Chapter 59 - 58 Grandpa Takes You to See the Lanterns 4

Xia Ruqing broke out in a cold sweat! Those girls looked almost like the "brain-dead" fan girls of the 21st century. She then heard them say, "Thank you, kind sir, for shooting down the hairpin for me!" "The agate bracelet is indeed beautiful, thank you, sir!" The two girls vied to get closer, eager to make their presence felt. Another girl, her face flushed with shyness, said, "Sir, I don’t want the Jade Pendant from just now. Please accept it as a gift from me!" Upon hearing this, the other two immediately felt outdone and were secretly seething with resentment. Why hadn’t they thought of giving the gentleman a gift? What a perfect opportunity, what a lovely memento it would have been! Meanwhile, Xia Ruqing was frowning, clutching her sprained ankle, feeling helpless. There was no helping it; fate just favored her, giving her such a dazzling husband! You all can be as envious as you want; it’s useless! As she was thinking this, Xia Ruqing suddenly saw Zhao Junyao pick out a hairpin and a jade bracelet and head her way. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he tenderly placed the hairpin in her hair. He then took her hand and slipped the agate bracelet onto her snow-white wrist! He leaned in close to her ear and whispered with a faint smile, "Wear these for now. I’ll get you better ones when we get back." After hearing this, Xia Ruqing inexplicably blushed. In everyone’s eyes, they were a couple as intimate as could be! Instantly, the hearts of many young maidens shattered into pieces. Then, Zhao Junyao spoke again. "This Jade Pendant is of decent quality. I shall reward you with it!" Zhao Junyao casually gave the Jade Pendant the girl had offered him to Little Zhuzi. If it hadn’t been for that Little Eunuch, that clumsy Lady Xia might have been knocked down in the crowd. After saying that, Zhao Junyao suddenly bent down and scooped her into his arms. "Emperor... Third Master..." Xia Ruqing was so shocked she was speechless. "Don’t move if your ankle is sprained!" Zhao Junyao "scolded" sternly. "Oh...!" she mumbled, looking pitifully aggrieved. He always sounds so fierce when he’s actually concerned, but... Wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head on his shoulder, Xia Ruqing could just see how many girls behind them were glaring at her with jealousy. If looks could kill, she probably would have been riddled with holes by now. Thinking this, Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but feel secretly thrilled! My husband may not be mine alone, but right now, he’s doting on me, so eat your hearts out! Hmph! Xia Ruqing threw a triumphant glance over her shoulder. The few girls were burning with jealousy. Especially the one who had offered the Jade Pendant; she was now mortified and embarrassed, her face green with envy. 「...」 After leaving the crowd and reaching a quiet place, once the excitement subsided, Xia Ruqing felt an unbearable pain in her ankle. "My lord... my foot hurts!" Seeing Zhao Junyao’s rather grim expression, Xia Ruqing said weakly, feigning a pitiful look. Zhao Junyao said sternly, "If you’re not careful next time, I won’t take you out of the palace ever again!" Though his tone was harsh, Xia Ruqing was still all smiles upon hearing his words. "Alright!" Li Shengan had someone bring a horse forward, and Zhao Junyao lifted her onto it. "Aren’t we taking the carriage?" "No!" "Oh..." Zhao Junyao held the reins in one hand and held her in his other arm. Once the horse left the bustling marketplace, it started to gallop. Xia Ruqing couldn’t open her eyes against the wind and only felt the cold wind whistling past her ears. After an unknown amount of time, the horse stopped. Xia Ruqing opened her eyes to see the gates of the Capital City. He carried her up, step by step, onto the city wall. When she opened her eyes again, Xia Ruqing was awestruck by the sight before her. The Lantern Festival’s lantern display truly lived up to its reputation. No wonder even he was so keen to bring her. Although the Capital City’s wall couldn’t compare to modern skyscrapers, standing atop it, one could still take in the entire city’s scenery at a glance. As the sunset faded, the moon began to rise. The streets of the Capital City were lined with lanterns of all colors. In the busier market streets, the lanterns were even more densely packed. Carousel lanterns, rabbit lanterns, lotus lanterns; wealthier households even displayed exquisite, crystal-clear glass lanterns. Big and small, near and far, they interwove to form a vibrant tapestry depicting the Capital City’s prosperity. Standing on the city wall, it felt as if one was immersed in it all, the festivities unfolding right before one’s eyes. The cries of the street vendors, the shouts from various shops and restaurants, the crying and laughter of children, the sounds of haggling—all could be heard. Common folk strolled the streets, lanterns in hand, gazing at the lively spectacle. When tired, they would stop at a food stall for a warm bowl of noodles, resting their feet and relaxing in comfort. Young maidens of marriageable age, who usually remained secluded in their chambers, had also come out in small sedan chairs. Their slender fingers delicately lifted the window curtains as they gazed out with longing. Some, seeing the lively scene, couldn’t help but offer a charming smile. Others, upon spotting a handsome young gentleman, would blush and shyly twist their handkerchiefs. Younger children were even more unrestrained. On this day, even children from poor families could enjoy a skewer of candied haws to satisfy their cravings. Children from wealthy families, dressed in fine clothes and carrying exquisite lanterns, clamored to eat the large sweet rice balls from the street stalls. Their Servants had no choice but to oblige. The market streets were crowded, so carriages couldn’t enter. At this time, regardless of whether one was a prince’s son or a marquis’s daughter, everyone had to arrive on foot and eat sitting on small stools. Even so, these children from wealthy families still felt that the food from home couldn’t compare; only the food here tasted so sweet and delightful. That night, the stall owners made a fortune, and everyone in the Capital City, young and old, was full of joy and laughter. Everyone was joyous. It was no exaggeration to say that the entire city’s populace had turned out. Yet the two people on the city wall stood silently, not speaking. Xia Ruqing turned her head and happened to see Zhao Junyao’s face; he looked serious, yet there was a subtle smile playing on his lips. Distant points of light reflected in his dark pupils, making them shine like black gemstones. She thought, he must be content, right? He was only twenty. In the twenty-first century, someone his age would still be a callow youth who hadn’t even graduated from university. Yet he, Zhao Junyao, shouldered the weight of an entire empire. She often teased him for being old-fashioned, strict, always wearing a stern face, and rarely smiling or speaking. In her heart, she also often grumbled that he always had a book in hand, half-afraid he’d read himself into a complete nerd. Looking at him now, she realized she had been wrong. Who wouldn’t want to be a carefree, sunny youth?! It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be; he couldn’t be. Externally, he had to manage diplomatic relations with vassal states; internally, he had to navigate the ever-changing political landscape of the imperial court. Above, he had to be worthy of his imperial ancestors; below, he had to protect all the citizens of the realm. It... must not be easy for him. Xia Ruqing suddenly felt like she was a frog in a well. She suddenly felt a twinge of heartache for him. Coming back to her senses, Xia Ruqing realized Zhao Junyao was staring at her. Her face turned red, and feeling a bit guilty, she weakly called out, "Emperor..." Zhao Junyao: "..." He was a bit annoyed. What on earth was this girl thinking? Why did he feel that her gaze was filled with sympathy! His smile vanished, and he asked with a stern face, "Lady Xia, what does that look in your eyes mean?!" He advanced, backing her against the city wall until she had no room to retreat. "Emperor... Emperor..."