Chapter 31: Chapter 30: Beating the Drum (Second Update)
The person spoke of punishment, yet didn’t show the slightest unhappiness.
Mu Lianxiao looked up briefly before lowering his eyes again, cupped his hands, and responded, "Yes."
The Royal Dragon Boat was a sight of extraordinary magnificence.
The large drum was placed at the very top.
Mu Lianxiao stood before the large drum, rolled up his sleeves and tucked the hem of his robe into his waist, took the stick from the guard, stretched a bit, and tapped the drum surface lightly twice.
The Holy Emperor had been observing his actions.
Basking under the sunlight, the young man’s bronze complexion contrasted starkly with the typical scholars of his age, his sword-like brows exuded vigor, and once he stood there, he attracted countless gazes.
Truly, a hero emerging from youth.
No wonder, Duke Jing’s Little County Princess chased after him...
The Holy Emperor stroked his chin; had it not been for the gallant sacrifice of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, he would have made an excellent Prince Consort, but this has benefited the little granddaughter of Du Gongfu.
"Someday, have Grand Tutor Du teach some books to the Imperial Grandson; this child is quite mischievous, unlike when the Crown Prince was young and was taught to be proper by Grand Tutor Du," the Holy Emperor casually instructed the eunuch nearby.
This was the Holy Emperor’s intention to elevate the Du Family, which the eunuch understood clearly. After responding, he waved at Mu Lianxiao.
Mu Lianxiao took a deep breath and raised his hand to beat the drum.
The drumming gradually accelerated, and the dragon boat on the water rushed forward like an arrow from a bowstring, with cheers rising from the shore.
The Holy Emperor stood at the bow, watching the splashing waves as several dragon boats advanced side by side, difficult to distinguish the victor, and his spirits were suddenly lifted.
As if the drumbeat had become a rallying cry on the battlefield, as if the dragon boats had transformed into brave cavalry charging into action.
He had been on the throne for decades, had initiated numerous battles, yet had never personally witnessed the warriors fighting for the court, a regret lingering in his heart. Now, watching the dragon boat race, this feeling grew stronger, making him long to lead the soldiers himself into battle.
Even after the dragon boats crossed the finish line, the Holy Emperor couldn’t calm down for a long time, only noticing after a while that Mu Lianxiao had already descended from the top level, standing before him awaiting orders.
The young man before him, with sweat on his forehead, his attire less orderly than before, yet appeared even more vigorous, brimming with endless vitality.
"Good, good, good!" The Holy Emperor said three ’goods’ in a row, "Anything you wish for as a reward, just speak."
The Holy Emperor was pleased, yet Mu Lianxiao didn’t dare speak carelessly, was just about to carefully choose his words, but the Holy Emperor interrupted him.
"Only yesterday did I award you a wife; there’ll be no reward today, but tomorrow, I’ll reward your wife instead."
Mu Lianxiao’s face suddenly turned red.
The Holy Emperor laughed heartily.
On the lake, the dragon boats gradually dispersed, and the crowd along the shore also began to disperse.
Yunuo, holding Du Yunying’s arm, smiled and said, "The Princely Heir’s drumming just now was truly remarkable, the drumbeat resounding, showing the strength in his hands. I bet, even Second Brother and Third Brother together couldn’t win against the Princely Heir."
Du Yunying couldn’t help but laugh.
Du Yunlan, overhearing this, turned and knocked on Yunuo’s forehead, "Why should Second Brother and I compete in strength with the Princely Heir? Is your mind only filled with combat?"
Yunuo stuck out her tongue and stopped talking.
Du Yunlan was still unconvinced, "The Du Family are scholars. When competing, it naturally should be about literary prowess."
Nearby, Du Yunlang shook his head repeatedly, "Third Brother, not to mention that the Princely Heir excels in both literature and martial arts; in terms of literary talent, you may not be his match. Moreover, being our Fifth Sister’s husband, shouldn’t you as an elder brother, hope for his outstanding moral character and exceptional talent?"
Initially, Du Yunlan was somewhat unconvinced upon hearing Du Yunlang claim his literary skill was inferior to Mu Lianxiao, but upon hearing the latter part, he felt his brother made a great point and nodded repeatedly, "Second Brother’s advice is quite right."
The group hurried back to the mansion before the lanterns were lit.
On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, a banquet was prepared in the Flower Hall. Although the Du Family wasn’t big in number, men and women were seated separately at different tables, with another flow-table prepared outside in the corridor for the respectable maids and servants to dine.
On such a good day, everyone had honeyed tongues, making Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia extremely happy.
Du Yunlan, full of excitement, recounted the experience of watching the dragon boat race, even the womenfolk couldn’t help but listen intently.
Mentioning the Holy Emperor’s presence and Mu Lianxiao’s drumming during the race, people couldn’t help but glance at Du Yunluo.
Du Yunluo was somewhat dazed; she hadn’t expected Mu Lianxiao to be there today. If she had known, even if it was deemed improper, she would have begged Mrs. Xia to let her go with her siblings.
For decades she had longed for him, and even just a distant glance would be enough to satisfy her.
Seeing Du Yunluo lower her eyes, others assumed she was simply shy and didn’t make fun of her.
Du Yunying, sitting to Du Yunluo’s right, discreetly held her hand and whispered in her ear, "Don’t you want to ask how the Princely Heir looks?"
Du Yunluo turned to look at her, pursing her lips without speaking.
Du Yunying lowered her voice further, "The Princely Heir’s drumming is truly impressive, more so than the dragon boats, but I think he didn’t look very happy today. After all, he was just betrothed yesterday; he should have been more spirited..."
Du Yunluo, gazing at Du Yunying, finally moved her lips after a long while, "Really?"
Intending to nod, but faced with Du Yunluo’s deep and penetrating eyes, Du Yunying felt a chill run down her neck, responding reluctantly, "I’m thinking for your good; I’m just worried the Princely Heir, hearing those nonsense rumors outside, might be forced like a duck on stage, and end up blaming you instead."
"Thank you, Third Sister, for your concern." Du Yunluo suddenly smiled warmly, leaving Du Yunying speechless and reluctantly withdrawing her hand.
Du Yunluo took a sip of fruit wine from her cup, her eyes bending in a smile.
She thought, Du Yunying really underestimated her.
Though she didn’t go to watch the dragon boat race today, in the past life, she had joined the excitement a few times, the wide river, under the sun, the glistening waves, those even at the water’s edge couldn’t clearly see, let alone the scenes far away on the Royal Dragon Boat?
Recognizing that it was the Holy Emperor and Mu Lianxiao wasn’t difficult, but to ascertain their expressions was absolutely impossible.
Even if Mu Lianxiao truly disliked the marriage, he wouldn’t dare show a hint of it before the Emperor who granted the union.
Du Yunying’s words addressed a minor issue, but such small issues can accumulate into dissatisfaction and resentment, which could make her, uninformed, lose faith in Mu Lianxiao.
Thankfully, she wasn’t the old Du Yunluo; she trusted Mu Lianxiao from the bottom of her heart.
The two only received the imperial decree yesterday, and having never met her, it was entirely normal that Mu Lianxiao hadn’t yet developed affections for her; disliking or rejecting her was impossible.
Her Princely Heir, to those he was meant to cherish and protect, was as gentle as could be.
So gentle that, no matter how many years passed, whenever Du Yunluo closed her eyes, all she saw was his cheerful smile.
Radiant beyond a warm sun, so dazzling it made her eyes ache.
Thinking this, she regretted even more, feeling she’d acted too pridefully; why had she obediently stayed in the mansion today?
Du Yunluo angrily twisted her handkerchief.
