On the first day of the eighth lunar month, the group camped at Changshanyu.
After a short rest, the hunt began when Yinzhen fired an arrow first. Hongli and Hongzhou, acting on behalf of the emperor, led a group of people into the hunting grounds, while Yinzhen rode on horseback and chatted with several Mongol princes and ministers.
Qian Shengyan also changed into a light riding outfit, but did not mount her horse. Instead, she met the Mongolian noblewomen who had been waiting there in the Imperial Noble Consort's tent. The leader of them was naturally Princess Gulun Kejing, the younger sister of Yinzhen, who married Dundobdorji, the Khalkha Prince of the Borjigit clan.
Princess Guren Kejing was only one year younger than Yinzhen. She looked to be in good spirits, was slightly plump, and had a loud laugh that was quite loud when she sat there. She already had some of the boldness of a Mongolian woman.
Qian Shengyan presented the gifts she had brought from the capital, and Kejing was very pleased. He then said with a smile, "The last time I saw the Fourth Prince was in the sixtieth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. At that time, the Fourth Prince was only eleven or twelve years old, but he could already fire five arrows in a row, hitting the prey with every single one."
"I've heard about it too. The Holy Ancestor was very pleased with it and immediately bestowed upon her a yellow riding jacket," another noblewoman said with a smile.
Qian Shengyan remembered that this happened, but at that time the situation was tense due to the struggle for the throne, so Yinzhen did not go hunting. However, Hongli was taken in by Kangxi and raised for a period of time, and he was brought along when he went hunting.
She laughed and said, "It's just a bit of luck for a child."
"It's not luck at all. I remember Father Emperor highly praised the Fourth Prince," Ke Jing flattered.
Qian Shengyan chatted with them for a while, and then had lunch together. In the afternoon, the wrestling competition started outside, and Ke Jing called Qian Shengyan to go watch it together.
When Foerguochun came looking for Qian Shengyan, Kejing stopped her and showered her with praise, even suggesting she marry a Mongolian man: "That boy Sude is sixteen this year, really good. Many girls on the grasslands want to marry him..."
When Foergochun asked for help, he tugged at Qian Shengyan's sleeve. Qian Shengyan listened with a smile and said, "Is this Su De also going to compete in wrestling? Why don't we go and take a look?"
After saying that, he turned to Folgochun and said, "Go and find Hongshan, see where he ran off to. It would be troublesome if he accidentally went into the forest and encountered danger."
Hongshan was accompanied by five guards sent by Yinzhen, as well as two eunuchs specially appointed by Qian Shengyan, for fear that he would be too naughty and run around everywhere.
There was no need to go see Folgochun, but Kejing was so enthusiastic that he'd already recommended three fine Mongolian men...
Foerguchun responded loudly, bowed to Princess Kejing in farewell, and then left in haste.
Upon arriving at the wrestling arena, Yinzhen was already seated at the head of the table. He raised an eyebrow slightly when he saw them approaching. A moment later, Su Peisheng strode over, smiling broadly, and said, "Your Majesty invites the Imperial Noble Consort and all the princesses to come and sit down."
“Everyone says that His Majesty truly dotes on the Imperial Noble Consort, and we’ve finally seen it for ourselves today. We can see her coming from so far away, it’s really…” Kejing joked, and the Mongolian noblewomen echoed him. Qian Shengyan lowered her head and pretended to be embarrassed, then quickly walked over and sat down next to Yinzhen.
Yinzhen glanced at her a few times, then asked what she had for lunch, and finally said, "This wrestling match was quite interesting today. I was just about to send someone to call you."
"The Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort seem to be on the same wavelength; it seems they're thinking the same thing," Kejing joked.
Yinzhen smiled and looked at her: "How is Kejing?"
"All is well, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Ke Jing felt very honored to receive a question from the Emperor, and his smile became even more hearty.
Just then, two Mongol Khans walked into the wrestling arena. Ke Jing, with his sharp eyes, saw them and quickly called out to Qian Shengyan, "Your Highness, please look, the one on the left is Su De."
“Sude?” Yinzhen looked at Qian Shengyan. At this moment, Qian Shengyan could not say that this was the consort recommended by Kejing to Ferguchun. She only said, “Princess Kejing said that this Borjigit warrior is very brave.”
“It’s true, Sude is one of the best men on the grasslands, and many girls want to marry him!” Kejing said with a smile.
Qian Shengyan nodded in agreement: "He looks robust and strong, and is indeed brave."
After she finished speaking, she felt Yinzhen glance at her, but by the time she looked back, Yinzhen was already watching the wrestling arena.
It seems...nothing is different, but something is still slightly strange?
But soon, Qian Shengyan's attention was drawn to the fierce competition in the wrestling ring. Su De was indeed formidable, with a muscular and robust physique, and his movements were filled with a fearless and heroic spirit. He was very brave when he pounced on his opponent to fight.
The Mongolian princesses, including Kejing, were all very unrestrained, cheering loudly from time to time. Qian Shengyan, being among them, was also swept up in the mood and clapped her hands happily several times, which attracted Yinzhen's frequent sidelong glances. However, she was oblivious to this and even chimed in with a few words when Kejing praised Sude.
After the match, Kejing happily summoned Sude and immediately rewarded him with a cup of wine: "Good Sude, you truly deserve to be the most valiant warrior of Borjigit!"
Su De grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. He first bowed to Yinzhen, and then, under Ke Jing's direction, bowed to Qian Shengyan. Ke Jing said with a smile, "The Imperial Noble Consort was very happy watching your competition. You must do your best, Su De."
"It is a great honor for Su De to receive the praise of the noble and beautiful Imperial Noble Consort." Su De placed his hand on his chest and bowed to Qian Shengyan again. He raised his cup and drank the wine that Ke Jing had given him, then raised his cup again and smiled brightly at Qian Shengyan.
Qian Shengyan nodded slightly, feeling that she was behaving very appropriately.
Yinzhen frowned deeply, feeling somewhat displeased.
Sure enough, they shouldn't have come for the autumn hunt or the hunting trip.
The wrestling match made Yinzhen irritable, but Qian Shengyan was watching such an exciting "performance" for the first time since coming to the Qing Dynasty. She was very interested in it. During this time, Consort Yu also came over. She did not need to ask for a table to be set up. She sat directly between Qian Shengyan and Kejing. The three women watched the match and discussed it. The atmosphere was very lively.
Yinzhen glanced at Qian Shengyan several times, but she wouldn't even spare him a look. This infuriated him, so he sat there with his legs spread wide, trying to vent his anger.
It was Su Peisheng who was quick-witted and had a young eunuch remind Qian Shengyan. However, Qian Shengyan was oblivious and only gave Yinzhen a perfunctory smile before going to discuss with Consort Yu and Kejing who had the greater strength and skill.
Su Peisheng: ...
Your Highness, don't you feel it's getting colder and stuffier here?
After watching a wrestling match, Qian Shengyan was still somewhat unsatisfied. She walked along, discussing with Consort Yu and Kejing. However, she hadn't gone far when Su Peisheng hurriedly followed her: "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence."
"Oh, alright, I'll head over right away." Qian Shengyan hadn't yet realized anything was amiss. After telling Ke Jing that she would see him again tomorrow, she went to the Emperor's tent.
It was quite a coincidence that she ran into Su De, who was also returning from the wrestling ring, on the way. Qian Shengyan stopped and exchanged a few words with him before arriving at Yinzhen's tent.
As soon as the curtain was lifted, Yinzhen was seen staring intently at her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
