Chapter 200. Hunting (part 1)
The weather on the second day of the sixth month was wonderful. It was still raining intermittently the previous day but the sun was shining brightly the next day. Although there were muds in the mountain, the weather lately had been like that.
Luo Tan stretched out lazily. There were a lot of ice that were placed in the room so even though the summer days were long and hot, the room was still dry and refreshing.
The maid in the room smiled as she asked, “Young Lady want to go where to look today?”
Luo Tan looked at the small toys that were piled up to a small mountain, “I don’t know. Will just go and ask Doctor Gao.”
“Gentleman Gao has gone out today and will only return tomorrow night.” The maid said, “He has let this servant inform Young Lady that if Young Lady wants to go out, this servant will follow along and some guards will also be called along, and buy whatever you fancy.”
“Is there some matter?” Luo Tan said, “Is there patient for him to travel to?”
The maid smiled and did not answer.
Luo Tan waved her hands, “Since this is the case, then I will shop around casually.”
She had arrived in Long Ye for more than a month and for these days, she was always with Gao Yang. Gao Yang said that medical practitioners were borderless and when he was young, he had experiences of travelling and had lived in Long Ye for a period of time. This residence in Long Ye was his and even though Luo Tan felt that these words were somewhat strange, she was not suspicious after everyone in the residence said as such.
That messenger that send the letter to Shen Miao was sent back by Gao Yang, saying that Shen Miao had agreed to bring Luo Tan along and would take good care of Luo Tan. One did not know how Gao Yang lied but afterwards the Shen family indeed did not come back.
The side of the Shen family was concealed and Luo Tan was thinking about it in her heart. After a few more days of playing in Long Ye, she would then look for Shen Miao and confess to everything. If now she were to say, she feared that Shen Miao and Prince Rui will send her back. She had not play or eat enough so how could she leave now?
Luo Tan walked out of the doors and when she walked to the courtyard, she heard some noises far away from the other side of the wall and asked the maid beside her, “What is outside that is so bustling?”
The maid smiled, “It is the Imperial Hunt today and it is the sixtieth year festival. His Majesty is also going to the hunting grounds to hunt and is currently followed by the Imperial army thus the commoners on the streets are cheering.”
Luo Tan liked bustling scenes and thus she said, “Then let’s also go and take a look. Can it be that one will be able to see His Majesty’s heavenly appearance?”
That maid’s expression changed slightly and she shook her head, “The streets are very crowded with people and moreover His Majesty is in the canopy and could not be seen.”
Luo Tan was somewhat unenthusiastic and that maid smiled, “This servant will first prepare some snacks to eat during the journey. After a moment, this servant will accompany Young Lady to wherever one wants to go.”
“You go then.” Luo Tan said. After waiting for that maid to leave, Luo Tan sneaked out from the back doors and murmured, “It is not too much to watch from afar.”
Her figure quickly disappeared from the courtyard.
After Shen Miao washed and groomed, she saw Xie Jing Xing change his clothes.
Because of the hunt today, he had worn a riding attire that was suitable for hunting. Narrow sleeves, high-necked collar, waistband strap, green boots with dark flower embroideries, making him look very neat and refreshing but because the riding gear was very fitting, he looked like an elegant noble gentleman.
Upon seeing Shen Miao, Xie Jing Xing frowned, “These clothes.”
It was after all in a hunting ground and in a hot summer day so Jing Zhe feared that Shen Miao would faint with the heat and specifically round a light breezy clothes. Beneath the robes was a pair of silk trousers that was wide and breezy but the robes on top was a thin layer of yarn, with only a tube top on her chest. The light purple seemed to look like a cloud. Shen Miao looked dignified on normal days and this dressing made her a little charming that one was unable to describe it.
Shen Miao looked at herself, “Not good?”
Xie Jing Xing said, “It is cool in the mountain. It is better to wear a coat.”
Shen Miao, “…” Where would there be cool breeze in the sixth month? Moreover Long Ye was always warm.
Xie Jing Xing then added, “Your body and complexion belongs to the Xie family and cannot be sunburn.”
Shen Miao, “I understand. Jing Zhe, go bring a coat over.”
Xie Jing Xing then let the matter rest.
When outside, Mo Qing and some of the guards of the residence of Prince Rui were ready and Ba Jiao was also present. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu did not have to follow today and Xie Jing Xing transferred a guard, Hui Xiang, from Mo Yu Army to disguise with Ba Jiao as personal maids to protect Shen Miao’s safety.
The more elaborate Xie Jing Xing planned, the more uneasy Shen Miao’s heart felt. Today because of the sixtieth year festival of the Imperial Hunt, she had to come and even if there was no such thing, Shen Miao would not stay behind in the residence of Prince Rui. It was not because of anything but because her right eyelid had been jumping nonstop, as if indicating that something would be happening.
Her worried and troubled appearance fell into Xie Jing Xing’s eyes and Xie Jing Xing thought about it before walking with Shen Miao towards the door, “Why so depressed?”
Shen Miao said, “Seem to always feel uneasy.”
“Your husband has a great life.” His lips raised up, “Furen no not need to worry.”
Shen Miao rolled her eyes but saw that there was no horse carriage at the doors and asked, “The horse carriage is not brought over yet?”
Xie Jing Xing smiled and pulled Shen Miao to the doors. Mo Qing came forward with a horse and with a flip, Xie Jing Xing was up on the horse when he suddenly pulled Shen Miao’s hand. Shen Miao could not prevent him from pulling her up and place in Xie Jing Xing’s embrace.
“The horse carriage is too slow.” He lowered his head to look at Shen Miao and said not too fast or slow, “You know archery but do you know horse riding?”
Shen Miao was about to speak when Xie Jing Xing interrupted her words, “It is alright if one doesn’t know. This husband will teach you.” Finishing, he used the horse whip and the horse neighed loudly before galloping away.
The bodyguards that was behind seemed to have followed along. Shen Miao’s back was leaning against Xie Jing Xing and in his embraced but her heart could not help but be shocked. That horse was a good precious and valuable horse that ran very fast. Xie Jing Xing’s horse riding skills were very good that he could maneuvered all the twists and turns. The crowds in the market exclaimed in shock but he just laughed out arrogantly.
Shen Miao recalled about the first time seeing Xie Jing Xing in this lifetime. It was in front of Guang Wen Tang when that purple clad handsome youth sat high on top of the horse, lazily and arrogantly sizing up the crowd.
His breathing was just by her ears and seemed to almost stuck next to her cheeks. His low pitched but pleasant laughter was heard overhead and Shen Miao’s heart was also infected by it.
In fact she also yearned to have such freedom like this. She would stand on top of the Nine Palaces and looked at the eagles that were flying far high and yearn to live freely with one horse was under ones feet. However her entire life was trapped in the depths of the Palace, guarding the man that did not love her and fight to live for her children.
It seemed that she had not had such a pleasant time in public for a long time.
Shen Miao smiled, “In Long Ye, you are also as rude as you were in Ding capital?”
“To go to the furthest but not exceeding.” Xie Jing Xing answered. He then looked down again at her and lifted her chin before chuckling lowly, “You are not as unrestraint in Ding capital than in Long Ye.”
Shen Miao was startled while Xie Jing Xing continued smiling, “I like this kind of Shen Jiao Jiao more.”
“Me too.” Shen Miao said with a smile.
Xie Jing Xing’s movements paused and even the horse’s movements slowed down. He said, “You also like this me?”
“No.” Shen Miao said, “I also like this kind of me.”
The laughter of the two persons drifted along the summer breeze and among the guards behind them, Hui Xiang whispered to Ba Jiao’s ears, “Isn’t it said that Furen has a cold personality and it is all our Master’s wishful thinking? It looks like the relationship is not bad.”
“Furen’s personality is not cold at all.” Ba Jiao said with all smiles, “Furen is a good person.”
When the morning sun spread across the earth, Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing finally arrived at the hunting grounds.
The external part of the hunting grounds was a forest while the internal part of the grounds was Hua Luan Peak. Hua Luan Peak was a unique peak in Long Ye as there were dense forest and sharp cliffs. It was a rare picturesque view but there were many beasts, the roads were difficult to go on because of the presence of beasts.
It was the Late Emperor regulation to use this hunting ground as the Imperial hunt. Moreover when the Late Emperor was alive, according to the rules that were set by the founding Emperor, on the Imperial Hunt of the sixtieth year, the current Emperor would personally enter the hunting grounds to hunt a lion without rest and use the lion as a sacrifice.
During previous Imperial Hunts, the previous Emperors would meet with dangers but because of Imperial army that was following, there were no issues. However this year was not like the past and with the Imperial army, it seemed to be even more dangerous than without the Imperial army.
The appearances of Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing was undoubtedly very eye-catching. Everyone saw that they did not take the horse carriage and were all stunned when both of them shared a ride. Emperor Yong Le and Consort Jing had arrived first and Consort Jing exclaimed in shocked, “As part of the Imperial family, how could one be this rude?”
Emperor Yong Le looked at Xie Jing Xing with a frown, seemingly unhappy with his approach of doing things. Xie Jing Xing supported Shen Miao down the horse and walked over to Emperor Yong Le in front of everyone.
Emperor Yong Le was also wearing a bright yellow ridding gear. Emperor Yong Le was not too old and had a handsome appearance. It was just that his temperament was gold and when wearing the ridding gear, both brothers seemed to have robbed all the limelight from the male guests.
Xie Jing Xing and Shen Miao greeted Emperor Yong Le but none of them bother with Consort Jing. When Consort Jing saw it, she bit her lips but suddenly smiled as she looked at Shen Miao, “Today Rui WangFei came to the hunting grounds with Prince Rui and both husband and wife are deeply affectionate that even a ride was shared. It is indeed envious.” Finishing, she changed the topic, “As such, one thinks that when Prince Rui of First Rank enters the inner fields of the hunting ground, WangFei will also follow in correct?”
Before Shen Miao could reply, Emperor Yong Le frowned and said coldly, “She does not need to enter.”
Consort Jing was startled as she did not expect that Emperor Yong Le would suddenly speak. She was thinking that if Shen Miao entered the inner fields with Prince Rui, since there were so many ferocious beasts in the inner fields that even with Prince Rui protecting and even if Shen Miao was not injured, she would have a scared expression and it was a happy thing for her. That day during the Bright Summer Banquet, those unforgiving words that Shen Miao had spoken to the Lu family had reached Consort Jing’s ears. Consort Jing was determined to give Shen Miao a bitter time but did not expect that Emperor Yong Le would help Shen Miao.
Even though Consort Jing was arrogant, she did not dare to go against of Emperor Yong Le.
However Shen Miao understood in her heart that Emperor Yong Le was not speaking out on her behalf. It was only because today both brothers will be entering the inner fields and it was very dangerous. Perhaps Emperor Yong Le and Xie Jing Xing had already arranged everything and an additional person entering would only be an additional variable. Most likely Emperor Yong Le feared that her entering would influence their plans.
Xie Jing Xing smiled and glanced at Consort Jing. Even though he did not say anything but Consort Jing felt that the warning from the gaze. One did not know why but other than Emperor Yong Le, the person she feared the most was this young Prince of First Rank that she even feared Prince Rui more than her own father.
Seeing Consort Jing no longer speaking, Xie Jing Xing grasped Shen Miao’s shoulders, “Since the Emperor have no other matters, I will bring Jiao Jiao around. She just come to Long Ye and is not very familiar with the people here.” Finishing his words, he did not care about what expression Emperor Yong Le had and just left with Shen Miao.
After walking a few steps, one saw Ji Yu Shu running over in excitement from afar. He ran all the way and stopped in front of them, “Third Older Brother. SaoZi.”
Shen Miao look at Ji Yu Shu’s bright smile and was unable to connect this manager of Feng Xian Pawnshop that was opened in Ming Qi for so many years with the Young Master of Great Liang’s Left Minister’s family. She asked a question that she kept thinking about, “Why do you always call him Third Older Brother?”
“Oh.” Ji Yu Shu was stunned and looked at Xie Jing Xing, “You did not mention to SaoZi?”
