Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 233 - 232: Righteous Qi

"Father, is the Dragon King Banquet delicious?" Si Niang couldn’t help but lick the corner of her mouth.

Liu Ji recalled the expressions of longing from the scholars in the front hall, and said uncertainly, "It must be delicious. If it weren’t, could it be called the Dragon King Banquet?"

Si Niang immediately raised her little hand, "I want to join!"

The little girl thought anyone could participate in the competition.

Liu Ji said that the several noble families in the city had already reserved the teams, and they had been practicing for a month. Ordinary people could just watch.

Si Niang sighed, "Alright then."

But being part of the excitement was also great!

"Mother, shall we go?" Da Lang, Second Lang, Sanlang, and Si Niang looked at Qin Yao expectantly.

Could Qin Yao refuse?

"What hour does the competition start?" Qin Yao asked Liu Ji.

Liu Ji replied, "The race starts promptly at Noon, but we should go early; if we go late, we might not find a good spot!"

"Hmm, then let’s wake up, finish morning reading, and head over."

As soon as Qin Yao said this, the room immediately erupted in cheers. Qin Yao quickly made a shushing gesture, and the four children chuckled, covering their mouths.

"Be quiet, don’t disturb the other guests." Qin Yao kindly advised.

The siblings nodded, but the joy in their eyes was impossible to contain.

Unusually, the next day the four siblings got up early just to quickly finish morning reading and find a good spot to watch the dragon boat race.

But even earlier than them was Liu Ji, who lived up to his reputation as the King of Quan at the Kaiyang County Academy!

He finished his homework early, and by greasing the wheels with Aunt Zou, who managed the kitchen, he borrowed a basket and went out to buy vegetables.

He took out what he needed to cook for the morning and stored the rest in the room.

Since Qin Yao was still sleeping, he moved quietly, like a thief, as he entered and exited the room, making the siblings Da Lang, Second Lang, Sanlang, and Si Niang, who were sitting in a row at the doorway for morning reading, smile broadly.

Luckily, Qin Yao had chosen a ground-floor room facing the inner courtyard, with steps to sit on.

If there were other guests entering and exiting, they would have to step over the four siblings.

Many people were up early for reading; ninety percent of the hostel’s guests were scholars here for the prefectural exam. Shortly after dawn, this prime spot in the courtyard was discovered, and gradually many scholars came.

The sound of reading aloud was like the resonant sound of bells and drums.

This was a study atmosphere the Da Lang siblings had never experienced; for a moment, they were immersed, forgetting where they were.

The tender voices arose, and the scholars looked over in surprise, seeing four small children, holding books, sitting neatly on the steps, engrossed in their reading.

Unintentionally, their eyes met, and smiles crept onto everyone’s faces.

Some of the outgoing and lively scholars came over to read a passage with them.

And so, one passed to two, two to four, and the whole courtyard resounded with the sound of reading.

The morning sun rose, and the whole city was bathed in golden light, shining brightly.

People passing in front of the hostel stopped upon hearing this loud, unified reading.

They were early-rising vendors, women buying groceries, hardworking folks on their way to work, and government officers just off shift.

Perhaps they didn’t understand the meaning of those words, but they were inexplicably drawn in.

Because what they heard was the determined spirit of scholars, and what they saw was the prosperous future of Sheng Country.

"The sound of reading is beautiful." The woman buying vegetables praised.

Only when the reading stopped did the people gathered at the hostel’s entrance reluctantly disperse.

...

"Mother, this morning a lot of older brothers read with us." The Dragon and Phoenix Twins excitedly recounted their morning to Qin Yao as the family gathered around the table for breakfast.

There were only four stools, so Liu Ji stood to eat, and Da Lang gave his seat to Qin Yao, squatting to eat.

After all, there were no outsiders here, no need for formalities.

Qin Yao didn’t bother with the back-and-forth courtesy, quickly ate in a few bites, stood up to free the seat, gestured for Da Lang to sit and eat slowly, and listened with a smile to their storytelling about the morning.

In truth, a little person inside her was screaming: Thanks to you, there was no chance for a second sleep in the morning!

But wasn’t this rare experience worthy of a diary entry?

"Tonight, when we get back, I’ll teach you how to write a diary, and we can record this special day." Qin Yao said with a smile.

The Dragon and Phoenix Twins, who were enthusiastically recounting their day, both had their expressions change.

Da Lang and Second Lang nearly choked on the food they hadn’t swallowed yet.

Qin Yao inquired with suspicion, "Not happy?"

The four siblings stiffly shook their heads, forcing a smile and woodenly saying, "Happy."

"Alright then, get ready, we’re heading out to watch the dragon boat race."

The four siblings exclaimed, "Yes!!"

It was clear this time they were truly happy.

Liu Ji asked if they should invite Liu Li along, Qin Yao nodded and told him to go ask.

Liu Li gladly accepted and brought Da Zhuang along, making the two families head out from the hostel happily, walking towards the competition site in the south of the city.

They thought they were early enough, but unexpectedly, everyone shared the same thought, each assuming they could predict others’ predictions, resulting in everyone arriving even earlier than each other.

By the time Qin Yao and the others reached the race point, the best viewing spot—the stone bridge above the finish line—was already packed with people.

Even the riverbanks were crowded with heads.

Qin Yao silently marveled, there was a little hint of a zombie invasion.

Da Lang, with sharp eyes, noticed an empty platform beside the stone bridge, just as he was about to call out to his parents, Liu Ji, anticipating his thought, said:

"That area is reserved for Lord Prefect and the young ladies and masters of the noble families of the city."

Liu Li queried, "How do you know?"

"I inquired about it, of course, I know!" Liu Ji boasted, "But I know an even better spot, follow me."

Under Qin Yao’s skeptical gaze, Liu Ji proved with action that he had seriously researched today’s dragon boat race.

Led by him, they squeezed past the riverside folks and arrived under a large tree on the eastern side of the stone bridge.

The area under the tree was crowded too. Da Lang looked at his father doubtfully, "You can’t see anything from here either."

Restricted by his height, he felt as if he would be submerged by people’s legs; it was terrifying!

With one hand holding Sanlang and the other holding Si Niang, Qin Yao peered at the sturdy tree in front of her, then considered Liu Ji’s unorthodox character and raised an incredulous eyebrow, "You don’t mean for us to climb the tree, do you?"

As she asked, Liu Ji revealed an expression of ’you understand me,’ full of joy, "Yes!"

"You’re such a talent, truly!"

Qin Yao looked up at the branches overhead, the nearest one over four meters off the ground, nearly inaccessible to regular folks.

But for her, it presented no challenge.

"Afraid of heights?" Qin Yao asked the youngest Dragon and Phoenix Twins in her arms.

The siblings eagerly replied, "Not afraid!"

"Alright then, up we go!" As Qin Yao’s final word was spoken, with a flick of both hands, amidst Liu Li’s and Da Zhuang’s startled gasps, Sanlang and Si Niang landed steadily in the crook between the branches.