Chapter 631: Stinky Tofu 3 (2/2)

Other than He Changdi, Chu Lian, and a few of her trusted subordinates, no one else knew that the snowboat had any relation to Chu Lian.

Later on, Chu Lian had told He Changdi to take the snowboats to the northern border camp.

Chu Lian had wanted to keep a low profile, so she herself requested to keep the matter a secret.

Thus, when Great General Qian reported the matter, all credit naturally fell onto He Changdi.

Chu Lian didn’t care much about such minor details, and their relationship had already changed after that, so she didn’t mind it at all.

Unfortunately, this minor matter was completely different in the eyes of a doting and remorseful father.

From the emperor’s point of view, he thought that He Changdi had stolen Chu Lian’s credit. He had even suspected that He Changdi had earned his title mostly through Chu Lian’s own efforts.

He had assumed that He Changdi wouldn’t admit to the theft, but He Changdi had surprised him by admitting so readily that it had been Chu Lian who had come up with the snowboat.

The emperor’s feelings were now slightly complicated.

He didn’t ask He Changdi anything else as they waited for the rest of the hunting party to catch up with them. Other than the sound of their horses’ hoofbeats, silence surrounded them, making the atmosphere heavy.

He Changdi was starting to realise that the emperor wasn’t happy with him because of Chu Lian, but he couldn’t guess at what the relation between the two of them was.

They had set off so happily in the morning, but now that they were close to the imperial hunting grounds, everyone could sense the emperor’s gloomy mood, especially the emperor’s attendants and bodyguards. They didn’t dare to make a sound, even when they were retrieving items from their saddlebags.

They finally arrived at the hunting grounds, where tents had been set up for the hunting party.

Since they were to spend the night on the grounds itself, there were already tents erected all over the area. Of course, the emperor’s tent was the most eye-catching and luxurious.

The princes’ tents were placed around the emperor’s tent.

Only Imperial Concubine Wei had been invited, out of the entire inner palace, so Imperial Concubine Wei and the princesses were situated behind the emperor’s tent.

The next ring of tents belonged to the more influential officials, nobles, and military officials.

House Anyuan’s tent wasn’t too far away from the center, nor too close to the edges. It had a good position somewhere in the middle of the entire party. There was also a natural pool not too far away.

The water in the pool was crystal-clear and pure. They could drink straight out of the pool.

Sima Hui’s tent was right next to Chu Lian’s, just twenty or so metres away.

Since it was already 12 in the afternoon, when the emperor entered the hunting grounds, he headed straight to his tent to rest. The imperial cooks had already prepared a luxurious meal for the emperor.

The rest of the hunting party dispersed to their own tents for some rest.

The emperor would only bring everyone out to hunt later, closer to evening.

There were still 4 hours until that time.