The third son of the Mu Baiyu lineage in the Gong Prince's Estate did not make an appearance at this year's hunt. The first day's forest hunt saw the legitimate son of the Duke of the State taking the lead.
Ji Hong bestowed a long spear, once held by the Grand Emperor, upon the Duke's legitimate son, drawing envious glances from all present.
By evening, the sky, which had been overcast all day, had cleared.
The moon hung in the night sky, accompanied by scattered stars. Even though the wind was biting cold, there was a unique charm to the scene.
Nan Shiying, wrapped in a thick coat, stood by the tent.
In the open space outside the tent, someone was tending a bonfire, roasting the day's catch.
The aroma of meat, coated in juices, wafted into Nan Shiying's nostrils.
Ji Jinmo, from somewhere, produced a lamb leg and held it up before Nan Shiying.
His appearance, compared to the lamb leg in his hand, was so incongruous that Nan Shiying couldn't help but blink, half-suspecting she was seeing a counterfeit Ji Jinmo.
Grease dripped down the lamb leg and into Ji Jinmo's palm. Nan Shiying quickly took the leg from his hand.
"Where did you get this?" she asked.
Ji Jinmo accepted a handkerchief from Xuan Shisan and carefully wiped his hands. Hearing Nan Shiying's question, he slowly raised his head and glanced towards Wei Yuan.
Had it not been for Ji Jinmo's reminder, Nan Shiying would have forgotten that Wei Yuan was also participating in the hunt.
For some reason, she found Wei Yuan's figure, shrouded in darkness in the distance, to appear somewhat frail, helpless, and pitiful.
"Eat it quickly, it'll get cold soon."
Ji Jinmo, perhaps intentionally, stepped forward to block Nan Shiying's view of Wei Yuan and reminded her softly.
If lamb cooled down, it would develop a gamey odor and wouldn't taste as good.
Nan Shiying nodded, holding the lamb leg, and returned to the tent. The meal had not yet been cleared, and a plate was available. Nan Shiying placed the lamb leg on it.
Without calling for Lu Wan, she picked up a small knife and began cutting the meat into pieces.
"Master, would you like some?"
Her mouth slick with grease, she pushed the plate towards Ji Jinmo.
Ji Jinmo shook his head. "No, thank you."
Nan Shiying suddenly recalled that Gu worms favored meat. The more meat and greasy food consumed by the person afflicted with the Gu, the more active the worms would become. He probably hadn't eaten any meat for a long time.
For some reason, seeing Ji Jinmo's nonchalant expression, her heart was suddenly struck by an irrepressible dull ache. It wasn't a pain that pierced to the bone all at once, but a slow, pervasive throb that spread through her entire body before erupting with full force.
Even the meat in her mouth didn't taste as good as before.
Seeing her stop, Ji Jinmo asked, "What? Not tasty?"
Nan Shiying shook her head. "I'm full."
She put down the meat, took a handkerchief to wipe her hands, and upon confirming Nan Shiying was no longer eating, Lu Wan waved her hand, signaling the servants to clear away the dinner and replace it with tea and pastries.
The two sat facing each other, drinking tea.
The moonlight deepened, but neither Nan Shiying nor Ji Jinmo showed any signs of retiring. Xuan Shisan glanced at Lu Wan. Lu Wan pondered for a moment before walking over to the two of them and saying, "Master, Empress, it is late now. It is time to rest."
Nan Shiying and Ji Jinmo exchanged a glance, then quickly looked away.
The only issue with this hunt was that the couple, who were regarded as deeply in love by outsiders, had to sleep in the same tent.
It was the first time Nan Shiying and Ji Jinmo were sharing a room since their marriage. Beneath their calm exteriors, a flicker of panic lay hidden.
The response to Lu Wan was a long silence. An indescribable atmosphere permeated the tent. Xuan Shisan couldn't help but rub his nose, never having expected his decisive Prince to have such a flustered side.
Ji Jinmo coughed and said to Lu Wan, "The Prince and his Consort have some matters to discuss. You may withdraw first."
"He's embarrassed and wants to drive us away!"
Xuan Shisan muttered, then instantly fell silent.
"Yes!"
He and Lu Wan withdrew from the tent together.
Now, only Nan Shiying and Ji Jinmo remained in the tent. The surroundings were so quiet that they could clearly hear each other's heartbeats.
Nan Shiying's hands tightened around the teacup, her fingers gripping the rim. The current atmosphere made her feel an urge to escape.
"Um, I..."
"I'll sleep on the floor."
Nan Shiying and Ji Jinmo spoke at the same time.
Hearing Ji Jinmo's words, Nan Shiying looked up abruptly. The tips of Ji Jinmo's ears were tinged with a faint redness. In the candlelight, his entire demeanor softened. "Just give me a blanket."
Although the tent was heated with charcoal, the floor was only covered with a rug. Later in the night, the chill would surge up from the ground. Lying on the floor would mean freezing to death!
Besides, his current condition... Nan Shiying gritted her teeth. She lowered her eyes slightly, concealing the panic in her eyes and the blush on her face, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum, "Let's sleep together."
"What did you say?"
Ji Jinmo's eyes widened instantly, fixed intently on Nan Shiying.
His intense gaze scorched Nan Shiying's skin, making her feel as if sparks were landing on her hands and body, burning their way into her heart. She suddenly looked up, somewhat annoyed, and explained, "I mean, we can use the blanket as a divider, and each sleep on one side!"
Seeing Nan Shiying's flustered and annoyed expression, Ji Jinmo couldn't resist teasing her. He feigned ignorance and asked back, "I know that's what you mean. Could your previous statement have any other meaning?"
Seeing his smiling, teasing eyes, Nan Shiying was so angry she wished she could splash the tea in her hands onto his face. How could this man have such a wicked side? The people outside who called him cold and arrogant should really see this face of his in private.
"Ji, Jin, Mo!"
Nan Shiying gritted her teeth, her eyes threatening to spew fire!
Seeing this, Ji Jinmo knew when to stop teasing her, lest he anger her too much and find it difficult to resolve.
He pretended nothing had happened, took a sip of tea, then set down the cup. He walked to the bed and, in front of Nan Shiying, casually removed his outer robe.
Nan Shiying quickly lowered her head, but couldn't resist peeking up again. She saw Ji Jinmo lying in the bedding fully clothed, looking at her with a smile in his eyes.
While Nan Shiying felt both ashamed and annoyed, she also unashamedly swallowed.