Free Web NovelChapter 188: Chapter 187: Self-Preservation
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Early morning on the ninth day.
Du Yunluo woke up very early, and Jin Rui, who was on night duty outside, heard the noise and came in to assist her with dressing and washing.
Jin Ling carefully checked the luggage to be taken along. After confirming there were no mistakes, she finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Outside the palace gates, there were quite a few carriages. Du Yunluo, supported by Jin Ling’s hand, got down and looked up, seeing mostly unfamiliar faces.
She was not surprised; among the ladies and gentlemen who were going to the hunting grounds this time, she actually only knew a few.
"Miss Du." A gentle voice came from behind.
Du Yunluo turned her head and saw that Princess Nanyan had arrived. She let out a faint breath of relief and saluted, "County Princess."
The two, having met each other, headed into the palace together. On the way, they encountered palace maids and eunuchs, who all addressed Princess Nanyan as "Princess Rui’s wife," making Du Yunluo’s "County Princess" title seem somewhat different.
"Whose idea is it to invite the Lady?" Du Yunluo asked Princess Nanyan in a low voice.
Princess Nanyan walked steadily, her eyes unblinking, and upon hearing this, smiled and said, "It was my idea."
Du Yunluo was astonished.
Princess Nanyan smiled bitterly, saying, "It’s also a solution when there’s no other way."
Du Yunluo looked up at Nanyan, carefully pondering this statement, and understood Nanyan’s helplessness.
Though Princess Nanyan is indeed married, when she goes to the hunting grounds, the men will be off hunting, and she will definitely be chatting and joking near the campsite with the other ladies and wives.
Outsiders do not know that Princess Nanyan had a falling out with Princess Yunhua and must follow the princess at every move. In private, she couldn’t say what kind of trouble the princess might cause her.
To protect herself, Princess Nanyan had to find someone who would aggravate the princess even more, and that someone was Mu Lianhui.
With Mu Lianhui present, Princess Yunhua’s attention would be entirely on her, leaving her little time to deal with Du Yunluo and Princess Nanyan. Even if she were to greet them, it would merely be in passing.
Du Yunluo could understand the reasoning; with Mu Lianhui serving as a scapegoat nearby, she didn’t have to constantly worry about Princess Yunhua clinging to her.
Yet, not being targeted by the princess didn’t make dealing with Mu Lianhui any more pleasant.
So be it, she thought, she’ll just have to do her best in difficult circumstances and see as she goes.
"How did you persuade the Empress Dowager?" Du Yunluo asked curiously.
Princess Nanyan smiled faintly and pointed at Du Yunluo.
Du Yunluo widened her eyes.
"I told the Grand Empress Dowager that with the rain these days, surely your riding skills haven’t been practiced well. Moreover, I’m not an expert either. So, who will accompany the princess in horseback riding? Those girls born from military families can scarcely speak a word in front of the princess. Only the Lady is not only familiar with the princess but also has outstanding riding skills," Princess Nanyan said lightly.
Du Yunluo stopped in her tracks, taking a quiet look at Princess Nanyan’s back.
One must admit that Princess Nanyan was clever and knew how to plan for herself.
This is common human behavior.
If one doesn’t plan for oneself, how can one escape from Princess Yunhua’s grasp?
The two arrived at Cining Palace to pay respects.
Having had a good relationship with Li Luan since her marriage, the Empress Dowager looked at her granddaughter-in-law, raised at her side since childhood, with more affection than ever, and her words held rare intimacy.
"You are perceptive. When you go to the hunting grounds, keep an eye on Aluan for me. Don’t let him act rashly just because he’s skilled, and end up charging into the woods alone again looking for tigers and bears to fight. If that happens, I will certainly not forgive him!" the Empress Dowager instructed.
Talking about previous matters, Princess Nanyan couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Grand Empress Dowager, he suffered a big loss last time. The Heir’s wife surely won’t do it again."
"Don’t I know these few? After Aluan lost to that old bear last time, he certainly wants to call Ayu to join him in revenge this time. Luckily Ah Shao isn’t here again, or..." the Empress Dowager shook her head, "Stop them. Not a single one is allowed to go; stop them all."
Princess Nanyan responded repeatedly.
Princess Yunhua hurried in, seeing that they were having a lively conversation inside, her eyes lifted sharply, she said, "Grand Empress Dowager, if no bears or tigers are hunted, are you really letting the brothers go hunt rabbits then?"
The Empress Dowager pulled the princess to sit down and said solemnly, "Isn’t rabbit hunting good enough? I knew you couldn’t sit still. Just hunt a few rabbits, nothing else is allowed."
Princess Yunhua pouted and nodded.
Once everything was ready in all places, they set off for the hunting grounds.
Du Yunluo and Mu Lianhui shared a carriage.
Not having seen each other these days, Mu Lianhui didn’t seem to be in good spirits. After getting into the carriage, she said nothing, leaning against the pillow and closing her eyes to rest.
Du Yunluo’s gaze fell on her, reflecting on the previous discussion with Princess Nanyan.
If Mu Lianhui had also lived one more life, many things could be explained, and equally, new questions would arise.
Previously, Mu Lianhui did not have a preference for Li Luan or Li Yu, but when the Empress Dowager spoke, she nodded.
After marrying Li Luan and ending up guarding the Imperial Mausoleum for a lifetime, it’s not surprising Mu Lianhui didn’t want to repeat the same mistake. If she wanted to plan for Mu Liancheng’s future as an heir, marrying Li Yu would actually be a good choice. Yet, ironically, Mu Lianhui completely blocked that route with Li Yu.
What’s more, she acted against the wishes of the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort, being decidedly too bold in her actions. There should have been other solutions that achieved both ends, but Mu Lianhui chose the most direct approach.
Du Yunluo couldn’t quite comprehend Mu Lianhui’s thoughts.
What could she be thinking about?
To get to the hunting grounds from the Capital, the carriage group had to travel for a whole day, arriving outside the traveling palace only after night had fallen completely.
Several generations of emperors loved hunting and built a traveling palace at this hunting ground. It can’t be compared to the Capital’s Imperial Palace, but as a Royal Garden, it was indeed grand.
With the sky completely dark, Du Yunluo couldn’t clearly see the scenery of the traveling palace; it was simply that all the rooms and courtyards were lit with lanterns, and following the lantern light, it could be seen that this place occupied a vast area.
The palace attendants had already made the arrangements.
Du Yunluo followed a Palace Attendant to the outside of a palace chamber.
As soon as she stepped inside, she saw that there were already people there.
Under the veranda illuminated by red lanterns stood a girl of similar age to Du Yunluo. She wore a jacket with jade-green Ruyi patterns, layered with a lotus-colored long vest, her skirt extended down to her feet, revealing the tips of shoes embroidered with orchids. Below her willow-leaf eyebrows, her eyes shimmered with a rain-washed luster, and with a petite nose and lips stained with rouge.
She stared at Du Yunluo without blinking, with a look that could invoke pity.
Beside her stood a Palace Attendant who rose and spoke softly to her. The girl’s eyes brightened then dimmed, as she sighed softly, holding a handkerchief pensively deciding whether she should step forward.
Du Yunluo was bewildered by her alternation of joy and sorrow and, suddenly recalling Du Yunuo’s words, thought that this girl must be Huang Jie. Other girls from military families would not be as sentimental as Huang Jie.
Following etiquette, Du Yunluo gave her a peer-level salute: "My name is Du Yunluo."
"I know you," the girl stepped forward on lotus feet, stopping five steps in front of Du Yunluo, "I am Huang Jie."
Du Yunluo pursed her lips; indeed, it was her.
