Chapter 73: Disaster Xie Jing fell from the edge of the high bank. ...
Xie Jing greeted Xie Tingchen first: "Hello, Fifth Brother."
Yu Qing didn't know why Xie Jing came along. She had never heard that he was very close to the Fifth Prince, and it was not like he would participate in hunting.
Even if he went out for a trip, according to Xie Jing's usual style, he would ride in a BMW, sit in it, eat snacks, and fan himself with a folding fan, and go to a beautiful and quiet place to enjoy the cool air.
The others were not familiar with Xie Jing and were somewhat surprised. When they saw him, they politely bowed and greeted him, calling him "Your Highness Prince Jing".
Yu Qing didn't step forward. When Xie Jing looked over, she nodded slightly, thinking it was a question.
When everyone gathered and set out from the city, Yu Qing discovered that although King Jing was riding a horse, he actually had a carriage ready, which was following the team from a distance, so that he could go back and sit for a while when he got tired.
Yu Qing thought, this is right.
·
Weiyun Mountain is where they often go hunting. It is a low hill with forests, water, and lush vegetation. The prey is more abundant than the royal hunting grounds. It is nearly an hour's journey from the capital.
At first, Yu Qing was close to the Fifth Prince, so he asked, "Why is His Royal Highness Prince Jing here? He never mentioned him before."
Xie Tingchen said, "Last time when court was dismissed, I invited someone and he happened to hear me. I just casually asked him and didn't expect him to actually come."
Yu Qing couldn't help but tilt his head and glance at Xie Jing out of the corner of his eye.
He was dressed in a robe with golden arrow sleeves, and the hem fluttered in the wind, which made him look quite handsome. But if he could draw a bow and shoot an arrow, Yu Qing couldn't imagine that scene.
The others walked in groups of three or four, chatting with each other. Xie Jing had not had much interaction with these generals before, and it was difficult for others to rush to find him, a strange prince, so he was the only one without a companion.
After all, it was Xie Tingchen who invited him, and it was not good for the brothers to appear too distant, so the Fifth Prince went over and walked with him for a while, and they talked for a while in a friendly and respectful manner.
Xie Tingchen had actually dealt with Qingjia before, but he had always been careless and might have forgotten about him long ago. It seemed that he could not recognize Xie Jing's appearance and did not think there was anything unusual, so he saved himself the trouble.
The two seemed to have finished their conversation and stopped talking. Xie Jing suddenly looked over here from a distance. Yu Qing immediately turned his gaze back and whipped the car to speed up, leaving him behind for a distance.
Soon, Xie Tingchen also returned to the front row and came to Yu Qing's side.
"Ah, there's really nothing to say to him," the Fifth Prince complained, "I'm not good at dealing with people like this. It's tiring."
Yu Qing asked, "How do you mean?"
She knew how Xie Jing behaved. He was gentle, calm and had no airs. At most, he was a little pretentious. He should be able to get along with everyone. When he was in Beichen Division, the subordinate guards didn't think there was anything wrong with him being a prince there. She wondered what Xie Tingchen had any opinions about it.
"Needless to say, he seems to have more than meets the eye. That kid is a bit evil. He's only been in the capital for a short time, but he's got everyone on his side. I don't know what kind of sweet talk he used to convince my father to trust him. Tell me, can chanting sutras and burning incense cure the disease?"
Yu Qing's smile faded. She would not comment on Xie Jing's behavior for the time being, but Xie Tingchen's words were extremely biased and it was obvious that he was prejudiced.
"Your Highness, please be careful with your words," she said politely, "I am not in a position to listen to such gossip."
"There's no outsider here, so I'm just complaining a bit. Besides, you know what's going on," Xie Tingchen said. "Wasn't he forced to come to your place by my father a while ago? I'm afraid he's been meddling a lot. You should keep an eye on him. Now he's managed to get to the Ministry of Revenue by some unknown means. I wonder if he's trying to curry favor with Prince Rui or deceive my father again."
Yu Qing frowned and his face turned cold.
First of all, Xie Jing did not go to the palace on his own initiative. It was always the emperor who sent people to summon him before. Moreover, when Xie Jing was in the Beichensi, he did not cause any trouble at all and did not take any credit. Now that he went to the Ministry of Revenue, Yu Qing did not think there was anything wrong. This person was smart and meticulous, and maybe he could do something. As for currying favor with Prince Rui, it was even more fabricated. They were brothers.
However, the inside story couldn't be revealed to outsiders, so she couldn't refute them one by one. She could only say, "It may not be what you think."
She felt that the Fifth Prince was simply jealous and didn't consider his own reasons for everything. His mother's family and his wife's family were both the best among the princes, yet they hadn't been able to compete with the deposed Crown Prince.
He only has some talent in martial arts and military administration, everything else is average. He has worked in the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of War before, and whenever something went wrong, he relied on the Imperial Concubine and the Marquis of Zhongwu to cover for him.
Moreover, he had no good eyesight and didn't notice Yu Qing's impatience. He kept muttering to himself, "Anyway, I just can't stand him. His style is so exaggerated. I wonder if this is a popular trend in Jiangnan, dressing like a beast in human clothing. Why doesn't he put on makeup and wear flowers..."
Yu Qing could no longer bear it and said, "Your Highness, I cannot agree with you. Let's not talk about this anymore."
Her tone was a little harsh, but this time Xie Tingchen finally understood.
He thought of Yu Qing's youth, when he first led the army. He had also been looked down upon because of his handsome features. Only after he achieved great success did people stop talking nonsense. He thought he had accidentally offended Yu Qing and could only say, "Yeah, that's right. We're in a good time now. Let's not talk about him anymore. Let's go and ride!"
Yu Qing didn't catch up with him, but slowly moved to the middle and back row.
Although Xie Jing looks bright and beautiful every day, he is not at all vulgar or exaggerated, and he is pleasing to the eye from head to toe.
Many men in this world don't ask to have even one tenth of his ability, but if they just trim their appearance a little, they will probably look brand new.
Besides, with his looks, he would be even more beautiful if he put on powder and wore flowers in his hair. She used to love watching the princess dressing up in the morning.
Yu Qing couldn't help but think to himself, if there were more petty people like Xie Tingchen, wouldn't Xie Jing be in trouble? The thought of someone talking about him behind his back, or even trying to trip him up because of this, actually made him feel a little irritated.
She subconsciously glanced at Xie Jing.
...He is really different from others.
All the people in this group have extraordinary family backgrounds, and none of them are ugly in appearance. They can be called handsome if they are singled out.
However, once you focus your eyes on Xie Jing, it becomes very pleasing to the eye.
He and the others didn't look like the same breed. With him in the center, the other men in the field of vision looked even more burly, with square heads and big ears, and it almost ruined the view.
Yu Qing couldn't help but look at it several times, his mind suddenly focused, and then he turned back calmly.
...Even at this point, she is still lost in this face, which makes her feel helpless.
Once you see it, you can't let it go; but if you stare at it for too long, thinking of those chaotic past events, you will be overwhelmed with melancholy.
She calmed herself down and didn't look at Xie Jing again.
·
When they arrived at Weiyun Mountain, everyone put on their armor, carried bows and arrows, and prepared to start hunting.
Xie Jing hadn't made any preparations. Xie Tingchen asked curiously, "Ninth brother, why didn't you ask your guards to get you a bow and arrow?"
Xie Jing smiled and said, "I won't participate. I'm just out for fun with my brother today. I don't plan to hunt."
"There's no conflict," Xie Tingchen said. "Are you just going to watch with nothing in your hands?"
Xie Jing said, "After all, I was once a cultivator, so it's not easy for me to kill. Please don't be offended, my royal brother."
"..." Xie Tingchen said dissatisfiedly, "Since we're here..."
Yu Qing heard this from the side and said, "Your Highness."
Xie Jing and Xie Tingchen turned back at the same time. Yu Qing didn't look directly at Xie Jing, but said to Xie Tingchen, "Since His Royal Highness Prince Jing is not interested in hunting, let him go. Let's go first. If we're late, they'll have already taken the prey in this area."
Xie Tingchen said, "Well, come and join us later."
Xie Jing watched the two men ride away and silently lowered his eyes.
He had no interest in hunting and had never even touched a bow. He came here purely for Yu Qing.
A few days ago, after court was dismissed, he heard the Fifth Prince talking to others about going to Weiyun Mountain. Among the people mentioned was the Prince of Xuanbei Marquis. He was tempted for a moment, so he interrupted and asked a question, then shamelessly followed him.
Naturally, he didn't know anyone, and the ride was bumpy all the way, so he was tired before he even arrived.
Even though he knew he was redundant, Xie Jing couldn't help but move closer, wanting to take a few more glances at her.
She looked so majestic when she rode a horse, and he kept looking at the hair flying behind her head.
He had heard that she was also very good at riding and shooting, something he had never seen before. They had been to the royal hunting grounds a long time ago, but when she was with him, Yu Qing wasn't busy hunting; she was always accompanying him on wandering trips.
This time, Yu Qingzong was talking with the Fifth Prince. They seemed to be chatting and laughing, but it was unclear what they were talking about. The whole time, he didn't even look at him.
Even just now, he took the fifth prince away without paying any attention to him.
The Fifth Prince isn’t that good either, Xie Jing thought.
·
Xie Tingchen insisted on persuading Xie Jing, and Yu Qing couldn't bear it, so he took the fifth prince away.
"Isn't this just a hypocritical act, like he's practicing Buddhism," Xie Tingchen said. "I guess he can't even draw a bow, so he's afraid of being laughed at. I don't think he knows any martial arts."
Yu Qing thought, what's so great about being able to play the bow? Why not compete with Xie Jing in growing flowers?
She said calmly, "I'll go over there and take a look first."
Then she and Xie Tingchen went their separate ways, feeling that she could no longer force herself to stay with him.
The crowd was scattered in the woods without a planned route, and they would occasionally bump into each other as they chased each other.
Yu Qing showed no mercy today. In just a short while, her attendants had already dragged down two wild animals. Then she saw a wild fox and chased it, but suddenly discovered that there were other people and horses in the jungle not far away.
Judging from the color of their clothes, it was Xie Jing. It should be him and his guards.
Yu Qing's attention was suddenly distracted and his sight shifted. The arrow in his hand was about to be shot, but it actually hit the ground by brushing against the wild fox's tail.
Yu Qing: “…”
She immediately fired another arrow, and this time she hit the prey.
The prince never missed his target and had rarely missed in many years, but this time he missed the target and was caught by Xie Jing.
And he seemed to be looking at her. Yu Qing felt annoyed for a moment, but did not stay. She asked her followers to pick up the prey and left quickly.
Xie Jing watched intently from the side.
...He only saw Yu Qing's sharp gaze and neat posture, and was dazzled, and didn't even notice that she had shot two arrows in total.
He realized she had left so quickly, and he felt a pang of sadness. This time, he wasn't jealous of the Fifth Prince anymore, but started to be jealous of the fox. He thought, wasn't it a blessing to be chased by Yu Qing and die under her arrow?
·
More than two hours later, everyone gathered at the river with their prey, put them together to count, and let the horses water.
Yu Qing jumped off the horse lightly and led it to the river bank. After watching it drink enough water, he asked the guards to feed it some of its favorite radishes.
"...Why don't we go to Nanhu Lake tonight?" the Fifth Prince suggested from a distance. "Send someone back to charter a boat, have them cook these properly, and then bring more people..."
Everyone agreed.
Yu Qing asked, "Where's King Jing? Has he not returned yet?"
The guard said, "Hmm? His Royal Highness Prince Jing has arrived a long time ago."
Yu Qing was stunned and looked in the direction the guard pointed. He saw a figure on the high bank not far upstream.
Xie Jing was standing there alone.
He did not participate in the hunting, so after wandering around in the forest for a while, he came back early to wait.
The group of people around were all supporters of the Fifth Prince and the Marquis of Zhongwu. They were only concerned about surrounding Xie Tingchen, and no one even went to call him.
“…”
A complicated feeling flashed through his mind, Yu Qing handed the reins to the guard, and then walked away.
"Hey?" Xie Tingchen asked, "Yu Qing, where are you going?"
Yu Qing said, "Call Prince Jing."
·
Xie Jing heard footsteps, turned around and found that the person coming was Yu Qing, and was stunned for a moment.
Yu Qing didn't understand why she had come here unconsciously. Just now, looking at Xie Jing's figure from below, she felt a little heavy in her heart. To avoid embarrassment, she deliberately walked out of the sound.
The moment he turned around, the breeze from the river blew his hair. Yu Qing looked into his eyes and felt a little dazed again.
“…”
The two looked at each other and then looked away at the same time.
Xie Jing asked, "...Prince?"
Yu Qing said, "The people down there said they're going to Nanhu on their way back tonight. Are you coming?"
Xie Jing nodded subconsciously.
"I see the prince hunted a lot of things. That fox is pretty good," he said.
Yu Qing: “…”
She remembered the arrow she had accidentally missed and suspected that Xie Jing had done it on purpose.
Xie Jing lowered his gaze and glanced at the sword at Yu Qing's waist. He paused and said, "Is the prince's sword tassel missing?"
Yu Qing's sword originally had no accessories. She had previously worn a jade pendant woven for her by the princess, which she had taken off a while ago.
"Well," she said calmly, "it's worn out."
"...It's been a long time." Xie Jing's voice was low and sounded a little lonely. Yu Qing felt that indescribable emotion surge up again.
Xie Jing added, "There is something I want to discuss with the prince."
Yu Qing: "What?"
"I brought Xuetuan back to the palace last time. He's been unhappy these days. Maybe he misses you," Xie Jing said, pursing his lips. "He's innocent after all. Prince, would you like to... come to my palace to see him?"
Yu Qing paused. She regretted this incident. She'd been so anxious to get Xie Jing to leave that she'd told him to take the puppy with him. Later, she thought, while she'd said it was a gift for the princess, they'd actually been raising it together. After Xie Jing left, Xuetuan had been in her residence the entire time, meaning she'd spent more time raising the puppy than Xie Jing had. It would have been unfair to just let him take it away.
Without the puppy, Yu Qing felt much less fun. She said, "I'll send someone to pick it up next time."
"..." Xie Jing said disappointedly, "Okay. Then-"
Xie Jing only said one word when suddenly a hissing sound was heard and at the same time his guards not far away shouted, "Be careful!"
A horse rushed towards them, not knowing whether it was mad or what, but the guards failed to stop it. The horse came close to them like lightning and headed directly towards the two of them.
Yu Qing's pupils shrank. Xie Jing had no time to react. If he had been hit, he would have been dead. Without thinking, Yu Qing pushed him away with a palm and retreated at the same time.
The frightened horse instantly jumped between the two of them, neighing loudly, and rushed straight into the river below.
Yu Qing's palm strike was too powerful, and Xie Jing was caught off guard. He was thrown over ten feet away, unable to stand still. Everything happened in a flash. Yu Qing saw that something was wrong and quickly reached out—but he couldn't catch him in time.
Then he watched Xie Jing fall from the edge of the high bank.
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