Chapter 1166: Chapter 1166: Husband, Aren’t You Tired?

The street was bustling.

Xia Ruqing got off the carriage, draped in her fox fur cape, and followed Zhao Junyao step by step.

Although it was freezing cold, she didn’t feel chilly.

She finally understood the meaning of the ancient phrase ’shoulder to shoulder, heel to heel’.

Normally fond of lively scenes, Xia Ruqing even felt a bit dizzy.

"Your Majesty..."

"Where are we going? How much farther?" she complained with a pout.

Zhao Junyao was puzzled.

"Aren’t you the one who loves lively scenes the most?"

"I heard that a foreign juggling troupe came to the Capital City, unlike any before! Do you like it?"

"I specially sent someone to find this out!"

Zhao Junyao looked expectantly for praise.

Xia Ruqing’s eyes did light up when she heard about the juggling troupe.

But looking at the sea of people ahead, she felt dizzy again.

Immediately, she put her hands on her hips in protest.

"You’re tall, strong, and walk easily through the crowd!"

"But I... I’m about to be squashed like a pancake and end up lost!"

The Big Grey Wolf moved effortlessly.

The little fox felt like a small leaf lost in the crowd, being pushed around by the surging people, almost feeling like her feet never touched the ground!

Seeing the Big Grey Wolf moving forward without concern, the Little Fox naturally got anxious!

This is what you call ’everything is arranged’? 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Emperor, you are the Emperor...

In such situations, can’t you have a little privilege...

Zhao Junyao looked at the little fox with snow-like bristled fur and didn’t know what to say.

He silently reached out, compared her height to his shoulder, and frowned.

"You’re right, you’re not even up to my shoulder!"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

She was tearful inside, finally, you realized!

Please help!

Zhao Junyao withdrew his hand, thought for a moment.

Then, without a word, suddenly bent over and scooped the little fox into his arms.

"This should be fine now!"

His tone was smug with an expression of ’see how smart I am, hurry and praise me’.

Xia Ruqing: "..."

Her face turned red as she snuggled into his arms, not daring to lift her head or show her face.

She felt utterly embarrassed.

’In ancient times, weren’t people more modest than this!’

’Emperor, you’ve become bolder and thicker-skinned!’

’Do you really not care what others think?’

In his arms, she could feel the heat all over her body, as if she’d be stared at and poked with hundreds of holes! So embarrassing!

Suddenly, she missed the old days.

The old Zhao Junyao was very serious, always with a stern face, and would blush at the slightest tease. His facial expression would become awkward.

But now...

Emperor, what happened to your face?

Emperor, what happened to your integrity?

Where’s the sedan? Didn’t we always use a sedan before?

Amidst Xia Ruqing’s speechless blushing embarrassment, with all the surrounding people casting glances and whispering.

The two finally pushed through the crowd to the biggest juggling troupe performance area, finding the place already packed with people.

Zhao Junyao put Xia Ruqing down and pointed at the juggling platform with pride.

"Qingqing, what do you think of this?"

"Is it something you’ve never seen before?"

He had put a lot of effort into finding this, having heard it’s unique in the Capital City.

Xia Ruqing followed his finger.

Indeed, this juggling troupe was different from any before.

Previously, juggling stages had wooden stakes, fire hoops, plum blossom piles, and such things.

But on this juggling stage, there was nothing, absolutely nothing.

"There’s nothing, and the space is so large. What are they going to perform?!" Xia Ruqing was baffled.

The earlier embarrassment vanished, now filled with curiosity.

Zhao Junyao was equally confused.

"I don’t know!"

He was joking; how could he know about these things?

He brought Qingqing here today.

Just because Xia Tingfeng mentioned it was good to bring the wife along to see this juggling troupe.

How could he know what previous troupes were like or what this one is?

Isn’t everyone just trying to please their wife!

(Xia Tingfeng said: Emperor, don’t say such things, my wife is gentle and doesn’t need flattering! I’m willing to treat her well!)

More and more people gathered around the stage, discussing and full of curiosity.

The Capital City folk were relatively wealthy and curious about new things.

The news of the foreign juggling troupe coming spread quickly by word of mouth.

In fact, Manxue heard it from others, and mentioned it casually at home.

(Zhao Junyao protested: Xia Tingfeng, what you said turned out to be true? Isn’t that trying to please?!)

...

About a quarter of an hour later.

The juggling troupe finally began the performance.

Since it was on the street, there was no division between the first floor hall, second floor elegant seats, or third-floor private boxes.

Want to watch?

Whether you’re from the Imperial Palace or a commoner, you all have to stand.

And so...

Xia Ruqing still couldn’t see anything.

After a lively opening on the juggling stage, the atmosphere quickly warmed up.

Applause rang out, and shouts of approval could be heard.

The crowd discussed while straining to watch the performance.

Only Xia Ruqing.

She could only see people’s heads and shoulders.

"..."

Her face became more and more stiff.

Although as Emperor and Empress, traveling incognito to connect with the people was good.

But this... this was too connected...

The Hidden Guards shadowing the Emperor also silently grumbled in their hearts.

’Emperor, you can’t just think about yourself!’

’Emperor, we can’t find the Empress!’

’Emperor, maybe don’t be so connected with the people next time...’

...

In Xia Ruqing’s pitiful eyes seeking help.

Zhao Junyao was secretly pleased, lifting Xia Ruqing horizontally, then turned her onto his shoulder.

"How about this?"

"Can you see now?"

Xia Ruqing was startled.

Luckily, she was small in stature, not too conspicuous in the chaotic crowd (mainly because everyone’s attention wasn’t on them...).

She sat steadily on his arm, her view immediately broadening.

It wasn’t as embarrassing as she’d imagined.

Looking around, Xia Ruqing nodded with satisfaction.

"I can see!"

She mischievously smiled inside.

’I might not be heavy, but still weigh something! Let’s see how long you can hold me up?’

’Even with your strength, holding on for half a "Shi Chen" should tire you!’

’Then... I’ll have fun teasing you!’

Thinking about this.

She got drawn into the flashy performance on stage.

When she snapped back, it was already half a "Shi Chen" after the show ended.

Looking down, Zhao Junyao was still composed, not showing the slightest sign of fatigue.

Xia Ruqing: "..."

"Your... husband, aren’t you tired?"

Zhao Junyao’s expression was indifferent.

"What is tired?"

He casually added.

"Have you lost weight again, are those two kitchen maids not attentive?!"