Hunting

There was only one road leading to the western suburbs, and the carriages of various families were heading there slowly, so the journey was inevitably longer.

After nearly two hours of bumpy ride, the convoy finally arrived at the hunting ground.

This is a quiet forest, with lush trees swaying in the breeze. It is peaceful and tranquil, as if it can clear away the turbidity in people's hearts.

As soon as Mu An Ning and Mu Jingyue got out of the car, Baoqin and Mu Jingyue's personal maid came to greet them.

Baoqin carefully observed her young lady's listless look, thinking that she was carsick again, so she looked worried: "Young lady, are you feeling unwell?"

In the past, she always rode in the same carriage with her young lady, but this time there was the third young lady, so she could only sit in the carriage at the back.

Mu An Ning was a little sleepy at first, and when he heard Bao Qin's words, he smiled and shook his head: "How can your young lady be so weak now?"

After her visit to Wutong City, she finally understood that being healthy and free from disasters was the most important thing.

In the past, not only did Mrs. Xu not allow it, she herself also did not allow herself to eat even a grain of rice more, for fear that eating too much would cause her body to become out of shape and thus affect her marriage.

However, the result of such strict requirements is that I will feel dizzy after taking a few steps.

Baoqin looked at the young lady's charming smile, and finally put her worries aside. She then asked, "Young lady, the riding clothes are still in the carriage. Can I bring them to you?"

Mu An Ning was startled, then shook his head without hesitation, with a look of helplessness in his eyes: "I knew you would bring it to me."

In the past, even though she was not good at riding and shooting, she liked to wear riding gear to join in the fun. But before this trip, she had clearly told Baoqin not to bring the riding gear.

Mu An Ning glanced sideways and saw that Mu Jingyue's maid had already taken off Mu Jingyue's clothes, so she walked straight in.

As soon as they stepped in, two more graceful girls came out from the magnificent carriage.

One of the girls frowned slightly, as if a little surprised: "Sister, am I seeing things? Is that Miss Mu? Is she here to bother the prince again?"

Liu Qingyue glanced coldly at her half-sister, then turned her gaze to the elegant moon-white figure.

Seeing that no one was around, she revealed her inner dissatisfaction without disguising: "What if she came? Isn't she here to embarrass herself?"

During last year's winter hunt, Mu An Ning nearly fell off his horse, but fortunately Gu Huaizhi rescued him in time.

That scene was so dazzling.

But now that they have called off the engagement, even if Mu An Ning uses the same old tricks again, I'm afraid Prince Gu will no longer pay any attention to her.

*

Gu Huaizhi was one of the first people to arrive at the venue. He looked around but didn't find the person he was expecting, so he could only quietly find a pavilion to sit down.

Seeing the young man looking up from time to time, Gu Ji couldn't help but teasing, "Sir, please stop looking outside. Miss Mu will be here sooner or later."

Although there were not many people around, he had already noticed that the faces of several girls had turned red because of the young master's undisguised gaze.

If you continue to look at it, it will probably cause a lot of misunderstandings.

Gu Huaizhi's thoughts were exposed, and his eyes froze immediately: "Hey, who said that this prince was looking for her?" He crossed his arms and said unnaturally: "Can't I look for my cousin?"

Just as he finished speaking, a clear voice came from his side: "Ah Huai, I heard that you are looking for me?"

Seeing Gu Huaizhi's face darken, Gu Ji quietly stepped aside, lowered his head to hide his smile, and secretly sighed in his heart: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince really speaks of Cao Cao and Cao Cao will appear.

Gu Huaizhi patted his clothes, stood up, and raised the corners of his lips reluctantly: "Cousin, your injury..."

However, before he could finish his words, he noticed that there was a plain-looking but extremely tall man in black standing next to Gu Yihan.

He paused, and did not continue to ask about Gu Yihan's injury, but asked: "Who is this?"

Gu Yihan introduced him gently: "Ah Huai, this is the envoy from Liang State."

Envoy from Liang State?

Gu Huaizhi narrowed his eyes and clasped his fists, saying, "So this person is the envoy from Liang State."

Gu Yihan told him that the emperor summoned him back to the palace just to see the envoy off.

Therefore, Gu Yihan, who usually does not participate in the spring hunting, made an exception and participated. His purpose was to let the people of Liang experience the customs of the people of Da Chu.

The man seemed to have known his identity for a long time. Without waiting for Gu Yihan to introduce himself, he said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "I have long heard of your great name, Prince Gu."

Gu Huaizhi heard the slightly hoarse voice and frowned: "Did the envoy catch a cold?" He stroked his chin and smiled: "The climate in our Great Chu is not as hot as your Liang State."

Although he had never been to Liang State, he had heard from his uncle's family that the climate there was like summer all year round.

The envoy raised the corners of his lips slowly, revealing a very strange expression: "Thank you for your concern, Prince."

Seeing this, Gu Huaizhi felt that there was something wrong with the envoy, especially his face which did not match his body shape at all.

Gu Yihan looked at the crowd that was gradually gathering around him, interrupted their conversation calmly, and said with a smile: "Ah Huai, I have told the envoy how powerful my cousin is. Don't let me down today."

Gu Huaizhi withdrew his gaze from the jade ring on the envoy's thumb and raised his eyebrows confidently: "When has my cousin ever disappointed you?"

He had never lost in previous hunts, and he always came out on top. This year would be no exception.

Gu Yihan looked at the high-spirited young man and smiled as well, nodding slightly: "Ah Huai, this riding outfit makes you look even more energetic today."

He still had his hair tied up in a high ponytail today, but he was wearing a navy blue riding suit. Instead of looking old, he looked even more handsome and unrestrained.

Gu Huaizhi stood up straighter without looking sideways, his eyes full of smiles: "My cousin has good taste."

Gu Ji, who was standing aside, secretly looked up at his own master.

The young master spent a whole hour just picking clothes this morning and tried on all the clothes he bought that day.

If someone said that he was not dressed well today, he would probably be furious.

Gu Yihan patted his shoulder, shook his head and smiled: "Ah Huai, it's time to start hunting." He looked back at the pavilion and smiled: "I and the envoy will sit here and wait for your return."

Gu Huaizhi glanced at the envoy who looked calm and confident, and nodded: "My cousin, just wait for me to return with a full load."

He said this and strode out of the pavilion.

Gu Ji also hurried to catch up. Not long after he walked out, he pointed at another pavilion and said, "Sir, I saw Miss Mu."

Gu Huaizhi, who was originally looking around, suddenly stopped and changed direction.

When he saw the moon-white figure sitting quietly, a smile appeared in his black eyes unconsciously. He was in a trance for a moment, as if he had returned to the past.

Just like last year's spring hunt, she also sat quietly waiting for him.

*

Mu An Ning was happily chatting with Tan Wenhuai when a tall navy figure blocked her view.

Gu Huaizhi really didn't expect that there was not only Mu An Ning here, but also that annoying Tan Wenhuai.

He suppressed his displeasure, glanced at Tan Wenhuai from head to toe, and said in a puzzled tone, "Master Tan, we have all changed into our riding uniforms, why haven't you changed yet?"

Seeing that Tan Wenhuai was hesitant and couldn't say a word, he suddenly realized and said "Oh" and tilted his head: "Could it be that Mr. Tan doesn't know how to ride and shoot?"

Tan Wenhuai's face was burning like a charcoal, and he lowered his head in shame.

He only knows how to read, and can't ride a horse or shoot arrows.

Mu An Ning saw that Gu Huaizhi was clearly trying to make things difficult for him, so he smiled and said, "Master Tan, why don't you just sit here with me and watch them hunt."

Does not knowing how to ride and shoot make you inferior to others?

Thinking back then, she was sad for quite some time because of Liu Qingyue's ridicule.

Now that I think about it, I was really stupid.

Tan Wenhuai was stunned for a moment, and finally looked up at the smiling woman beside him. He hesitated for a long time before uttering a word: "Okay."

Gu Huaizhi saw her talking softly to the man next to her without even looking at him, and the annoyance in his heart rose again, and his interest in hunting also diminished.

He was silent for a while, then suddenly lifted his skirt and sat on the stone bench opposite them, his eyebrows slightly raised: "If that's the case, then I'll stay here with you. I happen to be tired too."

Mu An Ning finally looked at him straight in the eye, and was more speechless than surprised.

Gu Ji followed his master silently, observing the young man who was smiling miserably.

Where is the young man who just spoke such heroic words to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?

The atmosphere was silent for a while, but at this moment, a voice came from a distance: "Brother Gu!"

It’s Xie Yunting.

He was also dressed in riding clothes today, and waved to Gu Huaizhi with a smile on his face.

He shouted, "Brother Gu, it's about to start, come here quickly!"

Gu Huaizhi clicked his tongue impatiently and waved his hand to indicate that he would not participate.

Xie Yunting's appearance was really inopportune.

But Xie Yunting seemed not to understand what he meant and continued shouting in confusion.

Mu An Ning glanced at Xie Yunting, who would not stop until Gu Huaizhi stood up, and said calmly: "Prince, you should go."

Gu Huaizhi didn't expect the girl to speak on her own initiative, and his eyes lit up.

She...still cares about him.

Thinking of the tricks provided by Gu Ji, he suddenly stood up and looked at her deeply: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

From this moment on, he would try to obey her in everything.

Since she asked him to go, he went.

Mu An Ning looked at the young man's departing back, somewhat stunned.

What does it mean to listen to her?

*

After Gu Huaizhi and Gu Ji left, Tan Wenhuai blushed and thanked them, "Miss Mu, thank you so much for helping me out just now."

Mu An Ning shook his head and chuckled, "It's just a small favor. We have known each other for quite some time. There is no need to be so polite between good friends."

Every time she saw Tan Wenhuai, he either apologized or thanked her, but she still felt a little uncomfortable sometimes.

Tan Wenhuai listened to her clear and gentle voice, nodded blankly, and his chest beat violently a few times.

Miss Mu was really considerate, and she actually treated him as a friend.

No woman had ever treated him like this.

Tan Wenhuai's eyes flickered for a moment, he took a deep breath, and said, "Miss Mu, then... then can I call you by your name from now on?"

Looking at the man with sparkling eyes in front of him, Mu Anning nodded as if possessed by a ghost.

Calling her by her name directly is not a big deal, but calling her "sir" or "girl" all the time does seem a little weird after a while.

When Tan Wenhuai saw her nod, his voice couldn't help but tremble: "An, An Ning."

The word "peace" sounds really nice.

But he also wanted to call her...'Ning'er' like his cousin did.

The hunt finally began. Like the two of them, there were many people sitting and watching, although most of them were girls.

From time to time, servants came back to report which young master or young lady had shot down a few prey, and the names of Mu Jingyue and Liu Qingyue were among them.

However, the name that appeared most frequently was Gu Huaizhi's.

About half an hour later, the hunt finally ended, and unsurprisingly, the winner was Gu Huaizhi.

Mu An Ning only glanced at the young man surrounded in the middle and then looked away.

Seeing that the hunting was about to end, Tan Wenhuai hesitated for a while, and finally decided to speak out what was in his heart.

My cousin is right. If there is a girl you like, you should be braver. The worst that can happen is that you will be rejected politely.

However, as soon as he opened his mouth, he heard bursts of exclamations from not far away.

Mu An Ning's attention was drawn over there, and he saw that the crowd had become a mess.

She was startled and stood up along with the others.

At the same time, two arrows shot out from the air, one of which was aimed at the prince.

The other one was directed towards Gu Huaizhi.