Chapter 467: Chapter 169 Suburb of the Capital Hunting_3
"It’s also a way to vent for Ying’er."
...
On the first day of June, Shengjing celebrated "Summer Market."
The Astronomical Bureau had predicted the weather in advance, and the day was clear and sunny. In the early morning darkness, Lu Tong joined Chang Jin and a group of medical officers in the carriage heading to the hunting grounds.
The hunting grounds were at Huangmao Hill.
The mountain was lush with greenery, the trees tall and verdant. When the Crown Prince was alive, he often spent the summer here to escape the heat, not returning until after the entire month of August, when the autumn hunt began.
Now, with the autumn hunt changed to the Summer Market, it was more convenient for taking refuge from the heat.
By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, many people had already gathered. Lu Tong also spotted the Envoy of the Imperial Apothecary, Court Envoy Qiu He, an eighty-year-old man trembling under the long awnings, looking quite pitiful after the exhausting carriage ride.
Most who had arrived early were from the Medical Officer Institute and the Imperial Apothecary, as well as various servants and guards. The hunting party arrived later, allowing these servants to finish preparing.
When the previous emperor was alive, he particularly valued the annual autumn hunt. He would make sacrifices to heaven before departure, accompanied by nearly ten thousand Ban Wei guards and soldiers, reviewing the troops. However, in recent years his health had declined and he no longer took part in the hunts. With the emperor absent, the procession was much smaller. Even so, it was still an eye-opening experience for Lu Tong, who was attending the hunting grounds for the first time.
Near the military camp at the base of the mountain, merchants had gathered, setting up long awnings and tents among the trees. From a distance, it looked like a bustling market had been erected in the woods, and the number of vendors continued to grow.
Seeing Lu Tong’s keen interest, Lin Danqing took the initiative to explain, "That’s the market fair."
Lu Tong: "The market fair?"
"Some of the distinguished guests who come for the hunt bring their families. During the day, they hunt on the mountain, and at night, they stay in the camp. In the evening, they come out to roam, and the tent vendors sell hot snacks and sweet syrup drinks. It’s no less interesting than Jingde Gate’s night market," she said.
She nudged Lu Tong’s arm: "How about that? Didn’t I tell you that you wouldn’t be disappointed by coming here?"
As they were talking, the medical officers in front suddenly became noisy, and someone said, "The grand hunting party has arrived!"
The grand hunting party had arrived.
Lu Tong looked in the direction of the voices.
A massive procession of several thousand people appeared in the distance. At the forefront was a splendid turquoise carriage adorned with turtle shell patterns, flanked by hundreds of ceremonial officers.
When the turquoise carriage stopped at the entrance to the hunting grounds, many people around hastily knelt to pay their respects. Lu Tong also knelt down with the medical officers from the Medical Officer Institute and heard Lin Danqing whisper, "That’s Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince.
Lu Tong lifted her gaze and looked forward.
A young man descended from the carriage, rather handsome but appearing somewhat frail, which diminished his imposing presence. He raised his hand, signaling for everyone to get up. Lu Tong stood with the medical officers and looked towards the carriage. Behind the Crown Prince followed fine horses carrying riders with luxurious saddles and bridles, who also did not look like ordinary people.
"That’s the Second Imperial Prince, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Imperial Prince," Lin Danqing explained to her softly.
Emperor Liang Ming currently has four sons and one daughter. The daughter is still young. Among the princes, the Crown Prince, Yuan Zhen, is the son of the Empress, the Third Prince, Yuan Yao, is from Consort Chen. The mothers of the Second and Fourth Princes were mere consorts who had died years ago.
Although the Crown Prince is the son of the Empress, the Empress’s family has been losing influence over the last few years. On the other hand, the Duke of Chen, supporting Consort Chen, had been gaining power. The position of heir apparent hung in the balance, with factions supporting both the Crown Prince and the Third Prince engaged in open and covert struggles at court.
Miao Liangfang had once mentioned these princes to Lu Tong, but this was the first time she was seeing them in person. Lu Tong watched attentively, committing the faces of the princes to memory.
The Second Imperial Prince and the Fourth Imperial Prince seemed lackadaisical, obedient in demeanor, but that Third Prince, Yuan Yao, looked proud and defiant, speaking with the Crown Prince in what seemed like a barely concealed contest of wills.
Following these men was another man in his thirties, clothed in a treasured blue robe embroidered with bamboo patterns on the sleeves. He had pleasing features and wore a constant smile that appeared cordial, regardless of whom he was talking to.
This man did not ride a horse but was carried on a palanquin, lazily lifting the curtain to reveal himself to the crowd.
Lu Tong asked, "Is this also a prince?"
Following her gaze, Lin Danqing replied, "That is Prince Ning," adding softly, "Prince Ning is the only living brother of the emperor now."
"Prince Ning?"
Lu Tong was somewhat surprised.
Prince Ning Yuan Lang was Emperor Liang Ming’s brother. After the previous emperor passed away, several princes also departed this life, one after another. Apart from Emperor Liang Ming, only this Prince Ning had survived. Lu Tong had heard of this man’s name, but did not expect him to appear so young, only a few years older than the other princes.
"Prince Ning is quite a decent man," Doctor Lin said, "In Shengjing City, everyone says he’s a good-natured person. In the past, people have even seen him haggling with vegetable vendors in Official Lane. It’s just that he has many concubines, and over time, it’s inevitable that his health has deteriorated."
Her old habit of diagnosing people kicked in, and Lu Tong could only remain speechless.
Following the royal family were the young lords and young masters from the noble and princely families.
These distinguished guests, born to wealth, were thus extravagantly attired. Each one rode a mighty horse with a gold saddle and silver bridle. As for their riding attire, they sought out the finest fabrics and the best tailors, wishing that the whole world could witness their valiant appearance.
However, clothes make the man, just as a saddle makes the horse. Even with an average appearance, being adorned with such expensive items, exudes a certain noble air unique to wealth.
Especially the Dragon Martial Army that followed the princes and nobles, the cavalrymen mounted on fine horses, wearing the black uniforms of the imperial guards, each tall, handsome, and extraordinary in appearance, particularly eye-catching as they moved.
Doctor Lin watched, transfixed, and couldn’t help but express her admiration.
"They truly are remarkable, much more handsome than the sprouts from the Medical Officer Institute. It’s a pity it’s too cool in the mountains; why are their clothes so thick, and the buttons buttoned so tightly? They should take them off to benefit everyone’s eyes."
Upon hearing this, the female medical officers walking with her covered their mouths and giggled.
Doctor Lin raised an eyebrow, "Did I say something wrong?"
A gaunt male medical officer to the side heard this and was quite displeased, grimly saying, "Doctor Lin, as a woman, you should be cautious with your words."
Doctor Lin was nonchalant, "You don’t understand this. An ancestor of mine once said, ’Healers possess a parental heart,’ and there’s also the saying ’one’s body and hair are gifts from one’s parents.’ With that in mind, they are all born of me. As a mother looking at her sons, what’s wrong with one more glance?"
She smiled, "It’s free to look."
This opportunity to take advantage was too good, leaving everyone without anything to say in response.
Lu Tong felt that sometimes, Doctor Lin spoke as if she was the true sister of Widow Sun from West Street, though they differed in father and mother.
As he pondered this, suddenly the noise ahead grew louder.
The female medical officers who had just giggled at Doctor Lin’s words let out soft cheers. Lu Tong raised his eyes and couldn’t help but be taken aback...
Behind the long procession of the Dragon Martial Army, the sudden sound of horse hooves rang out.
A rider galloped past, the breeze stirred by the horse lifting the branches along the path, brightening the morning sun a few shades more.
The young man, like the other Dragon Guards, wore the black uniform of the imperial army, which outlined the beautiful form of the man on horseback, like a swift cheetah. Today, Pei Yunmeng wore no official hat, just a black band embroidered with gold over his forehead, which made him look a bit less refined, but more vibrant.
The cavalcade was noble and prideful, the gold whip brushed against the willows, and his pair of deep, bright eyes, washed over by the sunlight filtering through the trees, revealed a jewel-like magnificent hue. The young man spurred his horse nonchalantly, his valiant figure quickening the heartbeats of those who watched.
The love for beauty is intrinsic to all; hence, the female medical officers up front let out exclamations of admiration similar to Doctor Lin’s earlier ones.
Doctor Lin pursed her lips, "Well, the most handsome one has arrived."
Lu Tong steadied his spirits.
Pei Yunmeng truly had an exceptionally attractive appearance.
She was not one to judge by looks, but often found herself unconsciously dazzled by him, not so much because of his features, as for the uninhibited, reckless vitality wrapped beneath his warm or indifferent exterior.
It was enviable.
Doctor Lin, still admiring, said at her side, "To possess such a skin, yet to have such skill, to have such skill, yet to have such a skin... He truly is an extraordinary being."
Lu Tong, finding this somewhat amusing, was about to speak, but his gaze suddenly froze upon noticing someone in the rear of the Dragon Martial Army.
Why was he here?