Chapter 87 [VIP]
Chapter Summary: Go Back.
Before even reaching the teahouse, I could hear the lively commotion inside.
"With colorful sleeves, she diligently holds up the jade cup. In those days, she risked her flushed face in drunkenness..." The mournful voice traveled through the rain to Yu Jing's ears, adding a touch of sorrow to the scene.
The two walked to the corridor. Xie Xuan closed the umbrella and shook off the water droplets. Yu Jing subconsciously reached out to take it. After all, Xie Xuan was a Heavenly Lord, and he was taller than her. It was fine for him to hold the umbrella, but it would be really inappropriate for him to carry it as well.
"It's alright," Xie Xuan said softly, pulling the umbrella back slightly. Yu Jing, now with his hands empty, didn't insist further upon hearing Xie Xuan's words.
Yu Jing and Xie Xuan went inside. Most of the people there were seeking shelter from the rain; the teahouse was crowded. The sounds of opera singing mingled with the crowd, creating a lively atmosphere. They found a seat on the second floor by the window. The inner window faced the stage, while the outer window faced the street. The bustling atmosphere inside contrasted sharply with the desolate scene outside, created by the heavy rain.
"Waiter," Xie Xuan called out as soon as Yu Jing sat down.
"Sir! What would you like?" The waiter immediately greeted him with a smile.
"Let's have some of their signature snacks or desserts, and a pot of tea," Xie Xuan ordered familiarly. Yu Jing turned her head, gazing intently at the play on the stage.
The rain was even heavier than before, and the sound of drums and music mingled with the sound of rain. Yu Jing glanced at Xie Xuan, and at this moment, she felt a sense of peace and tranquility.
The waiter quickly brought over the food: candied fruit, sliced fresh peaches and apricots, melon seeds and peanuts, and the tea Xie Xuan had requested. After arranging the food and pouring tea for Xie Xuan and Yu Jing, the waiter left.
After walking for half a day, Yu Jing felt a little hungry. She reached out and ate two pieces of dried fruit. They were sweet and sour, and tasted quite good.
The play was rather tragic. It told the story of a talented scholar and a courtesan; in the end, the scholar rose to a high position in the imperial court, while the courtesan drowned herself in a lake. Yu Jing was completely immersed in the play, sighing deeply. Xie Xuan, oblivious to the play, noticed Yu Jing's emotional shift.
The rain had stopped before the play ended, and the sky was gradually darkening. Yu Jing only realized this after the play had finished. The number of guests had decreased considerably, and the streets were bustling with people again. Yu Jing was still in a daze when a cup of tea appeared before her, still steaming slightly.
Yu Jing looked at Xie Xuan, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "I was too engrossed in watching."
"We came here to have fun, didn't we?" Xie Xuan continued, then asked, "The streets are getting crowded, would you like to go for a stroll?"
When Xie Xuan asked the question, he glanced out the window. Yu Jing took a sip of warm tea and followed Xie Xuan's gaze. The lanterns on the street were all hung up, and many stalls had been set up, making it even more lively than during the day.
Yu Jing's sorrowful mood from watching the play had faded considerably, and she smiled and nodded in agreement, "Okay."
The two got up and walked on the bustling street. Yu Jing suddenly remembered that when they welcomed the Dragon God in Guizhou City, it was Xie Xuan who accompanied her. However, Xie Xuan is now the Heavenly Emperor.
Xie Xuan looked around at the stalls, his gaze lingering on one stall for a moment. He turned to Yu Jing and said, "Let's have some food first before we continue our stroll."
"Okay." Yu Jing responded, and she and Xie Xuan casually found a stall to sit down, ordered two bowls of plain noodles, and waited. Xie Xuan suddenly stood up, and Yu Jing looked at Xie Xuan with some doubt, "Wait here for a while, I'll go buy some things."
Yu Jing nodded, watching Xie Xuan walk towards a small stall, exchange a few words with the stall owner, and then wait by the stall for a while. Because of the distance, Yu Jing couldn't see what the stall sold, only that the items in the hands of the buyers were wrapped in oil paper.
Next to the small stall was a lantern stall. Xie Xuan stood beside various lanterns, the candlelight reflecting off his verdant robe, his posture as upright as a pine or bamboo, exuding unparalleled nobility. As if sensing something, Xie Xuan turned around and met Yu Jing's eyes from afar. Yu Jing, feeling guilty, quickly lowered her head. When she looked up again, Xie Xuan was already beside her. He carried the familiar aroma of food. Smelling the scent, Yu Jing already had a vague answer in her heart, but she wasn't quite sure.
Xie Xuan handed the item in his hand to Yu Jing, who was slightly taken aback.
"Lantern cake." Xie Xuan said to Yu Jing as he sat down, lifting his robe, seeing that Yu Jing hadn't taken it.
Yu Jing knew it when she saw it. How could she not recognize the lamp cake? It was something Xie Xuan had insisted on getting for her when he was in Jinzhu Village, even when he was on credit.
"What's wrong? Don't you like it?" Xie Xuan had been eagerly awaiting Yu Jing's response, since she seemed to genuinely enjoy this snack when they were in Jinzhu Village. But seeing that Yu Jing didn't seem very happy, Xie Xuan panicked a little.
"No, I like it very much." Yu Jing replied with a smile, "Thank you, young master."
As Yu Jing spoke, she picked up the lantern cake and took a bite. She did like the lantern cake, but its appearance reminded her that the emperor was not Xie Xuan.
Xie Xuan noticed that Yu Jing looked rather listless while eating and couldn't quite figure out what she was thinking.
"The plain noodles are here!" The waiter brought the noodles at just the right moment. After Yu Jing and Xie Xuan finished their noodles, they planned to take a walk in the street to digest their food before heading back. However, after they finished eating, the streets became increasingly crowded. Xie Xuan stood beside Yu Jing, afraid that she would get separated from them in the throng, just like back in Guizhou City.
Yu Jing felt that more and more people were gathering around her, and she was just about to turn around and tell Xie Xuan that they should go back when she turned her head and Xie Xuan was already out of sight.
"Master..." Yu Jing had just begun to speak when she felt a warmth in her palm. The rest of her words disappeared in the wind. Yu Jing turned around and saw Xie Xuan standing in front of her, holding her hand tightly.
Yu Jing watched as Xie Xuan squeezed through the crowd to her side and pulled her into his arms. Yu Jing felt her mind go blank, and she was led away by Xie Xuan in a daze.
Even after they reached a slightly more open area, Xie Xuan did not let go of her hand.
"Young Master." Yu Jing glanced at their clasped hands and called out softly. Xie Xuan turned around and looked down at her.
"Bang!" The fireworks exploding in the sky startled Yu Jing. At that moment, Yu Jing was looking at Xie Xuan, who stood steadily in front of her. The fireworks bloomed in his eyes, shining brightly.
His eyes were smiling, so gentle that Yu Jing momentarily forgot what she was going to say.
"What?" Xie Xuan raised his voice and asked, leaning close to Yu Jing's ear. Yu Jing shook her head and pointed to the distant fireworks.
And so, Xie Xuan held her hand as they watched the fireworks display. As the last spark of the fireworks faded, silence fell. Then, slowly, the noise returned.
"My lord, shall we buy a rabbit lantern for my wife?" A little girl dressed in gray cloth, carrying several rabbit lanterns, ran up to Xie Xuan and said in a clear voice.
The little girl had her hair tied in two buns, her face was round and chubby, and she had two little dimples when she smiled. She looked very cute. Xie Xuan reached out and patted her head, replying, "Okay."
Xie Xuan took out some silver and gave it to her, then took the lantern she handed him.
"The lantern only costs five coins, young master, wait a moment, I'm going back to find my mother." The little girl said, about to run back. Xie Xuan smiled and replied, "No need, you keep it."
"Thank you, young master!" The little girl looked overjoyed, bowed to Xie Xuan with a smile, and then ran to a lantern stall a little further away with the silver and rabbit lantern, excitedly talking to a woman. The woman looked in the direction the little girl was pointing and saw two figures from behind.
The man was dressed in a verdant green, and the woman in a lotus-root pink. The man held the woman's hand, and in her other hand she carried their family's rabbit lantern. From behind, they looked perfectly matched.
Xie Xuan led Yu Jing to a small grove outside the city. The area was deserted and the forest was deep and quiet. The rabbit lantern in Yu Jing's hand came in handy at this moment. Yu Jing and Xie Xuan walked along the path, the only sounds being their footsteps and the soft rustling of small animals in the woods.
"Young master, let's go back," Yu Jing said.
"Alright," Xie Xuan replied, making a hand seal.
In the blink of an eye, they were back at the manor of Yousu Mountain.
"I'll take you back," Xie Xuan said.
Yu Jing initially wanted to refuse, but after thinking about it, she gave up and nodded. She summoned a firefly and followed it towards the room. Just as she reached the door, she suddenly saw a person standing there. Only when she got closer did she see Qianhe's silver hair.
"The young prince?" Yu Jing asked in confusion.
Qianhe had noticed them long ago. She smiled at Yu Jing and replied, "I was wondering why I hadn't seen you all day. You went upstairs to play with Jun."
Yu Jing hesitated, but Qian He spoke first: "You must be tired after playing all day. Go back and rest early."
Yu Jing didn't know what to say. Hearing Qian He say this, she breathed a sigh of relief, reached out and pushed open the door. Just as she was about to close the door, she said to them, "Your Majesty, Little Prince."
They all looked at her at the same time, and Yu Jing gave a slightly awkward smile: "You should all get some rest too."
"Mm," they both responded simultaneously. Only after Yu Jing closed the door did they exchange a disdainful glance.
Xie Xuan was about to leave when Qian He asked from behind, "Didn't His Majesty have no interest in her?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Xuan lazily turned around, glanced at him indifferently, and asked in return, "When did I say such a thing?"
Xie Xuan was still wearing a robe with a green and silver bamboo pattern, looking like a noble young master, but his expression and tone gave Qianhe an inexplicable sense of oppression.
Qianhe smiled and said, "If Your Majesty is interested in her, you should tell her sooner rather than later. Once she agrees to become my imperial concubine, it will be too late."
Before Xie Xuan could react, Qianhe had already disappeared after saying those words. Xie Xuan assumed he was being provoked and didn't take it to heart.
Yu Jing returned to her room, placed the rabbit lantern on the table, and then took the gardenia from beside her ear and placed it next to the lantern. So much had happened today; she was still somewhat dazed.
[Author's Note]
Xie Xuan & Yu Jing (holding rabbit lanterns): Happy New Year to everyone! Wishing you good health and all the best!
Comment and I'll give you a red envelope (whispering: if no one comments, then disregard what I said).
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
