Chapter 247: The Lively County
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Chu Ziluo covered her mouth to hide the smile on her face. She had long known that her father would only be gentle when he saw his mother. As expected, it would be over if her brother interrupted. This interlude passed quickly.
“Third Brother, we’re here.”
Chu Lin shouted from outside.
Lu Chuan, who was driving the carriage in front, jumped down first. Chu Heng opened the curtain and saw that it was the back door of Chu Lin’s shop in the county.
When Chu Lin first bought this courtyard, he felt that it was inconvenient to separate the shop from the courtyard. Now that he had rented the shop to someone else, he could also rent out the courtyard alone.
However, some time ago, the merchant who rented the courtyard had left. Now, he could use it to take a rest.
The door to the backyard had already been opened. Because there were many people on the street, the three families did not waste any time. Madam Zhang entered the courtyard and led the way.
It was Ye Muyu’s first time here.
Initially, she thought that this courtyard would not be too big. After entering, she realized that although it looked small, it was well-equipped.
The front and middle of the courtyard were paved with boulders. The sides were covered with mud. Perhaps it was because it had rained, so it was still a little wet.
There were rooms on both sides. Although they were a little old, they were very clean. However, perhaps because they were next to the river, they were a little damp.
After entering the inner hall, it was the central room.
There were four more back rooms, and there was a well in the courtyard of the back room. It was convenient to get water without going to the public well.
The rooms on both sides were cleaned out.
One of the back rooms was used as a firewood shed.
There were a total of six rooms. Now, all five rooms could accommodate people. Although it was a little narrow, it was already not bad to be able to buy a house in the county.
After putting down the dishes and gifts.
The mule cart and the others could be placed in the temporary firewood shed.
“Alright, quickly take your stools and leave. Ladies, take your own competition tools. We’ll set off for North Street.”
For this competition, every girl had to bring their own needlework equipment, cloth, kitchenware, and teacups.
As for today’s tea ceremony competition, Chu Ziluo, Chu Qingxiang, and Chu Qingyu from the second branch held their own teacups in a cloth bag, not daring to touch them at all.
Chu Ziluo hugged her teacup and followed Ye Muyu.
Soon, the group of people headed toward North Street.
There were even more people on the streets.
When they arrived at the yamen on North Street, there were already many stools in the huge venue.
Madam Zhang stood on her tiptoes and looked forward. “Oh my, there are too many people. If we had known earlier, we would have come earlier.”
“It’s fine. The county magistrate has a rule that only the families of the competing girls can send an elder to sit in the first few rows,” Chu Heng said. “We can just watch from outside.” Seeing so many people, Madam Liu’s interest in watching the show lessened.
However, seeing that the commoners were all in an orderly manner, there were also government runners guarding the surroundings, it was still considered safe.
Apart from that, the surrounding restaurants were already full. Those rich people were basically watching from the restaurants and would not come down to squeeze with the commoners.
Ye Muyu looked at the competition venue. Although the people wanted to watch the show, they did not dare to squeeze to the stage. She felt more at ease.
“How are the girls coming down after they go up to compete?” he asked.
When the competition really began, there would be even more people. If they were crowded together, there might be perverts around. At that time, their reputation would be directly affected if the girls were targeted.
Chu Heng pointed at the manor next to the field. “That’s the manor of a branch of the Xie family. Although the Xie family is not close to the county magistrate, it doesn’t mean that others don’t want to be on good terms with the county magistrate..”