Chapter 1656: Chapter 83: Heavenly Cry Saintess, the Girl in the Purple Dress! (2)
Under Little Dumpling’s frequent surprises, their expressions gradually brightened, adding a lively touch.
Behind them, Jiang Ning watched this scene and secretly nodded in satisfaction, this was the effect he desired.
A moment later.
Jiang Ning, with a gentle demeanor, followed the three, while ahead, Zhong Ling and Little Dumpling laughed continuously, occasionally accompanied by Ji Mingyue’s laughter.
The two fully relaxed, occasionally stopping to look at jewelry shops or painting stalls.
As they reached Vermilion Bird Street, they spotted in the distance a few carriages belonging to the families of court ministers.
One of the carriage curtains was slightly lifted, revealing a familiar face—it was the Second Princess Ji Mingya.
She noticed Jiang Ning and his group, a hint of surprise flickered in her eyes, but then a charming curve graced her lips, nodding from afar but not stopping, the carriage proceeded towards the Imperial Palace.
Jiang Ning, pretending not to notice, continued to lead the trio on a leisurely stroll.
Jiang Ning’s outing today had no purpose other than a simple stroll; he had no intention of getting involved in anything or attending to any matters.
The Royal Capital’s bustling scene, often overlooked while residing within the National Master Mansion, came alive to him as he listened to the street’s clamor, watched citizens busy with their livelihoods, worried or delighted by trivial matters, gradually easing the tension tightened due to the advancement in skills and potential threats.
Up ahead, Little Dumpling had taken a fancy to a stall making sugar figurines, where the stall owner skillfully used hot syrup to outline an expanding phoenix.
Little Dumpling tugged at Zhong Ling and Ji Mingyue’s sleeves, looking eagerly and softly exclaiming, eyes shining as if holding a light.
Seeing Little Dumpling’s anticipation, Zhong Ling’s eyes were filled with affection, and she couldn’t help but ruffle Little Dumpling’s hair.
This brief encounter brought her closer to Little Dumpling.
At this moment, Ji Mingyue was also captivated by the exquisite skill, temporarily forgetting the gloom within her heart.
"Which one do you want?" Jiang Ning approached leisurely, asking warmly.
"The phoenix!" Little Dumpling pointed crisply at the syrup-outlined phoenix.
Jiang Ning paid the stall owner, watching as their wrist deftly turned, golden sugar threads quickly formed on the stone surface.
Little Dumpling watched intently; meanwhile, Zhong Ling softly spoke to Ji Mingyue, perhaps about having seen similar things in their childhood at Five Mountains Prefecture, causing Ji Mingyue to cover her mouth and laugh lightly, her previously dim eyes now sparkling.
Before long, the sugar phoenix was completed, crystal clear and lifelike.
Little Dumpling carefully accepted it, holding it in hand, examining it from all angles, reluctant to eat it.
Ji Mingyue jested, "If you don’t watch where you’re going, be careful it doesn’t fall and not be edible."
"It will be, anyway!" Little Dumpling tightly held the sugar phoenix, saying, "Uncle said anything dropped on the ground can be eaten if it’s not there for more than three seconds."
"Three seconds?!" Ji Mingyue froze upon hearing this familiar term.
Then looked toward Jiang Ning, knowing that in the Great Xia, time wasn’t measured by seconds.
At this point, Little Dumpling also shifted her gaze from the sugar phoenix, closely following by Jiang Ning’s side.
The four followed the crowd, unknowingly arriving near the well-known "Rain Listening Bridge" in the Royal Capital.
Under the bridge, the river water was clear, with willow trees gracefully hanging on either bank.
Despite being daytime, there were moored painted boats, with faint sounds of silk and bamboo drifting, carrying an air of leisure.
At the bridgehead, several stalls selling trinkets and food emitted enticing aromas.
"Marquis, we’ve been walking for quite a while, how about taking a rest?" Zhong Ling gently suggested, her gaze resting on a neat tea stall by the river.
Jiang Ning nodded, "Sounds good."
The tea stall was simple, only propped up a few tables, but had an open view facing the river and stone bridge.
They ordered a pot of plain tea and a few plates of Royal Capital’s specialty pastries, like pea flour cakes, date paste crisp, among others.
Little Dumpling carefully placed the sugar phoenix at a corner of the table and eagerly grabbed a piece of pea flour cake, stuffing it into her mouth, cheeks bulging, eyes squinting in satisfaction.
Zhong Ling poured tea for Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue.
Though the tea was of poor quality, nowhere close to the exquisite products within the National Master Mansion, it carried a unique homely atmosphere.
Jiang Ning raised the rough earthen bowl, sipping gently, his gaze sweeping across the river surface, looking toward the distant majestic palace walls.
The contours of the Imperial Palace were faintly visible from afar, yet in his heart, there was no longer the oppression and self-mockery felt during court assemblies.
The advancement in strength brought confidence, along with a transformation in mindset.
Ji Mingyue followed his gaze, her eyes initially dimming, but soon regaining tranquility.
She picked up a piece of date paste crisp, nibbling on it, suddenly speaking softly, "Actually... this is quite nice."
She didn’t specifically say what "this" referred to, but Jiang Ning understood; it meant this moment of simple peace, away from royal entanglements.
"A stroll outside can indeed soothe the mind." Jiang Ning remarked, "The Royal Capital’s eight-hundred-year heritage holds many interesting aspects within the streets."
Little Dumpling swallowed the pastry, curiously asking, "Uncle, what else is there that’s fun?"
Jiang Ning chuckled, "I’ve heard that West Market has acrobatics and variety shows, every day in South City Wasi there’s a storyteller recounting tales, and the East Market Tea House occasionally hosts evening clear melodies...there’s plenty of interesting places."
Just then, Ji Mingyue, with a smile at the corner of her mouth, looked at the painted boats along the river.
"And there’s the entertainment on these pleasure boats!"
Following Ji Mingyue’s gaze, Jiang Ning looked over.
Floating along the river were several painted boats, seemingly with faint sounds of silk and women’s melodious singing drifting over.
He knew these painted boats were places for seeking pleasure and enjoyment.
In the entire Royal Capital, they were quite renowned.
It’s also because of these painted boats that this bridge became more famous.
As he gazed at the painted boats along the river, his eyes suddenly focused.
On the railing of one painted boat.
Appeared a maiden in a purple dress, with almond-shaped eyes and a chiseled face, her chin slightly pointed.
