Chapter 124 Winter Hunting Do you want me to hug you?
On the day Lu Tingwan returned to the palace, Cheng Xianzhi saw her off. As the carriage pulled away from the street, she wore delicate makeup, her lips rosy and her eyes bright. Cheng Xianzhi sized her up, and the words he wanted to say finally came down to, "Your lip balm looks nice."
She didn't expect Cheng Xianzhi to be able to tell the difference in the color of the lip balm. "This is a tribute from Persia. The Queen Mother gave it to me as a reward for a job well done."
As the steward of Jinhua Palace, she held rank above all others in the harem, save for Empress Dowager Jiang. Everyone in the palaces and courtyards bowed respectfully, addressing her as "Palace Master Lu." She didn't need to rely on anyone to obtain a rare box of Luozidai. Empress Dowager Jiang generously offered her everything she could, including power, gold, silver, and precious items.
But she knew that everything she got was a double-edged sword, which could be used as a weapon against her at any time.
***
On the day Jiang Haiyi entered the city, Cheng Xianzhi, Li Hongzhi and other officials were waiting outside the Hanzhang Palace to welcome him. The little emperor stood at the head of the crowd, remembering Cheng Xianzhi's teachings and acting like an emperor. The Queen Mother Jiang looked down at the crowd. It was another new emperor and new ministers. She had white hair on her temples and had grown older.
Lu Tingwan stood beside Queen Mother Jiang, the dim light illuminating the towering palace. She looked at the rising sun and seemed to see the undercurrent of conflict.
In Hanzhang Hall, Jiang Haiyi stood at the head of the group of military generals, looking at the little emperor Li Hongzhi sitting on the dragon throne, and seeing the high-spirited Cheng Xianzhi. Now was different from the past. As the emperor's teacher, he was supported by all the officials, and even the little emperor had to respect him a little.
Although he commanded a large army, he was thousands of miles away from the court.
"God bless our dynasty. Your Majesty is young, benevolent, polite, and trustworthy. The late emperor chose Minister Cheng as the Imperial Preceptor to assist you attentively. This is a great honor for us ministers."
"Shanhai Pass has been guarded by soldiers year-round, and the millions of people behind them and the capital have been able to live in peace. This is due to Duke Jiang's hard work and great contributions. It is a blessing for Dalan, and the Duke should shoulder the responsibility."
"The Turks have invaded many times, but now they are being defeated repeatedly. Our dynasty has enjoyed another year of peace and stability. With the new emperor on the throne, the government is still unstable. We rely on Duke Jiang to sacrifice himself to protect Dalan's eternal stability."
"Today, we welcome the army back to the capital. Your Majesty has intended to reward the troops according to their merits. I have discussed with my colleagues in the six ministries, and the Secretariat has drafted a plan to hold a hunting expedition on Tiger Back Mountain to celebrate the victory of the Duke and the soldiers." Cheng Xianzhi's voice penetrated the hall.
"We are honored, but Your Majesty is still young. I am afraid you will go out and explore."
Li Hongzhi said, "The Grand Tutor once said that soldiers have fought in hundreds of battles and sworn to die on the battlefield. As the ruler of a country, I should not complain about the hardships. A monarch should not only know how to govern the country, but also keep fit."
"I have made up my mind," Li Hongzhi said in a childish but powerful voice. "I will go hunting on Tiger Back Mountain, reward the troops, and have all the officials accompany me."
It was a winter hunting day, and all the officials went to welcome Jiang Haiyi. What an honor it was.
Jiang Haiyi expressed his gratitude, "I thank Your Majesty, Queen Mother."
Lu Tingwan wanted to go winter hunting, and it happened that Jiang Haiyi returned to the court. The court rewarded him according to his merits and held a welcoming ceremony for him, which showed the court's high regard for the soldiers of Shanhaiguan. Li Hongzhi was advised by the Taifu, and thinking that winter hunting was fun, Cheng Xianzhi taught him the benefits of winter hunting.
Although Li Hongzhi was young, he was influenced by Cheng Xianzhi and had his own opinions. Those words were said to him when he was a professor, and Li Hongzhi remembered them himself.
After the court meeting, Lu Tingwan accompanied Queen Mother Jiang back to the palace. "Your Majesty has requested that all civil and military officials accompany him on the winter hunt at Tiger Back Mountain. The Duke has recommended that all officials bring their families along. The capital will be bustling with activity now. However, the hunt has been held in autumn in previous years, and I'm afraid the harvest from the winter hunt won't be good."
"When it comes to hunting, it's not the result that counts, it's the process," said Queen Mother Jiang. "Your Majesty is young, and it's not appropriate for him to stay in Guangling Palace all day studying."
"Would you like to go with me, Madam?"
Queen Mother Jiang gave her a meaningful look and said, "The road to Tiger Back Mountain is difficult to travel, and the wind at the foot of the mountain is biting. I am old and my body cannot move."
A look of disappointment flashed across Lu Tingwan's eyes. She wanted to go, and the scene was so grand, but she didn't know what Jiang Haiyi's intention was. If he had other intentions, Queen Mother Jiang would have to stay in the palace no matter what her position was.
"The Emperor is still young, and I am not entirely at ease. You have served in Jinhua Palace for many years and are extremely attentive. With you by my side, I can feel at ease."
Lu Tingwan's eyes lit up when she heard this, "The Empress Dowager wants me to accompany her?"
"Why not?"
"Your Majesty, there are people from Guangling Palace serving you, and the imperial tutor is supervising you." Lu Tingwan hid his joy and remained calm.
"It's stuffy in the palace, and the emperor wants to be close to you. Hunting is a competition, and I used to be a horseman. Go! The winter hunting in Kyoto is not held every year." Queen Mother Jiang saw yearning in her eyes.
"Tingwan will obey the Empress's order." Lu Tingwan no longer refused.
After the meeting in Guangling Hall ended, Cheng Xianzhi met with Lu Tingwan. The emperor had finished his meal and went to the imperial garden to digest his food and play with the eunuchs. He was just a two-year-old child and loved to play by nature.
However, because of his supreme status and the heavy responsibilities he shoulders, he is usually required to maintain the dignity of an emperor and behave properly.
Cheng Xianzhi did not demand too much of his words and deeds. He should have proper manners and his childishness should not be destroyed.
The two of them strolled in the imperial garden. In the winter, all the flowers had withered and the scenery was covered with white.
"How are the preparations for the winter hunt going?" Lu Tingwan's gaze fell on Li Hongzhi who was playing with the palace maids and eunuchs in the distance.
"We will set off in three days. After all, this is His Majesty's first trip, and he is still young. Furthermore, the reason for this trip is to reward the troops, so we must be cautious in everything we do."
Lu Tingwan has not yet told the Queen Mother that she has agreed to accompany him.
"I have asked His Majesty for permission," Cheng Xianzhi stared at her profile and saw the curve of her lips. "You are allowed to accompany him, and His Majesty has approved it."
Lu Tingwan turned around suddenly. The snow had not melted yet, and her embroidered shoes slipped. She fell forward, and her hands instinctively looked for something to support her. Cheng Xianzhi was caught off guard and wanted to reach out to catch her, but she threw herself into his arms, and her weight pressed him backwards. He subconsciously hugged her tightly with his arms, and fell firmly on the snow with his broad back.
Lu Tingwan placed her hands on his chest, pressing very firmly, and the feeling of his palms could be felt.
The two stared at each other. Lu Tingwan blinked innocently and asked in this posture, "Your Majesty, do you want me to go too?"
She was still unconscious from the fall, but Cheng Xianzhi only felt a chill on his back, along with the pain of being hit. "Didn't you always want to go hunting?"
"Yes, but," Lu Tingwan stared at the snow on his eyelashes, her eyes unconsciously locked on his entire outline, which was very beautiful, "The Queen Mother had already agreed to let me take care of the young emperor when he traveled."
She put on a smug smile and said, "That doesn't count."
"It's nothing?" His chest was still pressed, and the two of them were breathing very closely.
Cheng Xianzhi stared at her neck, his gaze sliding unconsciously as he spoke. She said, "It's not a gift from you. I don't want to owe you anything."
After Lu Tingwan finished speaking, she was about to stand up and withdrew her hands from her chest. Li Hongzhi, the palace maids, and eunuchs chased after her, and when they turned a corner, they happened to see two people lying in the snow.
"Master, Aunt Lu?" He was still holding the windmill in his hand, and when he stopped, the windmill stopped too. He stared at the two of them in a daze, "Why are you lying in the snow? Aren't you cold?"
The young eunuch and the palace maid caught up and saw this scene. The two who were originally calm were obviously panicked.
Lu Tingwan propped herself up halfway and slid down again. This time, her whole body pressed against him. Her soft lips seemed to touch the tip of Cheng Xianzhi's nose, and the coldness dissipated at the touch.
The eunuchs and palace maids dared not look, so they quickly covered their eyes and coaxed Li Hongzhi to go play somewhere else.
Only after Cheng Xianzhi gave her some support did Lu Tingwan stand up and brush off the snow on her body. "It's not what you see."
Her explanation was so weak that everyone in the palace turned their backs on her.
"Aunt Lu, your face is blushing. Are you cold?" Li Hongzhi looked innocent.
"It's cold." Lu Tingwan said in panic. It was really cold.
"Then why are you lying in the snow?"
"this?"
Cheng Xianzhi coughed twice and whispered to scare her, "Think carefully before answering. Deceiving the emperor is a serious crime."
Lu Tingwan glared at him.
Cheng Xianzhi ignored him and asked himself, "Are you hurt?"
Lu Tingwan avoided his gaze, turned sideways and shook her head in response, then replied to the little emperor, "Aunt Lu didn't stand firmly just now and accidentally knocked the tutor down."
Li Hongzhi didn't know where he learned this, but he said "Oh" meaningfully and took the palace people to play again.
"The snow is slippery, Your Majesty, please be careful." Lu Tingwan shouted to the figure running away.
"The child's chassis is low and it's not easy for him to slide." Cheng Xianzhi reminded from the side, seemingly hinting at something.
"Then I didn't expect you to ask for permission for me." Lu Tingwan explained the reason for her fall. "But since you're so kind, thank you."
She suddenly felt warm in her heart and whispered, "Actually, you're a pretty good person."
"What?" Cheng Xianzhi wasn't sure if she had said that.
Lu Tingwan had already walked away. He strode after her and asked, whispering in her ear, deliberately breathing, "What did you say just now?"
She shrank her neck, tightened the fox fur collar, looked back at him, and ran away.
The winter hunting base camp was set up at the foot of Tiger Back Mountain. After the snow at the foot of the mountain melted, there was an imperial warm pool villa halfway up the south side of Tiger Back Mountain. When the late emperor was alive, he would occasionally leave the palace and bring Concubine Rong to stay here for ten days or half a month.
The hunting noise was so loud that it startled the birds and beasts in the forest. The horses' hooves kicked up dust, and the dead branches were soaked with melted ice. The fleeting sound of water stains mixed with the cries of horses' hooves and birds and beasts. With the bowstring fully drawn, Lu Tingwan harvested his first prey of the winter hunt, a pheasant.
Li Hongzhi had a martial artist carefully selected by Cheng Xianzhi, who was Han Zhou, as well as a master who specialized in archery. He had good aim, but lacked strength.
Lu Tingwan was in high spirits and ran away. Cheng Xianzhi instructed the imperial guards to protect him and rode his horse into the woods in the direction of Lu Tingwan.
Her archery was taught by Xie Zhao. The sunlight shining through the forest shone on her flying black hair. At this moment, she was like a free gust of wind, indulging in a brief moment of happiness.
With the longbow fully drawn, she stared at the prey in the jungle and shot out the arrow swiftly. At the same time, an arrow was shot out from the right side. The two arrows were fired at the same time and pierced the hare's body.
Lu Tingwan glanced sideways and saw a woman in red riding clothes standing out in the barren scenery.
"Gongsun Xue?" Lu Tingwan called softly.
"Palace Master Lu, how are you?"
Gongsun Xue had never attended palace banquets in the past, so Lu Tingwan was surprised to see her at the winter hunt this time.
"We both shot the rabbit, so whose is it?" Gongsun Xue rode closer.
Lu Tingwan tightened the reins, the horse's hooves circling in place, hair fluttering as it bucked. "A gentleman doesn't take away what others like. If Miss Gongsun likes it, take it."
"Palace Master Lu is as generous as ever," Gongsun Xue recalled, pinching the purse at her waist with one hand. "That purse you stuffed into me at the Cheng residence back then, I later realized it was given to you by him, not to me."
"I don't understand what you are saying." Lu Tingwan put away the bow.
"Why do I, Gongsun Xue, want the things you don't want?" Gongsun Xue said, hinting, "And you just snatch the things I want away from me?"
This person once wanted to kill herself out of hatred, but Lu Tingwan didn't want to resolve the rift with her and just wanted to treat them as strangers.
"Miss Gongsun, what you said is unreasonable. I have never snatched what you want. Since it is something you cannot grasp, it means it never belonged to you. You are just deceiving yourself. Why should you blame me for your incompetence and bear your jealousy for your pathetic vanity? This kind of jealousy is really too cheap. I, Lu Tingwan, disdain to compete with you." Lu Tingwan squeezed the horse's belly and rode out.
The sharp words hurt Gongsun Xue's pitiful remaining self-esteem. Hatred mixed with the cold wind, a bow was drawn in front of his heaving chest, his eyes gradually turned red, and he aimed at the receding figure. The arrow shot directly at Lu Tingwan's back, so close that it brushed past Gongsun Xue's ear with a "whoosh" sound, and a clump of broken hair fell off.
The arrow that shot at Lu Tingwan was knocked down together with the arrow. The arrow was nailed to the branch in front of Lu Tingwan, which startled the horse. The horse's hooves were raised high and forward. Lu Tingwan suddenly fell down, and the horse's hooves spun again, trying to step on her.
Suddenly, a gust of wind and horse hooves rushed in. Cheng Xianzhi leaned over, holding the reins in one hand and wrapping his other hand around Lu Tingwan's waist. With a strong pull, he pulled the person into his arms. With Cheng Xianzhi's strength, the person sat on the horse's back, facing him.
She was still in shock, her hands tightly hugging Cheng Xianzhi's waist. Seeing this, Gongsun Xue wanted to shoot another arrow and gnashed her teeth, "Lu Tingwan!"
"Drive..." Cheng Xianzhi stopped his horse, one hand on her back, his eyes fierce, "How about it? Killing someone in the hunting ground can be treated as an accident, so no one can be held responsible, right?"
Seeing her former lover, Gongsun Xue's heart was broken. She didn't understand why Cheng Xianzhi always ruined her good fortune.
"Two years ago, you kicked me out of the Cheng Mansion just for Lu Tingwan," Gongsun Xue scoffed. "But does Lu Tingwan even look at you? She'd rather live in Jinhua Palace and serve the man who would have her entire family executed than live under the same roof with you. All your efforts, all in vain, aren't they?"
Lu Tingwan came back to her senses. The voice and breath in front of her were so familiar and full of security, and Gongsun Xue's words grabbed her!
"What did you say?" Lu Tingwan turned her head, still facing Cheng Xianzhi.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
Lu Tingwan ignored Cheng Xianzhi's concern, sensing a hidden agenda behind Gongsun Xue's words. "Gongsun Xue, you've tried to kill me time and again. Besides him, is there any other reason?"
"You stole my love, and this one thing is enough to cut you into pieces."
Lu Tingwan raised her lips, imitating Cheng Xianzhi's mischievous look. She tilted her head back and rested it on his chest. When Cheng Xianzhi was lost in thought, she kissed his cheek and then challenged him openly, "As you said, it's so easy for me to get Cheng Xianzhi. Do you want to continue to kill me?"
Cheng Xianzhi was surprised and snorted. He knew that Lu Tingwan was using him like this because he was angry with Gongsun Xue, but he was not angry. Instead, he felt a little involved in it.
"You..." Gongsun Xue was furious.
"If you dare to make a move, then try." Cheng Xianzhi's eagle eyes were fierce. "Since accidents are common when hunting in the mountains, I don't mind letting you become food for the wild beasts on Tiger Back Mountain and become a lonely ghost with a broken body."
After saying this, Cheng Xianzhi rode away.
"Cheng Xianzhi, isn't this inappropriate?" Lu Tingwan felt a little embarrassed.
"Why is it inappropriate?"
She seemed to sense a change and said, "I want to go down."
Cheng Xianzhi didn't stop her. "You're walking back alone in the deep mountains and old forests?" The screams of wild beasts came from the forest, and she felt a chill down her spine. This time, she climbed onto the horse obediently and didn't sit in front of him. Cheng Xianzhi curled his lips and suddenly clamped his grip on the horse's belly. She lost her balance and hugged it tightly, feeling that he did it on purpose.
"If you want me to hug you, there's no need to be so scheming." Lu Tingwan rested her chin on the back of his shoulder.
"Palace Master Lu has bright eyes and is too cunning."
"Who is more cunning than Minister Cheng?" Lu Tingwan was harsh in his words, but he did not let go of his hand.
****
The hunting gradually subsided after the chase, and the hunters in the deep forest returned one after another. In the evening, a dinner was held outside the tent, and the accompanying officials attended.
Next to Li Hongzhi sat the Grand Tutor Cheng Xianzhi, with Lu Tingwan serving as a female official. The two-year-old emperor wasn't very skilled with chopsticks, but he could eat on his own. Lu Tingwan served closely, while the accompanying Shanggong Bureau servants cooked the game they had hunted, creating exquisite meals.
Li Hongzhi is prone to indigestion if he eats too much at night, so Lu Tingwan has to control the amount of his meals.
At the banquet, glasses clinked, and many officials surrounded Jiang Haiyi to toast and offer congratulations. Cheng Xianzhi peeked into the quiet night, the firelight flickered, and Yu Guangsheng heard the conversation between Lu Tingwan and Li Hongzhi. The little emperor was sleepy and yawned frequently.
"Your Majesty, please go back and rest first. The Master is here."
Li Hongzhi's eyelids twitched, but he nodded obediently, not forgetting to respectfully bid farewell to Cheng Xianzhi, "Master, Zhi'er will be leaving first."
"Your Majesty, please rest early." Cheng Xianzhi cast a glance at Lu Tingwan. After the two left, the imperial guards guarded the little emperor's tent strictly.
The banquet lasted until very late, and the officials and their wives returned to their bedrooms one after another. Lu Tingwan supported his tired body and went out hunting today to get rid of Gongsun Xue, the uninvited guest.
She had a great time playing, and when she came back she continued to take care of the little emperor's food and daily life. Now her back and waist ached, so she turned her arms to loosen up her muscles. When she looked up, the full moon was high in the sky, and the wind blew around Tiger Back Mountain, sweeping away the shouts of toasts.
Cheng Xianzhi stepped on the mountain breeze, his clothes fluttering as he emerged from the tent. "There's a warm pool palace in the villa halfway up the mountain. It'll be good for you to relax. We'll go down the mountain tomorrow morning. We've arranged accommodation and transportation. Do you want to go?"
Cheng Xianzhi knew what she needed most at the moment.
"Can I really go?" she asked with anticipation.
Cheng Xianzhi took a step forward, grabbed her wrist with his right hand, and without waiting for her to react, he pulled her away. It took nearly half an hour to climb from the foot of the mountain on horseback, and the mountain wind was biting at night.
Lu Ting's evening herb-gathering trip was to the north, and Tiger Back Mountain was vast, several miles separating the southern and northern sides. She felt a sense of gloom about the area; the forest obscured the moonlight, and the horses ran slowly. Soldiers patrolled the route, holding torches.
Before going up the mountain, he only led one horse. Lu Tingwan didn't want to ride with him, but it was already very late, and seeing that he had no intention of leading another horse, she had no choice but to ride with him up the mountain.
He pulled the reins with both arms and surrounded the person in front of him in his arms, "Are you cold?"
The wind blowing across my cheeks is naturally cold.
"Not bad." Lu Tingwan's voice trembled a little, and he took a deep breath of cold air.
Cheng Xianzhi retracted one hand and pulled the cloak forward, "Pull it over to block the wind."
Lu Tingwan was extremely cold, so without much hesitation, she pulled it over to cover her body, still with his warmth on it.
After running more than a dozen turns, the lights on the villa became closer, and the guards gave way when they saw Cheng Xianzhi.
There were quite a few warm pool rooms in the villa, and many officials' families had gone up the mountain early. Gongsun Xue and Gongsun Yan had just come out of the warm pool rooms and were about to go back to the wing rooms to rest when they saw Lu Tingwan and Cheng Xianzhi who had just entered the front yard. The two lived close to each other, from today's hunting to the banquet, and even now, they were almost inseparable, looking like a perfect match.
The scene of Lu Tingwan kissing Cheng Xianzhi during the day was particularly clear. Gongsun Xue snorted lightly and walked forward holding Gongsun Yan. The two of them walked around the eaves and turned a corner, but their way was blocked by someone.
"Gongsun Xue?" Lu Tingwan blurted out and looked at the child in her arms.
Gongsun Xue's eyes were always on Cheng Xianzhi, but Cheng Xianzhi ignored her and had an indifferent expression.
"Are Grand Tutor and Palace Master Lu also coming to take a hot spring bath?" She behaved very appropriately, as if the arrow she shot at Lu Tingwan in broad daylight had never happened.
Lu Tingwan nodded in response to her with due courtesy, but his eyes were not as kind as before. The raised corners of his eyes looked like a defensive wolf.
The little person in her arms frowned and moved, "Mother, Yan'er is sleepy."
Gongsun Xue lifted the person she was holding upwards.
"The young master is quite cute." Lu Tingwan smiled and looked at the little man in her arms. "His eyebrows and eyes are very similar to yours, and a bit like Jiang Qingsheng."
Gongsun Xue's expression suddenly changed. Gongsun Yan asked childishly, "Mother, who is that?"
Cheng Xianzhi's expression changed slightly. He didn't know whether Lu Tingwan mentioned Jiang Qingsheng intentionally to warn Gongsun Xue or for something else. She was not the type to take the initiative to cause trouble.
"Does the child know who his biological father is?" Lu Tingwan's words were heartbreaking.
"Lu Tingwan, you!" Gongsun Xue's face turned pale and then blue, and she looked at Cheng Xianzhi beside her.
Seeing that he was unmoved, Gongsun Xue feigned composure, ignoring Lu Tingwan and turning to Cheng Xianzhi, "Yan'er will be able to learn calligraphy in two years. I've mentioned this to my father, and I'm asking for permission to allow Yan'er to study with His Majesty."
Cheng Xianzhi remained silent.
Cheng Xianzhi was extremely angry. He was not a narrow-minded person, and he never cared about Gongsun Xue. However, he knew exactly where Gongsun Xue was going.
It is not a bad thing for the emperor to have a study companion. The two are of similar age. If Gongsun Yin is interested, it can be arranged in a few years. However, the imperial tutor is Cheng Xianzhi, and the emperor listens to him the most at the moment, so he must get his approval before it counts.
Gongsun Xue relented and said, "What happened between you and me is like a cloud of smoke in the past. I have let it go. I should also thank you for sparing our lives."
Cheng Xianzhi withdrew his distant gaze and fixed it on the side of Lu Tingwan's face. "Let's go."
Lu Tingwan was stunned for a moment. Seeing that she didn't move, Cheng Xianzhi put his palm on her lower back and pushed her forward.
In the cold and dark night, a faint light hit Gongsun Xue's cheek. Looking at Gongsun Yan in her arms, the two figures disappeared from her sight.
She had long been accustomed to Cheng Xianzhi's indifference. Even though they were just strangers, he still regarded her as a scourge. Did he really despise her so much? It turned out that time could not quell the resentment in her heart.
"Lu Tingwan, Cheng Xianzhi!" Gongsun Xue gritted her teeth, her fingertips digging into her flesh. "I hate you!"
Gongsun Xue returned to the side room and told Luzhu some things, and then coaxed the child to sleep.
Lu Tingwan was arranged to sit in the innermost warm pool of the East Garden. Mist lingered in the room, and the air was filled with fragrance, which dispelled the fatigue of the whole day.
Cheng Xianzhi was waiting for someone in the front yard, listening to the conversation of several passing maids.
"A drunk young man has entered the women's quarters, and the women inside are all officials' wives. What should we do?"
-----------------------
The author has something to say: The next chapter is not over yet, it will be updated the next day [burst into tears]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com