Chapter 56 - 55 Grandpa Takes You to See the Lanterns 1

Although there are many people coming and going during the day, it really doesn’t attract attention when a Honored Lady takes a Little Eunuch for a walk in the garden. Who would have thought she was heading to Zhaochen Palace! What’s more, someone was waiting to meet her at the east gate that connects the Harem to Zhaochen Palace. Thus, Xia Ruqing arrived at Zhaochen Palace without anyone noticing a thing. Even Jiaofang Hall, which is closest to the east gate, didn’t detect her presence! Once inside Zhaochen Palace, she was safe. Upon entering, Xia Ruqing happened to see the Emperor, who had just changed his clothes. "Emperor, where are you going?" she asked, surprised. Zhao Junyao glanced at her and said, "Put on the eunuch’s clothes and follow me out of the palace!" "What?" Xia Ruqing was shocked. Because, for as long as she had been there, she had never heard of the Consorts having the opportunity to leave the palace. At most, there would be a hunting trip or an incognito inspection, with a few Favored Consorts by his side. Not everyone had the chance! There were plenty of his lesser wives who had entered the palace and never stepped out again! "What? Don’t want to go?" Zhao Junyao raised an eyebrow at her. "I do want to go, I do!" Xia Ruqing quickly replied. She had always wondered what the ancient Capital City was like.To be honest, she had only seen it in TV series, and her former master’s memory was devoid of any such experience!Now that such an opportunity was before her, how could she possibly pass it up! With the help of the Palace Maid, Xia Ruqing changed as quickly as possible. In a blink, she was transformed into a Little Eunuch. "Emperor, let’s go!" Zhao Junyao nodded, pleased. "I am conducting an incognito inspection. Be careful not to slip up when we are out!" "Emperor, what shall I call you then?" "Call me Third Master!" Among his brothers, he was the third. "Yes, Third Master!" Xia Ruqing called out sweetly, clearly pleased. Zhao Junyao gave her a stern look, but the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily. In the afternoon of the Lantern Festival, the Emperor left the palace. He didn’t make a secret of it. So the news quickly spread throughout the Harem, but nobody really paid much attention. The Emperor leaving the palace was a common occurrence. It wasn’t the first or second time. As for Lady Xia... In the Harem’s view, she was always sickly and had been "out of favor" for a while. People used to fawn over her when she was favored. But now that she had lost favor, no one bothered to seek her out anymore. A Consort out of favor, staying indoors all the time, was soon forgotten. Because he was taking her out of the palace, they didn’t ride horses this time but took a carriage instead. Once outside the palace, they found a spot for her to change out of the eunuch’s attire and back into women’s clothing. The dress was beautiful and in the most fashionable style of the Capital City. It featured a red damask jacket on top and a white damask pleated skirt below, adorned with dainty embroidered flowers. As she was cold, she also wore a thick, white goose down cloak. Xia Ruqing was attractive, a bit rounder now, with eyes that had grown wider, looking much more fetching than her previously thin appearance. Her straightforward and uninhibited nature, along with her lively, sparkling eyes, made her look vivacious and charming. Zhao Junyao liked what he saw very much. He loved beautiful women, and even more so, he loved beautiful women with likable personalities! Zhao Junyao said with a smile, "The streets are crowded, it’s not practical to take the carriage, so let’s walk!" "Great!" Xia Ruqing was even more excited. It’s said that in the twenty-first century, accompanying women on a shopping trip is the number one headache for men.And now, this most revered man in the world was personally accompanying her on a shopping spree. Xia Ruqing was absolutely thrilled to her core. While they were talking, Zhao Junyao started walking towards the bustling marketplace, and Xia Ruqing quickly followed. Because it was a festival, the streets were very lively. Among them, several guards from the Imperial Forest Army disguised as servants—what we call ’bodyguards’ in modern times! Zhao Junyao was dressed in a long white robe, holding a folding fan in his hand, leading the way at the front. Xia Ruqing, taking tiny quick steps, merrily followed behind. She couldn’t help but wonder: in the twenty-first century, how long would it take for a poor girl like her to experience such a scene! Zhao Junyao’s status, if placed in the modern era, would surely be comparable to that of a president.She, a mere ordinary citizen, would probably never even meet one in her lifetime.Let alone marry a president?She wouldn’t dare even dream of it!The most important thing was, he was also so handsome, perfect in looks, stature, and status! Xia Ruqing felt delighted and extremely grateful. Oh, Heavens, you’ve been good to me! After all, having come to ancient times where there’s no fuss about being together for a lifetime, she might as well pursue something else.Can’t help it, someone has such superficial tastes. Teehee. Zhao Junyao turned around only to see someone staring at him with a silly, infatuated smile on her face. "..." "Aren’t you going to keep up?!" Zhao Junyao scolded her with a stern face. Actually, he was quite pleased inside, but this was something he would never tell anyone. After all, as the august Emperor, one must maintain a certain level of dignity. COUGH. COUGH... "Coming, coming!" Xia Ruqing happily trotted over. As Zhao Junyao walked through the marketplace, his serious demeanor and luxurious attire made it clear to the common folk that they shouldn’t mess with him. Consequently, they all automatically steered clear. Xia Ruqing also got to experience what it was like to shop in a busy district without being jostled and bumped into. But... she was a little puzzled. Where were they going? They hadn’t said where they were heading after all this time! "Emperor... Third Master, where are we going?" Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but ask. Zhao Junyao did not speak, but Li Shengan, dressed as a household Servant, secretly told her, "The Master is going to meet with a few important people. After we get there, the Honored Lady can have a look around nearby!" "Oh!" Xia Ruqing didn’t dare ask further. Before long, their group arrived at a tavern called Juxian Zhai. It was noisy inside. Even from outside, one could hear the sounds of drinking and playing cards. Zhao Junyao frowned slightly, and turned to instruct Li Shengan, "Get a few people to follow her and take a look around nearby." Then he said to Xia Ruqing, "It’s chaotic in there, and it’s inconvenient for you. Go stroll around somewhere else first. I... I’ll take you to see the lanterns after I’m done here!" The lantern show during the Lantern Festival was beautiful and magnificent. She would definitely like it! Huh? Why was he always unconsciously thinking about her? Zhao Junyao suddenly felt a bit uneasy. Xia Ruqing, on the other hand, didn’t think too much of it; she simply agreed with joy. The streets were so lively, she felt she didn’t have enough eyes to take it all in. She had no interest in meeting whomever he was meeting.How boring it would be compared to wandering the streets! Seeing her happy, Zhao Junyao’s mouth curled up slightly. He went upstairs with Li Shengan and the others. Xia Ruqing, accompanied by Little Zhuzi and a few guards disguised as servants, headed towards the lively nearby marketplace. "It’s so lively!" There were all kinds of vendors on the street, offering a variety of snacks and sweets. "The street food here is no less varied than the delicacies in the palace!" Xia Ruqing was dazzled by the sights. Little Zhuzi was quick-witted. Following his master, he often had the opportunity to leave the palace, so he was well-informed. He immediately joined the conversation. "What the master said is true! These outside delicacies are certainly no worse than those inside!"