The pavilion faced Jinhui Mountain, and after taking their seats, they could see the mountain – the location was excellent.

Under the azure sky without a single cloud, golden peaks rolled in undulating waves. The blue was blue, the gold was gold – autumn splendor at its peak.

The tables under each family’s pavilion were set with autumn harvest fruits and pastries. Everyone exchanged pleasantries and laughter, discussing whose kite might win the championship – it was quite lively.

Perhaps because the men from each family felt that kite flying was merely a pastime for daughters in their daily leisure, they all maintained their dignity and refused to participate. Later, those families who wanted to show off before the Female Emperor, hearing that the young men from noble families weren’t participating, also gave up this idea.

Looking out at the field… most were indeed daughters, with not a single young man to be seen.

The young men all gathered under the pavilions with their fathers, brothers, or friends, discussing poetry and scholarship.

The ladies who hadn’t entered the competition also gathered together. Some young women had attended school… talking about the knowledge they’d learned at school, while older ladies huddled together discussing which family’s daughter was outstanding, or which family’s son was excellent.

The two young ladies from the Qin family were, after all, Qin Lang’s sisters and Bai Jinxiu’s sisters-in-law, so they had come this time too.

The eldest Qin daughter was dressed very brilliantly and groomed with particular care, wholeheartedly hoping to catch sight of a good husband to marry.

Princess Gaoyi Bai Jinzhi, as the host of this kite competition, arrived on horseback in riding attire and announced that the kite competition would last one hour; whoever’s kite flew highest after one hour would be the winner.

At Bai Jinxiu’s command, the young ladies from various families, with bound sleeves and armlets, holding their kite strings, ran forward laughing and calling out, pulling their kites and hoping theirs would fly higher.

Under the pavilions, young ladies whose close friends were competing clutched their handkerchiefs and shouted, cheering for their friends.

Those remarried widows were also putting forth their utmost effort, as the champion’s reward was generous – how could they not be moved?

Dong Shi watched the women under the golden autumn light, striving and rushing forward with faces full of smiles and joyful voices. Her eyes were also filled with a bright smile. This world was extremely harsh toward women, emphasizing composure and dignity – rarely could one see daughters running and laughing so freely and unrestrainedly…

But how wonderful this was! Dong Shi wished all the daughters under heaven could run so joyfully, laughing heartily from within like young men.

“Empress Dowager, Your Majesty… the wife of the Bai clan leader has sent pomegranate juice, saying… the pomegranates from her hometown, Shouyang, have ripened, just delivered yesterday. Knowing today’s kite competition, she specially made osmanthus pomegranate juice for the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty… and all the ladies to taste.” Nanny Qin came forward smiling, “This old servant sees that the clan leader’s wife has prepared quite a lot.”

In front of outsiders, the Bai family’s loyal servants still addressed Bai Qingyan as Your Majesty and Dong Shi as Empress Dowager.

Bai Qingyan saw Lady Fang standing respectfully outside the pavilion, followed by servants carrying ice buckets. She nodded, signaling Weizhong to invite Lady Fang in.

Lady Fang lifted her skirts and came forward. After properly kowtowing and bowing, she said: “Greetings to the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty. Although it’s already autumn, the weather is still somewhat hot. Just yesterday, pomegranates from Shouyang hometown arrived, so this commoner prepared some osmanthus pomegranate juice from Shouyang hometown, specially bringing it for the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, and all the ladies to taste.”

“The clan leader’s wife is thoughtful!” Dong Shi smiled and nodded. “Then let’s taste it! Don’t waste the clan leader’s wife’s hard work.”

“Thank you, Empress Dowager and Your Majesty! This commoner will immediately serve the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty.” Lady Fang smiled, signaling the servants to bring up the ice buckets.

Bai Qingyan remained impassive, watching Lady Fang, wondering in her heart whether Lady Fang’s humble behavior was mere flattery or if she had other motives.

Lady Fang washed her hands, used an exquisitely carved white jade cup to serve the osmanthus pomegranate juice, and very carefully tested for poison with silver needles and other implements before first placing a bowl before Dong Shi. Then from another ice bucket, she served a bowl, repeated the poison-testing process, and placed it before Bai Qingyan: “What’s prepared for Your Majesty was just chilled briefly so it won’t be too cold, and some sour plums were added – I thought it would better suit Your Majesty’s taste.”

Bai Qingyan looked down at the osmanthus petals floating in the white jade cup, and the green plums settled at the bottom of the clear red soup, smiling: “The clan leader’s wife is thoughtful.”

After Lady Fang bowed, she served Second Lady Liu Shi and Third Lady Li Shi in order.

Lady Fang served a bowl and was taking small steps to deliver it to Wang Shi’s table when she suddenly stepped on her skirt hem. That bowl of osmanthus pomegranate juice splashed toward Lady Fang herself, startling Wang Shi who couldn’t dodge in time – she only raised her sleeve to shield her face but was splashed all over with the osmanthus pomegranate juice. The jade bowl also struck the table edge and shattered on the ground, white jade fragments flying everywhere.

Lady Fang looked horrified and nearly cried. Ignoring her disheveled state, she rushed to Wang Shi’s side with a handkerchief to wipe her: “Fourth Lady! Are you alright, Fourth Lady? Were you injured by the jade fragments?”

Fifth Lady Qi Shi quickly turned: “Go get a cloak!”

Li Shi hurriedly put down the jade cup in her hand and pulled out a handkerchief to pass over: “Are you hurt?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine! Not hurt, just got my clothes dirty…” Wang Shi first used the handkerchief to wipe the prayer beads in her hand, afraid they might be stained by the osmanthus pomegranate juice, then patted the wet osmanthus petals on her clothes.

Nanny Guan beside Wang Shi took the cloak sent by Fifth Lady’s people, thanked them, and wrapped Fourth Lady Wang Shi in the cloak.

“Madam, let’s go change clothes first!” Nanny Guan said.

Lady Fang also quickly supported Wang Shi as she stood, opening with teary eyes: “It’s all this commoner’s fault! Fourth Lady, let this commoner accompany you to change clothes! Otherwise, this commoner’s heart won’t be at peace.”

Wang Shi had always been soft-hearted. Seeing Lady Fang’s troubled appearance, she nodded: “Then I’ll trouble the clan leader’s wife.”

Bai Qingyan observed the commotion on Fourth Aunt’s side, her gaze falling on Lady Fang. She saw Lady Fang looking toward a nanny standing outside the pavilion, who nodded to Lady Fang. She then instructed Weizhong: “Follow from a distance and watch over them, protect Fourth Aunt…”

Weizhong nodded: “Your Majesty, rest assured!”

Lady Fang and Nanny Guan had just left supporting Wang Shi wrapped in the cloak, when Weizhong followed behind.

“This clan leader’s wife is quite thoughtful. The osmanthus pomegranate juice, after being chilled and served in these white jade bowls, has a unique flavor!” Second Lady Liu Shi praised, clearly enjoying it. “The taste isn’t overly sweet either, and carries the fragrance of osmanthus – truly excellent…”

“If Second Aunt likes it, have Nanny Luo learn from the clan leader’s wife later.” Bai Qingyan said.

The eunuchs efficiently cleaned up the fragments, as if nothing had happened.

Bai Qingyan took one sip of the osmanthus pomegranate juice and set it down. Dong Shi noticed and asked: “I’ve always seen you don’t like sour things – don’t you like this sweet and sour flavor either?”