Chapter 184: The Royal Hunt

June second— heaven favored—yesterday rain—today blazing sun—mountain muddy—lately same—
Luo Tan stretched—room full ice—Longye long hot summer—still cool—
Maid—"Where today—"
Pile toys—"Ask Doctor Gao—"
"Young Master Gao out—back tomorrow night—" Maid—"Want out—Manor guards—I'll follow—buy what you like—"
"Patient—"
Smile no answer—
Wave—"Then wander—"
Month in Longye—with Gao Yang—he said healers borderless—youth wandered—settled Longye—this estate his—strange but all say so—no doubt—
Shen letter man sent back—consort agreed take Tan—care her—how lied—Shen people stopped—
Shen matter closed—Tan schemed—play Longye first—then tell cousin—now tell—sent back—food fun not enough—
Yard—wall street noise—"What's outside—"
"Royal Hunt—sixty-year rite—Emperor inner hunt—Imperial Guard passing—crowds cheer—"
Likes crowds—"Let's look—see Emperor—"
Maid face changed—"Crowds—canopy—can't see—"
Flat—maid—"Prepare snacks—later anywhere—"
"Go—" Alone—sneak back gate—"Far peek—fine—"
Gone—
……
Shen Miao dressed—Xie emerged—
Hunt day—riding clothes—narrow sleeves high collar—belt—green boots dark pattern—crisp—fitted—refined young lord—
Brow furrow—"That dress—"
Summer—Jingzhe feared heat stroke—light clothes—silk pants under skirt—wide airy—thin gauze top—real bodice chest—light purple mist—usually dignified—now faint allure—
Look down—"Not good—"
"Mountain wind—outer layer—"
"……" June—Longye warm—
"Your body hair skin—Xie property—no sunburn—"
"Got it—Jingzhe—outer robe—"
Done—
Outside—Mo Qing Rui guards ready—Bajiao—Jingzhe Guyu stay—Mo Yu female guard Fennel—Bajiao disguise maids—
More thorough—more unease—sixty-year rite—must come—even without—wouldn't stay Manor—right eyelid jumping—
Heavy face—Xie thoughtful—walking—"Why glum—"
"Uneasy—"
"Husband fate thick—" Smirk—"Don't worry—"
Eye roll—no carriage—"Carriage not ready—"
Smile—pulled to door—Mo Qing horse—Xie mounted—yanked her up—circled arms—
"Carriage slow—" Low—"Archery—ride—"
About speak—cut—"Can't—husband teaches—" Whip—horse neighed—gallop—
Guards followed—back to him—held—startled—fine steed—fast—Xie superb—winding paths—market gasps—he laughed wild—
First life meeting—Guangwen Gate—purple youth high horse—lazy—bold survey—
Breath ear—near cheek—low happy laugh—infected—
She loved freedom—palace wall—distant eagle—horses below—yearned—life trapped—unloved man—children intrigue—
Long since reckless—
Laugh—"Longye rude like Dingjing—"
"More—" Answer—chin on her head—rub—low—"Dingjing never this open—"
Pause—"This Jiaojiao I prefer—"
"Me too—" Laugh—
Xie paused—horse slowed—"You like this me—"
"No—" Laugh—"I like this me—"
Grind teeth—"Jiaojiao—Longye—who teases me dies—"
Laughter summer wind—Fennel Bajiao whisper—"Said cold one-sided—looks fine—"
"Not cold—" Bajiao smile—"Good person—"
……
Morning sun gold—arrived hunt grounds—
Outer flat woods—inner—Flower Peak—dense—steep—beauty—rare beasts—hard—dangerous—
Enclosed before previous emperor—sixty-year rite—monarch inner hunt—male lion offering—
Past emperors danger—Guards followed—usually fine—now Guards worse than none—
Entrance eye-catching—no carriage—one horse two—stunned—Yongle Jing arrived—Jing gasp—"Royal consort—how—so improper—"
Yongle frown—Xie helped down—toward Emperor—
Yongle golden riding dress—young handsome—cold—brothers stole all men—
Bow Emperor—ignored Jing—Jing bite lip—smile at Shen—"Couple devoted—one horse—envy—" Turn—"Prince inner ground—consort follows—"
Before answer—Yongle brow—cold—"She won't—"
Jing stunned—wanted Shen inner—fierce beasts—even with Prince—scare disgrace—Color Summer oath reached Jing—planned suffering—Yongle helped Shen—
Jing bold—not vs Yongle—
Shen clear—not for her—brothers inner dangerous—plans set—extra variable—afraid she ruins—
Xie glance Jing—warning—feared Prince more than father—
Jing quiet—Xie arm—"Brother fine—we stroll—new to Longye—" Ignored Yongle face—left—
Steps—Ji Yushu ran—"Third Brother—sister-in-law—"
Bright face—pawnshop boss—Left Minister son—"Why Third Brother—"
"Huh—" Ji—look Xie—"Didn't tell—"
Shrug—Ji scratch—"Third Cousin actually—cousins ranked—he's third—his mother my aunt—Empress Dowager—cousins—"
Mother and Xie's mother sisters—royal kin—why Xie scolds yet protects—
Hehe—"Mother met sister-in-law—good—virtuous—great lady—if Third Brother slow—" Cough—"blame me Ming Qi didn't marry beauty—"
Calm—"Ji Yushu—want pagoda prison—"
"Joke—" Fled—"Gao Yang here—see him—sister-in-law enjoy—"
Vanished—
Laugh cry—"Gao Yang here—where—"
"Civil minister—late—" Pause—"Defense Minister—"
"I know—"
Smirk—"Investigated Gao Yang—"
Heart moved—speechless—past life tribute—not Xie but Gao—Ding Princess saw—this life Xie never said—she acted always knew—
Didn't press—"Hunt starts—outer with me—rabbits cranes—Si hour inner with brother—guards stay—outer stroll—" Pause—"Aunt here—Ji told her—if late back—go with aunt—Manor—"
"Late back—" Doubt—Ming Qi he always controlled—bad feeling—suspicious tone—
"Prepared—" Wicked—"Two months not up—won't die—"
Push—public—no clowning—felt gaze—Color Summer Ye Madam watching—
Light clothes—far—met eyes—no flinch—smile—uncomfortable—"Ye family hunt too—"
"Ye Mao Chancellor—follows—civil outer only—not inner—" Follow look—"Why focus Ye—trouble—"
"Beware—" Frown—"Ye feel wrong—"
"Brother courting Ye—watched—nothing odd—" Think—caution—"Outer—can't affect—relax—"
Ye turned other ladies—pressed unease—
Time—hunt begins—officials—wives watch—bold outer—quiet wait—
Lu Wan'er came—
Fine riding dress—pretty—without Shen brightest—Jing sister—pampered real—
Shen here—pink frivolous—beside Rui wrong—
Rui Shen harmony—heaven-born—she Ming Qi general daughter—noble steady—seamless—Wan or immortal—wouldn't fit—
Wan oblivious—strange looks—approached—eyes on Xie—sweet voice honey—
"Consort—surprise meet—Color Summer like old friends—wanted meet—fate—" Polite—nothing like banquet rage—
Inward laugh—thinks Xie believes—other ladies present—won't hide truth—"like old friends"—"hate to bone—"
Before answer—to Xie—eyes adoration—soft—"Prince majestic—saw in sister's chamber—praised my zither—practiced—when free—guide again—"
Stunned—look Xie—public—wouldn't lie—really praised zither—
Suspicious look—Xie smirk—"Unhappy—"
Turn away—
Shrug—to Wan—face changed—lazy gone—
"Accompanying Emperor—Jing said Fourth Sister plays—Emperor listen—I said—matches magpies—Fourth Miss—can't tell sarcasm praise—need teacher for brain—"
Nearly laughed—Wan dull—Xie never spares face—
Wan red—
That day—heart on face—didn't hear—thought praise—now joke—dumb—
Slow scan—"Emperor's brother—consort chamber talk—don't—else think you provoke—I can't bear charge—" Pulled Shen—left Wan—
Pitiful fool—"Lu so powerful—daughters like this—" Jing Wan—like past Shen—but Shen cultivated—theirs birth daughters—
"Mind on court—children neglected—daughters indulged—train sons—"
Clear—wealth—daughters marry well—spoiled fine—backing—
Edge—officials wives horses—Tieyi two horses—black tall—chestnut small—helped her chestnut—he black—
Yongle moving—Guard ready inner—
Drums rhythm—ancient—faster—archer high platform—arrow—golden fruit—final drum—
Hunt began—
Xie Shen outer—Mo Qing few—allowed guards—outer safe daylight—precaution—
"When inner—" Riding—long since—gentle horse easy—
"Brother signals Si hour—then I go—" Straight—"Now stroll—want fox—"
"Fox—"
Reins pulled—"Follow—"
Hunt master—not Prince—village hunter—rich—hundred paces not boast—witnessed—deadly aim—short time—saddle full small game—
"What else—" Proud—"I'll get—"
About speak—Yang rushed—gasping—"Master—bad—Emperor entered inner—no signal—Tieyi search—no shadow—hoofprints Flower Peak base—"
"Inner—" Brow—"no signal alone—" Flash—roar—"Damn—"