[As long as I don’t have to squeeze into that small carriage with the Young Marquis, a little wind is nothing compared to suffocating inside.]
Changfeng’s smile remained unchanged, but his tone was polite and tactful:
“You jest, miss. The front seat is for attendants—how could we let you lower yourself? The carriage is equipped with a heater and your favorite preserved fruits. If you sit up front and catch a chill from the wind, the Young Marquis would surely blame us.”
Su Xiaoyu wasn’t ready to give up and was about to say more when the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Xiao Jingheng’s face, cool and pale as moonlight.
“Get in!”
Just two words, yet they carried an undeniable force.
Su Xiaoyu stiffened slightly, knowing that any further delay would likely provoke the Young Marquis.
With a resigned expression, she took one last longing glance at the “free” carriage shaft, sighed in acceptance, and bent to enter the carriage.
This time, Su Xiaoyu had learned her lesson. As she settled into the corner, she gripped the carriage door panel tightly, ensuring that even if there was another sudden brake, she wouldn’t be thrown off balance.
Xiao Jingheng sat upright in the main seat, holding a book. Out of the corner of his eye, he took in her appearance.
She was tense all over, like a startled little hedgehog with all its spines raised, practically wearing “stay away from me” on her face.
Xiao Jingheng felt a faint sense of helplessness.
Did he frighten her that much?
The carriage moved smoothly, and the interior was silent except for the occasional rustle of turning pages.
Su Xiaoyu’s fingers, still clutching the door panel, began to ache, but she didn’t dare relax, devoting all her attention to preparing for any potential mishaps.
This time, however, the carriage traveled steadily without the slightest jolt.
They soon arrived at West Market Street, the same market she had visited last time with Xiao Jingxuan.
As it was the Shangsi Festival today, the crowd was several times larger than before, with vendors lining both sides of the street selling all kinds of trinkets and snacks.
Su Xiaoyu’s nose twitched involuntarily.
It was the aroma of sugar-roasted chestnuts, freshly steamed meat buns… and even the sweet scent of baked sweet potatoes…
Her senses felt overwhelmed.
[So fragrant… It’s Old Li’s sugar-roasted chestnuts at the west end of the street! His chestnuts are sweet and soft, and there’s Granny Wang’s meat buns—thin-skinned and generously filled, bursting with broth in every bite…]
Though Xiao Jingheng’s eyes were on his book, his ears clearly caught her inner thoughts, along with the sound of her swallowing.
His hand, turning the page, paused briefly.
Soon, the carriage stopped at the street entrance, unable to proceed further due to the dense crowd.
Su Xiaoyu lifted the curtain and was instantly captivated by the scene before her!
The street was bustling with people, dotted with all kinds of food stalls—sugar figurines, candied hawthorn, wonton vendors…
A vivid, dazzling array of delights.
Staring at the glistening candied hawthorn, she unconsciously licked her lips.
Xiao Jingheng set down his book and looked up at her.
The girl, who had been as skittish as a startled bird just moments before, was now leaning halfway out the window, her almond-shaped eyes shining brilliantly!
“Stop the carriage,” he suddenly said, gesturing to Changfeng.
The carriage came to a halt. Su Xiaoyu, startled, quickly pulled her hand back and looked at Xiao Jingheng in a fluster, thinking she was being reprimanded for peeking.
But the next moment, she heard Xiao Jingheng instruct Changfeng: “Go buy a stick of candied hawthorn—the one with the largest hawthorn berries.”
Su Xiaoyu froze in astonishment!
【No way? The Young Marquis also likes to eat candied hawthorn?】
【Unbelievable! I never would have thought that someone as aloof and studious as him would enjoy such snacks?】
【Who would have guessed! Could this be the legendary… gap moe?】
She stole a glance at Xiao Jingheng and found him still sitting upright, his profile sharp and cold, completely at odds with the bright red, sweet candied hawthorn.
Soon, Changfeng returned holding a large, crimson candied hawthorn skewer glistening with a crystalline sugar coating, respectfully presenting it to the carriage.
Xiao Jingheng didn’t reach for it but instead glanced toward Su Xiaoyu.
Changfeng immediately understood and turned to offer it to Su Xiaoyu. “For you, Miss Xiaoyu.”
Su Xiaoyu stared blankly at the candied hawthorn that had suddenly appeared before her, feeling flustered. “Young Marquis, this…”
“Take it,” Xiao Jingheng said tersely, his gaze returning to the book in his hands.
Su Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment before accepting the skewer, only then realizing what had happened.
Wait…
So the Young Marquis had intended to buy it for her all along?
【Oh my gosh! The Young Marquis actually bought me candied hawthorn?! Why is he being so nice today? Is it because I wrote well yesterday?】
【No, wait! They say those in power love to punish first and reward later. Is the Young Marquis planning to punish me next?】
“Thank you, Young Marquis.”
Though her mind was in turmoil, the temptation of the treat was too strong to resist. Carefully, she stuck out her tongue and licked the transparent sugar coating.
So sweet!
Her eyes curved into happy crescents like a contented little hamster.
【Hmm, the Young Marquis doesn’t seem so scary after all. At the very least… the candied hawthorn he bought is delicious!】
Upon hearing this thought, the corner of Xiao Jingheng’s mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.
Later, as they walked through the market street, Changfeng led the way, skillfully navigating through the bustling crowd. Su Xiaoyu and Xiao Jingheng followed behind, observing their surroundings as they went.
Whenever Su Xiaoyu showed interest in something, Xiao Jingheng would buy it for her to taste, explaining:
“I came out today to observe the market conditions and understand the daily food of the common people. You can taste these and tell me your thoughts—consider it helping me ‘evaluate’ them, which will aid in understanding the people’s livelihood in the future.”
Hearing this, Su Xiaoyu immediately felt relieved of any burden.
Everything she pointed out and purchased ended up in her stomach.
Unbeknownst to her, two pairs of scrutinizing eyes from the second floor of the Drunken Immortal Inn had already taken in the entire scene on the street.
It was hard to miss—Xiao Jingheng stood tall and straight, his aura cold and imposing, his attire refined and distinguished.
Wherever he passed, the common people instinctively made way for him.
Meanwhile, in a private room on the second floor of the Drunken Immortal Inn, Third Prince Chu Yan sat by the window, casually sipping tea.
Dressed in a deep purple brocade robe with his hair bound by a jade crown, his features were handsome yet carried a hint of delicacy. His upturned phoenix eyes glinted with a shrewd, calculating light.
“Tch!”
He scoffed lightly, set down his teacup, and glanced at the woman sitting across from him—Lin Wan’er.
“Look, Miss Lin,” Chu Yan said, pointing with his folding fan toward the spot where Su Xiaoyu and Xiao Jingheng stood below, his tone laced with mockery.
"What a rare sight indeed. Our Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, known as the 'Iron-faced Judge,' actually has the leisure to accompany a young maid through the marketplace today. Look at this scene—candied hawthorns and pastries—how exceptionally considerate."
He deliberately paused, glancing at Lin Wan'er to observe the expression on her face, then continued slowly, "It seems… this 'Iron-faced Judge'… has developed a soft spot?"
Lin Wan'er followed his pointing finger and indeed spotted Xiao Jingheng standing out conspicuously in the crowd, with Su Xiaoyu trailing behind him, happily munching on an armful of snacks.