With no one arguing anymore, the surroundings finally became pleasantly quiet.
The dragon boat race began.
The sound of drums exploded across the riverbank like thunder, and shimmering silver ripples burst across the water’s surface.
Dozens of oars struck the water at the same time, splashing jade-like waves into the air as the dragon boats shot forward like arrows released from a bow.
The scene was incredibly intense.
Yun Zhiyue watched with great interest.
Suddenly, a cry of alarm rang out beside her.
“Yangyang, what’s wrong?” Xiao Zhaoning shouted, panic flashing across her face as she hurriedly stood up to support the little boy.
“Yangyang! Yangyang! What happened to you?”
“Call the imperial physician! Hurry!”
The little boy’s face had turned pale, his lips purple, his expression full of pain as though he were about to collapse.
Xiao Xiao’s face turned grave as he anxiously paced around. “What do we do?”
Liu Tinglan looked worried too, tightly clutching the handkerchief in her hands.
Hearing the commotion, the surrounding crowd all turned to look.
“What happened over there?”
“It seems the Seventh Prince is in trouble.”
“In broad daylight too—how did this happen?”
The Seventh Prince was Emperor Mingde’s youngest son.
“Xuanji, go bring the imperial physician here immediately,” Xiao Jingyu ordered calmly, though his tightly furrowed brows revealed his anxiety.
Xiao Zhaoning tightly held the boy, staring helplessly as the child’s face grew increasingly purple. Shaking him lightly, she called out in a trembling voice, “Yangyang, wake up!”
What should they do?
Purple face, purple lips…
It looked very much like he had choked on something and lost consciousness from severe lack of oxygen.
Seeing this, Yun Zhiyue quickly stood up and pressed down Xiao Zhaoning’s hand.
“Zhaoning, calm down first. Give him to me—I can save him.”
Xiao Zhaoning immediately handed over the child without hesitation.
Yun Zhiyue quickly caught the boy in her arms. One hand formed a fist and pressed against the child’s upper abdomen while her other hand wrapped around the fist.
Then she gave quick, rhythmic inward and upward thrusts against the child’s abdomen.
Very soon, a green date popped out of the child’s mouth.
Xiao Yang burst into loud crying, his small hands clutching at the woman’s clothes. Yun Zhiyue held him gently and soothed him softly.
“It’s alright now. It’s alright.”
Xiao Zhaoning also burst into tears as she hugged the two of them.
“You scared me to death!”
Xiao Xiao patted his chest. “You scared me too. Thank goodness he’s alright.”
Liu Tinglan let out a relieved breath.
Thankfully.
At that moment, a man dressed in black suddenly flashed into the area carrying another person.
“Master, Imperial Physician Zhang has arrived.”
Xiao Jingyu nodded and looked toward the older man on the ground.
“The situation was urgent, Imperial Physician Zhang. Please forgive the offense and examine the Seventh Prince first.”
The older man shakily got to his feet and cupped his hands respectfully.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I dare not accept such courtesy. This humble official will examine him immediately.”
Imperial Physician Zhang carefully checked the child.
“Reporting to Your Highness, the Seventh Prince is unharmed. He merely suffered a fright.”
Xiao Jingyu nodded. “Xuanji, escort Imperial Physician Zhang back.”
The physician hurriedly waved his hands.
“Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness, but this humble official can return on his own. There’s no need for an escort.”
If he got carried all the way back like before, his old life might not survive it.
“Zhiyue, thank goodness you were here.” Xiao Zhaoning smiled gratefully at her. “When I return, I’ll report this to Father Emperor and have him reward you.”
Then she stretched her arms toward the boy in Yun Zhiyue’s embrace.
“Yangyang, come down now. We’re returning to the palace.”
The child had been badly frightened and needed to return to Consort Yu’s side.
But Xiao Yang tightly clung to Yun Zhiyue’s clothes, tear streaks still visible on his round little face.
“No! Don’t want to!”
On the other side, Li Yuyao silently observed the entire scene, suspicion flashing through her eyes.
Was this really the same Li Zhiyue from before—the one who exploded at the slightest provocation and behaved arrogantly and tyrannically?
At a teahouse not far away—
A man in black martial attire cupped his fists.
“Master, should we still invite Divine Physician Yan?”
The man opposite him replied calmly, “The child has already been saved. No need.”
Qi Yanqing looked toward the viewing platform.
“I never expected Boss to not only research delicious food, write poetry, and solve arithmetic problems, but now even save lives.”
Hearing this, the man raised his star-like eyes thoughtfully.
“Little Sister Yue’er, please wait.”
A woman dressed in a moon-white gauze skirt gracefully approached.
Seeing who it was, Yun Zhiyue paused and narrowed her eyes slightly.
The woman’s brows were like distant mountains brushed with ink, and her eyes shimmered like autumn waters.
She truly was extremely beautiful.
“What is it?”
Li Yuyao smiled gently.
“Little Sister Yue’er, today is the Dragon Boat Festival. Meeting by chance like this is truly fate.”
Yun Zhiyue replied flatly, “So what exactly do you want?”
“I heard Little Sister Yue’er has been doing quite well lately. You opened a teahouse and even became acquainted with the Third Princess. Elder Sister is very pleased.”
“Thinking about it now, I feel ashamed. Back at the Marquis Manor, I never realized Little Sister Yue’er was skilled in cooking. It seems I failed to care enough about you.” Li Yuyao’s tone sounded regretful.
Was she probing her?
Yun Zhiyue raised a brow.
Look at how flawlessly those words were delivered. Her level was far above Li Wanqing’s by more than a little.
“You really didn’t care enough.”
Li Yuyao froze briefly, then nodded softly.
“That was indeed Elder Sister’s fault.”
Yun Zhiyue sighed lightly.
“I never expected that although Elder Sister always appeared to care for Yue’er before, you never truly understood Yue’er at all. Ah well, it doesn’t matter. After all, Yue’er is no longer part of your Marquis Manor anyway.”
“How could that be? Even if Yue’er is no longer part of the manor, Elder Sister still cares deeply about you.” Li Yuyao smiled faintly.
Tilting her head, Yun Zhiyue asked, “Then does Elder Sister know what Yue’er likes now?”
Li Yuyao tightened her grip on the handkerchief but maintained her smile.
“If Little Sister Yue’er simply says it aloud, Elder Sister will give you whatever you like.”
Yun Zhiyue answered confidently, “Money.”
A trace of disdain flashed through Li Yuyao’s eyes.
As expected of a merchant’s daughter.
She turned and instructed someone to bring silver over.
“If Yue’er is in difficulty, Elder Sister will certainly help.”
Looking at the fifty taels in her hand, Yun Zhiyue looked somewhat dissatisfied.
“Elder Sister, has the Marquis fallen into poverty?”
Li Yuyao was startled. “Why would Little Sister Yue’er say that?”
“Otherwise, why would you only give me this little?”
Li Yuyao secretly gritted her teeth.
This bitch really was greedy for money.
“Today happened suddenly, so I didn’t bring much silver with me.”
Yun Zhiyue replied indifferently, “Oh, I understand. You just don’t want to give it to me. Then I’ll leave.”
“Wait, Little Sister Yue’er. Elder Sister will send someone back to fetch more right now.”
“Alright. I want one thousand taels.”
Damn it.
She only had five thousand taels of private savings in total.
But one couldn’t catch a wolf without sacrificing bait.
Li Yuyao took a deep breath.
After a while, a maid hurried back.
“Little Sister Yue’er, here are one thousand taels in silver notes.”
Yun Zhiyue carefully inspected them before tucking them into her sleeve.
She truly hadn’t expected Li Yuyao to be this generous.
Suddenly, Yun Zhiyue smiled and stepped closer to the woman until they stood extremely near each other.
So close that Li Yuyao could smell the faint fragrance coming from her body.
For a moment, she had no idea what Yun Zhiyue intended to do and unconsciously straightened her posture.
Yun Zhiyue slightly bent down and whispered into her ear:
“Elder Sister should remember this well—Yue’er only likes money and jewelry. She doesn’t like useless things such as protective charms.”
After saying that, she simply turned and left.
Protective charm?!
Li Yuyao’s pupils contracted sharply.
Could it be… she knew already?
Impossible.
With Yun Zhiyue’s personality, if she truly knew something strange about the charm, there was no way she could remain this calm.
Watching the woman walk away, Li Yuyao lowered her gaze and fell into thought.