RPAGF Chapter 125 Male and Female Teams
Chapter 125 Male and Female Teams
These words caused the atmosphere to become awkward once again.
Although Consort Chu was once the favorite concubine of the young emperor, her clansmen had colluded with the enemy and she had been imprisoned. She herself was banished to the cold palace and eventually "died of illness".
To compare Consort Qiao to such a criminal in public is far too reckless of Prince Lu.
Chu Qingyin raised her eyes to look at Prince Lu, her expression calm, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. "Prince Lu, your words are too kind to this concubine. How could this concubine compare to the Noble Consort?"
That was His Majesty's "beloved one," whose title had never been stripped even though his clansmen had betrayed the country and colluded with the enemy.
Thinking of this, Chu Mingning felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. But in the end, she was poisoned and died in the cold palace, and the young emperor who "deeply loved" her never appeared even once.
When the past was brought up, Pei Yuanling's expression was not good, and anger was already showing between his brows.
Looking down at the emperor, his gaze darkened slightly: "Sixth brother, today is a hunting banquet, so don't dwell on these old matters."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I misspoke. Please forgive me."
Prince Lu chuckled awkwardly for a while, then picked up his wine cup and raised it slightly towards Chu Qingyin: "I will punish myself with three cups, punish myself with three cups!"
After saying that, he actually drank three cups by himself, and his face flushed.
Chu Qingyin pursed her lips, glanced at the man beside her, and her charming eyes revealed a hint of grievance.
Pei Yuanling subtly squeezed her fingers, then glanced at Prince Lu with a warning look, "Don't mention this matter again."
Prince Lu quickly agreed.
Chu Qingyin lowered her head, her hair hanging down her temples, swaying gently in the breeze fanned by her maid Xianglan, staring thoughtfully at the candied fruit in the dish.
Lu Zhiheng, who was sitting in the front, never joined their conversation, but his gaze seemed to drift over Chu Qingyin, as if trying to discern something from her behavior.
Empress Wang echoed the emperor's sentiments, showing a strong sense of harmony between husband and wife. The atmosphere only became lively again when she suggested having dancers to entertain the guests.
Perhaps because of this little incident, Chu Qingyin lost all appetite.
Lunch continued in this somewhat delicate atmosphere, with occasional soft conversations and the clinking of bowls and chopsticks.
After everyone finished their meal and rested for a while, they went to the hunting grounds again to begin the much-anticipated hunting feast.
The hottest part of the day had passed, and the thickening clouds blocked out the scorching sun. A mountain breeze brought a touch of coolness.
Chu Qingyin had just sweated, and her back felt sticky, so she went back into the tent to change into a brand-new riding outfit before going out with Xianglan.
Just a few steps from the tent, they saw Qiao Qingling talking to the Empress, surrounded by several noble ladies, including the Empress's younger sister, Wang Jingyi.
Chu Qingyin glanced towards the training ground; Pei Yuanling had already gone to compete in archery and horsemanship with several ministers.
Perhaps because of the dark clouds, the sky was rather gloomy, and a faint unease inexplicably rose in her heart.
As Chu Qingyin drew closer, Qiao Qingling's tone rose a few decibels, exclaiming, "Sister, you've finally decided to come out! The Empress has been waiting for so long!"
"It was my fault, Your Majesty. I apologize." Chu Qingyin slightly curtsied.
She had changed into a light purple riding outfit, which was more gentle and graceful compared to the dark red one. Her beautiful hair was still all tied up, making her look neat and tidy.
"It's alright, Sister Qiao, please get up."
Empress Wang waved her hand dismissively, and said with a smile, "We haven't been waiting long anyway, so go and play with the others."
When she arrived, Pei Yuanling and the others also rushed back; the hunting banquet was about to begin.
The rules are simple: it's all about who catches more prey.
The Xishan Hunting Ground was a royal hunting ground that had long been fenced off. Forest rangers had enclosed many game animals there, right in the forest. To prevent criminals from infiltrating, the hunting ground was set up on the mountainside, with dense forests stretching for hundreds of miles around, and beyond that, a steep cliff.
However, the cliff is heavily guarded, and ordinary people are not allowed to approach it easily, lest they fall off the cliff.
Pei Yuanling returned after riding two laps, his forehead beaded with sweat. He couldn't help but glance at Chu Qingyin in her purple riding attire.
"Now that everyone is here, let the hunting feast begin."
With a wave of his hand, he ordered his men to bring out the beasts that were kept in cages.
Everyone gathered below the high platform, surrounding Pei Yuanling and the others.
"The same rules apply: whoever hunts the most wins and will be richly rewarded by me!"
Not many concubines from the imperial harem actually participated in the hunt. Chu Qingyin was one of them, while the rest were all noble ladies from the palace, all eager to try. After all, the allure of a set of fine pearl headdresses made by imperial decree was still quite strong.
Just as everyone was preparing to set off, Empress Wang suddenly suggested, "Your Majesty, doing the same thing every year is really getting a bit boring. Why don't we try something new this year?"
Pei Yuanling's brow twitched slightly as he turned to look at Empress Wang. "What suggestions does Your Majesty have?"
After a moment's consideration, Empress Wang voiced her thoughts, "I've noticed that quite a few noble ladies are participating in the hunting banquet this year. How about we pair up men and women and use the game they catch together as the final score? What does Your Majesty think?"
Pei Yuanling pondered for a moment, then glanced at Chu Qingyin.
Hunting as a couple is a good idea; it would also be a good opportunity for him to protect her and prevent any further mishaps.
"That's a good idea. Let's proceed according to the Empress's suggestion."
The emperor and empress were pleased, but the concubines in the harem looked at each other in bewilderment.
According to the Emperor's wishes, he must be with Consort Qiao, but it is not appropriate for these concubines to team up with men outside the palace.
Now I don't know what to do.
"You need not worry. Since His Majesty has decided to be with Consort Qiao, I will also choose suitable partners for you."
Empress Wang smiled, seemingly prepared, and called out a few eunuchs from her entourage, saying, "These few are all top-notch in martial arts in the palace. With them here, there's no need to worry about any mishaps."
"The Empress is indeed very thoughtful."
Pei Yuanling's gaze fell on the faces of those eunuchs, but he couldn't see anything unusual. So the matter was settled.
However, the concubines who had enthusiastically participated in the hunting banquet did not look too pleased when they saw their assigned partners.
They were, after all, imperial concubines. Even if they were not favored, how could they team up with a eunuch?
However, this was the Empress's arrangement, and they dared not object. They could only feel resentful in their hearts and curse the Empress and Consort Qiao, who monopolized His Majesty's position.
Aside from Pei Yuanling, the happiest person was none other than Wang Jingyi.
After receiving the Empress's permission, she immediately went to find Lu Zhiheng to team up.
Surprisingly, apart from her, no other woman sought to team up with Lu Zhiheng. It was unclear whether it was due to shyness or because the Empress had given prior instructions.
In the end, the two still formed a team.
Before long, everyone participating in the hunting feast had formed their teams and were just waiting for the order to rush into the forest and compete for supremacy.