Chapter 239: Chapter 239: The Rogue Young Master
The Emperor naturally had to participate in the hunting event; otherwise, what was he there for?
However, the Emperor was merely there to play, not to compete with the young ones; otherwise, who would dare to win against him if he participated?
Those who could hunt went hunting, while those who couldn’t stayed at the camp.
After all, it was winter, so everyone stayed in the encampment, sheltering from the wind and warming themselves by the fire. Occasionally, they would go out to enjoy the scenery, for the view at Yao Mountain was also quite beautiful.
The Pei Family had their own separate campsite, but at this time Madam Pei took Qu Fulan to the Eldest Princess’s camp. After all, being with the royal family, the Eldest Princess’s camp was naturally more grandiose, and besides, it was lively with more people.
As customary, the topics of discussion were about eating and drinking, competing on beauty and demeanor.
But today’s topic shifted, for no other reason than the Eldest Princess had an arch-enemy who also came to the hunting grounds.
This arch-enemy was actually her former rival in love.
However, this rival had now become the Emperor’s woman, and had even become Consort Zhang.
Speaking of it, this story was quite entangled.
Back then, both the Princess and Consort Zhang had fallen for the same man. To be precise, Consort Zhang met the man first and was smitten at first sight. She even tried to initiate marriage discussions, but the Princess thwarted them.
Unfortunately, neither of them ended up with the man, as he died in battle.
The Prince Consort that the Princess later found somewhat resembled that man, but only slightly.
This was also the reason the Princess could decisively sever all ties when she discovered the Prince Consort’s infidelity.
Consort Zhang blamed the Princess for the man’s death, believing that if it weren’t for her interference, the man wouldn’t have gone to the battlefield and wouldn’t have died.
The hatred between love rivals was so intense that they could wish for each other’s demise. Since Consort Zhang couldn’t marry her beloved, she entered the palace to become the Emperor’s consort. Her father was the Chief of Staff, making it easier for her to rise, and now she had become a Noble Consort.
This allowed her to create more troubles for the Princess.
After all, in the strife between wife and sister-in-law, the man was caught in the middle, finding it difficult to take sides. Initially, he might have had the patience to intervene, but over time, it became overwhelming.
Both women wisely refrained from annoying the Emperor, engaging in all sorts of private skirmishes. The outcomes depended entirely on personal capabilities.
However, judging from the current situation, the Princess seemed to have a slight edge.
No other reason than that the Princess could embrace various suitors, while Consort Zhang had to vie for favor among the Emperor’s three thousand concubines.
Consort Zhang naturally felt discontent, so she would engage in all sorts of gossip in private.
Currently, the Princess’s tent faced Consort Zhang’s tent, with the Emperor’s tent at the uppermost position.
There was no choice; even in such matters as tent placement, the two women would compete to show their superiority.
In Consort Zhang’s tent opposite, the guests included the ladies who shared her sentiments.
Three women can make a market, and with these seven, eight, nine, or ten women together, it was no different than a marketplace. Without stepping out, one could faintly hear voices from the other side.
Perhaps some words were spoken loudly on purpose, meant for those on the other side to hear.
"In my opinion, a woman should behave decorously at home, support her husband, and raise her children. That’s how one can respect their ancestors and be responsible to their children. When they’re old, they can set an example for the younger generation. Unlike some people, at such a significant age, they don’t act their age, constantly juggling one after another. Tsk, tsk, tsk, if this spreads, it would really bring shame to us women."
"Exactly, who doesn’t talk about her out there? She’s become a negative example for others to educate their daughters, yet the person in question acts as if nothing’s wrong, completely without any sense of shame. It’s truly pathetic."
"It’s not only pathetic but also infuriating. Even the heavens can’t bear it, which is why she’s childless up to now, isn’t it divine retribution? Without any children, who will take care of her when she’s old?"
...
These remarks were intermittently conveyed into the Eldest Princess’s tent.
The ladies with Madam Pei looked worriedly at the Eldest Princess.
Only the Princess remained calm and unruffled, as if it was not the first time she had faced such a scene.
"Why are you looking at me? It’s not like I would die from a few words. The timing is not right, I’ll just wait for the opportunity to tear her mouth apart. A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years."
Qu Fulan instantly marveled at how composed the Princess was. Faced with such insulting words, she, as a noble Princess, could actually bear it.
Indeed, even if she found it unbearable, what could she do? Was she supposed to rush over and reason with them? Now the voices were so faint that it wasn’t clear who said them. There was no one to confront, for one.
Secondly, without evidence, if things escalated and the Emperor returned, everyone might end up suffering.
Qu Fulan had also heard Madam Pei mention the Princess’s lack of offspring.
She had been pregnant once, but after the Prince Consort presented a concubine, the Princess terminated the pregnancy by taking medicine. This matter was unknown even to the Prince Consort, known only to her sisters.
It was evident how pure yet decisive the Princess was.
If it wasn’t the best, if it wasn’t unique, she simply wanted nothing at all.
Even someone like the Princess couldn’t get what she wanted, so how could others?
For a moment, Qu Fulan felt quite poignant inside.
The hunting event lasted for seven days, meaning the total count of game hunted over those days determined the winner.
The first day spent traveling to Yao Mountain had already consumed more than half a day, so the hunting merely served as a warm-up. Many went out but didn’t catch much, though some did and it was recorded.
In the evening, the Emperor hosted a grand banquet for the ministers, with each family sitting in their allotted position, like the Pei Family in one place and the Xiao Family in another.
Qu Fulan sat behind Madam Pei, with Heir Pei and Madam Pei seated in the front rows.
Owing to the prestigious status of both the Pei and Xiao families, they were closer to the Emperor’s main position.
Qu Fulan also realized why she had found the Emperor somewhat familiar. It turned out he was none other than Mr. Huang, the person Heir Pei had brought to the private box on the opening day of "Flower Garden Ode."
Who would have thought the Emperor enjoyed traveling incognito, and surprisingly had a good relationship with Heir Pei in private?
Drinking was naturally a part of the banquet, though the ladies had the liberty not to drink. Qu Fulan didn’t drink as she planned to participate in hunting the next day. Though she had a sobering potion, it could still have some effect.
Unless she could expel the alcohol using inner strength like Heir Pei, which would leave no effect at all.
The evening was exceptionally cold, so after a symbolic celebration, the Emperor ended the event early.
After returning, Qu Fulan simply washed up and went to bed. This kind of tent was rather luxurious, akin to having several rooms and a hall in modern terms, granting Qu Fulan her own room.
However, just as she lay down, she heard the sound of the curtain being lifted. Assuming it was a maid, she said there was nothing she needed and they didn’t need to attend to her. But the footsteps didn’t leave; rather, they approached the bedside.
Facing inwards due to the cold, Qu Fulan wrapped herself completely in the quilt, not letting a breeze in.
At such a moment, she was unwilling to move at all, akin to realizing you hadn’t turned off the light after snugly getting into bed on a winter night.
But the maid remained silent, which was too odd, compelling her to turn around and check.
To her surprise, she found Heir Pei sitting by her bedside, staring at her intently.
A scream almost broke out from her throat, which Qu Fulan forcibly suppressed.
"Princely Heir, what brings you here?"
This was her room, and it was already so late!
Pei Ji’an said, "I came to see you. Once I see you asleep, I’ll leave."
The man’s voice carried a hint of drunkenness.
Qu Fulan thought: Damn it, being watched like this, who could possibly sleep?