"A winter hunt?"
Zhong Muyu looked at Lu Ziyuan, who said, "In the past, a winter hunting event was indeed held on Father Emperor's birthday. It seems there will be one this year too. Where did you hear this news, kid?"
Lu Ziqing smiled mysteriously: "Hehe! I can't tell Seventh Brother my inside information. Since Seventh Sister-in-law can't go out to play, I'll be leaving now."
Zhong Muyu thought about it and realized that a winter hunt might be a good activity.
...
In the evening, everyone went to the palace as scheduled. Because it was the emperor's birthday, the banquet was even grander and the process was more complicated.
Yin Ruixin, as a concubine, was also going to participate in this event. Compared to Su Zhirou before, she was much quieter and sat in the back row, as if she were invisible.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Zhong Muyu was being pulled into a conversation when she turned around and found that Yin Ruixin, who had been sitting quietly there, was gone.
She found it strange, but everyone has to go to the toilet sometimes, maybe he went to the outhouse?
Meanwhile, Yin Ruixin slipped away from the crowd and went to a secluded pavilion, where a tall figure had been waiting for her for some time.
Upon seeing this person, Yin Ruixin immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Lu Ziying stood in the pavilion. It was very cold, but the cold couldn't extinguish his anger.
"Yin Ruixin, you still know how to come see me? Could it be that you've already been bribed by Lu Ziyuan?!"
Upon hearing this, Yin Ruixin was so frightened that she immediately knelt down: "Your Highness, please understand! Ruixin has always been the Empress and Your Highness's person, and has never dared to have any disloyal thoughts. If I were to disobey, I would surely be struck by lightning!"
Hearing her solemn oath, Lu Ziying felt a little better, but she was still dissatisfied: "If that's the case, then why haven't you sent back any news for so long since you got married?"
“Your Highness, Ruixin has no choice. Although Ruixin is a concubine of Prince Ling, His Highness has never held a ceremony for taking a concubine with me, let alone shared a room with me. The prince has arranged for me to stay in the most remote place, not letting me leave even for a moment, and has also sent people to keep a close watch on me. I really... have no other choice.”
She lowered her head, feeling very uneasy, when suddenly a hand reached out into her field of vision.
Yin Ruixin carefully took the hand and let Lu Ziying help her up.
"I know you've had a hard time. Don't worry, I'm not an ungrateful person. Once I ascend the throne and deal with Lu Ziyuan, you'll be saved. I'll bring you back to be my concubine. I've even thought of a title for you: Virtuous Consort."
Consort Xian...
All of this was too tempting. Yin Ruixin had already given up hope, but in that instant, hope was rekindled.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Ruixin will certainly live up to your expectations."
"Alright, now tell me if you heard anything in the Prince of Ling's mansion? Anything is fine, anything could be important news. Don't rush, tell me slowly."
Lu Ziying was really unwilling. He didn't want Yin Ruixin to be married off for so long without bringing back any news, otherwise he wouldn't be able to explain it to the Empress.
Yin Ruixin thought for a moment and said, "Ruixin's maid Qiu Kui once heard people say that the Princess Consort is exceptionally intelligent and can create all sorts of strange things."
Before coming, I took a quick look around. There were some strange things standing in the palace, including planks that looked like wooden boards and reflected light. There were also many lines hanging in the air; I don't know what they were for.
Yin Ruixin told him everything she knew, and although Lu Ziying didn't understand, he was certain that Yin Ruixin wasn't lying to him.
Strange things? They're probably not good things, but regardless of whether they're dangerous or not, we can just accuse him of hoarding treasure or weapons, and that will be enough.
"I understand. You may go back now."
Yin Ruixin agreed and withdrew. After that, Lu Ziying tried to find the Empress.
When Yin Ruixin returned, her face was already red from the cold. Zhong Muyu immediately asked her, "Where have you been? Why did you take so long?"
Yin Ruixin said obediently, "I was not feeling well, perhaps because I ate something I shouldn't have. I was away for a while, please forgive me, Your Highness."
"Then be careful. Didn't you see the banquet is about to end? If they can't find you when they leave, you'll have to take a carriage back by yourself."
Zhong Muyu was just saying it casually and didn't take it seriously. After Yin Ruixin fooled her, she sat in the back and drank alone.
Although I agreed readily, figuring out what to do next is really troublesome.
...
After a night of feasting, the next day was a bright and sunny day, a rare and auspicious occasion.
Although Zhong Muyu didn't drink much, she always had trouble getting up in the morning after drinking, and Zaochun and the others had to urge her for a long time.
"Your Highness, it's time for you to get up. There are still things to do today."
Zhong Muyu rolled over and squeezed out a sentence: "Don't make a fuss, what else could it be?"
"Of course! News came from the palace early this morning that the weather is nice today and the Emperor is in a good mood, so he wants to hold the winter hunt ahead of schedule! If we are late, we should be careful not to be blamed by the Emperor."
"A winter hunt today?"
Zhong Muyu rubbed her eyes, instantly becoming much more awake.
"Yes, the prince has already gone to make preparations. He might be angry if he comes back and sees you still sleeping."
"Ah! Got it."
Zhong Muyu sat up, looked at the still dimly lit sky outside, and sighed.
This emperor has so much energy! He had a banquet and drank wine last night, and this morning he's going hunting. It's tough on her; she can't even get a rest.
After being pressed down in front of the dressing table and given a thorough makeover by Zaochun and the others, Zhong Muyu was fully awake.
Because it was a sporting event, she dressed simply. After tidying herself up, she went outside and saw Lu Ziyuan.
"It's good that you're up. I thought I'd have to go and wake you up myself."
"They're so noisy in early spring, you have to wake up whether you want to or not."
"That's good, let's go quickly."
Lu Ziyuan was also dressed in clean and neat clothes. Just as the two were about to leave, Zhong Muyu suddenly asked, "What about breakfast..."
"We're a bit late, so we won't eat now, but there's food over there too. We've prepared some pastries for you in the carriage. Don't worry, my wife won't go hungry."
Zhong Muyu smiled; he was the one who understood her best.
One carriage after another departed the royal villa, heading towards the royal hunting grounds outside the city. Upon arrival, Zhong Muyu was the first to jump off the carriage, taking a deep breath of the fresh, cool air.
"It's colder out in the wild, don't catch a cold."
Lu Ziyuan draped a warm cloak over her from behind.
"It feels so nice here, though it's a bit colder. But that's okay, I'll warm up after moving around a bit."
The two followed the others to the palace, which was surrounded by a vast open space that connected to the distant mountains.
This is truly royal territory; it's so vast! Just imagining riding horses here would be exhilarating!
"Seventh Brother! Seventh Sister-in-law!"
Lu Ziqing ran over from a distance: "Seventh Brother, how about we go hunting together later? I really want to go with you!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
