In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, the Jiangs make a strategic move to secure a marriage alliance between a late bloomer, Jiang Ying, and the crown prince, Lan Xichen. However, their plans are disrupted when Jiang Ying is abducted before the mee...
The bustling streets and markets of Yunmeng fill the air with a cacophony of sounds and scents. Vendors call out to passersby, enticing them with their wares, while the chatter of locals and visitors alike creates a lively backdrop for the city's everyday hustle and bustle. Amidst the chaos, Nie Huaisang glances at the various stalls through his veil, his heart pounding in his chest with the crown prince's presence beside him.
"It's nothing, just another day," he convinces himself, trying hard to maintain his composure as he watches, out of the corner of his eye, how Lan Xichen carries himself with grace and elegance. After all, the crown prince is the perfect picture of manners.
"Where do you think we should start?" Lan Xichen asks in a calm and soothing voice.
Nie Huaisang nervously pulls a thread in his sleeve and lets out a chuckle. It wouldn't be a problem if he were back in Qinghe; he knows all the good places for food and artistic collections for fans there. But here in Yunmeng, he feels as though he is running blindly with a knife in his hand. Shaking his head, he aimlessly gestures toward a nearby vendor selling steamed buns.
Lan Xichen nods in agreement, and the two of them begin to make their way through the bustling crowd, the aroma of various foods filling the air around them. Nie Huaisang can't help but admire how the crown prince navigates through the crowd with ease, his presence commanding respect and admiration from those around him. Is it called power or charisma?
As they approach the vendor selling steamed buns, Nie Huaisang's stomach growls in anticipation. Lan Xichen smiles and places an order for a few buns, exchanging a few words with the vendor, who recognizes him at first sight and keeps bowing. Nie Huaisang watches in awe as the crown prince effortlessly interacts with the people around him, his easy smile and warm demeanor putting everyone at ease.
Taking a bite of their steamed buns, they walk toward the main stage, where a traditional dance performance is about to begin. The music fills the air, and the dancers gracefully move in perfect harmony, their colorful costumes twirling and shimmering in the sunlight. Nie Huaisang can't help but be mesmerized by the beauty and precision of the performance, feeling a sense of joy and wonder wash over him. Beside him, Lan Xichen's eyes are alight with appreciation for the beauty of the art form.
As the dance comes to an end, the crowd erupts in applause, their cheers and claps echoing through the square. Lan Xichen looks up at his future mate with a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, but it fades away as he realizes the other is missing. Startled, he asks his guards and searches the crowd frantically, panic rising in his chest. The sound of rustling in the bushes nearby causes him to jerk his head in that direction.
The bush shakes with movement, a few leaves falling off. Lan Xichen pulls out his sword and nods at his guards before silently approaching the bush. As he gets closer, he sees a crouched figure placing a canary in a cage.
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His heart skips a beat as he recognizes the figure as his future mate. Relief floods through him as he watches the figure carefully tending to the bird, his face a picture of concentration. Lan Xichen lowers his sword and clears his throat, causing Nie Huaisang to startle and look up, his eyes widening in surprise.
