The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Chapter 114 Winter Hunt
In the 12th lunar month, a leisurely and comfortable atmosphere settled in, fitting for winter storage.
The winter hunt at the imperial hunting grounds on the outskirts of the capital commenced as scheduled.
Similar to the autumn hunting festival, the imperial family invited officials and their families to participate.
The court observed a three-day break: setting up camp on the first day, horse racing on the second, and hunting along with a feast on the third.
Emperor Hui was fond of hunting, and despite not being in good health, he still brought Imperial Concubine Ning and a newly titled concubine to the western camp.
Learning from the attempted assassination during the autumn hunt, an additional twenty thousand troops were deployed for security this time, with heightened vigilance.
Qin Yan and Feng Zhan arrived at the western hunting grounds on the second day.
The snow on the racetrack had been cleared, with flags waving and drums booming at the sidelines.
Upon the arrival of the Taizi and Taizifei, everyone stood to pay their respects, and then Qin Yan and Feng Zhan took their seats in the viewing area.
The signal was given, and a new round of equestrian performances began on the field.
In the noblewomen’s seating area, Wang Jingyan, the second daughter of the Left Prime Minister Mansion, smiled as she turned to her sister-in-law, Han Shuangling, who was now the wife of the eldest son, Wang Jingheng, and formerly the only daughter of the Marquis of Guannei.
“I heard that my sister-in-law is quite skilled in horsemanship. How about challenging the Taizifei to a race?”
Han Shuangling and Wang Jingyi, the eldest daughter of the Wang family, exchanged glances. Both of them had the same thought that Wang Jingyan was stirring up trouble.
Han Shuangling turned her attention back to the racetrack, her eyes narrowing slightly. Did Wang Jingyan really think she could be used as a pawn?
Wang Jingyi shot a warning look at her younger sister, but Wang Jingyan remained undeterred and pressed on, “I’ve also heard that today there are a few excellent horses from the Mulan Horse Farm. Doesn’t my sister-in-law want to try?”
Han Shuangling’s gaze shifted to the viewing platform, where her eyes fell upon the stunningly beautiful woman with an air of nobility seated beside the Taizi.
Qin Yan.
Coming from a military family, Han Shuangling had often been compared to Qin Yan, the former Princess Zhaoren, who hailed from the prestigious families of the Prime Minister Mansion and the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion.
Han Shuangling had long harbored a desire to compete with Qin Yan, but she had never had the opportunity before.
She stood up and headed toward the center of the viewing platform.
Seeing this, Wang Jingyan hurriedly followed, saying, “Sister-in-law, I’ll go with you.”
Wang Jingyi wanted to speak up to stop them, but her sister-in-law had always been strong-willed and wasn’t someone who could be swayed with just a few words.
However, from what Wang Jingyi knew, no one who had crossed the Crown Princess had ever come out on top.
Yet, some people just never seemed to learn their lesson.
———–
Feng Zhan and Qin Yan were casually commenting on the scene before them.
Song Zhi approached and bowed, saying, “Your Highness, Madam Han Shuangling, the wife of the eldest son of the Left Prime Minister Mansion, requests to see Taizifei.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Yan turned to look and signaled for the person to be let in.
Han Shuangling walked over, while Wang Jingyan was still held back below.
After bowing to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Han Shuangling said, “I, Han Shuangling, have heard that Taizifei is skilled in horseback riding. I dare to ask Taizifei for some guidance.”
Qin Yan looked at Han Shuangling, a slight smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Qin Yan had heard of Han Shuangling’s great reputation. Han Shuangling was a renowned female general in the Marquis Guannei’s Army, a woman who did not yield to men.
There were also rumors outside that often compared Han Shuangling to her and others.
Thus, Qin Yan understood why Han Shuangling had come.
Han Shuangling regarded Qin Yan as a rival.
And Qin Yan respected such a rival.
“Sure.”
Qin Yan agreed straightforwardly and slowly stood up.
Beside her, Feng Zhan quickly grabbed her, and Qin Yan turned to meet his gaze.
However, Feng Zhan said nothing, only gently squeezed Qin Yan’s hand.
Qin Yan smiled lightly; the Taizi indulged in his usual affectionate behavior.
————
Qin Yan and Han Shuangling went to the racetrack, and the spectators in the stands straightened up, eager to watch the show.
There was a good show to watch.
On the racetrack, soldiers brought over two well-built, sleek-coated horses of similar height.
Both horses were purebred steeds from the Mulan Horse Farm. Even though Han Shuangling had seen many fine horses, she was still impressed by the ones before her.
Qin Yan turned to Han Shuangling and spoke in a calm tone, “Choose one.”
Han Shuangling was decisive; she walked straight to the nearest horse, took the reins, gently stroked its face, and mounted it.
Qin Yan smiled; she found the girl quite appealing.
Qin Yan got on the other horse and joined Han Shuangling at the starting line of the racetrack.
“What are the rules?” Qin Yan asked in a soft voice.
Qin Yan’s demeanor was a bit too relaxed and casual, which made Han Shuangling’s seriousness seem somewhat diminished.
Han Shuangling frowned and said, “We’ll circle the track once, the first to finish wins.”
“Alright.” Qin Yan responded succinctly.
As the drumbeats sounded, the signal officer gave the command. Qin Yan’s aura changed dramatically as she whipped her horse and shot forward, racing ahead.
Han Shuangling was not willing to be outdone and followed closely behind, but from the very start, she was already a horse length behind Qin Yan, and the gap only widened.
The spectators by the sidelines also lost some of their initial excitement.
The advantage of the taizifei was simply overwhelming, and the outcome was almost without suspense.
Feng Zhan’s gaze followed the agile figure clad in a white fox cloak on the racing horse, his thin lips curling into a smile.
This is his woman.
Xie Changyuan, standing beside the viewing platform, also kept his eyes fixed on the galloping Qin Yan.
How could he have pushed out such a woman in the first place…
Soon, after one lap, Qin Yan reached the finish line first, with a lead of two horse lengths.
Cheers erupted from the sidelines.
Qin Yan pulled on the reins with one hand, turned her horse, and looked at Han Shuangling, who had already stopped her horse.
Han Shuangling’s expression was somewhat unpleasant as she told Qin Yan, “Taizifei has excellent riding skills.”
Qin Yan replied in a calm voice, “Thank you.”
She rode away, returning to the viewing platform.
Just as Han Shuangling was about to dismount, a sudden cramp twisted in her lower abdomen, causing her to freeze mid-air and nearly fall off.
Wang Jingyan, who had been disappointed that Han Shuangling couldn’t defeat Qin Yan and quell her dominance, immediately noticed that something was off with Han Shuangling. She hurried over.
Wang Jingyan helped Han Shuangling down from the horse, but Han Shuangling clutched her abdomen, unable to straighten up due to the pain.
“Sister-in-law, what’s wrong?” Wang Jingyan asked anxiously.
Han Shuangling was sweating profusely, unable to speak from the pain. She felt a sticky sensation in her lower body as if something was flowing out from her body.
“Quick, someone!” Wang Jingyan shouted to the people on the sidelines.
The members of the Wang family from the Left Prime Minister Mansion noticed that something was wrong with Han Shuangling and hurried over.
The people in the stands were puzzled as they saw the palace attendants and the Left Prime Minister Mansion’s family members quickly escorting Han Shuangling away from the racetrack.
Wasn’t she fine just a moment ago after the race?
Qin Xi whispered to Qin Lin, “This can’t be blamed on our Taizifei, can it?”
Qin Lin turned to look at Qin Xi but quickly sensed a burning gaze.
Is it him?
Qin Lin subconsciously glanced at the person next to Feng Subei.
Shizifei wasn’t here today?
Qin Lin retracted her gaze, silently reminding herself.
Remember why you came today; you must not waver.
———-
At this moment, several strong soldiers were working together to pull a mottled stallion, which was thrashing and trying to break free from its restraints, resembling an untamed beast.
This scene felt somewhat familiar to those in the stands who had participated in the last autumn hunting ceremony.
Are they going to… tame the horse again?
They recalled the bloody spectacle from the previous time when the Taizifei had tamed a horse.
She had broken the horse’s neck with her bare hands, making them shiver involuntarily.
Those in the know were whispering, vividly describing the scene to those nearby who had missed the last autumn hunting ceremony.
“Taizifei leaped from the stands onto the horse; her lightness of foot is impressive.”
“When Taizifei was on the horse, she placed her hands on either side of its head, and with a twist, the horse was instantly killed.”
“She didn’t even seem to be out of breath when she dismounted; her skills are extraordinary.”
……
Qin Xi couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.
Hmph, that’s our elder sister.
It was a shame she didn’t witness the scene in person.
Sitting next to Qin Nian, Qin Ming had been silent the entire time, unlike her excited demeanor during the last autumn hunting ceremony.
Qin Nian thought that Qin Ming had become more composed after seeing the world.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd seemed to recall something.
“During the last autumn hunting ceremony, I heard that the Imperial Concubine Ning had Taizifei tame the horse?”
This statement was spread by someone close to the throne at that time and has not been confirmed.
However, it was later rumored that Imperial Concubine Ning had fallen out of favor for a period, making the crowd more inclined to believe the gossip.
“Hey, do you think this horse taming today is a response to what happened last time?”
Everyone turned their gaze toward the imperial seats in the center.
Will there going to be another good show?
————
Not only were the spectators harboring such suspicions, but so were Emperor Hui on the throne and Imperial Concubine Ning, who was now clutching her robes tightly.
Sure enough, the Taizi turned his head and spoke to Emperor Hui with a cold tone, “This is a newly acquired wild horse. Shall we take the opportunity today to tame it?”
Emperor Hui’s old eyes narrowed slightly; he immediately understood Taizi’s intent.
Today, the Taizi intended to settle the score for Qin Yan from the last incident.
Imperial Concubine Ning froze, a chilling sensation shot up from her feet to the top of her head, sending shivers through her heart.
Meanwhile, sitting on the other side of Emperor Hui was Imperial Concubine Xu, who was quite pleased to watch the drama unfold.
Imperial Concubine Xu was the beautiful woman in red who had danced at the ice skating banquet at Taiye Pool a few days ago. After being summoned by Emperor Hui to the West Garden that night, she was brought into the palace the next day and given the title of Imperial Concubine.
As for Imperial Concubine Ning, who had once been the Emperor’s favorite, she had repeatedly targeted and plotted against Imperial Concubine Xu.
After investigating Imperial Concubine Ning, Imperial Concubine Xu naturally discovered why she had fallen out of favor the first time.
Oh, Imperial Concubine Ning dared to have the Taizifei, formerly Princess Zhaoren, humiliated by taming horses?
Even back then, Xu Yun knew that the Emperor favored Princess Zhaoren. How foolish could Imperial Concubine Ning be?
Feng Yuyao turned to Feng Yunchao and said, “Is Imperial Brother Taizi standing up for Yanyan?”
Feng Yunchao glanced at Feng Yuyao, then directed her gaze toward Qin Yan.
She knew that her Imperial Brother Taizi valued Qin Yan deeply; she hadn’t expected him to bring up old grievances after so long.
Feng Yunchao sighed inwardly once again. It was fortunate that Yanxi had married early. Things would not have ended well if she had continued to clash with Qin Yan.
———-
Those in high positions didn’t need to say much as there were always people below them who would act according to their wishes.
The Taizi merely mentioned taming the horse, and sure enough, someone as sharp as Imperial Concubine Xu immediately knew how to follow up.
Imperial Concubine Xu glanced at Imperial Concubine Ning and smiled as she addressed Emperor Hui, “Your Majesty, I’ve heard that Imperial Concubine Ning has some experience in taming horses. Why not let her give it a try?”
Imperial Concubine Ning immediately glared at Imperial Concubine Xu. This girl Xu Yun was taking the chance to step on her!
Emperor Hui, however, didn’t respond to Imperial Concubine Xu’s suggestion.
With a sweet smile, Imperial Concubine Xu continued softly “Your Majesty, I’d love to see it…”
Emperor Hui frowned slightly, “She’s a woman. What does she know about taming horses?”
As soon as those words fell, the Taizi spoke in a deep voice, “I heard that Imperial Concubine Ning once had the Taizifei tame a horse?”
Imperial Concubine Ning trembled all over… it was happening.
The Tizi’s cold voice rang out again, “What, my woman can tame horses, but His Majesty’s woman cannot?”