Since the death of the Princess of Xunyang in the palace, a palpable sense of impending storm had settled over the capital of Linyuan. Neutral court officials, fearing they would become casualties in the struggle for imperial power, felt acutely vulnerable. They had come to realize that they were merely pawns in the game between the Emperor and the Regent.
It wasn't just the court officials; even the Gong Wang Estate had its gates shut tight, its young ladies and lords unseen for several days.
Just as everyone assumed the palace banquet had concluded, Ji Jinmo suddenly entered the palace, making his way to the Imperial Study.
No one knew what transpired between the Regent and the Emperor, but it was heard that after the Regent departed, the Emperor flew into a great rage and demoted Noble Consort Zou to Consort Zou.
...
"So rushed?"
Upon learning of Ji Hong's intended date for the winter hunt, Nan Shiying expressed a touch of surprise. Although she had known the winter hunt would proceed as scheduled since the Xuan Guards captured that strange beast, she hadn't expected it to be this month.
Ji Jinmo, aware of the reason, replied, "It is a bit rushed. Otherwise, it would interfere with the year-end grand sacrifice."
Nan Shiying then remembered that such a sacrificial ceremony existed.
She responded with an "Oh," and then, recalling his hesitant expression when he had previously instructed her not to flaunt her identity as Feng Luan, she asked, "Right, when we mentioned the winter hunt earlier, what were you hesitant to say?"
Ji Jinmo hadn't expected her to remember. He slightly raised his eyelids, his voice deepening, "This year's winter hunt, I fear there will be trouble."
Nan Shiying glanced quickly at Ji Jinmo, as if to say, "Just the winter hunt? What in Linyuan isn't trouble right now?"
Ji Jinmo was momentarily stunned. At the time, he had thought he could deal with future matters later. He hadn't anticipated that so many events would unfold in these past few days, making the matter of the winter hunt not even worth his specific reminder. However, since she had asked, Ji Jinmo decided to finish his thought: "Weian Mountain has gentle slopes and dense vegetation. Venturing into the mountains in winter poses virtually no danger, which is why the winter hunt is held there. However, this year, the Princess of Dali and her envoys will also be participating in the hunt. This presents an excellent opportunity for Xiliang and Miaojiang!"
Had she heard this before, Nan Shiying would have been so troubled she'd press her temples. But now, she had grown accustomed to it.
...
Nothing significant had occurred in the capital during this period, yet it felt like the calm before a storm.
On the day of the hunt, the weather was somewhat overcast.
In the morning, the mist was thick, and a gust of wind carried a chilling dampness.
Lü Wan opened the window, and a blast of cold air, laden with moisture, instantly dispelled the warmth within the room. Lü Wan couldn't help but shiver. Bai Zhi, standing behind her, complained, "What kind of awful weather is this, Sister Lü Wan? Close the window a bit more; don't let the Consort freeze."
Lü Wan didn't glare at Bai Zhi this time but obligingly closed it slightly, leaving only a crack.
Nan Shiying, attended by Xiao Huan, changed her clothes. For the hunt, although the ladies of the various estates were not required to participate in the actual hunting, they still changed into trousers suitable for movement.
Narrow sleeves, short jackets, long trousers, and boots.
An entire ensemble of fiery red.
It instantly brightened the dim room.
After changing, Nan Shiying had a simple breakfast, draped a cloak with a pure white fox fur collar, and stepped out of her room.
Ji Jinmo had just arrived at the entrance of Xingyuan Pavilion when he saw a figure in fiery red slowly approaching through the mist.
Seeing Ji Jinmo enveloped in the mist, Nan Shiying tucked her hands into her cloak. As she looked at his black brocade-lined silk attire, she couldn't help but lament the creator's favoritism once again.
The two of them, one in black and one in red, stood together. One was tall and uninhibited, the other petite and curvaceous. They were a match more perfect than any celestial couple.
Lü Wan had also changed into a smart outfit and stood silently behind Nan Shiying. Xuan Thirteen, however, kept glancing at her.
He had heard from Xuan Yi that this lady was the master's shadow guard.
He had been too blind before to notice. But if that was the case, then Lü Wan aside, were even people like Bai Zhi shadow guards?
Sensing Thirteen's gaze, Lü Wan slowly raised her eyelids and glanced at him.
Thirteen grinned at Lü Wan.
Ji Jinmo extended his hand to Xuan Thirteen, who quickly handed him the hand warmer he was holding. Ji Jinmo took the hand warmer, then pulled Nan Shiying's hand, which was hidden in her cloak, and placed the hand warmer into her palm.
"Warm yourself."
Nan Shiying lowered her gaze and murmured an "Mm."
...
Carriages from various estates gathered outside the city gate. The Emperor's carriage, driven from the palace, led the way. The army set out, and after the Emperor's carriage passed through the city gate, the carriages from the various estates followed in succession. The procession moved grandly towards Weian Mountain.
There was originally a hunting palace on the summit of Weian Mountain. However, due to the overcast weather for this year's winter hunt, there was a risk of snow. Traveling up the mountain in the snow could be dangerous. Therefore, Ji Hong did not order the Jiyang Army to return for their posts. Instead, he commanded them to work with the Ministry of Rites to erect temporary tents on a spacious clearing halfway up the mountain.
An hour and a half later, the carriages stopped on the clearing on the mountainside.
Ji Hong alighted from his carriage, supported by eunuchs.
The Imperial Guards took possession of the prey from the Jiyang Army. The leading general escorted the prey into the mountain a step ahead.
The people from various estates dispersed and began directing their servants to set up tents.
Nan Shiying rubbed her hands. The mist in the mountains had grown heavier, creating a feeling of "cold weather unceasing, dark scenery deepening."
"Consort, why not get inside the carriage to warm up a bit!"
Lü Wan handed Nan Shiying a hand warmer and pulled her cloak forward from behind, covering most of her body.
The weather was cold, and after the arduous journey, it would be bad if she caught a cold.
Nan Shiying, however, shook her head. "I've been sitting for a long time. I want to stretch my legs."
The young ladies from most estates were huddled inside their carriages, refusing to step out until the tents were erected. Mu Xiaoxiao lifted the curtain of her carriage to look outside and immediately spotted Nan Shiying, dressed in a striking red outfit.
"Mother, I'm a bit tired of sitting. I want to get down and stretch." Mu Xiaoxiao said, then hurried out of the carriage without giving her mother a chance to speak. Mu's mother watched her bustling back and quickly instructed, "Don't wander too far."
Mu Xiaoxiao's voice, carried by the wind, drifted back to the carriage.
"Got it, Mother!!"
Judging by the sound, she had already run far away.
Madam Mu sighed helplessly, lifted the curtain, and looked outside. She saw Mu Xiaoxiao running towards the Regent's Consort, Nan Shiying, and her heart tightened.
That incorrigible child!
Why choose to approach Nan Shiying of all people?
...
"Consort!"
Nan Shiying was watching the servants lift the tent frames when a cheerful voice drifted from afar on the wind. Nan Shiying turned to look, and her expression suddenly became somewhat odd.
Why had she come?
Feeling a pang of guilt, Nan Shiying quickly glanced at Ji Jinmo.
Ji Jinmo turned his head as if on cue. Mu Xiaoxiao's figure met his dark eyes, bringing forth a chilling, somber aura.
Mu Xiaoxiao stopped abruptly. The smile on her lips froze in an instant. A hint of fear suddenly appeared in her eyes. After composing her suddenly tense emotions, she bowed respectfully and performed a礼: "This subject's daughter greets the Prince."
"Mm!"
Ji Jinmo let out a soft, measured "Mm!" from his nose.