Free Web NovelChapter 374: Chapter 374: Restless Heart and Wandering Mind
Yao Mountain’s terrain was perilous, its sprawling ranges covered in lush forests. It was home to countless birds of prey and wild beasts, making the annual autumn hunt an exceptionally grand event.
The Grand Ancestor Emperor had conquered the realm on horseback, and thus had always placed great importance on archery and the martial arts.
Princes who performed exceptionally well in the autumn hunt would often win His Majesty’s special favor. As for the young scions of noble families, they all hoped to use this opportunity to distinguish themselves and earn recognition and important positions.
This year’s autumn hunt was massive. Besides Emperor Muwu and his various consorts, the Eldest Princess and all the court officials were also in attendance.
Of course, the most important part was that the Second Prince and the Third Prince were finally going to compete on the same stage.
The covert struggle between the two had been steadily intensifying, but on the surface, they still maintained an appearance of brotherly affection. However, compared to before, the Third Prince was clearly carrying himself with much more confidence this year.
—The military merits he had earned at the border had not been in vain, after all.
Rows of tents had already been set up in advance. Perhaps due to the Eldest Princess’s special consideration, Ye Chutang was also given a private tent, pitched just to the left of the Eldest Princess’s own.
To the right was Princess Qingyang’s territory.
And across from her... As Ye Chutang passed by, Lian Zhou, who was guarding the entrance, was grinning from ear to ear.
"Second Miss Ye!"
Ye Chutang: "..."
’It’s just the autumn hunt. Why is he so happy?’
Ye Chutang could only think of one reason. "So happy. Did your master go out?"
Lian Zhou’s smile froze.
The next moment, a man’s lazy voice drifted from the tent. "Second Miss Ye, I can hear you."
Ye Chutang: "...No wonder. So you’re happy because your master came back."
Lian Zhou’s smile was uglier than a grimace. It would have been better if she hadn’t said anything at all—that was so half-hearted!
The tent flap was lifted, and a tall, straight-backed figure of a man came into view.
It was that time in the morning when the sunlight was gentle, not glaring. The light filtered through the leaves, dappling across his exquisitely structured face and further accentuating his deep-set, handsome, and devilishly charming features.
A faint smile played on Shen Yanchuan’s lips. "It seems Second Miss Ye isn’t too happy to see me?"
"What an odd thing to say, Princely Heir." Ye Chutang gave a proper curtsy, her face showing not a hint of embarrassment at being caught talking behind his back. "I was just thinking that with your exceptional martial arts and mastery of archery, you would have taken this wonderful opportunity to head into the forest and hunt early. It would be a shame to waste the trip."
The words flowed from her so smoothly she didn’t even blink. It was obvious she had just made it all up on the spot.
Still, it was rare to hear a few words of praise from her, so Shen Yanchuan grudgingly accepted them.
"I just returned to the capital and want nothing more than a good rest. It’s fine to let others have this chance." As he spoke, he tilted his head slightly and glanced at the tent diagonally opposite them. "Has A Feng already gone in?"
Ye Chutang glanced at him.
"A Feng?"
’Anyone who didn’t know better would think the kid was Shen Yanchuan’s little brother!’
Shen Yanchuan, as if seeing nothing wrong with the way he addressed him, nodded openly. "That’s right. He quite liked the bow I gave him last time. I hear he brought it with him specifically for this trip?"
Ye Chutang: "..."
’She really couldn’t argue with that.’
’Fine. You can’t look a gift horse in the mouth. If he wants a little brother, she might as well let him have one.’
Ye Chutang quickly let it go. "Speaking of which, I should thank you, Princely Heir. Yan went in with him. Even if they don’t catch any prey, it’s still good for them to look around and experience it."
Everyone here today was either rich or noble, which made Ye Chutang’s family stand out as somewhat unusual.
However, having spent a long time at the Imperial College, the brothers Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng had made quite a few friends, many of whom were scions of prominent noble families.
The whole group had called out to their friends and run off in a boisterous crowd.
Ye Chutang didn’t restrict them, planning to take Xiao Wu back to the tent to eat and drink—no, to rest well and wait for their triumphant return.
Shen Yanchuan nodded and looked toward the depths of the forest, chuckling. "I’ve already promised the two of them that if they can catch any prey today with the bow I gave them, there will be another reward."
Ye Chutang’s head snapped up. "What?"
’How did she not know about this?’
Shen Yanchuan’s phoenix eyes blinked lightly. "Oh? They didn’t tell you?"
He paused, then offered a smile to smooth things over. "Perhaps they wanted to surprise you?"
Ye Chutang: "..."
"Chutang! Let me tell you, I just—"
Princess Qingyang rushed over excitedly, but when she suddenly saw the two of them standing together talking, she screeched to a halt.
Both of them turned to look at her at the same time.
Ye Chutang asked, "What is it?"
Feeling a gaze land on her—one that seemed casual but was in fact ruthless and cold—Princess Qingyang’s survival instinct kicked into overdrive.
She took a large step back and said with a nervous laugh, "Ah? Oh! It’s nothing, nothing! I-I just saw you weren’t in your tent and was worried you’d gotten lost. I’m relieved to see you here. I suddenly remembered I have something urgent to do, so I’ll be going now! You two talk, you two talk!"
By the time she finished her last word, her figure had completely vanished from their sight.
She looked as if she were being chased by a wolf.
Ye Chutang opened her mouth to call after her, but unfortunately, the princess left too quickly, and in the end, she could only give up.
However, this did remind her of a promise she had made earlier.
"Princely Heir." She looked up, meeting Shen Yanchuan’s gaze. "Would you like to join the hunt as well?"
It had indeed been a long time since Shen Yanchuan had been this close to her.
Back in Shiluan City, though they had shared a much more intimate moment, it had been forced by the circumstances. Besides, it was the middle of the night, and the dim, murky light had blurred the memory.
If not for the few jars of wine stored in the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, he might have suspected it was all just a dream.
But now, she stood right before him, a mere arm’s length away. He could even see her thick, long eyelashes and the flecks of light glittering in the depths of her eyes.
They were so brilliant and clear, so dazzlingly bright, that he almost couldn’t look directly at them.
"Mm," Shen Yanchuan was the first to look away, but the next moment, his gaze fell upon her full, beautiful lips.
’...They shouldn’t be this close.’
Shen Yanchuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He raised a fist to his lips and cleared his throat softly.
"Why the sudden question?"
Ye Chutang pointed in the direction Princess Qingyang had fled and said frankly,
"She wants to eat the roasted venison carved by the first-place winner."
