The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 894 - 893 The Yulan Festival

Lady Qi spat at Imperial Doctor Du: "You people, every one of you is more scheming than a sieve, I’m just worrying for nothing! I’m just telling you, if you really like this maid, establish the master-apprentice relationship as soon as possible. Otherwise, when this maid’s husband becomes a Graduate in the future, and you try to take her as an apprentice, people might say behind your back that you’re trying to ride on a hot stove!"

"Who dares say that? I, a dignified Imperial Physician, need to ride on the heat of a Graduate?" Imperial Doctor Du retorted, agitated.

Although an Imperial Doctor who retires to his hometown isn’t as valuable as before, he hasn’t fallen so far, right? Especially since his son is now the Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

He just wanted to return to his hometown to enjoy a few years of peace, without getting involved in any trouble, and he came back very low-key. Yet, to hear his wife say this, it was really heartbreaking.

Even though he said this, his heart was indeed beating a drum. He wasn’t afraid of people saying he was trying to ride on a hot stove, but rather that his wife reminded him, if this maid’s husband really becomes a Graduate, won’t she have to follow him to the Provincial Capital?

What if this maid goes to the Provincial Capital and meets other doctors...

Imperial Doctor Du suddenly felt an immense sense of crisis, and secretly made up his mind to find an excuse someday to accept this little maid as an apprentice.

Lady Qi chuckled lightly. Having been with Imperial Doctor Du all her life, how could his plans be hidden from her?

He probably already realized the crux of the issue, and at this moment is likely already calculating how to take on an apprentice.

Since her purpose had been achieved, Lady Qi smiled sweetly, picked up the Palace Powder box, and slowly returned to her room.

※※※

Wang Yongzhu returned home happily with the "Classic of Difficult Issues." She had long seen through it all. Imperial Doctor Du was just a hard-mouthed, soft-hearted person, always picking on her faults, but in actions, he was very sincere. If he really didn’t want to teach her, he wouldn’t have set such high standards.

She was a mature student now and needed to learn to understand this arrogant mentor!

Therefore, she needed to study hard. Hmm, it seems that the Bath Orchid Festival will soon be here. Should she bring some tea for Imperial Doctor Du then?

The Bath Orchid Festival, on the fifth day of May every year, was known as the Dragon Boat Festival in Wang Yongzhu’s previous world, but in this world, it is called the Bath Orchid Festival, and it is a grand celebration.

On the fifth day of May, the herbal properties of plants are at their strongest. Picking herbs on this day to boil water for bathing can remove skin diseases and ward off evil spirits.

On this day, everyone bathes with orchid soup, which is bathing in herbal water. Calamus is hung at the door to ward off evil spirits, and people wear sachets to ward off the five poisons and five-colored silk threads.

Moreover, on this day, married daughters should bring five-colored gifts back to their natal home.

Although it wasn’t yet the fifth day of May, shops on the street had already started selling related five-colored silk threads and sachets warding off the five poisons.

And various festival gifts for the Bath Orchid Festival.

When Wang Yongzhu got home, Old Granny Zhang was discussing how to celebrate the Bath Orchid Festival with Old Granny Wu and Old Madam Ding.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu return, it was just the time to ask her opinion.

According to previous years in Qilidun, it was just in the early morning, taking advantage of the dew before it dried to pick herbs and boil a big pot of herbal water for the whole family to bathe.

At most, Old Granny Zhang would tie five-colored silk threads for Wang Yongzhu and secretly cook an egg for her.

But now that the family life was better, and the city also paid attention to these festivals, Old Granny Zhang was particularly interested.

Listening to Old Granny Wu and Old Madam Ding elaborately say how the city celebrated the Bath Orchid Festival, she was captivated and never expected there to be such customs in the city.

Especially when hearing that Jing County has a unique custom. Because Jing County is by water, and Jing County has many scholars, although scholars value being refined, at the beginning of Changqing Academy, there was an old tradition to hold a Dragon Boat Race by the river on the Bath Orchid Festival.

At first, it was a competition between the students within Changqing Academy.

Later, as more academies emerged in Jing County, though not as renowned as Changqing Academy, if they could overshadow Changqing Academy in the Dragon Boat Festival, it would be worth boasting about.

So, it became a traditional event in Jing County. Every time at this point, the men and women, young and old of Jing County would go to the riverside to watch the Dragon Boat Race among the students of various academies.

The Government Office also sets up some stands by the river every year. The official families or wealthy families would reserve some good spots and take their entire family to watch the Dragon Boat Race.

The Government Office even sets up a betting table, allowing people to wager on each Dragon Boat team to win.

Each bet only needs five wen, without a limit on the number of bets. After the final race ends, the odds are calculated and the money is returned to everyone.

Even for families with moderate means, they can take out five wen. With some luck, they can double their money, or even more.

Thus, it is one of the favorite activities of the people of Jing County.

Not only Old Granny Zhang but also Gu Yu listened intently, unable to move.

It wasn’t until they saw Wang Yongzhu return that they snapped back to reality, fetched water for her to wash her face and hands, and brought over tea, missing nothing.

It seemed the young girl was very industrious in proving herself.

Wang Yongzhu took a sip of tea, noticing Old Granny Zhang’s interest, and thought it was good for her to go out and relax during such a festival now that she was better.

Seeing Gu Yu’s eager face, she couldn’t help but smile: "Tonight I’ll ask Brother Song if we can reserve a spot for our family so we can all go and enjoy the fun!"

Not only Gu Yu but also Old Granny Wu and Old Madam Ding were overjoyed.

Old Granny Zhang, however, was a bit hesitant: "Why waste that money? Why reserve a spot? The riverside is so long and wide, can’t we just go early and grab a spot? Even if we have money, we shouldn’t buy that vanity! Instead, ask Chongjin whether they will accompany us or go with the Academy on that day?"

Wang Yongzhu hugged Old Granny Zhang’s arm: "Mother, it’s rare for us to have this opportunity, spending some money to reserve a spot means we can watch comfortably, right? Your body hasn’t fully recovered, how can you squeeze with people? Tomorrow we’ll go and reserve, and we won’t have lunch at home but set a table outside."

Seeing Old Granny Zhang wanted to object, she added: "It’s just right, since during Mother’s illness, Scholar Gu in the front yard, and Madam Gu from opposite have helped us a lot. Taking this chance, we should invite them over for a meal to thank them."

Reluctantly, upon hearing Wang Yongzhu’s suggestion, Old Granny Zhang no longer objected: "Still, my daughter has thought it well through, it’s only right to invite them over for a meal to thank them! They say distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. I find that Scholar Gu in the front yard is a good kid, although he looks a lot like our second child, he doesn’t lack conscience like the second one. And Madam Gu from opposite, she too is kind-hearted."

Seeing Old Granny Zhang no longer objected, Wang Yongzhu began calculating in her heart which other people they would also need to invite. Having been in the county for so many days, they had received many favors and it was time to return those favors.

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