bookcurios Chapter 1268 Awkward Encounter
Chapter 1268 Awkward Encounter
"Is it possible?"
Xiao Mingzi's heart trembled, and he immediately bowed and said in a firm voice: "Don't worry, Your Majesty!"
"Even if I risk my life, I will never let those dirty and smelly creatures get close to our palace gate!"
Shen Zhinian waved his hand: "Go ahead."
"The slave retire."
Xiao Mingzi retreated quietly.
Shen Zhinian continued to look through the palace affairs booklet at hand.
She would not help the evil in matters related to children, but she is also a bodhisattva and cannot save all living beings.
In the cannibalistic palace, it is not easy to protect the world that you care about.
As for the troubles that others cause themselves, let them be.
……
The nineteenth day of the first lunar month.
The afternoon sun was shining brightly, and although it was still chilly in spring, it was also somewhat warm.
Inside Zhongcui Palace, Shen Zhinian changed into a set of folk women's clothing that had been prepared long ago.
She wore a plain brocade jacket and a moon-white pleated skirt. Her black hair was tied up in a simple bun with a jade hairpin inserted diagonally.
Although it is plain, it makes her eyes and eyebrows look more picturesque.
Fuqiu also dressed up as an ordinary maid and followed Shen Zhinian.
Nangong Xuanyu was also in Zhongcui Palace at this moment, wearing a royal blue robe with dark patterns, dressed like a rich young man. Without the emperor's stern aura, he looked elegant and handsome.
Seeing Shen Zhinian coming out, his gaze lingered on her for a moment, and a hint of imperceptible tenderness flashed across his eyes.
The group did not make a big fuss, but quietly left the palace in a seemingly ordinary carriage with green curtains.
Zhan Weiran led a team of elite imperial guards, who had already changed into the attire of ordinary servants or pedestrians. They were guarding the carriage from far and near, scanning everything around them with sharp eyes.
The streets of the capital city were indeed a hundred times more bustling than the imperial palace.
Although the Lantern Festival has passed, the temple fairs in Changdian, Baiyun Temple and other places are still very lively and extend until late at night.
Dragon and lion dances, stilt walkers, jugglers and street performers...
The shouts of various vendors and the laughter of tourists merge into a lively and vibrant urban atmosphere.
Shen Zhinian leaned against the car window, looking out curiously through the gauze curtain. When he saw something new and interesting, he couldn't help but pull Nangong Xuanyu's sleeve and point it out to him.
In the palace, she was the Imperial Noble Consort who ruled over all the other palaces, and she rarely showed such a lively and lively look. This made Nangong Xuanyu smile continuously, and he patiently looked in the direction she pointed.
Occasionally, Shen Zhinian would whisper and explain a folk story or two.
Watching the dragon dance procession outside the carriage, winding its way amidst the roar of gongs and drums, symbolizing the dragon's protection of the Great Zhou, Nangong Xuanyu couldn't help but feel a sense of joy in sharing the joy with the people.
But amidst this joy, there is a shadow...
Last year during the Lantern Festival, he had been so happy when he took Niannian out of the palace. However, they were suddenly attacked by an assassin, and she injured her arm due to the exhaustion...
The emperor's eyes darkened slightly, and he subconsciously tightened his grip on Shen Zhinian's hand.
This year, he will never let anything go wrong.
The manpower deployed by Zhan Weiran is enough to nip any danger in the bud.
The carriage moved forward slowly with the flow of people, and finally stopped in a relatively open place that was convenient for viewing and not easily crowded.
Nangong Xuanyu took Shen Zhinian out of the carriage, blended into the bustling crowd, and felt this rare atmosphere of fireworks.
Shen Zhinian watched an old craftsman selling sugar figures. In his hands, the crystal clear syrup turned into lifelike dragon and phoenix patterns in just a few seconds.
She couldn't help but admire softly: "Look, my husband, this craftsmanship is even more lively than the sugar paintings made in the imperial kitchen."
Nangong Xuanyu followed Shen Zhinian's gaze, a smile on his lips. The slight gloom that had just arisen from recalling the assassination attempt last year was dispelled by her smile.
He whispered, "There are many talented people among the people."
"Nian Nian likes it?"
As the emperor spoke, he turned his head to signal Li Changde who was following behind him.
Shen Zhinian gently pulled Nangong Xuanyu's sleeve, shook his head, and said with a sly look in his eyes, "No need, just take a look."
"If I were to walk down the street holding such a large candy phoenix, I'm afraid the whole capital would know tomorrow that my wife is quite old and still so greedy."
Nangong Xuanyu chuckled at this and took Shen Zhinian's slightly cold fingers in his backhand, warming them in his palm. "What are you afraid of? Let's see who dares to gossip."
He glanced at the sugar phoenix and added, "But this thing is too sweet, it's really not suitable to use too much."
As the two were talking, a circus troupe nearby struck gongs and drums, and the crowd suddenly surged.
Nangong Xuanyu protected Shen Zhinian by his side, and used his arms to exert a little force to separate the crowded crowd.
Shen Zhinian sensed the emperor's subconscious protectiveness and looked up at him, "Don't be nervous, my husband. Commander Zhan and the others must have made all the necessary arrangements."
"Ah."
Nangong Xuanyu responded, but his eyes still scanned the surroundings vigilantly.
After confirming that there was nothing unusual, he relaxed slightly, but his tone was filled with unquestionable persistence: "Even so, we must not be careless. Nian Nian's safety is more important than anything else."
He would never allow the thrilling scene last year to happen again.
Shen Zhinian's heart moved slightly, and he was about to say something else, but he keenly noticed that the aura of the person next to him suddenly changed.
She followed Nangong Xuanyu's suddenly cold gaze and immediately saw the familiar figure in front of the lantern stall.
Princess Wenshu.
And...the third place winner Bai Mufeng.
Nangong Xuanyu's brows were tightly furrowed, and the leisurely and gentle aura around him disappeared in an instant, replaced by a deep sense of oppression.
He opened his thin lips slightly, his voice a little colder: "Why is she here? And with the foreign ministers..."
The emperor did not say the rest of the words, but his disapproval was obvious.
How can it be proper for the eldest princess of the royal family to stroll around with a young official?
Shen Zhinian was also surprised.
Has the progress between Princess Wenshu and Bai Mufeng been so great?
Seeing Nangong Xuanyu's unhappy expression, she gently squeezed his palm and advised in a gentle voice: "Husband, calm down."
"Maybe Wenshu wanted to go out and relax, and maybe she'd run into Editor Bai by chance."
"You see they behaved politely and didn't overstep the bounds. Perhaps they just happened to meet and were just traveling together for a while."
Nangong Xuanyu snorted coldly, his eyes still fixed sharply on that side: "A chance encounter? Traveling together? The third place winner is quite leisurely!"
Having said that, the emperor did not get angry immediately, but his expression was not very good.
Shen Zhinian knew that the emperor valued rules and did not want the reputation of the royal family to be damaged, so she said softly, "My husband, it's rare for you to come out today. Don't let trivial matters ruin your mood."
"Wenshu is still young, so it's inevitable that she likes to play a little."
At this moment, Princess Wenshu and Bai Mufeng also looked over.
The subtle atmosphere of intimacy in front of the lantern stall froze in an instant, turning into endless panic and embarrassment.
Princess Wenshu subconsciously took a half step back, her face pale.
Bai Mufeng's body stiffened slightly, and the color drained from his handsome face. He quickly lowered his eyes, not daring to look for another second.