Chapter 158: Chapter 157 Someone is Fighting
Zhao Junyao realized he had startled her when he saw the shock on her face. He hurriedly put his clothes back on and called out to her with a faint smile.
"Qingqing..."
"Come over..."
Xia Ruqing slowly walked over, feeling an indescribable emotion in her heart.
"My lord, how did you get so tanned?"
Zhao Junyao was stunned for a moment before he said nonchalantly, "What’s the big deal? A man should be rugged, not have skin as delicate as a woman’s!"
It feels stuffy sitting in a carriage for too long, he thought. Somehow, it’s not as exhilarating as horseback riding. Even if my skin peeled from the sun, I’d still prefer horseback riding!
Xia Ruqing was somewhat speechless. But then she thought about it, and it made sense. If a grown man spent all his time cooped up in a carriage, that would seem quite odd!
With this in mind, she stopped fussing about it and stepped forward, saying, "My lord, let me apply some ointment for you!"
Zhao Junyao smiled. "That’s alright, I’m not that delicate!"
As he spoke, he sat down at the simple desk nearby. "Pour me a cup of tea!"
Then, he picked up a book and began to read.
Xia Ruqing was somewhat speechless. She wondered when the Emperor developed the habit of never being without a book.But then again, being literate and martially skilled was standard for the Royal Family.If you were completely useless, why would you be the Emperor?
Thinking this, Xia Ruqing started to feel sympathy for Zhao Junyao. Being so learned, he must have started studying around the age of three or four.Though it sounded noble to be born into the Imperial family, he wasn’t necessarily happier because of it.
Alas, would their children have to live the same way in the future?She couldn’t bear the thought!
Xia Ruqing shook her head, trying not to dwell on these thoughts.
She went downstairs to fetch a pot of boiling water and took out the tea leaves she carried with her from a box. Xia Ruqing made a cup of cooling Molli Hua Cha to reduce internal heat. For flavor, she even added a piece of rock candy.
In fact, Zhao Junyao, as a man, didn’t need those sugar cubes favored by women. So, when he drank the tea, he frowned slightly.
"What’s wrong? Don’t you like it, my lord?"
Zhao Junyao thought about it and then said, "No sugar next time!"
"Oh..." Xia Ruqing lowered her head and replied.
She thought to herself, what a ’straight’ man he is!
Worn out from the whole day, they went to sleep early that night. They were less than a hundred miles from Zhuoshui County and would arrive there tomorrow if nothing unexpected happened.
Xia Ruqing was completely unaware. She never thought, nor dared to imagine that the mighty Emperor would go to such a small place for her.
In fact, if they were in the palace, Zhao Junyao indeed wouldn’t have done so. But this was on the road. They were passing by, and furthermore, he doted on her. That made all the difference.
When the Emperor wishes to elevate you, you become exalted, the apple of his eye. No one dare say otherwise.
Having just passed You Hour, Xia Ruqing was unbearably sleepy. Her eyelids were so heavy she couldn’t keep them open. They kept sticking together.
Finally, THUMP.
She collapsed onto the desk opposite Zhao Junyao and then began to snore deeply.
Zhao Junyao: "..."
Why does this little girl always act so foolish, with such an adorably dumb appearance? he wondered. But why do I find her so endearing?I seem to have gotten used to having Lady Xia serve me by my side.When I review and stamp documents, she sits quietly beside me, reading a book.Whenever I get sunburned, she gets scared, her face full of worry.When I ride a horse, she watches me with eyes sparkling like little stars.In her presence, I’ve gained the sense of admiration that men dream of.The more I look at her, the softer my heart feels.This girl... how can she be so likable and yet so pitiable.
Zhao Junyao slowly stood up, took the book from her hands, placed it aside, and then picked up her sleeping form. Her delicate and soft body made him reluctant to let go.
I want to protect her, he thought, to envelop her entirely under my wings. To always protect her, not letting her suffer the slightest grievance.
Thinking this, Zhao Junyao gently laid her on the bed. Then he lay down beside her, on the outer side.
Outside, the moon shone hazily. A cool breeze blew gently through the window. Everything was just right.
The next day, after another day of travel, they finally arrived at Zhuoshui County at dusk. The weather was hot, so the number of people venturing out increased as evening approached. Although it couldn’t be compared with the hustle and bustle of the streets of Capital City, the main streets were still bustling with people coming and going and were quite lively.
Upon entering the city, the carriage became inconvenient. Xia Ruqing had been jostled in it all day and really didn’t want to sit in it any longer. So she and Zhao Junyao got out to walk.
Luckily, both were dressed simply. The local customs in Jiangnan were also more open, with no prohibitions against women appearing on the streets. So, on the bustling street, they didn’t attract any particular attention. At most, they just looked like a few out-of-towners.
Xia Ruqing followed behind Zhao Junyao. She enjoyed the cool summer night breeze and the envious glares from the young unmarried women and young wives around her, feeling both smug and content.
Consort Yun, upon seeing this, wished she could tear Xia Ruqing to shreds right then and there.
"Look at her arrogant demeanor! I just want to smash that foxy face of hers to pieces!"
Clearly, I am the one the servants call ’Madam Yun’! she fumed internally. Having been with the master all this way, shouldn’t I be the one receiving affection?Even if not favored, getting a little attention just once or twice, not too poorly, would have been fine!Alas! Not even once!
It was even less necessary to mention Honored Lady Lan and Honored Lady Xi; these two were practically invisible throughout the journey. After all, they were just tagging along for a stroll and to see the sights. But those two are content, Consort Yun thought disdainfully. They have no grand ambitions and are thrilled just to go out shopping for a bracelet. It seems they aspire to little else.And Honored Lady Lan, don’t even get me started—a complete scaredy-cat.
What Consort Yun hated the most was still Xia Ruqing.
Xia Ruqing was completely unaware of what was happening behind her, but she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
"Is someone staring at me?" she murmured.
She was about to look back when, not far ahead, several cries of pain suddenly sounded.
The streets never lacked for people who loved to gawk at a commotion. A crowd quickly gathered.
Xia Ruqing was also very curious. "My lord, is there a fight?"
"Let’s go and have a look!"
Saying this, he firmly grasped Xia Ruqing’s hand, and they headed in the direction of the screams.
There were already many people up ahead. Xia Ruqing, not being very tall, couldn’t see clearly. She just felt that there really was a fight, and quite a few people were involved.
"Could it be... a group fight?" she wondered aloud.
Zhao Junyao was different, however. With his height of over 1.8 meters, few people could block his view when he stood there. However, after just one glance, his brows furrowed deeply.
"My Lord... what happened?" Xia Ruqing asked, tilting her head up.
"Hey... My Lord... My Lord, what are you doing?"
Zhao Junyao pulled her out of the crowd and settled her in a safe place.
"Qingqing, stand still and don’t move!"
Having said that, he turned around. He moved swiftly and gracefully, and after a few leaps, landed firmly in the middle of the throng.