In previous dragon boat races, it was almost always the Yun and Su families competing for second place. The Lei family had always kept a low profile, so no one expected them to eliminate both the Yun and Su families this year. While it wasn’t quite jaw-dropping, the result was still surprising. Fortunately, everyone’s attention was drawn back to the final contest between the court and the Prince of Yanbei, so no one thought much about this development at the moment.

After a rest of two quarters of an hour, the gong sounded again amid the clamor. The three remaining dragon boats shot forth like arrows. Initially, the Golden Dragon and Azure Dragon were slightly ahead, with the Lei family’s boat closely pursuing. But after one round, when it came to the final sprint, the Lei family’s Red Dragon overtook the Golden Dragon and Azure Dragon several times.

This scene amazed all the spectators on the shore. In previous years, when the court didn’t participate, the Prince of Yanbei always claimed first place – neither the Yun nor the Su family dragon boats had ever defeated the Prince of Yanbei’s boat. So what was happening with the Lei family now?

At first, everyone thought the young men on the Lei family’s dragon boat had slipped up, their blood running hot as they accidentally surged ahead. But the closer the dragon boats got to the finish line, the more surprised everyone became – the Red Dragon truly seemed intent on competing with the Golden Dragon and Azure Dragon for victory.

The clamor from the riverbank gradually subsided, creating an unprecedented quiet. Everyone’s eyes were fixed intently on the three dragon boats on the river. Of course, some people were also secretly observing Lei Ting, the head of the Lei family, sitting on the high platform, trying to discern what he was plotting.

Lei Ting maintained his composed demeanor, sitting upright. Though his gaze was also fixed on the three dragon boats, he seemed unaffected by the strange atmosphere around him.

Just then, the Prince of Yanbei, seated in the place of honor, turned to exchange a few words with Lei Ting. Lei Ting respectfully replied with a few sentences. Whatever Lei Ting said made the Prince of Yanbei burst into hearty laughter. With the Prince’s laughter, the somewhat quiet scene became lively again, and the three dragon boats crossed the finish line amid his laughter.

When the results were announced, the scene became livelier than ever before.

Red boat first, Azure boat second, Golden boat third. This meant the Lei family had defeated not only the Prince of Yanbei but also the court. The Golden Dragon, representing the court’s strong momentum, had lost not only to the Prince of Yanbei but also to a certain noble family of Yanbei.

This result left everyone dumbfounded. After the initial shock, many people began wailing. Numerous betting pools had been set up on the shore, with almost everyone backing the Azure Dragon and Golden Dragon. No one had expected the Lei family to emerge as such a dark horse.

The two court officials looked very displeased, while the Prince of Yanbei showed no signs of unhappiness. He even reached out to pat Lei Ting’s shoulder, displaying the warm demeanor of an elder toward a promising junior.

Mrs. Xu smiled and shook her head: “I’ve lost again this year.”

Xu Wanli comforted her: “Madam needn’t be dejected – I didn’t win either.”

The couple smiled at each other.

Mrs. Xu glanced at Xiao Jingxi and sighed with a smile: “Who would have expected such a result?” She opened the rice paper before her, which showed Azure Dragon, Golden Dragon, White Dragon written in sequence. Xu Wanli’s paper showed Azure Dragon, Golden Dragon, Red Dragon.

Mrs. Xu looked toward Pei Zhiyan and Ren Yaoqi: “What about you two?”

Pei Zhiyan smiled slightly and unfolded his paper, which was completely blank – nothing written on it.

Mrs. Xu was stunned, then smiled and shook her head without comment. Though Pei Zhiyan had written nothing, his meaning was clear – he felt the Golden Dragon couldn’t win, but given his position, he couldn’t possibly bet on any dragon boat other than the Golden Dragon winning. Otherwise, if anyone with ulterior motives found out, they would surely impeach him.

Even someone as laid-back as Pei Zhiyan couldn’t ignore certain rules.

Xiao Jingxi looked toward Ren Yaoqi and asked softly: “What did you write?”

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment, then handed her paper to Xiao Jingxi.

Xiao Jingxi took it and opened it, raising his eyebrows in surprise before looking at Ren Yaoqi with a smile.

Mrs. Xu laughed: “What riddle are you playing?”

Pei Zhiyan glanced at Ren Yaoqi: “Did Miss Ren guess correctly?”

Xiao Jingxi unfolded the paper for Pei Zhiyan, who was sitting beside him, to see. After glancing at it, Pei Zhiyan also showed some surprise, then praised: “Beautiful calligraphy! And correctly guessed.”

Ren Yaoqi’s paper clearly showed: Red Dragon, Azure Dragon, Golden Dragon.

Mrs. Xu exclaimed in surprise: “She guessed correctly.”

Pei Zhiyan smiled and teased: “No wonder they say that teaching students well starves the teacher. It seems when choosing students, one should pick those with mediocre aptitude, or the teacher loses face.”

Everyone laughed at this.

Ren Yaoqi: “…”

Ren Yaoqi thought gloomily: So when Pei Zhiyan used to punish her every few days, it was because he thought her aptitude was too good?

Xiao Jingxi turned his head and asked Ren Yaoqi quietly, “How did you guess?”

Ren Yaoqi glanced at him and replied softly: “When I heard you say, ‘Victory and defeat are common in military affairs. Moreover, this is just a dragon boat race. Winning has its pleasures, and losing has its pleasures too.”

It must be said that Ren Yaoqi understood Xiao Jingxi quite well – from such an ambiguous statement, she had deduced this outcome. Of course, there was also a considerable element of luck involved.

Xiao Jingxi was stunned, then a pleased smile appeared on his face.

Though Xiao Jingxi looked very handsome when he smiled, with so many elders present, Ren Yaoqi didn’t dare look at him too much, lest the elders see and call her frivolous. She could only turn to look at the high platform on the shore.

Naturally, the court and Empress Dowager’s people were displeased with Yanbei’s performance. A eunuch sent by the Empress Dowager, standing behind the officials, muttered somewhat dissatisfiedly: “What kind of behavior is this!”

Though his voice wasn’t loud, the Prince of Yanbei’s gaze still swept toward him. The eunuch suddenly felt an oppressive force, as tangible as if it were real, generating fear from the depths of his heart and making him instantly breathless.

The Prince of Yanbei casually consoled the gloomy court officials beside him: “It’s just a dragon boat race – what does winning or losing matter? The most important thing is for everyone to have fun. Look, this prince lost, too, but I’m still happy.”

What do you have to be unhappy about? The Lei family is still a Yanbei people! In the end, it’s still the court’s face that’s been swept away! Everyone will only laugh at the court – how could they laugh at you, Prince of Yanbei!

Moreover, the Lei family had defeated not only the court’s boat but also the Prince of Yanbei’s boat. Having lost to his subordinate on his territory, the Prince of Yanbei magnanimously and clearly expressed an attitude of “losing doesn’t matter, the Lei family did well!” If the court tried to pursue the Lei family’s guilt, it would appear petty. Even if the Empress Dowager and Emperor were present, they could only grit their teeth and accept defeat.

So though the two officials were very troubled about how to write their memorial reporting this matter to their superiors, they still forced smiles: “The Prince speaks truly, truly. Winning and losing don’t matter, don’t matter.”

Afterward, the Prince of Yanbei personally rewarded Lei Ting and the Lei family’s young men who had participated in rowing today. The scene was lively and harmonious. The court people stood to the side with stiff smiles from beginning to end, very out of place.

Finally, the Prince of Yanbei declared: “Dragon boat racing is meant to pray for blessings, for favorable weather in the coming year, and is a joyous occasion shared with the people. Winning and losing aren’t important. This year the Lei family won, but the other young men who lost needn’t be dejected – just win it back next year!”

The Prince’s words made everyone cheer. Originally, watching the Prince of Yanbei win year after year had become tedious for everyone. Now that the Prince had spoken, it meant next year’s dragon boat race would be more exciting.

The Prince of Yanbei said a few more words, then left with his guards.

This year’s dragon boat race was over, and people on the shore were arranged to leave in succession.

The few people on the pleasure boat weren’t in a hurry to leave while crowds were thick. Mrs. Xu said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a boat. Since we’re not in a hurry to go ashore, why don’t we have this pleasure boat take us on a tour of the Liyang River?”

Since Mrs. Xu had spoken, Xu Wanli naturally had no objections, and Pei Zhiyan also agreed. Of course, Ren Yaoqi wouldn’t spoil the mood either, so Xiao Jingxi gave orders to sail the pleasure boat to the center of the river and proceed downstream along the Liyang River.

“Shall I have someone inform your mother and send someone to escort her home first?” Xiao Jingxi asked Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi nodded.

Just then, a servant girl came in to report: “Young Master, several young ladies from the capital are on the shore, saying they wish to admire the river scenery and mountain views of our Yanbei.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Xiao Jingxi.

The meaning of these capital young ladies was quite obvious – they wanted to board the pleasure boat. Everyone in Yanbei knew this pleasure boat belonged to Second Young Master Xiao. Whether these young ladies came for the so-called river scenery and mountain views, or someone in particular, was hard to say.

Xiao Jingxi maintained his composure and instructed: “Have them board the Princess’s pleasure boat, and send more people to accompany them – don’t let anything go wrong.”

The servant girl acknowledged and left.

Pei Zhiyan glanced at Xiao Jingxi, sipping his tea while speaking leisurely: “This pleasure boat is quite large. Why doesn’t Young Master Xiao let them come aboard?”

Mrs. Xu smiled without speaking.

Xiao Jingxi glanced at Ren Yaoqi and replied calmly with a smile: “I thought Master Pei preferred tranquility.”

Pei Zhiyan pondered for a moment, then smiled and nodded: “Then tranquility would indeed be better.”

Yun Qiuchen, Yan Ningshuang, Zhao Yingqiu, and several others stood on the riverbank watching the pleasure boat preparing to sail away in the distance, each with different feelings.

Yan Ningshuang smiled and asked: “This pleasure boat is quite large – why trouble the Princess’s pleasure boat? We merely wish to see the riverside scenery of the Liyang River.”

The servant girl who replied maintained a respectful attitude: “The Young Master is entertaining distinguished guests on the pleasure boat and fears slighting you ladies. Our Princess’s pleasure boat is moored nearby and can come over quickly. Please wait just a moment, ladies.”