Traveling through another world to stir the emperor's heart

On the day of Qiqiao Festival, Jun Lingyuan changed into casual clothes and left the palace with Feng Qingyue, who was also wearing casual clothes.

Arriving on the street, Feng Qingyue was like a bird just out of its cage, her eyes full of curiosity. A skilled dough figurine maker on the street was working with great skill. The dough was swiftly transformed in his hands, and in a short while, a vibrant little dough figurine was formed.

Feng Qingyue muttered to herself, "This ancient craft is amazing. You won't find such authentic craftsmanship in modern times." Jun Lingyuan heard her mumbling to herself, but he couldn't hear what she was saying, so he asked, "Qingyue, what are you thinking about?" Feng Qingyue blinked mischievously, "Nothing, I just think this street is so lively." Jun Lingyuan looked at her lively appearance, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

Walking into an alleyway lined with colorful lanterns, Feng Qingyue was thrilled, muttering to herself, "These lanterns are much more charming than those mass-produced plastic ones of today." Jun Lingyuan's ears twitched, hearing her mumbled voice and seeing her smile at the rabbit lanterns. He thought she was adorable and amusing.

Passing by a stall selling sachets, the sachets exuded a delicate fragrance. Feng Qingyue picked up one embroidered with mandarin ducks and muttered to herself, "It's very delicate, but the pattern is a bit traditional." Jun Lingyuan overheard a sound and asked, "Qingyue, do you think there's something wrong with this sachet?" Feng Qingyue quickly put the sachet down and said, "No, Lingyuan, this sachet is very beautiful."

When Jun Lingyuan heard her call his name, his heart trembled slightly, because no one had ever called him so intimately before. He looked at Feng Qingyue, and there was a different emotion in his eyes.

It turned out that Feng Qingyue had asked Jun Lingyuan before: "What should I call you? I can't always call you Your Majesty." Jun Lingyuan thought for a moment and replied: "You can call me Lingyuan."

At that moment, at a circus, an artist was performing sword swallowing. Feng Qingyue's eyes widened, and she muttered to herself, "This is too dangerous! It definitely wouldn't work in modern times." Jun Lingyuan heard her and asked, "Qingyue, are you worried about the artist?" Feng Qingyue replied, "I just find it novel, Lingyuan."

Every time Jun Lingyuan heard her calling his name, a strange warmth would arise in his heart.

Arriving at a stall selling exquisite hairpins, Feng Qingyue picked up a jade hairpin and muttered to herself, "It's really beautiful. I wonder if it's heavy." Jun Lingyuan heard a commotion and approached, asking, "Qingyue, what did you say?" Feng Qingyue replied, "Lingyuan, this hairpin is so beautiful."

Jun Lingyuan looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness. He whispered, "If you like it, I'll buy it for you." Feng Qingyue looked at him in surprise, "Really? Lingyuan, you're so kind."

Jun Lingyuan watched Feng Qingyue smile happily at him. That smile was like the warm spring sun, shining directly into the softest corner of his heart. He felt his heartbeat seemed to be out of rhythm. This feeling was very strange, but it fascinated him.

He realized that this woman's every smile and frown was becoming increasingly important to him. Every time she called his name, every time she smiled at the smallest of things, it was like a thread, entwining his heart tighter and tighter. He suddenly felt a little afraid of this feeling, yet he couldn't help but want to indulge in it, wanting her to smile happily like this forever, just for him.

After walking around for a long time, Feng Qingyue felt a little tired, and her stomach started to growl. She touched her stomach and said to Jun Lingyuan a little embarrassedly, "Lingyuan, I'm tired from walking around, and I'm a little hungry." Jun Lingyuan smiled dotingly and said, "Then I'll take you to a nice place to eat."

Jun Lingyuan brought Feng Qingyue to a restaurant called "Xiangyun Cuisine". The restaurant's sign shone with a warm luster in the sun. The restaurant was packed with people, and the diners who came in and out all had satisfied expressions on their faces.

As soon as you step into the restaurant, the rich aroma of Hunan cuisine hits your nose. The spicy flavor stimulates your taste buds and instantly whets your appetite. The restaurant's layout is unique, with exquisite Hunan embroidery hanging on the walls. The tables and chairs are made of high-quality wood, exuding a light wood fragrance. The tableware is also very exquisite, highlighting the restaurant's style everywhere.

Jun Lingyuan found a seat by the window and asked Feng Qingyue to sit down. He then asked her gently, "Qingyue, what dish would you like to try? The Hunan cuisine here is incredible." Feng Qingyue looked at the menu, the names of the dishes making her mouth water. She said excitedly, "This chopped pepper fish head looks so tempting, and this stir-fried pork with chili peppers is sure to go well with rice."

Jun Lingyuan smiled and said to the waiter beside him: "Give me a serving of chopped pepper fish head, a serving of stir-fried pork with peppers, and your signature Xianglian soup and some special side dishes." The waiter responded and hurried to prepare the dishes.

Feng Qingyue looked around curiously and said to Jun Lingyuan, "Lingyuan, how did you know this place? It looks really nice." Jun Lingyuan replied, "I heard about this restaurant by chance. I heard that the chefs here are all famous chefs invited from Hunan, and the Hunan cuisine they make is very authentic. I wanted to bring you here to try it today." Feng Qingyue's eyes sparkled, and she said expectantly, "Then I'm in for a treat."

Soon, the dishes arrived. The chopped pepper fish head was bright red, the fish meat was tender, and the chopped peppers covering it gave off an alluring aroma. The stir-fried pork with peppers was a combination of fat and lean, with the green peppers spicing up, and the unique aroma filled the air. The Xianglian soup was fragrant and sweet, with a delicate and smooth texture.

Feng Qingyue couldn't wait to take a bite of the stir-fried pork with chili peppers and was instantly conquered by the spicy and delicious flavor. She said with satisfaction, "Lingyuan, this is really delicious. I've never eaten such authentic Hunan cuisine." Jun Lingyuan looked at her happily eating, his heart filled with joy. He whispered, "As long as you like it."

In this lively restaurant, the two enjoyed delicious food, and their feelings for each other quietly warmed up in this warm atmosphere.

After finishing their meal, Feng Qingyue walked out of Xiangyun Cuisine Shop, feeling quite satisfied. The two were about to return to the palace, but halfway through, the originally quiet atmosphere on the road suddenly became tense.

A group of assassins dressed in black and with their faces masked suddenly appeared from nowhere, holding sharp blades and with murderous intent in their eyes.

Jun Lingyuan's heart tightened. He hadn't intended to be too conspicuous, having brought only a handful of secret guards with him. But now, he had no time to dwell on it. He quickly shielded Feng Qingyue behind him. Without a word, the assassins charged, weapons drawn.

Jun Lingyuan, despite his martial prowess, was outnumbered and each one possessed exceptional skill. He fended off the assassin's attacks while keeping an eye on Feng Qingyue's safety. Secret guards also joined the fray, and for a moment, swords clashed in a flurry, shouts of killing deafened the heavens.

However, the assassins seemed well-prepared. They employed a tactic of fragmentation and encirclement, gradually separating Jun Lingyuan and Feng Qingyue. In the melee, Jun Lingyuan was entangled by several assassins, unable to escape and search for Feng Qingyue. Furious, he danced his sword faster and more fiercely, each stroke imbued with a chilling murderous intent, determined to break free from the assassins' encirclement as quickly as possible.

Feng Qingyue, although she also had some martial arts skills, was still struggling against so many assassins. An assassin attacked her from the side while she was not prepared. She dodged sideways but accidentally tripped over a stone on the side of the road.

Just as the assassin's sword was about to stab her, a secret guard flew over and blocked the fatal blow, but the secret guard was also injured.

Feng Qingyue didn't care about anything else. She gripped the dagger for self-defense tightly in her hand, her eyes fixed on the assassins around her, silently praying that Jun Lingyuan would be safe, while also looking for a chance to break out. At this moment, her eyes were full of determination. Despite being in danger, she had no intention of retreating.