CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 34: THE EMPEROR’S SULLIED REPUTATION

In the tent area of the Hanyang Hunting Ground, as far as the eye can see, there are tents of a unified style.

If one looks closely, they will find that the decorations on the tents differ slightly according to the status of the resident, ensuring there is no clash with the tents of higher status individuals. The hunting ground is filled with imperial relatives and tribal nobles, all considered outsiders, so the tents where the Concubines reside are heavily guarded by soldiers patrolling intensively 24/7, with only eunuchs and palace maids walking inside.

In addition to the Concubines, there are small tents provided for those responsible for the masters’ daily living needs, located closer to the outskirts. Those most likely to encounter the guards have been assigned to the eunuchs. Since the Empress Dowager was unwell and didn’t come to Qiu Lie this time, the Concubines are led by the Empress, and the best tent in the core area belongs to the Empress, with surrounding tents allocated according to rank.

As the two passed a small tent, Ying Lu said with a smile, "According to the rules, Attendant Lady should ideally be living here, but it would be too unfair for you, my lady, so please come this way."

Saying this, Yun Jiao was led to a more central location.

"This is the tent the Emperor prepared for you, my lady."

Compared to the small tent seen earlier, it was significantly larger, about the same size as the tent where Lady resided.

The travel tent had already been arranged by orders from Ying Lu. Standing at the entrance were two palace maids substituting to serve Attendant Lady Xi in place of Xue Ya. Upon seeing Yun Jiao approach, they hurriedly greeted her with a salute and lifted the curtain, revealing a world within.

A carpet of lake-green laid the foundation, ensuring one could walk barefoot and feel its soft texture. A tea table and chairs were fully prepared, and a screen separated the sleeping area from the grooming area. As Yun Jiao walked further in, she saw an additional layer of snow-white wool carpet laid beside the bed, which she liked very much.

The next moment, she became wary.

This kind of accommodation far exceeding the norms for an Attendant Lady couldn’t be achieved just by going through the motions.

If she wanted to enjoy such comforts indefinitely, she would have to compete for favor and climb higher...

"May I dare to ask, my lady, do you like it?"

Yun Jiao nodded, "Should I go thank the Emperor?"

"The Emperor is currently busy meeting with the Imperial Family and may not have the time for you. You can rest at ease. No need to rush to thank him. Everything for your food and clothing is on the Emperor’s private account. You can send Rui Xiang to the Internal Affairs Office tent to collect them."

Yun Jiao acknowledged, "Then I won’t keep you, eunuch!"

With that, she lay down on the couch.

Why worry about competing for favor? When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten. Worrying too much is not as good as enjoying a big dream.

"I’ll take my leave."

Ying Lu stepped back and left.

As soon as he left, Xue Ya approached her, helping her undo her hair buns while commenting, "Ying Lu came just in time. Did you notice Concubine Jiang’s expression earlier? It was priceless!"

"The hunting ground is filled with strangers and isn’t as safe as the palace. Be cautious when you walk. If you offend any tribal nobles, it will cause trouble. You know I’m not one to flaunt my prowess and make trouble. We’re here at the hunting ground to eat more meat and talk less."

Both nodded repeatedly, "You are absolutely right, my lady."

"I’ll take a nap first. If there isn’t anything else in the evening, I’d like to take a bath. Prepare some hot water later."

In the palace, the Consorts, Attendant Ladies, and Servant Consorts of lower rank bathed collectively at the Four Seasons Sixteen Places, which is more advanced than the palace maids’ facilities. They have private cubicles and palace maids to serve them. But a favorite and high-ranking like Lady has a private hot spring at the Four Seasons Sixteen Places for her own enjoyment.

At the Hanyang Hunting Ground, conditions aren’t like the traveling palace. One can only bathe in a large wooden tub filled with hot water placed in the grooming area of their own tent, just like in the movies.

"Fortunately, the Emperor treats you well, or else the tent for an Attendant Lady wouldn’t even have a private grooming area."

Yun Jiao listened to the palace maid’s talk with eyes closed, not feeling particularly flattered.

Getting a private grooming area on a business trip is considered top-most favor? This kind of treatment, in modern times, would have the Sanhe Great Gods saying ’brother, don’t go there, that’s a sweatshop, let’s go to the internet café instead’.

...

At this moment, in the largest tent at the center of the hunting ground, Prince Duan was being summoned in.

Xie Zhixing assigned him an important task: "In this hunt, you must surpass the third prince."

"Brother’s skills in riding and archery are superior to mine, why aim far when it’s close?"

Since it was a private conversation, the two did not assume the roles of ruler and subject. Instead, they sat cross-legged, just like they did in their earlier days as princes. Prince Duan poured him tea, while he drank the Grassland milk tea, which was accompanied by a small copper pot filled with milk skin, milk tofu, jerky, fried rice, and a dozen other ingredients, comparable to modern Eight-Treasure Porridge milk tea.

"Don’t you believe I could dare race him, and he would dare to fall off his horse?"

Xie Zhixing said calmly.

Prince Duan laughed in shock, "Falling from horseback is dangerous! No matter how much the third prince wants to displease you, brother, he wouldn’t risk his own body for a joke?"

"Others might not, but the third one certainly would."

On other matters, Xie Zhixing’s skills in riding and archery are excellent, but he’s not enthusiastic about hunting. In the past, he performed well on the hunting grounds to make an impression on the late Emperor. Now that he’s the Emperor, everyone in the hunting ground deliberately drives the game to positions where he could easily shoot it, making it uninteresting when no one dares to compete for game with him.

"It’s rare to leave the palace; I want my brother to find some enjoyment."

The care from a younger brother is certainly felt by Xie Zhixing.

If anyone shoots Prince Kang off his horse, that would truly be his greatest joy, but of course, such words are unspeakable.

At this moment, Ying Lu entered with a lowered head, greeting the two men with courtesy.

Upon receiving a nod from the Emperor, he began to report: "After leading Attendant Lady Xi to the tent prepared by the Emperor, she was extremely delighted and wanted to thank the Emperor."

Attendant Lady Xi again!

Prince Duan was intrigued but given that it was a matter of the harem, he wisely remained silent and simply visualized the scenario in his head.

The Emperor, seemingly aware of his thoughts, instructed Ying Lu: "Be detailed, especially when you found Attendant Lady Xi, recount each sentence." At that time, the moment seemed to replay as he wanted to know what triggered Yun Jiao’s desire for a do-over.

Ying Lu wasn’t present during the conflict between Concubine Jiang and Attendant Lady Xi.

But he inquired about it afterward, just in case.

Now that the Emperor inquired, he calmly recounted, and when he mentioned Attendant Lady Xi describing the Emperor as "so powerful" and "so robust," both men seated revealed slight awkwardness in unison.

Prince Duan, who only intended to hear the scandal, didn’t expect the wheels of trouble to roll over his face!

Unbelievable!

He struggled, ultimately failing to resist taking a playful jab at the Emperor: "So you’re that robust, brother? I had no idea."

Xie Zhixing’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

He clearly only reviewed state papers inside the carriage, yet it was painted by her as if he was engaging in scandalous deeds in daylight!

No matter how he tried to clarify, it would only make it worse.

"Do you really want to know?"

Xie Zhixing cast a sharp glance at his brother, who quickly dismissed the idea, promising to keep quiet.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

At the night feast by the bonfire, everyone watching the Emperor had an implicit question—

Just how robust is the Emperor, really?