The streets surrounding the observation platform were packed. The cheering and chanting of the common folk along the banks echoed thunderously as the dragon boats raced fiercely across Longhu. Even the teams ranking lower refused to give up.
Mingxi focused on the lake. Each drumbeat resonated not only in the hearts of the rowers but also in those of the spectators.
Her heart raced as she fixed her gaze on the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau’s dragon boat. If the Dingyuan Marquis Household could stay in the top three, that would suffice.
However, if the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau won, it would mean a significant step forward for Second Master Duan’s career—and she really couldn’t stand seeing the Crown Prince bask in glory.
Xiao Muchen noticed the sharp and determined look in Mingxi’s eyes as she gazed at the lake, her lips pressed into a thin line. It was the first time he’d seen her like this.
This dragon boat race was far from simple. She must have other plans, though she wasn’t sharing them, leaving him in the dark.
Still, from the moment she had pushed Duan Mingjing into the spotlight, Xiao Muchen had suspected it had something to do with him.
He couldn’t quite figure out what she was plotting, but it clearly involved this race and Duan Mingjing.
Shifting his focus back to the lake, Xiao Muchen saw the boats from the Eastern Palace and the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau locked in a fierce battle, followed closely by the Dingyuan Marquis Household’s boat.
As the finish line loomed closer, all three boats made a final, desperate push.
Every rower on the dragon boats gave it their all, muscles bulging with effort, their paddles cutting through the water so quickly they almost seemed like a blur.
Mingxi watched as the Eastern Palace and the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau’s boats alternated in the lead. The onlookers on the observation platform collectively held their breath, their eyes glued to the race.
This was why dragon boat races were so captivating every year—the sheer unpredictability of the outcome.
Until the very last moment, no one knew who would emerge victorious. This thrilling uncertainty was what kept people addicted and coming back for more.
When Mingxi saw the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau’s boat cross the finish line first, breaking the red ribbon, her eyes lit up with triumph.
The gap between the two boats was minimal. The boat representing the Dingyuan Marquisate was half a boat length behind but firmly in third place.
The dragon boat from the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau emerged victorious. For a moment, the crowd was silent before someone suddenly shouted, “We’ve struck it rich! We’ve won!”
The scene returned to chaos, filled with cheers, sighs, and groans of regret.
Seated on the viewing platform, the atmosphere around Mingxi and her group turned slightly awkward. Yu Wang was the first to speak, addressing the Crown Prince. “The Eastern Palace’s dragon boat performed better than last year. Next year, it might take the championship. Congratulations, Your Highness.”
Jin Wang gave Yu Wang a faintly mocking glance before also offering his congratulations, though his smile did not reach his eyes.
Initially, Jin Wang had intended to use the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau’ unexpected victory to mock the Crown Prince. However, knowing that Xu Donglin from the bureau was not someone easy to provoke, he refrained from indulging in verbal sparring.
Amid the flood of congratulations, Mingxi and Xu Nanxi also expressed their good wishes under Duan Wang’s lead before stepping aside, showing no intention of engaging further.
Given the Crown Prince’s earlier attempts to probe Mingxi about the bureau’s dragon boat, many of the onlookers couldn’t help casting curious glances between the two. Mingxi, however, appeared entirely unaffected.
The Crown Prince’s smile, on the other hand, seemed forced. He had spent a fortune refining his team with the hope of seizing first place and impressing the Emperor. This outcome was far from what he anticipated.
The Crown Prince was the first to leave, maintaining a smile, but everyone could tell he was in a foul mood.
Jin Wang and Yu Wang followed suit, while Duan Wang descended from the platform with Mingxi and Xu Nanxi in tow. Qi Wang and Kang Wang, however, lingered to admire the scenery.
Because of the Crown Prince’s barely concealed anger, the fact that the Dingyuan Marquisate had secured third place went largely uncelebrated by others. Mingxi didn’t mind, though; she felt thoroughly pleased.
Meanwhile, Duan Mingjing was overwhelmed with activity. All those who had bet on winning boats were rushing to claim their winnings.
Duan Mingxi had made ample preparations in advance, arranging for the Marquisate’s guards to ready boxes upon boxes of silver. Each box was opened for display, and people lined up to exchange their betting slips for silver coins. The scene was undeniably spectacular.
Many bystanders, witnessing this for the first time, were dazzled by the sheer amount of silver.
Those who bet on the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau were the biggest winners, though their numbers were few. Since this was the bureau’s first competition with no prior record, it was considered an underdog team.
With only a handful of bettors, the substantial winnings ignited envy in many.
The Eastern Palace had attracted the most bets, but with so many participants, individual returns were diluted, resulting in modest profits.
The Dingyuan Marquisate, another underdog, had a fair number of supporters. Family, friends, and even bystanders who had taken note of Mingxi’s wager with Fu Hongxiao contributed to over a hundred backers.
Although not as numerous as those supporting the Eastern Palace, these bettors still walked away with a decent profit.
The crowd of hundreds claiming their silver created quite a spectacle. Second Master Duan Mingjing’s reputation soared as a result.
The entire betting process was orderly, free of incidents, and entirely transparent. Even common folk could discern the integrity of the operation.
Some in the crowd even shouted for Second Master Duan to organize next year’s event.
While Duan Mingjing wouldn’t do so himself, he left the possibility open. Mingxi, known for her meticulous nature, surely had other plans in mind to leverage the Marquisate’s newly bolstered reputation.
The Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau’ biggest bettor was Xu Donglin, who reaped significant profits—not quite a fortune overnight, but a substantial windfall nonetheless.
Xie Fang, another participant, was so overwhelmed with excitement that he trembled upon seeing his winnings.
Mingxi and her adoptive father Duan Pingchang also turned a profit, though their stakes were slightly less than Xu Donglin’s and Xie Fang’s.
To her surprise, even Duan Wang had placed a bet, albeit with an amount just slightly lower than hers—a calculated difference that didn’t go unnoticed by Mingxi.
A few individuals silently walked away with significant earnings.
The names of those who placed bets were confidential, leading to much speculation about who supported the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau. While Mingxi, her father, and Duan Wang remained under the radar, others associated with the bureau were not so fortunate.
Tong Gaozhuo didn’t gain a single coin from the situation and was even summoned by the Crown Prince for a scolding. How could such a massive operation at the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau happen without his knowledge?
What did this mean?
It meant that Xu Donglin was intentionally keeping Tong Gaozhuo in the dark!
Back when Zhao Jungong was removed from his position as records officer, the Crown Prince immediately installed Tong Gaozhuo as his replacement to ensure he had someone within the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau to act as his eyes and ears.
Who would have thought that this “eyes and ears” would turn out to be blind and deaf?
Meanwhile, Duan Wang casually handed over the silver he had earned to Mingxi. “Here, take it as pocket money.”
Mingxi: …
Pocket money? We’re talking about tens of thousands of silver taels here!
It was rare for Duan Wang to see such a surprised expression on Mingxi’s usually composed face. His typically stoic expression softened a little. “This is nothing. Once you marry into the household, the entire financial management of my estate will be handed over to you.”
Mingxi’s face grew serious. Do you still remember our ten-year agreement?
