HMAM CH 69 Sudden Danger
His Majesty was going hunting again, and Yang Ziran issued a few commands to the others, leaving the affairs to the deputy captain before coming to complain to Feng Ling, “You are too ungrateful! You left me lying at the table for the entire night. I woke up this morning with a sore back and was scolded by Lord Guan!”
Of course, Feng Ling couldn’t admit that he had slept in the emperor’s quarters and could only smile slightly, “I’ll find some good wine for you on another day.”
Yang Ziran was waiting for this promise, laughing as he said, “That’s the spirit! Today His Majesty is going hunting, and with such clear skies outside, you might as well go out and have some fun instead of staying cooped up in this library like an old book.”
Feng Ling shook his head, saying, “I didn’t bring my riding gear and have no horse, so what’s the point of going out?”
Yang Ziran chuckled, “What are you talking about? I can lend you a set. As for a horse, just come with me to the stables, choose one you like, and borrow it. No one will object.”
Feng Ling glanced out the window. The courtyard was bathed in sunlight, the shadows dancing as a gentle breeze swept through, making it truly a beautiful day. In the end, he nodded ever so slightly.
After Jing Ye finished lunch, Ye Mao brought his hunting attire for him to change into. Lu Baizang and Gu Hong were playing chess with one another. When Jing Ye emerged in his new outfit, they both glared at him indignantly.
Jing Ye shot a glance at Lu Baizang and said, “If you want to go, just say so; it’s not like you're forbidden.”
Lu Baizang replied with a hint of sourness, “Your Majesty has a new favorite; how could an old favorite like this subject dare interrupt?”
With a twitch of his eye, Jing Ye remarked, “You didn’t enjoy the sweet and sour fish at lunch, did you? Someone is all sour.”
Jing Yun was sitting beside the chessboard, counting the black pieces for Uncle Gu. Upon seeing Jing Ye approach, he threw down the black pieces and exclaimed, “Uncle, muah!”
The young prince had recently taken to playing the kissing game, requiring kisses upon waking, during meals, and even before bed. Last night, when Lin Xiaosheng stayed to accompany Jing Ye, Jing Yun had sat on his uncle’s bed, staring at the beauty and saying, “Muah!”
Lin Xiaosheng and he had locked eyes for a long moment before picking up the relentless “lusty” young prince and tossing him to a nearby palace maid. “The prince is tired; take him to sleep.”
Jing Yun immediately became tearful, breaking free from the maid's arms and whining as he returned to his sleeping quarters.
Jing Ye leaned down and gave Jing Yun a kiss. Jing Yun pouted, “Uncle, why didn’t you kiss my mouth?”
Before Jing Ye could respond, Lu Baizang lunged forward and bit Jing Ye's lips, licking them and saying with a roguish grin, “Because this place can only be touched by those who share a bed with your uncle.”
Jing Ye’s expression darkened, slapping Lu Baizang away. Just as he was about to speak, his chin was suddenly grabbed, and soft lips pressed against his, a tongue slipping into the space between his lips, eliciting a gentle touch.
Gu Hong released his hold, looking at the wide-eyed Jing Yun with a faint smile, “Your Uncle Lu is quite right.”
Jing Yun’s eyes immediately welled with tears again, and he jumped off the soft couch, whining as he returned to his sleeping quarters.
Jing Ye: “…”
Once they had gathered their things, they made their way to the front hall, where Gesha was already waiting.
The little white wolf cub clumsily followed along, sniffing around at Jing Ye's leg and rubbing its head against his knee. It had grown quickly; Jing Ye had brought it back to the villa, and it was the first to open its eyes and see him, thereafter treating him like its guardian, following him wherever he went.
Gesha’s gaze swept over the white wolf cub’s snowy fur, and a hint of peculiar interest crossed his eyes.
The guards lined up in formation, led by Yang Ziran, awaited outside the gates. The deputy captain brought over the Obsidian, and Jing Ye patted its horsey face before mounting.
The white wolf cub sat patiently on the ground, looking up longingly. Smiling, Jing Ye motioned for someone to lift it up and place it on his horse’s back, gripping the reins with one hand while supporting the wolf cub with the other. The Obsidian kicked its front hooves restlessly and snorted loudly.
Gesha also mounted swiftly. Then the group set off from the summer retreat villa, heading into the woods.
Jing Ye was not skilled in hunting and could not shoot an arrow, instead leisurely leading Obsidian as they walked and stopped, taking in the scenery of the forest. Once in the wilderness, the white wolf cub jumped down from the horse, sniffing and examining everything around its master.
Gesha rode forward not far from Jing Ye, sitting straight in his saddle with his soft armor on, bow and arrows slung across his back, and a quiver at his waist, his eyes sharp as he captured sounds within the woods.
Wherever he focused, he struck fast and true.
As guards of the emperor, they were naturally skilled horsemen and archers, but even they couldn’t help but secretly admire the Wuhuan people’s natural talent for hunting.
Jing Ye let Obsidian run freely. Noticing Gesha seemed invigorated, chasing after prey and getting farther away, Jing Ye turned to Yang Ziran and instructed, “Have a couple of people follow Consort Xiang.”
Yang Ziran bowed over slightly on horseback, saying, “Understood.”
Jing Ye pulled the reins tighter and lowered his head to avoid a hanging branch, but suddenly he heard a “whoosh” sound. He turned his head and saw the white wolf cub, which had been rolling in the grass, raising its ears and arching its back, looking around anxiously.
Frowning, Jing Ye opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly felt a wave of palpitations. Obsidian let out a shriek of fear, rearing up on its front hooves and nearly throwing him off.
Yang Ziran immediate responded from behind, shouting, “The horse is stung by a bee! Protect His Majesty!”
Jing Ye gripped the reins tightly, clinging to the horse's back. Obsidian shrieked again, bolting down the mountain path into the dense woods.
Yang Ziran spurred his horse after him, shouting for help when suddenly the deputy captain came running up, clutching his right arm, saying, “My lord! There are traitors among the party!”
Yang Ziran felt his heart sink. Looking towards the woods, he saw several figures flying through the leaves, and the last person turned and made a hand gesture at him.
His heart sank further. He turned his horse around and commanded, “Relay the order for everyone to turn around and capture the traitors!”
Meanwhile, Jing Ye was gripping the horse tightly, feeling nauseated from the bumpiness, as Obsidian, after being frightened, was no longer docile and galloped wildly into the depths of the mountain woods.
Just as he was enduring this torment, suddenly someone reached out from thin air and pulled him up, landing him on level ground. A group of dark-clothed guards in sleek attire, all kneeling on one knee, bowed and said, “Greetings, Your Majesty. This subject is Commander Mo Zhun of the Dark Guards.”
Jing Ye leaned against a relatively flat rock, frowning as he said, “Can you check zhen's right leg to see if there’s something there?”
One of the black-clad guards stepped forward, saying, “Pardon this subject's rudeness.” As he lifted Jing Ye’s right leg, he drew a dagger and made a small cut at the knee, gently tearing the fabric.
Then his gaze sharpened, and he struck quickly, extracting a small blue-green snake from the pant leg.
Jing Ye propped himself up to see that indeed there were two tiny wounds on his right knee.
The guard said, “Someone tampered with the saddle.”
Jing Ye closed his eyes, “Zhen feels dizzy and heavy, and my heart is racing.”
The guard remained kneeling and responded, “This subject will take people to eliminate nearby traitors and find the antidote immediately. Mo Wu and Mo Qi will stay behind to guard Your Majesty and bring Your Majesty to a nearby hidden place to rest.”
With that, the guards dispersed in various directions, leaving two behind.
Jing Ye said, “Zhen can’t feel zhen's leg anymore; someone help zhen up.”
The thinner guard performed a bow, then came over to support Jing Ye, while the other positioned himself to the left. The three of them walked into a nearby cave concealed by vines.
Jing Ye leaned against the cave wall, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over him. He forced his eyes open and looked at the two standing beside him, asking, “Which of you is Mo Wu, and who is Mo Qi?”
Knowing he must avoid falling into a coma after being poisoned, he tried to gather his wits and strike up a conversation with the two.
The thinner guard bowed, saying, “This subject is Mo Qi.”
His voice was crisp and youthful, contrasting sharply with his serious attire. Jing Ye smiled, “Take off your face mask so zhen can see.”
The guard hesitated for a moment, but understanding he couldn’t refuse the emperor's command, he raised his hand to remove the mask, revealing a delicate and fair baby face.
Jing Ye chuckled again, “How old are you?”
Mo Qi replied, “This subject is twenty-four years old.”
Jing Ye was astonished, “Twenty-four? You look like you haven’t even reached coming-of-age yet.”
Mo Qi appeared shy as he said, “This subject was born with a tender face, and as a result, Commander Mo often... has some complaints about it.”
Jing Ye laughed, “The features and skin we inherit from our parents cannot be changed by human effort.”
Mo Qi’s cheeks flushed slightly; he looked timid and pale, easy to redden, and did not resemble a composed and restrained shadow guard at all, which made it understandable that Mo Zhun might have some hesitations.
Jing Ye’s playful banter with this young shadow guard lifted his spirits a little.
Mo Wu had remained silent, standing nearby, listening to the emperor speak to Mo Qi when his ears suddenly twitched, and he spoke up, “There are people nearby.”
Mo Qi stiffened, having heard it as well.
Jing Ye asked, “Who is it?”
Mo Wu listened attentively, “Two horses, one with a rider.” He then bowed respectfully, “Your Majesty, please remain calm; this subject will go investigate.” Quickly, he exited the cave.
Mo Qi stepped closer to the opening, and Jing Ye fell silent, closing his eyes as he began to feel increasingly cold, his head growing heavier.
It was unclear how much time had passed when he suddenly heard someone calling, “Your Majesty.”
Jing Ye opened his eyes to see Mo Wu standing at the entrance, asking, “Who is it?”
Mo Wu stepped aside to let someone through. Although he was not dressed as a civil official, he still exuded an air of composure, standing tall like a green pine.
Jing Ye’s eyes widened slightly, “Feng Qing?”
Feng Ling looked steadily at him, then bowed deeply, saying, “This subject saw your imperial mount in the woods and sensed something was amiss, so this subject… paying respects to Your Majesty.”
At this point, Jing Ye could only sigh, “You’ve been drawn into this mess for no reason.” Noticing Feng Ling was still standing, he pointed to a spot beside him and said, “Take a seat.”
Feng Ling complied, while Mo Qi and Mo Wu stepped outside to maintain their vigilance.
Jing Ye hesitated, wanting to say something, but ultimately decided to shut his eyes. The chill within him intensified, spreading through his limbs, causing him to shiver uncontrollably.
In his stupor, he heard a low voice call, “Your Majesty? Your Majesty?”
Jing Ye furrowed his brows tightly.
After a moment of silence, the voice said softly, “This subject has offended Your Majesty,” followed by the sound of rustling fabric as a warm body leaned in against him, enveloping him in an embrace.
Jing Ye felt the warmth of the person's neck against his face, their breaths and the rhythmic beating of their hearts merging harmoniously, more comforting than the softest bedding he had ever slept on.
Feng Ling lowered his head slightly, brushing against Jing Ye's crown of hair, speaking in a calm, almost tender voice, “Your Majesty.”