Chapter 58: The Deer Hunter

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the royal villa at the Capital Outskirts, the Elegant Orchid Hunting Grounds, suddenly bustled with activity. The Eastern Radiance Kingdom’s annual autumn hunting grand event was about to take place here.

At the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion, Wei Huaishu summoned his three sons to the Training Hall. Yes, while other people’s fathers summoned their sons to the study, whenever the Grand General wanted to say something, it was always straight to the Training Hall.

This day, a squad of elite soldiers was specially selected to come to the Training Hall—all young captains forged through military service, with Adjutant Xiao Zheng of the Northern Pacification Army present as well. Wei Huaishu pointed at his sons and said, “Go! Practice your skills!”

Either fight against many alone, or face a wheel battle—take your pick.

Wei Qingchen chose to fight against many alone. One against three. When she was about to win, her father added another person in. She gritted her teeth and fought with ferocity.

In the end, she still won. A narrow victory.

After they all finished fighting, Wei Huaishu looked at his three sons, panting like dogs, his gaze approving but his words still full of disdain. “Look at yourselves! You’ve only come this far! Taking the head of a top general amidst thousands of troops and horses—can you do that?!” He glanced at his youngest son. “And you. Both your elder brothers won. You were the only one who lost. Why did you lose?”

Wei Jiewu was still gasping for air. He clutched his chest, thought for a moment, and said, “Your son lacks experience and couldn’t adapt on the spot like my two elder brothers. Your son will reflect on his mistakes.”

Wei Huaishu grunted an “mm” and asked his second: “Why did you choose to fight against many alone?” Both her brothers had chosen the wheel battle.

Wei Qingchen said that on the battlefield, there are always times when the enemy outnumbers you. Enemy soldiers won’t wait to come at you one by one. Rather than panicking when facing it in battle, it’s better to experience and train for it now.

There was one more thing she didn’t mention: her stamina was far inferior to her elder brother’s, and even to her younger brother’s as he grew. She had to strike first to gain the advantage and play to her strengths to avoid her weaknesses.

Wei Huaishu looked at her and said, “Before you entered the field, were you confident of winning?”

Wei Qingchen said, “Originally, I had about seventy to eighty percent confidence.”

“Originally?”

“How was I supposed to know you’d suddenly add another person!” Wei Qingchen sputtered indignantly. Still, she had won in the end.

The Grand General laughed heartily. Having laughed enough, he pointed at his sons. “Remember this: the enemy will not come at you one by one, nor will they halt their attack just because you’re exhausted nearly to death. War is the way of deception. The battlefield changes in an instant, often a matter of kill or be killed. People are most lax when they’ve won a battle, but you can never know whether the enemy still holds a trump card. Therefore, regardless of whether the enemy has a trump card, you must have one of your own. Victory or defeat often hides within this trump card.”

There are no fixed patterns in warfare, just as water retains no constant shape. One who can gain victory by adapting to changes in the enemy is called divine.

Wei Qingchen and the others cupped their hands: “We will reverently remember Father Marshal’s teachings!”

Wei Huaishu nodded. Finally, he turned his gaze to his eldest son.

Wei Chengxian straightened his chest, eyes facing forward. He was the first to win. While his victory was decided, both his younger brothers were still struggling for their lives. The three elite soldier captains in his wheel battle had all been carried off the field.

Wei Huaishu patted his shoulder without saying much more.

He was very pleased. Father Marshal’s approval of him was complete; there was nothing needing correction.

“All of you go back and prepare. In three days is the autumn hunt at the Elegant Orchid Hunting Grounds. Don’t disgrace your father!”

Wei Huaishu, with a stern face, waved his hand. The sons took their leave in turn.

After the personal guards had also withdrawn, Wei Huaishu stood beside rows of weapon racks and asked his adjutant, “What does the military advisor think of them?”

Xiao Zheng cupped his hands. “A tiger father does not beget dog sons.”

Grand General Wei’s brows shot up. “Am I here to listen to platitudes?”

Xiao Zheng chuckled softly and stroked his neatly trimmed beard. “The Second Young Master is tenacious. The Third Young Master is forthright. As for the Eldest Young Master…” He paused briefly before continuing, “What the Eldest Young Master cultivates is the art of killing.”

He didn’t say whether it was good or bad. He merely spoke honestly of what he saw.

Wei Huaishu was silent for a moment, then changed the subject. “You came today to discuss the winter patrols?”

“Yes.” Xiao Zheng cupped his hands in salute.

When Wei Qingchen returned to Yearning Hall, all the maids were given a shock.

Qingdai stared wide-eyed, stammering: “Shi… Heir, how did you… get beaten up again??”

Our Imperial Medicine Hall’s medicine is almost running out!!!

Hearing the voices, Chu Mingxi also came out of the room. Seeing Wei Qingchen’s face, her brows furrowed slightly. “Go get the medicine box,” she said to Qingdai.

Qingdai gave a hasty curtsy and turned toward the wing-room.

The autumn sunlight was still intense. The window shutters were propped open, filling the room with brightness. Wei Qingchen entered the room and sidled up to her wife, making a pitiful face. “Father Marshal was training us. All three of us got beaten.”

The maids filed in one after another—drawing water, bringing medicine. Chu Mingxi pointed to a chair nearby. “Sit there.”

Wei Qingchen had no choice but to sit, tilting her face up. “Quick, rub it for me.”

The corner of her lip was split slightly, and a bump had swollen on her forehead. Chu Mingxi sighed, wondering a little if she had proposed to her just to save on medical expenses.

With the medicine applied, Wei Qingchen was still tilting her head up. Chu Mingxi asked, “Any injuries on your body?”

Wei Qingchen’s face reddened slightly.

Chu Mingxi turned her head. “Everyone leave.”

The maids all curtsied and withdrew. Qingdai even helped close the door for them.

Chu Mingxi said, “Go to the inner room and disrobe.”

The way she spoke so coolly and lightly made Wei Qingchen’s heart flutter nervously.

“Don’t be angry. I really didn’t get beaten up for nothing.” Wei Qingchen sat in the chair, took her hand, and like a cat tilting its head up to be spoiled, said, “In a few days is the autumn hunt. Every year at this time, Father Marshal trains us. He’s afraid we’ll embarrass him.”

“I’m not angry.” Chu Mingxi looked down, gazing down at her clear, bright eyes from above.

“Then what’s wrong?” Wei Qingchen tilted her head, a mere “Meow!” away from asking.

Chu Mingxi reached out with her green onion-like fingertip and lightly touched the broken skin at the corner of Wei Qingchen’s mouth.

Wei Qingchen cooperated fully: “Tss~”

Chu Mingxi’s lips curved in a small smile, and she tilted her chin toward the bed.

Seeing her smile, Wei Qingchen finally relaxed. She stood to go to the inner room, hands feeling for her belt as she took two steps. Suddenly, she turned back, looked at her wife, and said, “You’re not angry, so that means you feel sorry for me, right?”

As she said this, she herself smiled first, her eyes curving, revealing her delight.

Chu Mingxi turned her back to retrieve medicine from the medicine box, not answering her at all.

Wei Qingchen walked back, wrapped her arms around her from behind, and swayed back and forth. “I don’t care, you feel sorry for me.”

Chu Mingxi twisted her head around to chide her. “Does it not hurt anymore then?”

There was a pink flush on her cheeks. If she weren’t this close, it wouldn’t have been noticed. Wei Qingchen’s heart stirred at the sight, and she leaned forward, hoping to steal another kiss. But Chu Mingxi deliberately turned her head back, and that kiss landed right on the tip of her reddened ear.

A faint, cool medicinal fragrance diffused gently. Wei Qingchen’s arms around her waist tightened even more.

Two days later, everyone in the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion, high and low, was preparing for the Master and the three young masters to go hunting at the Elegant Orchid Hunting Grounds.

The sky had not yet fully brightened, but Wei Qingchen had already been helped through her washing and dressing. Jingyun led the young maids out of the room, the beaded curtain swaying slightly, casting a shimmering patch of fragmented light.

On the nanmu round table in the small Flower Hall, breakfast dishes were laid out. Besides both savory and sweet congee, there were four small dishes to accompany the congee and four types of exquisite pastries. Chu Mingxi sat down at the table to keep Wei Qingchen company during breakfast.

Wei Qingchen propped her chin on one hand and sighed. “Why can’t wives be brought along to the autumn hunt?”

Chu Mingxi looked at her, amused. “Could the Heir have a bit more ambition?”

“The game in the hunting grounds has all been herded in advance. What ambition is needed?” Wei Qingchen glanced at her, her eyes full of lament.

Chu Mingxi served her a bowl of Bird’s Nest & Partridge Wealth Porridge and set it in front of her. “Alright, I know you can’t bear to part from me.” She said this with a pursed smile.

Wei Qingchen actually froze for a moment, her eyes showing surprise and joy. She grasped her hand. “What did you say I am?”

Chu Mingxi refused to say it again and urged her to hurry and eat.

Wei Qingchen took a bite of congee, looked at her wife; another bite of congee, another look at her wife. The smile on her lips wouldn’t be suppressed.

“I need to leave the mansion for a couple of days to return to the Imperial Medicine Hall.”

After breakfast, it was already getting late. Chu Mingxi spoke of her plans to go out while helping Wei Qingchen fasten her cloak.

“Alright. Are you going today?”

Wei Qingchen lowered her head to tie her cloak. Chu Mingxi came around, took over, and after fastening the cloak, carefully tied a Sachet to her waist.

Wei Qingchen blinked. “What’s this?”

“There are many mosquitoes and insects in the mountains. Carry this with you, and they won’t come near.” Chu Mingxi stepped back to look her over. “Today is the main day of the Elegant Orchid autumn hunt. With the Imperial Procession out, the city is probably full of Shadow Guards everywhere. I’ll go tomorrow.”

“Alright. Take some people with you too.” Wei Qingchen answered, feeling sweet in her heart. She fingered the newly tied Sachet and gave her wife a smile.

Qiaoqiao curtsied at the door, reminding her master it was nearly time to depart.

Wei Qingchen gently squeezed Chu Mingxi’s soft hand, turned, strode out the door without looking back, and was gone.

By the time she rode her horse swiftly to the Elegant Orchid Hunting Grounds, it was nearly noon. Imperial clan members, civil officials, and military officers, down to the sons of nobility, had long gathered in a great throng. Each had brought their falcons, lynxes, and hounds, along with the falconers and kennel boys who raised them. The noise of people surged, vast and mighty.

Wei Qingchen was the Left Assistant General of the Palace Guard, so she stayed tightly close to the Emperor. By the side of the Mingcheng Emperor were also a group of princes—the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth. Other than the Crown Prince, still ill, all the other lords were in attendance.

After the hundred officials finished their salutations, the dense sound of war drums boomed again. The imperial guards formed their arrays. The Mingcheng Emperor gripped a Golden Bow in his hand, spurred his horse, and galloped forward.

Wei Qingchen and the other Imperial Bodyguards followed closely behind. They saw a herd of deer driven out from the forest by the guards. The Mingcheng Emperor drew his bow and nocked an arrow, aimed at a large, sturdy stag running at the very front, and suddenly loosed the arrow.

The Golden Arrow carried the fierce sound of wind as it flew like a shooting star, “whoosh,” burying itself into the running body of the stag. The stag let out a long, piercing cry. The Mingcheng Emperor’s mount slowed not a bit. He bent his bow again, nocked another arrow, and once more shot out a Golden Arrow! This time, it struck the deer’s leg. The stag’s foreleg buckled, and it crashed to the ground with a thud. A thunderous roar of cheers and shouts erupted from the crowd: “Long live! Long live! Long live the Emperor!!”

The sound waves gradually built into thunder, the surrounding mountains throwing back echoes. It was a mountain-and-tsunami roar: “Long live! Long live! Long live the Emperor!!”

The Mingcheng Emperor finally reined in his horse, turned it around, and galloped straight back into the crowd.

The hundred officials and nobility all fell to their knees. The Mingcheng Emperor laughed heartily. “This autumn hunt, prizes have been set! The one who bags the most game each day takes the first prize—a Golden Bow awarded! Second and third places receive Silver Bows! Any who can hunt a deer will be bestowed a full quiver of Golden Arrows!”

Wei Qingchen’s eyes shone brightly. She knelt on one knee and, together with the crowd, shouted: “Long live! Long live! Long live the Emperor!!”