The onlookers felt a chill that pierced to the bone. Whether their hands, frozen, could no longer hold their cups, or their hearts were filled with dread, the cups slipped from their grasp onto the table, then tumbled to the ground.
They landed with a resounding "clang!"
Nan Shiying calmly met Ji Hong's gaze, showing no fear at his sudden fury. She merely covered her mouth with her hand, coughed a couple of times, her eyes reddening as she replied, "This concubine is terrified, but merely curious about the prize His Majesty proposed. How can that be construed as deceiving the emperor?"
"Your Majesty, this concubine is wronged."
As she spoke, she prepared to curtsy gracefully.
Ji Jinmo, at the opportune moment, took Nan Shiying's hand and slowly stood up. He looked down at Ji Hong from his superior position, his voice as cold and sharp as hidden blades, "Does His Majesty wish to force this King's Consort to kneel?"
His challenging words caused everyone's hearts to skip a beat.
"You..."
Ji Hong's veins bulged on his forehead in anger. He suppressed the raging fury within him, his entire body like an overinflated balloon, on the verge of exploding.
The crowd fell silent as the grave, like quail, trembling and not daring to lift their heads, fearful that if the shockwaves of this explosion did not harm the Prince and Consort, they themselves would be utterly annihilated.
The air grew stagnant, the sky more overcast, as if it might fall at any moment, making it difficult for everyone to breathe.
"Imperial Uncle, I respect you as an elder and do not wish to quarrel with you, but you must also be mindful of your own station." Ji Hong emphasized the word "station" heavily, reminding Ji Jinmo that he was merely a prince, while he was the emperor of Linyuan Kingdom.
Ji Jinmo's lips curved upwards, forming a handsome arc. A playful expression suddenly appeared on his icy, stern face, tinged with mockery and perhaps pity. Though he remained silent, his thoughts were laid bare.
Emperor?
Just a useless good-for-nothing.
"The Emperor speaks wisely. This King is naturally aware of his station."
Ji Jinmo ultimately did not humiliate Ji Hong in front of the Dali envoys. Linyuan could engage in internal strife, but they could not become a laughingstock for Dali. As for the item in the national treasury, he had his own ways of obtaining it. Why would he foolishly step into a trap when he knew it was one?
He held Nan Shiying's wrist and said to Ji Hong, "There is no need for the hunt. My wife is delicate and not suited for the cold wind. This King will take her back to the tent to rest."
With that, without waiting for Ji Hong's consent, he pulled Nan Shiying's hand and turned away from the seating.
Ji Hong watched their retreating figures, his face instantly darkening. The hand at his side clenched, making a creaking sound. After a long while, he suppressed the anger in his heart and picked up his wine cup again.
...
Lifting the tent flap, warmth enveloped them. Nan Shiying removed her cloak, handed it to Lu Wan, and walked to a chair to sit down. "Does the national treasury hold something you desire?"
Ji Jinmo gave a noncommittal hum, "Buddha Gati Lotus."
"What is that?"
Though she considered herself well-read, she had never heard of it.
"Legend has it that after a high monk enters nirvana, he leaves behind a 'Buddha Gati' that embodies all Buddhist virtues. The Buddha Gati Lotus is a lotus that grows after the Buddha Gati is planted in the earth, capable of healing the dead and regenerating bone."
Nan Shiying stroked her chin. Did such a thing truly exist in the world?
But why would he want this?
"Do you want to use this to remove the蛊 (gu) worm in your body?" She hadn't heard Old Poison mention it.
"Not exactly." Ji Jinmo shook his head but did not reveal the purpose of the Buddha Gati Lotus. Nan Shiying didn't press further, only saying, "If..."
"No need."
Ji Jinmo knew what she wanted to say and what she wanted to do, but it was unnecessary. If it were only for himself, he might take the gamble, but now, he felt that if the price of obtaining the Buddha Gati Lotus was to put her in danger, then he would rather do without it.
Nan Shiying said no more.
The tent fell silent for a moment, with only the crackling sound of charcoal burning in the stove.
...
The winter hunt typically lasted three days: the first day was for hunting in the wilderness, the second for a staged hunt in an arena, and the third was for returning home.
For everyone except the young talents and noblewomen participating in the hunt, sitting on platforms with only minimal enclosures in the biting winter weather, no matter how thick their clothes, their hands and feet would turn cold. It was simply torture.
Even the roaring fire beside them could not alleviate the chill of staying still.
Bao Lan rubbed her arms, tucking her neck into her warm cloak. Her exposed nose was red from the cold. She leaned towards the princess and whispered, "Princess, I saw a lake not far behind the camp. The lake water has frozen over. If only we had a pair of ice skates now, we could glide about with great joy..." As she spoke, she couldn't help but sniffle. "This Linyuan Kingdom is truly uninteresting. In this prosperous age, the opening is so perfunctory. If it were our Dali, there would surely be performances by dancers and musicians."
Hearing Bao Lan's words, the Dali princess couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "Yes, if it were Dali, there would have to be grand preparations. But Bao Lan, isn't this a sign that our Dali, which relies on military might, is becoming inferior to Linyuan?"
"The officials and nobles are indulging in pleasure, the ministers and courtiers flatter their superiors and bully their inferiors. Every banquet must be held with great fanfare, as if only this can demonstrate the nobility of royal power. Even more laughable are the courtiers, who, instead of admonishing the monarch, offer fawning compliments. If this continues, Dali will rot from the roots without needing Linyuan's intervention."
"Moreover, you've been complaining that Linyuan is dull and has fewer amusements than Dali... But do you know that even this winter hunt is not meant for amusement? It is a trial to ignite the spirit of the young talents, an assessment to examine the abilities and character of Linyuan's young talents."
"To measure talent for the nation, to select talent for the nation."
"Of course, in previous years, the winter hunt also served another purpose: it was a platform for the princes to showcase themselves to the court officials, to see who was more qualified to contend for the supreme position."
"So Bao Lan, do not underestimate Linyuan. Linyuan..."
Her voice gradually weakened, finally fading into a long sigh.
It was unclear what she was contemplating in her heart.
Silence fell around them, with only the wind rustling through the charcoal fire, making 'pipi' sounds.