Ma Bing finally had some free time. She got up early and planned to visit the temple fair, and on her way back, she would stop by the Zhang residence to check on the patients.
However, when she reached the second courtyard, she saw Yuan Pei hiding outside the moon gate, peeking in with only half his head visible, giggling foolishly as he spied.
After the Huang Fu case, Ma Bing had become particularly sensitive to acts of voyeurism. She stealthily approached, suddenly clamped her hand over Yuan Pei’s mouth from behind, and whispered ominously, “What are you sneaking around for?”
Yuan Pei was nearly scared to death, unable to scream, desperately glaring at her in protest.
Damn it, he walks like a cat, making no sound at all!
Following his gaze, Ma Bing saw the corridor pillars covered in rose vines, countless small white, pink, and yellow flowers blooming exuberantly, lush and romantic.
Turning her gaze slightly, she saw Zhuang Peng, tall and strong, sitting at a table beneath the corridor, eyes vacant, hands supporting his cheeks, looking like a girl lost in romantic thoughts.
Not knowing what he was thinking, he suddenly chuckled foolishly.
Ma Bing and Yuan Pei exchanged glances, simultaneously shivering.
There’s nothing wrong with that expression, nothing wrong with Zhuang Peng himself, but precisely because he was such a burly guy making that expression, it was very suspicious!
“What are you looking at!”
Huoping’s loud voice suddenly rang out from behind them. Ma Bing and Yuan Pei both stifled a scream, their scalps tingling.
“You scared us to death, you know that!”
The two furiously whispered at him in low voices.
You’re the one with a guilty conscience, what’s it got to do with me?!
Huoping scratched his head, leaned on their shoulders, and peeked inside curiously.
Then the three of them simultaneously went “Hehe…”
“Ma Sister, I came to play with you!”
The three were huddled together watching intently when suddenly they heard Yuan Yuan’s cheerful voice from outside, making them all freeze and quickly turn around, desperately gesturing and making frantic shushing motions.
“Don’t make a sound!”
“Quiet, quiet!”
“Shhhhh!”
Seeing the three’s twisted gestures and expressions not far away, Yuan Yuan quickly covered her mouth, blinking her big eyes silently: What’s going on?
Ma Bing held up two fingers and made a “sneak” gesture. Yuan Yuan immediately understood, quickly held her breath, lifted her skirt, and sneaked over like a thief.
After all, she was a lively young lady, not used to such things, and accidentally kicked a flowerpot along the way.
The three people there all leaned back in unison, widened their eyes, sucked in cold air through their teeth, and nervously checked on Zhuang Peng.
Fortunately, the bear was too engrossed in his romantic musings to notice anything outside.
Yuan Yuan nervously crept over, grabbed Ma Bing’s arm, and whispered excitedly, “This is so fun, Ma Sister!”
She felt like she had accidentally opened some strange door, it was so thrilling!
Ma Bing absentmindedly patted her head. Yuan Yuan squeezed through the arms and saw the scene inside, almost bursting into laughter.
“What’s wrong with him?” Yuan Yuan whispered.
“Hehe,” Yuan Pei grinned suggestively, “He’s thinking about his sweetheart.”
They exchanged glances, all somewhat excited.
Just as they were secretly laughing, Xie Yu somehow appeared behind them and asked, “What sweetheart?”
“Wah!”
The four of them nearly jumped out of their skins, hopping around, covering mouths, like fools caught in the act.
Xie Yu: …
He crossed his arms, frowned at the group of people crouched in the corner during the daytime, looking deeply worried:
These subordinates’ brains don’t seem to be working well…
At this rate, does the Kaifeng Prefecture even have a future?
“Oh,” Ma Bing’s eyes lit up, “Director Xie, are you going out to meet guests today?”
The Huang Fu case had been exhausting for everyone. Tu Yao had adjusted the duty schedule, letting those who had participated in the arrest rest for two days while others took over, so everyone was free today.
The other three also turned their heads to look.
They saw Xie Yu wearing a gray-purple short robe with white fish water wave patterns, a dark satin belt around his waist, a jade-green silk headband on his forehead. He looked fresh and neat, even more dignified, making everyone who was used to seeing him in official robes or casual wear feel refreshed.
Xie Yu said, “Going to practice dragon boat racing.”
Yuan Yuan went “Ah,” then said, “Ah, I know, there’s a dragon boat race in the city tomorrow. My father is going too. Director Xie is also going to participate?”
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone turned to look.
“Uh,” Ma Bing asked tactfully, “It’s hot, well, I didn’t expect Minister Yuan to have such skills.”
How old was that old man? Racing dragon boats on a hot day, would he even be able to handle it?
Yuan Yuan covered her mouth and laughed, “He’s just going to paint the eyes on the dragon boat for the students.”
“Ah!”
“So that’s it…”
Everyone sighed in relief.
Kaifeng had many waterways inside and outside the city, and every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, the government organized competitions very solemnly.
Many merchants also joined in the fun, offering various gold, silver, or valuable items as prizes in addition to the official rewards.
The competition was roughly divided into three groups. The first group mainly consisted of civil officials and nobles. These individuals were typically well-fed and well-taken care of, so their skills were, as one might expect, quite limited. Every year, many of them would capsize or fall into the water midway.
It was more like coming to join the fun, showing that they were happy with the people, setting an example.
They usually had to maintain their dignity, so they were happy to relax, and the common people were happy to watch, benefiting both sides.
The second group was composed of military officials like Xie Yu. Many of them were proficient in swimming and had superior physical strength, and some even took the opportunity to settle personal scores, so… it was very exciting.
The third category was privately organized boats, where most participants went straight for the prizes, making it the most intense competition.
Ma Bing went “Oh,” looking at Huo Ping and Yuan Pei, “You two aren’t participating?”
The two shook their heads, speaking in unison, “We’re not very good at swimming.”
Ma Bing: …
And they looked quite proud!
Speaking of swimming, Yuan Pei was very indignant.
This really comes down to natural talent. He and Huo Ping started learning a few years ago. After several summers, Huo Ping, with his sturdy physique, already looked somewhat competent in the water. But Yuan Pei was like a dead weight—as agile as he was on land, he sank just as quickly in the water, truly the disgrace of Kaifeng Prefecture.
“So which group is Director Xie in?” Ma Bing asked curiously.
Xie Yu said, “Mostly colleagues from the imperial guards, plus Master Pei and his several subordinates.”
Although Master Pei was already somewhat elderly, he was full of spirit. A few days ago, he had been shouting about dragging him out to row, saying that this year they must defeat those opponents… If it weren’t for a case holding him back, he might have rushed directly to the Kaifeng Prefecture to drag people away.
Ma Bing’s heart stirred slightly, “Master Pei, is that the old general from the polo match day?”
Xie Yu nodded, “Miss Ma, do you know him?”
After all, Pei Rong was close friends with General Yan Xiong, who had once guarded Liangzhou, and was very familiar with many of his subordinates. If Ma Bing was indeed from the Yanmen lineage…
Ma Bing smiled and shook her head, “Director Xie is joking.”
It seemed like an answer, but actually said nothing.
There it was again, that smile.
Xie Yu could almost tell if everyone was lying, but he couldn’t be sure how much truth there was in this girl’s words.
Her control over her emotions was amazing, almost flawless.
“If you have nothing to do, come watch the dragon boat race tomorrow,” Xie Yu said, “I’ll have someone prepare seats.”
No matter what, he wanted Ma Bing and Master Pei to have a close encounter, perhaps there would be unexpected gains…
“Hey, why are you all gathered here?” Just as the group was about to respond, they saw Madam Zhao swaying in from outside, followed by a maid carrying a basket.
“Madam!”
Everyone greeted her in unison, then remembered to look inside, only to find the place empty:
They had been so engrossed in discussing the dragon boat race that they didn’t even notice when Zhuang Peng had left.
Madam Zhao looked around where they had been staring, seeing nothing but the courtyard full of roses.
She shook her fan slightly puzzled, “Since you’re all here, it saves me the trouble of sending people around. Come, sit down and chat.”
Everyone obediently followed her in.
Madam Zhao asked Yuan Yuan about the Yuan family’s well-being, opened the bamboo basket, and took out a colorful silk bracelet woven from five-colored threads, personally putting it on Yuan Yuan, “Good child, may you be protected from all poisons this year.”
Yuan Yuan happily accepted it, then showed the other arm, which was already adorned with five or six more.
Madam Zhao was taken aback, then smiled while covering her fan, “Good girl, you’re really popular.”
Yuan Yuan laughed too, “Thank you, Madam. My elders sent these a few days ago. I was thinking, which one to wear and which not to, so I just wore them all.”
Madam Zhao patted her hand, “Clever girl.”
Then she gestured to Ma Bing and the others, “Come here.”
When elders give gifts, one cannot refuse. Everyone obediently extended their hands.
The silk bracelets were exquisitely crafted, adorned with two tiny jade pendants dangling from a “Persimmon Wishes Fulfilled” knot at the end. When held against the light, they emitted a delicate glow, utterly charming.
(Note: “柿柿如意” is a Chinese homophonic pun where “柿柿” sounds like “事事” meaning “everything”, and “如意” means “as one wishes”. The literal translation “Persimmon Wishes Fulfilled” preserves the visual imagery of persimmons (common in traditional knots) while hinting at the auspicious meaning. Alternative translations could include explanatory notes like “knot symbolizing ‘All Wishes Fulfilled’ [homophonic with ‘persimmon’ in Chinese]”)
Ma Bing held hers and looked at it for a while, suddenly smiling, “I suddenly feel like eating dumplings.”
Madam Zhao laughed, then took out an extremely small wine jar from the bamboo basket, “Greedy cat, if you want dumplings, there are plenty. I’m afraid you’ll eat too much and can’t digest it.”
Before Ma Bing could speak, she saw Xie Yu and Yuan Pei suddenly change expressions and silently retreat.
Madam Zhao smiled and gestured, “Come here, Zi Zhi first.”
The fleeing but unsuccessful Director Xie: …
Yuan Pei dryly laughed, “Madam, I, cough, maybe I don’t need one?”
Xie Yu expressionlessly looked at him, eyes full of murderous intent.
Daring to desert in the face of battle? Military punishment awaits!
“All the unmarried ones are still children.”
Madam Zhao grabbed Xie Yu, looked up at him for a moment, then gestured, “Sit down.”
This kid was so tall, she couldn’t even reach him!
Xie Yu pursed his lips, rarely looking somewhat uneasy, but eventually sat down.
Then Ma Bing saw Madam Zhao pour a cup of realgar wine, dipped a brush prepared in advance, and neatly wrote a “King” character on Xie Yu’s forehead.
Xie Yu closed his eyes, looking resigned.
Ma Bing: …
“Puhahaha!”
Director Xie appeared so dignified and dashing, yet there was a bright yellow “King” on his forehead—it really looked… hahahaha!
However, next, Madam Zhao kindly gestured to her, “Good child, come here.”
Ma Bing’s laughter abruptly stopped.
Uh, is it too late to start rebelling now?
About a quarter of an hour later, everyone sat silently under the flowered corridor, the “King” characters on their foreheads becoming more and more noticeable as they dried, their faces filled with despair.
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