Chapter 108 |
The autumn hunt took place at Lanlin.
A vast imperial hunting ground located north of the capital.
Just getting there required a full day's journey.
Setting off at dawn, they would arrive by evening. Fast riders were dispatched ahead to set up tents on the hunting ground's grasslands.
The rest followed with the main procession. The accompanying imperial consorts were all those holding high rank: the Empress, Consort Lan, Consort De, Consort Wen, Consort Xuan, Concubine Ruan, Concubine Yi, and others.
The wives and concubines of the princes did not come. The eldest prince's consort was caring for their daughter, while the third prince's consort was with child, unsuitable for long travel, and was resting at home.
The former dynasty designated specific names for the seasonal hunts, aligning with the principles of heaven, earth, and the four seasons: the Spring Search, Summer Crop Protection, Autumn Hunting, and Winter Hunt.
This dynasty did not place great emphasis on hunting excursions, so they were generally all referred to simply as hunts.
Qu Dubian did not ride in a carriage; he was on horseback, following along outside.
"Sister!" Qu Dubian tossed over a small bag of snacks. "For Sihe, you can share them."
Princess Sihe said obediently, "Thank you, brother."
Qu Dubian replied with a smile, "You're welcome."
After the early summer passed, he had turned thirteen. Now, in autumn, he was a little over thirteen. His growth in height wasn't as rapid as before, but he was still growing at a normal pace.
Only, his calves would still occasionally cramp, waking him in pain at night.
From behind, he already looked like a graceful young lad.
They traveled with Emperor Chongzhao in the very center of the procession, with the Imperial Guards and the Eastern Depot ahead and behind.
Qu Dubian looked back. There were too many people; he couldn't see where Xiao Chun was, but he did spot the Second Prince and the Fifth Prince riding side by side, talking and laughing.
Since Fifth Brother established his own residence outside the palace, his relationship with Second Brother seemed quite good; they were often seen talking together.
The Fifth Prince smiled at him. "Little Seven, mind your riding. Don't fall off."
Qu Dubian acknowledged him and didn't look their way again.
By the afternoon, riding continuously was tiring. Qu Dubian went to Emperor Chongzhao's carriage—it was spacious and steady inside. If he could hitch a ride on the luxurious carriage, he certainly wasn't going elsewhere.
The carriage even contained an ice cabinet.
The ice cabinet was exquisitely crafted, every detail meticulously carved, and it held chilled fruits, the cool air and fruity fragrance filling the space.
Emperor Chongzhao handed him a handkerchief. "Wipe your sweat."
Qu Dubian took it, wiped his face, and then started picking at the melons and fruits in the ice cabinet. "You really know how to live in luxury!" He sniffed the air. "Change the incense, Father. I'd like to smell 'Wood Green Fruit.' It's autumn, after all; better to have something refreshing."
Emperor Chongzhao glanced at him but said nothing. Instead, he unhurriedly extinguished the incense currently burning in the carriage and retrieved an exquisite small jar from a compartment beneath the seat.
"Always so particular. But how did you know I brought Wood Green Fruit?"
He lifted the carriage curtain to let in fresh air, waiting until the previous scent had mostly dissipated before lighting the new incense.
The new fragrance drifted subtly.
The refreshing aroma, combined with the coolness from the ice cabinet, lifted one's spirits even more.
Qu Dubian stated matter-of-factly, "I've been fond of this scent lately and keep taking it from your place, so of course you'd have brought some."
"Cheeky! It's just a coincidence."
Emperor Chongzhao chuckled lightly and also picked at some of the chilled fruit.
Since his ascension to the throne, he hadn't had many opportunities for outings. This was a chance to give himself a few days off, to relax and enjoy.
Qu Dubian ate for a while longer, then stealthily touched the ice cabinet. "Father, do you think this ice cabinet is heavy?"
Emperor Chongzhao: "This is a small one. Probably a few dozen pounds."
Qu Dubian: "Really? I don't believe it. Let me lift it and see."
With that, he simply picked up the ice cabinet and, before Emperor Chongzhao could react, dashed out of the carriage. "Hahaha, it's mine now!!"
Emperor Chongzhao: "………"
The palace attendants who usually served outside the Zichen Hall watched as the Seventh Prince made off with yet another item from His Majesty, then calmly averted their gaze.
From inside the carriage came an angry shout: "Qu Xiaoqi!!"
But in the end, he didn't order anyone to retrieve it.
He was the emperor; wrestling something back from his son? How utterly mortifying!
Eunuch Yu couldn't help but sigh softly, instructing a young eunuch in a low voice to have another ice cabinet brought up.
Qu Dubian had originally intended to take the ice cabinet to Consort Xuan's carriage, but he noticed that Consort Xuan had been riding her horse the entire time, gazing at the surrounding scenery, never returning to her carriage to rest.
He gave the ice cabinet to his sister and Sihe's carriage, then glanced again at Consort Xuan.
Consort Xuan was gazing into the vast distance. Over twenty years.
This was her first time leaving the palace as well.
Qu Dubian did not disturb her.
-
By evening, the main procession arrived at the Lanlin Hunting Ground.
Tents were already pitched on the grassland, bonfires lit in open spaces, the aroma of roasting meat wafting through the air.
Eunuch Bao was part of the advance team that had arrived earlier. He had arranged everything meticulously: who stayed where, what to eat in the evening, how many meals to prepare, dietary restrictions, and so on—all orderly and well-organized.
The encampment was spread out over a large area, with living quarters spaced at intervals.
The imperial consorts were naturally separated from the princes. The princesses were situated near the consorts, their tents located behind the emperor's tent.
The princes' tents formed a protective circle around Emperor Chongzhao's in other directions.
Further out were the areas where the guards and Imperial Guards were stationed.
Since tent assignments were based on age order, Qu Dubian's lodging was at the very end, in a very quiet spot. Ye Xiaoyuan had tidied it up cleanly and comfortably, arranging all of Qu Dubian's belongings according to his habits.
After a simple evening meal, Emperor Chongzhao instructed them to rest early and perform well at the autumn hunt the next day.
The Fourth Prince came to visit Qu Dubian, and the two went out for a stroll together to look at the night sky.
Following behind the Fourth Prince was an unfamiliar face—a man with a long scar on his right cheek and scattered burn marks, holding a sword, silent and reserved.
Qu Dubian: "Fourth Brother, who is this with you?"
Fourth Prince: "Oh, his name is Leng Yue. He came seeking my patronage. His skills are quite good, and coincidentally, he shares my mother's surname. There's a bit of fate there. So, after testing him, I took him on as a guard. It saves my mother from worrying that I have no one to protect me."
Leng Yue cupped his hands toward Qu Dubian. "Greetings, Seventh Prince."
Qu Dubian grew interested. "Care for a spar? Liuliu hardly ever fights with me anymore, and Xia Fuyang has left too. It gets lonely by myself."
Leng Yue glanced at him and lowered his head. "I wouldn't dare."
The Fourth Prince said with a smile, "He trained in the south; his techniques differ somewhat from ours here. If you want to try his style, come to my residence once we're back in the capital."
Qu Dubian: "That works too."
The two wandered around. When they neared the Sixth Prince's tent, they saw Consort Lan entering. She likely had matters to discuss with the Sixth Prince. Not long after, the Fifth Prince also went in.
Qu Dubian shrugged. "I was thinking of chatting with Fifth Brother, but it seems there's no chance now."
Fourth Prince: "Never mind them. Come on, let's sneak some skewers from the camp kitchen."
Qu Dubian: "Let's go, let's go."
-
Inside the Sixth Prince's tent.
Consort Lan sat on a chair, while the Sixth Prince lay sprawled over a table, listlessly eating fruit.
The Fifth Prince stood respectfully before Consort Lan.
"Since you have now established your own princely residence and can speak in court, you must help Little Six start building his connections. This way, when Little Six establishes his own residence and leaves the palace in a little over a year, he won't have to start from nothing."
Fifth Prince: "Understood."
Consort Lan chuckled softly: "I have heard you have been getting quite close to the Second Prince. Are you thinking of switching allegiances? The Second Prince's hearth is a cold one, is it easy to warm?"
The Fifth Prince looked puzzled, then understanding, he explained: "Your Ladyship misunderstands. My closeness with Second Brother is also to rely on him to secure my footing at court. Eldest Brother and Third Brother are fighting too fiercely; if I got involved, it might backfire."
"Now that Sixth Brother is not yet of age, and I am out here alone, it's better to be prudent," he said sincerely. "Please rest assured, Consort Lan. All your support over the years, and the care Sixth Brother has shown me, I see it all and keep it in my heart. I would never commit such an act of ingratitude."
Consort Lan scrutinized him for a moment before nodding with satisfaction. "Good, as long as you know. When your mother was alive, I gave her much guidance. All these years, it has been I who supported you. Now it is time for you to repay that. Do not disappoint me."
The Fifth Prince smiled slightly: "I certainly will not."
Consort Lan then turned to the Sixth Prince. "Stop playing around. I secured for you the duty of hanging the grass wreaths and planting the flags on the horses tomorrow. It's very simple, just to let you appear more often before your father."
"Last time your father was ill, you barely went to see him. He might hold a grudge and isn't paying much attention to you anymore. You must take this chance to win back his favor."
The Sixth Prince pouted. "I went, he just didn't wake up."
Consort Lan feigned anger: "Did you hear me or not!"
Sixth Prince: "I heard, I heard, I'm not deaf."
Consort Lan gave them detailed instructions before finally leaving.
The Fifth Prince kept what they discussed in mind and went to his own tent.
-
The next day.
Early in the morning.
Qu Dubian yawned, feeling sleepy. He circulated his internal energy technique once and felt much more alert.
He changed into his riding and archery attire and selected a suitable bow. "Liuliu."
Yi Shier appeared: "Yes."
Qu Dubian: "The consorts and princesses will also be on the field. Consort Xuan will definitely go, and my elder sister might go. Follow them discreetly, don't let them fall."
Yi Shier nodded: "Then, Your Highness, please be careful yourself."
Qu Dubian: "Don't worry, I'll just be hunting small rabbits on the outskirts."
Once ready, he took Ye Xiaoyuan to the starting point of the hunt.
Imperial guards stood guard on both sides, banners fluttering.
War drums thundered, stirring the hearts of all.
The six princes, Princess Zhiyi, Consort Xuan, Consort De, and a host of civil and military officials' children who came to make up the numbers, all sat astride their horses, looking dashing and heroic.
The Sixth Prince was going from one to another, hanging grass wreaths on their horses and planting small flags.
Hanging the grass wreath meant crowning the horse, encouraging it to strive. Each small flag was a different color. Whoever shot a prey would plant a flag of their color on it, to mark and count it.
After he finished hanging and planting for everyone, he cupped his hands towards where Emperor Chongzhao was seated. "Reporting to Father Emperor, all preparations are complete."
Emperor Chongzhao smiled: "Well done."
Consort Lan said with a light laugh: "It is all due to Your Majesty's excellent guidance."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Return to your position!"
The Sixth Prince then went to his own horse and mounted it.
He whispered to Qu Dubian: "I'm exhausted."
Qu Dubian laughed: "Tired already? The hunt is still to come."
He looked towards the First Prince and Third Prince. Even with the Second Prince between them, the tension was so thick it was about to explode. Both were eager to compete for first place.
The war drums suddenly stopped.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Begin!"
Everyone on horseback whipped their horses and charged forward.