After the New Year, the weather became warmer and warmer each day, and there were two spring rains in succession. In the Lemon Fragrance Pavilion, the peach blossoms were red and white, and the clusters were blooming lively and prosperously. As soon as the wind blew, it began to rain petals. The pink and tender petals fluttered to the ground, as if covered with a fragrant, thick soft blanket.
It makes people's hearts soften.
Zelan held his head and admired the beautiful scenery. When he turned around, he saw the "big lady" coming in with a stick. He hurriedly ran up to take the stick:
"Why are you here so early today, madam? How are they practicing?"
Ever since Mrs. Gu came to ask for Li Luansong, the whole family would get up at 2:00 every day. First, they would run ten laps around the big yard, and then line up to count the numbers. After waking up, they would start the day's training: leg press, stretching, Bounce, and then teach them some simple confrontation moves, and then provide individual assignments and one-on-one guidance based on the spring hunting competition events.
There are those who practice archery and pot throwing, which are single-person events; there are those who practice the horse stance, which practice the stable leg strength of the lower body, and the basic skills of horse racing and cornering; there are those who lift sandbags and hammers, which are essential for hunting. ; There are also people practicing horse riding and playing polo, which are also highlights.
The pain was really hard, and the tiredness was really tiring, but what Li Luansong didn't expect was that no one in the Zhang family would complain about being tired. There was a tacit understanding of cooperation. Even the princess and the consort in the fourth room felt itchy and took the initiative. Applications for Membership.
The family got up together every day, practiced together, and worked together during the day. Li Luansong sought Shen Que's advice and found jobs for Song Qingyue, Wang Peilan, and Zhang Guanhua who were idle at home, including embroidery, making incense, and making snacks. A few people went to work in the shop during the day. They lived a fulfilling life and earned money from their labor, and they became more lively.
Except for Zhang Chengru who is still imprisoned in Dezhengtang, the Zhang family has come back to life. Everyone has smiles on their faces. They no longer gossip and cause trouble. The relationship between them is no longer intrigued and tense. There is a lot more understanding and support.
Li Luansong took the tea and drank it in one gulp, and said: "We practiced well today. We will start practicing polo together tomorrow. I will let them go early today."
Zelan nodded and began to flatter her: "My wife is really powerful now. She is like a living Bodhisattva who saves the suffering in this house. You see, this lifeless family has been revitalized by you."
Li Luansong thought to himself that he didn't want to be a living Bodhisattva. If he usually didn't bother to care about the mud that couldn't stick to the wall, but it was different now. He wanted to pave the way for Shen Que and let the Zhang family completely admire her and realize her kindness. , repent for his past actions, and then send her off to get married in an honest manner.
This is the first step, take your time.
Well, there is nothing that His Highness King Jin wants to do that cannot be done.
Another day full of confidence.
*
After more than a month, spring hunting came in a blink of an eye.
The spring day in Jin'an is the most prosperous. The shop signs on the streets have been replaced with new and eye-catching ones. The ladies and gentlemen have taken off their heavy cotton robes and put on light spring shirts, which are gorgeous and elegant. Laughter.
Spring hunting is a tradition of the Daye royal family. It was passed down from Taizu. At first it was just an activity of the royal family. Later, it became the best link between the royal family and the aristocratic families to enhance mutual feelings, deepen the understanding between the monarch and his ministers, and expand their connections.
In previous years, the Zhang family would receive spring hunting invitations from the palace, but this year was different. Things happened frequently in the family. Now no one can show their face in front of His Majesty. Although the whole family practices diligently every day, they are all worried. disturbed.
If there is no chance to go, then there is really no hope.
At this time, the princess was the biggest helper. It took no effort. The palace sent someone to send the last invitation for this year's spring hunting. The whole Zhang family was very happy. It was different from the arrogance and pride of previous years. It can be said that this invitation is hard-won, and it is the key to turning around.
Li Le asked Li Luansong: "Why are my eldest sister-in-law so kind and asking me to ask my father for an invitation? Could it be that I have relapsed into my old habit and still want to send invitations in vain?"
Li Luansong said: "The old problems will naturally disappear. I do this so that the Zhang family can let me go smoothly."
Li Le's eyes widened: "Sister-in-law wants to leave the Zhang family. Are you trying to reconcile?"
Li Luansong proudly stroked his hair from his temples and asked, "No, I want to divorce my husband."
Li Le's eyes widened, then he narrowed his eyes, looked around, and asked furtively: "There are rumors outside that my eldest sister-in-law and my eldest brother, are you going to..."
Li Luansong: ...If you see through it, don’t tell it, we are still good friends.
This girl is still so unreliable.
Too lazy to pay attention to her, he just excused her and sent her away.
On the day of the spring hunting, the weather was surprisingly good. The paddock was on the outskirts of Beijing. When the Zhang family drove there, everyone was almost there.
As soon as they saw someone from the Zhang family, everyone was a little surprised. They frowned and looked at each other with contempt.
"They are here anyway, and they don't feel ashamed."
"That's right, don't you think the family has caused enough trouble? Your Majesty and the empress are getting in the way."
"I don't want to be around people like this. Let's stay away from them."
…
How beautiful we were in the past, we are so miserable today.
Gossips are endless, they hit you in the face, they don't shy away or cover up, it's as embarrassing as it is.
It is human nature to worship those who are superior and to suppress those who are inferior. There is nothing you can do except be patient.
Mrs. Gu took her children to pay homage to the emperor and empress in full view of the public.
The Queen was still angry that Your Majesty allowed her second child to participate in this spring hunt, but she suddenly became energetic when her eyes fell on Li Luansong.
She didn't like this family at all, but it was impossible not to hear the rumors. Those gossips about His Highness the King of Jin and the wife of a certain minister made this empress very... happy.
Yes, it's joy.
It's better to take it all than to cut off the sleeves, the empress said in her heart. This lady looks really handsome. Looking at it, I'm afraid it's hard to find such a beauty in Jin'an. My son has good taste.
Isn’t it said that husband and wife are not getting along, that mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are not getting along, and that the marriage has not been consummated even after three years of marriage? This is great. As for whose wife or daughter-in-law, it doesn't matter. What she likes is hers.
Look, the layout of a queen is open.
Over there, Li Luansong naturally felt the deep gaze from his old mother. The so-called "knowing a child is like a mother" was the same in reverse. Li Luansong suddenly felt as if he had found a new breakthrough.
Jot these down for now and discuss them later when we go back. Right now, spring hunting is a big deal, and we must first gain face and everything should be done step by step.
Everyone took their positions, honking gold and beating drums, the long trumpet blew out the sound of the earth shaking, followed closely by the guards, the clashing of armor and weapons, the sound of horse hooves, and the neighing sound followed one after another, and whips were thrown out , three crisp sounds, this year’s spring hunting officially begins.
There are three days of spring hunting in total. The first day is a single-person competition, the morning of the second day is a family polo match, and from the afternoon of the second day to the third day is a hunting match. The one with the largest number naturally wins.
The eldest companion of Emperor Xiaochun read out this year's prizes. Not to mention gold and silver, which increased from 300 taels in previous years to 500 taels. In addition, there were also pearls, agates, emeralds given by the Queen... It was very interesting to hear. Surprise after surprise, eager to try.
The game officially started, and the first ones to play were the horses of the second master, Jiao Dian, and the third master of the Zhang family.
After more than a month of training, the two of them lost their fat belly and looked extremely capable and strong. They immediately won the first place in the competition and firmly won the first place.
Everyone was shocked, and the emperor and empress looked at him approvingly.
Ever since the Zhang family arrived, Shen Que had been looking at Li Luansong. He was so proud and confident, and his originally bright and beautiful face now looked even more vibrant and lively.
Both were men's competitions, and they easily won the championship. Next was the women's competition, Song Qingyue's archery and Wang Peilan's pot throwing.
Today, the two deliberately removed complicated accessories and traveled lightly. Their clothes were simple but easy to move around, which greatly facilitated the competition.
Another solid win, and the two high-fived in celebration.
This time, everyone's eyes were on this side, and Gu felt that her confidence was coming back, and she straightened her back.
Next was team polo, with the whole family playing together. Under the command of Li Luansong, the Zhang family fought strategically and cooperated tacitly on the playing field. Li Luansong "rose", Zhang Guanhua leaned over and picked up the ball, and Li Luansong "falled" ", the second master followed up with a hit, Li Luansong said "throw" again, the third master stood up from the horse, took the ball and threw it to the prince-in-law in the distance. Finally, he said "go in", and the prince-son-in-law passed the ball to No. The princess in the distance, the ball hit the goal frame steadily, and there was a "dang" sound, and the whole audience was jubilant.
Throughout the game, the Zhang family played with unprecedented brilliance and momentum. The opponent had almost no ability to counterattack and did not even touch the ball.
On the high platform, the queen's eyebrows curved and she said: "Very good, very good."
Emperor Xiaochun rewarded him when he was happy.
Five hundred taels of gold, five hundred taels of silver, one hundred and eight pearls, agates, and emerald beads, twenty pieces of cloth and brocade... That award alone was enough to recite half a stick of incense.
The scenery is simply too beautiful.
In the crowd, Li Luansong looked at Shen Que, smiled proudly and raised his eyebrows at her. Shen Que gave him a thumbs up in front of him, his eyes filled with admiration and pride.
They looked at each other in tacit understanding, understanding each other tacitly.
All this fell into the eyes of the empress. She touched Emperor Xiaochun next to her with her elbow, "Puff, puff, puff." Emperor Xiaochun also saw it, yo yo yo, this is... something interesting.
The Queen said: "Your Majesty, please be calm and don't get excited, so as not to alert others. Stop looking and pretend not to know. Hurry up."
On the other side, the Zhang family changed from yesterday's abjection. Mrs. Gu was once again surrounded by ladies from each family, greeting each other with greetings and compliments. The old lady also changed from her usual arrogance and returned the greetings modestly and politely, feeling in her heart. That's a thrill.
Mrs. Gu: ...I want to cry about how fat I am.
The sun was high in the sky, and the hunt officially began.
The hunting ground was at the back of the square, surrounding the entire square. Everyone divided into several groups and rode into the woods with bows and arrows.
The farther you go into the forest, the weaker the human voice becomes, the chirping of birds is clear and loud, and the streams in the mountain streams are gurgling. It is said that this hunting ground has been around for decades, and it has specially raised some birds and beasts, and even bears and Tigers, but those ferocious beasts are all isolated in the deep forest, and the hunting people only move around in the shallow areas.
It looked like there were a lot of people entering the forest, but as soon as they entered, they disappeared.
Li Luansong couldn't follow Shen Que directly, so he told Wuyue to follow her closely and make sure to protect her, and then he would go over to join her.
The sun was shining brightly outside, but it was several degrees colder in the forest. The farther Shen Que rode his horse, the more blurry his vision became. When he looked again, oh my God, it was probably due to the heavy moisture and humidity. There was a heavy fog, and the fog became thicker and thicker, and I couldn't even see my fingers.
"Yuyue, are you still there?" Shen Que called, but there was no sound around him.
Just when she wanted to look back for May, she heard a long and deafening tiger roar not far away.
The horse suddenly convulsed with fright and raised its front hooves high. It took a lot of effort for Shen to stabilize the horse, but the animal's instinct could not be resisted. The horse nervously moved its hooves on the spot and grunted from its nose. Blowing sound.
Everyone heard the roar of the tiger, and everyone passed messages to each other and walked back and forth.
…
In the early morning of the next day, facing the sunshine, everyone walked out of the paddock with their prey. When they counted the number of people, they found that only His Royal Highness Prince Jin and his attendant Wu Yue were missing.
The emperor and the empress were stunned, and they both stood up. The empress turned pale and said, "Go and find her quickly."
Before Lao Qi and Yu Linwei could respond, they heard a high-pitched neighing sound and the eldest lady of the Zhang family rushed into the forest.
