Chapter 28: Archery (2/2)

The tall and imposing Emperor bent slightly and walked out from the tent’s curtain with grace and elegance.

The moment the Emperor stepped out, the inner curtain was swiftly closed, leaving him unable to see inside.

He quickly composed himself and walked up respectfully. 

“Father.”

Emperor Jingxi glanced at him. 

“Did you bring your bow and arrows?”

The Crown Prince replied,

“Yes, I did.”

Emperor Jingxi nodded. 

“Good, accompany me to hunt some game.”

The Crown Prince knew the Emperor wanted to test his archery and riding skills, so he hurriedly said, 

“Father, it’s still early in the morning.Shouldn’t you rest a bit more?”

After all, he had just spent the night with a woman…

Emperor Jingxi’s cold gaze swept over him.

The Crown Prince immediately straightened up, standing at attention.

Emperor Jingxi chuckled lightly, his smile bright and confident. 

“Shall we compete?”

The Crown Prince looked at his father, feeling both unfamiliar and seeing him as younger and more handsome than he had imagined.

He tightened his jaw and replied respectfully, 

“Your son dares not—”

Emperor Jingxi said,

“Let’s go.”

With that, he strode forward, his robes billowing in the wind, his demeanor bold and unrestrained.

The wind whipped the distant flags, creating a fluttering sound. 

The Crown Prince lowered his head and obeyed. “Yes!”

Meanwhile, A wu lay inside the tent, carefully lifting a small corner of the curtain to peek outside.

The dashing young man and the dignified Emperor-father and son walked over to their horses and mounted them one after another.

The morning breeze lifted their robes, and it seemed both were in good spirits.

A wu knew the Crown Prince had come close earlier. 

He must have guessed, perhaps even heard some faint sounds.

A wu felt a sense of vengeful satisfaction.

The young man smiled so brightly, even though he tried to maintain a serious demeanor in front of his father, his mood was clearly excellent.

But he would never, ever know who had just been entwined with his father in the tent.

A wu truly hoped they would never find out, so she could continue to survive in obscurity.

But what if? 

What if Emperor Jingxi found out?

If Emperor Jingxi discovered the truth, he would surely kill her, and her death would be silent and unnoticed, as if she had never existed.

So A wu wondered, what if she rushed out now and revealed the truth to the Crown Prince? 

Would he remain indifferent?

Could he suppress his youthful passions and continue to be the obedient Crown Prince in front of his father?

A wu’s vengeful thoughts surged within her, almost driving her to run out impulsively.

But after thinking for a long time, she finally bit her finger and lay there dejectedly.

It was really difficult just surviving was hard enough, let alone causing trouble for others.

Leaving The Emperor  a pouch, telling him to open it after her death to discover the truth… such things seemed only possible in plays. 

For her, it would be nearly impossible to do so quietly.

The eunuchs were also wary of her, leaving nothing sharp behind, even taking away her original hairpin.

So while she appeared to be favored by the Emperor, the people below were guarding her tightly.

She watched for a while before finally taking out a floral silk handkerchief, the Emperor’s handkerchief, adorned with galloping horse patterns.

She folded the handkerchief into the shape of a grasshopper, something she had once taught the Crown Prince to make.

After folding it, she tentatively reached out through the narrow gap under the tent.

The guards were stationed outside, not daring to approach. 

The area outside the tent was covered in lush grass. 

She dug into the soft soil for a while and buried the handkerchief shallowly.

In reality, this wouldn’t serve any purpose. 

If Emperor Jingxi decided to take her life, he would do so cleanly, leaving no clues for the Crown Prince to discover.

But A wu couldn’t think of a better plan.

After doing this, she withdrew her hand, carefully wiping the dirt from her fingers, and then looked outside again.

Through the gap in the tent, over the low wall, she saw the morning sunlight fall on the man’s sharp, cold profile. 

He seemed to be speaking to the Crown Prince, his expression slightly gentle, a father’s indulgence and perhaps a hint of pride in his son.

At this moment, A wu bit her finger, her heart filled with uncontrollable jealousy.

The young man had callously abandoned her at the Emperor’s word, forgetting her entirely afterward. 

So she was jealous, realizing that no sweetness or tenderness could ever compare to the authority of a father and an Emperor.

She was jealous that in the man’s heart, his son was so precious, carefully nurtured and gently tolerated, while she was merely a dispensable plaything.

She slowly lay back down, her forehead resting on the soft fur rug.

The morning breeze slipped through the tent’s cracks, chilling the thin layer of sweat on her back, making her more alert.

At this moment, she asked herself, who are you? 

Where are you? 

Why are you watching strangers with jealousy?

She shuddered, as if waking from a dream.

She was Ning A wu. 

Her mother was gone, already buried, but her father and brothers were still alive. 

They had gone overseas to earn money.

One day they would return, bringing her many gold and silver ornaments, as well as beautiful dresses.

So… she had to live well and not waste her energy on these irrelevant people. 

Otherwise, when her father and brothers returned, they wouldn’t find her mother, nor would they find her.

During the previous dynasty, Nanqiongzi had been a royal hunting ground where Emperors would retreat from the cold and heat, hunting with falcons, a convenient pastime.

Years ago, Emperor Jingxi had also visited several times for hunting and military inspections. 

He was quite skilled in these matters and had been training the Crown Prince diligently. 

Now, he naturally wanted to test his son’s archery and hunting abilities.

Father and son galloped on their horses, assisted by their guards. 

Their arrows never missed, and they soon had a considerable haul.

Emperor Jingxi was in high spirits and decided to compete with the Crown Prince in archery. 

The Crown Prince was about to accept the challenge when he suddenly realized, 

“I forgot my jade thumb ring.”

Emperor Jingxi frowned slightly and chided, 

“You’ve been careless all along.”

The nearby attendants quickly stepped forward to apologize, as they had failed to take care of this detail.

The jade thumb ring, or jade archer’s ring, was used to protect the thumb from the bowstring when shooting arrows. 

If the Crown Prince injured his thumb without the ring, the attendants would be punished.

The Crown Prince didn’t mind and immediately ordered his attendants to fetch it quickly.

But Emperor Jingxi said, “No need.”

With that, he took off his own jade thumb ring. 

“Here, use mine. I’ll watch from the side.”

The Crown Prince was about to decline, knowing his father had worn this ring for years and was accustomed to it. 

But seeing the Emperor offering it to him, he bowed slightly, extending both hands to accept it respectfully. 

“Thank you, Father.”

As he said this, he suddenly noticed a faint, soft fragrance on the Emperor, one that felt vaguely familiar.

He thought to himself, it must be the woman’s scent.

But before he could dwell on it, the attendants had prepared the horses, and he quickly mounted.

The Crown Prince galloped on his horse, shooting arrows, while Emperor Jingxi stood to the side, watching his son’s vigorous and spirited form.

In the early morning, as all things began to awaken, the young Crown Prince was full of energy and exuberance. 

Emperor Jingxi’s pale eyes couldn’t help but show a trace of emotion. 

At this moment, he thought of his own youth, wondering what he had been doing when he was the Crown Prince’s age. 

The court had been beset by internal and external troubles, and he had been buried in administrative duties, working diligently.

But for the Crown Prince, there were no brothers vying for the throne, and he had a strong and capable father holding up the empire. 

So he could afford to be willful and stubborn, obsessing over a woman like a headstrong bull.

A child who didn’t appreciate his good fortune.

The father and son’s hunting expedition was quite successful. 

Emperor Jingxi was somewhat satisfied with his son’s archery and riding skills and

began discussing the upcoming military inspection.

In the court, military inspections were held in spring and autumn. 

Local prefects and governors were responsible for overseeing the military, so the inspections were usually conducted by local officials.

Traditionally, the Emperor would personally oversee these inspections.

But this time, Emperor Jingxi specifically mentioned, 

“You’re sixteen now, already married. Though you’re not yet of age, I was already independently handling court affairs at your age. It’s time you learned to take on some responsibilities. This autumn’s inspection will be your task.”

The Crown Prince was surprised but understood Emperor Jingxi.

The stern and aloof father, high above, controlled everything, imposing the responsibilities bestowed upon him by the court and the family.

But what about him? 

Clearly, he was impeccably dressed, dignified and composed, the very model of an emperor in his eyes.

Yet just half an hour ago, he had done something outrageous in the tent with the woman he cherished…

Was he like this in front of her too?

The crown prince averted his gaze, his face slightly flushed.

Emperor Jingxi looked at him, sensing his hesitation: 

“Is there something else?”

The crown prince clenched his fists, finally mustering the courage to say, 

“Father, you toil day and night over state affairs. I can’t help but worry for you, and I hope you take care of your health.”

Emperor Jingxi: ?

The crown prince blurted out, 

“Regarding the deer antler you previously bestowed upon me, I feel unworthy to accept it. I thought to return it to you, please use it for yourself. I will take my leave now.”

With that, he turned around, mounted his horse, and galloped away.