Chapter 748: Chapter 710: The Hunt

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Emperor Guangxi ordered this year’s first hunting event to be organized, leaving Empress Qi behind with the excuse that "the harem cannot be left without someone to oversee," and Consort Qing was also left behind with the reason that "the Third Prince is young and needs care". Additionally, Consort De, Consort Xian, Princess Consort Duan, and several other concubines accompanied the imperial entourage.

When she heard her name called to stay behind, Empress Qi felt a chill run through her heart.

She knew that the incident at the Third Prince’s full month banquet had left a thorn in Emperor Guangxi’s heart.

Although in the past six months, he always came to Kunning Palace punctually every first and fifteenth day of the month, there seemed to be no topic to talk about between them. That sense of estrangement, of sharing the same bed but dreaming different dreams, had long made Empress Qi sense a crisis.

She knew that in Emperor Guangxi’s heart, Princess Consort Duan was his first love, and even though her family once committed the great crime of attempting to assassinate the Crown Prince, that woman received no more than a demotion as punishment.

She thought that as empress, with a son who was the Crown Prince, Emperor Guangxi might not favor her, but he would at least maintain appearances.

However, being named to stay in the palace this time was like a loud slap, making Empress Qi see the difference between herself and Princess Consort Duan.

She did not go and cry or question in front of Emperor Guangxi, instead, she quietly sat in Kunning Palace without saying a word.

Jingzhe looked worried, "Your Majesty, perhaps Mr. Cui delivered the wrong decree? Should I go out and inquire again?"

"No need." Empress Qi raised her hand to stop her, her voice uncharacteristically calm.

This made Jingzhe even more uneasy.

Seizing the moment Empress Qi was unprepared, she sent a little palace maid to the Eastern Palace to find Eunuch Sanbao and have him inform the Crown Prince about Her Majesty’s situation.

Zhao Xi had just learned that Empress Qi was left in the palace. When the words of the little palace maid were conveyed through Eunuch Sanbao, he paused for a moment and then asked, "How is Mother?"

Eunuch Sanbao shook his head, "According to those people, she seemed a bit unusual."

Zhao Xi’s eyebrows furrowed imperceptibly. After changing into a casual outfit, he went to Kunning Palace.

Empress Qi was inside the inner hall brewing tea. Upon seeing Zhao Xi enter, she smiled faintly and beckoned him over, "Xixi, come here quickly."

Zhao Xi obeyed and sat down, his gaze lingering on Empress Qi’s face for a moment.

Empress Qi raised her hand, poured the tea into an enamel cup, and pushed it toward him, "Try and see if Mother’s tea-making skills have improved?"

Zhao Xi retracted his gaze, picked up the tea bowl, took a sip, and after a long silence, he said, "I heard that Father has ordered you to stay in the palace."

"There are too many women in the palace." Empress Qi lowered her eyes and poured herself a cup as well. "You might have heard about the incident last month where Xing Zhaoyi was harmed and miscarried, resulting in a mental breakdown. As the ruler of the six palaces, it is my responsibility to find a way to prevent similar incidents. This hunting event will take at least ten days or half a month. If I’m not in the palace, what chaos might ensue?"

Surprised by Empress Qi’s rationality, Zhao Xi’s eyes showed a hint of astonishment.

"And you?" After finishing her thoughts, Empress Qi turned the topic to Zhao Xi. "Did you get affected because of the Third Prince’s full month banquet incident?"

Zhao Xi shook his head, "Father’s attitude towards me is still passable."

Still passable.

That meant neither cold nor warm.

Empress Qi looked at her remarkably handsome son and sighed inwardly.

If only she was favored by the Emperor, making him think of her often, Xixi wouldn’t have to take so many detours. From a young age, others only saw his excellence, without imagining how much hardship he endured for being out of favor.

Collecting her thoughts, Empress Qi said, "Your horse riding and archery skills are among the best among the young gentlemen in the Capital. During this hunt, don’t let your father be disappointed."

"I understand." Zhao Xi nodded, and added, "Not being able to accompany the entourage on the hunt doesn’t mean anything, Mother. Opportunities will come in the future."

Empress Qi nodded.

Zhao Xi recalled something, "When I went to Jiangnan, I promised Miss Xue that I would do my utmost to protect Consort Qing and the Third Prince. As far as affairs of the harem go, I often can’t intervene much. I fear I must trouble you, Mother, to take extra care."

Mentioning Consort Qing and the Third Prince Zhao Huan, Empress Qi involuntarily thought of the full month banquet day.

Although no one dared to comment afterward because Emperor Guangxi hadn’t expressed his opinion, it didn’t mean the matter could easily be dismissed.

Seeing Empress Qi’s expression, Zhao Xi knew she thought of the palace banquet from half a year ago.

Actually, he had someone investigate that matter—it was the chief palace maid by Princess Consort Duan’s side who meddled in secret.

He didn’t tell Empress Qi because Zhao Xi understood his mother too well. Knowing her impulsive nature, if she found out it was related to Princess Consort Duan, she would definitely find ways to retaliate.

He didn’t want to alarm anyone yet, as he intended to deal not with Princess Consort Duan, but with the Yang Family behind her.

After staying a while, Zhao Xi said, "There are two clever maids in my palace. If Mother doesn’t mind, I’ll send them to Kunning Palace to serve later."

Empress Qi said, "Since I brought back Nian Chun and Xiu Dong last time, I already have enough people here."

But after speaking, considering her son’s filial piety, she changed her stance, "However, since you personally trained them, it won’t hurt to have them sent here."

Hua Nu and Yue Nu were trained by the hidden guards under Zhao Xi’s order from the Eastern Palace. Though they weren’t skilled in martial arts, their insight, acuteness, and adaptability exceeded that of ordinary people. With those two by Empress Qi’s side, Zhao Xi could accompany Emperor Guangxi to the Royal Hunting Garden with peace of mind.

——

This hunt, the couple Song Wei and his wife were both invited.

Song Wei was a civil servant and unfamiliar with horse riding and archery. Their family could only showcase Song Yuanbao.

Song Yuanbao originally planned to stay home and study, but considering that Zhao Xi would certainly be there, and he had several academic questions for him, he packed his things and followed.

At the time of departure, Song Wei unusually did not sit in the carriage with Wen Wan but rode his horse outside, and Song Yuanbao also rode a horse, with Jinbao sitting eagerly excited in front of him.

Inside the carriage were Wen Wan and Song Qi.

Such a hunting occasion inevitably involved young gentlemen from noble families.

Wen Wan also considered that Song Qi was already thirteen years old, almost at the age to discuss marriage, so when Song Qi expressed his desire to come along, she did not refuse.

The Emperor’s outings were a grand spectacle, the honor guards stretching beyond sight, followed by the Crown Prince’s entourage. Zhao Xi sat on the soft sedan, gazing out in thought.

Just then, a voice suddenly came from the side, "Your Highness."

Zhao Xi turned to see Song Yuanbao had somehow stealthily blended into the Crown Prince’s entourage, with a little fellow sitting on his horse.

"Why are you here?" Zhao Xi asked.

Song Yuanbao chuckled, "I heard you were coming, so I came."

As he spoke, he scrutinized Zhao Xi, "It’s been a while since we last met, are you well, Your Highness?"

Zhao Xi responded with just two words, "No harm."

"Did what happened with Miss Qi affect you?" Song Yuanbao asked again.

Zhao Xi: "No problem."

Song Yuanbao: "..."

Song Yuanbao felt Zhao Xi had changed, becoming more reticent than before.

He wasn’t sure if it was because, with the passing of age, he matured, or if with Wan Qiu’s death last year, a rift had grown between them.

In any case, the easy rapport they once had seemed irretrievable.

This sense of having grown up together only to lead separate lives, never to return to those times, left Song Yuanbao, generally an optimistic person, feeling unprecedentedly sad.

The questions he wanted to ask Zhao Xi all stuck in his throat, none coming out. Instead, he could only grin narrowly and have Jinbao call out "uncle."

Afterward, Song Yuanbao spurred his horse to join Song Wei.

On the way, Jinbao asked, "Didn’t Brother say he wanted to ask Uncle questions? Why didn’t you ask?"

Song Yuanbao didn’t answer, only tousling his little head.