The carriage swayed, and the noise from the street echoed around.
The Empress Dowager sat alone by the window, still thinking about Ning Yuhe. From time to time, she would pick up the bronze mirror and look at it, as if she was comparing something.
After a long time, two soft knocks on the carriage woke up the Empress Dowager who was lost in her thoughts.
"Empress Dowager, the lanterns on the street are beautiful. Do you want to come down for a walk?"
A soft voice called out. It was Xu Buling.
The Empress Dowager was slightly confused. She opened the window and glanced outside. They were near the Fairy Bridge.
The night had fallen quietly. The street was brightly lit. Lanterns were hanging on the eaves of the buildings by the river. They swayed gently in the night wind, emitting a dim yellow light.
On the bluestone street, beside the quiet river, a few young willows drooped their branches. Young men and women in scholar robes and court ladies' dresses walked down together. The boatman on the river occasionally called out and took the passengers across a stone arch bridge in the distance. On the stone arch bridge, there were a few young men and women whispering to each other.
The stone arch bridge was a building from the previous dynasty. It was said that a fairy descended to the human world and met a scholar on the bridge. They fell in love with each other, so it was named the Fairy Bridge. No one knew whether the legend was true or not. However, this place had always been a good place for men and women to meet. The night view was beautiful, and there were many places where sunset clouds and rain came.
The Empress Dowager used to come here to enjoy the scenery, but after entering the palace, she never came here again. After all, it was a place for young people.
The Empress Dowager looked at the beautiful scenery outside the window for a long time. She shook her head and smiled, "I'll just look here. If I go out, I'll make a big fuss and spoil the mood of those lovebirds." As the Empress Dowager, she had to be accompanied when she went out. How could she have the chance to stroll on the street alone? As long as she showed up, both sides of the street would be cleared.
Xu Buling stood outside the window with a smile on his face, "Empress Dowager, you just need to change your clothes. As for your safety, with me here, no one in the world can get close to you. The guards can follow you from afar."
The Empress Dowager blinked and hesitated. She glanced at Xu Buling and looked at the buildings on the street. Finally, she was moved and closed the window.
"Qiao E, come in."
"Yes!"
Qiao E hurriedly entered the carriage, confused.
The Empress Dowager closed the doors and windows and stripped herself clean. She then pulled Qiao 'e over and changed into her usual maid uniform. She then took out a veil from a small cabinet in the carriage and covered her face with it. She picked up a bronze mirror and looked at herself. After making sure there was nothing wrong with her, she left Qiao' e naked and walked out of the carriage alone.
Xu Buring was waiting outside the carriage. When he saw her come out, he raised his hand to help her.
Naturally, the empress dowager would not easily come into contact with a man. She secretly rolled her eyes at Xu Buring and jumped down from the waist-high edge of the carriage. She even casually waved her hand and said, "Hurry up, we won't be able to go back once the palace gates are closed …" As she spoke, she jogged toward the bustling street.
Seeing her coming out, he raised his hand to help her. Although it was not an appropriate metaphor, his impatience was really like a wild horse out of control …
With Xu Buling around, there would be no big problem. The Empress Dowager asked the guards and palace maids to keep a suitable distance, and she took Xu Buling to the street.
The street of Fairy Bridge was not long. The shops on the street sold rouge, jewelry, books, paintings, and other things.
There were many men and women coming and going. Some were smiling sweetly, some were talking and laughing. There was no unrestrained behavior. The whole street was filled with a warm atmosphere of "passion and politeness".
The Empress Dowager was not old, but her figure and temperament were outstanding. There was no need to talk about Xu Buring. Wherever he went, he would attract gazes of embarrassment and jealousy. At this time, walking on the street, he naturally attracted a lot of eyes.
The Empress Dowager put her hands on her waist and tried to pretend that she was a lady who was taking her junior out to play. Her eyes were calm as she watched the various people on the street. After taking a few steps, she couldn't help but look back and whispered,
"No. Speaking of which, this is the first time I went on the street alone since I entered the palace ten years ago … Haha … I almost forgot what it felt like …"
Walking beside her, Xu Buling nodded slightly. "If Empress Dowager likes it, I will come to accompany you in the future. It's not a big deal."
The Empress Dowager frowned and thought for a while. She shook her head gently. "In the past, I did like to go out for a walk. But after living in Changle Palace for so many years, I have long been used to it … As the Empress Dowager, I have to pay attention to my manners. If the royal family knew that I wandered outside all day long, it would be difficult to explain to His Majesty …"
Xu Buling did not talk much. He looked around and raised his hand to point at the small pier by the street. "Empress Dowager, do you want to take a boat?"
The boats on the river were used to look at the Flower Street Lantern Scene. There were often boatmen waiting for guests on the street.
The Empress Dowager looked at them and smiled softly. "Since we are here, it is no big deal to sit for a while … Let's go." As she said this, she started walking in front. She walked down the stone steps to the riverside, lifted the hem of her skirt and jumped lightly onto the small boat. The calm surface of the river rippled.
Xu Buling followed closely behind and got on the boat. He sat on the cattail hassock prepared for the guests. The Empress Dowager leaned on the edge of the boat and looked at the rows of lanterns hanging on both sides of the river.
The boat slowly floated down the street. The Empress Dowager had been watching the scenery on the street. She was very fascinated because there were too few opportunities to come out to play and enjoy the scenery. Soon, she would have to return to the birdcage in Changle Palace. She might not have the chance to sit on a boat and tour the streets in her life again.
Xu Buling did not say anything. He just untied the wine gourd at his waist and poured himself a drink.
The Empress Dowager watched alone for a while. The boat slowly crossed the Fairy Bridge that spanned the long street and blocked her view. Only then did the Empress Dowager look away from the street. She felt that she had given Xu Buling the cold shoulder. She straightened her body slightly and returned to her usual dignified and magnanimous self.
She smiled and asked, "Xu Buling … Do you have something to ask of me?"
Xu Buling put down the wine gourd and smiled warmly.
"Why do you say that, Empress Dowager?"
The Empress Dowager's eyes were scrutinizing as she sized up Xu Buling. "I am not Hong Luan. I have been learning how to scheme and scheme since I was young. Even though I am not good at it, I know a little … Those who are unaccountably solicitous are hiding evil intentions. You have been a little too friendly to me recently …"
Xu Buling shook his head gently and looked a little resigned. "I am apologizing to you, Empress Dowager. As long as you do not blame me in secret, it is fine."
"If you return the item to me, I will naturally not blame you."
The Empress Dowager snorted faintly. She propped up her cheek with her hand and looked at the bright street again. She thought carefully.
"I know how powerful the Dragon Lock Parasite is, and the Xiao family does not have a way to cure it. It is not that I do not want to tell you, but you are Xu Lie's descendant. You have to be more responsible and courageous. A man should live and die when he should. It is not good to do things against his will to protect himself … For example, when you ran into my bed last time, if Old General Xu knew about it, he would definitely break three … two of your legs …"
"Thank you for your teachings, Empress Dowager."
"If I put myself in your shoes, I might be even more anxious than you. But as a king, you must be more determined than ordinary people. No matter how dangerous the situation is, you should place your sights on all the people in the world, and not just look at your own life …
"The Xiao family of Huainan has been the prime minister for three generations. In other words, we are fence-sitters of three families. But the Xiao family has always had a clear conscience, because the ancestral teachings of the Xiao family is to strive for the world for the people, not for one family or one family …"
The Empress Dowager was trying to persuade Xu Buling. She wanted him to shift his focus from the Dragon Lock Parasite to other things. After all, in her heart, the Dragon Lock Parasite could not be cured, and it was meaningless to think about it.
Xu Buling's expression was as calm as ever. He nodded slightly and looked at her with a smile.
"In the future, I will naturally focus on the people in the world."
The Empress Dowager was helpless. She knew that it was useless to persuade him, so she gave up and looked at the lanterns above. "It is getting late. Let's go back to the palace, lest the people in the palace gossip … Oh yes, in a few days, His Majesty will entertain the ambassadors of Northern Qi. You should come and take a look. After you are crowned king, you will also have to deal with Northern Qi …"
With that, the Empress Dowager stood up and asked the boatman to dock. She led Xu Buling to the side street and walked side by side to the carriage at the other end of the street.
The lanterns were like a dream, and the stars were hazy.
On the way back, the Empress Dowager's footsteps slowed down again. She would look back every few steps, but she did not know what she was looking at.
Xu Buling walked in front of her. After noticing her movements, he said softly,
"Empress Dowager, do you still want to walk around?"
The Empress Dowager came back to her senses and shook her head with a gentle smile. "It's not enough. I just feel a little reluctant … No matter how high my status is, it is useless if I can't do as I please. This is probably the only chance to walk around the street … It feels like something is missing …"
Xu Buling frowned slightly and looked back at the street full of lanterns. "What is it … Hmm …" He turned and walked to the side of the street.
The Empress Dowager was slightly puzzled and looked back.
She did not expect to see a handsome man in white standing by the side of the street, picking and choosing the candied hawthorn. His expression was serious, but his behavior was a little childish.
How could the prince of a vassal state personally buy candied hawthorn …
The Empress Dowager stopped in her tracks. The lanterns were reflected in her eyes, but she did not know how to describe this feeling.
While she was absent-minded, the man in white ran back with a red candied hawthorn in his hand and a smile on his face.
"Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager stood in the street full of lanterns and blinked. She lowered her head to look at the candied hawthorn in front of her. She found it a little funny, but for some reason, she could not laugh. After a long time, she pursed her lips and raised her hand to take the candied hawthorn that only children would eat. She said softly,
"Boy, I'm already so old, and you're not young either. You have to pay attention to the demeanor of a prince …"
"Empress Dowager, do you like it?"
"…"
The Empress Dowager glanced at Xu Buring, then turned around and continued walking. She said in a low voice,
She said softly, "I do like it …"
"It's good that you like it. Why do you care about what others think?"
"That's true …"
Holding the candied hawthorn, the Empress Dowager covered her face with her sleeves. She put the fresh and juicy candied hawthorn between her red lips and took a bite. She found that Xu Buling was smiling, so she glared at him fiercely and quickly ran to the front.
The night breeze was gentle on the side street, and the willows were swaying by the riverside.
A gifted scholar and a beautiful woman walked together on the side of the road. The bright lights in the calm river made it hard to tell whether they were the reflections of lanterns or the stars in the sky.
They were a few steps away from each other. At this time, they seemed to be no different from the young man and woman on the side of the street. However, the gap between them was even farther than the stars in the sky.
The Empress Dowager walked for a while with the sweet and sour candied hawthorn in her mouth. Suddenly, she looked back — the man in white was walking behind her. He raised his hand and smiled.
She hurriedly turned back and walked forward with her head down. Unconsciously, an inexplicable thought came to her mind. If only it had been ten years earlier. Who would want to enter the palace and be the Empress …
But the thought was just a thought. The Empress Dowager quickly suppressed this inappropriate thought. After all, the fact was that she was the Empress Dowager of Dai Yue …
"Alas …"
A faint sigh rose silently on the side of the street.
The Empress Dowager looked at the candied hawthorn in her hand and suddenly felt a little reluctant to eat it …
