Chapter 74 First Arrival at Nanyuan

About an hour later, the ceremonial guard left the capital from Yongding Gate and continued to move south, with its wheels rolling through the sparsely populated suburbs.

What comes into view is a vast expanse of swamp woodland, densely dotted with rivers and lakes, and lush vegetation, which is completely different from the prosperous capital city.

Nanyuan is the largest imperial hunting ground in the capital area, with a circumference of 160 miles, which is three times larger than the entire capital city.

After arriving at the palace, Xiao Yan was the first to jump off the horse, strode to the carriage at the back and helped Yang Manyan get off.

"In the past, I stayed in Yanqing Palace when I came to Nanyuan Palace. Yanqing Palace is quiet and elegant. I also stored a lot of rare books in the library there. Would you like to go with me?"

There was no reason for Yang Manyan not to respond, so he took his arm and said, "What rare copies are there? Why haven't I heard Your Highness mention them before?"

Xiao Yan smiled, "Most of them are records of scenic spots. I didn't mention it because I knew you liked reading history. Now that you are in Nanyuan, I hope you can take a look to relieve your boredom."

After saying this, he carefully raised his hand and straightened the red gold phoenix hairpin with a pearl that was slightly tilted downward on Yang Manyan's hair.

Yang Manyan then realized that her hair accessories had been messed up in the carriage, and her cheeks turned slightly red.

The emperor stood aside with his hands behind his back, feeling very annoyed.

He glanced at his son coldly, then whispered, "Yuan'er, I have asked the seamen here to prepare a few docile ponies for you in advance. Would you like to see them?"

Haihu refers to the households stationed in Nanyuanli all year round. Nanyuan is named after it is also called Nanhaizi.

The eyes of both father and son were focused on Yang Manyan, and undercurrents were surging.

Yang Manyan hesitated.

She had never ridden a horse before and was indeed curious about what the horse prepared specifically for her would look like.

This place is especially beautiful because the view is endless and lush greenery, which makes people feel relaxed and happy. It is in stark contrast to the oppressive and solemn atmosphere within the high walls of the imperial palace.

After a long silence, Yang Manyan whispered, "Zi'an, why don't we go take a look at the horses first?"

Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment, feeling a little sad.

The emperor raised his eyebrows slightly, unable to hide the smile in his eyes, "Zi'an, you are really something. You have come to Nanyuan to hunt, but why are you still dragging Yuan'er to read a book?"

It was extremely incongruous that the emperor, who was usually unfathomable, majestic and sinister in front of civil and military officials, now casually uttered such jealous words.

But before he could be happy for long, Yang Manyan hugged Xiao Yan's arm and said softly, "Zi'an, can you teach me how to ride a horse later?"

"I have never ridden a horse before, and I have long wanted to experience the pleasure of galloping on horseback into the wind."

She was already wearing a magenta riding habit with narrow sleeves, which made her look more playful and innocent than usual. Now she was speaking in a soft voice to coax people. How could anyone resist?

Xiao Yan laughed, "Okay, I'll teach you."

The emperor's face darkened slightly, and he waved his hand to signal his followers to bring over several prepared ponies.

Among these horses are the snow-white Ujumchin horses and the golden-hued Arabian horses...all of them are the most docile young horses carefully selected.

Yang Manyan looked left and right and liked every one of them. He didn't know how to choose.

Perhaps he saw her dilemma, the emperor said in a deep voice: "They are all yours, ride as you like."

Yang Manyan then chose a chestnut pony, and the rest of the unsuccessful ones were taken away.

Xiao Yan began to teach her how to mount the horse by stepping on the stirrups. The emperor followed closely beside her, staring at her without blinking, fearing that she would accidentally fall.

After she successfully mounted the horse, Xiao Yan did not dare to hand the reins to her easily, but let him lead the horse for a slow walk in the nearby field.

In the boundless vast forest, the thin and handsome young man and the sturdy and heroic man followed closely beside the chestnut pony, not daring to lose focus for a moment.

The pretty girl riding on the saddle looked around with a lively look, gazing at the magnificent scenery of the water and sky merging into one in the distance.

However, the good times didn't last long. After only half an hour, she felt a burning sensation, as if her skin had been rubbed by the saddle...

Seeing the two men leading the horses aimlessly forward, getting farther and farther away from the palace, Yang Manyan hesitated again and again, but still spoke in a low voice:

"No, don't go any further. I feel a little uncomfortable." The tail of her words was long and trembling, sounding pitiful.

The emperor frowned, "What's wrong with you?"

Xiao Yan also looked at Yang Manyan who was riding on the horse, his mind racing, "But is your thigh hurting?"

Yang Manyan blushed and nodded in acknowledgement.

There happened to be a tent for people to take a rest not far away, so Xiao Yan carried her down from the horse and brought her into the tent that could accommodate four or five people lying flat at the same time.

Although the emperor was unwilling, he finally did not squeeze into the tent after seeing that Yang Manyan's injuries were serious.

"Don't be afraid, Yuanyuan. I'll check first to see if it's serious."

Xiao Yan patiently unbuttoned the buttons of her Hu pants.

It was indeed rubbed red by the saddle, but fortunately the skin was not really broken.

Although they were in a tent, they were surrounded by the vast forest, just like being outdoors. Yang Manyan was so embarrassed that he didn't even dare to open his eyes.

Although this dome tent was small, the ground was covered with a felt blanket with a mud-golden wool pattern, so at least she was not lying directly on the dirt and grass.

But when she thought that there might be wolves and wild beasts lurking here, her heart began to lift up again, and she felt terrified and uneasy.

"Zi'an, shall we go back to the palace quickly? I'm scared..." Yang Manyan's pair of bright almond-shaped eyes were filled with tears.

What's the difference between being in this little tent and being out in the wilderness?

The emperor stood there holding the chestnut pony in one hand. When he saw that Yang Manyan and the prince had not come out yet, his eyebrows suddenly jumped.

Without hesitation, he let go of the reins and strode forward. He saw Yang Manyan lying on his back on the woolen felt in the tent, tears in his eyes.

Suddenly, the emperor's chest was filled with jealousy and anger. "I was asked to wait outside the tent, but you, Zi'an, fell into the gentleness first."

Xiao Yan naturally ignored his father's sarcasm.

This place is close to a reed pond. The reeds have not yet grown lush, but they sway in the wind and make rustling sounds.

Storks, cranes, herons and geese returning from their migration north were also flying high and low around us, sometimes passing over the dome of the tent.

It is mid-spring now and there is still a slight chill in the air.

The emperor frowned slightly, his eyes as sharp as an eagle.

I was not careful enough and gave my son a chance to show off.

What he is doing now is just a temporary measure, he is not the kind of person who will give up easily.

He will definitely kick his son out someday.

But at this moment, the emotions of jealousy and unwillingness grew and spread rapidly in his blood and flesh like vines.

It's really retribution. In the past, he despised his father and brothers for losing their minds due to love, but now he is the same.

But what can he do? He can neither let her go nor can he do anything to her. He is the supreme ruler in the world, but he can only be trampled under her feet.

Before this, he even wanted to kill his son.

But Xiao Yan was, after all, the crown prince whom he had carefully cultivated for more than a decade. No matter how cold-blooded and ruthless he was, it was difficult for him to take action against this son whom he had treated as his own for many years.

For example, Xiao Yan took into consideration the relationship between father and son and finally did not join forces with the guards at Yuquan Mountain to capture the emperor and force him to abdicate. The emperor did the same.

If they were not father and son, based on their personalities they would have fought each other to the death long ago. How could such an embarrassing situation have occurred now?