WASS – Chapter 113

Poor Xiang Xiang, I wonder if there is a conspiracy here.

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Chapter 113 – Round Up and Hunt

Translated by HaruOngy at Geniusly Plain (If you can see this line, you must have read this in the aggregator site which illegally steal various works. Be shameful of yourself for not appreciating the translator’s hard work. Don’t think only you want to have it the easy way. Support the fanbase and translator!)

Bringing only Mei Qian Deng and Princess Xiang Xiang out for an outing would be too eye-catching.

Hence, the group of people for outing that day was vast and mighty, graceful and in waves, elegant ladies in many postures, it was really merry.

All the young ladies who entered the palace for the Empress selection had joined.

This time, Chu Xun could be considered as doing his best.

Inside the imperial hunting ground at the suburbs of the capital, the coloured banners fluttered. Chu Xun believed he was a good emperor who could take good care of everyone. Those girls who matched the criteria for the Empress selection, most of them were no longer young yet still unmarried so their parents must be very worried. Anyway, none of them would remain inside the palace in the end. As a compensation, this time Chu Xun specially invited countless single young masters from noble families.

In case any couples were made, they could ask for a hand in marriage after a few days, this could be considered as a joyful thing.

For example, Di Mu Yang at the front.

This brother was about the same age as Chu Xun, the only son of the Old General Di, his father had planned to arrange a marriage for him for many years already. Yet, Di Mu Yang was too loyal to Chu Xun, even marrying a wife this great matter he didn’t dare to do it before the Emperor. If the Emperor didn’t appoint an Empress, he would remain by the Emperor’s side as a single for a lifetime! He was resolute, must never forsake his member.

Di Mu Yang stretched his neck long as he looked around in the hunting grounds. Seeing the small black dot getting closer, he immediately kicked the horse, too excited to welcome, “Your Majesty——!”

Chu Xun sat in the first horse carriage, letting only Mei Qian Deng serving at his side.

The sulky horse carriage, Chu Xun sat opposite her, closing his eyes for a rest. How come she never felt this horse carriage too small? Even the breath the other person released could be felt. The journey could never be without tossing around, their knees hit each other, Mei Qian Deng silently moved closer to the corner.

Chu Xun pretended he didn’t know her little moves.

The second horse carriage was occupied by Princess Xiang Xiang and Yu Qing Ruo. They were both princesses of another countries, had noble and honourable identity, it was natural for them to be arranged at the front. The northern border at highlands while Po Ye at the sea, separated just like the blue sea turned into mulberry fields[1]. Princess Xiang Xiang and Yu Qing Ruo had nothing common to talk about but they were still polite to each other.

Xiang Xiang embarrassedly said, “Female prince, I opened the carriage window to its maximum for some ventilation. Emperor Chu said most people will not be used with the musk smell on my body. I’ve already put on the fragrance from the capital city. Will you feel dizzy smelling it? If you’re uncomfortable, should I go out and use another horse carriage?”

Yu Qing Ruo was all smiles, “It’s fine.” She was less aloof than how usually she was in front of others.

She even pulled her flourish, slender white hands, picking one of the small pigtails beside Xiang Xiang’s ear and idly chatted, “Tying each and every of Princess’ pigtails must be very time-consuming, isn’t it? Why don’t you do buns instead? Since Emperor Chu had praised it cute before.”

“Well, I did have an imagination in the past, thinking of performing well to garner Emperor Chu’s interest. Now that I know Emperor Chu will never like me, I don’t have to pretend being cute anymore, it’s not the true me in the first place.” Xiang Xiang was a straightforward person, sadness came quickly and disappeared quickly too. She had long accepted it.

Yu Qing Ruo took back her hand, “Won’t you be angry?”

“Why should I?”

“I’m quite offended with Emperor Chu, he obviously have a girl he likes yet still want to get many people involved in empress selection. He is not very sincere with us all, thinking of us as foils. Wait until I return, when Empress ask the events in the Chu country, telling lies will be shameful and grievous but telling the truth will hurt the relationship between two countries. Princess, don’t you think it’s a dilemma?”

Xiang Xiang agreed, “Before I came here, I had vowed solemnly in front of tribe leader that I will take down Emperor Chu. If I return crestfallen in the end, I will be laughed by them.”

“At that time, Princess shouldn’t be too sad with yourself.”

“Naturally since my fists are strong.” Xiang Xiang pulled her sleeves, showing off her fists.

“……”

Xiang Xiang caught several pigtails behind her ears to smell, there were still some lingering fragrance, “Female prince, your hand is very fragrant.”

“If Princess likes it, when we return I will send some to you.”

Just as she said, the horse carriage stopped. The servant driving the carriage pulled aside the carriage curtain, inviting them to get off.

Chu Xun loved being beauty. Basking too long in the sun would blacken his skin and if he accidentally fell off from the horse carriage it would be an unimaginable disaster. Hence, he rarely came to this hunting ground. There was no great mountains at the suburbs of the capital, the hunting ground was nothing more than a piece of flatlands and a small forest behind a hill. At the southern region, there was a small building to view the hunting grounds.

Today, other than the prepared one hundred rabbits, wild chickens and foxes as well as tens of fawns, there were no violent game. For these sons from distinguished families, these were just a simple work. However, the Emperor had secretly sent people to remind them that this hunt was just a cover, the most important mission was to accompany these young ladies to have fun.

Di Mu Yang first led his Emperor to the main seat inside the hall at the second floor of the small building. When the young ladies had all entered, he spoke in Chu Xun’s place, “Young ladies and young misses, those who are interested can change your clothes to pick horses at the stable. This building has some refreshments and equipments for some simple games has been prepared. The flower terrace at the third is for watching the hunting ground.”

After finish introducing, Di Mu Yang approached Chu Xun, “This subject will help Your Majesty to change clothes?”

Instantly he received a disdainful roll of the eyes from Chu Xun. Zhen has a personal eunuch to serve, there is no need for a big man like you to do so. Standing up, he normally said, “Mei gonggong, let’s go.”

Although Mei Qian Deng was awkward facing Chu Xun, helping him to change clothes was very efficient. One pulled off, one put on. She didn’t even have any unnecessary glimpse. This should be the so called get it over with, a blitzkrieg strategy was far better than slowly looking at each other in silent.

Chu Xun threw another set of male clothes to Mei Qian Deng, “You should change too, go and have a fight with Princess Xiang Xiang.”

Mei Qian Deng hugged the clothes, contemplating. Here, not even a screen was around, where was she supposed to change?!

“Xiao Mei Zi, do you need zhen to help you change?”

“Your Majesty, please watch how you conduct yourself.”

Mei Qian Deng turned around, planning to go into another room.

Chu Xun at her back casually said, “There is only two halls in this building. Zhen used the biggest one. The other one is prepared for the young ladies to change but you’re a eunuch right now. Entering that room will lead to you being chased away by them.”

Whoosh, right at the bullseye.

Female warrior Mei couldn’t move. She then thought of just standing at the side watching instead of riding horse.

Chu Xun was like the roundworm in Mei Qian Deng’s stomach, adding before she could talk, “Zhen use two hands to cover zhen’s eyes should be good enough.” He then made a move like he was covering his eyes, “Zhen see nothing.”

“Then, I will have to trouble Your Majesty for a while.”

With a rustling sound, Mei Qian Deng quickly started to change her clothes. The truth was she didn’t even remove her inner clothes so even if Chu Xun opened his eyes he would see nothing. It was not like Mei Qian Deng never change her clothes in front of him. The only reason was because Chu Xun got possessed and fell for her.

Chu Xun that pervert silently widened the gap between his fingers and peeked.

Female warrior Mei was still too honest, too easily believed other people.

“Your Majesty, I’m done changing.”

“Oh.” Maintaining his appearance, faking his looks, he put down his hands. (Chu Xun’s excuse: Fat fingers are more airtight, zhen’s slender hands are like onion, with distinct joints so the fingers innately have crevice!)

When both Chu Xun and Mei Qian Deng came out in another clothes, a pair of eyes was twinkling in the main hall.

Chu Xun thought nothing of these people’s unusual looks, he only smiled and said, “There is no other rule today, whoever hunt the most will be the winner. The champion will get a reward from zhen.”

A group of sons from distinguished families had long waited at the hunting group. Following Chu Xun downstairs to pick horse were only five young ladies, Xiang Xiang was the most excited one, behind her was Qian Qian and Zhao Shu Ran, the other two side characters were just there to join the fun. Yu Qing Ruo didn’t know how to ride horse and draw a bow to hunt a small white rabbit so she sat at the the flower terrace at the third floor, watching from afar.

Chu Xun had an imperial white horse. He successful turned his body over in one go, that move was quite handsome.

Mei Qian Deng picked a claret horse, Qian Qian suddenly moved closer, touching the horse she said, “Mei gonggong, Princess Xiang Xiang said she wants to have a competition with you alone?”

She nodded.

“Then, His Majesty……”

“You all can follow His Majesty. His Majesty don’t like to ride and hunt, you all can surely catch up to him.”

“Alright, alright.”

Qian Qian happily stroked Mei Qian Deng’s horse again before leaving.

Mei Qian Deng and Princess Xiang Xiang rode the horse at the same time, “Jia[2]——!” The two figures flew out, their hands released the bow, ceng[3]—— the arrows shot off, in an instant they had hit two rabbits.

Xiang Xiang nudged her horse to Mei Qian Deng’s side, she was truly lively now. She was the girl belonging to the back of the horse and blue sky. Xiang Xiang said, “Killing so many rabbits and wild chickens to bring back will be too much to be eaten. Why don’t we change the competition? Do you see at the hillside that fawn crooking its neck beside the tree? We’ll compete who run faster and accurately hit it first, what do you think?”

“Alright!”

Xiang Xiang kept running ahead of Mei Qian Deng. Mei Qian Deng was not flustered, although she was not as fast as Xiang Xiang, when she saw Xiang Xiang drew her bow, she would release the arrow first. Female warrior Mei was purely creating a disturbance, the fawn being surprised swiftly leapt and escaped far away. Xiang Xiang missed so she instantly turned around the horse, changing her battle plan too.

Chu Xun and the others slowly followed at the back, without any intention of hunting. Chu Xun just watched those two riding the horses, waiting to see the winner and loser. Beside Chu Xun were Qian Qian and Di Mu Yang guarding at his sides. Chu Xun wished for them to have fun but these two were steadfast, saying swords have no eyes so they wanted to protect the emperor.

Mei Qian Deng and Xiang Xiang was still in a chase, intentionally surprise the fawn and ‘saving’ its life, making it harder for the opponent to hit it. Gradually, only these two valiant girls chasing a fawn around the hunting ground. Zhao Shu Ran grabbed a small, white rabbit and played with it in her bosoms with her other hand grabbing the rope urging the horse until she reached Di Mu Yang’s side.

Zhao Shu Ran, “Mei gonggong is about to pull off a comeback from Princess Xiang Xiang.”

She had just said when they saw Mei Qian Deng’s legs locked tightly on the horse abdomen, she suddenly lashed, “Jia——!” The two of them were at a corner, Mei Qian Deng cut Xiang Xiang from inside.

Zhao Shu Ran, “If Princess Xiang Xiang still don’t make her move, the fawn will be dead in gonggong’s hands.”

As expected, Princess Xiang Xiang pulled out an arrow from the quiver. Though Mei Qian Deng was much nearer, Xiang Xiang was confident her strength and speed in archery was surely superior to Mei Qian Deng.

Zhao Shu Ran, “Yi, if that arrow of Princess Xiang Xiang missed, the one getting hit will be Mei gonggong instead.”

Halfway through Zhao Shu Ran’s talk, everyone around her didn’t realise. When she had finished, Chu Xun had already urged his horse to rush forward, “Mei Qian Deng, be careful!”

Sadly, Chu Xun was too far away, even if he grew a pair of wings at his back, he might still be too late.

Thankfully Mei Qian Deng’s martial arts were excellent, as if eyes grew on her back, when that sudden arrow from Princess Xiang Xiang shot off, Mei Qian Deng immediately noticed the danger. She was on a horse, it was a big difference of speed when riding. In imminent peril, Mei Qian Deng gritted her teeth as she jumped off the horse, rolling a few times on the ground before she stopped.

Really, although female warrior Mei was surprised, she was composed throughout the course.

The whole hunting ground could hear a certain person’s heartrending shriek, “MEI——QIAN——DENG——!”

Mei Qian Deng climbed up, her body was aching a bit and her head due to the rolling was quite dizzy. Just as she about to stabilise her condition, a figure fell down from the sky and hugged the upper half of her body.

Chu Xun used the fastest speed to rush over, he first hugged her to reduce his shock. Then, he pulled Mei Qian Deng away to check her situation.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Mei Qian Deng moved her limbs. She knew it was nothing, shaking her head she pushed Chu Xun’s hands away to find Xiang Xiang.

The whole scene, other than Chu Xun, the second person in shock was this one.

Xiang Xiang was completely dumbfounded, when she released the arrow she was already stupefied.

She ran to before Chu Xun and knelt, “Emperor Chu, I didn’t have any intention of hitting Mei gonggong, at that time, that time……” She couldn’t say it clearly why the arrow nearly hit Mei Qian Deng’s back instead at that time.

Chu Xun pursed his lips, his murderous aura was very apparent.

Although Mei Qian Deng felt it was weird too, she didn’t blame Princess Xiang Xiang at all but at the same time she didn’t know how to resolve the awkwardness at the scene. She was bad with talking, merely able to lightly pulled Chu Xun’s sleeves and said softly, “It’s because we got too heated up in the fun, next time I’ll be careful of my safety.”

“There is next time?!”

“……”

Di Mu Yang and the others had rush over too but they didn’t dare to approach too near. Princess Xiang Xiang was still kneeling at the muddy area, Mei Qian Deng in male clothes was very close to the emperor. With that excessive cry from the emperor earlier, some gossips were spreading widely now.

On the scene, only Di Mu Yang was the closest to Chu Xun. He approached them and persuaded, “Your Majesty, no matter what Princess Xiang Xiang came from afar, with honourable identity. Kneeling for this long is quite bad.”

Chu Xun released his anger from his nose with a cold snort.

Mei Qian Deng made her own decision, going there and pulled up Xiang Xiang, “Princess please stand up, I’m just a servant, nothing to care about my death. For you to kneel for my sake, it’s illogical.”

Mei Qian Deng stared at Princess Xiang Xiang, “Princess is not someone who will miss while riding horse, so why did it miss?”

“Just now at that flash, maybe because I was too excited or maybe because my skills worsen after not practising for a while or maybe because I’m not used to riding horses from Chu region……”Princess Xiang Xiang herself couldn’t explain that moment, what more those outsiders who only saw she missed the shot.

It couldn’t be blame for Chu Xun to be angry, Princess Xiang Xiang was just like a source of disasters. Let’s not mention how she had no feminine appearance, just two days ago she caused him to have vomit and diarrhoea and now she nearly hit Mei Qian Deng. Chu Xun chuckled instead when he was furious, “You’re the one who made the mistake and yet you’re blaming the beast instead? This method Princess used to push the blame is really something new for zhen.”

Xiang Xiang was such a heroic lady yet her eyes still reddened now.

She felt grievous too.

“Prepare the carriages, we’re returning to the palace!” Chu Xun was lazy to spare more words with her, pulling Mei Qian Deng’s hands they left. The remaining men and ladies watched those two left, they looked at each other.

[A Mini Theatre]

 

Zhao Shu Ran: “Please call me Zhao (divine mouth) Shu (commenter) Ran.”

[1] An idiom. Means, time brings great changes.

[2] The sound they made when signalling the horse to move.

[3] Not sure what it is. Probably the sound made when the arrow is released.

Translated by HaruOngy at Geniusly Plain (If you can see this line, you must have read this in the aggregator site which illegally steal various works. Be shameful of yourself for not appreciating the translator’s hard work. Don’t think only you want to have it the easy way. Support the fanbase and translator!)

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