CHAPTER 230: CHAPTER 230: BEIYUAN HUNTING GROUND, LIFE IS TOUGH

"Think of our Dazhou, founded on martial prowess, ever since the time of the Grand Ancestor Emperor, there have been five Emperors who personally led campaigns, vanquishing enemies and amplifying our prestige!"

Yet, the world’s affairs are bustling endlessly, our enemies remain relentless in their desire to disrupt Dazhou!

Today, we face Daliang in the north, the Beirong covetously eyeing us from afar, Xiliang to the south with deceitful intentions, and the Ryukyu Pirates in the southeastern seas causing continuous turmoil. We must hold fast to the teachings of the former Emperor: as officials, be capable of both tending to the people and vanquishing foes!"

Thus, I have decided to hold our annual Spring Hunt on April 3rd at the Imperial Family’s Beiyuan Hunting Ground. All officials of the Sixth Rank and above are welcome to participate. I hope all you ministers will be informed!"

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"

...

"Imperial Censor Li, will you be attending tomorrow’s grand event?"

Outside the Imperial Censorate, Li Qingmu ran into Chang Yao, this persistent fellow.

Chang Yao is the Third Prince’s attendant, similar to a student, but this attendant has an official rank. As for the previous Little General, it was a temporary appointment, and once the battle ended, he was relieved of his duties.

Now that the Third Prince has returned to the capital, of course this attendant must accompany him in the palace. At the end of the government office time, Chang Yao was returning from the palace and happened to pass by the Imperial Censorate’s entrance, where he saw Li Qingmu, and began to mock him.

Li Qingmu reached out to touch his nose, chuckling, "Third Young Master Chang, you really have it tough, waiting so long at the government office entrance just to issue a challenge to me. Speaking of, isn’t it cold standing in the wind for so long? Oh, now that the weather is warm, catching some breeze isn’t so bad."

"You..."

Chang Yao’s face turned ashen, this man’s mouth is really annoying, making him want to slam Li Qingmu to the ground!

"You coward, talking all this nonsense means you’re afraid to compete with me?" Chang Yao gave Li Qingmu a disdainful glance, then snorted coldly and flung his sleeve as he left.

"I accept the challenge!"

A firm voice came from behind, Chang Yao paused for a moment, and when he turned around, the man had already walked away.

"Humph!"

He snorted again and left straight away.

"Yay!"

In an alley, Long Yue and Li Qingmu high-fived in celebration, sometimes things just fall into place perfectly.

They were still contemplating how to attend this event without causing unwanted trouble, and then Chang Yao delivered this gift to them, truly delightful!

"Li Qingmu, I’ve realized you’re really asking for a beating!"

Long Yue sniffed her little nose, her big eyes spinning around, looking at her handsome man.

The ability to provoke was amazing, just a few words, and Chang Yao’s anger was stirred. Clearly, Chang Yao might not have wanted to compete with Li Qingmu, but with what he said, this was inevitable now.

Li Qingmu raised his hand to smooth out the inky hair disturbed by the wind, revealing a mysterious smile, "My lady is just saying, she can’t bear to do it!"

Long Yue watched his long hair flutter in the wind, matching his handsome face, looking just like a celestial figure from a painting, yet for some reason, felt uneasy and stomped her foot: "Put away your seductiveness! Starting tomorrow, tie your hair into a bun!"

"Hey, no, my lady, I’m not trying to attract anyone!"

Seeing his little wife storm off, Li Qingmu panicked and quickly caught up to explain.

Long Yue turned around, staring coldly at him, "Attracting no one? Looking like this, with long hair down to your waist, you dare say you’re attracting no one? Li Qingmu, does your conscience not hurt when you say this? Didn’t you notice how many young women were staring at you just as you came over?"

Long Yue grew more agitated as she spoke, finally even poking Li Qingmu’s chest to reprimand him hard!

"My lady, there’s a reason for this, see the handprint on my face hasn’t disappeared yet? Leaving my hair untied hides it better..."

"Li Qingmu, are you complaining about my slap?"

"Uh..."

"If you dare hide it again, I’ll make sure both sides bloom!"

"..."

Two days later, Li Qingmu and Long Yue set off with the Spring Hunting Army, heading to the Beiyuan Hunting Ground in the north suburb of the Imperial City.

In early April, the weather was warm and sunny, neither too cold nor as unbearable as the wilderness in June, and the prey stirred from hibernation, seeking food everywhere.

The key is that the prey at this time in late spring had passed the fierce phase, not as aggressive as in early spring, making it perfect for hunting.

Court officials could bring their families along, especially those with higher ranks, allowed to bring several people. One by one, the brightly colored, elegantly designed carriages slowly followed the procession.

Some overly elderly officials could no longer ride horses and had to sit in carriages, while the young or robust ones rode on horseback, looking majestic.

"Giddy-up, giddy-up!"

Long Yue and Li Qingmu rode together on a horse, next to a carriage.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a small black-haired head peeked out.

"Sister Yue, seeing you and Imperial Censor Li riding on horseback is really enviable."

"Sister Yang, if you want to ride a horse, I’ll teach you!"

"Alright..."

"Ahem ahem..."

From inside the carriage, came the coughing sounds of Su Shi, seemingly displeased with little women riding horses.

Yang Zhuoya stuck her tongue out playfully at Long Yue, "Sorry Sister Yue, I’ve become a mother, must be more stable."

"Pfft—"

Long Yue laughed, but soon felt a bit envious. She wanted to be a mother too?

"Imperial Censor Li, why is the handprint on your face still there? How many days have passed already? Really, impressive! Could it be added again? Ahahaha..."

Huang Hua and Liu Yi were there too, each riding a horse, following ahead and behind. As Huang Hua passed by Li Qingmu’s side, he deliberately lingered on his face for a while, then laughed heartily.

Exposing people’s wounds is truly a joyful thing, and if you can add some salt, it’s even more wonderful!

Li Qingmu merely smiled slightly, not responding.

Huang Hua was surprised by his lack of rebuttal, as Li Qingmu’s previous image was aggressive, especially with several court debates where his words were sharp, striking down any opponents, truly brutal.

Today, he’s not responding? Is he feeling guilty?

Once you show weakness, the enemy will press further, as Huang Hua did.

Seeing Li Qingmu simply smile faintly, his indignation grew stronger, continuing his sarcastic insults.

"Imperial Censor Li not answering? Could it be that I hit the nail on the head? Did you get beaten again last night? Tsk tsk, poor thing, so pathetic, Imperial Censor Li; we outsiders have a saying ’don’t expose difficulties,’ so for this matter, we can only offer one advice: endure! Hahaha..."

"Imperial Censor Huang, you found out your Madam was cheating last night, gave her a harsh beating, and her cries were so loud they could be heard across several streets. Alas, ’don’t expose difficulties,’ take care!"

"This... this can’t be possible?"

Huang Hua froze, suddenly panicked, and after exclaiming, quickly asked Liu Yi beside him, "Was the commotion that loud last night?"

Hearing this, Liu Yi twitched, feeling terribly uncomfortable.

Huang Hua, you fool!

Shouldn’t this be denied to the end? Asking me like this effectively admits it happened?

She couldn’t help but palm her forehead, feeling sorry for Huang Hua’s brain.

This is really... a stupid teammate!