Chapter 288: Flower Festival

 Chapter 288: Flower Festival

"Big Sister!" "Sister Zixuan!"

After admiring the bridal gifts for a while, Daohua and Li Zixin entered Li Zixuan’s room, just in time to see her holding a golden hairpin with red ruby and pearl inlays, smiling shyly while looking down.

Seeing her like this, Daohua and Li Zixin exchanged glances and both chuckled, covering their mouths.

Li Zixuan quickly put the hairpin down and glared at the two younger girls with a playful reproach: "What are you laughing at?" When she noticed they were still staring at her, she felt even more embarrassed and had to cover her face with a handkerchief. However, she felt that this wasn’t quite right and quickly put the handkerchief down again.

Daohua smiled and walked up to her, snatching the hairpin: "Such a beautiful hairpin! Who gave it to you?"

Li Zixin walked over and playfully added, "Of course, it was my future brother-in-law."

Seeing the two teasing her, Li Zixuan could no longer hold back and stood up, pretending to chase after them to hit them.

Daohua and Li Zixin quickly ran away while continuing to joke, leaving Li Zixuan blushing in embarrassment.

After a while, the three of them were out of breath and stopped.

Daohua set the hairpin down and sat beside Li Zixuan, taking her hand and asking, "Sister Zixuan, you really like that Fang Liangji, don’t you?"

Li Zixuan immediately spat, "Nonsense! Don’t talk like that. Stop saying such nonsense."

Seeing her shy expression, Daohua silently smiled. It seemed like she did like him.

It was understandable—before truly understanding someone’s personality and values, attraction mostly comes from appearance.

Fang Liangji was handsome and elegant, making it easy for girls to develop affection for him.

Seeing how embarrassed Zixuan was, Daohua smiled and changed the subject: "I heard that today, the Fang family sent a lot of people and gave such generous bridal gifts, it seems they really value you."

Li Zixuan smiled and tapped Daohua’s forehead: "You little rascal! There’s no need to tease me. In two years, it will be your turn."

Daohua shivered and quickly moved aside: "I’m still too young. My mother said I need to stay at home for a few more years."

Li Zixuan laughed: "Even if they keep you at home for a few more years, you’ll still end up getting married eventually."

Daohua didn’t want to continue this topic and quickly said, "Zixuan, don’t talk about that. After the Flower Festival, I’ll be leaving. Let me have a few more fun days!"

The Flower Festival in Zhongzhou was held on the 25th of February. Two days ago, Dong Yuanyao had sent an invitation to attend the temple fair at the Flower Goddess Temple on the day of the festival. Originally, Daohua had planned to leave for Ningmen Prefecture tomorrow, but since Dong Yuanyao had invited her, she agreed to stay an extra three days.

Li Zixin chimed in: "Sister, let’s go together that day."

Daohua immediately nodded: "Yes, I’ve been here for over half a month and haven’t seen you go out yet."

Li Zixuan seemed tempted: "I need to ask Mother and Aunt first."

Li Zixin smiled: "They are also going for the spring outing that day."

The Flower Goddess Temple was located on the outskirts of the provincial capital.

On the day of the Flower Festival, Fan Shi took Daohua and the others out early, but they didn’t arrive at the temple until the fourth quarter of the hour (around 10 AM).

Dong Yuanyao had already arrived. As soon as Daohua and the others entered the temple, she approached them, greeted Fan Shi and Jiang Shi, and then asked, "Why are you so late?"

Daohua replied, "Don’t even mention it. There were so many people out today that we got stuck halfway."

Dong Yuanyao smiled, "That must mean you left late. We didn’t get stuck when we left the city." She then lifted a piece of colorful paper in her hand. "Come, let’s paste the paper."

Daohua glanced at Fan Shi, who nodded in agreement, so they followed Dong Yuanyao into the garden.

In the garden, flowers were blooming everywhere. Young ladies from various families flitted among the flowers like butterflies. In the distance, a few refined young men could be seen sitting in a pavilion, sipping tea, composing poetry, and enjoying each other’s company.

After pasting the colorful paper, the four of them strolled through the garden, chatting and admiring the flowers.

In the middle of their walk, Li Zixin, in her hurry, twisted her ankle and had to be sent back to Fan Shi and Jiang Shi.

"You go ahead and have fun. I’ll stay here with Zixin," Li Zixuan said, smiling.

Li Zixin added, "Yes, go and enjoy the flowers. Big Sister, you should go too. You rarely get out. Don’t let me spoil your fun."

Li Zixuan shook her head: "I’ve walked around enough and am a bit tired, so I’ll stay here."

Seeing that the two of them were content, Daohua smiled and left with Dong Yuanyao.

"I heard there are peonies blooming at the eastern corner of the garden. Shall we go take a look?" Daohua asked.

"Sure!" Dong Yuanyao eagerly agreed.

The two of them playfully headed toward the eastern corner of the garden.

"Look, there really are peonies!" Dong Yuanyao exclaimed as they turned the corner and saw several pots of blooming peonies in the distance. She immediately pulled Daohua over.

However, when she tugged, Daohua didn’t move.

Turning around, she saw Daohua frowning, staring at the pavilion not far away.

Dong Yuanyao followed her gaze and was immediately surprised: "Isn’t that the young man from the Fang family whom Sister Zixuan just got engaged to?"

In the pavilion, Fang Liangji was sitting with three or four young men, talking and laughing. Several young ladies were standing nearby. One in a pink dress was feeding Fang Liangji some pastries.

It wasn’t just handing them to him—she was directly feeding them to his mouth.

Though Fang Liangji appeared reluctant, he didn’t outright refuse.

Seeing this, Daohua’s brow furrowed.

Dong Yuanyao snorted, "This is how merchant families behave—no manners or decorum." The pink-clad young lady was practically pressed against Fang Liangji.

In the pavilion...

"Fang, take another piece! This is the sticky rice cake I made for you yesterday," said Sun Jiayue, as she placed a piece of cake in Fang Liangji's mouth.

Fang Liangji looked a little impatient, wanting to refuse, but fearing to embarrass his friend Sun Yongyi, he had to swallow it reluctantly.

Fang Hao stood with his hands behind his back, looking on from the side, his expression darkening as he saw this scene: "Liangji, if you don’t want it, just say so. Don’t force yourself to eat and ruin your stomach."

Fang Liangji’s expression changed, wanting to spit it out, but not wanting to appear impolite, he reluctantly swallowed it. Before he could respond, one of his companions spoke up in astonishment.

"They always say people are more beautiful than flowers, but I never believed it until now. Finally, I’ve seen such a stunning woman!"

As he gazed at the back, the group turned around, and instantly, two graceful figures—one in red, the other in blue—captured everyone’s attention.

Fang Hao, sensing the sudden silence in the pavilion, turned to look, his gaze turning deep.

"Cough, cough!"

Suddenly, a loud cough interrupted the silence.

It was none other than Fang Liangji.

The sticky rice cake had been too sticky, and he had choked on it.

Sun Jiayue quickly moved to help him pat his back, but to her surprise, Fang Liangji avoided her like a startled rabbit.

"Why are you two standing here?" a voice came from behind. Daohua and Dong Yuanyao quickly turned around and saw it was Xiao Yeyang and his group.

Daohua shot a glance at the pavilion, then snorted, "Just watching a good show."

Li Zhenliang immediately asked, "What good show? Where is it? I want to see too."

Daohua gave him a sideways glance: "Fourth Brother, you probably don’t have the talent for acting."

Xiao Yeyang, surprised, looked at Daohua.

The atmosphere felt tense. Who had made her angry? He looked up at the pavilion.

At that moment, Fang Hao from the pavilion was already walking over, with Fang Liangji trailing behind him.

"Jiguang Fang Hao greets His Royal Highness."

(End of this chapter)