While the royal villa was filled with tender affection, Consort Xian was having a very difficult time.
After she and Yilan left the teahouse, she originally intended to go back out of spite, but in reality, she didn't even know the way back. She wandered aimlessly through the streets, and as darkness fell, she found herself homeless.
Yilan suggested taking her back to the Grand Secretary's residence several times along the way, but she refused each time. She just wanted to stroll around and have some fun.
She felt very lonely. In this ancient world, she had no one to rely on. Only Yilan could talk to her and was genuinely kind to her. The concubines in the palace were hypocritical and always wanted her dead. Not to mention, she now knew that the person she liked actually had someone else in his heart. Her love affair had died before it even began, and she was extremely distressed at the moment.
Seeing that she was in low spirits, Yilan didn't dare to say anything more, afraid of saying the wrong thing and hurting her again. She could only quietly follow by her side.
The capital city was bustling at night. Vendors were still hawking their wares, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, and children wearing masks and carrying sugar figurines ran happily through the streets. Groups of young women frolicked along the riverbank, and young men, seeing the beautiful girls, couldn't help but approach them to recite poems and admire the moon together, creating a harmonious scene.
Restaurants, teahouses, and inns were bustling with activity, and patrolling soldiers stood in neat rows on the streets to protect the safety of the people and maintain order.
Consort Xian didn't have the energy to pay attention to these things. Yilan saw people releasing river lanterns ahead and gently called to Consort Xian, "Miss, would you like to release a river lantern and make a wish? The Winter Solstice is coming soon, and the river is still flowing like this this year."
Consort Xian looked up listlessly at the groups of men and women releasing river lanterns along the riverbank. The light and shadow of the lanterns swayed on the water, reflecting beautifully in the river, making the faces and figures of the people appear blurry.
"Sigh, forget it. Your young lady doesn't have the time or inclination for that right now. Let's go back."
After saying this, Consort Xian turned around and wanted to leave, intending to return to the palace first.
To her surprise, she turned around and saw Di Jingcheng and his entourage. The handsome man usually had a cold and aloof demeanor, keeping strangers at bay.
At this moment, however, he was tenderly strolling down the street with a beautiful woman in his hand, protecting her with one hand as if afraid that she would be bumped into.
The beautiful woman, with a charming smile, wore a purple embroidered dress. She was incredibly alluring, yet also possessed a youthful innocence and naivety. Her smile was captivating. It turned out, he liked this kind of woman.
Di Jingcheng kept his eyes on the woman beside him. Azi looked around excitedly at the night market in the capital, which was even more different from the daytime market. Zheng He'er, who was behind Di Jingcheng, immediately stepped forward and bought whatever she wanted.
Consort Xian watched the happy couple, her heart filled with unspeakable pain. After all, it was just wishful thinking on her part. She watched helplessly.
Seeing people releasing river lanterns, Azi wanted to join in the fun and gently tugged at Di Jingcheng's sleeve: "Jingcheng, I want to release one too!"
The woman's sweet voice rang out, and Consort Xian felt a tightness in her chest. Seeing the group of people coming, she quickly hid behind a nearby stall.
Di Jingcheng naturally listened to her in everything, letting her pull him towards the river. Zheng He'er and Zheng San soon brought over a pair of river lanterns: "Master, Miss."
Azi took them and placed one in Di Jingcheng's hand. Zheng San stepped forward and lit the candles for the two of them.
"Jingcheng, let's release them together!"
Di Jingcheng nodded and squatted down with her to release the river lanterns. Ranla Azi never believed in making wishes; they only believed that their ancestors would bless their tribe. So they just watched curiously as the two river lanterns slowly floated downstream, which was very beautiful.
Looking at her innocent and naive appearance, Di Jingcheng smiled with satisfaction and silently made a wish: "May my Azi have a peaceful and smooth life, and may we love each other without doubt."
Azi turned to look at Di Jingcheng, who was gazing at her with affection, her heart filled with sweetness and happiness. She quickly kissed him on the handsome face, then got up and walked towards the street.
Zheng He's second and third sons behind him were so shocked their jaws almost dropped! Di Jingcheng smiled slightly and quickly got up to catch up: "Is Azi already shy?"
Azi felt the man holding her hand, struggled slightly as if to make a gesture, but then let him lead her: "It's clearly you who's shy!"
Hearing the little girl's coquettish voice, Di Jingcheng felt a tickle in his heart. He absolutely loved her little appearance and leaned down to kiss her cheek: "Okay, okay, I was just shy."
Azi turned her head away in embarrassment. This man was too wicked. She quickened her pace and walked forward, but she never let go of the man behind her.
Zheng He's second and third sons exchanged a glance; weren't they just superfluous?
Consort Xian witnessed this scene and was so heartbroken that she didn't know what to do. She stood there blankly, tears streaming down her face. She had lost love! And it was unrequited love!
Yilan called her a few times, and she felt bad too, let alone her young mistress: "Miss, Miss, let's go back, the palace gates are about to be locked."
Consort Xian nodded and let Yilan take her back to the palace. She lay on her bed in her palace and cried her heart out.
Outside the palace, the group strolled late into the night and emerged from the restaurant. Azi thought of Shi Ge Yimeng and wondered if she should bring him something back, since she had left him alone in the villa.
Di Jingcheng noticed that she had stopped and asked with some confusion, "Has Azi forgotten something?"
"We left Brother Yimeng alone in the other courtyard. Shouldn't we bring him something back with us?"
Di Jingcheng smiled knowingly: "Azi, look at all the things they're carrying. Are you worried about not having anything to give them?" He glanced at Zheng He'er and Zheng San behind him, who shook the things in their hands and smiled.
Azi looked at it and nodded: "That seems to make sense. Let's go back then."
Azi quickly put what had just happened out of her mind, got into the carriage, and drifted off to sleep inside.
Di Jingcheng gently held her in his arms, carefully covered her with a small blanket, and stared at her intently.
Azi fell in love with him just like in his previous life, but she didn't come to the capital to find him in her previous life. She was still as innocent and beautiful as ever, and he was determined to protect this love.
Back at the villa, Di Jingcheng had just escorted Ranla Azi back to her room to rest when Zheng San hurriedly walked in with a letter in his hand.
Di Jingcheng gave him a cold glance: "Let's talk outside."
Di Jingcheng stood in the courtyard, looking at the letter left by Shi Geyimeng, and smiled helplessly. So she just entrusted Azi to him with peace of mind?
Should he be called magnanimous or grateful for the trust placed in him? Of course, he would not betray Shi Ge Yimeng's trust.
In this life, Shi Ge Yimeng seems to have more of a brotherly and sisterly affection for A Zi, which is for the best. Di Jingcheng's heart gradually calmed down.
In his letter, Shi Ge Yimeng also said that he would tell A Zi's parents about this, and a month later, he and the people in the village would look forward to the two of them returning.
Di Jingcheng smiled gently and looked into the girl's room, feeling a surge of warmth in his heart.
After a month, he finished dealing with the affairs of the court and took Azi back with him to visit her parents.
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