Even going to the palace gardens was a big event for the Crown Prince.
Going to Jinchi Lake? Yan Zigu didn’t dare imagine it.
She knew the excitement of seeing the dragon boats would last only a moment. After that, endless worry would follow.
The palace still taught a person to grow up.
Just last year, Yan Zigu never thought that one day, when going out to have fun, she wouldn’t be thinking about fun at all.
For her, in the Eastern Palace, everything was new. Everything was the first time.
She didn’t expect anything from Qian Ming. Maybe Qian Ming was still thinking about showing her up, waiting for Yan Zigu to embarrass herself.
Yan Zigu asked Zhang Cheng, asked palace maids and officials who had been to Jinchi Lake last year how Madam Fu arranged things. She followed that example: no need to shine, just avoid mistakes.
She learned the schedule—when they would meet the Emperor, what to do at the lake. She imagined possible situations and how to handle them. Then she felt more confident.
When the palace maids brought out fur-lined cloaks, Yan Zigu’s eyes went wide. “It’s May! Who still wears fur?”
“But last year, the Crown Prince got sick after returning from Jinchi Lake,” Yun Yan explained. “Madam Fu said to wear thick cloaks next time to protect against the wind.”
“This protects against wind, but… if he really wears this, where’s his dignity?” Yan Zigu shook her head. Everyone knew the Crown Prince was weak, but wearing fur in May was too much.
“Stuff boots with wool insoles and make a wool vest to wear under clothes. Nothing should be seen outside.”
“Make a bowl of red sugar ginger eggs in the morning. It warms him up; he won’t be cold.”
“The Crown Prince’s food already has rules. We can’t decide that.”
“This is simple. The tea room can do it—just some red sugar, ginger, a few eggs. Easy.” Yan Zigu thought. At the Dragon Boat Festival, she planned to say to the Crown Prince, “When I was young, I was naughty. Even in cold weather, I ran outside. My grandmother made red sugar eggs to keep me warm. Do you want to try?”
The Crown Prince nodded. “Have the inner officials make a big bowl. Everyone going to Jinchi Lake should eat some.”
“No need to disturb the inner officials. Boiling water is enough. I’ll make it in the tea room now.”
Soon, Yan Zigu brought a steaming bowl of red sugar ginger eggs. She watched him eat and asked if he felt warm.
The Crown Prince didn’t like ginger. Unexpectedly, he drank a big sip of the ginger sugar water and closed his eyes, speechless.
“Too hot?” Yan Zigu asked. She had let it cool.
“Very hot,” he said, putting the bowl down, not planning to eat more.
“Eat at least an egg,” Yan Zigu urged. “Please.”
He closed his eyes and ate one egg.
Yan Zigu was delighted. If the day started like this, everything would go smoothly.
The extra eggs were shared so no food was wasted.
Zhang Cheng got his portion from a young eunuch. It was only warm, so he ate it in one bite. Then he asked, “This was cooked separately from the Crown Prince’s?”
“I saw Lady Yan make it all in one pot,” the eunuch said.
Zhang Cheng’s tongue tingled. He hadn’t checked the carriage before. “The Crown Prince ate it?”
“Yes. He ate the first bowl and the egg,” the eunuch confirmed. Zhang Cheng was surprised. The Crown Prince never liked ginger tea. He actually drank this strong ginger flavor?
The Crown Prince rode in the carriage. Others walked.
At the palace gate, they waited for the imperial carriage to go first. The Crown Prince’s carriage followed closely.
Outside the gate, only a few eunuchs ran; others rode carriages.
Yan Zigu was puzzled. “Is Jinchi far away? I thought we’d walk the whole way.”
“Once out of Wansheng Gate, it’s outside the city,” Cui Yun explained. “The front carriages move fast. They fear we won’t catch up. Those at the back—nobles—their maids and eunuchs walk.”
“Then after they reach, we have to go back,” Yan Zigu said, shaking her neck. She felt strange with a flower crown on her head.
Cui Yun fixed the crown for her.
“Dragon Boat Festival is lively. Even seeing a little is worth it. Who complains about walking?” Cui Yun smiled. “If not for you, I couldn’t come to Jinchi today.”
“Me too,” Yan Zigu said.
“Me too,” the young palace maids said in the carriage.
“Was it always Qian Ming?” Yan Zigu asked. “No wonder she found it boring and didn’t want to come this year.”
“Last year Madam Fu took her,” Cui Yun said, smiling. “She didn’t come because she had a flower crown. She couldn’t compete in status, so she stayed away.”
Yan Zigu touched the flower on her head. It was flashy, but she said nothing. Maybe she remembered what her teacher said: nothing in life comes too easily.
In this carriage, only she had rank and a flower crown beyond her rank. Two crowns.
At Jialan Pass, no one could compare. But in the capital, stepping in already set her apart.
Soon, they reached the destination. Everyone got off and quickly went to the Crown Prince’s carriage.
The Emperor wore dark yellow formal clothes. The Crown Prince wore light yellow. Father and son stood together, looking similar.
Zhou Yuanzai glanced at Zhou Hui. “You’re lightly dressed. Cold?”
“I’m warm inside. I drank ginger tea before leaving. Shouldn’t be as bad as last year,” Zhou Hui said with a smile.
“You’ve grown and know how to drink ginger tea,” Zhou Yuanzai said, pleased. “I said your wet nurse spoiled you. Without her, things aren’t so hard.”
Zhou Hui just smiled.
Jinchi Lake was wide. A long bridge stretched across like a golden rainbow. Buildings floated on the water, with spring greenery and flowers everywhere.
Even though Yan Zigu reminded herself to be careful on duty, her eyes wandered, unable to stop.
She rarely saw such beautiful sights at home.
Officials were already inside waiting. Yan Zigu lowered her eyes. She saw her father in the third row on the left. He wasn’t looking at her, so she didn’t need to hide or bow.
Being tall has advantages.
Zhou Yuanzai said, “Today is a festival. Officials can sit freely and enjoy themselves.”
A loud cannon exploded on the water. Water splashed dozens of meters high. Over ten boats lined up on each side, waving flags, shouting, with drums adding rhythm.
Was a fight about to happen?
Yan Zigu saw everyone calm. It was a performance.
She had never seen a water battle before. She lifted her head, watching with interest.
Yan Ci looked up and saw his daughter by the Crown Prince’s side, wearing a flower crown, looking like a proper palace maid.
Every year, Jinchi’s festival starts with a water battle. He knew the routines. He didn’t look carefully, casually sipping wine, glancing at her.
He noticed her excited expression.
Yan Ci felt a little sad. If she had grown up by his side, she would have seen this play many times and not be so interested. Yet now, she was full of wonder.