"I've heard that the autumn hunt is about to start. It's been several years since the State of Yu last held such a grand autumn - hunting event. When I was at the Imperial College, I often heard people talk about the grand occasion of the autumn hunt in Xingzhou. I've been very curious about it ever since," Song Yihuan explained softly.
"Oh? Really?"
Ji Lingchuan replied with an ambiguous tone. Then he slowly told her, "Xingzhou is close to Liaocheng. Liaocheng is one of the sixteen border cities. It's the northernmost border city of the State of Yu. Due to insufficient sunlight, there is no summer there all year round. And the Yangjing Mountains run across it, giving birth to many wild birds and beasts."
"Xingzhou borders Liaocheng, but it has a pleasant climate. The place for the autumn hunt is exactly at the end of the Yangjing Mountains. The snow - water on the mountains melts and flows into the Fenglun River at the foot of the mountains. The scenery there is truly breathtaking. That's where the autumn - hunting enclosure of the State of Yu is located."
Song Yihuan listened attentively. As he spoke, a picture of extreme beauty emerged in front of her eyes.
"After autumn comes winter. Most wild birds and beasts need to hunt enough food to survive the harsh winter. So autumn is the time when they are most active. Holding the autumn hunt in autumn can yield twice as many prey as usual."
Song Yihuan asked again, "Beyond the Yangjing Mountains is Liaocheng?"
Ji Lingchuan glanced at her and said, "Beyond it are even higher snow - capped mountains covered with snow all year round. It's very difficult for people to get out if they accidentally stray into them. Moreover, there are wild beasts in the mountains. If one is unarmed and has no ability to defend themselves, entering the mountains is simply courting death."
Song Yihuan murmured, "It's really terrifying."
"What, do you want to go?" Ji Lingchuan said, "The palace is indeed preparing for the autumn - hunting event, but it will take a few more days to finalize the list of participants and issue the imperial edict. I thought a young lady like you wouldn't be interested in such things. After all, you never even attended the archery and horsemanship classes back then."
Song Yihuan's heart raced. She realized she had said too much.
Moreover, Ji Lingchuan had never mentioned the autumn hunt to her elder sister. Did that mean he didn't plan to take her elder sister? But from what the Princess of Ningqin said, her elder sister was also supposed to accompany them on this autumn hunt.
Could this be Ji Lingchuan's test?
She deliberately snuggled into the man's arms and wrapped her arms around his waist, saying, "Who doesn't like excitement? It's also my wish to be with the heir."
The man's hand landed on her waist. She could feel his thumb gently rubbing her waist.
"Really? Do you like being with me so much?"
This intimate and familiar gesture sent shivers through her. Just when she thought he would take the next step, he turned her over and pulled her into his arms from behind.
Her back was against the man's chest. Her sensitive body felt his most primitive desire. The scalding breath blew in her ear, but she heard him say, "You've been busy all day during the visit back to your natal family. You must be very tired. Go to sleep quickly."
Song Yihuan was completely flustered by him. She didn't know why he had a reaction but didn't take the next step. Strangely enough, lying in his arms and feeling the steady heartbeat from his back, she gradually felt sleepy and her eyelids drooped.
Just as she was falling asleep, she heard him ask behind her, "What books are stored on the second floor of Xiaohan Pavilion?"
Song Yihuan's consciousness was blurred. She forced herself to murmur, "I don't know..."
After saying that, she fell into a dream.
After confirming that she was sound asleep, Ji Lingchuan propped himself up and took out a fire starter from his bosom.
The fire leaped up in his palm, illuminating the dim bed - curtained area. Ji Lingchuan looked back at the sleeping figure with her back turned to him in the weak firelight. After a long time, he finally withdrew his gaze from her.
He got up, lifted the bed curtain, and got out of bed. Then he saw a figure jump onto the bed. Standing in front of him, it looked up at him and meowed, "Meow~"
Ji Lingchuan didn't move. He watched as the cat walked to the woman's side and curled up next to her.
Taking a deep breath, Ji Lingchuan closed his eyes. Then he turned around and walked towards the innermost part of the bedroom. When he reached a certain place, the flame of the fire starter in his hand flickered, indicating the presence of a breeze.
He felt around on the door and smoothly pushed open the door to the secret room.
Frowning slightly, he stood still for a moment. Finally, he took a step and walked in.
The secret room in Yixiang Pavilion wasn't very big. It was clean and empty. He listened intently for a while. Not detecting any sound or movement in the side - room behind the secret room, he then entered the side - room behind Yixiang Pavilion from the secret room.
By the light of the fire starter, Ji Lingchuan saw a very simple bed, a square table, and two chairs in the room. There were also a few simple wooden cabinets beside them. Some maid's clothes were hanging on the clothes rack, indicating that this side - room was usually occupied by maids.
Looking at this empty side - room, Ji Lingchuan frowned tightly. He looked back in the direction he came from, then blew out the fire starter in his hand and quietly left the side - room and the Prince of Ningqin's Mansion.
Ji Lingchuan was one of the most skilled people in the State of Yu. If he intended to be discreet, no one would notice his whereabouts. At this moment, no one in Yixiang Pavilion knew that Ji Lingchuan had already left. Only Song Yihuan was left in the room.
Outside Yixiang Pavilion, "Baishao" looked expressionlessly at Fuzhou sitting opposite her, with his arms crossed.
As if sensing his gaze, Fuzhou grinned at "Baishao".
"Miss Baishao, do you have something to say? If you need to go to the toilet, you can go. With me here watching, I definitely won't let anything go wrong for the heir and the heir's wife."
"Baishao" didn't respond to him. Instead, she lowered her eyes and seemed to be resting.
The Marquis of Ding'an's Mansion.
Ji Lingchuan quietly climbed over the wall of the Marquis of Ding'an's Mansion. His figure was hidden in the shadows formed by the eaves and big trees. Avoiding the patrolling guards of the mansion, he headed towards a certain place.
Following the memory of his daytime visit, Ji Lingchuan successfully reached Fengbo Courtyard. He opened a half - closed window on the side - rear of Xiaohan Pavilion and slipped in.
At this time, the entire capital was in a deep slumber. Xiaohan Pavilion was pitch - black and silent. Only the fire starter in Ji Lingchuan's hand could provide light.
He stood in the room for a while, looking around at the furnishings. In an instant, he determined his current position. Avoiding the tables, chairs, and cabinets in the room, he quietly came to the wooden stairs leading to the second floor.
When he came here during the day, he had carefully observed. In Song Nanxin's boudoir, most of the items were the priceless antiques and porcelain vases on the display shelves, and the rest were some calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls. The things he was looking for were not few in number and were so important to Song Nanxin that she probably wouldn't casually place them in a prominent place for others to see at a glance.
So, those things must be placed in a place where she felt relatively safe.
When he hinted that he wanted to go to the second floor during the day, although her expression remained unchanged, her body straightened slightly and her two fingers were clasped together. This was a sign of nervousness, which meant there was a deep - seated secret hidden up there.
Letting out a soft breath, Ji Lingchuan stepped onto the ladder and walked upwards step by step.