Chapter 14

Watching Yu Li and Xie Yao leave hand in hand, Xiyun’s smile faded, though she took a deep breath and let it go. She had spent so much effort dressing up beautifully, wearing fine silks and satins she never dared to dream of before, and Yu Li had even gifted her exquisite and precious jewelry to wear. It would be a waste not to go out.

Xiyun smoothed her hair, adjusted her hairpin, and decided to go for a stroll before returning to rest. As she reached the doorway, she politely asked Jingyu, "We finally have a day off, would you like to come along?"

With their mistress gone, the serene smile on Jingyu’s face faltered, and her expression turned somewhat cold. She slowly turned her head away. "No interest."

Seeing that Jingyu no longer cared to maintain even a facade of a smile, Xiyun realized that acting considerate and attentive toward her and Yu Li every day must have exhausted her. Xiyun didn't mind; she earned her living through her own labor and wit and didn't need anyone's validation. But she would not tolerate anyone slighting Yu Li.

Xiyun glanced around and asked, "Do you look down on my mistress?"

Jingyu was startled. "Do not go around making false accusations!"

Seeing her dramatic reaction, Xiyun found it tiresome, curled her lips, and turned to leave. Watching Xiyun truly set off alone, Jingyu recalled that she had been in the palace for half a year and had long forgotten the vibrant, earthly atmosphere of the bustling streets. She called out to stop Xiyun. "I advise you not to go out."

Xiyun stopped and turned back. "Why?"

Jingyu walked toward her a few steps. "...If the mistress returns later and doesn't see us, we won't be able to explain ourselves."

Xiyun looked at her and laughed. "The mistress is kind-hearted; she won't hold it against us. Besides, today she wants us to be truly happy, not to pretend to be happy just to please her."

Jingyu still hesitated. Their mistress was kind, but as for that man by her side—just try showing a sullen face and upsetting him.

"Come on. I’m not familiar with the capital either. Let’s go together; it’s better to have company." As Xiyun spoke, she reached out to tug at Jingyu’s sleeve. Xiyun was cheerful and warm, and eventually, Jingyu was swayed.

"Let me tell the others as well," Jingyu said, a faint smile returning as she ran off lightly. Xiyun waited, and before long, Jingyu returned with two younger maids. The four of them set off together, chatting and laughing.

***

After passing the second gate, Yu Li stepped into the carriage. Inside, Xie Yao held her wrist, his grip slightly relaxed, merely stroking it gently. The weather was hot, and Yu Li felt uncomfortable. She wanted him to let go, but didn't dare move. After a while, she reached for something on the small side table and took the opportunity to slide her arm away. Xie Yao seemed not to notice.

The spot where he had held her was slightly damp from the heat, and it felt cool once released. The carriage felt stuffy, and Yu Li wanted to lift the curtain to look outside. Just as she extended her hand, Xie Yao caught it again. "We haven't reached our destination yet," he said.

*One can look even if they haven't reached the destination,* Yu Li thought, though she guessed he didn't want her to see the route leading from the manor to the outside world. She didn't press the matter. From somewhere, Xie Yao produced a folding fan and began to fan her gently, and Yu Li felt a bit cooler.

When she asked where they were going, Xie Yao had already mapped it out: first the West Market, then a restaurant, followed by a browse through jewelry shops and pastry stalls, and then wherever else she wanted to go. The capital was a massive city home to millions, renowned throughout the land—a place that scholars, poets, and foreign merchants all yearned to visit. It was usually exceptionally lively, and one could spend half a year here and still find endless ways to enjoy it.

Xie Yao had arranged only the places most suitable for Yu Li to visit. Before leaving, Yu Li had talked with Xiyun, who, being a local, knew the most famous spots in the capital. The premier choice was the West Market, a place where all the world's treasures converged, filled with endless and novel wonders. Yu Li was looking forward to the West Market, but she imagined such a place would be shoulder-to-shoulder, with nothing to see but a sea of heads.

The carriage stopped in a quiet alley. Xie Yao stepped out and helped Yu Li down. She jumped, using the strength of his arms. Xie Yao’s arms stiffened as he caught empty air; Yu Li was already pulling away to walk forward. Xie Yao quickly grabbed her again, his palm slowly moving upward to grip her above the elbow. Yu Li was forced back to his side, sighing inwardly—he might as well just carry her like an accessory.

However, once he had her, his grip gradually relaxed, shifting back to holding her wrist, and finally, just hooking his fingers through hers. Yu Li walked slightly ahead, while Xie Yao slowly fanned himself with the folding fan; she felt a constant cool breeze and no longer felt the heat.

They arrived at the West Market after a short walk, and to her surprise, it wasn't very crowded. While livelier than Xihe County, it wasn't packed; she could walk freely at her own pace. Yu Li’s interest was piqued, and she pulled Xie Yao along faster. Xie Yao followed at a leisurely pace, cooperating when she tugged him, and tightening his grip when she tried to pull away, always staying within an arm’s length. Gradually, Yu Li stopped feeling controlled and instead began to worry about losing him, looking after him like a precious pendant.

Ancient goods were handmade. While those used by commoners looked slightly rough, pieces meticulously crafted by masters were more exquisite than modern industrial products. Although Yu Li was wandering without a destination, she could distinguish quality. Being a pragmatist, she wouldn't buy things unless she really wanted them or they were truly useful; she mostly just looked and touched. Especially with the master-crafted items, which were quite expensive—she didn't have much money with her and could only afford to pick a few things she wanted most.

Even so, just looking was satisfying enough. She saw an umbrella shop where the craftsmanship, design, and even the paintings on the silk were several times better than what her unscrupulous father had made. She set her eyes on a cyan umbrella; the ribs and handle were smooth and delicate, feeling as slick as silk. The canopy was exquisite, with masterful brushwork and a beautiful use of negative space. She wanted it, but such an umbrella surely took a long time to make, and she didn't even need to ask the price. Besides, she lived in Mingyue Residence and rarely went out in the rain; even if she did, she wouldn't lack an umbrella. She touched it a few times, admired it, and looked back at it as she walked away.

She did the same at fan shops, tea shops, and incense shops, buying nothing. Finally, she saw fresh flowers—her favorites, hibiscus and camellia. At this, she couldn't keep her purse shut. It was midsummer, and she also bought a few lotus blossoms. Surprisingly, the flowers were very cheap. She picked so many that she wanted to buy a few of everything. By the end, she was holding an armful, the scent making her feel as if she were in a sea of flowers.

With her arms full of flowers, she couldn't hold Xie Yao’s hand. Xie Yao thoughtfully took the flowers from her and handed them to a man in brown clothes nearby. Yu Li realized she had been so absorbed in the flowers she hadn't noticed him. With the flowers gone, her hand was empty, and his hand replaced them.

Having bought her flowers, Yu Li was overjoyed and happily held his hand. After a few steps, Xie Yao suddenly raised his hand to her chin and brushed it lightly. Yu Li was slightly startled and looked at him; he wore a faint smile, holding a handkerchief. "The flowers had dew on them; it got on your face."

Yu Li realized it was true. Xie Yao wiped her face again and looked at her bangs. "You’re sweating." He meticulously wiped her forehead, his eyes following his fingertips as they moved slowly across her face, making Yu Li’s face grow even hotter.

Today, Xie Yao was wearing a green robe, a stark contrast to his usual light-colored attire, which made his skin look even fairer. As they stood together, every man and woman who passed by couldn't help but look. Xie Yao finished wiping her face and asked if she was hot. Yu Li was a bit hot, but she still wanted to walk around and hesitated, fearing he might be hot as well.

Xie Yao looked at her for a moment, reached out, took the umbrella from earlier, and opened it over her head. It was the cyan umbrella with white gardenias that she had loved but hadn't bought. Yu Li’s eyes brightened as she looked at Xie Yao; his expression was calm. "Let's go. This will be better."

Yu Li turned back, her heart racing as it dawned on her. He had likely been watching her the entire time, observing her so closely. But she didn't feel repulsed. She wasn't a naive college student, nor was she the seventeen-year-old girl she once was. Having lived in a cold, indifferent metropolis, she knew how precious it was for someone to be so attentive toward her. She wondered how expensive the umbrella was and regretted not asking the price.

Yu Li didn't wander aimlessly anymore and didn't dare look at too much. She bought some fresh seasonings and a cloth ball for Xuemi, then prepared to leave. As they reached the gate of the West Market, Xie Yao led her toward a side alley. Yu Li found it strange and looked back, only to see a sea of heads moving under the sun on the main street ahead, with black-armored soldiers standing guard by barricades—it looked like a lockdown.

The scene flashed by, but Yu Li had many thoughts. She had heard merchants earlier complaining that there were few people today; had Xie Yao cleared the road, letting only a few people in, just so she could shop? Xie Yao’s expression was normal, carrying an inscrutable, faint smile.

*It couldn't be...* Yu Li suddenly felt like a sinner.

Noticing something, Xie Yao said, "I heard there have been thefts by merchants in the West Market recently. The magistrate is investigating, and that must have been the magistrate passing through, imposing a lockdown."

"Oh," Yu Li replied. *Yes, that must be it. It definitely is.*

At the restaurant, Yu Li kept her guard up. Although it was meticulously arranged, she could still see signs that the place had been cleared for them. Yet, the manager and staff acting as hosts showed no irregularities; they didn't neglect their guests, nor were they overly sycophantic in an uncomfortable way. If Yu Li didn't know Xie Yao's true identity, she certainly wouldn't have realized that this entire meal was carefully orchestrated to ensure she had the most relaxed and pleasant experience without revealing his status as the Prince Regent.

At first, Yu Li felt uneasy, but seeing Xie Yao so at ease, as if he were truly just there to play with her, she relaxed. Since he had already arranged it, she might as well enjoy it. Under the manager's recommendation, she tasted some of the capital's specialties; they weren't as delicious as Uncle Hu's cooking, but she still gave them a supportive compliment.

After leaving the restaurant, they went to a jewelry store and a pastry shop. At the jewelry store, they happened to run into two men—one tall and imposing, the other pale and thin. Yu Li was curious why two men would be shopping at a jewelry store, assuming they were plainclothes guards arranged by Xie Yao. Once inside, the manager glanced at them and became exceptionally attentive, leading them straight to a private room in the back.

Yu Li guessed this wasn't arranged by Xie Yao and felt much more relaxed. While looking around the room, she happened to see something the manager hadn't had time to put away: a long piece of jade, smooth and translucent, shaped like a large mushroom with a small cap and a thick stem. Yu Li froze for a second before her view was blocked by a staff member coming to take it away.

As someone who had spent a lot of time surfing the internet in the modern era, combined with the two men she had just seen, Yu Li instantly guessed what it was. Her face flushed with heat. Just then, Xie Yao came over to hold her hand, his fingers grazing her palm intentionally or otherwise, and Yu Li felt as if her whole body was burning up.