Liu Ying was shocked when he heard that the Young Prince wished to convene the Xuan and Chi forces. He secretly glanced at his Lord’s expression and saw a faint killing intent. Heading out of the city this late at night just because the Third Miss of the Minister’s residence was meeting the Fourth Prince on the grass plains?
Emperor An Qing had a large number of troops under his command and in the palace, there was a group of black-clothed cavalry consisting of deathguards established by the former emperor’s decree. They listened only to the orders from the palace and apart from Emperor An Qing, only the Young Prince could mobilise them. Usually, no one knew where they were hiding. There were six forces in the black-clothed cavalry. When they guarded and protected the current Emperor Ning as he ascended to the throne, only five forces were used. Tonight, two forces of soldiers had actually been summoned. Liu Ying involuntarily began to feel nervous.
Half an hour later, a hundred or so dark silhouettes had quietly appeared in front of the Song Feng Hall in the prince’s palace. All of them were masked with black scarves and the Xuan force wore a soft dark blue armour while the Chi force were in red slim fitting outfits. If one didn’t observe carefully in the dark, they would blend unnoticeably into the night.
Liu Jue spoke coldly, “I am going hunting in the grass plains tonight. The Xuan force will follow and the Chi force will reinforce.”
The dark mass of a hundred or so people in front of him all knelt down on one knee and answered in a low voice, “As you wish.”
From the moment they had gathered to when they left the residence, the black-clothed cavalry hardly made any movements. Their horses all had cloth covering their hooves and they sped across the main street towards the city’s South Gate. The guard of the city gates was woken up by Liu Ying. When he opened his eyes, he was so frightened that his legs gave way and he fell to the ground. He didn’t know when this group of people had appeared.
Without a word, Liu Jue raised his hand to show the Crimson Dragon Authorisation. This authorisation token had been given to the An Qing Palace when the former Emperor had passed away. If the imperial court was thrown into chaos, those who held this token had the power of life and death, being able to directly take control of Feng City’s defence. Unexpectedly, Liu Jue had used this token just to leave the residence tonight.
As soon as he saw the Crimson Dragon Authorisation, the guard opened the city gate without a second thought. The group of people hit their horses and they headed towards the grass plains. Under the moonlight, they were like a black cloud floating along the ground.
The guard watched them and rubbed his eyes again. He heard the rearmost person in the cavalry speak coldly, “You slept all the way until dawn and you’re sleepwalking right now.” The guard nodded numbly and seeing the dark cloud drifting away, he quickly closed the city gate. Retreating back to the gatehouse, he fell asleep with a quilt pulled over his head.
After the black-clothed cavalry had ridden two and a half kilometres from Feng City, Liu Jue waved his hand. The Chi force divided into several teams and left the main group, disappearing into the grass plains. The deathguards of the Xuan force closely followed Liu Jue forward. When they saw a faint light of a fire in the distance, Liu Jue urged his horse on even more anxiously. A “swish” sound was heard and Liu Ying flung his horsewhip but it was like an arrow without an arrowhead. The grass in front of them moved and dozens of figures appeared. In the moonlight, it was clear from their outfits that they were from the Fourth Prince’s residence.
One of them stepped forward and said in a low voice, “Is it the black-clothed cavalry of the An Qing Palace?”
Liu Ying shouted, “How audacious, you dare to stop the prince from moving forward!”
The man saluted Liu Jue, yet didn’t acknowledge his seniority, “Good evening Young Prince. My family’s Lord is resting here and enjoying the scenery. Please make a detour, Young Prince.”
Liu Ying said angrily, “This is outrageous. My family’s Young Prince left the city late at night to go hunting. How dare you speak so impertinently?”
王府众侍卫刷的抽出配刀。大有说不好就打一架的架式。
All the imperial bodyguards of the prince’s palace drew their swords. If they were unable to negotiate peacefully, then they could just fight.
刘珏突然笑了：“四殿下在此本不该打挠，既然这么巧遇上了，不如与四殿下一同赏景。”他抬头看看夜空：“今晚的星空多美啊！你们留下吧。人多煞了风景。”
Liu Jue laughed suddenly, “His Highness shouldn’t have been bothered in the first place. Since we met by chance, it would be better to enjoy the scenery with His Highness.” He raised his head and looked up at the night sky, “Tonight’s starry sky is beautiful! The rest of you stay here. Too many people would ruin the scenery.”
Liu Ying said anxiously, “My Lord!”
Liu Jue glanced at him. Liu Ying reluctantly retreated and said, “Your subordinate will wait here.”
Liu Jue rode forward slowly and the imperial bodyguards stood looking at one another. One of them said, “Young Prince please proceed slowly. This humble servant will go and notify them.” His silhouette moved towards the light from the fire.
Zi Li watched Ah Luo as she slept peacefully. He felt someone nearing and had already felt the slight vibration of horse hooves on the ground before. He thought for a moment and stretched out his hand to brush Ah Luo’s sleeping acupressure point, then he picked her up and took her to the tent that had been set up earlier. Standing in front of the tent, he listened to the imperial bodyguard report that Liu Jue had led the black-clothed cavalry into the grass plains and was coming over alone.
Zi Li walked slowly to the fire and sat down next to it. Indifferently, he added wood to the fire. The sound of horse hooves halted behind him and Liu Jue smiled brightly, “Your Highness is truly interesting to enjoy something like this.” As he spoke, he also walked to the fire and sat, tossing over a wineskin and said, “Father brought back this wine from a town at the border. It burns like fire when drunk and is extremely satisfying!”
Zi Li’s face showed a faint smile. He took a large sip then tossed it back to Liu Jue, “Why does the Young Prince have such an unusual hobby, loving to hunt at night?”
Liu Jue raised his head to drink, then smiled widely and said, “ YourHighness has never experienced the joy of hunting at night. You know, it’s more exciting to hunt by looking at the eyes of the prey at night than seeing it in the daylight!”
Zi Li asked indifferently, “Did the Young Prince see the eyes of prey tonight?”
Liu Jue’s eyes seemed to glance at the tent as he smiled and said, “The prey was afraid of my arrow, so it closed its eyes and fell asleep.”
Zi Li’s mouth curved into a slight smile, “Since it fell asleep, it seems like the Young Prince will return home unsuccessful tonight.”
Liu Jue stood up and stretched, then said with a smile, “I never return empty-handed. I’ll just wake it up.” He lifted his foot and walked towards the tent. Zi Li’s figure flashed and he reappeared, standing in front of the tent, “Young Prince can go hunting in the grass plains by himself. I won’t send you off.”
Liu Jue’s expression turned cold, “I saw a pair of eyes glimmering from inside the tent. It would not be good for her to run around and disturb Your Highness’ personal tent. Let me catch her and bring her out!” His hand suddenly reached out towards the tent.
Zi Li’s hand flew out to block his palm, then he smiled and said, “I won’t trouble this Young Prince with the matters in my tent!”
Liu Jue smiled coldly, “Your Highness, how about satisfying my curiosity?” Their figures floated and their hands began to move. With the fierce wind caused by their palms, they heard a loud “crash” and the tent fell to the ground. Zi Li was startled and he rushed into the tent, carrying out Ah Luo who was covered with a blanket.
Liu Jue’s hands stopped, “Sincerest apologies. It turns out that His Fourth Highness was meeting a close friend late at night in the grass plains. I was reckless.”
Zi Li’s expression was already very displeased and he said lightly, “Not at all, the Young Prince is still refined. We might as well drink some more. Ah Luo is sleeping soundly, she wasn’t disturbed in the slightest.”
Liu Jue’s eyes swept across Ah Luo’s sleeping face. He knew then that her acupressure point had been tapped and she was in dreamland. Retreating two steps, he sat next to the fire again and drank.
Several imperial attendants emerged from out of nowhere and quickly packed up the collapsed tent, then left. Only the huge fire was left on the empty grass plains, crackling and burning. Zi Li gently put Ah Luo on the felt rug, his movements light and soft.
刘珏突然出声道：“四殿下真是好福气，再过两月就将迎娶到风城双绝之一的顾相千金。”
Liu Jue suddenly said, “His Fourth Highness truly has great fortune, marrying the daughter of Minister Gu, one of the two most talented beauties in Feng City.”
Zi Li smiled slightly again, “It is a blessing indeed. When the time comes, I will invite the Young Prince to come and watch the ceremony.”
Liu Jue chuckled and looked at Ah Luo, “Could it be that Your Highness wants to enjoy the blessing of having more than one wife?”
子离微笑道：“娥黄女英，也乏一段佳话，怎么，小王爷近来也有成家打算？”
Zi Li smiled and said, “The story of E huang and Nuying is a famous story. Why, did the Young Prince recently make plans to start a family?”
Liu Jue smirked, “It seems like Your Highness doesn’t know. A year ago, I had proposed a marriage arrangement to Minister Li and he had readily agreed. He’s just waiting for his daughter to come of age and marry.”
Zi Li’s smile froze on his face and he was silent for a while, then he widened his smile and said, “It seems like I wasn’t the only one who proposed a marriage arrangement to Minister Li. One girl cannot marry two husbands. Could it be possible that Minister Li wants to board two boats at the same time?”
Liu Jue stared at Zi Li and seeing that he was looking frankly back at himself, without any half-heartedness, he was unable to tell whether he was being truthful or not at this moment. He had heard that Minister Li was incredibly shrewd and cunning. Could it be that having married a daughter to the Crown Prince, he wanted to marry another one to the Fourth Prince? So that in the future, no matter who ascended to the throne, he would still be able to take advantage of it? Liu Jue’s thoughts churned, although the smile on his face remained unchanged, “What should we do about this? Your Highness? Must we really compete? It would be embarrassing if this became known.”
Zi Li heard the undertones of what Liu Jue meant. The embarrassed one would clearly be Minister Gu. Before his daughter was married, Zi Li himself had proposed a marriage to Minister Li. Where could Minister Gu turn his face? Furthermore, Gu Tian Lin was appointed by Emperor Ning for marriage. In this way, Emperor Ning would also not be given any face. Zi Li said indifferently, “Ah Luo still has more than a year left before she becomes of age. Let Ah Luo decide for herself.” After saying this, his eyes suddenly sharpened and his cold gaze swept across Liu Jue’s face, “I don’t want any matters arising about her being forced.”
Liu Jue saw that he should stop before going too far and laughed in a clear voice, “I am not a senseless person. A forcibly plucked melon won’t be sweet! Of course, if YourHighness and Miss Gu become deeply in love, and you change your mind. Don’t forget to let me know.” Liu Jue stood up and leapt onto his horse. Watching the dawn breaking across the sky, he muttered, “The scenery here is indeed beautiful.” He turned to ride his horse away.
Zi Li suddenly said, “I heard that a portrait of Miss Gu is hanging in the Young Prince’s Song Feng Hall. Is this the reason why you are competing with me?”
Liu Jue was startled. Zi Li spoke again, “If that is the case, I advise you to stop dragging Ah Luo into your plans.”
Liu Jue sneered coldly, “You can only treat Ah Luo like this. If you are so fond of her, would you let her suffer as a concubine?” Without waiting for a response, he pressed the horse’s belly and the horse galloped away with a long whinny.
Zi Li was stunned. Defeatedly, he watched the horizon light up bit by bit, the trace of orange slowly dying the sky red. He couldn’t help but sigh softly.
He signalled with his hand and an attendant led over his horse. Zi Li picked up Ah Luo, mounted his horse, and rode into the city. The wind blew past his ears, the grass plains still cold in the early April mornings. Ah Luo’s cheeks were tinged pink and she was still dreaming. Zi Li hugged her tightly; the warmth emanating from her soft body allowed his heart to no longer feel empty.
Leaping into the Minister’s residence, Zi Li woke up Ah Luo, “We’ve returned to the residence, you should go back.”
Ah Luo rubbed her eyes, “Elder Brother, I fell asleep and didn’t accompany you.”
Zi Li smiled gently and said, “In the future, Elder Brother will take you out again to see more beautiful scenery. It’s getting late, go back quickly.”
Ah Luo looked at Zi Li and felt very happy. Zi Li really treated her well. She waved at Zi Li, “Elder Brother, see you!” Turning around, she ran out of the bamboo forest.
Xiao Yu was already up and seeing her come in from outside, she said, “I pushed the door to your room but found it was closed tightly. I thought you weren’t awake yet.”
Ah Luo stretched and said with a smile, “I went to practise martial arts in the bamboo forest early.” She pinched Xiao Yu’s cheeks and said, “Help me prepare water for face washing, I haven’t washed yet.”
After Xiao Yu walked off, Ah Luo looked around then stepped in through the window and opened the door. Then she sat down in front of the mirror. She thought about the exciting night trip with the beautiful starry sky on the grass plains. She felt that without Minister Li’s imposing nature and without the ancient disorderly rules, it would be a comfortable thing to live freely in this beautiful country. There are always two sides to everything. It wasn’t the modern era here so she couldn’t just do whatever she wanted. Being able to relax once was already good enough. Who knew what would happen after.
After eating breakfast, Ah Luo waited for Seventh Mistress to return from greeting the others. Then she said to Seventh Mistress, “Mother, we have enough money now, shall we run away?”
Seventh Mistress smiled at Ah Luo, “San’er, how do we leave? We don’t have a foolproof plan so we shouldn’t act rashly, if not, how far could we go?”
Ah Luo also smiled, “I know, I just want to leave too much. Don’t worry, without being well-prepared, I won’t reveal the slightest clues. Now that we have the money and there is still more than a year left, we have enough time to plan our route and make all the arrangements.”
Reassured, Seventh Mistress smiled.
