Chapter 284: Chapter 284: Beset by Petty Villains
The next day
Emperor He, supporting the Empress Dowager, entered the scene followed by Empress Zou, leading the concubines participating in this spring hunt.
All present knelt on the ground, respectfully soliciting words of peace.
After Emperor He took his seat, he smiled and said, "No need for such formality, rise quickly. The spring hunt is for relaxing the body and mind, there’s no need for restraint."
As he spoke, he pondered for a moment and casually mentioned, "Last year, if I recall correctly, was it Jin Zhong who won the top spot?"
Empress Zou responded with a light smile, "Yes, Little General Jin indeed. It’s just a pity that he couldn’t come this time as he is recovering from an injury."
Emperor He, with deep emotion, then publicly articulated the challenges faced by military families who often have to be apart from each other.
He was dressed in bright yellow hunting attire, embroidered with finely stitched dragon patterns, clearly ready to participate in the hunt himself. Benevolence and majesty coexisted in him, yet he did not appear harmonious.
Yet it was this very man who had hypocrisy etched into his bones.
Along his path to power, countless were those he had harmed.
Shen Hua witnessed this, clicking her tongue lightly.
"I’ve finally come to understand what a wolf in sheep’s clothing truly means."
Looking at those dignitaries, how seriously they listened, some even wiping the corners of their eyes with their sleeves.
Real and fake.
Shen Hua couldn’t help but turn her head to look at Cui Yun next to her, who appeared indifferent compared to the other officials.
Unable to resist, Shen Hua asked, "Don’t you want to act along a bit?"
"No need."
"Hey, you’re not fitting in."
Shen Hua: "But then again, what is there to mourn on such a fine day?"
As the two conversed softly, the distant sound of drums rose up, signaling the formal start of the spring hunt. Emperor He led the way on horseback, followed by many young nobles with their bows and arrows, displaying their heroic figures.
Xie Xun, accompanied by Xie Yinong, approached them.
He looked at Cui Yun amicably, "It’s rare to see you in action, how about a competition?"
Cui Yun remained calm, "I dare not act discourteously."
Just then, Ji Shimin, dressed in an exquisite riding outfit, walked towards them.
Upon seeing her, Xie Yinong instinctively clenched her fingers. She disliked the Fifth Princess immensely.
And Shen Hua would dislike her even more.
Glancing again at the lingering unspoken understanding in the eyes of the commanded women and Empress Zou seated on the high platform, Shen Hua’s face was expressionless.
Indeed, she almost forgot, the Fifth Princess and Xie Xun, it was the official family’s intention to arrange a marriage.
Ji Shimin was dressed charmingly. She laughingly took Xie Yinong’s hand, showing no airs of a princess.
Xie Yinong, startled, instinctively shuddered.
"Dressed too lightly, that you are so cold?"
Ji Shimin: "Did you like the cherries I sent yesterday?"
Xie Yinong didn’t like them, she didn’t even dare to eat them. But they were a gift from the princess, how could she refuse?
The more Ji Shimin acted this way, the more Xie Yinong resisted.
The palace maid behind Ji Shimin spoke up appropriately, "Those were cherries the princess received from the Empress, a tribute from a vassal state. The princess only got that one plate and gave it all to Lady Xie. It’s clear the princess really likes Lady Xie."
Ji Shimin: "True words, looking at Xie, I just feel a closeness."
Xie Xun intervened timely, "Yining, have you thanked the princess?"
Xie Yinong withdrew her hand and hurriedly bowed, "Thank you for your kindness, princess."
"You’re being too formal."
"Heir Xie, may I join you in the arena later?"
As a military general, Xie Xun naturally appreciated a girl good at horseback shooting. She was a princess proposing such an alliance, who could refuse this splendid opportunity?
Ji Shimin was confident.
She chuckled appropriately, "I have only recently returned to Shengjing, having been recuperating from an illness outside the capital these past years. Just recently I’ve recovered a bit, yet I’m still afraid of an accident."
It’s clear she wears her intentions on her sleeve.
Xie Yining was extremely nervous, worried about how Xie Xun might respond.
Earlier, Ji Shimin had even mentioned cherries; if Xie Xun declined now, it would be quite disrespectful.
But if he did not decline, under everyone’s watchful eyes, he might well get labeled as Prince Consort.
To agree or not to agree, both choices seemed problematic.
Yet, could Shen Yangyang let this princess exploit her favor and succeed?
She squeezed her way forward.
"It might be unfortunate that the princess has arrived late. Heir Xie has an appointment to go hunting with Marquis Cui. If he were to take you along, the hindrance might affect his performance."
Ji Shimin: ???
Is it your place to speak?
If it weren’t for considering that Shen Hua came with Cui Yun, she would have definitely turned hostile.
Ji Shimin, holding her dignity, did not wish to argue with the uncultured girl Shen Hua, only softly gazing at Xie Xun with affection, "Did I accidentally trouble the Heir?"
"Isn’t it so?"
Shen Hua stood her ground, defense up, aura unleashed.
"If Heir Xie wants to refuse, just say it straight. No need to think this and that. Can the Fifth Princess use her status to pressure others? She studied the saintly books, educated and sensible though she is, she knows what ’forcing one’s hand’ means, how could she coerce you? She isn’t that kind of person! No!"
Having said that, Shen Hua turned around to seek Ji Shimin’s opinion.
"Right?"
Ji Shimin’s expression stiffened: "...Right. But everyone says Heir Xie never fails in archery; the princess herself likes archery, naturally, I’d like to see it firsthand."
She still hadn’t received Xie Xun’s response when Shen Hua, lacking tact, spoke again.
"Princess likes archery, but you can’t expect to absorb the skill into yourself just by watching."
This remark provided Ji Shimin a clue.
"If Heir Xie could instruct..."
"That would be even less likely. A princess of your stature, teaching archery might require hands-on correction, how could Heir Xie possibly cause you offense?"
"If the princess truly wants to learn, there are teachers for that. Heir Xie instructs the rough and tough soldiers; having no light touch, if he were to hurt you, how could that be alright?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Shimin became furious, her gaze towards Shen Hua turning hostile.
"How audacious! A person brought by Marquis Cui daring to be so insolent!"
"Heir Xie hasn’t said a word, and here you are running your mouth!"
Cui Yun unexpectedly spoke up lightly.
"She is naturally kind and simple, considering everything for the princess. What are you doing princess? Since your health is delicate, perhaps it’s best not to go to the hunting ground to avoid any shock."
"If you really want to go, I’m afraid Heir Xie cannot look after you at all times. It would be better for the princess to bring numerous officials along for protection."
Xie Xun also said, "Indeed, that’s true."
Ji Shimin clenched her teeth.
"Then forget it."
Seeing she couldn’t sway Xie Xun, she reluctantly started talking fondly to Xie Yining again.
"In a few days, I’ll go to Sanqing Temple to find a Daoist to calculate my marriage fortune. Would you like to join me?"
As she said this, she didn’t forget to glance at Xie Xun.
Xie Yining was incredibly nervous until a pair of hands covered hers.
The hands’ owner, Shen Hua, casually added, "What a coincidence, Heir Xie also had his fortune told a few days ago."
Ji Shimin looked at Xie Xun, "What was calculated?"
"Not too good."
Shen Hua smiled, "The Taoist said that in recent days, the Heir would encounter petty people."
Shen Hua added quickly, with a sense of covering something up, "Of course, it’s definitely not you, Princess."