Chapter 11 It's impolite for you to follow me when the game of chess is still ongoing.
After discussing the matter of meeting Yuan Ling, the courtyard fell silent again. Cui Yiluo sat under the flower trellis, holding a book in her right hand, and continued reading. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of someone walking into the courtyard gate.
Cui Yiluo looked surprised: "Cousin?"
He seemed to have come straight to her courtyard after court, without even changing out of his official robes. This was the second time she had seen him in purple robes. Even in such a vibrant color, his aloof and detached demeanor remained unchanged, instead adding to his air of nobility.
His face was expressionless, perhaps because he was wearing an official robe, which gave him an air of authority that was more pronounced than usual.
Cui Yiluo couldn't figure out his purpose. "Cousin, what brings you here? Lilan, go brew a pot of Junshan Yinzhen tea." She smiled and said, "I heard that you like Junshan Yinzhen tea, so I asked my aunt for some more."
Jiang Yunjin's eyes were as calm as a lake, unmoved by her attention, and he said indifferently, "It's thoughtful, but there's no need. I'll leave after I finish speaking."
Lilan, ever the perceptive one, withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the courtyard.
A hint of anticipation flickered in Cui Yiluo's watery eyes: "Cousin, what do you want to tell me?"
"His Majesty has ordered that you accompany him on the summer hunt."
Cui Yiluo was stunned for a moment. She had originally planned to go on the summer hunt with her aunt. After all, although Jiang Yunjin was the most outstanding among her choices, he was also the most difficult to deal with. She had to prepare a backup plan for herself. Even if she had to kill Cheng Feng in the end, it would be beneficial to maintain good relations with the aristocratic families.
However, after the incident at the Lotus Banquet where Eunuch Xu took action, she decided to give up this summer hunt after weighing the two options.
Cui Yiluo's smile vanished instantly: "Why would His Majesty specifically ask me to accompany him?"
Jiang Yunjin relayed the emperor's words: "His Majesty heard about your rescue of Miss Xie yesterday and has specially granted you a reward."
Is it really that simple? Cui Yiluo secretly observed Jiang Yunjin's expression. He clearly had other guesses, but he refused to say them directly.
Cui Yiluo bit her lip. "Cousin, can I pretend to be sick?"
Jiang Yunjin's dark eyes held a hint of seriousness. "I'm afraid that won't work."
The emperor personally ordered that if feigning illness seemed too deliberate, she would have no choice but to go on this summer hunt.
Cui Yiluo's thoughts shifted: "Cousin, the Xia Shou people are a mixed bunch, and it's in an open mountain forest, wouldn't that make it easier for Eunuch Xu and his men to take action?"
Her voice softened suddenly, with a hint of pleading: "Can I come with you then?"
"Eunuch Xu is not on the accompanying list this time."
Cui Yiluo was slightly taken aback. Eunuch Xu wasn't there? It must be that the other party was afraid she would realize that the person who pushed her into the water was Eunuch Xu, so they specially replaced him.
Then he said, "It is impolite for you to follow me."
It's all about etiquette.
Cui Yiluo sneered inwardly, and was about to try again when she heard him say, "I sent someone to secretly follow you."
There was a hint of helplessness in his tone, as if he hadn't intended to tell her the arrangements he had made long ago, and that telling her now was simply to get rid of her as soon as possible.
Well, it's barely satisfactory.
Cui Yilu smiled gratefully: "Thank you, cousin."
To ask someone like him, who has been raised with strict moral principles and never makes a mistake, to abandon the constraints of propriety is an incredibly difficult task.
However, Jiang Zhaoyue once revealed that he had done something outrageous that violated etiquette, and if he did it once, he would do it again.
"Cousin, will you stay at home today?"
"What's up?"
As if afraid of being overheard, Cui Yiluo took a step closer, lowered her voice to make it even softer, and a hint of ambiguity rose in the atmosphere.
“My cousin carried me through the slippery mud for so long yesterday. If he got hurt, I would be truly responsible. So I stewed some nourishing food for him…”
Jiang Yunjin's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he interrupted her directly: "No need, I'm leaving now."
Cui Yiluo wasn't surprised. She blinked her long eyelashes, revealing a hint of grievance: "But my cousin has helped me so much. Apart from my aunt's family, only my cousin has been helping me all along. How can I not thank him?"
Only him? Is it really only him?
Jiang Yunjin slowly opened his lips: "My cousin is indeed sincere, but it's not necessary."
Cui Yiluo didn't know why he suddenly turned cold, and she felt that there was something hidden in his words, but she couldn't figure out what she had done wrong.
Before she could figure it out, he spoke again, his deep voice carrying a strong sense of pressure, "Don't mention yesterday's events again."
His sudden change in attitude was strange, and Cui Yiluo was even more puzzled, but she still replied, "Yiluo understands."
The man nodded slightly, turned and left deftly, seemingly determined not to step into her courtyard unless he was on the emperor's orders to deliver a message to her.
Cui Yiluo watched his figure disappear with a calm gaze, then sat back down under the flower stand and continued flipping through her books, her posture calm and leisurely, as if nothing had happened.
Lilan only came back in after Jiang Yunjin had completely left.
"When did you say you wanted to stew some tonics? Should I tell the kitchen?"
Cui Yiluo ran her fingertips across the pages of the book, her voice calm: "No need, it was just a casual remark. He wouldn't eat my food."
-
Summer hunting was not only a pastime, but also an important means for the emperor to connect with his ministers. As a close minister of the emperor, Jiang Yunjin became increasingly busy as the summer hunting approached, leaving early and returning late every day. Although Cui Yiluo's foot injury had healed well, Old Madam Jiang still specially exempted her from paying her respects in the evening.
For several days in a row, she did not see Jiang Yunjin.
Before they knew it, the summer hunt was about to begin. On this day, a gentle breeze blew, the evening clouds stretched for miles, the greenery stretched endlessly, and the blazing sun shone on the sandy land, while the horses' hooves kicked up dust for miles.
The journey from the capital to Yueshan takes about two or three hours. The emperor and empress's carriages lead the way, escorted by the Yunyi Guards and the Imperial Guards. The other young men ride horses, while the women ride in carriages.
The mountains were not as hot as the capital, and there was a slight coolness in the air, making it seem like a comfortable and pleasant journey.
Cui Yiluo sat next to Lan Hui. Lan Hui's husband, Jiang Wen, who was also Cui Yiluo's uncle, was the Minister of Revenue, so their carriage was positioned further forward.
Jiang Zhaoyue and Lan Hui accompanied her on the annual hunts twice a year, so they had long since lost interest in the journey. Cui Yiluo was accompanying them for the first time, but she hardly looked out the window once along the way.
She looked thoughtfully at the back of the carriage. Separated by a wooden wall was a tightly bound trunk, inside which Yuan Ling's clean and neatly folded robes were placed.
She had washed her robes two days earlier, but just before she was about to hitch up the carriage and leave the mansion, she suddenly changed her mind.
By dusk, the main force had arrived at the Yueshan camp.
The hunt officially begins on the second day; we will rest today.
The arrangement of the tents was also very particular. Cui Yiluo was naturally placed in the same tent as Lan Hui's family, while the tents of important officials like Jiang Yunjin were placed near the emperor.
When Lilan reported on the camp layout, Cui Yiluo simply replied, "I know."
Not long after, the palace servants brought in the evening meal. The meals during the summer hunt were quite different from those on ordinary days. Although the hunt would not officially begin until tomorrow, the palace servants from Yueshan had already caught some game, which they cut with sharp gold blades and roasted over a large fire.
Rabbit and mutton were delivered to Jiang Wenyi's room. The aroma was irresistible, and Jiang Zhaoyue kept praising it as she ate. She declared that she would definitely hunt more than her brother Jiang Mingxun the next day and invited Cui Yiluo to go hunting with her.
Cui Yiluo had never hunted before, nor had she eaten much roasted meat, so she saved a lot for herself. By the time she returned to her tent after dinner, it was already dusk. When she lifted the tent flap, she saw Lilan pacing back and forth anxiously.
"What's wrong?"
Lilan came forward and handed the folded letter to Cui Yiluo, "Miss, it was sent by Assistant Minister Cheng. He asked you to meet him by the stream to the east at Shenshi (3-5 PM) tomorrow."
Cheng Feng's son, Cheng Yi, served as an assistant secretary in the Ministry of Personnel.
Cui Yiluo didn't even open the letter before handing it back to Lilan, saying, "I'm not going."
After saying that, he calmly sat down on the rosewood couch.
“But…” Lilan’s face tightened as she recalled the message Cheng Yi had sent: “Master Cheng said that if you don’t go, he will reveal the truth about the scalding incident, and your reputation will be ruined, and you will not be able to marry into the Cheng family.”
Cui Yiluo continued pouring tea, then nodded calmly to indicate that she understood.
Lilan was taken aback. "Miss, why aren't you worried at all? What if he really spreads the word that he put medicine in the tea?"
Cui Yiluo chuckled lightly: "When did we add the drug, and what drug did we add? Does he have any proof?"
Li Lan stayed there.
"Lilan, you're just bluffing us. You have far too little faith in Uncle Sui's medical skills. He's using this to prevent me from competing with him for Cheng Feng's property after I marry into the family, or perhaps he wants to work with me from the inside to send his father on his way, so that things don't get complicated."
After all, Cheng Feng is a womanizer, and even without Cui Yiluo, a younger brother might suddenly appear one day.
Short-sighted and ignorant.
Lilan was startled by this guess, but after regaining her composure, she said, "Miss, then we won't go tomorrow?"
Cui Yiluo slowly brought the teacup to her lips and asked, "When Cheng Yi sent people over, was anyone else there?"
Lilan thought for a moment and shook her head: "No, it had been a while since the meal started, and everyone was eating in the tent."
Cui Yiluo took a sip of tea and slowly said, "In that case, tell Cheng Yi that I will go."
"Ah?" Lilan exclaimed.
The teacup made a very slight crisp sound when it was placed on the small table.
Cui Yiluo looked at the flickering candlelight in the pale green tea and continued, "A palace maid will come with a fruit platter in a little while. Pay some silver to keep quiet, change into her clothes, and then go out. Avoid people and don't let anyone see you. Also, tell Yuan Ling to meet him at Houqin Forest in the west at Shenshi (3-5 PM) tomorrow. Tell him that you thanked him last time and that you will return the outer robe to him tomorrow. Remember, don't let anyone see you either."
Lilan asked in confusion, "Miss, if you're going to use Lord Yuan as a witness, why avoid people? Shouldn't it be better if people can see it?"
Cui Yiluo's eyes were deep and unfathomable: "If we don't do it this way, how can we lure the snake out of its hole?"
The next day.
As the mountain mist slowly dissipated, Cui Yiluo changed into the riding clothes that Lan Hui had given her. Full of energy and quickness, she took the riding whip and headed to the place she had arranged to meet Jiang Zhaoyue the day before.
On a large open space beside the camp, the group Jiang Zhaoyue had arranged to meet were already waiting there, and they had ordered the horses to be brought out.
Cui Yilu greeted them one by one.
When it was Xie Xiyun's turn, she bowed gratefully and solemnly: "Miss Cui, thank you so much for last time. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have drowned in the lake. I've been confined to my home to recuperate these days, which is why I haven't been able to come and thank you in person. Please forgive my rudeness."
Cui Yiluo quickly stepped forward to help her up, saying, "Miss Xie, you flatter me. I am already overwhelmed by the many gifts your mother has brought."
Xie Xiyun did not visit in person because she was bedridden, but the Xie family had strict family traditions and was very polite. On the second day after the lotus banquet, Xie Xiyun's mother, Madam Xie, brought several trunks of gifts to express her gratitude.
Xie Xiyun asked somewhat cautiously, "Do you like those things?"
Cui Yiluo understood, "Of course, especially that white jade tea set with peony designs."
In fact, Cui Yiluo's real favorite flower is forsythia, but she claims to like peonies. Xie Xiyun must have inquired with Jiang Zhaoyue before specially choosing this tea set.
While the preference was feigned, the intention was genuine. To be precise, "going into the water" wasn't entirely her idea at the time.
She might not be able to accept Xie Xiyun's sincere feelings.
Xie Xiyun smiled, her dimples appearing and disappearing: "I'm glad you like it."
After this ordeal, Xie Xiyun lost a lot of weight and looked rather sullen. Even when she smiled, her eyes were still clouded with gloom.
Yang Jingling noticed this as well. "Xiyun, you don't look well. Are you still not fully recovered? Why don't you go back and rest today?"
Xie Xiyun shook her head: "Didn't you take my pulse? I'm fine, I'm just a little tired from yesterday's long journey."
Yang Jingling frowned, about to persuade him again, when she suddenly heard the light thud of hooves and the tinkling of bells from not far away.
Following the sound, they saw Xiao Ying dressed in a scarlet riding outfit, carrying a delicate horn bow on her back. The small white horse she rode had a quiver hanging on its back, and she was about to walk into the forest.
Beside her stood a handsome man, his black riding attire embroidered with intricate and elaborate python patterns in gold thread, and a purple-gold crown that held his hair back, reflecting the dazzling sunlight. He was strikingly handsome, but unlike the other men's resolute appearance, he possessed a somewhat gloomy air, his dark pupils like deep pools, and even the blazing light reflected in his eyes seemed to carry a chilling undertone.
The two also noticed Cui Yiluo and her group. Xiao Ying led her horse over first, and the man behind her glanced at them disdainfully before following.
Cui Yiluo and the others bowed and said, "Greetings, Fifth Prince, and Princess Hejia."
His demeanor was noble, and he was with Xiao Ying. The two also shared a five or six-point resemblance in appearance, so he was clearly Xiao Ying's half-brother, the Fifth Prince Xiao Zheng.
The two rode their horses over at a trot. When they were only a few steps away, Xiao Ying seemed to remember something. Her face furrowed in confusion, and she pulled on the reins, stopping a few steps away from the group.
Xiao Zheng glanced at the corner of his eye and reined in his horse.
Cui Yilu noticed that the corners of his lips curled up slightly.
Xiao Zheng was perceptive; with a slight turn of his eyes, he met her gaze.
Cui Yiluo remained in the bowing posture, half her face hidden in the shadows, only glancing at him. Xiao Zheng, on the other hand, sat upright on his horse, looking down with disdain and arrogance, his cold and haughty gaze seeming to regard the others as ants.
With amusement, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
Xiao Ying, oblivious to their subtle interaction, said, "No need for formalities. Miss Cui, where are you headed?"
Cui Yiluo withdrew her gaze and put on a beautiful smile: "Your Highness, we ladies are just about to go hunting in the forest. Would Your Highness like to join us?"
Xiao Ying opened her mouth, but suddenly her expression froze: "I have made an appointment with my brother to go to the north, so I will not be with you."
Cui Yilu smiled, seemingly oblivious to the reluctance in Xiao Ying's words, and said, "Is Your Highness free this afternoon? I would like to invite Your Highness to go fishing with you by the stream to the east."
Xiao Ying rarely fished, but she suddenly became interested and was about to nod when her brother beside her suddenly looked at her sharply. The words she was about to say changed instantly: "Never mind, I am not good at fishing. Miss Cui, you should go by yourself."
Despite being turned down, Cui Yiluo maintained her smile and said, "Yes."
"Sister, let's go."
Xiao Zheng slowly spoke, pulled on the reins, and turned his horse towards the woods.
Xiao Ying said "Oh," but her expression betrayed her disappointment.
Only after the two women and their servants had left in a grand procession did Jiang Zhaoyue finally ask, "Cousin, when did we agree to go fishing?"
Cui Yiluo explained, "Cousin, I heard that the crucian carp by the stream were plump and delicious, and I got excited on a whim, but I haven't had a chance to tell you yet."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhaoyue and the others thought she was just being greedy, which was why she couldn't stay still. Only Yang Jingling solemnly instructed, "Yiluo, remember to be careful this afternoon. Bring plenty of servants with you. If anything happens, just come and find us."
Cui Yiluo replied earnestly, "I will."
It was Cui Yiluo's first time hunting, but surprisingly she had quite a haul, much to the amazement of Jiang Zhaoyue and the others.
When Lan Hui heard that she was going to fish by the stream, she gave her a series of instructions and personally helped her pack her protective gear.
After lunch, to avoid being recognized, Cui Yiluo set off eastward first, only turning her horse around towards Houqin Forest when she could no longer see anyone.
As the sun began to set, dusk approached. The shadows of the crabapple trees stretched long across the sand, and the woman's slender figure intertwined with their shadows, the twilight gilding her profile with a golden edge. Suddenly, another shadow appeared on the ground, strong and imposing—a man's.
"Miss Cui is looking for me."
Cui Yiluo turned to look at the person who had come and handed over the wooden box she was carrying.
The sandalwood emitted a faint, delicate fragrance, and the box was engraved with exquisite floral and bird patterns. Yuan Ling glanced at it and then took it.
"Miss Cui sent someone to meet me discreetly, surely it wasn't just to return the robe?"
“Commander Yuan is intelligent and wise; he should know the purpose of my visit.”
Yuan Ling smiled slightly, "How can Miss Cui be so sure that I will help you?"
Cui Yiluo met his gaze calmly, "If you don't help me, I suppose I won't have the chance to return the robe to you, will I?"
Their eyes met, and Yuan Ling gradually suppressed his smile and straightened his expression.
"Miss Cui is truly intelligent. How about we make a deal?"
This was exactly what Cui Yiluo wanted; with a shared interest, she wasn't worried he wouldn't help her. She nodded slightly, signaling Yuan Ling to continue.
Yuan Ling casually fiddled with the tassel of the sword at his waist and said, "The sleeping potion you applied to the dagger is quite effective. Give me the prescription, and I will keep it a secret for you."
He lowered his voice: "I will never let your cousin know, nor will I let anyone else know."
"I didn't make the medicine, but I can give you a few packets. Whether you can replicate the prescription depends on Lord Yuan's abilities."
Yuan Ling lowered his eyebrows slightly, clearly dissatisfied: "Tell me who made the medicine."
Cui Yilu sneered: "Lord Yuan, I promised the pharmaceutical workers to keep it a secret. Are you trying to make me an unjust person?"
“When has Miss Cui ever upheld propriety? If she had, Cheng Feng, the supervisor, would not have claimed illness and refused to come to the hunt.”
Cui Yiluo's expression changed slightly. "You investigated me?"
Yuan Ling's expression turned sharp, like a blade being slightly drawn from its sheath. "The Yunyi Guards have all the eyes and ears in the world, and since they are going to make a deal, they naturally need to know the other party's background. But Miss Cui, rest assured, even the imperial physicians in the palace won't be able to detect any traces of the medicine. I was just lucky to know a little about Miss Cui, which is why I guessed correctly."
Cui Yiluo's face turned cold, all her rare politeness and gentleness towards Yuan Ling vanished, and she said coldly, "I can't go back on my word. I can only give you a few packets of medicine. Do you want them or not?"
Yuan Ling stared intently at her face, and Cui Yiluo looked up to meet his gaze, neither giving way.
A few moments later, Yuan Ling smiled and said, "After returning to the capital, send someone to deliver it to the Yuan residence."
This meant they had agreed, and Cui Yiluo secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "I hope Lord Yuan will keep his promise. There is an order in the palace that the Imperial Guards are not allowed to trade privately with others. This time, Lord Yuan and I have achieved mutual benefit and each got what we needed."
These words were practically a blatant threat. Yuan Ling looked at her meaningfully: "Relationships based on mutual benefit are the most enduring. Isn't that right, Miss Cui?"
He was about to leave, carrying the sandalwood box containing his robes, when his expression suddenly froze. His eyes, like those of a hawk, fixed on Cui Yiluo, his expression a half-smile:
"What kind of people have you brought to me?"
A note from the author:
My cousin will be there soon; he'll appear instantly [wearing sunglasses].
The next chapter will be released at 9 AM on Saturday. Updates will be every other day this week, with plenty of drafts saved up!
Please add this to your favorites, my darlings! I need to accumulate enough favorites to make it a paid subscription [pleading emoji].
"A thousand miles of evening clouds lie flat" is from Wang Wei's poem "Watching the Hunt".
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