CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 228: DOES THE SEVENTH PRINCE THINK I CAN WIN?

"Spring Hunt?"

Li Qingmu looked slightly surprised at Su Shi across from him, seeing his excited expression, cheeks slightly flushed, and thought it was somewhat inexplicable.

"Brother Li, you might not know, the Royal Hunting Ground hosts two grand events a year, one is the spring hunt and the other the autumn hunt. Any prince or minister who performs excellently at the hunting ground can receive generous rewards. It’s a legitimate and reasonable opportunity to accumulate wealth! Alas, it’s a pity I have neither riding nor archery skills..."

After his excitement, Su Shi sighed with a helpless shake of his head.

Li Qingmu looked at him, speaking in a melancholy tone, "Brother Su is not the type to be obsessed with money, right?"

Su Shi was taken aback, then smiled bitterly, "My wife, she... Ah, Brother Li, you understand, women love money..."

Talking about his money-loving little wife, Su Shi felt bitter, though Li Qingmu was not much better off either.

Long Yue, whenever she has time, runs around everywhere — today to the farm, tomorrow to the embroidery shop, just wandering all over. Fortunately, he goes to the Upper Court, otherwise staying home alone all day would have suffocated him to death.

Seeing Li Qingmu’s face darkened, Su Shi looked at him worriedly, "Brother Li, are you still upset over what happened that day?"

That day Li Qingmu received a loud slap from his wife, which had already become a laughingstock throughout the Imperial Censorate. When everyone had nothing to do, they enjoyed chatting over tea about it. Occasionally, when they saw Li Qingmu come, they would tease him about the handprint on his face.

Li Qingmu did not fly into a rage, he would smile it off each time and walk past.

Behind him was a sea of roaring laughter.

Thinking about it, it truly was vexing.

"What?"

Li Qingmu was puzzled, not understanding Su Shi’s sympathetic gaze.

"Brother Li, my condolences!"

"Brother Su, I’m very fine!"

"Your wife... Brother Li, a man should let go a bit..."

Su Shi was earnestly persuading, finally making Li Qingmu understand what he was talking about, and he laughed aloud.

"Haha, Brother Su, my wife and I are really well. Things are not as you imagine, hmm?"

Li Qingmu raised his eyebrows at him.

Now it was Su Shi’s turn to be confused, what’s the meaning?

"Brother Su, my wife did this to ruin her own image, to completely distance herself from Mr. Pei, because earlier Pei Jinheng stuck to her like stubborn glue! As for the slap..." Li Qingmu felt somewhat embarrassed, slightly sweating, "It was my fault for attracting unwanted attention, she got angry!"

Su Shi, "..."

Was it actually like this? He had worried for Li Qingmu for quite some time. He previously thought, if his own wife betrayed him, how would he choose?

Probably... he would silently endure as well?

For a moment, he felt indeed he and Li Qingmu were long-distance soulmates who found each other.

"This is the best ending then! By the way, Brother Li, I heard you killed enemies in Xinan and have some skills, especially in archery; are you going this time?"

"Can we go?"

"Yes, as long as you’re an official of Sixth Rank or above, you can go, and you can also bring one or two family members. My wife is quite bored at home too, I plan to bring her out to get some fresh air this time, to see the scenery of the Royal Hunting Ground."

"Great, then I will also bring Yue’er, um, can women participate?"

"Uh? Perhaps... they can?" Su Shi was suddenly startled, "You... you’re not thinking of going hunting together, are you?"

Li Qingmu chuckled lightly, "Since there are rewards, why not join? It increases our chances of winning, right? However... what kind of rewards have there been in past years? I’ve just arrived in the Capital City and am not well-informed, Brother Su, could you enlighten me?"

"Last year’s first place reward was hundred taels of gold, countless silks and satin, plus a Warm Jade Pillow tribute from the Western Regions. I don’t know what it will be this year, but surely it won’t be any worse!"

"Warm Jade Pillow?"

"Exactly! It’s said that once you lie on the Warm Jade Pillow, it allows you to fall asleep quickly, very effective in treating headaches and insomnia. It’s currently with the Empress."

"Was last year’s winner the Crown Prince?"

"No, it was people from the Crown Prince’s faction who won, and after getting the Warm Jade Pillow, it was offered to the Empress."

"Oh..."

Li Qingmu responded faintly, touching his chin.

Winning the reward and offering it to the Empress? Then, having previously pretended allegiance to the Seventh Prince, should he also give the reward to Princess Consort Zhen if he wins?

Would his little wife be unhappy?

"What are you two talking about? Spring Hunt?"

Long Yue had just returned from outside, having visited the farm, checked the herbs, with her mentor visiting every few days to guide. The herbs were growing well, estimated to have the first harvest in a few months.

Thus, Long Yue was in a good mood, her speech carrying a bit of cheer.

Li Qingmu nodded, "Yes, the Spring Hunt, Yue’er, will you go with me? Any official of Sixth Rank or higher can go, and they can bring family members."

"Of course! With rewards, we definitely have to obtain some tributes!"

Long Yue was originally a noble lady of the Capital City, naturally aware of the spring and autumn hunts. Currently, their food, clothing, and usage are all borrowed from Xiang Yin and Qin Wuyou, and they are staying at the General Mansion, while the farm and embroidery workshop’s profits haven’t shown yet, she urgently needs money!

The Spring Hunt is a great time to gather wealth, not going would be foolish!

"Husband, a guest has arrived!"

Xiao Liu entered to report, using a somewhat cryptic look toward Li Qingmu.

Li Qingmu nodded slightly, turned around, and looked apologetically at Su Shi.

Su Shi understood, rose to take his leave.

Li Qingmu escorted Su Shi to the door, then returned to the side hall.

"Sorry, receiving His Highness here, how impolite!"

"Ah, what is impolite? Having this meeting here won’t attract attention, Imperial Censor Li has a meticulous mind!"

"Please, Seventh Prince!"

"Please, Imperial Censor Li!"

The two sat face to face, Qi Junchen spoke directly: "Imperial Censor Li, the Spring Hunt is set for three days later, hosted by Consort Xue!"

"Is there something significant in who hosts the Spring Hunt?"

"Imperial Censor Li is indeed clever! Every spring and autumn hunt calculates scores based on the rarity and size of the prey, the highest score is first place! And the party responsible for the event can be the first to check the situation in the forest, know the specific distribution, this way the chance of winning grows much larger."

"But only knowing where the prey are, doesn’t it still rely on people to hunt?" Li Qingmu laughed lightly, "If Consort Xue’s people know where the rare prey are, we can just follow them, can’t we?"

"This..." Qi Junchen paused, then said bitterly, "Hunting depends on archery skills, without absolutely strong archery, how can you compete with others?"

"Does the Seventh Prince really want to win?"

"Of course, Father Emperor used to follow the late Emperor to battlefields, being most martial-inclined. If we can win at the Spring Hunt, it would greatly increase his favorability. Additionally, importantly... this time we must seize the position of Minister of Revenue, it’s an excellent opportunity!"

Li Qingmu’s gaze became deep, he chuckled softly: "Seventh Prince came to find this official, thinking that this official can win?"