Chapter 404 The Robust Imperial Consort 15 (2/2)

On this day, Zi Xi unusually did not go to Zui Chun Feng or deal with those secret intelligence matters.

Instead, she changed into the casual clothes of an ordinary wealthy woman, and, pulling Ling Siran, who was also dressed in a plain black robe, quietly slipped out of the back gate of the Princess's residence.

"Your Highness, where are we going?"

Ling Siran followed behind her, looking at her enthusiastic back with some confusion.

He still wasn't used to walking alongside her, always lagging behind by half a step.

"I'll take you to a nice place."

Zi Xi turned around and gave him a sly smile.

She took him to the West Market.

It lacks the orderly atmosphere and aristocratic grandeur of the East Market, but is brimming with a vibrant and lively local flavor.

The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, haggling over prices, children playing, and food sizzling as it cooks.

The various sounds and smells mingled together, creating a vibrant and lively scene of everyday life.

Ling Siran grew up in the strict and disciplined General's Mansion and rarely went out because of his bad reputation, so he had never seen such a scene before.

His tall frame appeared somewhat clumsy in the bustling crowd, and he instinctively wanted to shield Zi Xi in his arms, protecting her from those who might bump into her.

Zi Xi grabbed his wrist and led him to a sugar painting stall.

"Uncle, I'd like two, one dragon and one phoenix."

She expertly took out a copper coin.

Watching the old man use a spoon as a pen and sugar as ink, with a flick of his wrist, lifelike sugar dragons and phoenixes leap onto the stone slab.

A childlike curiosity shone in Ling Siran's eyes.

Zi Xi placed the crystal-clear sugar phoenix in his hand: "Try it."

Ling Siran looked at the sugar painting in his hand, which was so exquisite it didn't look like food, and hesitated for a moment. But under Zi Xi's encouraging gaze, he still carefully licked it.

The sweet taste melted on his tongue, a flavor he had never experienced before.

He looked up at Zi Xi, who was biting into a sugar dragon and smiling with her eyes crinkled. The corners of his mouth also unconsciously turned up in a slight smile.

Zi Xi looked at his almost negligible smile, but her heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something.

Then she took him to eat freshly steamed meat buns, to listen to street performers sing folk songs that he couldn't understand but found interesting, and to watch acrobats breathe fire and swallow swords.

Ling Siran went from being reserved and instinctively protective at the beginning to gradually relaxing later.

They might even widen their eyes slightly when they see something new and interesting, or their eyes would light up when they eat a snack that suits their taste.

Although he still didn't talk much, a bright light finally began to rise in his light brown eyes, which always carried a hint of timidity and inferiority.

Zi Xi stood beside him, watching him gradually lower his guard, seeing his ears occasionally turn red because of her approach, and how he awkwardly tried to shield her from the crowd but always seemed at a loss.

Ling Siran discovered that he didn't dislike this kind of down-to-earth place; in fact, he wanted to come back again.

Back at his residence, he continued his daily martial arts practice without fail. When Zi Xi occasionally passed by the training ground, she would notice that his spear technique seemed even more sharp and precise.

With agile leaps and bounds, their powerful figures gleam as they sweat profusely under the sun.

He even started sneaking into the kitchen.

At first, it was disastrous; either flour was spilled or pastries were burnt.

But when he nervously presented her with a plate of almond cookies that, though crookedly shaped, exuded an enticing aroma, for the first time...

Under his expectant and nervous gaze, Zi Xi picked up a piece and put it in her mouth.

It has a moderate sweetness and is crispy and delicious; surprisingly, it looks quite good.