Chapter 5, Memories of the Dragon Boat Festival

Cen Sanniang closed her eyes, savoring the manipulation of the herbs: "The entire household will go, and they will surely call for us. The wet nurse does not like to move around, so she will stay in the residence while I take you with me"

Her heart was suddenly gripped by an invisible hand, causing a faint pain.

Li once wore such bright clothing, adorned with the exquisite gold hairpin specially bought for her by her husband, enjoying a heartfelt outing during the Dragon Boat Festival. At that time, her mood was so joyful that she gifted the little maid with a delicate five-poison pouch, hoping that she too could share in her happiness. At only twenty-seven years old, in the prime of her life, she was taken away by a cold.

Cen Sanniang recalled Lu You's "Changgan Xing": "The waist of the skirt is as green as grass, the color of the blouse is like pomegranate flowers. At twelve, I learned to play the zheng, at thirteen, I learned the pipa..."

In a month, she receives five taels as her monthly allowance. During the three-year mourning period, apart from visiting the graves during the Qingming Festival every year, performing rituals at the temple, and paying respects to the three elderly ladies on the first and fifteenth days of each month, Cen San Niang rarely leaves the courtyard. However, she cannot close her ears to the outside world. Half of her monthly allowance is spent on tipping the servants in the manor. Additionally, buying some snacks and replenishing daily necessities leaves her finances tight. No matter how Cen San Niang calculates, she always feels that the money is insufficient. A jar of river water costs three hundred coins, which is indeed extravagant. Furthermore, buying some snacks and replenishing daily necessities leaves her finances tight. No matter how Cen San Niang calculates, she always feels that the money is insufficient. A jar of river water costs three hundred coins, which is indeed extravagant.

Her almond-shaped eyes, strikingly black and white, are filled with longing

Lifting the white porcelain lid, a layer of mist rises from the rim of the bowl, carrying a tranquil aroma of tea

Cen Sanniang frowned and said, "Is it so expensive? Don't buy it in the future."

Cen Sanniang shook her head: "Tell the wet nurse not to buy any next month, tea brewed with well water is just as good. Am I really that picky? Having tasted it, I know what tea brewed with the water from the river is like, and that's enough."

In this era, entertainment is scarce, and the dragon boat race can be considered a major event comparable to the New Year celebrations

Bai Cao smiled and said: "I knew that San Niangzi would be concerned. Mother said that San Niangzi loves to drink tea, so we should save on other things, but we must buy a jar of good water every month to satisfy San Niangzi's cravings."

Baicao stood behind her and massaged her shoulders: "Where have my skills improved? Clearly, it is the water taken from the river that is good, a jar sells for three hundred coins."

At this time, loose tea had already emerged in the Tang Dynasty, but the popular method was still to grind tea cakes into powder for brewing. The three elderly ladies had a fondness for tea, and Cen San Niang, adhering to the principle of having a common language with her elders, aimed to discern the quality of tea even without the skill of brewing it.

Cen Sanniang feels lost about her future

The herbs cheered and became excited, chattering about the Dragon Boat Festival in the year they first arrived at the Cen family's fourth house, describing the appearance of the matriarch, Lady Li. "... The lady wore a pomegranate red wide-sleeved blouse and a light blue skirt... Her hair was styled in a cloud bun, adorned with a pearl hairband... At the back, she had inserted the golden and silver butterfly hairpin that the master brought back from Chang'an... I had never seen such a beautiful hairpin; when the wind blew, the butterfly seemed to flutter its wings as if it were about to fly away... The sunlight shone down, dazzling both my eyes and those of the book... I had never seen such a beautiful hairpin; when the wind blew, the butterfly seemed to flutter its wings as if it were about to fly away... The sunlight shone down, dazzling both my eyes and those of the book... Later, the lady also gifted me a pouch embroidered with the five poisons, instructing me to serve the young lady well.

Cen Sanniang set down her brush, stretched her neck, took a sip of tea, and praised, "Your skills have improved!"

"Third Young Lady, take a break, it's almost noon." Baicao brought a cup of tea.

Bai Cao responded and continued to share the news he had heard: "The mother in the kitchen said there will be a dragon boat race during the Dragon Boat Festival. The mansion has been spending money every year to build dragon boats for the competition, and I heard that this year the old lady is particularly enthusiastic. The master has ordered people to set up a colorful pavilion at the dock south of the city, saying that the whole family should accompany the old lady to watch... but no one told us."