Chapter 126: Hunting in the Borderlands
The next morning, Gu Changxiao woke up first. The morning light filtering through the gap in the window shone directly on his face.
He frowned and paused for a moment, then quickly reacted. He hurriedly raised his hand to block the light, because in the next moment, the light would shine on Daoist Ji sleeping beside him.
Daoist Ji might have been uncomfortable with the clothes he was using as a pillow, his neck rubbing against the clothes a few times in the middle of the night as he shifted around, trying to find a comfortable sleeping position.
In the end, he rested his forehead on Gu Changxiao’s shoulder and slept soundly.
Gu Changxiao, who was using his shoulder as a pillow, had already been unable to sleep due to the faint fragrance he smelled, not the scent of chaff.
Now, as he shifted his gaze, he saw Daoist Ji’s profile.
Daoist Ji’s earlobes were as plump as jade beads, and how could his eyelashes be so long? They cast two fan-like shadows on his face.
Daoist Ji’s nose was also very small, and his nostrils twitched slightly in his sleep. His lips…
Gu Changxiao’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he abruptly closed his eyes, not daring to look at those rose-like lips.
He had never shared a bed with anyone, man or woman. The first time he slept so close to someone was under a thatched shed by the seaside with Daoist Ji.
But at that time, many soldiers slept beside them, their snores filling the air, and the sound of the waves was incessant. Both of them were exhausted and had no other feelings.
But now it was completely different. The surroundings were so quiet that even the chirping of insects seemed distant. He could almost hear Daoist Ji’s breathing and heartbeat.
He was so close to him.
His hand rested casually on his waist, and his restless legs occasionally moved, kicking against his leg.
His head was resting on his shoulder like this…
Gu Changxiao increasingly despised himself, his body stiff, not daring to move even his fingers. He was afraid of doing something out of line and disrespecting Daoist Ji.
But when a strand of Daoist Ji’s hair fell onto his hand, it made him sweat profusely, and his whole body felt like it was burning in flames, as if he were enduring immense torment.
He didn’t know when he had fallen asleep during this agonizing night.
After being awakened by the sunlight, his first reaction was to shield Daoist Ji from the light. He was too tired yesterday and needed to sleep more.
But as a ray of light shone on Daoist Ji’s face, it made his skin appear as white as jade. Perhaps uncomfortable from the light, he moved forward again, nestling directly into Gu Changxiao’s neck.
At that moment, Gu Changxiao felt more tormented than if he had faced an army of thousands alone.
He slowly reached out, intending to move Daoist Ji further inside, but his fingers accidentally brushed against Daoist Ji’s cheek.
Just then, he heard a light sound outside the window. Gu Changxiao reacted extremely quickly, drawing the dagger he had placed under his pillow and shooting it out the window with a swish.
Yan Shi’er Niang, who was peeking outside the window, was grabbed by Han Xing. With a sudden turn, the dagger grazed Han Xing’s shoulder and flew past Yan Shi’er Niang’s eyes, embedding itself in the ground.
Yan Shi’er Niang, furious, was about to shout when Han Xing covered her mouth and dragged her away.
“Miss Yan, it was already impolite of you to spy on the Prince, and now you’ve been discovered by Lord Gu. We should leave quickly. Please don’t wake the Prince.”
Yan Shi’er Niang pulled Han Xing and said angrily, “Did you see that? I told you that guy named Gu is a vixen!”
“How did he get into the Prince’s bed? And he even dared to touch the Prince!”
Han Xing was overwhelmed. “It’s common for men to sleep together in military camps. Lord Gu needs to protect the Prince closely, and the conditions are difficult right now, so sleeping in the same bed is normal!”
Yan Shi’er Niang was so angry she almost jumped up. “Normal, your head! It’s normal for you and Big Black Guy to sleep with the Prince…”
Han Xing quickly interrupted her. “We haven’t slept together, don’t talk nonsense.”
Yan Shi’er Niang found a loophole. “Ha, so it is abnormal! Don’t try to fool me. My Second Brother told me this is called homosexual preference, and that guy named Gu is seducing the Prince!”
Han Xing blushed for the first time at Yan Shi’er Niang. “Miss Yan, please speak softer! You’re a young lady, what are you talking about? What homosexual preference? Lord Gu is a dignified man, how could he possibly seduce someone?”
He warned her. “Lord Gu’s martial arts are extremely high. If he really pursues this, I won’t be his match in a fight.”
Yan Shi’er Niang said contemptuously, “You’re all afraid of him! You are the Prince’s most trusted people. You should work together to drive away such a scoundrel who gets close to the Prince!”
Han Xing saw that the conversation was getting more complicated and could only say, “The Prince will be up soon, and we’ll be leaving for the hunt. Miss Yan, don’t you need to prepare beforehand?”
Only then did Yan Shi’er Niang stop arguing. She just wanted to sneak a peek to see if Gu Changxiao was really bold enough to sleep in the same bed as the Prince.
She found out that this person was even bolder than she imagined! He actually dared to touch the Prince’s face! And he looked at the Prince with such disgusting eyes!
Today, on the hunting grounds, I must find a way to drive him away from the Prince’s side!
Han Xing was extremely helpless. Fortunately, he noticed Yan Shi’er Niang’s actions and quietly followed her, otherwise, this matter would have escalated today.
This girl is truly audacious! But, knowing that there’s no possibility between you and the Prince, why are you so concerned about the Prince’s private affairs?
Let alone the Prince and Lord Gu being innocent, even if they did have a homosexual preference, what does it have to do with you?
Inside the room, the moment the dagger was shot out, Jin Sui woke up with a start. “What’s wrong? An assassin?”
Gu Changxiao glanced out the window and said softly, “It’s nothing, just two little bugs that almost flew in.”
Jin Sui breathed a sigh of relief and flopped back onto the bed, finding that her pillow was a mess and her blanket was all tangled up.
She smiled apologetically at Gu Changxiao. “Didn’t you sleep well last night? I’m restless when I sleep. Move the small couch in early tonight.”
Gu Changxiao, afraid his little secret would be discovered, quickly shook his head. “I slept very soundly last night. Brother Ji didn’t disturb me.”
Jin Sui jumped out of bed and said sincerely, “As an Imperial Prince, your character and personality are truly impeccable!”
Gu Changxiao deliberately said, “Back when we were with the bandits, I almost chopped off your foot to save myself. Don’t you blame me?”
Jin Sui chuckled. “That was so long ago. We weren’t close then. In that situation, it’s good that you didn’t try to kill me and escape on your own.”
Half of her words were sincere, and the other half were naturally to flatter the big boss. She had flattered the God of Wealth last night, and today she was flattering the big boss. Was she a qualified cattle and horse worker?
Because she got up in such a hurry, she didn’t have time to go into the space to wash up. If she went in again, Gu Changxiao would definitely notice something, so she had to use a willow branch dipped in green salt to brush her teeth.
When she went to the toilet, she did go into the space to wash up and change her underwear.
When she came out, she heard Han Xing say that the Yan family had prepared a good meal and that Miss Yan was waiting for the Prince to eat together.
Jin Sui smiled. “It seems we can let Miss Yan stay for a long time, and we won’t have to worry about meals.”
Unexpectedly, Han Xing and Gu Changxiao said in unison, “No!”
Jin Sui looked around in surprise. Why were these two so in sync? What did Shi’er Niang do again?
During breakfast, Jin Sui saw what she wanted: Shi’er Niang glaring at Gu Changxiao with even wider eyes, and occasionally glaring at Han Xing.
Gu Changxiao didn’t seek trouble and went to the large mess hall to eat breakfast, completely avoiding anything made by the Yan family.
But he deliberately reminded, “Prince, be careful of poison.”
Yan Shi’er Niang was so angry that she took a bite of every dish herself. “You actually suspect me of harming the Prince!”
Gu Changxiao said in a tone that clearly indicated he didn’t want to argue with a fool, “It’s best for the Prince to wait a while and eat only after Miss Yan shows no signs of poisoning.”
Yan Shi’er Niang was so angry she almost fell over. If she could have beaten him, she would have personally taught this person named Gu a lesson.
Jin Sui quickly smoothed things over. “Miss Yan, don’t be angry. Lord Gu is just being cautious. You know, this Prince has many enemies.”
After Gu Changxiao walked away, Yan Shi’er Niang said in a wronged tone, “Prince, can we not bring him on our hunt outside the border? I get annoyed just seeing him.”
Jin Sui was greatly puzzled. Why did these two seem to dislike each other even more after one night?
This wouldn’t do! Even if they couldn’t develop mutual affection today, they had to resolve their misunderstandings.
“Lord Gu’s archery is excellent, and with him here, we can find more things. Red suits Miss Yan very well. If we hunt a few fire foxes today, we can make a fire fox cloak for Miss Yan.”
Only then was Yan Shi’er Niang appeased. Hunting was a physically demanding activity, and Jin Sui had eaten a lot for breakfast. She also had Baozhu pack some dim sum.
The Black Feather Camp was very important for the Prince’s first hunt. Han Xing had sent people to clear the borderlands early in the morning, driving away some large wild beasts first.
Most importantly, they checked for enemy ambushes. Han Xing had not forgotten the ambush in the Qing Feng forest before.
Except for Baozhu, who sat in a carriage filled with picnic supplies, everyone else rode horses.
Jin Sui quietly said to Gu Changxiao, “There’s still no news from Zheng Yun, and Huo Zi’an is also completely silent. If they want to make a move, this trip outside the border is the best opportunity.”
Gu Changxiao shook his head. “They wouldn’t dare to act against Li King outside the border. The Imperial Commissioner is probably too timid and insists on thoroughly investigating the situation in the border city before making a move.”
Jin Sui scoffed. “If all the officials in the Imperial Court are like this, Chang’an will be ruined by them sooner or later.”
Gu Changxiao chuckled. “So, right now, I just want to manage the border city well and guard the border pass.”
“Don’t you want to return to Chang’an for revenge?”
Gu Changxiao looked straight ahead and replied faintly, “That’s a matter for the future.”
Jin Sui didn’t ask further. Matters of the future had nothing to do with her. In the future, she would be Ling JinSui, a wealthy woman living with her grandfather and younger brother.
But she still reminded Gu Changxiao, “In that case, you should seek the Yan family’s help even more. If you could marry Miss Yan, it would be like adding wings to a tiger!”
Gu Changxiao suddenly looked at her with a strange expression, making Jin Sui’s heart pound. “Wh-what? I’m speaking from the heart.”
“Isn’t Brother Ji reluctant to see Miss Yan marry someone else?”
Jin Sui reacted and said speechlessly, “Are you saying I want to cheat on you? Are you mentally ill!”
I’m reluctant to see Shi’er Niang marry someone else, but I want her to marry you, and then I can see her every day up close?
Gu Changxiao thought of his unspeakable, illicit feelings for Daoist Ji. You’re right, there is something wrong with my mind.
At this moment, seeing Yan Shi’er Niang, who had been chatting in low voices with the two, galloping her horse to the middle of them, she was a striking figure in her scarlet red riding outfit.
She was a beautiful sight on the desolate plains of early autumn. Holding a riding crop woven with a red rope, she smiled and said, “Prince, would you like to race horses with Shi’er Niang?”
Jin Sui smiled. “Okay! Come on, let’s all go together. Han Xing, Hei Hu, Brother Gu, let’s all compete.”
Han Xing silently retreated to the guard team. “Prince, your subordinate needs to oversee the team, it’s not appropriate.”
As for Hei Hu, where was Hei Hu?
Well, he was talking to Miss Bai through the window, occasionally flying his horse to pick a wild flower, making the young lady giggle incessantly.
This guy was wearing the new scarlet red clothes Han Xing bought him today. Galloping across the grassland, he looked like a giant colorful butterfly. It was truly unbearable to watch!
Only Gu Changxiao remained. He didn’t refuse and was the first to shout “Giddy up!” and set off.
Yan Shi’er Niang shouted angrily, “We haven’t even started yet!”
Jin Sui quickly said, “His riding skills aren’t great, let’s give him a head start.”
The three galloped their horses, followed closely by the Black Feather Camp’s personal guards and the Yan Clan’s bodyguards. Only Hei Hu was left to guard the carriage, walking slowly with Miss Bai.
As they ran, being on horseback felt like flying in the wind, and one felt completely free.
They became more and more excited as they ran. The three sometimes rode side by side, sometimes chased each other, their laughter echoing across the grassland.
When a wild rabbit ran in front of the three, Yan Shi’er Niang and Gu Changxiao simultaneously drew their arrows, and Jin Sui also nocked an arrow with a practiced motion.
Unfortunately, her horseback archery skills were not up to par. Her arrow flew ten zhang away from the rabbit.
Gu Changxiao shot an arrow into the rabbit’s neck, but immediately another arrow hit the rabbit’s belly.
Yan Shi’er Niang proudly raised her chin. “This one counts as yours.”
Gu Changxiao still had a dismissive expression. “I let you have it.”
Yan Shi’er Niang was so angry she wanted to shoot Gu Changxiao with her arrow, but Jin Sui quickly stopped her.
“I heard that the first person to hunt prey has good luck. Miss Yan, Brother Gu is letting you have good luck!”
Gu Changxiao remained noncommittal, but Yan Shi’er Niang was not willing to let it go. This person clearly looked down on her archery skills!
She immediately said, “Gu, are you willing to compete with me to see who hunts more prey?”
Jin Sui thought Gu Changxiao wouldn’t bother with her, but to her surprise, Gu Changxiao asked, “Since it’s a competition, there must be a prize. What do you want to bet?”
Yan Shi’er Niang glanced at Jin Sui and raised her chin. “If you lose, you can no longer be the Prince’s personal guard, nor can you share a room with the Prince.”
Gu Changxiao nodded. “Alright! Similarly, if you lose, you can no longer meet the Prince privately.”
“Good! Let’s start immediately!”
Jin Sui watched the two gallop away together, dismounted speechlessly, and sat on the ground, pulling up a wild grass and sucking the sweet water from the roots. What kind of prize is it that I can’t meet you, a ‘eunuch’?
However, the good news was that her plan was half successful. These two were now alone together!
