Chapter 198 Imperial Edict for Hunting
Doctor Luo didn't care about any of that. He simply ladled out another bowl from the white jade porcelain cup and handed it to Mu Xi: "I've tasted it and it's fine. You can eat as much as you want. Peacock meat is especially good for you. It's said to moisturize the skin and make your complexion radiant, with the beautiful charm of peacock feathers."
Mu Xi took it but still hesitated: "Doctor Luo, do you think we should eat this peacock meat?"
"Why not eat it? It's not like you cooked it. Just pretend you don't know anything and eat it." Doctor Luo still seemed indifferent.
Just then, Mu Xun returned from outside: "What is it? Bao Fan is practically drooling outside."
"Peacock meat." Mu Xi had been distracted and had overlooked Bao Fan earlier, but now she picked up the bowl and called out, "Bao Fan, come in. You can have this bowl. From now on, you'll recognize everything."
"Hmm." Bao Fan moved with unprecedented speed, crawling into the tent, grabbing the bowl, and then dashing out again.
"Peacock meat?" Mu Xun frowned as soon as he sat down. "As far as I know, only the Prince of Yu received two peacocks today..."
Mu Xi nodded: "It should be those two... or one of them, in this porcelain bowl."
Mu Xun asked in surprise, "What does Princess Yan Ya mean?"
"The meaning couldn't be clearer; it was just delivered specifically for me. If I eat it, then..." Mu Xi still hesitated.
Mu Xun stood up abruptly: "Wait a moment, I'll go and inquire some more."
Without waiting for Mu Xi and Doctor Luo's reaction, he went out of the tent again.
Doctor Luo shook his head: "You're all worrying for nothing. The food has already been delivered; it's cooked even if you don't eat it."
"This..." Mu Xi couldn't resist the temptation of the fragrant aroma. "Doctor Luo is right. Come, come... This is a big bowl, you should have a taste. It will be enough for Mu Xun when he comes back."
Physician Luo suddenly looked down on it: "I don't need to. Although peacock meat is rare, I have seen it before. It's more suitable for you women to eat. Especially that soup. If it was made by that goddess of the previous dynasty, using jade lingzhi is truly rare."
A short while later, Mu Xun returned with the news.
Mu Xi served him a bowl as well.
Mu Xun wasn't interested in peacock meat, but at least his furrowed brows relaxed: "Eat it, it's not a big problem. That person not only sent some to us, but also to the Queen, Princess Qingyang, Prince Xuanyou, and several others."
"Ah...it seems they've killed both peacocks." This was the first interesting point that Mu Xi noticed.
Then it dawned on her: "Wow, this is the first time the Queen and the Princess have attended the same event together, isn't it?"
Mu Xun nodded, which was also the key point he wanted to make: "So the relationship in the harem is delicate now. The princess has never shown her face, and everything is relayed by the wife of the Grand Minister of Agriculture. On the other hand, Queen Gao is unusually high-profile. Tonight at the banquet, she had a very pleasant conversation with Princess Qingyang."
"Haha, I'm afraid the Prince of Yu's expression isn't very good, is it?" Mu Xi could imagine it.
Mu Xun hadn't seen it with his own eyes, so he could only reply, "I'm afraid so."
The King of Yu was foolish. Since he brought his wife along, why did he present her with peacocks in public, one male and one female? This only put Princess Yan Ya in a difficult position.
However, Mu Xi wasn't very interested in this love triangle, and turned to ask, "Did Lord Shen call you over for something?"
Upon hearing this, Doctor Luo, who had been sitting comfortably, stood up and said, "I'm too lazy to listen to his affairs. I'll take my leave now."
Mu Xi never deliberately concealed or avoided anything about Doctor Luo, but she never inquired in detail about the entanglement between Doctor Luo and Lord Shen.
Let it be for now.
Mu Xun didn't mind and replied directly, "It's nothing, it's just that during this 'Six Harmonies Grand Ceremony,' there seem to be quite a few unfamiliar faces around Prince Yu. Lord Shen is also confused about their origins and is a little worried."
"Will Lord Shen cancel the plan?" Mu Xi had a bad feeling; if it were her, she would consider canceling the plan.
Mu Xun shook his head: "No, the Marquis's meaning is that firstly, everything has been arranged, and secondly, this operation is also to show Xuan Youjun an attitude. Even if it fails, it can be regarded as a sign of sincerity in cooperation, so it is imperative to carry it out."
"When does Lord Shen plan to make his move?" Mu Xi was always on edge because she didn't know the exact timing of the operation.
Mu Xun shook his head again: "It's uncertain. To be cautious, Lord Shen has cut off contact with the people on the operation since entering the Yanshan area. Now we can only wait and see."
"Wow, they're really cautious," Mu Xi remarked.
Being so cautious that even their own people can't be contacted is probably unprecedented, isn't it?
Mu Xi was on her guard every day, hoping that Shen Lun would take action soon, but also hoping that she would stay far away when the action happened.
However, things did not go as planned.
Two days later, the King of Yu issued a special decree ordering Mu Xi and Mu Xun to go hunting together.
Mu Xi had no idea why the King of Yu had issued such an order, but she could not disobey the king's command, so she could only fully arm herself and brace herself for the task.
The massive mountain resembles a lurking, dark beast, overlooking the bustling hunting grounds below, where crowds throng and banners flutter in the breeze.
Yu Wang Muji sat atop his magnificent steed, his deep, unfathomable eyes slowly sweeping over the assembled princes and nobles.
Behind him were three princes. Prince Jun, dressed in a royal blue brocade robe, stood tall and deliberately at the front, his gaze steady yet carrying a reserved arrogance. Prince Le, wearing crimson arrow-sleeved robes, looked relaxed and carefree, seemingly not taking today's hunt to heart. Prince Ji, in plain clothes, appeared somewhat thin, and seemed a little absent-minded as he rode his horse.
This was the first time Mu Xi had observed the three of them so closely face to face, and she felt that it was normal for her to be absent-minded.
You've been hunting for days, riding your horse wildly into the woods every day. Aren't you tired and bored?
She's only been on horseback for a day, and she already wants to get off.
Out of boredom, I suddenly felt an unfriendly gaze directed my way.
Mu Xi looked up and met the gaze of a young general in full silver armor—General Liu Yang, the Eagle General.
Even if Liu Yang were standing next to Mu Sheng, the heir of Xuanyou, his outstanding appearance and figure alone would make him stand out in a crowd.
However, Mu Xi had only glanced at him from a distance a few times before. Today, being closer, she could see him more clearly and felt that Liu Yang was indeed exceptionally handsome and had an innate charm.
Liu Yang's gaze lingered on Mu Xi. When their eyes met, he didn't flinch but instead smiled generously.
Mu Xi had initially sensed hostility in Liu Yang's gaze, but now that Liu Yang's smile was polite and all traces of gloom had vanished from his eyes, she returned the smile with a hearty laugh.
“Woo-woo-woo-woo” At this moment, the deep horn of the bull, representing King Yu Muji’s personal hunt, sounded, shaking the valley and instantly silencing the noisy scene.
Mu Xi turned her gaze away and towards King Yu.
After giving Mu Xi one last glance, Liu Yang turned away.
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