N-M Chapter 133 tucked into his bosom, carrying
Chapter 133 tucked into his bosom, carrying
At the head of the procession sat a female general in silver armor and a red cloak. She was about thirty years old, with heroic features and a long sword at her waist, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.
General Mu Yun of Xiliang.
Behind her followed a carriage with curtains hanging on all four sides.
The carriage curtain was lifted slightly, and a pale white hand reached out.
Her sleeves were crimson purple, and a string of red agate beads adorned her wrist.
Then came a figure in a deep purple gown, with long, unbound hair and a face covered by a light veil.
And there's that bright red beauty mark at the corner of her eye.
Helian Qing got off the carriage and stood lazily in the snow, like a butterfly from the south that had wandered into the cold winter.
He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Su Yaoyao.
Through the thin veil, she couldn't see his expression.
She only saw him smile and nod slightly at her.
Their demeanor was composed and intimate, as if their confrontation on the palace road that day had never happened.
Anar leaned closer to Su Yaoyao and whispered, "Why does this person always smell so good whenever she appears..."
Su Yaoyao didn't say anything.
She only felt that Xiao Chenyuan's grip on her hand tightened a little more.
When the emperor's carriage arrived, the sun was shining brightly.
Xiao Dingkun was in high spirits today. Dressed in black hunting attire with a golden bow at his waist, he was helped onto the martial arts stage by a palace attendant.
He glanced around at the envoys from various countries in the room and spoke with a smile:
"I've heard that this winter hunt was the Crown Princess's idea?"
All eyes immediately turned to Su Yaoyao.
Su Yaoyao stepped forward calmly and curtsied, saying, "This humble woman dares to suggest that, considering the distinguished guests from various countries have come from afar, and that the Northern Desert is skilled in riding and archery, and the Western Liang general is valiant, it would be a true test of friendship through martial arts if they could display their prowess on the hunting grounds."
Xiao Dingkun clapped his hands and laughed: "What a fine idea to make friends through martial arts! Yuan'er has good taste."
He cast a pleased glance at Xiao Chenyuan, and His Highness the Crown Prince nodded slightly, his expression unchanged.
But Su Yaoyao clearly felt that he was holding her hand, and his fingertips were gently brushing against the back of her hand.
—They're praising you.
--Know.
—His insight is indeed excellent.
Su Yaoyao suppressed a laugh and didn't expose his smug expression.
"Today's winter hunt will be a grand affair, regardless of rank, only skill matters," he said in a deep voice. "Whoever wins the hunt will be richly rewarded!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the eunuch announced the prize in a shrill voice—a golden bow made by the emperor and a set of fragments of the long-lost "Six Secret Teachings".
The crowd immediately stirred.
Su Yaoyao poked Xiao Chenyuan's waist: "Your Highness, is that 'Six Secret Teachings' really that powerful?"
Xiao Chenyuan grasped her mischievous fingers: "The military classic has been lost for many years. Father Emperor has been searching for it for a long time."
"Then why doesn't Your Highness go hunting one?"
"No need." Xiao Chenyuan looked down at her. "I have a more complete set in my study."
Su Yaoyao: "..."
I almost forgot that this person is truly incredibly wealthy.
On the stage, the emperor was still speaking. His gaze fell on the crown prince, carrying a rare hint of affection.
"Yuan'er has been working hard on state affairs lately, and has lost a lot of weight." He paused, "Today, he should relax a bit."
Xiao Chenyuan bowed and said, "Thank you, Father Emperor."
Xiao Dingkun nodded in satisfaction.
He didn't notice that in the Western Liang delegation's seats, a pair of peach blossom eyes were staring intently at his face through a light veil.
There was no awe, no submission in those eyes.
There was only an intense, unyielding hatred.
Helian Qing's hands, which were hanging in his sleeves, clenched tightly, his nails almost digging into his flesh.
The man sitting in the high position with a kind smile had the blood of his Manchu relatives on his hands.
"Princess".
A deep female voice sounded in my ear.
General Mu Yun, holding a wine cup, approached him under the guise of offering a toast, his voice extremely low: "Keep it down."
Helian Qing remained silent.
Mu Yun glanced at him and added, "There's plenty of time in the future."
After a long while, Helian Qing released his grip.
He picked up his wine glass again, raised it towards Mu Yun, his posture languid and dashing, as if the murderous intent he had felt just moments before was merely an illusion.
"The general is right," he chuckled. "The future... is long."
-----
The bugle sounded, and the winter hunt officially began.
Xiao Chenyuan did not rush to mount his horse.
He lowered his head, tightened the ties of Su Yaoyao's cloak, and frowned: "It's windy in this hunting ground, don't stray too far from me."
"Your Highness," Su Yaoyao poked his chest, "I'm not made of paper."
"I'm afraid you are."
Su Yaoyao laughed, tiptoed closer to his ear, and said, "Then Your Highness can carry me in your arms."
Xiao Chenyuan looked at her, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"...You're right." He mounted his horse, reached out to her, and said, "Get on."
Su Yaoyao was taken aback: "Huh?"
"Keep it in your pocket." Xiao Chenyuan said without changing his expression. "Take it with you."
Su Yaoyao: "..."
She was joking!
But looking at Xiao Chenyuan's extremely serious expression, she couldn't bear to refuse.
Forget it.
She took his hand, used the momentum to flip herself onto the horse, and landed steadily in his arms.
The surrounding crowd: "..."
Your Highness, are you here to hunt or to show off your wife?
Jiang Jingchen coughed lightly and silently looked away.
Xie Yu lowered his head and tried to straighten the already tight bowstring.
Ashina Lie raised an eyebrow, as if he wanted to say something, but Anar tugged at him: "Brother, stop staring at him!"
"I wasn't watching."
Your eyes are practically popping out of their sockets!
Ashina Lie: "..."
---
On the other side, on a path at the edge of the hunting grounds, Xiao Yue was riding her horse after someone.
"My lord! My lord, wait for me!"
Su Qingrun ignored him and her horse even sped up.
Unable to catch up, Xiao Yue grew anxious and called out, "Su Qingrun! Didn't you hear me calling you?!"
The black horse in front finally stopped.
Su Qingrun turned her horse around and looked at her expressionlessly.
"What brings you here, Princess?"
Xiao Yue's heart softened at his address of "Princess," and her voice became even gentler: "This princess also wishes to join forces with the Marquis. I wonder if the Marquis would be willing..."
Su Qingrun didn't even look up: "No need."
Xiao Yue's smile froze for a moment, then quickly returned: "What does the Marquis need? I'll have a servant fetch it—"
"It lacks tranquility."
Xiao Yue: "..."
After saying that, he turned to leave again.
Xiao Yue panicked and spurred her horse to give chase.
A rapid sound of horses' hooves approached from afar.
"Su Qingrun!"
Anar rode in on horseback, her fiery red riding attire flashing brightly in the sunlight.
She reined in her horse and stopped on the other side of Su Qingrun, not even glancing at Xiao Yue, and directly shoved the water pouch in her hand into Su Qingrun's arms.
"You didn't drink any water this morning, here you go."
Su Qingrun looked down at the water pouch in her arms and remained silent for a moment.
Xiao Yue's face darkened with anger: "You—who do you think you are! How could the Marquis use such a barbarian as you?"
"Barbarians?" Anar said matter-of-factly. "Hey, I'm being barbaric, so what? This is the man I've set my sights on, so what?"
The redness on Su Qingrun's ear tips instantly spread to her neck.
He turned his head away, his voice stiff: "Princess, watch your words."
"What are you being careful about what you say?" Anar turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling. "I told you I like you and want to marry you, and you know that. So if I don't protect you, who else should I protect?"
Su Qingrun: "…………"
He felt he shouldn't have come to the hunting grounds today.