Chapter 12 Spying on Her

Xue Xingtai was taken aback. "You had a conflict with General Xie? You two are completely unrelated."

Xue Mingyu, who had picked up her bow again, also perked up her ears.

Xue Mingyao insisted, "It's him. Brother, do you dare to hit him?"

“Well…” Xue Xingtai scratched his head, “The main problem is that we can’t beat them. I heard that when General Xie first returned to the court, he gave a demonstration in front of many military officers, and he was quite strong.”

Xue Mingyao said, "Brother, you've practiced martial arts since you were young and have extraordinary strength. Could he be stronger than you?"

“You don’t understand.” Xue Xingtai shook his head. “My martial arts skills are not bad, but he has a lot of practical experience. It’s impossible for him to fight against real people on the battlefield by just wielding a spear and stick in his own yard.”

Xue Mingyao looked dejected.

"Yaoniang, are you serious?" Xue Xingtai asked in surprise. "Xie Zhuo is a newly ennobled general and His Majesty's favorite minister. You want me to go and settle accounts with him? Do you think your brother's life is too long?"

"Sister, what exactly happened between you and General Xie?" Xue Mingyu asked.

Xue Mingyao didn't want to be direct, so she said, "It's nothing. I ran into him when I went to see Yingniang today, and we just had a few words exchanged."

Xue Xingtai asked curiously, "Everyone says General Xie is easygoing and loves his soldiers like his own children. Why would he suddenly disagree with you? Yao Niang, did you say something to offend him?"

Everyone says Xie Zhuo is a good person, how come she didn't see it?

Xue Mingyao had no words to express her distress, and let out a long sigh. "It is absolutely true that I am in the right. Brother, does Xie Zhuo really have a lot of influence in front of His Majesty? If I go to His Majesty to complain about him, is it possible that His Majesty will reprimand him?"

Xue Xingtai's eyes widened. "Don't be foolish, or I'm afraid you'll be the one reprimanded. Let me tell you how much His Majesty values ​​General Xie. Today, the palace sent an imperial decree. To celebrate the reconquest of the southern frontier, His Majesty has decided to go to Beiming Mountain next month for a sacrificial ceremony and hunting expedition, ordering the concubines, princes, and ministers to accompany him. A few people from our family will also be going. I went last time, so you and Yuniang can go this time."

At the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, hunting was conducted in accordance with ancient rites throughout the four seasons. Later, this was simplified to once a year, with the location mostly chosen to be the Beiming Mountains, about a hundred li north of Zhongjing. The Beiming Mountains span two counties, with continuous undulating hills, and the imperial palace, consisting of hundreds of rooms, is located on the mountain. Every year between winter and spring, the emperor would lead civil and military officials and imperial guards to hunt here for several days, offering sacrifices to the gods and displaying imperial power.

Later, because each hunt took more than half a month, involved a large number of people, and wasted resources, officials repeatedly submitted memorials to dissuade the hunt, and the number of hunts became less and less frequent. The last hunt in Beiming Mountain was six years ago.

Emperor Deyuan held a spring hunt because of the pacification of the southern border, so it is not hard to imagine the status of Xie Zhuo, a great contributor, in his heart.

However, after hearing what Xue Xingtai said, Xue Mingyao's mood wasn't so bad anymore. "That's great! I've never participated in a spring hunt before. It must be very lively."

"Of course." Xue Xingtai was relieved to see that his sister had changed her mind. "You missed it six years ago because you were in Xichuan. This time you can see it for yourself."

During the spring hunt, young men and women from aristocratic families and noble relatives would also go hunting, play and feast together, and young men and women with excellent riding and archery skills would often shine.

"No wonder you spent the whole afternoon practicing archery with Yuniang," Xue Mingyao said.

Xue Mingyu's archery skills were not good; she was just honing her skills at the last minute.

Xue Xingtai nodded, "If you ask me, Yuniang, you should find Yaoniang to teach you. Her archery skills are even better than mine."

“I’m a bit rusty with archery, so I’d like to practice a bit.” Xue Mingyao pretended not to see the awkwardness on Xue Mingyu’s face. “Yuniang, don’t always bother your brother. If I remember correctly, he should be on duty at the garrison today. Coming back early to practice archery with you would be a delay in his official duties.”

Xue Xingtai waved his hand, "It's alright! I didn't even go to the guard post today, so no one cares."

Xue Mingyao was about to speak but stopped.

Xue Xingtai belonged to the Imperial Guard, known as the Jade Unicorn Guard. This guard was once the most important army around the emperor, primarily composed of sons of nobles. They wore embroidered robes, wielded imperial swords, and served as attendants to the emperor and guards of the palace. In recent years, however, the guard had become increasingly corrupt, its morals deteriorated, and its fighting strength weakened. Furthermore, with the rise of several other imperial guards directly under the emperor, the Jade Unicorn Guard's position became increasingly awkward, almost reduced to a mere ceremonial role for the emperor.

Xue Xingtai was rather ambitious but incompetent. He once said that it was too boring to serve in the palace while wearing gorgeous clothes. He preferred to go to the battlefield to charge and kill the enemy. Therefore, he took his idle official position less seriously and was no different from other playboys in the guard.

Xue Mingyao felt this was inappropriate, but if she offered advice, it could easily escalate into a fight between the siblings. They hadn't argued long ago, and Xue Mingyao didn't want to create another rift with her brother.

She picked up a bow and began practicing archery with Xue Mingyu.

......

With some time still to go before the spring hunt, Xue Mingyao couldn't wait to get started. She practiced riding and archery, and prepared the items to take to Beiming Mountain, filling her time to the brim.

She had Green Branch put several dresses and a few Hu-style robes with turned-down collars and tight sleeves for riding, all in bright colors, into her bag. Xue Mingyao was perfectly justified in this; dressing like a plain widow for such a grand occasion as the spring hunt would only annoy the emperor.

She was so engrossed in the excitement of her upcoming trip that she forgot all about Xie Zhuo's offense and barely even thought about Chen Liangqing, whom she had been thinking about all along.

Finally, the day to leave the capital arrived. Xue Mingyao dressed herself up early in the morning and boarded the carriage with Xue Mingyu, who was also eagerly anticipating the trip.

The spring hunt involved a large number of people who went in several batches. The officials in charge of the sacrifices set off first, followed by the nobles and civil and military officials, and finally the emperor, empresses, concubines and princes and princesses in the palace.

The Xue family's carriages joined the procession of meritorious relatives outside the city, protected by armored and armed guards, and headed north in a grand procession.

The Xue sisters traveled together, but they would start arguing after only a few words. So after traveling for more than an hour, Xue Mingyao simply switched to Zhao Ying's carriage, and Xue Mingyu went to find her close female friend.

Inside Zhao Ying's carriage was a warm charcoal brazier, and the two sat around it, eating sweet dates and shredded mutton head while chatting idly.

Xue Mingyao asked her if there had been any follow-up after she had Xie Zhuo look at Chen San Niangzi in Qingyuan last time.

Zhao Ying shook her head. "General Xie has not made a move. The Prince Consort has hinted several times, but General Xie just pretends not to understand."

Xue Mingyao was not surprised. If Xie Zhuo had really taken a liking to Chen Zhelan, he wouldn't have bothered to return to the flower pavilion to cause trouble for her after admiring the plum blossoms, hiding it from Zhao Ying and his wife.

She spat out a date pit, "It's his problem that Xie Zhuo doesn't even fancy a woman as talented and beautiful as Third Sister. Maybe he just doesn't like women and prefers men."

For example, Chen Liangqing.

Given Xie Zhuo's level of unease about her getting close to Chen Liangqing, it wasn't impossible, Xue Mingyao thought.

“You’re talking nonsense again,” Zhao Ying laughed. “You’re just thinking up all sorts of nonsense. Xie Zhuo is a great and powerful general. How could he have such an unseemly homosexual habit? He’s a handsome and talented man, so his standards are probably higher too.”

Xue Mingyao thought to herself, Xie Zhuo has done a lot of shady things.

"Who cares what he thinks? There are plenty of good men in the world. Third Sister, there's no need to fixate on just one."

Zhao Ying sighed. Chen Zhelan looked delicate and gentle, but her feelings for Xie Zhuo were exceptionally firm. Her affections were unrequited; Xie Zhuo remained silent. Chen Zhelan cried until her eyes were red, but she refused to give up. She thought that Xie Zhuo, being a military general, might not appreciate a woman's fragility. She begged Zhao Ying to teach her riding and archery, hoping to use the spring hunt as an opportunity to impress Xie Zhuo.

"She worked so hard, her hands were worn raw by the reins, but she still refused to dismount," Zhao Ying remarked.

Xue Mingyao couldn't understand how someone could suffer like this for a man.

"I wish her success," she said lazily.

"It's hard to say." Zhao Ying counted on her fingers. "Several of my younger sisters from the palace are coming this time. My third and fifth sisters both have a strong liking for heroic men, especially my fifth sister. She's said since she was little that she wants to marry a great general. There's a good chance she'll fall for General Xie. You know how important the spring hunt is for unmarried girls. Maybe Father will arrange a marriage on a whim..."

Since men and women are different, eligible men and women in the nobility who want to meet each other can only do so through large banquets unless arranged by their elders. Spring hunts are just the perfect occasion for this.

In the past, after the spring hunt, several marriages would be arranged among the high-ranking families of Zhongjing. Some impatient ones would even ask Emperor Deyuan to grant them a marriage on the spot.

Zhao Ying took a liking to Chen Liangzheng during a spring hunt, and a few months later Emperor Deyuan issued an edict ordering the Chen family to marry the princess.

Xue Mingyao said, "Xie Zhuo is very popular, but he has no family background whatsoever. It's fine if the young ladies in the capital don't mind, but don't the princesses mind this either?"

"What does it matter? He himself is a new family. I heard from the prince consort that Father especially values ​​General Xie for this reason: he comes from a humble background, has little influence, and is therefore less constrained. If it were any prestigious family that produced such a talented general, Father might not necessarily use him in such an unconventional way."

Zhao Ying lowered her voice, "In recent years, Father has been focusing on promoting children from humble backgrounds and weakening the power of aristocratic families and nobles, especially those privileged sons who live off their family's wealth and status. Father sees them as parasites on the state and will sweep them away sooner or later..."

The date in Xue Mingyao's mouth no longer tasted good.

Even if Zhao Ying didn't say it, she vaguely realized it.

When her father was alive, the Xue family was extremely prominent. But after her father passed away, Emperor Deyuan, who had always favored the Xue family, showed no mercy in stripping her nephew of his inherited title, and no amount of coquetry or nagging could change his mind.

Xue Xingtai was still nonchalant and didn't take it seriously, saying that it was unreasonable for his little nephew, a mere baby, to inherit the title of Prince without having accomplished anything. He said that inheriting the title of Duke would be fine, as it wouldn't attract any jealousy.

Zhao Ying patted her, and Xue Mingyao snapped out of her reverie, her eyes crinkling mischievously. "Let's not talk about that anymore. Tell me quickly, did Xiaoyi do it? What was the Prince Consort's reaction?"

"I have done it, and it does look... good, but I haven't dared to walk through it in front of the prince consort yet."

Xue Mingyao laughed and said, "You are Princess Yi'an, whose riding and archery skills are first-rate. How come you don't have the guts in this kind of thing? I think the two of you are too polite to each other. You are more like a ruler and his subject than husband and wife. How can this be?"

Zhao Ying pondered for a moment, "I'll give it a try this spring hunt. If the prince consort doesn't like it, I'll say it was you who encouraged me, and that it has nothing to do with me."

"You naughty Yingniang," Xue Mingyao pinched her waist, "I never get any good things, but I'm always blamed for all the bad things."

The two chatted and laughed for half the journey. In the afternoon, Xue Mingyao returned to her own carriage, wrapped herself in a rabbit fur blanket, and slept soundly.

Before sunset, the team arrived at the foot of Beiming Mountain.

The accommodations for each household had already been assigned. The Xue sisters got out of the carriage and followed the servants to the western side of the back mountain. There were more than a dozen palaces here, and theirs was on the far west side, on higher ground, and a little distance away from the others.

Xue Mingyao went inside and looked around. The room had already been cleaned and decorated by the palace maids. It was spacious and elegant. She then entrusted the matter to Lüzhi with peace of mind. While it was still bright, she took a little maid and went out to enjoy the mountain scenery.

The emperor will arrive tomorrow. Groups of officials and guards can be seen on the mountain, making final inspections to ensure everything is in place.

Xue Mingyao strolled to a scenic valley behind the mountain, when she suddenly heard a familiar male voice calling her, "Yaoyao!"

She turned around in surprise, and there in the mountains, a young man wearing a jade crown and a unicorn robe was smiling at her.

The young man whispered a few words to his attendant, then slowly walked towards her.

"Ah-Jun, it's been a long time." As the person approached, Xue Mingyao smiled.

The visitor was none other than Zhao Jingyun, the third son of Emperor Deyuan, and the current Crown Prince. Zhao Jingyun was the son of the Empress Dowager, and both he and Zhao Jingchen, the eldest son of Empress Duanhui, held the title of "嫡" (legitimate son) and were once considered potential candidates for the position of Crown Prince. The two were bitter rivals, engaging in open and covert struggles for a long time. Ultimately, Zhao Jingyun was made Crown Prince, while the eldest prince was demoted and exiled from the capital for allegedly plotting against the third prince, and was granted the title of Prince of Xichuan, from which he could never recover.

During the most intense years of their struggle for the throne, Xue Mingyao was in Xichuan, far from the strife. Suddenly one day, an imperial edict was issued throughout the land, and her two childhood friends, who were as close as brothers, were appointed as crown prince and banished to a barren land, leaving her bewildered and sighing.

Later, Xue Mingyao returned to the capital, and her relationship with Zhao Jingyun was no longer as close as before, but the affectionate nicknames they used to use when they were fooling around in the palace were never changed.

Zhao Jingyun had a short mustache, and his handsome face held a hint of authority. He reached out and gently touched her soft hair. "It's been a long time since I've seen Yaoyao riding and shooting. This spring hunt is lively, so have some fun."

"Definitely." Xue Mingyao replied naturally, exchanging a few pleasantries with him before adding in a coquettish voice, "The place I live in is so remote, far from His Majesty's palace. The housing allocation was decided by your people, wasn't it? You just let them assign such a secluded place to the Xue family?"

Emperor Deyuan trusted Zhao Jingyun and also wanted to test him, so he entrusted him with full responsibility for the spring hunt.

"You've wronged me. This place may be remote, but it's quiet enough to keep you from all the noise. Besides—" Zhao Jingyun pointed southwest, "there's a hot spring there, boiling hot all year round, with water as smooth as silk. You'll have the advantage of being close by. What do you say?"

Xue Mingyao's eyes lit up, but she still maintained her tone, "It's nothing special. Let me go soak in it first, and then I'll decide whether I want to thank you or not."

Zhao Jingyun chuckled softly, "Why is it still so difficult to get Yaoyao to say something conciliatory?"

Several feet behind them, the dark green bushes swayed almost imperceptibly. A pair of sharp, hawk-like eyes, hidden behind the branches and leaves, stared intently at the richly dressed man and woman.

A note from the author:

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