Xia Ruqing’s face showed a hint of difficulty.
"I dare not make decisions on Master’s behalf!"
But deep down, she was strongly opposed.If the Master said he was bringing them, she couldn’t resist, but the Master had said he would bring only her.She wanted to enjoy a world of just the two of them with her husband the Emperor, and she definitely wouldn’t do something as foolish as "pushing her husband the Emperor onto others."
Honored Lady Xi hurriedly explained, "Elder Sister Xia, you’ve misunderstood. It’s not... not about going out with the Master; it’s... it’s just that Eldest Sister Lan and I wanted to look around nearby..."
After speaking, her face turned sorrowful. "I really don’t want to be cooped up here all day!"
Xia Ruqing suddenly realized, "Oh!" So that was what they meant.
Indeed, imagine living on bustling streets, with equally bustling crowds below, surrounded by rouge shops, jewelry stores, and all sorts of rare antiques.They are all young girls; how could they not love these things?If they had to suppress their urge to go out, that would be too miserable.
Upon this thought, she felt she had been a bit petty just now.What’s the big deal?
Immediately, she eased up and said, "If that’s the case, you should just go tell Steward Li directly. I’ll mention it on your behalf later!" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novelꞁire.net
This was considered a fairly big concession. Actually, in front of her husband the Emperor, she didn’t even want to mention other women!
Honored Lady Xi’s eyes lit up when she heard this. "Thank you so much, Elder Sister Xia!"
"No need for thanks!"
After some pleasantries, Honored Lady Xi left.
Xia Ruqing, along with Zi Yue, also proceeded to Zhao Junyao’s room.
The street was bustling and lively, with a constant flow of people.
As she walked, Xia Ruqing couldn’t stop exclaiming, "How can it be livelier than the New Year’s festival!"
Zhao Junyao was walking slowly with her on the paved cobblestone road. Though a carriage was available, in such a place, walking was still faster than a carriage! Better to walk, then.
All morning, Zhao Junyao strolled with her down the main street, without any particular destination in mind. Rouge shops, Cloth Shops, ready-to-wear stores, jewelry stores—they visited them all.
In fact, Zhao Junyao had no interest in going to such places, but then he saw Xia Ruqing’s eyes sparkling with joy. He softened.Fine, since he rarely took her out, let her have a look then.
While she picked out things, he sat to one side and drank tea, appearing as an enviable couple to onlookers.
Along the way, Xia Ruqing didn’t know how many young women and wives were shooting her death glares filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment!
Xia Ruqing didn’t care anyway. Whoever glared at her, she just glared back.
Zhao Junyao was somewhat amused and exasperated by this!
Xia Ruqing, however, was having a blast, completely oblivious to anything amiss! She was busy with her buying spree—after all, it was the Emperor, her husband, who was footing the bill! Why pass up free stuff?
In the jewelry shop, Xia Ruqing was immediately dazzled!
The jewelry from Jiangnan might not have the grandeur of the Capital City’s, but with its intricate design and delicate beauty, it was very suitable for a woman like Xia Ruqing, who wasn’t of high status and didn’t have much jewelry to wear.
In the Harem, the type of head adornment one wore correlated to their status. A Bu Yao also had to be distinguished between single and double-sided. With her status, the range of jewelry she could wear was limited to a few Gold Hairpins, Jade Hairpins, Pearl Flowers, and so on. Although these were good items, they were not particularly exquisite.
Now... she didn’t even know where to look first.
"My Lord! I want this one!" she pointed to a blue Enameled Butterfly Hairpin, so excited she forgot its name. "My Lord, that Zhu Hua is also beautiful!"
Zhao Junyao put his teacup down and looked at the tray in the shopkeeper’s hands.
Then... the corners of his mouth twitched.
"Is there any difference?" To him, all these women’s items looked the same.What did it matter if it was a butterfly or a flower? They couldn’t differ much.But if Qingqing liked it, then buy it.
Just as he was about to instruct Li Shengan to pay in Silver, a woman dressed in extremely exquisite and luxurious clothing suddenly walked in.
She first looked around casually. When she saw Zhao Junyao, her eyes lit up, and she walked over.
She bowed gracefully and then said, "Young master, I have taken a liking to the Sapphire Silver Hairpin in the tray. Coincidentally, this lady isn’t interested in it. May I know... could I possibly buy it?"
Zhao Junyao glanced at her but didn’t reply immediately. His slender fingers picked up the teacup and took a sip, just about to say something.
That’s when Xia Ruqing suddenly spoke, "I’m sorry, miss, but I haven’t finished choosing yet. Why don’t you take a look at the other items!"
Her tone was full of caution and hostility. This woman looks pretty, but... you can tell she’s up to no good. Where did this white lotus spring from? Do I even know her?
Zhao Junyao was cut off, but he didn’t get angry; instead, he nodded apologetically.
The woman’s eyes flashed with malice, but she suppressed her anger and said with a smile, "I’m not in a hurry. Take your time picking, miss!"
After speaking, she glared at the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper’s expression changed drastically in an instant. Then he glanced at Zhao Junyao’s expression.
In the end, bracing himself, he said, "This... this young master, this lady, I’m really sorry, but the shop won’t be doing business today! Please... please, you two, take your leave!"
Xia Ruqing’s face was filled with disbelief, and her expression changed immediately. "What do you mean, shopkeeper? Are you... throwing us out?"
The shopkeeper said nothing, only shook his head with a look of distress, then went to usher out the other customers.
Strangely enough, although the other customers were also displeased, they seemed to be used to it. With unhappy expressions, no one dared to complain. Only after leaving the shop did they mutter a few complaints to each other, shake their heads, and depart.
Li Shengan signaled to Little Zhuzi with his eyes.
Little Zhuzi hurried forward to inquire and returned shortly. "Sir, that was the legitimate daughter of Prefect Hou of Jiangning! She’s used to being overbearing, and nobody dares to provoke her!"
After hearing this, Zhao Junyao wasn’t angered; instead, he smiled and said, "Great!"
With that, he gave another instruction, "This Hou Family and I certainly have some fate—first they snatched a room, and now they’re after jewelry!"
Li Shengan asked anxiously, "What are your orders, sir?"
Zhao Junyao just laughed and said, "Nothing much. Just have someone find out more about the Hou Mansion’s usual conduct. Who knows... it might come in handy very soon!"
"Yes!" Li Shengan quickly agreed.
With a turn, he passed down the instructions, but let’s not dwell on that.
In the meantime, after giving his orders, Zhao Junyao cozied up to Xia Ruqing and coaxed her, "Not happy? There are a few more shops up ahead. Come on, I’ll buy you something nicer!"
With that, the group left.
Xia Ruqing was still pouting, clearly not pleased. She couldn’t forget that Miss Hou’s smug look!That haughty air, she really wanted to slap her!But... thinking it over, better not bring trouble to Junyao while they were out.
Xia Ruqing sighed. After all, theirs is a family on its last legs; I should be more tolerant of them!
With this thought, it seemed she wasn’t so angry anymore, and so she cheered up.
「In Jinling City, at the Hou Mansion.」