Chapter 422: Horseback Riding
Chen Qing has been busy these days because of the autumn hunting, and it was also because Concubine De was not feeling well these days. But after all, this is not a rare thing to do. Things with precedents do not require much thought, just spend some time and it will be done.
After finishing his work, Shen Qing went to see Concubine De.
Defei was resting in bed. She didn't look very well, but she seemed to be in good spirits. When she saw Shen Qing coming, she was able to put on a smile.
Seeing her lips without paint, which really had no color, Shen Qing couldn't help but say, "The Empress Defei used to send me a lot of tonic medicine, why don't you know to take more?"
"The imperial physician said that the weak cannot be nourished." After listening to Shen Qing's words, Concubine De still had something to say to her, so she asked her to sit next to her and they could talk.
In fact, what he was talking about was what was on his mind: "I will not go to the autumn hunt this time. The Third Prince is still young, and I am a little worried about him. I have to trouble you to keep an eye on him."
She was still not feeling well, but she was worried about the child all the time. In fact, she didn't say that the Third Prince was a prince, and there were so many people serving him. Besides, could Xuanyuan Ling let people neglect the Third Prince just because she didn't go? She was really worried in her heart, so she said this to Shen Qing.
Shen Qing said the truth: "The princes always stay together, your majesty doesn't have to worry about this."
Defei smiled. Of course, she didn't say that Shen Qing was accompanying the emperor. Since she had the highest position, she would take care of the children. But she couldn't help but say it. However, Shen Qing didn't care, which was good. The two of them stopped talking about it and talked about some gossip instead.
Shen Qing came out from Concubine De and thought about the Third Prince, and then thought about Concubine De's body.
When Defei gave birth to a child, the child died young, and then she had a miscarriage. Naturally, she had some health problems. In the first few years, she only had minor illnesses such as slightly irregular menstruation, but it has gradually become more serious in recent years. It is one thing that she has a health problem, but it is another thing that she is not happy.
It seems that the women in the harem are served in the palace all day long and have no shortage of food and clothing. In fact, are they really happy in their hearts?
Is Concubine De happy? Shen Qing has known her for many years. I'm afraid that the Concubine De who was the happiest at the time had long gone with her child who died young. She has been staying in the palace for these years and can't go out. Apart from the third prince, there is really nothing else that can make her escape from the past and move towards a better future.
Chen Qing probably had this feeling in her heart that was hard to describe, sadness or something. Maybe no matter how well she lived, she was still trapped in the harem like everyone else. She didn't seem very happy when she saw Xuanyuan Ling again.
"What's wrong?" Xuanyuan Ling saw that she seemed to be worried today: "Are you tired?"
He naturally knew what Shen Qing was busy with these days when Concubine De was bedridden. Seeing that Shen Qing was not in a good mood, he guessed: "Is he feeling unwell? Call the imperial physician..."
"Goodbye." Chen Qing looked at Xuanyuan Ling speechlessly: "If you keep guessing like this, I will be terminally ill."
Xuanyuan Ling glared at her and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? You are so ignorant." Why did she say that she was terminally ill when she was fine? She didn't even know how to be discreet.
Shen Qing exhaled the sun’s breath: “During the autumn hunt, I want to go out and ride a horse.”
Xuanyuan Ling looked at Shen Qing and vaguely remembered: "When I took you to the autumn hunt for the first time, you went riding and met King Cheng."
"Yes, and then the emperor hurt me." Shen Qing responded quickly.
Xuanyuan Ling: “…” Why are you still bringing up the past?
She was in a bad mood indeed, and something was on her mind, otherwise Shen Qing would not have brought up the past like this.
"I was drunk at the time." Xuanyuan Ling sighed at this point and stopped trying to evade the question. He said honestly, "I didn't pity you at the time."
Chen Qing also remembered what he had said to Sui Ri, and seeing Xuan Yuan Ling's expression, "It's been a long time since I last saw you. I didn't care about it anymore. I was already angry at the time, wasn't I?"
Xuanyuan Ling smiled and recalled the past with her: "Yes, that was the first time I saw someone as angry as you, and you dared to turn your face away from me."
It's a bit nostalgic to talk about it. He had only known Shen Qing for a short time at that time, and he thought she was spoiled, alone in the harem without a reliable mother's family and very pitiful. He never expected that this little girl would dare to turn her back on him after being hurt by him.
Just this time, he truly realized that she also had a temper.
Chen Qing also thought about the past. In fact, after this time, even though she had followed Xuanyuan Ling to go autumn hunting, she never rode a horse again.
The feeling of running next to each other in the horse farm was good at the time, but later on, she thought, isn't it still in the circle? It was also because of the incident of Concubine De that she was emotional for a while. At this moment, she couldn't help but look at Xuanyuan Ling and said, "I want to run horses outside, not in the horse farm."
Xuanyuan Ling's eyes were filled with doting when he saw how she insisted on doing something. Chen Qing seldom asked him for anything on weekdays, and she basically had everything she needed. It was a rare occasion when she wanted to act coquettishly and do something. Her look softened his heart, so how could he not agree?
"Okay." Xuanyuan Ling said, "I will allow you to run around outside."
Late September, autumn hunting.
The royal hunting ground is still the royal hunting ground. When arriving, Shen Qing first ordered people to arrange the accompanying concubines and princes and princesses. After that, it depends on the arrangements. Generally speaking, the concubines will not go out unless summoned by the emperor. As for the princesses, even if they are riding horses, they will not show their faces outside too much. However, it is different for the princes.
The princes are following Xuanyuan Ling today, even the little six and seven are following Xuanyuan Ling, this is a chance to broaden their horizons. Little six and seven are still young and cannot ride horses yet, but they will start learning riding and archery next year. As far as enlightenment is concerned, the royal family does have high requirements for children. The princes are required to be both literary and martial, and sometimes the princes have to answer whatever Xuanyuan Ling asks.
In short, the requirements for academic subjects are high, physical education scores must also be up to standard, and the teacher will also conduct surprise inspections on various things you may or may not have learned.
Even an old man like King Huai had to go hunting on his own. If there were a lot of prey, it would be a commendable thing. On such a day, Xuanyuan Ling had to shoot a deer to let others start the hunt. Of course, the deer was prepared in advance.
After Xuanyuan Ling opened the game, the autumn hunt began.
The day before, Xuanyuan Ling led the princes hunting, and Xiaoliu and the others also used bows and arrows in a very professional manner. Just as Shen Qing said, there are some things that she, as a mother, cannot teach.
After they came back, Xiaoliu also ran towards Chen Qing. Chen Qing saw that his face was still sweaty and his cheeks were flushed. It was obvious that he had a lot of fun. Boys, after all, still liked such things. She took a towel to wipe him and then said, "Go take a shower. You are dirty. Change your clothes later and go to your father's place to eat barbecue."
Xiaoliu was in high spirits.
Shen Qing looked funny, it was still his childish nature, but when he was in the palace he was very well-behaved, but when he was outside he was much more free and undisciplined.
The next day, Chen Qing took the opportunity to ride a horse. Xuanyuan Ling agreed and arranged people to protect her. However, they were now under the protection of the Imperial Guards. As long as they did not rush out of the Imperial Guards, they could ride anywhere. Chen Qing did not go in the direction of their hunting, but found a quiet place. Chunhua waited there and watched Chen Qing climb onto the horse.
Chen Qing was wearing riding clothes. Chunhua suddenly remembered that she had seen Chen Qing riding a horse in the same way at the horse farm ten years ago. At that time, she thought Chen Qing looked really good like this. It seemed different now, but it also seemed the same as before.
Shen Qing tightened the reins, looking at the endless hunting ground, her heart suddenly surged, she squeezed the horse's belly and said, "Gee!"
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