TSWRLM -Chapter 234 Winter Hunt

“Husband, it’s not what you think. Let me explain—”

As soon as Xiao Yechen left, Chun Xi hurried to speak, only to be interrupted by Shen Qingyuan: “I don’t misunderstand. I know who he likes.”

Chun Xi was startled, then asked: “I only just figured it out today. When did you know, husband?”

“I knew the first time you went to Wuyou Pavilion, when he came to see me.”

“You knew so early, husband—why didn’t you tell me?”

Chun Xi felt she had missed so much.

Shen Qingyuan shot her a sideways glance and said softly: “Back then, I hinted both openly and subtly, but you couldn’t sense my feelings. Even if I had told you, would you have believed me?”

Chun Xi: “……”

Alright, she admitted she had been a bit slow in this regard. To avoid dredging up old grievances, Chun Xi quickly changed the topic: “Husband, you said you’d be busy these days. How do you have time to come fetch me today?”

“The Empress sent a notice today, wanting you to attend this year’s winter hunt as well.”

Chun Xi’s eyes lit up immediately: “I can go?”

When she was young, her father had taken her hunting, but she wasn’t particularly interested. Now, hearing that every member of the envoy party was skilled in horsemanship and bravery, she wanted to see with her own eyes whether Wei Lingze could win in a contest of skill.

Excited and eager, Chun Xi had a bright smile on her face. Shen Qingyuan raised an eyebrow and asked: “Madam, you’re not afraid?”

“Afraid? Husband will be there, won’t he? With you around, I’m not scared at all.”

“But the winter hunt is no small affair. I won’t necessarily be able to watch over you constantly.”

“I’m not a child. I don’t need you to watch over me, and I’ve already met the Empress and Empress Dowager—they’re both very kind. Now that my husband is a third-rank minister, it’s good for me, as your virtuous wife, to appear in such occasions and make connections.”

When Chun Xi had agreed to marry Shen Qingyuan, she had promised to be a capable wife who would manage the household well. She had not forgotten that promise.

Shen Qingyuan’s expression darkened slightly. Grasping her hand, he said earnestly: “I hope, Madam, that marrying me means you can live freely and happily. If you dislike it, you don’t have to force yourself to attend social events.”

Chun Xi showed a touched expression, then firmly squeezed his hand: “Don’t worry, husband. I do enjoy interacting with people.”

With the winter hunt as an excuse, Chun Xi spent the following days at the Xiao household, taking Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue to practice riding and archery.

Both girls were physically delicate, but seeing Chun Xi ride with the skill of a man, they were impressed.

Xiao Qingyue, being braver, quickly learned to mount and dismount alone. Xiao Qinghe, however, struggled to grasp the technique.

Yet repeated failures did not discourage her. She listened carefully to Chun Xi’s corrections, summarized her experience, and by the first day’s sunset, she finally managed to mount the horse by herself.

Xiao Qinghe was drenched in sweat, her hair clinging to her face, looking a little disheveled and far from her usual poised elegance. But her eyes were ablaze, like tiny flames sparking with determination.

As the young aunt had said, the view from atop a horse is entirely different.

After practice, the three of them went to the Pine-Crane Courtyard of Old Madam Xiao for dinner, joined by Madam Xiao as well.

It had been a taxing first day. Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue’s hands trembled from exertion, making it difficult to pick up food, but their cheeks were flushed and appetites surprisingly good.

Madam Xiao was pleased to see Xiao Qinghe eat so well.

Although cutting ties with the Wei family would be difficult, her bigger concern was He’er’s emotional state—whether she could recover from such a painful situation.

Seeing He’er eat and drink well, not sulking or melancholy, eased Madam Xiao’s worries considerably.

Chun Xi, being patient and resourceful, had greatly accelerated the girls’ riding skills, and her own had improved as well.

During these days, Wei Lingze did not come to the Xiao household to make a scene. After returning home from his official duties, he would train for one or two hours before sleeping. On rest days, he trained from morning to night.

Soon, the day of the winter hunt arrived.

This year, with the envoy party present, the scale of the hunt was much grander than previous years. Many officials’ wives and daughters were allowed to attend, and with royal authority backing the event, the procession was magnificent.

Shen Qingyuan would meet the ministers of the Censorate. He only saw Chun Xi’s carriage join the female entourage before leaving.

The royal hunting grounds lay over ten li outside the city. Everyone arrived by the afternoon.

The Imperial Guards had set up resting tents in advance. Chun Xi, guided by palace maids to her tent, was soon approached by Princess Hengyang: “A-Xi, why are you so slow? I’ve been looking for you for so long.”

Winter hunts were nothing unusual for Princess Hengyang. The ladies accompanying the event were all reserved and proper, while the sons of noble families were eager to win favor with her imperial brother. Even so, they could not compare to the charm of a young man from Wuyou Pavilion.

Princess Hengyang entered the tent, sitting on the bed as she watched Chun Xi organize her things, talking continuously: “My husband decided to join the winter hunt this year for some reason. What about your Old Shen—will he participate?”

Her tone was casual, but she had replaced the derogatory term for the husband with “my husband.”

Chun Xi looked up, curious: “Can the prince consort ride and shoot too?”

Princess Hengyang rolled her eyes: “The prince consort was your Old Shen’s contemporary—he’s the top scholar! Do you think he got to the imperial exams just because of his face?”

Chun Xi hesitated. Wasn’t that… true?

She quickly admitted her mistake: “Your Highness, forgive me. The prince consort’s looks are so striking that I subconsciously judged him by appearance alone.”

Princess Hengyang chuckled. She often teased the prince consort as a pretty face. Had he not volunteered for the winter hunt, she would have almost forgotten he was once a vigorous, capable young man.

She quickly returned to the topic. Chun Xi truthfully said: “My husband will also participate, but he’s a civil official, so he’s mostly just along for the numbers.”

As soon as she said this, Princess Hengyang jabbed her forehead a few times: “Along for the numbers? Your Old Shen was the top scholar! Do you know how much mastery of the Six Arts a man must have to achieve that?”

Chun Xi didn’t quite understand.

She hadn’t studied much, and the imperial exams were far from her knowledge. She only knew the title of top scholar was impressive but didn’t grasp the extent. Besides, she had seen Shen Qingyuan in a fight—it didn’t seem like the superhuman skills described in books.

Confused, Chun Xi blinked. Princess Hengyang, smiling, said: “Envoy Xuanyuan Lang wants to face Wei Lingze again. Now that your Old Shen suddenly joins the winter hunt, this year’s hunt will be very exciting.”

“……”

Princess, why do I feel like you’re hoping they’ll fight?