The hunting grounds outside the capital were reserved exclusively for the royal family. Though situated near the capital, the horses and carriages were swift, and one could arrive in less than half an hour.Looking out, several fine horses were lined up in the stable yard, autumn grass meeting the azure sky, the two colors clearly divided.As soon as Su Zheyun stepped down from the carriage, Hulan, dressed in riding gear, came forward to greet him. Her black hair was adorned with simple silver ornaments, her clothing a patchwork of black and yellow-brown fabric, her skirt hem cut short by half, and a whip hung at her waist.Su Zheyun studied the strange color combination of her attire and asked out of curiosity, "Is this the clothing of the Shuofeng tribe? The style reminds me of the mountain lord."Hulan's light brown eyes were full of smiles, and she spoke the official language at a slightly slower pace. "Yes, we Shuofeng people revere the mighty tiger above all. Strong warriors on the grasslands will even hunt and kill tigers to give to their beloved."Su Zheyun smiled at this, unable to help but admire her. "The Shuofeng tribe's reputation for bravery is truly well-deserved."From time to time, the sound of hooves came from the riding grounds. Jiang Weixu glanced at Hulan's attire and asked casually, "Will the Princess be riding today?""Yes," Hulan said, turning to take a light bow and raising it before Su Zheyun's eyes. "Today I will use the bow you gave…"She paused, realizing something, tilted her head to glance at Jiang Weixu, then turned back to Su Zheyun with a bright smile. "The bow gifted by His Highness the Prince of Duan for hunting. Zheyun, why are you dressed like that? Aren't you joining the hunt today?"Su Zheyun gave an apologetic smile. "I don't know how to ride or shoot, so I won't be joining. I wish the Princess a bountiful catch."Hulan nodded, repeatedly expressing her regret, but when her gaze fell upon the double-fish pendant on Su Zheyun's person, a joyful expression appeared on her face again.The two had just exchanged a few words when a servant came to report that everyone had been waiting for some time.The group then parted ways. Jiang Weixu and Hulan went to the grounds, while Su Zheyun followed the guide up several stone steps.The ancients said: A gentleman's six arts. Both charioteering and archery were among the six arts, so it was rare for a young man of a noble family not to be skilled in them, and even women often had some knowledge.Thus, on the viewing platform, when Su Zheyun lifted the curtain and entered, all he could see were noble ladies of distinguished families. At this moment, bearing the identity of a man, a trace of shame rose in his heart, so he casually found a corner to sit in."Excuse me, may I pass?"A clear and beautiful voice lingered by his ear. Before Su Zheyun could react, a stunning beauty dressed in a lotus-colored moonlight skirt sat down beside him, carrying a faint fragrance, her skin as white as snow, her face like that of Chang'e.Su Zheyun held his breath, meeting the gaze of this celestial beauty, his heartbeat quickening by several beats."Cui Lingyi."Cui Lingyi spoke first. Her attire today was even more elegant than at last night's banquet, with a red mole on her forehead particularly eye-catching."Su Zheyun."Su Zheyun immediately responded warmly and politely, then subtly averted his gaze and began to focus on the activity in the riding grounds.As a "man," it was always improper to stare at an unmarried young lady.The hunting grounds were vast and open, with only a small hill to the north, also enclosed within the area.Quite a few women were participating, so servants released various small caged animals to ensure they wouldn't return empty-handed.Hulan had seen all kinds of wild beasts on the grasslands, so she naturally had no interest in these. She followed the main group into the woods to the north."I heard Mr. Su is twenty years old. Why haven't you started a family yet?"Why does everyone ask this question?Su Zheyun gave Cui Lingyi a slow smile, inwardly regretting that he had been too honest when creating his false household registration, forgetting that in ancient times, twenty was no longer young."Previously, my family was poor, and my younger sister was frail and often ill, so I never had the chance to attend to it."Several familiar faces rode into the forest, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.In the poplar forest, everyone scattered in pursuit of prey. Zhao Jing rode his horse slowly, chatting idly alongside Jiang Weixu.The whistling wind sounded in their ears, and the horses' hooves made no sound as they stepped onto the soft grass.Suddenly, several birds startled into flight from the east. A commotion and cries of surprise caused the two to immediately tighten their reins.Without much thought, they exchanged a glance and immediately turned their horses to follow the sound.Deep within, towering ancient trees soared into the clouds, their dense branches and leaves blocking most of the sunlight.In the shadows, Hulan had already drawn her light bow taut, and several wild rabbits hanging from her horse's tail were still dripping blood.When Jiang Weixu arrived, Hulan was confronting a tiger. Its stripes were deep black like ink, its shoulders and back broad as a small hill, its four paws sharp-clawed, its front body slightly lowered—a posture ready to attack its prey.Hulan had gone east with Jiang Chenghe, but Jiang Weixu looked around and found no trace of the Crown Prince.The tiger's pupils were murky yellow, and seizing the right moment, it lunged toward Hulan. Hulan's arrow flew from her hand, striking the tiger's back, but the fierce beast's momentum did not diminish, still charging forward.Jiang Weixu drew his sword and stepped forward, forcing the tiger to divert its attention, allowing Hulan to find an opening to escape. Zhao Jing fired several arrows from the side, restraining the tiger's movements. The group immediately spurred their horses apart, spreading out to form an encirclement.The tiger lunged repeatedly but missed, growing increasingly furious. A low growl rumbled deep in its chest as its front claws gouged several deep furrows into the ground. It abruptly changed targets and lunged at Jiang Weixu, who was closest.The cold, sharp sword pierced through flesh and sinew, reaching bone. The tiger let out a muffled roar, its chest heaving violently with labored breaths.Hulan seized the opportunity to toss the wild hare she had at hand. The scent of fresh blood indeed drew the tiger's attention, and it crept toward the bait bit by bit.The three of them were using this opening to put distance between themselves and the beast when suddenly a hidden arrow shot through the air.The wounded tiger was enraged anew, and without a thought, it lunged at Hulan.Hulan had no time to dodge—the tiger's gaping maw was already at her feet in an instant. At the critical moment, Jiang Chenghe's arrow pierced the tiger's skull, deep red blood streaming down the shaft. The tiger thrashed in place for a few moments, staining a large patch of grass beneath it crimson, before going completely still.Jiang Chenghe emerged from the woods in black robes and ordered his men to carry the tiger away. Seeing that Hulan was still shaken, he approached her and spoke in a low, soothing voice."Are you hurt, Princess? Don't be afraid—I've shot it dead. I'll have the tiger pelt delivered to you later."Hulan forced a faint smile. Jiang Weixu rode up as well, questioning the timing of Jiang Chenghe's appearance with a hint of mockery in his tone."Wasn't His Royal Highness with the Princess? How is it that I didn't see you when I arrived?"Hearing this, a trace of regret surfaced on Jiang Chenghe's gentle features, and he spoke with sincere earnestness. "It was my negligence. I spotted a white fox and gave chase without a second thought. I never imagined it would put the Princess in danger."Hulan smiled faintly and did not press the matter, simply dismissing it as an accident.Seeing Zhao Jing emerge from the woods, Cui Lingyi rose and stepped forward a few paces. Su Zheyun also looked over. The Crown Prince, Prince Duan, and the Princess all rode out one after another, followed by several servants pulling a flatbed cart upon which lay the tiger's corpse—unmistakably so.Most of the noble ladies in the stands had only ever read about such a sight in books; this was their first time witnessing it in person. They gathered at the railing, exclaiming in astonishment.Su Zheyun paused her hand, which had been idly swirling her teacup, and stood beside Cui Lingyi, silently condemning the act of harming a protected animal.Cui Lingyi continued their casual conversation, her tone as warm as ever, like a spring breeze to the listener."Master Su, with such talent at a young age, why not sit for the imperial examinations? Having a scholarly title would help you establish yourself and settle down."Su Zheyun gave a self-deprecating smile. Recalling the top scholar's examination paper she had seen in the museum, she felt a wave of hesitation."I am but shallow in learning and talent. I can only offer advice to others at best. I dare not dream of earning a title through the examinations."Out on the field, Jiang Weixu's figure appeared beside Hulan, walking shoulder to shoulder with the Crown Prince."Go and try it. I'll help you."The words came out of nowhere, catching Su Zheyun off guard. Shock flickered across her face. Cui Lingyi's gaze did not waver—her limpid eyes suddenly gleamed with sharp determination, fixed squarely on her."You only need to agree to one thing, and I will grant you a name on the honor roll and a lifetime of glory. Master Su, do you want it?"Before Su Zheyun could answer, a sudden burst of gasps erupted from the stands. She whipped her head around to see that chaos had broken out on the horse grounds—danger at every turn.
Chapter 7: Danger — "Mr. Su, I'll Give You a Path to the Heavens"By the time the banquet ended, it was nearly the hour of human stillness. The capital had a curfew, and the clamor on the long streets had faded, leaving only a few scattered figures packing up their stalls.Before Yaoguang Hall, the rumble of carriage wheels was unceasing, dense as rain.Jiang Weixu sat inside the carriage. The incense burner beside him was firmly set into the rosewood table, faint glimmers of light within, followed by wisps of blue smoke curling upward.Two light knocks came at the window—subtle vibrations, yet not lost on one who had lived in a military camp. Then, from outside the carriage, came Su Zheyun's clear voice."Your Highness, I have important matters to discuss."The carriage was spacious inside. Su Zheyun sat at some distance from Jiang Weixu, the cushion beneath her soft and pliant. The fabrics of their garments did not touch at all.Lin Chengyun drove with practiced skill, the carriage steady on the road, the hoofbeats even and rhythmic."Your Highness, earlier in the hall, when the Crown Prince had me go on the hunt—why did you agree?"The scent of ambergris spread through the air, reaching Jiang Weixu's nose."Why not agree? Hulan will be there tomorrow as well. Even if the Crown Prince hadn't said anything, I would have brought you along.""But I don't know how to ride a horse!" Su Zheyun's frustration lodged in her chest. "I can't shoot a bow, I can't drink, I can't do anything. I truly don't know what I'd do there.""You don't need to know how. Not many among those going can ride or shoot either. There's a viewing platform in the hunting grounds—you and Hulan can stay there.""Your Highness, I can help you ruin the Crown Prince's schemes. But I still want to say: no matter how things develop from here, my heart already belongs to someone. I will not marry a princess."A wave of irritation surged in Jiang Weixu's chest. He pulled open the inner layer of the bamboo curtain. "As you wish. But the Crown Prince's faction is full of scheming minds. I'll send Lu Xun to stay by your side. Don't get into conflict with them—just sit alone on the fishing platform."Su Zheyun nodded, lowering her head to trace the double-fish jade pendant at her waist."What about the lotus pendant I gave you?" Jiang Weixu glanced at her and suddenly asked.Su Zheyun's hand stilled. She blinked and thought hard for a moment."I put it in a brocade box in the wardrobe. Does Your Highness need it?""No need. Since I gave it to you, it's yours. Wear it again tomorrow—I think the Crown Prince's expression will be even more interesting than tonight's."Su Zheyun gazed at him quietly. She felt his dislike of the Crown Prince was no longer simple factional rivalry—there was also a hint of… physical aversion?That aside, she had grown up in such an environment and was extremely sensitive to others' emotional shifts. But she wasn't foolish enough to pry into gossip right in front of the person involved. She kept her head down, listening to the wheels grinding over stone bricks.A crow cawed hoarsely, hidden somewhere unknown. The bright moon hung high in the sky, and the night watchman's gong dispersed into the air along the streets.Yutang set the next day's attire on the table. The hunting grounds would be dusty, and though Su Zheyun wouldn't be participating, Yutang still chose a narrow-sleeved shenyi for her. She used a silver hook to trim the candle wick and was about to withdraw when Su Zheyun called out."Yutang, have the Crown Prince and His Highness ever had a falling out? The atmosphere at the banquet tonight felt strange."Yutang opened her mouth several times, but her voice remained stuck in her throat."Not that I know of… His Highness's behavior is probably related to Consort Rong and the late Empress." Yutang hesitated. "I entered the palace late. By the time I was serving at the Consort's side, the late Empress had already passed. The Consort held the highest favor in the harem. I only heard a few idle words from the palace elders—nothing more, and I don't know the details.""What idle words?" Su Zheyun's eyes curved, her face full of curiosity. Not that she could help it—who wouldn't want to hear a bit of court secret? Especially concerning her direct superior. Of course she wanted to find out."Something about the late Empress resenting Consort Rong's favor, which made His Majesty disgusted with her and confined her to her palace. The Empress grew depressed and passed away not long after."Just rumors, nothing substantive. Su Zheyun was a little disappointed. But then again, if Yutang were the type to gossip freely, she probably wouldn't be so trusted by the Consort.The candle flame flickered. Su Zheyun rested her head on her hands, staring blankly at the patterns on the bed curtain.If only she had some connections. A faint sigh echoed through the bed. Yutang was only someone from the inner courtyard—she couldn't find out much. Lu Xun was Jiang Weixu's trusted man, so she didn't dare ask him. Who else was there?Zhao Jing… Cui Lingyi… Faces flashed through her mind one by one. She yawned, her eyelids growing heavier and heavier.…Li Jin… Shen… Her mind suddenly snapped awake. Su Zheyun shot up from the bed.Right—there was her colleague, Shen Bingwen! If not for his mourning period, the task of offending the Crown Prince wouldn't have fallen to her.The more she thought, the clearer it became. Shen Bingwen seemed easy to get along with. If she worked hard to build good relations with her colleague, what news couldn't she dig up? Her work would become twice as efficient with half the effort.Having made up his mind, Su Zheyun finally relaxed his body, and before long, he was embracing the thin quilt, meeting the Duke of Zhou in his dreams.Deep pool, falling petals, a night without dreams.
Plotting with My Wife