I alone am the Honoured One!

Zhao Tian who was walking beside Lan Shuqin felt a powerful gaze on him and his eyes narrowed 'Someone is spying on me...'

'Maybe they are the ones killing the people close to Hanyue... to make her feel despair.'
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'And now they are targeting me?'

He reached out and gently grasped Lan Shuqin's hand, bringing her close to him "Stay close to me..."

Lan Shuqin was startled but she didn't say anything and let him hold her hand as they walked through the streets.

However, notcing the shift in his demeanor, she leaned forward and whsipered in concern "What happened, Master Tian?"

Forcing a smile, he shook his head "Nothing... For the time being, stay close to me..."

As he spoke, he slid his fingers, interwining with her fingers.

H-Huh? This made her blush and she lowered her gaze, too flustered to speak.

Despite her embarrassment, she didn't pull away and silently matched his pace, her heart pounding erratically.

Meanwhile, Zhao Tian's gaze turned to the left and looked at the roof of a specific building 'Are they there...?'

But in the next instant, he felt the presence disappearing.

His gaze squinted 'It might be dangerous to have Shuqin with me if I confronted them...'

The streets were alive with the chatter of vendors and the laughter of children darting between stalls.

Brightly colored lanterns hung overhead, casting warm hues on the cobblestones.

Lan shuqin also noticed that Zhao Tian is somewhat tense 'Is something wrong?'

As they walked, they passed a shop displaying elegant robes and finely stitched garments.

Lan Shuqin's gaze lingered on a pale blue dress embroidered with silver threads, the fabric shimmering like water under the sunlight.

"Do you like it?" Zhao Tian who was watching her asked breaking her out of her thoughts.

She blinked, startled by his sudden question "I… It's beautiful, but—"

Before she could finish, Zhao Tian was already stepping into the shop, pulling her along.

"W-What.. Master.. wait..."

The shopkeeper, a cheerful woman with gray hair, greeted them warmly. "Welcome! Looking for something special today?"

Zhao Tian gestured toward the blue dress in the window. "That one. Could you bring it over?"

Lan Shuqin tugged lightly on his sleeve. "You don't have to..."

Looking at her, he replied with a smile "I want to,"

The shopkeeper returned with the dress, holding it up for Lan Shuqin to see. "This would suit you perfectly, young lady. The fabric is enchanted silk...."

Lan Shuqin hesitated, her fingers brushing against the fabric. "It's… too much. I can't…"

'And it looks so expensive, it would defintely won't look good on me...'

Zhao Tian tilted his head, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Are you saying my taste is bad?"

H-Huh? lan Shuqin was taken aback an dhurriedly shook her head "N-No! That's not what I meant!" she stammered, her face turning red.

"Then try it on," he said with a faint smile, gesturing toward the fitting room.

Reluctantly, she stepped into the fitting room with the pale blue robes in her hand.

Moments later, she stepped out, the dress flowing elegantly around her.

The soft blue fabric accentuated her fair skin, and the silver embroidery seemed to dance with every movement.

Zhao Tian's gaze softened looking at teh beautiful dress on her "It suits you,"

Lan Shuqin's face grew even warmer, and she glanced away, mumbling, "Thank you…"

But Zhao Tian wasn't done.

As Lan Shuqin admired the dress in the mirror, he began selecting other garments... a deep green robe, a soft lavender shawl, and a simple yet elegant set of everyday attire.

Lan Shuqin who was looking herself in mirror was confused to see Zhao Tian speaking with the woman 'What is he..'

As she walked near him, she was dumbfounded to see the woman taking a lot of beautiful clothes and arranging them.

'Don't tell me...'

"Master Tian!" she protested, watching him pile items onto the counter.

"This is too much!"

He shrugged and pointed at another one, asking the shopkeeper to take that "You'll need them."

Getting exasperated, she asked "For what?"

"For when we go out like this. Or when we attend formal events. Or when you just feel like dressing up."

She opened her mouth to argue but stopped when she saw the smile on his lips.

She couldn't bring herself to refuse his rare gesture of care.

After paying for the clothes, Zhao Tian handed the neatly wrapped packages to her and asked her to store in her storage ring.

Looking at the ring in her finger, she clutched her palm gently and asked "Where to next.. Master Tian?"

"Maybe we can get some food..."

The sweet aroma of caramelized sugar and roasted nuts wrapped around them as they approached the food stall.

Lanterns hung overhead, their warm light flickering against the vibrant displays of candied fruits, pastries, and sizzling skewers.

Zhao Tian's eyes looked around, eventually stopping at the vibrant red of candied hawthorn berries.

Without a word, he picked up a stick and handed it to Lan Shuqin.

She blinked in surprise before taking it gingerly in her hands.

Zhao Tian grabbed a small pouch of roasted chestnuts from the vendor and offered the man a few coins.

Lan Shuqin hesitated, the glossy crimson berries glistening in the light.

She took a tentative bite, her teeth breaking through the sugary coating to reveal the tartness of the hawthorn.

Her eyes widened in delight, and a smile bloomed on her lips.

"It's delicious!" she exclaimed, turning to Zhao Tian with genuine enthusiasm.

He watched her quietly, his lips curling into a smile "I thought you would like it."

Lan Shuqin, emboldened by the sweetness of the moment, held the stick toward him. "Try one."

He shook his head with a light chuckle. "I will pass."

"Oh, come on," she teased bringing it closer to his lips.

"You can't hand me something so good and not try it yourself. Here." She leaned closer, holding the stick near his face.

Zhao Tian sighed and slowly, he leaned in, his lips brushing against the candied surface as he took a bite.

He leaned back, chewing thoughtfully.

"Well?" she asked, tilting her head with a smile.

"It's… sweet,"

"See? You like it!" she said triumphantly, taking another bite herself.

Zhao Tian chuckled, shaking his head.

Lan Shuqin's eyes sparkled as she gestured to his bag of roasted chestnuts. "What about those? Aren't you going to share?"

Zhao Tian peeled another chestnut and held it out to her. "Here."

Instead of taking it with her hands, she leaned forward, capturing it with her lips.

Her boldness surprised even herself, and a faint blush crept across her cheeks as she chewed.

Zhao Tian raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "That was… unexpected."

"You said to stay close to you," she quipped, trying to mask her embarrassment with humor.

"Hahaha..."

They continued walking, sharing bites of the candied fruit and roasted chestnuts as the lanterns overhead swayed in the evening breeze.

The streets continued to hum, vendors calling out their wares and laughter rippling through the crowd.

Zhao Tian and Lan Shuqin strolled side by side, the glow of lanterns casting soft shadows across their faces.

Zhao Tian's eyes drifted to a small stall tucked between a blacksmith's forge and an apothecary.

Its modest display was filled with delicate trinkets... bracelets, necklaces, and rings, all gleaming under the warm light.

Among the array, one piece caught his attention: a silver bracelet, thin and elegant, inlaid with tiny blue gemstones.

Lan Shuqin, lost in the rhythm of the street, didn't notice when he stopped.

Hm? She turned back to him, her brow furrowing slightly. "Is something wrong?"

"Wait a minute..."

Zhao Tian approached the stall and the vendor, an older man, straightened up, sensing a customer.

"That bracelet," Zhao Tian said as he gestured to the silver piece.

The vendor quickly retrieved it, holding it out for inspection. "You have a good eye, young man. This bracelet is crafted from spirit-forged silver and set with gemstones imbued with a calming aura."

Zhao Tian glanced at the bracelet, then at Lan Shuqin.

Without hesitation, he took out High grade astral stones "I'll take it."

"Wait!" Lan Shuqin who was watching him, stepping closer. "What are you doing?"

Before she could argue, Zhao Tian handed the payment to the vendor, who smiled knowingly and wrapped the bracelet in a fine cloth.

Zhao Tian accepted the package and turned back to Lan Shuqin.

"Hold out your hand,"

She hesitated, her cheeks coloring. "I can't accept this…"

With a sigh, he asked "You didn't like it? maybe we can buy another one..."

Hearing this, Lan Shuqin hurriedly shook her head "No, No.. not that..."

"Then, hold out your hand."

Slowly, she extended her wrist, her fingers trembling slightly.

Zhao Tian unwrapped the bracelet and gently he clasped it around her wrist, his fingertips brushing against her skin.

The silver gleamed under the lantern light, the blue gemstones catching the glow and reflecting it in soft hues.

"Master Tian…" Lan Shuqin began...

"It's nothing extravagant," he said casually, stepping back to admire how the bracelet looked on her.

"But it suits you."

She stared at the bracelet, her heart swelling with emotions she couldn't quite put into words.

Her fingers traced the smooth silver and the cool gemstones. "You didn't have to…"

"I wanted to," he replied looking at her smile.

Lan Shuqin's cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink, but she managed a small smile.

The vendor, who had been silently observing, chuckled. "You make a fine pair. The bracelet looks like it was made for her."

Lan Shuqin's face grew even warmer, and she glanced away, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her sleeve.

Zhao Tian, on the other hand, gave the vendor a nod before turning back to the street.

"Let's go, Shuqin."

As they resumed their walk, Lan Shuqin couldn't help but steal glances at him, her heart beating a little faster each time.

She tightened her grip on the bracelet, feeling its cool weight against her skin.

"Thank you..." she said softly, her voice nearly drowned out by the chatter around them.

Zhao Tian who was focused on pinpointing the strong presence couldn't hear her.

Eh? Lan Shuqin blinked her eyes realizing that he didn't hear her and chuckled in her heart.

'He is cute...'

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!