Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 41

The spring hunt began the next day.

The sun appeared over the distant mountain peaks, creating beautiful scenery outside the mountain.

Emperor Jiaxuan brought all the civil and military officials and the women of the harem to the Garden Bei of Mount Li.

Sitting on a high platform, the Son of Heaven wore narrow sleeves attire tucked in at the waist, a buttoned jacket with a square collar, a da hat, and white boots. He smiled as he said, “All beloved officials may rise. I’ll be looking toward your talents in this spring hunt.”

After speaking, the emperor raised his arm, and the drums and horns sounded together.

The main stage the Ministry of Works set up this time was huge. The emperor sat on the left, with trustees and eunuchs sitting beside him, the empress on his right, and beside her were the high-ranking concubines and the womenfolk of the princes’ mansion.

The men of the aristocratic families left in batches to participate in the hunt. The edges of the blades shone, and the banners provided covered the onlookers from the sun. The insects buzzed, and the deer wailed; there was never a quiet moment.

The side of the womenfolk was the same as before. At first glance, it seemed happy and harmonious, but in fact, it was full of dark waves.

Concubine Jing looked at the verdant trees under the sun and said quietly, “This Garden Bei of Mount Li is the epitome of spring, making people refreshed.”

This Imperial Concubine Jing was the most doted on concubine recently. Her older brother, Jing Changyi, had been a mere seventh-ranked official. His Majesty later appreciated him for his outstanding work, and with the favor given to Concubine Jing, he was now a fifth-ranked official in the Ministry of War.

There were rumors inside and outside the palace that this Concubine Jing wanted to see the beauty of Mount Li, making His Majesty choose it as the spring hunt site.

Empress Chu glanced at her and said, “If Concubine Jing likes it, she might as well stay inside this deep mountain for a few more days.”

Everyone couldn’t help but curl their lips.

What a vixen.

Empress Chu snorted lightly.

Concubine Jing knew that the empress didn’t like her, so she lowered her head and looked at Emperor Jiaxuan timidly—

But at this moment, the sound of the arrow traveling in the wind was prominent. Even the emperor, who had always loved women, left with the galloping horses.

***

An eagle circled the sky above the encircled area. Noticing this, Xiao Yu pulled the reins, stared at it for a moment, and suddenly raised his arms, pulled the bowstring into a full moon shape, and quickly let go of his thumb holding the arrow.

Thunk—

The arrow left the string, flew into the air as fast as lightning, and pierced the eagle’s neck. Almost at the same time, another arrow pierced the eagle’s wings.

Su Huai’an, the eldest son of the Duke of Zhen, shot the last arrow.

The minor official in charge of counting waved the flag and announced that the eagle belonged to Prince Jin.

There was a rule in circle hunting: if more than one arrow hit simultaneously, the winner would be judged by the place where the arrows fell.

The upper part, the neck, was valued over all else.

Xiao Yu and Su Huai’an turned their heads, smiling at each other.

With thin spring clothes, the gentleman rides a horse through the spring breeze. The two really deserved this sentence.

Seeing the heroic and valiant two, everyone could only sigh that the daughter of the Su family was lucky.

At this point, Empress Chu finally smiled, looked at Su Ling, and teased her, “Ah Ling, Prince Jin’s and Young Master Su’s archery skills are so outstanding; why haven’t you learned from them?”

Su Ling smiled. “To answer Imperial Mother, Ah Ling has asked His Highness for advice recently.”

Empress Chu rubbed the Buddhist beads in her hand, raised her eyebrows, and smiled, “Oh?”

Su Ling said, “Compared to the last time, I should’ve improved a bit.”

When Su Ling took the initiative to mention the last time, Empress Chu smiled and said loudly, “Good. Then today Bengong will add your fortune.”

Empress Chu raised her hand, took off a pure gold phoenix-tail tassel, and handed it over to the young eunuch at the side. The eunuch received it with both hands and put it on a tray.

Two hours later, the Ministry of War announced the result on the stage.

At the same time, Princess Changning, bedecked with glittering jewels and a pink satin cloak, walked over. “Changning sees Imperial Mother.”

“You’re dispensed. Sit quickly.” Empress Chu turned to Zhaoyi Sun. “I heard that Changning was resting in the Southern Park after suffering from the chill. Why is she here already?”

Zhaoyi Sun shook her head slightly, “This concubine can’t control her.”

Changning sat beside Su Ling and looked at the distance for a while before greeting the other party, “Third Imperial Sister-in-law, in the performance over?”

Although this little princess looked well-behaved and pleasant, she was very playful. A mere fever wouldn’t affect her throwing arrows into the pot and shooting arrows.

Princess Consort Cheng smiled and said, “Yes, the game is over.”

Princess Consort Yan teased, “Princess came a little late. The son of the Duke of Zhen, the son of the Duke of Qi, and the little marquis of Yongnan have just finished…”

There was something in Princess Yan’s words, and everyone could understand it.

The princess was not yet married, and a scene like today’s gathering of young talents was definitely an excellent opportunity to choose a husband.

Changning let out a soft ‘oh’ and followed the stream, “What a pity, what a pity.”

She didn’t care at all about who was there just now. What son of the Duke of Zhen and what son of the Duke of Qi? They were all men with two legs; what was so good about them?

Princess Changning ate two grapes and asked Su Ling, “How about Third Brother? Is he number one again?”

Among the three princes, only Xiao Yu had led soldiers at the border, and as expected.

Su Ling nodded. “Yes.”

Immediately afterward, Changning asked Princess Cheng and Princess Yan, “What about the second one?”

According to experience, the second one was either Prince Cheng or Prince Yan.

But Princess Cheng replied, “The second one today is Lord Su, the official of the Supreme Court.”

Changning frowned and thought for a while. Lord Su… Oh, wasn’t he the elder brother of the Third Sister-in-law?

Since he was the son of the Duke of Zhen, this result was reasonable.

But these things were just a flash to Princess Changning. She quickly raised her head and said to Empress Chu, “Imperial Mother, when shall we start?”

“You child. Be patient. Warm up your body first.” Empress Chu told the palace maid, “Bring over a bowl of ginger soup for the princess.”

Along with the ginger soup came Su Huai’an, the relative of the Third Prince.

Su Huai’an appeared here because for this spring hunt, the womenfolk needed the docile Hequ horses, and these Hequ horses all came from the Su family.

Su Huai’an stepped forward, cupped his hands in salute, and said, “Reporting to the empress, this official has prepared the Hequ horses and the light bows. We can enter the shooting range now.”

Empress Chu smiled at Princess Changning. “Changning, did you hear that? You can go pick a horse now.”

Changning put down the ginger soup in her hand and raised her head in response.

When she raised her head, she happened to meet Su Huai’an’s eyes.

The man’s face was like the best jade, with a smile in his eyes. His body was like a lone pine by the cliff, independent, tall, and lofty. Suddenly, the sky was beautiful, and the wind blew slowly, creating a breathtaking scene.

Changning looked at him motionlessly as if wanting to make a hole.

The imperial princess’ gaze could be described as straightforward and pure in curiosity. He also had eyes, so how could he ignore her?

Still taken aback, Su Huai’an bowed again, “This official sees the princess.”

Changning suddenly grasped the bowl tightly, and the hairpin on her head swayed in the wind.

Even years later, she would still remember the man who appeared before her in such an ordinary but also extraordinary way.

Changning didn’t answer for a long time, and everyone started to notice something was wrong. Su Ling touched her and said, “Changning, let’s go. I will accompany you to pick a horse and a bow.”

Princess Changning only regained her senses then. After getting up and walking away, she couldn’t help but look back again, but Su Huai’an had turned back long ago.

Women’s horseback riding and archery used targets instead of wild animals. It was certainly not as lively as the hunting just now, but the emperor was very supportive unexpectedly.

The womenfolk arrived at the shooting range one by one, chose their light bow, and selected their horse.

Empress Chu looked ahead and said to Xiao Yu, “Third Son, I heard that you taught Ah Ling archery?”

Xiao Yu looked at Su Ling’s back on the horse and said with a sudden smile, “Yes, Imperial Mother can expect something.”

Empress Chu looked at the man’s deep smile and couldn’t help turning the beads in her hand.

After years, the young couples developed relationships in the end.

Boom, boom, boom, boom—

The sound of drums in the shooting range got faster and faster, and the cheers came and went. It was very lively.

Princess Cheng’s archery skills were more refined than last time. With ten arrows, six hit the target. Princess Yan wasn’t as good, only hitting twice. And after a while, it was Su Ling’s turn.

Since she had made fun of herself last time, everyone’s eyes were on her this time as she drew the string.