Chapter 69: The Autumn Hunt

Chapter 69: The Autumn Hunt

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau predicted it, and as expected, the next day was a sunny one.

Early in the morning, everyone followed the Emperor's carriage to Pingyang Mountain, where they set up temporary camps at the foot of the mountain.

Soldiers of the Pingcheng hunting grounds, following orders, divided into four teams, encircling the mountain from the east, south, west, and north, driving game towards the Emperor and the nobles’ hunting area.

After the hunting official rode over to inform the Emperor that the hunting ground was ready, the Autumn Hunt officially began.

The Emperor, leading a large group, rode on the Night Jade Lion, a horse gifted by Prince Jin, and carried the Bright Dragon Tongue Bow given by Jiang Hui, with a quiver on his back, charging into the forest.

The ladies and older ministers stayed behind, some in the tents enjoying tea, and others leisurely riding horses led by attendants.

Jiang Hui wore a slim, dark purple riding outfit with narrow sleeves, her hair braided into a twist, tied high with a ribbon. She rode atop a green dragon horse, looking striking and neat.

Beside her, Consort He was speaking to the Selected Attendant, "Just like I taught you yesterday. Yes, step on the stirrup, hold the saddle, and with one effort, you’re up!"

"Oh dear! Not like that! Never mind, I'll lift you up. Your horse seems good-natured; it won't mind!"

Jiang Hui glanced over and saw Consort He lifting the Selected Attendant onto a pretty little red horse.

The Selected Attendant lay low on the horse, fearing a fall, gripping its mane tightly. Luckily, the red horse was gentle and didn't buck her off.

"Don't grab its mane, hold the reins! Yes, that's right. Okay, now let the eunuch lead the horse around for you."

After finishing her enthusiastic instructions to the Selected Attendant, Consort He then turned to Lady Li, who was still standing.

"Lady Li, aren't you getting on your horse?"

Lady Li, dressed in a pomegranate red, flower-sprinkled brocade skirt and a tilting hair bun, didn't seem inclined to mount a horse.

Hearing Consort He's question, she smiled lightly, "I'm not skilled in riding and archery, better not to embarrass myself by trying."

"Alright," Consort He didn't insist, mounted her chosen black horse, took the bow and arrows handed by a maid, and said to Jiang Hui, "Noble Consort, I hear you're an excellent rider. Shall we have a competition?"

Jiang Hui raised an eyebrow, her usually aloof face brightened with a hint of excitement, and smiled, "Sure, what are we competing in?"

Consort He's eyes sparkled as she pointed towards the nearby woods and said loudly, "Let's compete like the men. See who can catch more prey, count by the ears, and meet back here in an hour. How about that?"

"Agreed," Jiang Hui nodded, spurred her horse, and took the lead towards the woods.

The Empress, watching from her horse as the Noble Consort and Consort He raced off, turned to Lady Li and instructed, "Since you're not riding, go and have some tea in the tent. It's quite hot outside today; don't get sunburned."

Having said this, she too headed towards the forest with Chunyan.

Following Jiang Hui into the woods on horseback, Qiu Kui caught up and whispered, “My lady, the princess just sent word that the Duke of Qing, responsible for patrolling the camp, has been in contact with Prince Jin.”

Jiang Hui paused ahead, skillfully fetching a whistling arrow from behind, and drawing it on her bow, squinted, “If mother knows, she must have a plan. We just need to do our part.”

As she spoke, the arrow shot forth, striking a large grey rabbit squarely.

Qiu Kui dismounted to pick up the now-dead rabbit, cutting off its left ear and tucking it into the sheepskin pouch at her waist, then returned to Jiang Hui's side.

Jiang Hui eyed the still-trembling arrow feather, her gaze sweeping over the dark purple emblem at its tail, and extended her hand to Qiu Kui, “Hand me the spyglass.”

A luxurious pair of rosewood binoculars, embellished with a turquoise embroidered ball knot, was placed in her hand – the very same pair gifted to her by the Emperor.

Jiang Hui peered through the binoculars towards the east for a while, then said to Qiu Kui, “No movement yet, but there’s a cliff on the east side of Pingyang Mountain. If an attack is planned, that’s the most likely spot. Let’s head there in a quarter of an hour, after meeting with the people from the marquis’ household.”

The Selected Attendant, having been led around the camp several times by the eunuch, grew bolder. No longer needing the eunuch to lead, she tried holding the reins tightly and nudged the horse's sides, but to no avail; the little red horse simply lowered its head to graze.

Trying again, she finally irritated the otherwise gentle red horse, which kicked up its heels in an attempt to throw her off.

Nearby, the eunuch and the maid Xiaodie panicked, crying out, “Little master, you should get down!”

Startled by the horse's sudden outburst, the Selected Attendant clumsily dismounted, patting her chest, and said to Xiaodie, “Let's go find Lady Li for some tea instead!”

Saying this, she headed towards the tents of the other consorts.

Inside the tent, Lady Li, keeping to herself, sat alone brewing tea.

Upon entering, Wan Xuan Shi was greeted by a pleasant aroma. She first paid respects to Lady Li, then sat down, taking a sip from the teacup handed to her, letting out a slight sigh.

A frown on a beauty often evokes pity. Lady Li softly inquired, "What troubles you, Sister Feng?"

"It's nothing," Wan Xuan Shi replied with a shy smile to Lady Li, "I had hoped to learn horse riding to impress His Majesty, but it seems I’m naturally inept and unable to learn."

"Sister Feng, don’t belittle yourself. Even men don’t necessarily master horse riding and archery immediately," Lady Li comforted her, then slowly added, "To catch His Majesty's special attention, it's not necessary to excel in horse riding and archery."

"Oh?" Wan Xuan Shi leaned forward curiously, "Do you have any suggestions, sister?"

Lady Li smiled subtly, pointing to the teacup in Wan Xuan Shi's hand, "After the exhausting autumn hunt, why not personally prepare tea and meals for His Majesty here?"

Wan Xuan Shi's eyes brightened, but then dimmed, "But His Majesty seldom eats anything sent by the concubines."

"Why not?" Lady Li laughed, "In the palace, His Majesty doesn’t eat it to avoid encouraging concubines to frequent Liangyi Hall. But here in Pingcheng, with just a few of us, if Sister Feng personally delivers it, His Majesty will surely partake."

Encouraged by this, Wan Xuan Shi, along with her maid Xiao Die, hurriedly headed to the makeshift kitchen.

While she was absorbed in cooking, panic ensued among the hunting officials — the Emperor had suddenly been startled by a wild horse during the hunt and was now missing, with Prince Jin and Duke An searching everywhere with their guards.

In the Pingyang Mountains.

Jiang Hui and Autumn Cui paused in a small valley, soon approached by a group of armored guards led by a man with a long scar under his eye.

Dismounting before Jiang Hui, he bowed respectfully, "My lady, I apologize for the delay."

This was Lu Feiping, the head guard of Princess Chengping.

"No need for formalities, General Lu," Jiang Hui smiled. "You’re just in time. Take your men and accompany me to rescue His Majesty."