"We have arrived," Gu Lan announced as the carriage came to a stop at their destination. He swiftly exited the carriage, intending to assist Xiaowei before escorting His Highness and the Princess.
However, before he could make his way to the other side to assist Xiaowei, she abruptly leaped from the carriage, as though she had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to do so. Due to the carriage's height relative to her petite frame, she stumbled briefly upon landing but managed to regain her composure without causing a scene.
"Thank you, Lord," she sighed in relief as she steadied herself on the ground and patted her chest in relief, grateful that she hadn't fallen in an embarrassing manner.
Gu Lan, standing on the opposite side, couldn't help but scoff inwardly at the way she had chosen to disembark. It left him wondering, had she been so opposed to sitting beside him that she preferred to risk falling rather than allowing him to assist her?
He didn't dwell on it longer and took a deep breath and shook his head, refocusing himself on his duty. He then went to assist Zheng Liang and the Crown Princess in disembarking from the carriage. Before opening the carriage door, he meticulously scanned the surroundings for any suspicious individuals or potential threats.
Tonight, he couldn't afford to be careless for even a moment. They had ventured into the central market for the carnival, a crowded and potentially risky place. He needed to remain close to His Highness and the Crown Princess, ensuring their safety at all times.
___
Gu Lan opened the door, and Zheng Liang swiftly exited. Gu Lan had intended to assist the Princess, but a pointed look from Zheng Liang made him step aside. Unaware of this exchange, Yang Ning glanced up as Zheng Liang positioned himself in front of the carriage.
She extended her hand, anticipating assistance, but just as before, he didn't hold her hand but held her by the waist as she disembarked.
Yang Ning couldn't contain a surprised squeal at his not-so-unexpected gesture. He sure is an opportunistic man!
Nevertheless, this time, instead of her customary glare, her attention was thoroughly consumed by the entrancing allure of the night market. Her sole desire was to disembark swiftly, eager to explore the bustling streets of the central market.
The sight before her left Yang Ning utterly amazed. She couldn't contain her surprise as she exclaimed, "Woah! It's so beautiful!" Her eyes widened as she looked around in sheer disbelief. The central market's vibrant and enchanting atmosphere had exceeded her expectations, making the experience even more captivating and intriguing than she had imagined.
The central market's bustling streets were packed with people, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere. The sky had darkened, and the full moon revealed itself, casting a gentle glow over the area. The streets came alive with colorful designer lanterns, transforming the night into a mesmerizing spectacle akin to a starry sky.
Stalls lined the streets, offering an array of goods and treats. Vendors sold everything from clothing and local delicacies to toys for children and ornate ornaments for women. The crowd was a sea of colorful, radiant outfits, with people from all walks of life, including noble families, mingling in the busy central market.
In contrast to her previous experiences in Xinling City, where markets typically closed early due to the night curfew, the capital city's central market stayed open late on this special occasion. The suspension of the night curfew allowed people to fully immerse themselves in the festivities, spending quality time with their loved ones under the moonlit sky.
However, little did he know that his bold intentions would lead to an unexpected encounter with the demon protecting his beloved wife.
The man confidently approached Yang Ning and Xiaowei, who were patiently waiting for their turn at the food stall. He glanced at Yang Ning and began, "Are you new in the capital? I've never seen you before."
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Yang Ning frowned at the man who had approached her out of nowhere. She scanned him up and down, detecting the scent of alcohol on him. Despite his luxurious silk attire and apparent noble status, his intentions did not seem noble at all.
In an effort to avoid causing a scene, she responded with a scoff and turned her back to him, ignoring his presence. "Oh, likewise. I don't know you either. Now, if you'll excuse me."
Qin Cheng's expression soured at the woman's indifferent attitude. Women usually fawned over him, attracted by his status and his handsome face, which could make hearts flutter with a simple smile.
How dare she dismiss him as if he were nothing but trash?
Qin Cheng, feeling slighted by Yang Ning's indifference, tried to assert his status. "It seems you're new here, which is why you don't recognize me. If you knew my family's name, you wouldn't dare to ignore me. If you apologize to me and accompany me for the night, I might forgive you for your insolent nature," he said with arrogance.
However, Yang Ning simply brushed him off and remarked to Xiaowei with nonchalance, "The mosquitos seem to be quite relentless here. Annoying, aren't they?"
Xiaowei nodded in agreement and responded to her lady, "Milady, please disregard such insolent mosquitoes. They are meant to be crushed, not dignified with attention."
The reference to Qin Cheng as a mosquito only served to further infuriate him, and he struggled to contain his rising anger at being dismissed in such a manner.
"Who do you think you are? You Bitch!" The man cursed and prepared to teach Yang Ning a lesson.
He is the young master of the Qin Family and would not tolerate being ignored, not by anyone. Never.
Before his hand could land on Yang Ning's shoulder to turn her around to confront him-
Smack!