In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, the Jiangs make a strategic move to secure a marriage alliance with a late bloomer, Jiang Ying, and the crown prince, Lan Xichen. However, their plans are disrupted when Jiang Ying is abducted before the meetin...
Once they are done, they start walking again; the town is now visible in the distance. Jiang Ying doesn't realize how silent he has been until he hears the bustle of the city around them, effectively helping to drown out his thoughts. People crowd around in front of stalls, trying to bargain for a better price for the items they want, and he takes a moment to breathe it all in.
Dark brown eyes land on a stall with cabbage, and Jiang Ying walks over quickly. Lying in front of him are all the vegetables he could possibly want, and his mouth waters at the prospect of getting some. Xie Yun's voice can be heard talking with the vendor, but Jiang Ying can't really bring himself to pay attention. All he wants is lettuce.
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Out of the corner of his eye, he catches his reflection in a bucket of water. He looks cute with his messy hair and slightly flushed cheeks from the brisk morning air. He smiles at his reflection and admires how the sunlight dances on his skin, giving him a warm glow.
A hand on the collar of his robes starts dragging him away from the stall. Jiang Ying turns around to protest but is effectively cut off when a bag of vegetables is thrust into his arms.
"Happy now?" Xie Yun raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips.
Jiang Ying clutches the bag closer to himself, his heart beating a little faster. Xie Yun really doesn't have to do this for him, so he appreciates it. "Very."
The two of them continue wandering around the marketplace but never really stop to look at any of the stalls. After all, Jiang Ying isn't sure how much money Xie Yun has, and he doesn't want to be rude. He does slow down for a bit when he sees a wanted poster with a familiar face on it. Subtly ripping it off the wall, he crumples it up and shoves it into his sleeve.
Xie Yun gives a sideways smirk, knowing what's happening around him. Without believing in himself, he wouldn't dare to step out of the woods.
They are almost making a full circle around the market before Xie Yun suddenly veers toward a stall. Confused, Jiang Ying follows him. Upon getting closer, he is able to see what is being sold inside the stall. On one side there are an assortment of pretty hairpins and combs, and on the other side is, of course, jujube. They have come here to get vegetables, and yet Xie Yun wants fruits. And that is this jujube!
Putting his hands on his hips, Jiang Ying glares at Xie Yun accusingly. "We came here to buy anything, but not sweet."
Xie Yun doesn't even look up as he continues looking through the jujube selection. "I never made such a promise."
A sigh leaves Jiang Ying's lips as he turns around to look at the combs and hairpins in front of him. Many of them are very detailed with vibrant colors, and some even have pearls in them, but Jiang Ying's eyes land on a comb with a purple lotus on the top. His hand grabs it carefully, and he admires it. The transparent purple petals of the lotus, enhanced with a sparkling pigment, give off a radiant shine in the sun. A glass bead sits at the center of the flower, surrounded by transparent stamen.
