Chapter 40 Spring Hunting

Pei Tingyue couldn't get what she wanted.

The emperor did not enter the harem for more than ten days and did not summon anyone to his palace, as if he was heartbroken by the incident with Concubine Shu.

Not summoning the concubines is a serious matter.

Even the empress dowager, who had always been indifferent to worldly affairs, was alarmed. She went to Chengming Hall in person to admonish the emperor.

The next evening, the emperor stayed in Fenghe Palace.

The concubines in the six palaces finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Pei Tingyue was also secretly looking forward to it.

When the emperor came that day, she didn't notice how sad and disappointed he was. She thought he would get over it soon, but she didn't expect that he hadn't summoned her to sleep with him for so long.

She had put her speculation about the pregnancy aside for too long.

Pei Tingyue suppressed his anxious heart and waited patiently.

No one expected that after this day, the emperor would stay alone in Chengming Palace again and still not summon anyone.

…

The concubines were furious, but they had no choice but to take the opportunity of paying their respects to secretly probe the emperor's mind.

Empress Cui smiled gently and reassured the concubines, "Don't worry, my sisters. After the spring hunt, the Emperor will summon his concubines as usual."

With her words, the concubines finally felt relieved.

One of the concubines asked, "Did the Emperor only bring the Imperial Concubine with him on the Spring Hunting Trip?"

Queen Cui shook her head and said softly, "I have a new sister this year."

After she finished speaking, she looked into the hall.

Receiving Queen Cui's gaze, Pei Tingyue sat up straight unconsciously, and she understood something in her heart.

As expected, Empress Cui continued, "In addition to the Imperial Concubine, Consort Pei is also on the accompanying list for this year's spring hunt."

The concubines were jealous and their eyes were like knives glaring at Pei Tingyue, but no one dared to say anything.

The reason was simple: Concubine Song had left such a deep impression on them that day that no one wanted to be slapped in the face.

Please stay tuned.

Pei Tingyue did not return to the back hall, but went to the main hall to find Concubine Song first: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Concubine Song was just ordering people to pack up when she turned around and saw her excited look. "Why are you so happy today?"

"Spring Hunting, I will go with you too!"

"Yes." Concubine Song had already heard the news and was not surprised at all. "Are you so happy to go with me?"

Pei Tingyue smiled and said, "It would be great to go out of the palace. I'm so bored staying in the palace."

Fool.

Concubine Song shook her head silently.

Although you can gain a moment of freedom after leaving the palace, it will be more painful when you come back.

But at this moment, she did not spoil the fun, but only instructed: "Although there are guards and entourages to protect your safety, you still have to be careful."

"I know!"

Pei Tingyue asked about the news of the spring hunt again, and the interest between his brows gradually faded.

The spring hunt lasts only three days.

The location was set in the royal gardens outside Beijing, and it was the emperor's private itinerary.

The image in Pei Tingyue's mind suddenly disappeared.

She thought that the spring hunting was held on the endless grassland, with the royal family, clan members, noble ministers all present, and lively horse racing and deer hunting competitions.

So that's how it is.

No wonder he brought so few concubines.

Pei Tingyue sighed and composed himself again.

One shouldn't be too greedy, at least he has left the palace!

She left the main hall in a happy mood and went back to ask Yun Shu and Yun Zheng to pack their things.

*

April 20th, the fourth year of Xining.

The emperor traveled as usual.

In the afternoon, the palace gates were opened wide to welcome the emperor.

The team drove towards the royal gardens in the suburbs of Beijing.

Pei Tingyue's previous excitement disappeared completely because the road was too bumpy and she couldn't stand it!

The carriage was fine when it was in Kyoto, as the bluestone road was smooth. But when it was outside the capital and on the loess road, Pei Tingyue couldn't bear it at all.

She vomited several times after getting out of the car.

He vomited until his stomach was empty and his face turned pale.

After she vomited again, Liang Yao came over and said, "Talented lady, the emperor wants you to come in. He said the sedan chair is spacious and you will be much more comfortable."

Pei Tingyue waved her hand, "No need."

If she still feels so uncomfortable and is too reserved in front of the emperor, wouldn't that be the end of her life?

Her attitude was firm, and Liang Yao had no choice but to go back and report.

After a while, white frost came.

"Talented lady, the Imperial Concubine asked you to go to the front."

Pei Tingyue was bewildered: "Huh?"

Under Bai Shuang's repeated urging, Pei Tingyue had no choice but to walk to the front of the sedan chair.

The emperor's sedan chair was enormous, and even from the outside it looked incredibly imposing. Pei Tingyue lifted the bright yellow curtains, revealing a spacious and luxurious interior. The floor of the sedan chair was covered in a thick, colorful, woven gold blanket. There were seats on either side, a soft couch in the back, and a small table in the middle, stocked with tea, snacks, and everything in between.

The emperor was sitting on a soft couch, while Concubine Song was sitting on a seat to the side.

Pei Tingyue was about to salute when she heard a light voice, "No need to be so polite."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Pei Tingyue thanked him verbally and chose a seat on the other side.

This was the first time that concubines were present when she was with the emperor. She did not dare to play around like she usually did, but sat properly.

The sedan chair was very good at preventing bumps, and the churning feeling in my stomach soon subsided.

Pei Tingyue breathed a sigh of relief and gradually regained his spirits.

Xie Chen noticed her reservedness, put down the book in his hand, pointed at the small table and reminded her: "Are you feeling comfortable? There are tea, fruits and snacks over there, just help yourself."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Pei Tingyue was a little thirsty. She wanted to pour a glass of water to moisten her throat, but before she reached out her hand, she saw the person opposite her moving.

Originally, Concubine Song was dozing with her head propped up, but now she slowly opened her eyes and laughed.

It wasn't a hearty laugh, but rather one with a hint of sarcasm.

Pei Tingyue's heart tightened, and just as he was about to say something, he saw her quickly pour a cup of tea and hand it to him.

Concubine Song said slowly, "What's the use of nice words? Only actual actions are effective."

Pei Tingyue:?

She held the tea in her hand, her mind blank for a moment. This scene was completely different from what she had expected.

Is Concubine Song arguing with the emperor?

She secretly glanced at the person on the couch, and felt relieved when she saw that his expression was normal.

Xie Chen's face showed nothing, but he tightened his grip on the book, leaving marks on it. He looked at Concubine Song and asked, "Are you not sleepy anymore?"

The tone of voice was normal, but Pei Tingyue could detect a hint of gnashing of teeth.

After hearing this, Concubine Song touched the tip of her nose, as if she was not the one who had just been unruly. She tilted her head and fell asleep again.

Pei Tingyue: “…”

She felt that the relationship between the emperor and Concubine Song was not as affectionate as that between ordinary emperors and concubines, but rather had an indescribable weirdness.

Is it an illusion?

Suppressing this feeling, Pei Tingyue thought about how to pass the time.

The car was boring and awkward, and she couldn't talk. There were books to read, but Pei Tingyue had no interest at all.

After thinking about it, she simply followed Concubine Song's example and closed her eyes to rest.

When she opened her eyes again, she was being held by someone. They were so close that Pei Tingyue could smell the faint fragrance on the emperor's body. She struggled to get down, but was pushed back.

"Don't move."