The Elegant Dancing Years By Huo Li (火狸) | BL

Chapter 38 | The Hunt

The next day was field-hunting day; no matter what their position was, as long as they were interested, they were free to try their hand and keep the hunt. It could also be presented to His Majesty and if it was agreeable, it would be used as a tribute at the upcoming sacrificial ceremony three days later.

This was a good time to perform. If they were able to achieve His Majesty's appreciation, they may have a good career ahead of them and they might even attain a lifetime's benefits. Therefore, the ministers went all out and brought their best horses, even their attendants were smart and clever, straddling their horses on their respective masters' flanks, waiting to help find suitable prey.

The hunting ground wasn't far from the palace and a tent had been assembled in the clearing yesterday, just between the two was a resting place, the scarlet colour formed a striking and extremely gorgeous embellishment on the grassy ground.

Sitting in the most striking place in the middle was the Emperor of Cang He, Qi Xutian. He was dressed in dark purple robes with narrow sleeves and armaments that guarded his arms. With his movements, the dark dragon totem flashed silver. His long black hair was fastened with a silver crown casually, making him not appear as majestic or inscrutable like in Imperial Court, instead, he appeared like a fierce, unrestrained beast and seemed even more dangerous and unruly. 

He casually looked at the ministers in the distance that seemed to be in high spirits to hunt with a smile on his face, it wasn't known what he was thinking. He held a cup of wine in his hand but didn't say anything and occasionally seemed to casually sweep his gaze toward the palace.

Many ministers still hadn't left and were waiting as they sat below the stage and secretly looked at Qi Xutian's expression.  They saw that His Majesty seemed to have no intention of leaving, hence, they became cautious. One minister opened his mouth and spoke carefully, "Your Majesty seems to have no interest today, I wonder if this minister can be fortunate enough to serve Your Majesty and present things this minister hunted?"

Qi Xutian didn't comment, he didn't seem to have paid attention to his words. After a while, he nodded and said, "If you want to go, you can take advantage of this time and go early, otherwise, the prey would be taken away by others, I'll see what you can present to me."

The man went away with a happy look. All the other ministers under the seat were busy preparing their bows and arrows, readjusting their clothes, then hurried to the hunting ground after saluting Qi Xutian.

There were still many ministers left. Seeing that Qi Xutian had no intention of getting up to hunt, they also sat on the side until the royal children and concubines arrived to pay their respects, only with their arrival did the tent start to bustle.

Originally, there was a small tent next to the big tent for the concubines and royal children, but it wasn't near, so the concubines were afraid of missing this valuable opportunity and took their sons and daughters to the big tent. The young princesses seldom saw their Father Emperor and when they actually did, it was from afar and they were too reverent and afraid so they didn't dare look at him. Today, however, was a rare chance that he was so close. Timid and curious, they dared to look up at him, but saw that Father Emperor didn't seem concerned about them, he just nodded slightly and took a sip from the cup in his hand before he asked, "All of my children have grown so big already, what do you all do usually?"

Qi Musheng stepped forward first and answered, "Replying to Father Emperor, this child practices calligraphy and martial arts."

"Nothing else?" Qi Xutian asked lightly while looking at the cup of wine in his hand.

"This child practices swordsmanship and learns about the ancestors, this child never had time to do anything else."

"It seems that you often visit your Consort Mother, is she used to living in the Cold Palace now?" Seemingly not knowing what kind of place the Cold Palace was, Qi Xutian asked nonchalantly.