"It's still early. I heard Tianhuang City is quite lively at night. Shall we go out and take a look?" Xiao Jietian asked with a gentle smile.
He had overheard Liu Fei's conversation with Xuan Yi earlier. Since they had stayed for the banquet instead of going out, and it was still early, he decided to take them for a stroll.
Xuan Yi's eyes flashed with surprise. She hadn't expected Xiao Jietian to suggest going out together right after the banquet. He must have heard their earlier talk. In that instant, her impression of him improved even more.
If she had a favorability meter above her head, it would have risen noticeably.
She nodded slightly. The corners of her lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile before she quickly composed herself and said, as if it were nothing special, "Let's ask Xiao Meng and the others first."
"We're ready! Let's go!!"
The moment Xuan Yi finished speaking, two small figures appeared beside her. Both girls had already straightened their dresses and looked eager to set off.
Xuan Yi looked down at them and couldn't help laughing softly.
Xiao Jietian saw her smile and couldn't resist glancing at her again. "You look really beautiful when you smile. You should smile more often."
Xuan Yi paused. A faint blush seemed to touch her cheeks. She turned her face away, trying to hide it, and gave a light cough to cover her shyness.
"Stop saying pointless things. Let's go quickly. Xiao Meng and Xiao Ling can't wait any longer."
Hearing her words, the two little girls whispered to each other, "We weren't in a hurry… and Aunt Xuan's face looks red again…"
Xuan Yi immediately glared at them. "If you keep talking nonsense, I won't buy you anything delicious tonight."
The two girls instantly covered their mouths and nodded vigorously.
Xiao Jietian could only smile and shake his head. "Then let's set off."
The four of them followed the same path out of the manor. Liu Qing and Liu Fei, upon hearing that Xiao Jietian wanted to go out, had planned to arrange some guards to follow discreetly so as not to disturb them.
Xiao Jietian refused directly. He disliked having a large group of people trailing behind him like chaperones. Besides, the guards weren't very strong—if anything happened, he might end up having to protect them instead.
Remembering Xiao Jietian's terrifying strength, Liu Qing didn't insist. He simply waved for the selected guards to return to their posts.
He also briefly told Xiao Jietian which places were best to visit at night in Tianhuang City before leaving with Liu Fei.
After that, Xiao Jietian and the three others walked out of the Liu Family manor and followed the bluestone-paved streets toward the most bustling area of the city.
Not long after they left, a figure dressed in a guard's uniform slipped into the Cheng Family estate in the eastern part of the city. He knelt on one knee before a thin young man and whispered something.
Moments later, the young man led a group of guards toward the main gate.
…
Xiao Jietian and the others arrived at the liveliest street in the city center.
Hundreds of shops lined both sides of the long street, each entrance decorated with all kinds of lanterns—some shaped like blooming lotus flowers, others like birds spreading their wings. They were varied and beautiful, like a hundred flowers competing for attention.
Instead of cold moonstones, the lanterns contained special candles. The soft candlelight filtered through thin gauze, casting a gentle glow over the entire street. Different colored gauze produced different colored lights, making the whole avenue look colorful and dreamlike.
The street was packed with people, filled with constant shouts and lively clamor.
"Aunt Xuan, look! It's so beautiful here!" Xiao Ling grabbed Xuan Yi's hand, her little face full of excitement. Her eyes darted everywhere, almost unable to take it all in.
"This is Lingsha Street—the one Liu Qing mentioned. It's one of the most unique places in Tianhuang City," Xiao Jietian said softly to Xuan Yi, pointing at a large archway not far ahead. "Let's go in and experience some ordinary worldly life."
When Xuan Yi heard the words "worldly life," she realized how long it had been since she had truly experienced it herself.
Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng eagerly tugged at her hands. "Aunt Xuan, let's go play! I want to eat that!"
Xiao Ling pointed at a stall where the owner was skillfully flipping skewers of meat over charcoal. The rich aroma of grilled meat drifted everywhere.
The two girls immediately pulled Xuan Yi toward the skewer stall. They stood on tiptoes, their big round eyes fixed on the sizzling, fragrant meat.
Xiao Jietian watched the three of them with a doting smile and followed behind.
Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng each held a large skewer as they walked down the street, constantly looking left and right at the shops. They took occasional bites, their eyes full of satisfaction.
Xuan Yi was pulled along by the two little girls, moving deeper into the lively street.
…
Xuan Yi quietly followed half a step behind them, watching the two cheerful little sparrows flit through the market. Her gaze unconsciously softened.
She seemed to have been infected by their joyful mood. A constant smile lingered on her face. Fortunately she was wearing a veil, or she might have attracted far too much attention.
Xiao Jietian followed behind them like a silent bodyguard, content to watch.
Xiao Ling suddenly skipped forward and pointed at a sugar painting stall ahead, her eyes sparkling. "Meng Meng, look! That rabbit sugar painting is so pretty!"
She grabbed Xiao Meng's hand and hurried toward the stall. "Let's buy that one! It looks delicious too!"
"Then let's go see if there are other designs!" Xiao Meng's eyes also shone with delight.
The two girls chattered back and forth, their clear, bell-like voices ringing with laughter as they squeezed to the front of the stall.
Xuan Yi watched their skipping figures, her lips curving upward unconsciously. She wondered when she had last felt this innocent and carefree.
After buying their sugar paintings, the two girls turned around and ran back to Xuan Yi. Xiao Ling smiled with crescent-moon eyes and held up her sugar painting. "Aunt Xuan, this is for you!"
Xiao Meng shook hers as well. "Yes! Let's eat together!"
Xuan Yi looked at their bright, flower-like smiles and felt a warm current flow through her heart.
She gently took a small bite from each of their sugar paintings, then softly stroked their heads with a smile. "Alright, you two can eat the rest."
"Okay!" Seeing that Xuan Yi only took one bite, the girls happily withdrew their hands and continued savoring their treats.
Then they skipped ahead again. Their father had long been forgotten. What was a father compared to shopping and delicious food?
Just as Xuan Yi was about to follow the two little ones, a string of bright red objects suddenly appeared before her eyes.