Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The men and women were divided into two groups â the âtalent competitionâ group and the âHundred Herbsâ group.
Those who had talents competed in the talent competition.
Those who were good at picking medicinal herbs participated in the âHundred Herbsâ event.
In order to ensure that the competition was fair and square, the Xie Residence had also invited the teachers of the Lushan Academy and a few respected old physicians in the city as examiners.
Considering that there were also unmarried women among the participants, Madam Huang, General Ning Yuanâs wife, and Madam Ye were intentionally invited to be witnesses for the womenâs group.
After Yu Youyao received this news, she also sponsored a large batch of medicinal fragrances as one of the rewards for participants.
Xiangping City was in an uproar again.
No matter if they were men or women, they fought to sign up.
As the event was held in a hurry, it seemed a little rushed.
However, with the strong support of the government, the Yue Fei Kings Residence, and Eldest Princess Shaoyi, as well as the financial, human, and material resources of the wealthy families in the city, everything was also carried out in an orderly manner.
In addition to the special events of the Dragon Boat Festival, many rich local families had joined forces with the businesses under Eldest Princess Shaoyiâs name in the refugee resettlement area, as well as some foreign merchants to distribute festive gifts to the various refugee resettlements. The various shops and shops also gave corresponding discounts, gifts, and preferential treatment.
After the national policy was implemented, the entire Liaodong did not fall into chaos because of the influx of huge foreigners. Instead, it displayed strong inclusiveness and cohesion, as well as the responsibilities that local people deserved.
In the blink of an eye, it was the Dragon Boat Festival.
Before dawn, the Yu Garden was already busy sweeping, inserting mugwort, hanging calamus, weaving mugwort, hanging sword- shaped bags of aromatic herbs, tying the acacia rope, and hanging the portrait of Zhong Kui⦠It was very busy.
All of these were done to avoid disasters, dispel poison, ward off evil, eliminate filth, and get rid of disasters. The five blessings were complete.
Yu Youyao got up at dawn. After a simple wash, Dong Mei picked out a heavenly water jade dress with narrow sleeves. âYoung Miss, youâre going to the Goddess Peak for a walk today. Your clothes have to be brighter. This heavenly water jade cloth was rewarded by the Imperial Court when they conferred you with the title of County Head last year. Old Madam made the decision to send it to the Jinxiu Manor to tailor a set of clothes. Itâs a pity not to wear such a good tribute. In another year, once you grow up, you wonât be able to wear it anymore.â
After the clothes were done, the Matriarchâs health deteriorated every day. Young Miss often went to An Shou Hall to attend to her illness, so it wasnât appropriate for her to wear clothes that were too bright. Such good clothes would be kept to herself.
Chun Xiao also advised, âThe heavenly water jade is bright and pure. Itâs flawless and doesnât look ostentatious.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Yu Youyao was a little hesitant. âLast year, there was a water disaster in Zhejiang, and the entire Jiangnan was affected. The northwest also suffered a hundred-year drought, causing the production of the heavenly water jade to decrease. The reward sent by the Imperial Court earlier did not have the heavenly water jade. Itâs a little ostentatious after all.â
The heavenly water jade was green. After being dyed with the morning dew, it revealed a bright and clear color.
Dyeing required the right time, place, and people. It could only be dyed during the Bailu and Hanlu seasons every year. As the weather and temperature were different every day, in addition to a certain chance, the dyeing of the heavenly water jade cloth also required superb skills.
As a result, the heavenly water jade was even rarer and more precious than snow satin.
At this moment, Auntie Xu lifted the curtain and entered. She smiled and said, âl think this outfit is suitable. Ordinary colors are suppressed as soon as they enter the mountains. Only the Heavenly Water Jade is bright and clear. Itâs suitable for taking a youth trip.â As she spoke, she took the clothes from Dong
Meiâs hand and praised, âYouâve improved.â
Dong Mei pursed her lips and smiled at the praise, clearly encouraged. Yu Youyao blinked. âAuntie, why are you here?â
As Auntie Xu helped Yu Youyao change her clothes, she smiled and teased, âItâs rare that Your Highness is free to accompany you for a walk. You have to dress up well. You canât go out without makeup like in the past.â
If it was really like before, where she went to appointments without makeup, to a couple who was discussing marriage, it would be less ceremonial. Once it became ordinary, how could their relationship progress?
âNineteenth Brother isnât an outsider, so thereâs no need to deliberatelyâ¦â Towards the end, she couldnât continue. Yu Youyao suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. She didnât know where to put her words. She stood stiffly on the spot like a puppet, letting Auntie Xu fiddle with her.
This was a little like going on a âdate.â
âWomen put on makeup for the person they like.â As Auntie Xu smiled, she asked Dong Mei to pick out another small sky- green shirt and put it on Yu Youyao. âItâs already the Dragon Boat Festival, and itâs already alternating between spring and summer. The temperature in Xiangping City is still like March and April. Itâs warm and cold at the same time. Itâs better to wear more. Your body, which was frozen when you were young, will suffer when youâre old.â
The color of the Heavenly Water Jade was fresh and green, making Yu Youyao look elegant. She was bright and flawless. Her very beautiful appearance also complemented the color.
At this moment, Xia Tao entered the house with a smile. âHis Highness sent Chang An over to deliver a message. Itâs humid in the morning, and itâs still cold in the mountains. Tell Young Miss to wear more clothes and be careful not to fall sick from the cold. Itâs best to bring a cloak to block the wind and stay warm.â
These were very ordinary words of concern. It turned out that in the Yu Residence, the âcousinsâ had already said a lot of caring words to each other.
Logically speaking, Yu Youyao was already used to it and only listened.
However, at this moment, for some reason, a surge of heat rushed to her face.
Yu Youyao immediately felt her face heat up. Her eyes were watery, and ripples appeared in them. She couldnât help but scold, âYouâre worrying too much, as if everyone knows. Itâs not the first time Iâve gone out. Why do I need his reminder?!â
Dong Mei quickly picked out a cloak and came over. Unexpectedly, Auntie Xuâs smile deepened, but she shook her head. âThatâs good. Letâs not add a cloak.â Dong Mei was a little confused and wanted to say something but hesitated.
Didnât Auntie Xu always say that spring was cold? Spring hadnât passed yet, and the weather in Xiangping City was a little wet and cold. The material of the Heavenly Water Jade was already very thin, so it would definitely be cold to dress like this.
Auntie Xu glanced at her and smiled until her eyes narrowed. âDonât worry, your Young Miss wonât be cold.â
Even though her clothes were thin, there were six layers of clothes inside and out. Now that she was in the house, Yu Youyao did not feel cold. She thought about how she would have to ride in the carriage for a long time later. The road was bumpy. If she was wearing clothes that were too heavy, she would feel a little suffocated and uncomfortable. When she reached the Goddess Peak and the sun came out, she would not be cold.
Dong Mei looked suspicious. Auntie Xu smiled and did not explain. She pushed Yu Youyao to the glass mirror. âItâs rare for you to go out today, so letâs comb your hair into a bun, shall we?â
The Feitian bun was similar to the Feixian bun. Oneâs hair was divided into three sections that were tied into a diagonal bun at the side of their head. Long and short tassels fell from the bun. It was more complicated and luxurious than the Feixian buns, making it look even more delicate and mellow.
There was no need to put on makeup. After Auntie Xuâs wonderful hands and a little embellishment, Yu Youyao seemed to have shed her immaturity, making her look even more elegant and revealing the gentleness and beauty that a young woman should have.