Chapter 131 - Playing Field (2/2)
Molin snorted and quietly whispered, ”It seems the ride was too short.” Prince Rui frowned at him and he cleared his throat and looked away.
The Emperor heard his words, but he left it alone, his smile slightly widened and he turned to Lei Xing, ”Let's go shopping.” And then turned around with her, with some servants following and left the other royals standing there to deal with themselves.
Considering the Emperor was there, Prince Rui was not sure if they could go off on their own and so led the party to follow Lei Xing and the Emperor, from a distance. Occasionally stopping here and there to peruse through items Princess Nalan found interesting.
Prince Yi was following the group, the entire time he had his eyes fixed on Lei Xing and the Emperor ahead. Looking at their backs made him feel upset for some reason. The more he watched them, the more upset he felt. He frowned then looked away, but still, he found his eyes darting towards them unconsciously and it infuriated him.
Lei Xing and the Emperor were oblivious of their tag-alongs and were walking along hand-in-hand. The Emperor was glancing around randomly, while Lei Xing was looking around absentmindedly and generally disinterested.
They appeared to be a couple out on a leisurely stroll, one with money ripe for picking to the vendors.
”Young master, why don't you buy a gift for your beautiful wife?” An older woman with a jewelry stall called out to the Emperor. The Emperor stopped and glanced her way.
Seeing his hesitation, the woman added, ”You know...they say gifts are a great way to lock the heart...” She finished with her eyes motioning towards Lei Xing, knowingly.
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, he glanced at Lei Xing and remembered Eunuch Li talking about gifts as well. So he walked up to the old woman's stall, pulling Lei Xing along.
When they got there the woman started making recommendations to Lei Xing, but then quickly realized the Emperor was the easier target of the two. So she swiftly focused all her attention on the Emperor who seemed to be seriously scrutinizing the pieces.
Lei Xing glanced at the Emperor and then said, ”I don't really need these things, I already have plenty...”
The Emperor glanced at Lei Xing, but before he could speak the woman jumped in salvage this business opportunity, ”Haha, Young master it is never a bad thing to have more options...Even if she doesn't need it, it's always nice for a beauty to have more options...” The woman then whispered, ”Not to mention she'll remember you every time she sees them, it's great...the more, the better...”
The Emperor smirked and then took a piece the woman offered and held it up next to Lei Xing's head. Lei Xing narrowed her eyes at him, and he just smiled back at her.
”It looks pretty good.” The Emperor calmly said.
”Of course it does. Your wife is so beautiful, anything will great...Actually this one here is even better, and this one...this one too. Oh, this one is perfect!...” The woman rambled on as she excitedly recommended one piece after another.
”These look quite good.” The Emperor commented as he looked through the selections.
After a long back and forth, the Emperor finally made his selections and the old woman was over the moon, he was taking over half her stock. He motioned for one of the servants to come forward to make the payments. The Emperor then turned to Lei Xing and smiled at her and Lei Xing pursed her lips, unamused.
”You two make such a beautiful couple...truly a match made in Heaven.” The woman happily praised, mid-packing their purchase. Lei Xing narrowed her eyes at her.
{...Of course, we're the perfect couple, I can see the money signs obscuring your entire face -_-)...}
The Emperor thought the woman was wise and nodded in agreement and then said, ”We'll take everything.”
Lei Xing's mouth immediately fell open and her eyes went wide and she protested, ”We don-”
”It's fine.” The Emperor interjected, flashing a reassuring smile at her.
Lei Xing frowned, opened her mouth, then closed it.
{...All that money...Wasted!...Okay, it's not my money...But still!... Okay, I guess I can sell them...Money not lost, just converted...It's okay...}
The other vendors seeing the woman's highly effective method luck started commenting about how beautiful Lei Xing is and how they make such a great pair. The Emperor glanced their way and Lei Xing immediately hugged his arm and pulled him away while glaring at the vendors.
{...Stupid! How dare they try to take advantage of him?!... And how can he be so gullible?! >_
The Emperor happily chuckled, enjoying being dragged off.
{...This shopping thing is quite fun...}