Chapter 63 (1/2)

Chapter 63 Abysmal: Action!

Whirlwind was gentle and obedient as promised, following Feng Luodi’s every command.

Situ followed behind bemusedly. I haven't even taught her how to ride properly! He saw the look of joy on Feng Luodi’s face and shrugged away his other thoughts. Unfortunately, Feng Luodi was too careless in her adrenaline fueled ride and strained her back from a sudden jolt of the horse. Pouting, she could only let Situ help her off the horse, and that signified the end of the riding ‘lesson’. When Jiang Moyin finally visited Feng Luodi to give her the promised riding lesson, he saw a gloomy Feng Luodi hugging a bamboo slat, sighing to herself.

“Bored out of your wits? Grab your saddle and let’s go riding.” Jiang Moyin smiled gently, but did not enter the tent.

Feng Luodi looked up at him, and pouted. “Elder brother, I’ve strained my back. I don’t think I can learn riding with you anymore.”

“Is it serious?” Jiang Moyin immediately came to her side, and picked up the scent of herbal medicine.

Feng Luodi shook her head. “It isn’t serious, but I doubt it will recover before the end of the Hunt.”

“Don’t worry about that. The Hunt is an annual event, and you’ll have many more chances in the future!”

“Alright, alright.” Feng Luodi laughed. “Sorry for troubling you to come here for that even when you’re so busy.” Will I still be here when the Autumnal Hunt comes around again next year?

“Well, if only you’d brought your zither here today. Your music always helps me sort out my thoughts.” Jiang Moyin sat down.

“Hey! Can’t you see that I’m injured? I can't play like this!” Feng Luodi set the bamboo slats down on the table in front of her. “It must be tiring to always be the one behind the Heir’s plans and actions. I’m glad that you can take this time to rest here for a while.”

Jiang Moyin’s smile widened into a warm grin. “Did something happen that night you were at my tent? Situ wouldn’t have involved you in such a dangerous situation otherwise.”

“Nothing much.” Feng Luodi shrugged. “We just happened to be together before that, and he knows that I’m a very tight-lipped person.” She saw Jiang Moyin deep in thought and added jokingly. “What’s with that expression, elder brother? Don't you trust me? I had no intention of learning about the Heir’s plot.”

“Of course I do.” Jiang Moyin quelled his suspicions. “But Luodi, it’s best that you do not get yourself involved into such things, and just focus on your music in the future. Many things that appear calm and peaceful could be harbouring a storm under the surface.”

“Of course, elder brother. I am of that opinion myself as well.” She nodded towards the bamboo slats on the table. “See? I’m looking at my music scores.”

Jiang Moyin nodded.

“Elder brother, I can’t possibly hunt in this state now. Would you do it on my behalf?” She winked cheekily. “Let the animals of the Guan Mountains s.h.i.+ver in your might!”

“Alright, alright. I’ll save you the tasty bits.” Jiang Moyin stood up confidently and headed out of the door.

“Elder brother!” Feng Luodi called out just before he left the tent.

Jiang Moyin turned around, a smile on his face. “Why? Are you particularly hungry for a specific cut of meat?”

Feng Luodi hesitated, and nodded, grinning. “I want a pheasant!”

“You got it!”

Feng Luodi stayed unmoving for a while after Jiang Moyin left, and sighed. Am I supposed to tell him how I feel about the Heir? That would mean questioning him and his morals as well. She picked up the slats again, trying to clear her head of the thoughts when she heard a cheering from outside, prompting her to check it out.

Many who had went out for the hunt gathered in the clearing before the tent, bringing with them plentiful game. Young governmental officials such as Situ were milling about with the younger n.o.bles; there were even women dressed in hunting clothes were in the crowd. The cause of the commotion was a young, pretty woman with a huge grin on her face. A beautiful deer lay on the ground in front of her, along with a few hares by her feet. It was an amazing feat for a girl like her, especially since many of the other young men in the crowd have returned empty handed.

“No wonder the Emperor dotes on her so much! Princess Shangrong can not only play good music, but is also adept at hunting! How talented!”

The Princess smiled confidently, but when she saw a figure approaching in the distance, she quickly blushed and looked away shyly. Situ wore a handsome hunting suit, his expressionless face giving him a fearsome aura. A few attendants followed behind him, a leopard carried between them. The leopard was still alive, snarling and struggling against the bonds that held its legs together. In contrast, Situ’s stoic demeanour showed off his manly bravado.

The crowd gushed towards him, flooding him with praises and commendations. Princess Shangrong slowly shuffled towards him, but the confidence in her was gone – she stood near him, too timid and shy to even congratulate him.

Feng Luodi watched from a distance, and turned to walk in another direction, mumbling under her breath. “I want to hunt! Hunt…hunt…hunt…arghhhhh!” She wandered aimlessly amongst the rows of tents, kicking the pebbles lining the paths.

“I don’t want to go back now…but where else can I head?” Feng Luodi sighed. The exciting a.s.sa.s.sination has yet to happen, I didn’t get to learn to ride, and neither did I get to hunt. This was such a waste of time! She milled about aimlessly for a while longer, before finally turning to head back towards her tentage.

Before she could enter her tent, she was stopped by the guard. “Miss Feng, his Grace has invited you to his tentage.”

“His Grace?” Feng Luodi raised her head, puzzled for a moment before realising that the man was referring to Situ. I like it more when they call him ‘General’; it suits him so much more than a ordinary t.i.tle any n.o.ble can use.

“Of course, I’ll go there straight away.”

She lifted the flap of Situ’s tentage to see Situ sitting in the middle of the tent, slowly roasting a pheasant on the spit. Feng Luodi’s mouth gaped open. “Are you actually barbecuing in the middle of a tent?”

“That’s how we do our little banquets in the army.” Situ expertly flipped the pheasant, and quickly painted a coat of spices onto it. He reached for another piece of meat and set it on the spice as well.

“What’s that, then?” Feng Luodi leaned closer.