Yuyi Tower was the largest restaurant in the Capital. Not only were its dishes unique, but its interior and exterior decorations had cost a small fortune.
The noble young ladies of the Capital usually loved coming here to watch plays and amuse themselves, and he had originally assumed Fu Rong would like it. Yet, seeing her repeatedly drift off in thought, he felt a certain disappointment.
Jiang Yue did not notice the undercurrents between the two beside her.
Looking at the streets as bright as day, she could hardly conceal her excitement.
Ever since she entered the Capital and stepped foot into the Marquis Manor, she had not been out even once, let alone come to such a bustling street market.
Her eyes could not take it all in as she looked around while following along. All the way up to the third-floor private room, she discovered that a small theatrical stage had actually been built right inside, and she could not help letting out a gasp of surprise: "Plays can even be performed inside a room?"
Following her gaze, Xiao Yunsheng saw that her eyes were bright like stars and filled entirely with novelty, which in turn caught him up and revived his own interest.
"The headliner troupe took a break recently, but they happen to be back at the restaurant today. Honored guests may request a play at any time."
Just then, the manager came over, personally carrying a tray with pastries and tea, and quietly winked at Fu Rong.
Leaving behind a folded script for the plays, he bowed and took his leave.
The lingering fragrance of the tea immediately let Jiang Yue and Xiao Yunsheng recognize it as the exact kind Fu Rong drank every day. Ever since their marriage, all the various quarters of the Xiao Mansion had abandoned their old teas and switched to serving this one.
Fu Rong stared blankly at the tea and pastries. Seeing that both of them were looking at her, she hastily smiled to mask her unnaturalness: "No wonder this restaurant does the best business. I've only been here twice before, yet the manager still remembers my preferences."
Xiao Yunsheng pushed the play script toward her: "Would Madame care to request a play?"
Agitated and unsettled, Fu Rong could not take in a single word, and hearing the mention of requesting a play made her eyes wander everywhere.
Suddenly hearing the cries of street vendors from outside, her eyes lit up, and she grabbed Jiang Yue by the arm, pulling her close.
"Jiang Yue, I hear someone selling plum blossom cakes down below. Go down and buy a portion."
Plum blossom cakes?
Jiang Yue had previously worked in the kitchen, and she knew the tastes of everyone in the Marquis Manor inside out. To maintain her figure, Fu Rong never ate pastries of this sort, and everything that entered her mouth every day consisted of extravagantly expensive ingredients.
Such street foods were not merely unfit to pass her lips; they were not even permitted to appear before her eyes.
Perhaps seeing her standing there in a daze, Fu Rong applied a hidden pinch to the back of Jiang Yue's hand under the cover of her sleeve.
She gripped Jiang Yue's hand hard enough to cause sharp, unbearable pain.
Then she pointed at the candied haws outside. "It's rare for us to get out, and I can't very well go down there myself. Go and take a look around at those stalls to see if there are any fun things, and bring them back to the manor so we can all play with something novel."
With that, she turned her head back to look at Xiao Yunsheng: "Husband should go too."
The two of them looked at Fu Rong together, failing to understand what she was up to.
Tilting her head, Fu Rong shyly twirled her handkerchief: "Husband only tossed out a single remark today and thought he could coax this concubine; this concubine won't let you off that easily."
As she spoke, her eyes shifted slightly, and her cheeks gradually flushed crimson: "The dishes won't be served for a moment yet, so I penalize Husband into buying a small trinket to coax me. If you pick poorly, you won't be staying in my bedchamber tonight."
Such a coy and tender appearance made even Jiang Yue blush.
Yet in her heart, a quiet sense of anticipation stirred.
If he truly could stay the night, that would be for the best.
Hearing Fu Rong put it this way, although Xiao Yunsheng said nothing, he silently set down his cup, stood up, and walked straight toward the exit.
Jiang Yue was still hesitating when Fu Rong gave her a shove.
She was nearly sent stumbling, and looking back to see Fu Rong exchanging glances with her, though she remained puzzled, she obediently followed behind Xiao Yunsheng out of the restaurant.
Ever since they won several consecutive battles and established trade with neighboring countries, night markets and businesses were permitted in the Capital, presenting a prosperous scene across the streets.
This was all thanks to Xiao Yunsheng.
Watching that tall figure hesitate in front of various stalls, Jiang Yue wanted to keep her distance from him, so she turned away to search for the plum blossom cake stall. When she saw how densely packed the crowd was around it, she found herself in a dilemma.
That queue would take at least three quarters of an hour.
She feared Fu Rong would grow impatient again by the time she returned.
Suddenly she heard a soft cough from behind.
Turning her head, she saw Xiao Yunsheng holding two hairpins in his hand, looking rather troubled.
Seeing Jiang Yue raise her head to look at him, Xiao Yunsheng extended his hand, revealing the styles of the two hairpins:
"You've stayed by Madame's side for a long time and know her preferences better. Help me choose one."
One of the hairpins was opulent and magnificent, while the other was elegant and refined.
Either one was an exceptionally fine design.
Yet Xiao Yunsheng was tall and powerfully built, and even his palms were broader and longer than ordinary men's. No matter how fine the hairpins were, they looked insignificant in his hands, resembling nothing more than a pair of chopsticks whittled down to half their size, or perhaps two embroidery needles.
The sight was truly rather incongruous.
Even passing matrons and young ladies repeatedly turned their heads to stare at his hands and giggle.
Jiang Yue could not help letting out a soft chuckle.
Seeing Xiao Yunsheng frown, Jiang Yue hurriedly stopped laughing and looked at them seriously: "Both are lovely. As long as they are chosen by the General, Milady will surely understand your intentions, and she will be happy with whichever one you pick."
Yet lowering her gaze, Jiang Yue knew very well that far from choosing just one, even if she bought every single item on this entire street and took them back, Fu Rong would still not be satisfied.
Fu Rong's preferences always demanded surpassing everyone else; everything had to outshine the rest. No matter how prestigious or expensive an item was, in her eyes it was nothing special.
Whichever of these two hairpins was chosen, if Fu Rong found out they were bought at a street stall, she would certainly disdain them and refuse to wear them.
Even though both pieces possessed top-tier craftsmanship compared to what ordinary official families owned, in Fu Rong's eyes they fell utterly short; what she wanted had to be truly unique.
The Xiao family were newly rising nobles, and martial generals' stipends were originally meager. Over these past few days at the Xiao Mansion, one could observe everywhere the frugal habits of both Old Madam Xiao and Xiao Yunsheng; even the servants in the mansion lacked the extravagant and competitive atmosphere of the Marquis Manor.
Recalling the hairpins that could no longer fit inside Fu Rong's numerous boxes, a surge of courage welled up within her, and she softly reminded him: "Actually, it doesn't have to be jewelry. Choosing some smaller trinkets with more thought that can bring a smile to Milady's face might please her even more."
Xiao Yunsheng could not help giving Jiang Yue an extra look: "You are quite thoughtful."
It was the first time Jiang Yue had heard praise from his lips, and she could not help feeling a little shy.
"Lantern parade coming through!"
Several lanterns of novel shapes were brought out from Yuyi Tower onto the street. Seeing the commotion, people on the road surged forward as well, and in an instant the street became packed with people, pressing directly toward the two of them. Suddenly, a few children running wild emerged from nowhere, pushing and shoving one another, and abruptly crashed into Jiang Yue. Taken by surprise, she nearly fell.
Fortunately, Xiao Yunsheng raised a hand to support her arm, allowing her to barely steady herself.
Jiang Yue bit her lip, keeping in mind that she needed to keep her distance from Xiao Yunsheng. However, her footing was poor, and several times she was nearly knocked over. With pedestrians behind her and Xiao Yunsheng standing before her like a solid wall, even when she straightened her back, she kept being jostled forward against his chest.
Suddenly, Xiao Yunsheng lowered his gaze to meet her slightly disheveled appearance, his brow tightening into a deep frown.
"Stay behind me."