Chapter 157 Concubine Yu is afraid of the cold
It was already early morning when they arrived at the Xiangshan Royal Villa on the first night. Jiang Yingli had been in the carriage all the way and was already dizzy, so Xiao Chenglan ordered everyone to get ready for the night.
Although night hunting is particularly interesting, there are plenty of opportunities to stay in the villa for half a month. Xiao Chenglan chose to stay with Jiang Yingli, who was already confused and obedient to him.
When Jiang Yingli was stripped of her clothes by Xiao Chenglan and put into the bathtub, she felt like she had not gotten out of bed yet and was still swaying in the carriage.
Xiao Chenglan sighed and took a bath with her in the bathtub quietly.
On the morning of the second day, Xiao Chenglan led the civil and military officials to worship the mountain god, and the autumn hunt officially began.
The teams on the field were divided into two groups: one was the Royal Guards, and the other was led by General Gu. Xiao Chenglan stayed on the field to preside over the first match and did not play, but he still did not forget to give instructions to the guards.
"Don't embarrass me. I'm waiting for you to hunt a deer so I can hold a celebration banquet for General Gu."
The guards raised their arrows and shouted, "We will definitely fulfill the emperor's orders!" They were all ready to fight.
General Gu, seated on a majestic black-maned horse, laughed heartily and stroked his graying beard. "Today, I'm no less capable than you. Let's see who can hunt a deer first! Go!"
The group rushed into the woods like the wind, startling the dense flocks of birds.
The first match was for the first place, not for who hunted more, and it was over in half an hour. General Gu came out first, dragging a huge stag with a rosy face.
Xiao Chenglan praised her and gave her many rewards. He also promoted Concubine Gu, who was watching the game in the stands, to the rank of Chongyuan.
Gu Xiaoran accepted the oral order and felt secretly proud.
She had said long ago that one should not accept rewards without merit. Even if she did not want Jiang Yingli's charity, she could still be promoted.
General Gu had a daughter in his old age and cherished her very much. He was happier about her promotion than he was about himself.
At the second banquet, Xiao Chenglan also took the stage. He changed into a light imperial hunting suit, carried a quiver on his back, and sat astride a fierce horse. The guards followed him with wolfhounds, and the whole team looked majestic.
Jiang Yingli sat in the imperial carriage, looking at Xiao Chenglan who was ready to go through the crowd, and seemed to be in a trance.
Usually I only see His Majesty performing literary arts, but I have never seen His Majesty in this look. He looks a bit more wild and very handsome.
Jiang Yingli was infatuated with him when she suddenly heard Gu Chongyuan say from a distance:
"Your Majesty! Seeing so many passionate young men on the hunting grounds today, I'm really drawn to them. When I was back home, my father taught me horseback riding and archery. I wonder if I could accompany you into the forest?"
For a moment, everyone's eyes turned to Gu Chongyuan, and all the voices fell silent.
Song Wanyan stared at her, her expression becoming indescribable.
Why would she enter the palace if she loves riding and archery so much? The Gu family is not the kind of family that would insist on sending their daughter to the palace.
After a long silence, Xiao Chenglan smiled and said, "Gu Chongyuan, in addition to ordinary prey, there are also wild beasts in the forest. For safety reasons, you should wait here until General Gu hunts a good game for you."
General Gu looked at Gu Xiaoran, wanted to say something, but stopped.
Gu Xiaoran has loved wielding swords and guns since she was a child. At first, he thought that staying in the palace would trap her nature, but Gu Xiaoran insisted on entering the palace, and he had no choice.
She must be feeling uncomfortable as she hasn't touched a bow and arrow for two years.
Gu Xiaoran did not give up the idea and spoke loudly: "Your Majesty, my riding and archery skills are not bad. General Gu was able to repel the barbarians in the southwest, so his daughter is naturally different from ordinary noble ladies."
Xiao Chenglan smiled for a moment and relaxed: "Okay, then you come forward, Wei Zhi, you mobilize a team to protect Gu Chongyuan."
General Gu was the first to speak: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I miss the days of riding and archery when I was young, so I overstepped my bounds. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your indulgence."
Xiao Chenglan waved his hand and smiled faintly, "It's okay, General Gu, you're worrying too much. Your daughter is different."
"Your Majesty, please allow me to change my clothes." Gu Chongyuan asked.
"Go ahead."
Thus, everyone in the stands and those preparing to enter the forest farm fell into a silent waiting state.
About two quarters of an hour later, Gu Xiaoran, dressed in red riding clothes, walked out from the crowd with his head held high.
She could feel the eyes cast at her from all directions.
She became more and more proud, as she had finally waited for this opportunity.
The harem is a boring place, and only here can her uniqueness be highlighted.
Your Majesty will know that she is different from those beautiful and delicate women in the harem.
Gu Xiaoran got on the horse with quick and decisive movements, and it was obvious that he had practiced this skill since childhood.
She was originally near General Gu. After getting on the horse, she took two steps and walked to Xiao Chenglan's side, smiling ostentatiously.
"Your Majesty, please take a look at my archery skills."
When she said this, she glanced at Jiang Yingli intentionally or unintentionally.
At this moment, under the watchful eyes of the public, only she can stand on equal footing with His Majesty, and those delicate flowers can only serve as a foil.
Jiang Yingli was busy looking at Xiao Chenglan and didn't notice Gu Xiaoran's almost provocative look. But Song Wanyan, who was standing next to her, did notice it and rolled her eyes at her.
Just now she always felt that there was something wrong with Gu Xiaoran, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Now she understood that she didn't really like riding and archery, but she loved being different and comparing.
Xiao Chenglan did not answer Gu Xiaoran's words. Instead, he tilted his horse's head and looked at Jiang Yingli across the crowd.
Jiang Yingli sat up straight immediately.
Xiao Chenglan raised his longbow high and said with a smile, "I heard that there are forest martens in the mountains. They are extremely rare and can only be found once in a lifetime. My Concubine Yu is afraid of the cold, so I want to give her a cloak made of forest marten fur. Whoever can hunt a forest marten and bring it to me will be rewarded handsomely!"
The scene suddenly became lively.
It's all hunting anyway, so it doesn't matter what you hunt. It's better to hunt something that can bring in a reward.
Jiang Yingli looked at Xiao Chenglan, who was sitting on a horse in the distance, smiling at her and expressing his preference to the extreme, and her eyes could not help but turn red.
Gu Xiaoran's face turned ugly in the jubilant crowd.
She looked unhappy, but Song Wanyan looked better. She cut a large piece of roasted venison, stuffed it into her mouth, and chewed it leisurely.
It smells so good.
Everyone followed His Majesty into the forest. Gu Xiaoran pinched the reins, feeling a surge of anger in his heart.
Humph, I’ll let His Majesty know how powerful she is later.
What's the point of hunting forest martens? In such deep mountains, there are big creatures, which are worth the challenge.
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