After bidding farewell to his acquaintance, Yu Chi Cheng led me a bit further.
I asked him, "Why did you say I get carsick? I clearly don't!"
Yu Chi Cheng replied, "Do you really want to drink? The liquor in Red Desert is extremely strong."
"I don't like it when everything is done in my name. It makes me seem so weak," I complained.
But Yu Chi Cheng said, "It's okay. It's in your brother's name."
Hearing this, I burst into laughter. Then Yu Chi Cheng pointed to a grand and ostentatious store in the distance and said to me, "See that jewelry store? It's the best one in Red Desert. I'll take you there tomorrow to pick out some things. I'm sure you'll like them."
"Why are you suddenly going to give me gifts?" I asked, looking at him curiously.
He replied, "Anyway, it's one of my properties. Just take whatever you like. Also, if you encounter any problems in Red Desert, just go to that jewelry store and mention my name. Someone will handle it for you."
"Really that powerful?" I looked at him in disbelief. He just smiled and asked, "Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I do," I quickly shook my head. "It's just that you seem to have turned into a rich tycoon all of a sudden since we arrived in Red Desert."
Yu Chi Cheng couldn't help but laugh. Then he put his arm around me and changed our direction. "Alright, that's enough for today. Go back and rest well. Tomorrow is the opening ceremony of the hunting. There will be all kinds of shows and competitions. You must get enough rest."
"Okay, I know."
...
When Yu Chi Cheng and I returned to our residence, Ao Qing was throwing a tantrum in the hall. The reason was simply that we didn't take her with us when we went out. Feeling extremely embarrassed, I silently slipped away to the east wing, leaving this thorny problem to Yu Chi Cheng. As for how he would deal with Ao Qing, I couldn't care less. The situation of two women and one man was just too terrifying. Well, actually it was two "men" and one woman now.
I found my room in the east wing and lay down to rest. I was really exhausted after staying in the carriage all day.
Without thinking about anything, I soon fell asleep.
When I woke up the next day, the entire palace was bustling with activity. After I washed up and got dressed, I went to find Yu Chi Cheng. I saw him having breakfast with Yue Ze, the person I met last night, and they seemed to be getting along quite well.
"Good morning!" I stepped forward and looked at what was on the table.
Seeing this, Yue Ze immediately made a "please" gesture and introduced the food on the table. "Brother Ziming, try the fragrant milk buns of Red Desert."
"Really?" I sat down and reached for the bun. I took a bite and chewed it carefully, then nodded. "Not bad, not bad."
Yue Ze smiled and said, "The opening ceremony of the hunting will start soon. There will be good wine and delicious food later. This is just to fill your stomach for now."
"Okay." Just as I replied, Ao Qing came out from the other side. She walked to the table and looked at the bun disdainfully. "What is this? Is this how Red Desert treats its guests?"
Yue Ze couldn't help but cough lightly. Yu Chi Cheng's face turned serious and he said in a low voice, "Don't be rude."
Seeing this, Ao Qing softened her tone. "Fine, but you have to let her compete with me later."
As she said this, she pointed at me. At that time, I was sipping mare's milk. I suddenly spat out a mouthful of milk. Seeing this, Yue Ze quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe it for me. Yu Chi Cheng said, "I can't decide for her. You can ask her yourself."
Seeing this, Ao Qing walked over and sneered, "What? Are you so excited to see this princess that you even spat out your milk?"
I couldn't stand her vulgar words and suddenly started coughing violently. What she said sounded so obscene... I was just having breakfast!
Yue Ze said, "Princess Ao Qing, in Red Desert, the relationship between men and women is..."
Hearing Yue Ze explaining to her, I was afraid that Ao Qing would expose my identity. I quickly said, "Okay, okay. I'll compete with you, I'll compete with you..."
"But..." Yue Ze looked at me strangely.
I winked at him. "I'll explain later, later..."
At this time, a large number of carriages drove into the courtyard. They were here to pick us up to the venue.
I quickly wiped the place on my body that was soiled by the milk and returned the handkerchief to Yue Ze. Yue Ze gave me a gentle smile and said to everyone, "Let's go. It's time."
We walked in a grand procession to the venue of the opening ceremony. We saw that the area below the grandstand was vast and very suitable for horse - racing and military parades. I thought that the competition later would also be held here.
After a series of prayers, dances, and drum performances, the warm - up competition for the hunting finally began.
Yu Chi Cheng and I each chose a horse from Red Desert and headed towards the hunting ground. Anyway, I would just follow Yu Chi Cheng today. When Ao Qing rode her horse over, she kept giving me provocative looks, which I ignored. Until we entered the venue, because of the gender difference, we were assigned to different areas. Ao Qing finally started to lose her temper.
I waved goodbye to her and then followed Yu Chi Cheng closely on my horse. Ao Qing couldn't help but curse loudly, but she was stared at strangely by several beautiful women who were also entering the venue.
I didn't care about her anymore and rode away laughing.
Yu Chi Cheng said, "Are you so happy that you don't have to compete with her?"
I laughed. "Of course. I'd rather be behind a brave man than fight for the top among the flowers."
Yu Chi Cheng said, "Good. Today you can just run freely with those guys. Even if you come last, I'll be with you."
I said, "Okay, but I'm not as weak as you think. Giddy - up!"
The rolling yellow dust made me feel extremely heroic in this vast land. In the past, there were heroic female warriors fighting on the battlefield. It was just like this. Now, I, Xi He, am full of vigor and have lofty aspirations. I'm afraid that even if I recall this moment in the future, I will never regret it.
...
Running wild during the day made me experience the true spirit of the grassland. However, because I wasn't used to the horses in Red Desert, the inner sides of my calves were a bit chafed. But I didn't let Yu Chi Cheng know about this. Otherwise, he would surely laugh at me for being too delicate.
In the evening, as the temperature dropped, Red Desert held a grand bonfire party. One purpose was to welcome the official start of the hunting tomorrow, and the other was to welcome us guests from afar. After the exhilarating day, the singing and dancing at night seemed even more enjoyable.
I sat side by side with Yu Chi Cheng, watching the graceful dances of the girls in Red Desert. I couldn't help but sigh at the peculiarity of fate.
Ao Qing sat on the other side of Yu Chi Cheng. She glared at me several times, but I just ignored her. Instead, I deliberately moved a bit closer to Yu Chi Cheng and whispered something in his ear. As expected, Ao Qing flew into a rage and snapped the dry twig she was playing with. I saw the corners of Yu Chi Cheng's mouth twitch slightly. Then I resumed a normal distance from him.
"Yong Xi He!" Ao Qing finally couldn't stand my provocation and shouted loudly. I looked at her curiously and finally raised my eyebrows. "Why are you calling my sister?"
"You!" Just then, the music changed, and the dance turned into a group dance. The girls walked towards the audience sitting in a circle and started to invite people to dance.
The leading girl looked in our direction, her eyes flickering. I saw her gather her courage and walk over. I thought that Yu Chi Cheng was really charming. I was afraid that if Ao Qing saw this, she would get angry again. But before this thought could turn into a smile on my face, the girl stretched out her left hand to me. At the same time, she tapped her right hand on each of her collarbones and finally stopped on her heart.