TGCFNM -Chapter 434 Selling Sticks

After a quick meal, Chu Ling and the others took their boxes and headed to the lantern festival to secure a good spot.

For this blessing lantern festival, Young Master Xiao had hired the Wan family, and the Wan family had booked all the shops along both sides of the river. Inside, besides selling lanterns, they were also selling snacks, while small stalls were set up along the roadside.

At the same time, both sides of the river were hung with lanterns, which would all be lit once night fell.

In addition, there were decorated lantern boats, lantern-lighting blessing activities, and other programs… but of course, the main attraction was still the young men and women meeting each other.

In other words, it was essentially another type of matchmaking event.

When Chu Ling and the others arrived, they found a spot by a shop, opened their boxes, and prepared to sell sticks.

Uncle Hong looked at them with a headache: “On a day like this, who’s going to buy a stick to hit someone?”

“Boss, how much are the sticks you’re selling… Lord Chu!” Miss Qí called out excitedly. “Lord Chu, you’re selling sticks?”

Seeing an old acquaintance, Chu Ling happily introduced, “Not just that—I’m also selling sachets of fragrant powder.”

Miss Qí’s eyes lit up, though her voice was as soft as a buzzing mosquito: “I’ll take one too.”

“Where’s Tang Yang? Where did he go?” Chu Ling asked on purpose. “He hasn’t gone wandering off somewhere, has he?”

Hearing this, Miss Qí got annoyed, so when Xiao Hua tried to sell her something, she decided to buy one and even gestured: “I’m going to hit someone later!”

Xiao Hua puffed out her chest: “Miss Qi, I’ll teach you how to hit someone. You have to swing it this way…” Xiao Hua pressed Zhang Dong down to demonstrate and used the stick to show where it should hit.

Miss Qi learned very earnestly.

By now, Tang Yang had finally found them: “Xiao Wu, what are you doing…?”

Miss Qi spun nimbly holding the stick: “Hmph!”

Tang Yang dodged and then noticed Chu Ling, bowing immediately: “Lord Chu, you’re… selling sticks?”

Chu Ling nodded: “These are called ‘Thousand-Gold Sticks,’ specially for women to use on unfaithful men.”

Tang Yang: “…”

“I want one too!”

Chu Ling looked over and saw a girl in a pink skirt walking quickly toward them, followed by Zhuang Tianyou.

Zhuang Tianyou bowed to Chu Ling: “Lord Chu.”

Chu Ling nodded and crossed her arms, looking on as if watching a show.

Zhuang Tianyou explained helplessly: “This is my sister; I brought her along to enjoy the festival…”

Meanwhile, Xiao Hua had already sold another stick, choosing one with pink tassels, and handed it over while pulling the buyer along to learn how to hit someone.

Zhuang Tianyou glanced at it, smiled lightly, paid, and then stood next to Chu Ling: “Lord Chu, did the two young masters of the Shangguan family take their leave from you that day?”

Chu Ling nodded slightly: “They said the whole family left and even chose a particularly remote place. I wonder if it was because they were scared by the Si family incident.”

Zhuang Tianyou frowned: “It wasn’t necessary to go that far.”

Chu Ling glanced at him: “You don’t think it was that serious?”

Zhuang Tianyou shook his head slightly and spoke cautiously: “I dare not say much, only when meeting Lord Chu can I speak a word… Lord Chu, do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?”

Chu Ling answered directly: “A good thing.”

Zhuang Tianyou was momentarily taken aback, then cupped his hands, took his sister who had learned how to hit someone, and temporarily bid farewell.

Miss Qí and Tang Yang also left.

Thanks to these two early sales, the rest of the sticks sold very well, and Xiao Hua even earned a good amount in teaching fees.

Uncle Hong: “…On a day like this, so many people actually bought sticks.”

“Your Highness, the rash on your face has gone down a lot,” Uncle Hong said in surprise. “But for the others, it’s still quite noticeable.”

Chu Ling touched her face. “Maybe the medicine my master gave me was better, and I also took quite a lot of it.”

When she had first arrived, there was a wound on the back of her head, and she had taken plenty of miraculous medicine.

Bai Su, however, looked at Chu Ling’s face and shook his head slightly. “It seems like you’ve developed some resistance. Perhaps you’ve taken it before?”

Chu Ling was momentarily stunned, instinctively recalling her dream.

“Your Highness! All the sticks are sold!” Xiao Hua shouted excitedly.

Chu Ling turned around, and at her feet was only an empty box. The sticks had sold out completely, not a single one left.

Wan Sanjin put his hands on his hips proudly. “Our idea was really good! We made quite a bit today.”

Chu Ling nodded. “Let’s divide the earnings right here. Today, we’ll spend the money from selling the sticks.” She squatted down, then pulled Uncle Hong to stand behind her as they began splitting the silver.

Uncle Hong had already been worn down and didn’t complain. He simply spread his arms, protecting them while they counted the money, then was helped forward to a stall selling masks.

After some deliberation, Chu Ling chose a pig mask.

Wan Sanjin glanced at the ghost mask in his hand. “Your Highness, why a pig? This one even has tusks. Is it a wild boar?”

Chu Ling held the mask in front of her face. “You don’t understand. This is a Wealth-Bringing Pig! See? There’s a yuanbao (gold ingot) on it!”

The mask vendor carefully examined the pig mask: wasn’t the pig’s hair painted on?

Wan Sanjin suddenly realized. “Then I want a Wealth-Bringing Pig too.”

Chu Ling waved her hand. “Then let’s all have Wealth-Bringing Pigs.” She generously bought one each for Uncle Hong and Young Master Wan as well.

Wan Sanjin also bought one for Fu Qingyu, hanging it at his waist.

Thus, Uncle Hong was forced to walk in front wearing a pig mask, followed by five little pigs. The five little pigs looked around excitedly, and soon their hands were full of snacks.

After another quarter-hour, night gradually fell, and the Wan family began lighting lanterns.

It seemed to happen in an instant.

As the last sliver of light disappeared on the horizon, nearly all the lanterns were lit at the same time. From a distance, it looked like a silver ribbon pouring down, illuminating the Yudai River.

From far to near, sweet songs began to sound. A boat, adorned with flower lanterns, drifted downstream.

As the oars moved, ripples spread across the lake’s surface. On the ripples floated various lanterns sent from upstream, as if descending from the heavens.

The breathtaking scenery drew gasps of admiration.

Meanwhile, inside the palace, the lights had already been lit.

The Emperor and Empress Dowager sat on the main throne, while several concubines sat below. The royal family and notable clans sat together, facing the court officials.

The Emperor raised a hand slightly, gazing affectionately at Xiao Lengjue. “Yi’er, I heard you placed a bet today?”

Xiao Lengjue stepped into the center of the hall and bowed deeply. “Yi’er, my foolish actions… how did they reach Your Majesty’s ears?”

The Emperor smiled gently. “Foolishness, or deep affection? If you don’t speak the truth, then I’ll really consider it foolishness.”

Xiao Lengjue bowed again, seeming a bit embarrassed. “I beg Your Majesty to decide.”

The Emperor laughed heartily. “Then I shall grant your marriage to Grand Tutor Sun’s granddaughter. Today, the lantern festival outside is lively—take your future princess and enjoy the festivities.”

Xiao Lengjue stepped forward, holding Sun Yingshou’s hand as they exited, kneeling in the center of the hall.

“I, your servant, humbly accept the decree and give thanks!”

The Empress Dowager lightly brushed the jade bead bracelet on her wrist, her eyes showing slight interest, then directly instructed those around her to give rewards.

The Emperor glanced at the Empress Dowager. “I thank Mother on behalf of this child. It’s not wasted; this child truly has filial devotion toward you.”

The Empress Dowager smiled lightly. “Indeed, filial devotion.”

The Emperor slightly withdrew his expression, turned his head, and lifted his wine cup.