Seeing this, Dongfang Yi seemed to think of something and shyly closed her eyes. But after a while, she didn't feel any movement.
She slightly opened her eyes and found that Helian Qi was looking at her playfully.
The kiss she had expected didn't come, and instead she saw Helian Qi's playful face when she opened her eyes. Dongfang Yi's face immediately flushed red. She realized how shameless her actions just now had been.
Immediately, she raised her hand and gently pounded on the chest of the man in front of her, scolding angrily, "You're so bad!"
Hearing this, Helian Qi immediately broke into a smile. There was an interesting glint at the corner of his mouth, and his eyes were curved. He just wanted her to come and rest with him. Who would have thought that was what she was thinking? She was really his little hooligan.
Thinking of this, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. Then he gently lifted her chin and lowered his head to kiss her blushing cheek. Then he said, "Silly girl, go and rest quickly. We're going into the forest to hunt this afternoon."
After saying that, he picked her up horizontally and placed her on the bed. Then he walked to the table beside him, leaned over, and began to review the memorials.
Dongfang Yi watched the man not far away looking so serious. She stared at him without blinking. Soon, she felt her eyelids getting heavy. Sleepiness came over her, and she fell into a drowsy sleep.
After everyone had rested for a while, they all gathered outside the forest, preparing to enter the forest again for the afternoon competition. They wouldn't be able to return until evening.
After everyone had gone in one after another, only Dongfang Yi, Helian Rong, and Helian Qi were left outside.
"Please take good care of the Empress Dowager in the forest, Brother Emperor," Helian Qi said.
Hearing this, Helian Rong bowed with his hands clasped, then respectfully replied, "This is what your humble brother should do. Brother Emperor, don't worry."
After saying that, he turned around and entered the forest. Dongfang Yi on the side just took a deep look at the man behind her and then followed the people in front into the forest.
There were obviously fewer prey in the afternoon. Apparently, because of the large - scale hunting in the morning, the animals had become more vigilant. Dongfang Yi rode around on her horse but didn't encounter any prey worth hunting.
Just when she was feeling a bit dejected, she suddenly saw a white figure not far away. Taking a closer look, she could see that it was a snow rabbit.
What a fat rabbit, she thought to herself. Then she took out the arrow from behind her, drew her bow, and prepared to shoot.
But just as she shot, the rabbit seemed to be startled by something and suddenly ran away, causing her arrow to miss.
She frowned, dismounted, and walked over. She found some gravel on the ground. Apparently, someone had deliberately disrupted her hunting just now.
Thinking of this, her frown deepened. Squinting her eyes, she began to look around. Suddenly, she saw some movement behind the bushes not far away. It seemed as if someone was hiding there.
After seeing this, she paced over slowly and took out an arrow and placed it on the bow for defense.
"Who's there?! If you don't come out, I'll shoot!" she said in a threatening tone.
Then she saw the bushes shake twice, and then a young boy walked out from inside.
The boy was about seven or eight years old. He was wearing coarse cloth clothes and a square kerchief on his head. But he was carved like a jade and very cute.
Seeing that it was a child, Dongfang Yi put away her bow and arrow. Then she bent down and asked, "Whose child are you? How could you be in this royal hunting ground? Don't you know how dangerous it is?!"
But the little boy snorted. Then he looked at the woman in front of him defiantly and said, "What royal hunting ground? This is just my family's back garden. That rabbit is my pet. You can't hurt it!"
The little boy spoke confidently. His eyes had a temperament that didn't match his age.
Dongfang Yi always felt that he looked very familiar. She always felt that he looked extremely similar to someone, but she just couldn't remember who it was.
Then she asked again, "What's your name? The arrows in the forest are ruthless. Do you want me to send you home?"
But the little boy didn't say a word. He gave her another angry look and then disappeared from her sight.
Dongfang Yi originally wanted to chase after him, but then she remembered that her horse was behind her. If the horse was lost, she would be in danger. Moreover, seeing how agile the little boy was, he must be very familiar with the situation in the forest. As for why he was here, she would ask Helian Qi tonight.
Thinking of this, she turned around, got back on her horse, and rode in another direction.
Behind her, a little boy was holding a fat white rabbit in his arms. He stared at the departing woman without blinking. Then he angrily said to the little thing in his arms, "Told you not to run around! You almost got caught by others."
After saying that, he carried the rabbit and headed in one direction.
On the other side, Concubine Chu had chosen a secluded place for herself. It was behind a tall bush. She would release a prey to lead Concubine Lian into the trap. Once she came in, there was a deep pit filled with weeds.
The pit was very deep, and there were many snakes inside. As long as someone fell into it, it would be very difficult to climb out.
Thinking of this, she curled her lips and sneered. Then she smoothed the weeds on the ground and left.
All of this was clearly seen by Yaoji who was hiding in the dark. She knew that Concubine Chu did this to kill Concubine Lian. Since she already knew all this, why not use this to kill the real person who deserved to die.
After thinking this, she gave a charming smile, turned around, and prepared to meet with Concubine Lian to discuss the whole plan.
On the other side, Dongfang Yi shot several prey. After turning around a bush, she met Helian Rong. He was aiming at a grazing fawn at this time. Then she saw him let go of the arrow. The arrow whistled through the air and instantly shot down the fawn not far away.
Dongfang Yi immediately clapped her hands. The man not far away heard the sound and turned his head. Seeing that it was Dongfang Yi, he respectfully bowed with his hands clasped and said, "Greetings to Sister - in - law."
"Don't be so formal. There's no distinction of high and low in this competition," Dongfang Yi said. She just wanted to praise the man's archery skills when she clapped.
Moreover, it was already getting dark. Even though Helian Qi had provided her with very good protection, she still couldn't be too adventurous. So it was more appropriate to find someone to accompany her. Coincidentally, she met Helian Rong. He was undoubtedly the best companion.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but ask, "It's getting late. I wonder if the Prince of Nanping would like to accompany me?"