Chapter 528 It’s just a show for everyone to see
The autumn sun gradually set in the west, casting a golden afterglow over the camp.
From the distant mountains and forests, shouts could be heard from time to time. They were the sons of nobles who were still chasing their prey.
The women's camp was much quieter. Su Wan stayed in the tent and did not come out again.
Chu Ruohan played with the children for a while, then asked the wet nurse to take Xiao Qingchen to rest. Xuan Ge'er was full of energy and wanted to go out and play.
She kept pulling at the corner of Gu Junze's clothes.
Lu Ge'er walked to Xuan Ge'er and said, "Let's go. Brother will take you there."
Xuan Ge'er happily took Lu Ge'er's hand, and the two children walked towards the edge of the hunting ground, one in front and the other behind.
Gu Junze looked at the backs of the two children, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.
Lu Ge'er is a thoughtful person. If he can spend more time with Xuan Ge'er and be exposed to more of the child's innocence, it will be beneficial to his character development.
He turned to look at Chu Ruohan and saw that she was looking into the distance with a dazed look on her face.
"What's wrong?" He walked forward and gently held her hand.
Chu Ruohan came back to her senses and smiled at him: "Nothing, I just feel that today's hunting ground is really full of different aspects of life."
She thought of Su Wan's loneliness, Master Gu San's pride, Lu Ge'er's calmness, and the farce of the frightened horse just now.
Gu Junze followed her gaze and seemed to see through the undercurrent beneath the surface bustle.
He simply squeezed her hand tighter, silently conveying his strength.
"Come on," he whispered, "let's go back to the tent. It's time for the children to rest."
"Okay." Chu Ruohan nodded and walked towards the tent with him.
As night fell, a bonfire was lit in the hunting camp, lighting up half the sky red.
The aroma of barbecue filled the air, accompanied by bursts of laughter.
Gu Junze took Lu Ge'er and Xuan Ge'er to participate in the evening hunting banquet.
Zhao Yunci was in a very good mood and raised his glass frequently to celebrate with everyone.
Because of his outstanding performance during the day, Lu Ge'er was talked to by many people.
He responded to all of them one by one with proper manners and without any mistakes, which won him a lot of praise.
Master Gu San was so delighted that he couldn't stop smiling, and he praised his grandson to everyone he met.
Chu Ruohan took Xiao Qingchen and sat on the other side with a few ladies with whom she had a good relationship. They just chatted and did not join in the noise over there.
Su Wan did not attend the dinner, saying that she was not feeling well and stayed in the tent to rest.
Chu Ruohan knew that what she needed was not rest, but time to digest what she had seen and heard today.
The bonfire was burning brightly, and crackling sparks shot into the night sky before quickly dying out.
Large pieces of venison and wild boar meat were sizzling over the fire. The rich aroma mixed with the aroma of wine spread throughout the camp, making people's appetites whet.
The men's banquet circle is undoubtedly centered around the emperor.
He leaned against a couch covered with thick tiger skin, holding a golden cup in one hand and the other hand casually resting on his knees, his face flushed with alcohol and a smile of satisfaction.
And Rongpin sat right next to him.
She had already changed out of her riding clothes and put on a crimson palace dress with a neckline that was just the right size, revealing a section of her snow-white neck.
In the reflection of the dancing flames, her already beautiful face became even more charming.
"Your Majesty, please try this." Rongpin used a small silver knife to carefully cut off a piece of the tenderest roasted venison.
He picked it up with silver chopsticks and personally brought it to Zhao Yunci's lips.
Zhao Yunci opened his mouth and took it in, chewing it with satisfaction, but his eyes never left her charming face.
"Well, Rong'er is still the most caring."
His voice was a little hoarse, and he didn't shy away from the various looks from those around him.
Rongpin lowered her eyes shyly, but a smug smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. She filled Zhao Yunci's glass with wine again.
She said softly, "It is my blessing to serve Your Majesty."
"Hahahaha!" Zhao Yunci was so delighted by her coaxing that she laughed out loud and raised her cup to the relatives and nobles around her, "My dear ministers, enjoy yourself today. No need to be formal. Drink this cup to the bottom!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Everyone responded with a roar of agreement and raised their glasses. For a moment, the air was filled with the clinking of glasses and the sound of flattery.
Gu Junze sat a little further away, with a half-full wine glass in front of him and had barely taken a bite of the barbecue.
He just sat there quietly, his deep gaze fixed on the dancing flames, as if oblivious to the lively scene over there.
In his eyes, the intimacy between the emperor and his favorite concubine was nothing more than a show performed for everyone to see, noisy and empty.
Amid the noise, Zhao Yunci became even more excited.
He suddenly took off a fine white jade pendant hanging from his waist, took Rongpin's hand without saying a word, and placed the jade pendant in her palm.
"This jade pendant has been with me for a long time. It's very warm and smooth. I give it to you as a reward."
Rongpin opened her eyes wide in pretended surprise, then ecstasy and emotion welled up in her eyes, and her voice trembled.
"Your Majesty, this, this is too valuable. I dare not accept it."
"If I say you deserve it, then you deserve it!" Zhao Yunci pinched her hand.
The meaning of awarding the jade pendant to the concubine is self-evident.
Rongpin's cheeks were flushed and her eyes were shining. She held the jade pendant tightly in her palm, almost snuggling into Zhao Yunci's arms, her voice so soft that it could squeeze water out of it.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."
Gu Junze's gaze finally moved away from the flames, glanced over there lightly, and then fell on Lu Ge'er.
He saw Lu Ge'er sitting quietly with a decent smile on his face, but there was a hint of fatigue in his eyes.
He nodded slightly to Lu Ge'er.
Lu Ge'er immediately understood, found a gap, walked to Gu Junze, and whispered, "Uncle."
"It's getting late, you and Brother Xuan are tired, go back and rest first." Gu Junze's voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by Brother Lu.
"Yes." Lu Ge'er felt as if he had been pardoned. He turned around and found Xuan Ge'er who was still staring at the barbecue.
Gu Junze stood up and walked to the seat where Chu Ruohan was sitting.
It was much quieter on the women's side. Little Qingchen had already fallen asleep, held in the arms of his wet nurse.
Chu Ruohan was talking to a lady and stopped when she saw him coming.
"Are you going back?" she asked softly.
"Yeah," Gu Junze nodded, his eyes fixed on her, asking, "What about you?"
"I'm tired too." Chu Ruohan stood up and smiled at the ladies, "Everyone, I'll take my leave now."
Everyone quickly stood up to return the greeting.
Gu Junze and his family left this noisy banquet place quietly, as if they had never appeared.
After they left, the laughter and chatter around the bonfire continued. Zhao Yunci embraced Rongpin and continued to toast with the ministers, her spirits undiminished.
The emperor's grace and majesty...
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