The group set off from Bianliang in a grand procession, like a long dragon.
After traveling fifty miles along the gentle official road, you turn onto a rugged and difficult mountain path, which is the only road leading to Mount Shu.
Shushan is located north of Bianliang. It is a large mountain forest with majestic and precipitous peaks, dense forests, and large, flat, and beautiful meadows.
The Shushan Hunting Grounds are a paradise for rare birds and animals. They roam freely in the mountains and forests. The difficult mountain paths and the fact that the area was enclosed by the royal family to serve as a hunting ground act as a natural barrier, allowing the wild animals inside to grow freely without being disturbed.
When the intense midday sun shone down on the earth, the group finally arrived at the Shushan Hunting Grounds.
The Shushan Hunting Grounds are divided into an outer area and an inner area. The outer area is where everyone camps and rests, and there are also some small game animals, such as rabbits and pheasants, which are very suitable for the women's entertainment.
The inner area was different; it was densely forested and teeming with ferocious wild beasts. Men who were not skilled in riding and archery would not dare to enter without guards by their side.
Today, Emperor Gaozong, dressed in a bright yellow riding outfit, looked dashing and heroic, like a war god reborn.
Although he is over fifty years old, his face is still handsome and he looks radiant, as if time has not left any marks on him. Only his cold and aloof temperament makes people feel intimidated.
The day before, the servants of Shanglin Garden had arrived at the hunting grounds and had carefully prepared all the supplies for the hunt, including tents, food, and lodging.
As in previous years, when the procession arrived at the outer area of the Shushan hunting grounds, the eunuchs respectfully led Emperor Gaozong into the tent for a short rest, while the other personnel were led into the corresponding tents by the servants of Shanglin Garden according to their titles and official ranks.
After Emperor Gaozong of the South stepped into the tent, the rest of the people relaxed and stood up.
The presence of Su Yi and Mu Jin was undoubtedly the focus of the event.
Everyone knew that Su Yi would be bringing his fiancée to the hunting grounds today. When Su Yi appeared in Mu Jin's carriage, they knew that the woman Su Yi brought back from Dongyue Kingdom held an extraordinary place in his heart.
Their appearances were particularly striking; both possessed an innate air of nobility and an unrestrained, flamboyant demeanor that drew attention. It was a sight that aroused envy in men and jealousy in women.
The Lin family's carriage was lined up behind Su Yi's. After Lin Yeru was helped down from the carriage by her maid, she caught a glimpse of Mu Jin and Su Yi standing side by side.
At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on Su Yi and Mu Jin, completely ignoring her.
You know, she has always been the most dazzling presence.
Lin Yueru must have dressed up carefully today; the jeweled hairpins in her hair shone brightly, and her red gauze dress was absolutely gorgeous.
This complete outfit made her look incredibly beautiful. If it weren't for Mu Jin, given her family background and attire, she might have been the most dazzling person in the entire hunting ground.
However, with Mu Jin's ethereal beauty present, her red gauze dress seemed rather frivolous. Although it looked gorgeous, it gave off an incongruous and overly forceful feeling when worn in this setting.
Seeing that Mu Jin had stolen all the limelight from her, Lin Yueru bit her lip and stared at Mu Jin with a vicious look.
However, she remembered that before she left the Lin family mansion, Lin Jingtian had warned her not to provoke Mu Jin and to maintain a good relationship with Su Yi, so she could only swallow her anger.
Lin Yueru composed herself, forced a smile, and walked up to Su Yi and Mu Jin despite the strange looks from the crowd. Although she was speaking to Mu Jin, her eyes were glued to Su Yi.
She used a sweet and charming voice to say, "Miss Mu, what a coincidence! I never expected to meet you at such a grand event for the royal family of Southern Shu."
After saying that, she covered her face with her fan and giggled, "We really are destined to meet."
Lin Yueru was saying that Mu Jin, as a citizen of Dongyue, should not participate in such an important event of their Nanshu Kingdom.
Mu Jin smiled and nodded, but did not reply to her.
Originally, Su Yi and Mu Jin standing there were like a beautiful scene, but Lin Yueru suddenly cut in, and everyone felt that she was a bit superfluous.
After all, it was obvious to everyone that Mu Jin had no intention of paying attention to her at all, but how could someone as confident and arrogant as Lin Yueru have such awareness?
Lin Yueru continued, "Half a month ago, when you came to my Lin residence for a gathering, I felt that Miss Mu and I hit it off immediately. If I wasn't afraid of disturbing you, I would have liked to send another invitation to the princess's residence to meet you again."
Lin Yueru spoke to Mu Jin with such politeness and refinement, as if she had been reborn, showing no trace of her usual arrogance.
This scene astonished the women present, while Mu Jin found it utterly ridiculous.
Although Mu Jin had a smile on her face, when she occasionally glanced at Su Yi's eyes, her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she were saying something to Su Yi.
"Look at your stupid cousin! She's either taken the wrong medicine or hit her head. Leaving aside whether others believe her, doesn't she feel disgusted saying such things?"
Lin Yueru's appearance showed no trace of her "instant friendship" with Mu Jin; rather, she clearly "hated him to the extreme."
After Lin Yueru finished speaking, she walked straight towards Su Yi without waiting for Mu Jin to reply. Her eyes were full of undisguised affection as she spoke softly.
"Why didn't Brother Yi ride a horse today, but instead rode in that carriage with Miss Mu? I noticed that Miss Mu's carriage is so small, it wouldn't be good if Miss Mu got squeezed."
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