Chapter 300: Hunting
Zhao Xiang's return to the capital made some people happy, while others were unhappy. He seemed to have quickly regained the emperor's trust and respect, having first been appointed Grand Secretary and then, soon, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. The Minister of Revenue was already old and would retire within two years, so Zhao Xiang would naturally fill his position.
This blocks some people's way.
Naturally, people will hold a grudge against you.
Zhao Liya had not participated in such activities in the capital for a long time. Deng did not come this time, and the wife of Duke Liguo was ill, so she naturally did not come either. Although Deng entrusted Zhao Liya to the care of the wife of the Left Vice Minister of Rites, the wife of the Left Vice Minister of Rites could not stop some people from deliberately saying sarcastic and offensive words in front of Zhao Liya.
Zhao Liya was too lazy to argue with them.
Having experienced exile, Zhao Liya felt that such a harmless verbal dispute was no different from a joke. She even found the words ridiculous. If laughing in front of others didn't seem disrespectful, she would have laughed.
The noble ladies and young wives who had mocked and ridiculed her could not help but feel very proud when they saw that Zhao Liya had clearly heard their mocking remarks but pretended not to hear anything.
Even if Zhao Liya's father returned to the capital and was favored by the emperor, regaining his high position, what would that mean? After being exiled and away from the capital for so many years, how could a pampered lady like Zhao Liya endure this? It's no surprise that she's now timid and cowardly, afraid to respond even when ridiculed to her face, and can only pretend to be oblivious.
A Miss Zhao like this is simply a joke!
They soon arrived at the Royal Hunting Grounds. Because they came every year, many nobles and ministers had their own villas here, and those who didn't had their own residences. When the emperor ordered everyone to settle down, everyone went to their respective residences in an orderly manner.
The Zhao family didn't have a courtyard house here, so the emperor valued Zhao Xiang and granted him and Zhao Liya a courtyard near the palace. There were many such courtyards around the palace, and whenever the emperor went hunting, he would grant them to his close ministers, allowing them to stay nearby and be summoned at any time.
Zhao Liya and Zhao Xiang, father and daughter, lived in a two-courtyard house. The Duke of Liguo's mansion was three courtyards away from them, neither far nor near.
That night, taking advantage of the darkness and strong wind, Zhou Hansheng secretly came to the Zhao family yard to meet Zhao Liya.
Zhao Xiang had been summoned but hadn't returned. Since it was difficult for a single man and a single woman to meet openly, Zhao Liya quietly brought Zhou Hansheng into her bedroom to talk. Although the privacy of the room made them seem even more alone, they still had to avoid being seen.
As long as no one sees, they are not alone!
Zhou Hansheng was extremely happy, his eyes beaming with joy, his heart blossoming. His wife loved him so much, look, she even let him into the house!
Zhou Hansheng was so overjoyed that he didn't want to leave. If it weren't for the fact that Zhao Liya still needed to rest, he would have wanted to stay here until dawn.
"Get some rest tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, we'll go hunting together. I'll accompany you and I guarantee you'll have a great time. What do you want? We'll look for it the day after tomorrow. There are plenty of foxes, wolves, and deer in this hunting ground."
Zhou Hansheng's eyes burned brightly, their light so intense it seemed to materialize, circling Zhao Liya, causing her heart to beat faster. Zhao Liya's heart was filled with sweetness, and she smiled sweetly, "It's great to have you by my side. We can go somewhere farther away, as long as it's with someone older."
Zhou Hansheng laughed: "Okay"
After a day of rest, everyone started to get busy early in the morning on the hunting day.
Whether entering the enclosure, traveling with friends, or accompanying the emperor, it is a good opportunity to show off. Perhaps you will catch the eye of the emperor or the imperial concubine, or even some nobles and important ministers, and then you will be able to rise to prominence.
Anyone who is eligible to participate will cherish every such travel opportunity.
Because Zhao Liya was going hunting with Zhou Hansheng today, she was naturally dressed in riding clothes, including a fiery red riding soft armor, a moon-white cloak, a pair of sheepskin boots that covered her calves, a quiver and a longbow on her back, and a sharp dagger in her arms. Her long hair was tied up high, and her eyebrows and eyes were handsome, making her look outstanding.
After Chunfen and Chunxia dressed her up, they couldn't help but stare at her in amazement. "Young Miss is so, so beautiful!" "Yes, yes, it's really eye-catching! What's that called? Ying, Ying, yes, heroic!"
The master, servant and three of them burst into laughter.
Chunfen and Chunxia cannot ride horses, so they will not go with them. But it doesn't matter. Zhou Hansheng will take care of Zhao Liya. Zhaonan and other personal guards around Zhou Hansheng are also familiar with Zhao Liya and will naturally pay attention to her.
Zhao Liya did not feel restrained or uncomfortable when she was with them.
Zhao Xiang was already waiting for his daughter. When he saw Zhao Liya, his eyes lit up as well. He smiled and praised, "Ya'er looks so heroic in this outfit. She's different from usual!"
Zhao Liya looked down at herself and said with a smile, "Does Dad think it's good too?"
Zhao Xiang laughed: "That's good!"
If Zhou Hansheng saw it, he would probably think it was even better.
Zhou Hansheng and the people from the Duke of Liguo's Mansion had already gone there first. Zhao Liya and his daughter went all the way to the gathering place. Everyone they met on the way couldn't help but look at Zhao Liya a few more times when they came forward to say hello, and they were secretly amazed in their hearts.
There are not many women participating in the hunt today, but there are not few either. Many of them have put a lot of effort into their attire. Logically, Zhao Liya's attire is not eye-catching and should not attract attention.
But who made her Zhao Xiang's daughter?
Zhao Xiang was a leading figure in the Confucian world, and no one would have found it strange if his daughter were gentle, talented, and proficient in all arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. They even considered it natural. However, Zhao Liya, dressed in riding clothes, seemed to look perfectly natural, which was quite surprising.
Furthermore, many people had been paying attention to Zhao Liya along the way. Almost everyone had the impression that the eldest daughter of the Zhao family was a soft-hearted person, rarely going out, rarely socializing with others, and even when bullied or ridiculed, she remained silent. On the way, countless ladies had been mocking her behind her back, and the men naturally knew about it.
Unexpectedly, Miss Zhao appeared today in this image.
It was hard for everyone to imagine that this Miss Zhao was really someone who would not fight back or say anything when being bullied, but would just swallow her anger.
It doesn't look alike at all.
Soon they arrived at the gathering place. Each of the hunting teams entering the grounds today was full of vigor and confidence, eager to fight, ready to go. The women who remained were all dressed up, gathered in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing, occasionally pointing at the teams, saying something incomprehensible, and giggling behind their hands.
(End of this chapter)
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