Song Nanxin smiled and said, "There were indeed quite a few noble young masters at the banquet, but I don't think any of them are worthy of our Yihuan. So, daughter-in-law still wants to take a look around."
Taking a sip of tea, the Princess of Ningqin said,
"In fifteen days, the autumn hunt will commence. The palace will select suitable candidates from each family to accompany the emperor's entourage to Xingzhou for the autumn hunt and the grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to Heaven. The Princess of the Heir Apparent must go. Since Miss Huan and Xuan'er are living in the Prince of Ningqin's Mansion, they are also considered the family members of the mansion. If you're willing, you can take Xuan'er and go to Xingzhou with us."
The Princess of Ningqin's words almost made Song Nanxin change her expression.
If she were the only one going on this autumn hunt with Ji Lingchuan, in order to keep the secret that she had never shared a bed with her husband, she would surely find ways to take Song Yihuan with her. But now that the Princess of Ningqin had invited Song Yihuan to go on her own initiative, the nature of it had completely changed.
— This meant that Song Yihuan had impressed the Princess of Ningqin once again.
But how could this be? Where on earth had things gone wrong?
There was also a look of surprise on Song Yihuan's face.
She had once studied in the Imperial College pretending to be Song Nanxin and had heard from the scholars there that the autumn hunt, which was held once every three years in the Yu State.
It was said that the autumn hunt and the grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to Heaven were extremely lively. On that day, both men and women could go hunting for their desired prey. At night, everyone would gather around the campfire to roast the prey and drink together.
It could be said that it was the best occasion for men to show their strength and ambition, and also the best time for women to choose their husbands. Everyone was longing for the autumn hunt.
In the sixteenth year of Jinghong, it was time for the three - year period, and the autumn hunt and the grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to Heaven should have been held. However, the previous emperor's health had been deteriorating, and the factions in the court had been fighting fiercely. The autumn hunt had been postponed again and again. After the new emperor ascended the throne and changed the reign title to Taichu, there was an invasion from the north, and the sixteen cities on the border were in urgent need of help. Therefore, the autumn hunt ceremony had been postponed until now.
It was impossible for Song Yihuan not to be tempted.
She yearned for freedom and most wanted to ride a horse and gallop freely in an open space. In the past, with her status as the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Ding'an's Mansion, a good thing like going to Xingzhou with the emperor's entourage to participate in the autumn hunt ceremony would never have fallen to her.
Now, the Princess of Ningqin had directly invited her, which made a look of joy and surprise of a young girl flash across her eyes.
But the next moment, Song Nanxin's words were like a bucket of cold water poured on Song Yihuan.
"However, Xuan'er's illness makes him unfit for a long - distance journey and the fatigue of traveling. The autumn hunt could last from one or two months to three or four months. As the temperature will gradually drop later, Xingzhou is even colder than the capital. Daughter - in - law is worried that Xuan'er won't be able to bear it." Song Nanxin frowned and said with a worried look on her face. "Mother Princess, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Yes, Song Yixuan's health was indeed not suitable for such a long - distance journey. If it weren't for this, she would have run away with Xuan'er long ago.
Song Yihuan took a deep breath and said, "Sister is right. It's better for him to recuperate well in the capital."
However, the Princess of Ningqin did not agree with their views. "Staying cooped up in the small courtyard all the time is not very helpful for his condition. On this journey north, one can see many landscapes different from those in the capital. Maybe when he goes out and sees the world and is happy, his illness will be much better. Moreover, there will be imperial physicians accompanying us all the way. With the power of the Prince of Ningqin's Mansion, it is enough to ensure that he can get the care of the imperial physicians all the way."
After learning that there would be imperial physicians accompanying them all the way, no matter how reluctant Song Nanxin was, she couldn't refuse, otherwise, it would arouse the suspicion of the Princess of Ningqin.
"You're right. If Xuan'er can see the scenery of Xingzhou, he will surely be very happy!" Song Nanxin forced a smile through gritted teeth. Then she took Song Yihuan's hand. "Yihuan, why don't you thank the Princess quickly?"
Song Yihuan stood up and bowed respectfully to the Princess of Ningqin. "Yihuan thanks the Princess. During this trip, Yihuan will take good care of herself and won't cause any trouble to the Princess, sister, or brother - in - law."
After finalizing this matter, the Princess of Ningqin didn't say much more. She waved her hand, and the servant came into the room and carried the sleeping Song Yixuan out and handed him to Song Yihuan.
Perhaps sensing the breath of his close relative, Song Yixuan murmured a few times and shrank into Song Yihuan's arms, looking pitiful and cute.
The Princess of Ningqin said in a gentle voice, "He played with me for a while, took his medicine, and then fell asleep. After falling asleep, he kept calling your name. It seems that this little guy can't be separated from you for a moment."
Holding her younger brother, who was much heavier than before, Song Yihuan stroked his back and said with a smile, "He was in poor health when he was a child and refused to take medicine. Every time I had to hold him and coax him to take the medicine one mouthful at a time. Maybe he's used to it over the years."
The Princess of Ningqin was very envious of their sibling relationship. Thinking that there was only Ji Lingchuan as the heir in the huge Prince of Ningqin's Mansion and that Ji Lingchuan had been lonely and had no one to accompany him since childhood, she felt extremely uncomfortable.
Making the Prince of Ningqin's Mansion have more descendants had almost become her heart disease.
After taking Song Yixuan back, Song Yihuan didn't stay in the Pine and Crane Courtyard any longer. She took Song Yixuan to bid farewell to the Princess of Ningqin, leaving only Song Nanxin and the Princess of Ningqin to continue chatting.
When the siblings returned to the Tinglan Courtyard, Song Yixuan woke up. When he saw the three large wooden boxes in the yard, he was very surprised. Seeing that there were many old things from the Qinghe Courtyard in the boxes, he was extremely happy.
After playing with him for a while, Song Yihuan carefully wiped his palms with a handkerchief and mentioned the autumn hunt half a month later to him.
Learning that they could go to Xingzhou together, Song Yixuan's eyes were very bright. "Fourth sister, Xuan'er wants to go. Xuan'er wants to see how the outside world is different from the capital."
Song Yihuan smiled and tapped his nose. "Okay, we'll go together then. When we get to Xingzhou, fourth sister will take you horse - riding."
...
Song Nanxin returned to the Shulan Courtyard from the Pine and Crane Courtyard. Thinking that she seemed to have gained nothing from this trip back to her natal family today, on the contrary, Song Yihuan had taken ninety taels of silver from her, and Song Yihuan had successfully retrieved the silver that she had withheld before. Moreover, Song Yihuan had obtained the permission of the Princess of Ningqin to go to Xingzhou for the autumn hunt. Her anger grew stronger.
She smashed several porcelain vases before she felt a little better.
Cui Ying'er kneaded her shoulders and said, "I've told you before that your fourth younger sister is extremely smart and scheming. Look, she easily retrieved her own silver without any effort and won the favor of the Princess."
Cui Ying'er bent down and whispered in Song Nanxin's ear, "Moreover, have you noticed that the Heir Apparent looks at her in a strange way?"
Song Nanxin was startled and frowned as she looked at the other person. "What's so strange about it? The Heir Apparent has never shown her a good face."
Cui Ying'er clicked her tongue twice. Her finger brushed across Song Nanxin's face and said, "You're too naive. I can feel that the look in his eyes when he looks at her is full of the desire that a man has for a woman. Just like... my desire for you."