gently. “Filial piety comes first. How could your daughter eat alone? Father should try some too.”
Master Yun’s smile stiffened instantly.
Didn’t he know his wife’s cooking better than anyone?
With both women staring at him, he could only brace himself and pick up a zongzi. Peeling away the leaves, he took a bite.
The flavor was somehow both bitter and salty at the same time.
The man’s expression changed slightly before he forced himself to swallow.
“Haha… delicious. Very delicious.”
The expression on his face made the words sound painfully insincere.
“Miss! A letter has arrived for you.”
A servant hurried over holding a letter.
Yun Zhiyue accepted it and glanced over the contents.
“Father, Mother, a friend invited your daughter to watch the dragon boat races along the Xiang River.”
The Yun couple nodded immediately.
“There will be many people there. Be careful, Yue’er.”
“Alright.”
The banks of the Xiang River were packed with people, lively and bustling.
On a large viewing platform—
“Come on, let me taste another sip.”
A young man extended his cup forward.
“If you beg me, I’ll let you have another sip.” Xiao Zhaoning lifted her chin proudly while shaking the wine jug in her hand.
“Hmph. Beg you? Xiao Zhaoning, don’t even dream about it. This young master isn’t that desperate for a single sip.”
Xiao Xiao immediately withdrew his cup.
“Brother Xiao is so childish.”
A little boy nearby covered his mouth and giggled.
“Xiao Yang, you little brat, you’re not even weaned yet. What would you know?”
The child puffed up angrily, his round cheeks trembling.
“Hmph! I stopped drinking milk ages ago!”
His fierce yet adorable little expression was incredibly cute.
Seeing this, Liu Tinglan lowered her eyes with a soft smile. Her features resembled a painting, gentle and serene.
Beside her, Xiao Jingyu glanced at her briefly, warmth appearing in his gaze.
Meanwhile, Xiao Zhaoning suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the distance and instantly stood up, waving energetically.
“Zhiyue! Over here!”
Her reaction immediately drew attention from many noble young ladies nearby.
“Who is that? Someone the Third Princess welcomes so enthusiastically?”
“No idea. Zhiyue? Is there a noble daughter in the capital with that name?”
Under the bright sunlight and gentle breeze, Yun Zhiyue walked over gracefully, her skirts swaying softly.
She sat down openly and naturally beside the Third Princess.
“That’s Elder Sister!”
A nearby young woman spoke in surprise, her voice loud enough for several people around her to hear.
The surrounding crowd immediately looked shocked.
“You mean that’s the fake daughter from Pingyang Marquis Manor?”
Li Wanqing nodded.
Li Yuyao lifted her eyes and glanced over, noticing that everyone seated at Yun Zhiyue’s table held distinguished status.
A trace of surprise flickered through her eyes.
Then she spoke calmly to the young woman beside her.
“Wan’er, I remember your relationship with Sister Yue’er was once as close as real sisters. Shouldn’t you go greet her?”
Li Wanqing bit her lip thoughtfully before nodding.
“Elder Sister is right. Wan’er truly does wish to catch up with Sister Yue.”
Li Yuyao smiled lightly. “Then go ahead.”
Inside a teahouse not far from the riverbank—
“Since Jade Delicacies Tea House is closed today, I’m fortunate to have time to play chess with Brother Huaiyu.”
Qi Yanqing slowly placed a black piece onto the board.
“Jade Delicacies Tea House?”
The man opposite him paused slightly, an image suddenly surfacing in his mind.
I’m the owner of Jade Delicacies Tea House. How about compensating you with a VIP card? All food and tea at the teahouse will be free.
Qi Yanqing nodded. “Yes. I work there as the accountant. The tea is quite good.”
“I see.”
The man placed down a white piece.
Meanwhile—
Li Wanqing walked over gracefully and greeted everyone at the table one by one.
“Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Seventh Prince, Third Princess, and Little Prince.”
Then she turned toward Yun Zhiyue and spoke gently.
“Elder Sister, have you been well recently? Would you like to return to the Marquis Manor to visit Mother?”
“Mother thinks of Elder Sister often.”
Like an annoying fly buzzing nonstop.
Yun Zhiyue replied indifferently, “The moment you arrived, I stopped being well. Stand somewhere else instead of blocking my view like a wooden pole. You’re in the way of my dragon boat race.”
Xiao Xiao burst out laughing.
“You fake daughter really do say interesting things.”
Yun Zhiyue: …
Sometimes she genuinely wanted to sew the Little Prince’s mouth shut.
Xiao Zhaoning glared at him.
“Xiao Xiao, honestly, have you no shame? You were just drinking the beer Zhiyue gave you, yet now you keep calling her ‘fake daughter.’ Even I’m embarrassed for you. Her name is Yun Zhiyue.”
Xiao Xiao rubbed his nose awkwardly.
“Oh. Then this young master won’t call her that anymore, alright?”
Meanwhile, Li Wanqing stood there watching everyone laugh and chat while completely ignoring her.
Bitterness welled up inside her as she secretly clenched her handkerchief tighter.
The maid beside her suddenly spoke.
“Second Miss, let’s go back. She’s climbed up to higher branches now and no longer thinks much of our Marquis Manor.”
Li Wanqing frowned.
“Ya’er, you mustn’t speak of Elder Sister like that.”
The maid pouted.
“But it’s true. The way she acts now is completely arrogant.”
Li Wanqing glared at her in mock anger.
“Ya’er, if you continue slandering Elder Sister like this, then return to the Marquis Manor yourself. Don’t follow me anymore.”
Ya’er stomped her foot and raised her voice helplessly.
“Miss, why won’t you listen? She clearly looks down on our Marquis Manor now!”
Li Wanqing snapped, “Ya’er, stop slandering Elder Sister. She’s not like that at all.”
The two continued their dramatic exchange as though no one else existed.
Yun Zhiyue: …
As expected of people raised in the Marquis Manor.
The older generation loved acting.
The younger generation loved acting too.
It was honestly ridiculous enough to make her laugh.
Xiao Xiao watched gleefully.
It had been a long time since he’d seen monkeys perform.
Xiao Jingyu frowned slightly.
Liu Tinglan felt a headache coming on.
What kind of absurd situation was this?
Little Xiao Yang covered his ears with both hands.
“They sound like two giant flies.”
The nonstop buzzing made Xiao Zhaoning’s head ache too.
Finally unable to endure it anymore, she pointed directly at the two women.
“Shut up! Both of you, get back to the Marquis Manor and buzz there instead. You’re so noisy!”
Li Wanqing jumped in fright, panic filling her face.
“Y-Your Highness the Third Princess, I… I…”
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Zhaoning interrupted coldly.
“You won’t leave, is that it? Xuanying! Xuanye! Carry both of them back to the Marquis Manor and tell the Marchioness to discipline her daughters properly.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Two black-clothed figures instantly appeared.
One grabbed each girl and disappeared at high speed.
“Ah! Let go of me! Third Princess, please calm your anger!”
Only after the screams faded into the distance did the noble young ladies exchange glances with one another.
Li Yuyao calmly took a sip of tea, amusement hidden deep within her eyes.
Absolutely stupid as pigs.