Chapter 17: Autumn Hunt

The day of the autumn hunt arrived quickly!

Early in the morning, Cong Bai excitedly began preparing things, humming a little tune as she moved around the palace.

Feng Bai Su sat lazily on the soft couch, leaning against the cushions. Her alluring peach blossom eyes were half-closed, still retaining traces of drowsiness.

Her voice sounded languid: “It’s just an autumn hunt! You participate every year, why are you still so excited?”

Cong Bai continued her movements without stopping, replying cheerfully: “As long as it’s going out to play, this servant is always happy!”

Hearing her words, Feng Bai Su couldn’t help but shake her head slightly. She thought to herself, she’s still just a child after all!

Seeing Cong Bai’s jubilant appearance, she didn’t want to dampen her spirits, so she spoke slowly: “Remember to bring some spices from the small kitchen. I’ll show you this palace’s grilling skills later.”

Upon hearing this, Cong Bai’s eyes instantly lit up as she looked at Feng Bai Su, cheering: “Thank you, Your Highness!”

With that, she dropped what she was holding and ran towards the small kitchen.

Feng Bai Su once again only brought Cong Bai by her side this time. After Cong Bai finished packing, the two leisurely walked out of the Qingfeng Palace.

The location for the autumn hunt was at Fengming Mountain, fifty miles outside of Fengling City. There was a large forest there, reserved for imperial use. The autumn hunt was held there every year.

The palace people departed in three batches. The servants left first to prepare the living quarters for their masters.

Cong Bai hurriedly went to gather with her large bundle, as she had to depart earlier than Feng Bai Su.

After parting with her, Feng Bai Su turned towards the small path on the right to gather with the other princesses. They would soon ride horses together to the autumn hunt site.

They were the second batch to depart, leaving earlier than the Emperor and the noble gentlemen.

When Feng Bai Su arrived, the eldest princess Feng Bai Ying and the third princess Feng Bai Kuan were already there. The two stood on the left and right, neither speaking. When they saw Feng Bai Su approaching, Feng Bai Ying habitually glanced at her and frowned slightly, while Feng Bai Kuan shyly pursed her lips at her.

Seeing this, Feng Bai Su nodded to the two, a smile appearing on her face as a greeting.

The sixth princess Feng Bai Jiang still didn’t participate in this autumn hunt. The fourth princess Feng Bai Sha had finally ended her confinement early at the request of a favored noble gentleman. However, due to her scheme against Wei Jing Mo at the last selection banquet, she was pressured by the Northern King directly to the Emperor, and was confined again. She couldn’t even participate in such a grand imperial celebration as the autumn hunt. No matter how much the noble gentleman pleaded, the Emperor never relented.

“You’re all here?”

At this moment, Feng Bai Wei and the second princess Feng Bai Zhi also slowly walked over.

The one who spoke was the handsome and spirited Feng Bai Wei.

In recent days, the Emperor had entrusted her with several important matters. She completed them all excellently and was praised by many in the court. The Emperor was also very satisfied and rewarded her with many things.

Some even proposed to establish Feng Bai Wei as the Crown Princess. After all, Feng Bai Wei was born of the Male Empress, making her legitimately qualified to be the Crown Princess.

Previously, Feng Bai Wei’s conduct was poor and she was unfit for great responsibility, so the Emperor had reason not to establish a Crown Princess. But now the fifth princess Feng Bai Wei had become calm and reserved, decisive in her actions. Not establishing a Crown Princess now seemed somewhat inconsistent with ancestral rules.

Therefore, many noble families, scholars, and people from the Male Empress’s faction jointly submitted memorials, advising the Emperor to establish the Crown Princess.

Although the Emperor hadn’t verbally agreed, there were already signs of yielding.

As such, Feng Bai Wei could be said to be beaming with joy these days, as if basking in warm sunshine!

For this autumn hunt, the Male Empress had already hinted to her that he wanted to use this opportunity to select a noble young man as her primary husband.

Feng Bai Wei actually already had a target in mind, but hadn’t had the chance to mention it to the Male Empress yet.

A look of determination flashed through her deep, sharp black eyes. Among the princesses in the imperial family, she was confident in winning that person’s admiration!

Feng Bai Wei’s gaze swept lightly over the people before her, and when her gaze fell on Feng Bai Su, seeing her beautiful face, a fleeting look of contempt flashed in her black eyes!

Her looks were indeed not bad, but it was a pity she was just a profligate. Otherwise, she might have had some chance of being her opponent.

When Feng Bai Su and the other two saw the two of them approach, they nodded in acknowledgment.

The relationship between them all was neither cold nor warm, just maintaining surface harmony.

The second princess Feng Bai Zhi did intend to befriend Feng Bai Wei, but unfortunately, Feng Bai Wei looked down on this fence-sitter who used to follow behind the eldest princess Feng Bai Ying. Her attitude towards her was not even as good as towards her own sister Feng Bai Kuan.

Even though Feng Bai Zhi was trying to curry favor with her, seeing her cold attitude still made her feel somewhat annoyed.

When she looked at Feng Bai Kuan who was talking with Feng Bai Wei, a trace of coldness flashed in her gaze.

——

After all the princesses had arrived, guards soon led the horses over.

These horses were all famous steeds raised by the imperial family, each one robust and sleek, no less than the war horses in the military camps.

Feng Bai Su took the reins from the guard’s hand, looking at the black stallion before her, and reached out to stroke the fur on its back.

“Neigh~”

The horse’s cry sounded from behind.

Feng Bai Wei was now mounted on her horse. She tightened the reins in her hand, and immediately the stallion beneath her raised its front hooves high, then galloped forward.

Her straight back looked spirited and grand!

Closely following her were the eldest princess Feng Bai Ying and the second princess Feng Bai Zhi. The two also quickly mounted their black horses and galloped forward.

In an instant, only Feng Bai Su and Feng Bai Kuan were left standing in place.

The princesses had been learning horseback riding and archery since they were young, so even the shy and timid Feng Bai Kuan knew how to ride a horse. However, her horse-riding skills were not as excellent as the others.

She carefully climbed onto the horse’s back, then gently squeezed her legs to make the black horse trot.

Feng Bai Su stared at her back for a few moments before stepping on the stirrup and swinging onto the horse.

Today she had changed out of her wide and luxurious brocade robe, wearing a riding outfit that showed off her figure more. Still in bright red, sitting atop the black stallion made her look even more outstanding.

Her slender, bony white hands gripped the reins tightly, her long legs firmly squeezing the horse’s belly. The red-clothed lady on the spirited horse instantly galloped forward like lightning.

There were several routes to Fengming Mountain. Feng Bai Su didn’t take the main road like the other princesses, but instead circled around Fengling City and rode towards Fengming Mountain through a small path.

It had been a long time since she had ridden a horse so freely. Feng Bai Su felt a sudden impulse and changed direction.

Among the forests and mountains, Feng Bai Su rode her black horse, galloping forward like the wind.潇洒 and unrestrained!

As she was approaching the foot of Fengming Mountain, a carriage suddenly appeared blocking the small path ahead.

The coachman was swaying unsteadily on the frenzied horse, while a young man in a light yellow shirt stood next to the carriage with his personal servant, nervously watching the coachman.

Seeing this, Feng Bai Su frowned and reined in her horse, stopping in front of the carriage.

Looking at the young man who turned to face her, she inquired: “What’s the matter here?”

The young man had delicate features. Seeing Feng Bai Su, his oval face flushed slightly, and he spoke in a soft voice: “Apologies, noble lady! The horse pulling the carriage suddenly got spooked. We may have to trouble you to wait here for a moment.”

Feng Bai Su didn’t mind, turning her head to look at the coachman who was trying to control the horse. She said in a low voice: “It’s no trouble.”

Hearing this, the young man couldn’t help but steal a glance at her exquisite profile.

Suddenly, the frenzied horse reared up on its hind legs, and the coachman on its back was caught off guard, his body instinctively leaning backwards.

Feng Bai Su’s pupils constricted slightly, and she instinctively used her lightness skill to flash towards him. Just as the coachman was about to fall to the ground, she extended her arm to catch his waist, preventing him from hitting the ground.

After the coachman steadied himself, he broke out in a cold sweat and immediately looked at Feng Bai Su with gratitude, thanking her: “Thank you for your help, noble lady!”

Feng Bai Su didn’t look at him, only saying coolly: “Stand far back and protect your master.”

After dropping these words, she lightly tapped her toes and instantly flew onto the frenzied horse.

She tightly gripped the reins, her alluring peach blossom eyes flashing with sharp light. As she increased the force in her hands, the frenzied horse beneath her was pulled back, letting out a long neigh, its back almost vertical to the ground.

Feng Bai Su sat steadily on the horse, her long, powerful legs squeezing tightly. The two front hooves instantly came down. The agitated aura all over its body was swept away, slowly calming down.

Seeing it had calmed down, Feng Bai Su lifted her left leg and jumped down with a clean, swift movement.

She walked calmly to the three people and said indifferently: “In the future, it’s best to bring someone who understands horses when traveling.”

With that, she turned and walked to her black horse, leaping onto it. She rode quickly towards Fengming Mountain.

The personal servant saw his young master staring absently at Feng Bai Su’s retreating figure, thinking he had been frightened by the earlier scene. He asked with some concern: “Young master, are you alright?”

Wei Jing Qi withdrew his gaze and shook his head lightly: “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

His picturesque eyes flickered slightly, and he suddenly asked the personal servant: “Do you know which noble family that lady is from?”

The personal servant shook his head, “This servant has never seen her before.”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Qi’s face showed a slight disappointment, but then he thought about the lady also heading towards Fengming Mountain. His eyes lit up again: “Alright, let’s hurry and set off too.”

——

After Feng Bai Su arrived at the hunting ground and just dismounted, a figure in spring onion green rolled over from afar.

The voice was still sticky as it called out: “Cousin~”

Instantly, a cold current rushed from Feng Bai Su’s spine to her brain!

She turned around with a somewhat stiff body, her lips barely curling into a smile: “Cousin…”

Liu Tan wore a long robe in spring onion green. He was small in stature, with a round face and watery big eyes that always seemed to contain mist, as if he might cry at any moment.

Seeing the somewhat stiff smile on Feng Bai Su’s face, his big eyes instantly welled up with tears. He pouted and was about to grab Feng Bai Su’s sleeve.

Seeing his hand reaching out, Feng Bai Su quickly dodged to the side and hurriedly called out: “Liu Tan Tan, if you have something to say, say it properly. Don’t get handsy in public!”

She looked as if she was avoiding him like the plague, as if being touched would tarnish her reputation.

Hearing her call out his name in reduplication, Liu Tan immediately withdrew his hand with a hurt expression, tears in his big eyes on the verge of falling.

Every time Feng Bai Su called his name in reduplication, it meant she was close to getting angry!