Reality is as cruel as her helplessness.
That night, Zhao Junyao still did not take her out.
She had dinner alone.
Xia Ruqing huffed and puffed, ran to bed, and sulked to sleep.
Guangnan’s September was still hot, the Crimson-Purple Patterned Canopy around the bed wrapped in thin silk.
Through the curtains, she gazed at the bright moon outside the window, her heart concerned for her children far away and Zhao Junyao, who was out.
Suddenly Xia Ruqing felt like an old hen guarding its nest.
She suddenly had a strong sense of crisis.
Years of idleness had led to everyone wishing to cage her every ti danger arose.
Not allowing her to suffer a bit of harm.
Unfortunately...her pride got in the way, always wanting to cause so trouble outside.
So lancholic!
Xia Ruqing was heartbroken: Truly, you can’t be a rice bug!
If you want to go out, you must know a bit of sothing!
Xia Ruqing thought for a long ti but couldn’t figure out what she knew besides eating.
She felt a bit depressed, sighing uncontrollably.
’Indeed, traversing ti is a technical skill, don’t try without a golden finger!’
’Eh? But I haven’t tried either?!’
If not for falling ill with no money for treatnt, she wouldn’t have traveled back to ancient tis.
It was possible she’d still be working hard in modern tis, impoverished.
Once Grandma passed away, she was not only poor but also had no one to care for her.
So bittersweet, too bittersweet!
With chaotic thoughts, she gradually drifted off to sleep.
She woke up the next morning, late morning sunshine already high.
When she woke.
Zhao Junyao had returned, looking quite unwell.
The reason was no more than being fruitless.
Xia Ruqing was also a bit worried.
"Emperor, could you have been mistaken from the start?"
"In such great peace, rebellion isn’t easily done!"
Zhao Junyao’s eyes narrowed coldly.
"Impossible!"
"My intuition, cannot be wrong!"
Zhao Junqi must be in Guangnan, lying low sowhere, waiting for a chance.
"Then...Could he not be in the city?" Xia Ruqing inadvertently ntioned.
Zhao Junyao pondered thoroughly, finding it quite reasonable.
The next day he took so trusted aides and wandered outside the city.
After circling around, spending half a month, still yielded nothing.
Even Zhao Junyao began to doubt everything.
Xia Ruqing doubted even more.
"I just feel like you could be wrong!"
"Perhaps... the snake doesn’t want to co out of the hole?"
She then started to recomnd the Emperor relax, avoid being always so tense.
Maybe with a change of mindset, different gains would co?
"What gains?"
Zhao Junyao puzzled.
Xia Ruqing smirked.
"Like... taking out for a stroll!"
"Emperor, it’s been half a month, I’m almost suffocated!"
"Why don’t you take out for a breeze!"
She said this for two reasons.
First, she genuinely wanted to go out, second, she wanted to try and lure the snake out.
Zhao Junyao felt quite helpless seeing her anxiousness, but he agreed nonetheless.
Thinking, since she wanted to go, then he’d take her for a walk.
To keep waiting like this wasn’t a solution.
Xia Ruqing clapped happily.
"Great, great!"
"I want to go to the seaside."
"I haven’t been properly for many years, I want to go to the seaside for a walk!"
Zhao Junyao couldn’t quite understand her taste.
"What’s good about the seaside? Besides so water, it’s just a bare beach!"
But Xia Ruqing thought otherwise.
"There’s much fun at the seaside!"
"I like watching fishern fish!"
"When they catch fish, how great would it be if we bought so back and cooked up a pot of seafood?!"
Zhao Junyao: "..."
Still thinking about eating.
Xia Ruqing was dumbfounded by her subconscious words too.
Heavens, her mind was blank just now.
How did she suddenly say such a thing?! Seems like she really knows nothing besides eating?!
Both embarrassed and awkward...
Zhao Junyao glanced at her with utmost helplessness.
"Alright then!"
Then without saying anything, he arranged for it.
In the following two days.
Zhao Junyao still went out early and returned late.
Though curious, Xia Ruqing didn’t ask much, simply waited obediently.
On the third day.
Early in the morning, as soon as Xia Ruqing opened her eyes, she saw Zi Su packing.
Xia Ruqing climbed out of bed, curiously asked.
"What’s this..."
Zi Su smiled.
"Eunuch Li instructed this!"
"Bid to bring so personal clothes for you, we’re staying in a small fishing village south of the city for a few nights!"
Xia Ruqing’s eyes sparkled with excitent.
"Great, great!"
"Pack more, the air there is humid, clothes might not dry easily!"
"Don’t worry, mistress!" Zi Su smiled.
After packing, washing up, and having breakfast.
Precisely, Li Shengan sent Little Eunuch over to fetch her.
Xia Ruqing looked around the room, ensured nothing was left behind, and went out with Zi Su carrying bundles.
On the carriage leaving the city.
Xia Ruqing occasionally lifted the curtains to admire the outside scene.
Sky blue to green, her mood was full.
The air carrying the scent of freedom was so fresh and sweet.
Xia Ruqing leaned at the curtain front, letting the salty sea breeze gently tousle her bangs.
This scene, this setting.
She suddenly recalled "The Snail" song.
About herself being the clumsy snail in the song.
No matter if intelligence was lacking or if empty-handed, still wanting to ride a leaf into the blue sky.
After all...She yearned for freedom.
See, people are just never satisfied.
When poor, you want wealth.
When wealthy, you desire freedom.
Xia Ruqing bitterly smiled.
Perhaps when free, she’ll miss this supre status and glory.
Humans are ultimately contradictory, looking at one mountain higher than another.
Thus...it’s best to live well in the present.
The carriage bypassed a small fishing village.
Then gradually stopped in front of a farmhouse yard at hillside behind the village.
Both Xia Ruqing and Zi Su got off the carriage and looked around.
This little hill wasn’t big, nor steep or rugged, the path into the mountain was uncommonly flat.
Standing at the yard entrance, in the far distance, one could see the blue sea miles away, with the sea breeze carrying a salty scent.
Closer view, the small fishing village could be seen clearly, it’s a village less than five miles from the seaside, totaling only twenty families, living off fishing.
She closed her eyes and imagined a painting.
In the sky’s blue floated several cotton candy-like clouds.
Under the clouds, in the small fishing village daily, chickens crowed, dogs barked, fishern ca and went, small boats moved and paused, children cried and played.
Young girls and young wives idly gathered in twos or threes to wash clothes by the pond.
In shady places, two lazy cats slept, while a few fluffy puppies played fighting by the roadside.
In the chicken coop, a flock of chicks followed the mother hen, learning to peck grains, and in the pond, Mama Duck led a bunch of ducklings to bathe and frolic.
Everything was so peaceful and calm.
Like the spring creek’s clear flowing water, beautiful, so beautiful it took one’s breath away.
Xia Ruqing was lost in this beauty, unable to extricate herself.
Until Zi Su gently tugged at her sleeve.
"Mistress, let’s go inside!"
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