"How does it feel?" Yu Jingchen teased, looking at Nan Zhiyun.
Nan Zhiyun's face instantly flushed red. As if holding something burning, she abruptly let go.
"Yo-Your Majesty..." Nan Zhiyun stammered, her mind in a blur. What had she just done?
"Awake now?" Yu Jingchen watched her, his eyes filled with amusement, though the smile held a hint of mischief.
Nan Zhiyun dared not answer, but things had already reached this point. How could he possibly let her off the hook?
And so...
"Since Yun'er is awake, let's do something else... Yun'er will be solely responsible for this." With that, the curtain of silk fell, enveloping the room in a passionate embrace.
The next day.
The sound of hunting horns echoed through the royal hunting grounds. Yu Jingchen held his bow and arrow, raising his hand to draw the string. The arrow left the bow, piercing the sky. The first arrow of the spring hunt, shot by the Emperor, was a success.
The drums thundered deafeningly, and the horns blew without cease. Yu Jingchen lightly leaped onto his horse, his gaze sharp and indifferent. The oppressive aura emanating from him commanded submission.
"Giddy up!" The horse shot forward like an arrow from a bow. Led by Yu Jingchen, the spring hunt officially began.
Everyone was expected to be present at the start of today's spring hunt, but Nan Zhiyun was absent. Well, so was Su Qianyan.
"Why isn't Consort Shu here? And what about Bao Lin Su?" asked Rong Chongyuan.
"His Majesty isn't even asking, so why should we bother? Consort Shu has always been like this, haven't you gotten used to it yet? As for Bao Lin Su... she was punished yesterday and walked to the temporary palace. This morning, His Majesty decreed she kneel for a day to reflect, so naturally, she couldn't come," replied Consort Yuan, who held the highest rank among them.
"Serves her right. Still thinking of seducing His Majesty. Little did she know, not only did she fail to catch His Majesty's eye, but she also displeased him and incurred his wrath," Yu Yan said gloatingly.
Consort Yuan merely cast a fleeting glance at Yu Yan, saying nothing.
"Consort Shu is still the most favored by His Majesty. Not only did she share a carriage with him, but His Majesty personally carried her down when she fell asleep. And they shared a room. Your humble servant observed that Consort Shu must have served His Majesty well yesterday, which is why she hasn't arrived today, isn't it?" Rong Chongyuan spoke calmly.
"Consort Shu holds the highest rank among us on this expedition. We should pay our respects to her, shouldn't we? We can't forget the rules just because we're not in the palace, can we?" Consort Yuan smiled gently.
"Consort Yuan speaks wisely. Shall we go now?" Bai Yusheng chimed in.
Consort Yuan smiled lightly. Though she didn't explicitly agree, her attitude was clear. Consort Yuan led the group towards Nan Zhiyun's chambers.
When they arrived, Nan Zhiyun was still fast asleep, showing no signs of waking.
Qianxia, guarding outside, stepped forward as Consort Yuan and the others approached. "This servant greets Consort Yuan, Rong Chongyuan, Bai Jieyu, and Jing Cairen."
"We are here to pay our respects to Consort Shu. Has Consort Shu risen yet?" Consort Yuan asked.
"Consort Yuan, please forgive this servant. Consort Shu is likely indisposed to see everyone at the moment. Furthermore, you all do not need to specifically pay your respects to Consort Shu," Qianxia replied with a smile.
"Someone has to be in charge of this spring hunt. Consort Shu is the highest-ranking among us, so it should be her," Rong Chongyuan added.
Qianxia's expression remained unchanged. "Perhaps, Your Ladyships are unaware, but His Majesty specifically instructed this morning before he left that no one is to disturb Consort Shu. Therefore, you should all return now."