Chapter 40: hunting
If it was before, she would never have done these things as a concubine, but recently, she has been under too much pressure, and there has been no movement in her stomach. The voice for the prince to accept the concubine is getting louder. (.) Many people in the DPRK and China also thought of ways to inquire about the prince's preferences.
When she was with Zhang Wanyi the day before yesterday. Zhang Wanyi also specially reminded her that Ding Haibo is related to the Zhang family, and Zhang Wanyi can be regarded as her distant cousin, and Zhang Wanyi is the niece of the current queen, so her words have some weight.
When choosing a relative for the crown prince, His Majesty also had a lot of thought, that is, he wanted to choose a decent and respectable family, but he could not hold real power, so he chose this young lady from Dinghai Bo's house. Also brought some kisses with the current queen. Now that the sea is closed, the military power in Ding Haibo's hands has long been taken back, and it's just an empty meritorious family.
Therefore, the Crown Princess still relied very much on Zhang Wanyi, the niece of the Queen's concubine.
Her mind is not complicated, but she only thinks about the prince, she and the prince's young husband and wife, the prince is handsome and handsome, and his heart has long been attached to the prince. Seeing the prince frown, she could only wish that it was her who frowned.
There was nothing to say all night, until the afternoon of the second day, the weather was fine, and Gu Yuqi was invited by the people from the Princess Mansion after lunch.
Mrs. Liang wanted to follow along, but the **** who came to spread the word was very euphemistic. Her Royal Highness Princess Pinghu only called Miss Gu's family to go, and Mrs. Liang could only give up. In addition, there were ladies from other houses who came to invite her. He couldn't get away, so he could only tell Chun Xing to follow her.
After Gu Yuqi was dressed up, she was taken to Princess Pinghu's side. As soon as she entered the tent, she felt that she seemed to be dressed a little out of time.
Where did this come to speak?
There were several noble girls of her age sitting in the tent, and Gu Yuqi was still a little impressed by them. Just glanced at it and recognized it, it was actually the eleventh princess Jingcheng, the two county masters of Ding Wangfu, Yunxi, Yunhe, and the county master Jiaxi were present, all dressed in various colors of horseback riding mansion, valiantly. , her long dress really doesn't match their style of painting.
Gu Yuqi murmured in her heart, looking at the posture, they were going out to ride a horse! My long dress reaches the ground, I'm afraid...
She didn't know that these people were here today to foil her. Last night, Princess Pinghu and the prince discussed how to try Gu Yuqi for a long time.
Princess Jingcheng. Yunxi County Lord, Yunhe County Lord and Jiaxi County Lord are the best among royal women in riding and archery. As long as Gu Yuqi can get more prey than their average number today, even Yunyi wins, otherwise it will be the crown prince win.
Gu Yuqi stepped forward to meet her. The person sitting in this tent was either the princess or the county master. She was a young lady of the Hou residence with the lowest status.
Princess Jingcheng is His Majesty's favorite little daughter, and she has the most arrogant temperament. Seeing Gu Yuqi walking in a long dress to the ground, her eyes fluttered slightly, "Forget it, are you wearing this to dance?"
As soon as she spoke, the other two county owners and one county owner also covered their mouths and laughed.
Gu Yuqi lowered her head and replied, "I just listened to the father-in-law who was passing the message and came to talk. I never thought that the princesses and the county chiefs would go out to ride horses? After sweeping everyone's nature, it really doesn't change."
Princess Jingcheng saw that although Gu Yuqi's reputation was very famous these days, she was very modest, and her expression softened a little. She also heard about Gu Yuqi's deeds, and she couldn't help but feel a little inexplicable hostility to her. This is how the little girl is. It was the princess who was feared to melt in the hands of everyone. She had always been the focus, but now suddenly there was a girl of the same age who was said to be good in appearance, wisdom, and luck.
"Look up and take a look." Princess Jingcheng raised her chin slightly and said to Gu Yuqi.
Gu Yuqi knew that the temperament of this charming princess was a donkey, so she respectfully raised her face, only slightly raised it, and then lowered it again.
In her last life, she had suffered many losses from this princess after she entered Yun Ke's palace. It was also because she was too high-spirited at the time, and she didn't look down on this beautiful girl in front of her. When two high-spirited people met, it was not a pot. After touching the scoop, the clanging was endless. Gu Yuqi's arrogance and pride in her previous life did not have a matching identity to set off. She was a concubine of the palace, beautiful in appearance, full of talent, and arrogant, so she had to be taken care of by Her Royal Highness the princess.
But Gu Yuqi doesn't hate this princess. If she doesn't provoke her, she's not that difficult to get along with, and even though she's doted on now, she still ends up in a foreign country. Gu Yuqi heard that she married her In the past second year, her husband died. According to the tradition there, she must marry the new king who succeeded the throne, that is, her husband's younger brother. According to her arrogance, she could not bear to marry before and after. To the brothers, and most likely the murderer of her husband, the poor princess was alone in Fanbang, there was no way to prove that the murderer was the new king, and she committed suicide on the wedding day in a fit of rage , You must know that the wedding day is the day of enthronement. This Princess Jingcheng wiped her neck, but filled the **** disaster for the new king's big day, and the matter became a big one. In the end, the county magistrate of Jiaxi was named Princess Jiaxi again. When I passed by with my relatives, I was saved from a battle of swordsmen and soldiers. At that time, Yun Ke had not yet succeeded to the throne, which is a good thing that His Majesty has done today.
So when Gu Yuqi first saw her here, she couldn't help but feel a little sigh in her heart. Speaking of which, the princess in front of her was still a respectable woman.
The same is the end of the world, Gu Yuqi looked at her with soft and full of regret.
It was not Princess Jingcheng's fault that she was born in the royal family, nor was she what she expected to be married to the family, and it was not her wish to be married twice. In this world where men are respected, Gu Yuqi understands how weak a woman's power is. If there is a way, she would rather be the little princess in front of her who can expose the conspiracy of her future brother-in-law, kill them quickly, save her husband, or become the queen of Fanbang herself.
Seeing that Gu Yuqi's gaze towards her was full of gentleness, Princess Jingcheng's brows could not help but wrinkle slightly, she was the first girl of her age to look at her with such a gaze. The daughters of courtiers have always looked at her with envy, fear, or a little disdain.
Gu Yuqi's eyes at that moment made her feel that the girl in front of her seemed to be her old friend. They had known each other for a long time, but now they met again. The eyes were calm and warm, distant and peaceful, like a wisp of clear spring water, soothing her original heart. of dissatisfaction.
The county magistrate Jiaxi jumped down from the chair, came over generously and grabbed Gu Yuqi's hand, gestured at the height of the two, and said with a smile, "It's okay for Miss Gu to come without riding clothes, but I have several sets there. , if this Miss Gu doesn't dislike it, it's better to wear mine."
Gu Yuqi was a little overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the county magistrate of Jiaxi. She knew her in the last life, and only knew her, and there was no intersection. She was the only daughter of the King of Jiangxia, but unfortunately the King of Jiangxia contracted typhoid fever in his early years. When she died, King Ding was thinking of his brother's affection and put her into his palace. She was a hearty county owner in her last life. Gu Yuqi knew this. After Princess Jingcheng died, she was originally going to be in Ding Among the two county masters of the palace, one of them was chosen to be a relative. Neither the Yunxi County Lord nor the Yunhe County Lord was willing, but the Jiaxi County Lord stood up and was willing to marry the two cousins in order to repay the Ding Palace. of upbringing. Toss the sidesmith.
As for the Yunxi County Master and the Yunhe County Master, they lived their ordinary lives peacefully.
Gu Yuqi is now about the same height as the head of Jiaxi County, and before she can speak, she sees Princess Pinghu walking in surrounded by everyone.
Gu Yuqi and other princess princesses saluted, Princess Pinghu wearing a long palace dress, Gu Yuqi couldn't help but pursed her lips, "Bengong sees it, Yuqi probably didn't know that we were going to go out on horseback for hunting, so I didn't have any advance notice. Get ready, if Jiaxi has clothes there, put on hers first." She turned her eyes and asked, "I wonder if Miss Gu can ride a horse?"
"The minister's daughter knows a little bit. Mother taught me yesterday." Gu Yuqi replied.
"That's good, I'm worried that you won't be able to ride a horse first." Princess Pinghu smiled, "Good boy, go and change your clothes, and come here." She naturally knew that Gu Yuqi could ride a horse, and everything that happened at the racecourse yesterday , she asked Men Qing, and also specifically asked Gu Yuqi if she had learned to ride a horse.
Gu Yuqi can't afford to refuse now, she can't afford to offend the princesses and county lords who are here first, not to mention that it is Her Royal Highness the eldest princess who has spoken!
The riding uniform of the county magistrate of Jiaxi seemed to be prepared. Gu Yuqi nodded her head, and immediately someone took Gu Yuqi to the tent next door to change her clothes.
When a noble girl goes on a trip, in order to avoid soiling her clothes, she usually brings a few extra sets of spares, which did not cause Gu Yuqi to pay attention.
The riding suit fits very well. It is a bright red shirt with gold edging, and the workmanship is also very exquisite. As soon as Gu Yuqi changed her body, a maid took off her bun for her, and neatly re-styled her hair into a braid for convenience. horse riding. When everything was ready, Gu Yuqi was about to get up and go over when she saw a little palace maid come over with a bowl of lily and white fungus soup, saying that it was given by Princess Pinghu.
Gu Yuqi didn't suspect him either, thinking that if she was riding a horse or something, she would definitely be thirsty. It would be good to drink a little to moisten her throat first, so she picked it up and drank it.
She doesn't worry about horseback riding. She just pretends to be good at archery. She's full of strength. She's strong enough now that she doesn't need to be famous for riding and archery. However, her riding and shooting skills took a lot of effort to practice in the last life. She knows the customs of Daqi. If you want to attract attention, there is no better place than the Winter Hunting Festival. In the last life, she was dressed in red, enchanting eyebrows, sassy and heroic, and she really conquered the hearts of many young men.
Gu Yuqi knows that she is suitable for wearing strong colors. Her eyebrows are gorgeous, and strong colors will make her stand out even more, so she tries to choose light colors to wear in this life, but she did not expect that the county magistrate Jiaxi gave her. This suit is red.
So when she changed her clothes and returned to Princess Pinghu again, even Princess Pinghu, who was used to seeing beauties in the palace, couldn't help but admire her secretly in her heart.
Although the little girl in front of her has not yet opened her stature, she is like a fiery luminous body. The look between her eyebrows is set off by the shimmering red that is as warm and unrestrained as the rising sun. Her hair is neatly combed. The braids scattered behind the head, instead of reducing this beauty, it increased the feeling of rebelliousness.
If Gu Yuqi just now was a glass of warm water, now Gu Yuqi is a bottle of strong wine. Although the age is not enough, it is not mellow enough, but it is better than fresh and spicy, which makes people want to stop.
The county magistrate of Jiaxi ran over and circled around Gu Yuqi, her eyebrows full of envy, "I didn't expect Miss Gu to look much better in this dress than mine."
Gu Yuqi waved her hand hurriedly, and the ease of the county head of Jiaxi made Gu Yuqi feel that she was very amiable, without the slightest bit of the county head's air.
"Okay, okay." Princess Pinghu smiled, "Bengong knows that you are always bored in the palace and the palace, so I let it go today, and I have ordered someone to clean up a place for special use. For your hunting, this palace also has a lucky draw today, if you are the one who catches the most prey before dark, this palace will give you something good. As for what it is, it will be kept secret for the time being." With cheering Jing Cheng, Yunxi, Yunhe, and Jiaxi walked out of the tent, Gu Yuqi had no choice but to keep up.
Gu Yuqi originally thought that Princess Pinghu was just joking, but she didn't expect to see several horses waiting as soon as she got out of the tent. It was a real horse, not a pony used by ladies and ladies in the racecourse for practice.
This is too exaggerated... What if I get hurt? Gu Yuqi looked at the horses in front of her with a bit of stunned expression. She was in a daze here, and Princess Jingcheng rushed out first and chose the most beautiful white horse among them, "I want this, don't grab it from any of you!" After all, it's the heart of a little girl, and you have to choose the most beautiful horse. beautiful. She said with a wide-eyed smile, grabbing the reins and never letting go. The horse she chose was all snow-white, and it was really the most beautiful.
Who dares to rob you! Gu Yuqi slandered, but she said yes, she has the lowest status here, and she can only wait for the others to choose before walking slowly towards the last black horse.
After the election, Gu Yuqi was a little dumbfounded. Everyone brought personal bodyguards and palace maids. Her own palace maids supported her on the horse. The guard looked at her anxiously, unable to do anything. Gu Yuqi raised her head and looked at the tall black horse, but no one paid attention to her, she could only grit her teeth, grab the reins and saddle, and get on the horse when no one was paying attention.
Her movements naturally fell into the eyes of Princess Pinghu, but Princess Pinghu was surprised. She arranged for someone to help Gu Yuqi on the horse, but she deliberately slowed it down to see Gu Yuqi's reaction. I didn't expect this child to be so sincere, not angry, not to say anything, she did it by herself, looking at her actions, she was neat and clean, I'm afraid that she is a good family, His Royal Highness is about to lose.
However, being agile does not mean that his hunting skills are also powerful, and the prince is not without a chance of winning.
The women of the Daqi royal family are very outstanding in riding and archery. They will be trained in this area since childhood, so Gu Yuqi has worked hard in riding and archery in the past life, otherwise how can she be a blockbuster, in the winter surrounded by all the royal women. The hunting festival attracts attention, and other noble ladies will also learn the art of horseback riding, but the requirements are not as strict as those of the royal women.
In order to fear that these little girls would cause trouble, Princess Pinghu found guards and some eunuchs with some martial arts background to follow Jing Cheng, Yunxi, Yunhe and Jiaxi. As for Gu Yuqi, she also sent people to follow. After all, it's just a gamble, there's no need to make an accident, it's not fun.
She has arranged it very well. Even the hunting area has been cleaned up by Yunyi's people, and a large hillside has been drawn, enough for a few girls to run away, and a large net has been opened outside to prevent large The wild beasts entered, and only a few rabbits, robes, and deer were milder animals on the hillside.
This hillside is facing the sun, and the heights are scattered. There are open areas and pine forests. The pine forests are not particularly dense, and the gaps between the pine trees are relatively large. After Princess Pinghu came, she took a look and was very satisfied. The place is really nice.
The sound of the horn was faintly heard from other places. The little girls were very excited before they reached the hillside. They chatted non-stop. Only Gu Yuqi followed behind a little embarrassedly. Where she interrupted, she would follow. She also observed it secretly, and saw that whether it was the princess or the county owner, the county owner would be followed by two guards and a little eunuch, and she was also followed by two guards, and her heart was fixed.
This hunting ground stretches for hundreds of miles, and some places are still very dangerous, but this hillside looks very safe.
She also understands in her heart that in order to make these princesses and county masters have a good time, this place must have been cleaned up in advance, so there will be no danger, otherwise Princess Pinghu will not lead them to a few girls. Come here to find something.
Princess Pinghu gave the palace maid who was following her a wink, the maid sent the order, and a few guards came running from the hillside on horseback, surrounded by three youths in Chinese costumes, they stood in front of the princesses, Gu Yuqi looked at it, and her brows could not help slightly. A wrinkle, how do you meet them wherever you go? What a sin! The one surrounded by the guards was not the prince, Yun Yi, who else was Yun Ke? They dismounted and saluted Princess Pinghu, and this side also saluted them, and then got on the horses again.
Yun Ke followed behind Yun Yi and stared coldly at Gu Yuqi who was standing at the end. She was dressed in red as expected, but she was the same as in the previous life. The corners of his lips couldn't help but feel a little contemptuous. In the last life, didn't she win everyone's attention here?
Gu Yuqi keenly felt that Yun Ke's eyes fell on her, and she lowered her head a little, trying to avoid that person's gaze.
With the approval of Princess Pinghu, the six guards blew the horns pinned to their waists.
The sound of the horn spread into the depths of the hillside, and there was also the sound of the horn in response. This was a signal that everything was ready to stop. The continuous sound of the horn would also startle the prey in the forest and make them run.
"Go!" Princess Pinghu waved her hand, and Princess Jingcheng couldn't wait to take the lead and rushed out.
"Auntie, some brothers wait for me to come back and bring you something delicious!" Jiaxi rushed out behind Yunhe County Master, and before leaving, he did not forget to look back and said to Princess Pinghu.
"Auntie is waiting." Princess Pinghu laughed while riding on the horse, and then she looked at Gu Yuqi, who was not in a hurry, "Don't Miss Gu dare to go? Still can't bow and shoot arrows?"
Gu Yuqi deliberately hid her clumsiness. Although she held the bow and arrow specially prepared for her by Princess Pinghu, she shook her head, "I don't shoot well, I dare not show ugliness in front of His Royal Highness, the princes, princesses, and county lords."
She felt that it was obviously the four little girls who rushed out just now that this kind of thing was in the limelight. She was just a foil, so it was a matter of whether she went or not. Especially now that the Crown Prince, Yun Yi and Yun Ke are all there, she should try to hide as much as possible.
As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to hear Yun Ke's cold snort. Gu Yuqi tried her best not to look at him, lest she make herself uncomfortable.
Who knew that Princess Pinghu looked unhappy, "It seems that Miss Gu doesn't seem to like the Winter Hunting Festival?"
"How could it be?" Gu Yuqi was startled, and immediately laughed, "I'm really happy that the minister's daughter can participate in this kind of event."
"Then why don't you go play?" Seeing that she had fooled Gu Yuqi, Princess Pinghu immediately put on a smile, "Go, go. No matter how much, just go play." She also said to the guards behind Gu Yuqi, " Follow Miss Gu, and don't let anything happen."
Everyone said that, if she didn't move, she was ignorant. Even if Gu Yuqi was reluctant, she could only salute and then lift the reins to let the horse run. It's better to leave, so as not to feel uncomfortable in the face of that guy Yun Ke.
In fact, she likes horse riding very much. At first, she was rather restrained. When she gradually got out of the sight of Princess Pinghu and the Crown Prince, she used her legs to squeeze the horse's belly and let the black horse run with its hooves. up.
When Gu Yuqi ran into the pine forest, she saw a hare rushing out of the forest from a distance. It must have been kicked out by a horn elsewhere. The bow was specially customized for them by Princess Pinghu. It was exquisite and suitable for girls of their age. Thick leather wrist guards and finger guards were also installed to prevent them from cutting their hands. Gu Yuqi took out a red-marked arrow from the quiver, put it on the string, and took a look. In the end, the arrow missed, and the arrow stuck in the snow beside the rabbit. The rabbit was startled and let it go. The legs ran deep into the pine forest.
Gu Yuqi deliberately missed the shot. She wasn't going to show any limelight here. Missing nine shots should be her current goal.
"Oops!" Gu Yuqi deliberately sighed regretfully right away.
The two guards who followed her glanced at each other, and thought that although this young lady of Hou's residence was a general, she was still a young lady. She seemed to be really bad at archery, but the horse was quite slippery. The eldest princess had ordered them to take a good look at whether this young lady of the Hou residence would be able to use martial arts, but now it seems that she probably won't.
Next, Gu Yuqi's arrows that lived up to expectations all missed.
At this time, several signal arrows of different colors have been raised in the woods. During the Winter Hunting Festival, whenever there is a hunting competition, the guards will carry signal arrows of different colors. As long as they and their masters hit the prey, they will There will be guards who will release signal arrows. Gu Yuqi's signal arrow is red. It seems that whether it is Princess Jingcheng, the two county masters of Yunxi and Yunhe, or the county master of Jiaxi have already gained something.
Princess Pinghu, the crown prince, and Yunyi Yunke sat far away in the makeshift tent, watching the signal arrows rising from time to time in the sky in the distance, and said with a smile, "It seems that Jiaxi's child's archery skills are a little higher. "The blue signal arrow of the county magistrate of Jiaxi flew the most times.
On the contrary, Gu Yuqi's red signal arrow never raised once.
She really changed her temper. Knowing that she had calmed down, Yun Ke, who had been sitting for a long time, silently put down the fragrant tea in her hand, and pursed her lips tightly.
He raised his eyes slightly and glanced at his side, Yun Yi seemed to be unable to sit still, and although the prince didn't say anything, there was some joy in his eyes.
Even the Yunhe County Master has already hunted the prey. Gu Yuqi has not moved for a long time. I am afraid that she has won, and the tension in the prince's heart has gradually relaxed a lot.
He was distressed for his money, originally just to join in the fun, who knew that Yun Yi would bet so big, sigh, Yun Xuan sighed in his heart, but he couldn't suppress the joy in his eyes, I was afraid that Yun Yi was going to move a stone this time. Hit yourself in the foot. If he can win, he will have hundreds of thousands of taels in his account. How much is his crown prince's salary a year? The annual revenue of the store under his command is only about 500,000 taels. It's not that he is a stingy prince. His mother died early, and the honor guard of his mother's family is already weak. The prince has been trembling for so many years. Where can he dare to take the slightest act of enriching his own pocket? Dare not to take it, for fear of being caught by the little braid, it is really not easy to maintain the Prince's Mansion of Nuoda. Others only know that he is the prince, but they don't know how hard it is for him to be the prince.
A **** and two guards who followed behind Gu Yuqi saw Gu Yuqi dawdling, and saw a lot of prey along the way, but none of them were hit, which made them a little discouraged.
Gu Yuqi looked back at them and smiled, "I'm a bit stupid. I can't compare to Her Royal Highness and the others." Gu Yuqi said.
"Miss Gu, do you want to try it over there?" a guard said quickly, pointing in a direction, "Maybe there will be something to gain."
"Okay." Actually, what Gu Yuqi wanted to express was that she was tired and it was time to go back! How did they know that the guards at the Princess Chang's mansion were too diligent!
Gu Yuqi's first few arrows were indeed deliberately shot crookedly, but the last few arrows were really not intentional... She also needs to take one or two prey to go back to trade, she originally wanted to see that other people have already gained a lot. , just shoot a rabbit or something and go back, how do you know that this arm seems to be getting weaker and weaker, and the whole body is getting heavier and heavier, is it the sequelae of her previous fever?
Gu Yuqi tried her best to cheer up, shook the reins, and continued to walk in the direction pointed by the guard. She felt more and more weak and weak, as heavy as a cement block, and there was no strength in her hands and feet.
"Can you take a break?" Gu Yuqi endured and endured, and finally couldn't help but said to the two guards.
"Okay." The two guards got off the horse, "Young lady is thirsty? Drink some water." The little **** who followed Gu Yuqi took the water bladder hanging from the saddle and sent it to Gu Yuqi.
"En." Gu Yuqi took the water bag with force, but found that it was a little difficult for herself to even hold the water bag. How is this going? It's as if the whole body is out of strength...
"I... feel..." Before Gu Yuqi finished speaking, the world was spinning and she fell from the horse.
The two guards were stunned. The little **** who delivered the water subconsciously reached out to pick it up. Fortunately, he caught Gu Yuqi's falling body, and he hurriedly hugged Gu Yuqi aside. "Send the signal!"
He said to the two guards.
"Oh." A guard took out an arrow from the bag, lit it, and shot it into the sky.
"Look, is there a red arrow rising?" Princess Pinghu said with joy, pointing to the sky.
Yun Ke raised his eyes, but his heart tightened. He stood up abruptly, "I'm afraid something happened!" The red arrow was not false, but it was not a signal arrow for hunting prey, but a red arrow for help! Gu Yuqi has an accident!
"Aunt, His Royal Highness, Fifth Brother, I should go and have a look." Yun Ke quickly said with a fist to Princess Pinghu.
"Go quickly." Princess Pinghu's heart tightened and she quickly said to Yun Ke. "Don't be the girl in the Gu family who is in danger!"
At first glance, she thought it was a red signal arrow, but she didn't think that the arrow would explode in the air after it was raised, but it was a red distress signal arrow, and it fired three arrows in a row, something must have happened!
Yun Yi also stood up, and frowned slightly as she watched Yun Ke's back quickly leaving.
"Auntie, I'll go take a look too." Yun Yi also wanted to go, but was stopped by Princess Pinghu, "Xiao Qi is fine, you don't want to go."
A Gu family girl had an accident, and the two princes scrambled to get past. What's the matter? Don't be afraid to spread other people's jokes!
Although Princess Pinghu doesn't mind the exchanges between the juniors, this is the hunting ground for the Winter Hunting Festival after all, and it's probably not good for Gu Yuqi if it spreads out. Although Yun Yi was in a hurry, he obviously felt that it was a bit unfortunate for the two princes to go together, so he could only sit down again, "You guys call more people to have a look." He said to the guards beside him.