The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 935 - 933: Could It Be Poisonous?

Chapter 935: Chapter 933: Could It Be Poisonous?

The academy hurriedly pulled out paper and pen to write, but who would’ve thought the academy’s student shouted so loudly that the neighboring academies all heard it. At this moment, they couldn’t care less and started quickly writing as well.

Finally, the answers matched, and drumbeats instantly resounded from each dragon boat, either you disrupted my rhythm, or I snatched your beat.

For a while, the rhythm of the students paddling on these dragon boats became chaotic.

Originally, they should have made a concerted effort, like the dragon boat of Changqing Academy, and surged far forward, but with the disruption in rhythm, the ones with better control quickly adjusted and managed to shoot ahead.

Those with less control, the dragon boat leisurely trailed behind but still moved out.

Due to each team’s uniform color being different, Changqing Academy’s was indigo, making it quite conspicuous.

At Wang Yongzhu’s viewing stand, which was close to the starting point, everyone had long lost the heart to drink tea and chat, young and old crammed at the edge of the stand. As soon as the flag dropped, in no time, Changqing Academy’s dragon boat’s drums started beating, and it rushed ahead.

Everyone couldn’t help but cheer, and many on the shore, who had bet on Changqing Academy’s win, spontaneously started chanting its name without any organization.

Wang Yongzhu, with excellent eyesight, immediately caught sight of Song Chongjin on the dragon boat that was racing rapidly forward.

A dozen or so young scholars, their entire focus was on paddling and couldn’t afford to be distracted by looking at the viewing platforms for their family and friends.

Each gritted their teeth, holding their breath, only listening to the drumming rhythm to paddle.

Yet, Song Chongjin still managed to handle it with ease. As he passed by the stands, he slightly turned his head, exchanged a glance with Wang Yongzhu on the stand, and quickly sped past.

Old Granny Zhang also saw Song Chongjin, and seeing Changqing Academy leaving the other academies far behind, she hurriedly pulled Lady Qi, exclaiming, "Did you see my son-in-law? Oh my, seeing him like this, my son-in-law is really handsome! Among all those scholars on the boat, my son-in-law is the most spirited—"

Lady Qi had never seen someone praise their family so directly. Back in the Capital City, even if one’s child was outstanding, no matter how proud one felt, they couldn’t praise them. Instead, one had to be modest, or simply find faults to pick at.

On the contrary, one had to commend other people’s children for being excellent, while their own couldn’t match up.

She was momentarily stunned, turning her head to see Old Granny Zhang’s face full of pride and boastfulness, for some reason, she suddenly felt a bit envious.

Speaking of which, the only student in this dragon boat race related to her family was Song Chongjin. Looking at it this way, he was indeed the most striking.

The full boat was filled with pale-faced scholars, and only Song Chongjin stood out like a black giant among them, how could he not be noticeable? How could he not be spirited?

Perhaps it was Old Granny Zhang’s words, Lady Qi also felt that among the whole boat, it was only Song Chongjin who appeared the most pleasing to the eye, his paddling posture more graceful than others, even frowning looked more handsome than others.

Immediately she echoed, "Indeed, our Chongjin is the most imposing. Looking at his position, you can tell his importance. Look at our Chongjin’s strength; it’s thanks to him that they have such speed!"

The maidservant, who had always been serving Lady Qi nearby, was stunned agape.JPG.

Was Old Madam Zhang poisonous? Her own lady, always composed and articulate, covering all aspects delicately, why is she letting loose today? What if these words get out, are they not afraid of being beaten?

Don’t forget, today’s guests are all Scholar Song’s school friends, is it okay to boast about their family like this?

The maid’s worry was unnecessary, as at this moment, in the eyes of other family members, it was all about their kin. Seeing their own couldn’t help but reach out to cheer, forming a cacophony; without getting so close, no one could hear what anyone else was saying.

Yet, Wang Yongzhu heard it all clearly, watching her own mother carried away, waving her handkerchief, shouting hoarsely along with Lady Qi for Changqing Academy to cheer up! Would it be alright if Imperial Doctor Du saw his own lady like this, would he still want her as his apprentice?

But this atmosphere was really too infectious; along the shores, in the trees, on the viewing stands, regardless of gender, age, or status, everyone was completely absorbed by the competition, wholly immersed.

Wang Yongzhu then noticed, in no time, even Lady Qi’s maid couldn’t help but softly start chanting along.

Looking back, Madam Gu’s family, her elderly mother-in-law in her sixties, who had lost half her teeth, speaking with gusts, was still clutching the rails of the stand, shakily cheering!

This made Wang Yongzhu feel somewhat out of tune.

As for Imperial Doctor Du’s side, with Changqing Academy in the lead, the officials of Jing County couldn’t help but smile, although mindful of Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran, they weren’t too brazen, but their joy was evident.

If it were any regular day, it wouldn’t matter which academy won, but today wasn’t Baiyun Academy involved too? What Baiyun Academy did a few days ago, who in Jing County’s officialdom didn’t know? Thus, today everyone’s hearts were aligned; no way could they let Baiyun Academy overpower and seize the title.

Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran observed Changqing Academy’s lead, and turned to praise, "This momentum indeed carries a sense of indomitability beyond compare."

Zhu Haoran echoed a couple of sentences, while the head of Changqing Academy had to utter some modest words, though inwardly quite satisfied.

On the river, Baiyun Academy adjusted its drumbeats and rhythm, with a few strong men, they slowly started catching up.

The atmosphere became tense for a moment, especially for those citizens betting on Changqing Academy, seeing Baiyun Academy catching up, they were so anxious they wanted to jump into the river to push the dragon boat themselves.

Those with a hot temper cursed, "Changqing Academy, didn’t you eat? So useless, hurry and row faster, or you’ll be caught up!"

"What’s going on? Won’t be caught up, right?"

"No way! I placed several bets on Changqing Academy this year—"

...

Some sharp-eyed ones noticed something amiss, "Did you see? On Baiyun Academy’s dragon boat, those few don’t look like scholars, more like martial folk?"

This comment simultaneously echoed from the central viewing stand, uttered by someone murmuring, while elsewhere the stands were clamoring as if about to tip over.

This spot remained calm though, due to Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran, everyone was quite restrained, so when this was said, everyone heard it.

Involuntarily, everyone looked towards Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran.

Zhu Haoran only lowered his head to sip tea, having no hand in this dragon boat race, naturally it was irrelevant to him.

Governor Chen smiled, leisurely saying, "Do you think it’s unfair?"

No one dared to speak.

"You must know, the dragon boat race has been in Jing County for nearly a hundred years, a traditional event among the academies of Jing County. If you simply let you compete with Baiyun Academy, it wouldn’t be fair to Baiyun Academy! After thinking it over, I drafted in a group of experts, training Baiyun Academy’s students. Due to the urgency of time, simply letting some of them temporarily replace Baiyun Academy’s students for the contest. This way, it’s evenly matched and makes the race more exciting!"