Hot flashes

A few days later, on a crisp autumn afternoon, Xiao Jue finished dealing with urgent military affairs and returned to his quarters. He saw Zhou Heng idly leaning against the windowsill, teasing a sparrow under the eaves with a blade of grass. He suddenly asked, "Want to go for a walk?"

Zhou Heng was taken aback, then turned his head sharply, his eyes instantly lighting up: "Really? Where to?"

"Just taking a stroll." Xiao Jue said calmly, walking over to pick up a thick cloak and gesturing for Zhou Heng to put it on. "A new bookstore has opened in the city, and it's said to have some rare books from Jiangnan. If you have nothing else to do, come with me to take a look."

Looking at... a bookstore? Zhou Heng's initial excitement cooled down slightly.

However, being able to step out of the palace gates and breathe some fresh air is better than spending all day surrounded by koi and flowers in the pond.

He nodded quickly, deftly putting on his cloak, then, remembering something, he asked hesitantly, "Just...just the two of us? No guards?"

Xiao Jue glanced at him: "Take him."

As expected. Zhou Heng's fantasy of "traveling incognito" was shattered. However, considering Xiao Jue's identity and the current chaotic situation in Linchuan City, it would be strange if he didn't bring guards.

However, when Zhou Heng followed Xiao Jue out of the side gate of the Prince's Mansion, he was still "shocked" by the scene before him.

There were no fluttering banners, no gleaming armor or ceremonial guards.

But what was parked at the gate was not an ordinary carriage, but a large carriage with a simple appearance, extremely sturdy wood, and bearing the emblem of the Jingbei Prince's Mansion.

Eight elite guards, dressed in casual clothes but with sharp eyes and short blades at their waists, stood in front of and behind the carriage, seemingly relaxed but actually protecting it tightly.

Further away, at street corners and alleyways, one could vaguely see figures moving about.

This is not a "casual stroll," this is clearly an armed escort!

Zhou Heng's lips twitched, and he stole a glance at Xiao Jue. Xiao Jue, however, seemed to think this was perfectly normal and boarded the carriage first. Zhou Heng had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow.

The interior of the carriage was spacious and comfortable, with thick carpets, a small table, and even a small heater.

After getting into the car, Xiao Jue leaned back to one side and closed his eyes to rest. Zhou Heng sat opposite him, lifting a corner of the car curtain and curiously peering outside.

The carriage did not travel fast, avoiding the busiest and noisiest main street and instead passing through relatively quiet alleyways.

The warm afternoon sun of autumn shines on the bluestone road. Shops line both sides of the street, flags flutter, and pedestrians come and go. Although it lacks the hustle and bustle of modern cities, it has its own vibrant atmosphere of life.

Selling sugar figurines, kneading dough figurines, hawking fresh fruits, and peddlers carrying loads through the streets and alleys... all kinds of sounds intertwine to create a symphony of everyday life in the city.

Zhou Heng watched with great interest.

Xiao Jue opened his eyes at some point and quietly watched Zhou Heng's profile as he leaned against the car window, his eyes shining.

"Stop the car," Xiao Jue suddenly said.

The carriage came to a smooth stop. Zhou Heng turned to look at him, puzzled.

"Let's go for a walk," Xiao Jue said, already pushing open the car door and getting out. The guards immediately dispersed silently, forming a seemingly casual but actually tight protective circle around them.

Zhou Heng quickly jumped off the car. Stepping onto the solid ground and breathing in the slightly cool yet warm air, he felt a sense of unreality, as if he had been transported to another world.

They were on a street that wasn't very wide, but it was quite clean.

Not far ahead was a bookstore with a rather large storefront and a plaque that read "Hanmo Zhai," which was probably the destination Xiao Jue had mentioned.

However, Xiao Jue did not immediately head to the bookstore.

His gaze swept over a street vendor selling candied hawthorns; the bright red skewers, coated in glistening sugar, looked especially tempting in the autumn sun. He paused.

Zhou Heng followed his gaze, his eyes lighting up: "Candied hawthorns!"

Xiao Jue glanced at him and gave a slight nod to one of the guards beside him.

The guard immediately stepped forward, took out some copper coins, bought two of the largest and reddest strings of candied hawthorns, and respectfully handed them over, holding them on clean oil paper.

Xiao Jue took the string of pearls, kept one for himself, and handed the other to Zhou Heng.

Zhou Heng looked at the candied hawthorn skewer handed to him, then at the red snack in Xiao Jue's hand that seemed completely out of place with his black casual clothes and cold, dignified demeanor. His expression twisted slightly.

This scene... is so impactful.

"Don't you want it?" Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow.

"Yes! Of course I want it!" Zhou Heng quickly took it and tentatively took a bite.

The outer sugar coating was crisp and sweet, while the hawthorn inside was slightly sour; together, they created a surprisingly refreshing taste. He squinted his eyes in satisfaction.

Xiao Jue also took a bite of his skewer. However, he chewed very slowly, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, as if he was not used to the overly direct sweetness.

While eating, Zhou Heng secretly observed Xiao Jue.

Although he was eating candied hawthorns with a blank expression, his eyes were subtly scanning the surrounding environment, pedestrians, and shops, and his body posture also carried a subconscious sense of vigilance.

Clearly, this kind of "shopping" was not relaxing for him.

The two of them, each holding a string of candied hawthorns, slowly walked towards "Hanmozhai" under the seemingly casual but actually tight escort of the guards.

Passersby, seeing this spectacle, knew the men must be rich and powerful, even if they didn't know their identities, and gave them a wide berth, casting their gazes with awe and curiosity.

Zhou Heng was initially a little uncomfortable, but he was soon drawn to the various shops and stalls along the street.

When he saw a clay figurine vendor, he went over to watch the craftsmanship; when he saw a sugar-blowing vendor, he stopped to watch the magical process; when he saw a shop selling all kinds of Jiangnan pastries, his eyes were glued to it...

Xiao Jue didn't urge him, but followed a few steps behind him. When he saw that Xiao Jue's gaze lingered on something for a while, he signaled to the guard.

Soon, Zhou Heng had a lifelike clay figurine of Sun Wukong, a sugar figurine shaped like a little rabbit, and a bag of glutinous rice cakes that smelled of osmanthus flowers...

Zhou Heng, carrying a pile of "spoils of war," turned to look at Xiao Jue. The afterglow of the setting sun cast a warm golden hue on Xiao Jue's angular profile, softening his cold and hard demeanor.

He had finished the candied hawthorn skewer in his hand, and the bamboo stick had been taken away and disposed of by the guard at some point. At this moment, he stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze seemingly fixed on the distance, or perhaps on him.

Xiao Jue withdrew his gaze, looked at the pile of odds and ends in his arms, and smiled slightly.

Zhou Heng, carrying his things, quickened his pace, moved closer to Xiao Jue, and looked up with a smile, asking, "Are we still going to the bookstore?"

Xiao Jue grunted in agreement and took the lead in stepping forward.

The Hanmo Studio was indeed filled with a strong scholarly atmosphere, with shelves full of books and the faint scent of ink.

The owner, a capable middle-aged man, clearly recognized Xiao Jue and personally greeted them with utmost respect, leading them to an inner room, serving them fragrant tea, and then bringing out several boxes of what were said to be newly acquired rare books from Jiangnan.

Xiao Jue sat down, picked up a book at random, flipped through it, and then focused on selecting and inquiring about the version and its origin.