Qi Yue sat in the carriage watching the street scenes recede one by one outside.
Chang Yuncheng glanced at her, then reached out to lift the carriage curtain.
“Go to West Street,” he said.
A’Ru responded with a “yes,” and the coachman heard as well, cracking his whip to change direction.
Qi Yue simply closed her eyes to rest.
Chang Yuncheng didn’t speak again either. The bustling noise from the street passed through the carriage body into the small compartment, making it seem even more… lonely.
“Lord, Young Madam, we’ve arrived,” A’Ru said softly from outside.
The carriage slowly came to a stop.
The curtain was lifted, and Chang Yuncheng gathered his robes and stepped down.
“I’ll go back first, and the carriage can come pick you up later,” Qi Yue said.
Chang Yuncheng smiled slightly.
“No,” he said.
Qi Yue’s brows furrowed again.
“Chang Yuncheng, can we not be so awkward?” She leaned forward, lowering her voice. “You respect me, I respect you – can’t we coexist peacefully without interfering with each other?”
“We can,” Chang Yuncheng nodded.
“Then I’ll go back first, and the carriage will come pick you up later,” Qi Yue said with a smile.
“No,” Chang Yuncheng said straightforwardly.
Qi Yue stretched out her hand, barely managing to restrain herself from grabbing his collar.
“So you insist on making me walk back by myself?” she said through gritted teeth.
“You can follow me. I’ll buy some things, then we’ll go back,” Chang Yuncheng said calmly. “It’ll be quick.”
Qi Yue looked at him and straightened up.
“Then hurry up,” she said.
Chang Yuncheng smiled at her and turned around.
A’Ru was about to lower the curtain when he turned back.
“Oh, would you like to come down and look around?” he asked.
Qi Yue pursed her lips and thought for a moment.
Sitting here was indeed a bit stuffy…
Qi Yue stood up, and A’Ru quickly reached out to help her. Watching her lower her head to step down from the carriage, Chang Yuncheng, who had turned around, quietly breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately put on a stern expression and walked away first.
This was Qi Yue’s first time strolling through an ancient street. This street should be similar to a modern commercial street, with shops lined up, crowds of people, shouts, laughter, bargaining voices, and the sounds of strings and bamboo music drifting from wine shops and teahouses, all mixing together in a steamy rush.
Several elderly women walked past carrying rice wine and meat.
“Is it almost New Year?” Qi Yue heard them mention the year in their chatter and couldn’t help but be stunned.
“Yes, today is already the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month,” A’Ru said.
“When I arrived, it was…” Qi Yue couldn’t help but say.
A’Ru glanced ahead, where Chang Yuncheng was standing in front of a corner shop, with a clerk enthusiastically trying to sell him something.
“It was April,” she then quietly finished Qi Yue’s sentence.
Qi Yue put her hands in her sleeves and slowly walked forward.
“More than half a year has passed,” she murmured with a sigh.
A’Ru looked somewhat worried. Seeing a general store nearby with various ornaments hanging, she quickly tugged at Qi Yue’s sleeve.
“Young Madam, look at this butterfly pendant…” she said, pointing.
Qi Yue was indeed attracted and looked up to see it was a butterfly made of woven rope, with knots of various sizes hanging down, very exquisite.
Seeing their dress and appearance, the sharp-eyed clerk immediately enthusiastically took it down and handed it over.
“How much is this?” Qi Yue asked.
“Not expensive, not expensive. It really matches your outfit, young lady. It would look wonderful when worn, just eight wen…” he said.
How much was eight wen? Qi Yue had no concept and looked at A’Ru.
Before A’Ru could speak, a hand reached over from behind.
“We’ll take it,” Chang Yuncheng said.
The servant behind him immediately handed over the money.
The clerk loudly expressed his thanks.
“We haven’t bargained yet,” Qi Yue said, glancing at him.
“What’s there to bargain about?” Chang Yuncheng said, tossing the pendant to A’Ru.