45 Near-Miss

It was very early in the morning when Wei Tian Ao set out with a handful of servants and guards to go hunting with Duke Yi-shizi and company. He wasn't sure about the etiquette of such things, so he wanted to be at the hunting grounds early.

At this point, it was already the fourth month of the year. While it was still somewhat chilly at times, spring had certainly arrived. The desolate winter had given way to green foliage and new life. It was certainly a good time to go hunting.

Once he arrived, he saw that only a few tents had already been set up. This was good; he was neither too early nor too late. Deciding to pick a spot in a clearing near enough to the other tents, Wei Tian Ao directed his servants there and they began to get their tent ready. According to Yi Cheng Rui, these noble hunts could last as long as three nights if the host was feeling particularly merry. Still, given that the Qingming Festival was very soon, Tian Ao didn't think it would last that long. Even if they were all noble sons, they still had a responsibility to their families and had to show respect to their ancestors' graves. Though it had to be said that Wei Tian Ao himself didn't feel any attachment towards the royal family, it would be extremely untoward of him to not show up to the palace with his parents. Even the ever-elusive Wei Hong Sheng would probably be coming.

"Oh? If it isn't my good elder brother,"

It was a prime example of "speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives". Just as he was thinking of Wei Hong Sheng, who should appear but the man himself? Wei Hong Sheng rode up towards him on a mighty-looking black horse.

Wei Tian Ao bowed his head. "Elder brother." It had never been established--and possibly never would be--which of them was officially the older or younger brother, so the exceedingly few times that the two met and spoke words to each other, they both addressed each other as "elder brother". It was the more respectful way to deal with the problem.

Wei Hong Sheng exaggeratedly looked around, scanning the scene. "Your little shadow isn't accompanying you today?"

Tian Ao's eyes narrowed. No doubt he was speaking of Yi Cheng Rui. The two were naturally together a lot; Yi Cheng Rui was his best friend here and Tian Ao still had a lot to learn about noble society. "I'm sure he will be here shortly."

Wei Hong Sheng's eyes flashed. "Mm. Of course. Well, best of luck." he said lazily as he turned the horse and rode off in another direction. A line of tired, aggrieved-looking servants trailed in his wake.

However, as the morning passed into afternoon, Yi Cheng Rui did not arrive. This struck We Tian Ao as extremely abnormal. His friend was serious and punctual, never one to miss appointments. Tian Ao's hands balled into fists. He would be at an extreme disadvantage here without his friend. It was embarrassing to admit, but he relied heavily on Yi Cheng Rui explaining things to him. Realizing this, Tian Ao shook his head helplessly. When was he going to grow up, he wondered? In just over two weeks, he would be a married man and yet he relied on his friends to help him achieve anything.

Soon, a servant from Duke Gui's estate arrived. He made a beeline for We Tian Ao and apologized heavily on behalf of the young master. "The duchess is ill and has requested that he stay by her side. She relies on the young master quite a bit and so he cannot get away. He's asked me to convey his sincerest apologies, Prince Rui-shizi."

This was quite a blow, but Wei Tian Ao kept his expression neutral. "I understand. Please go back and tell him not to worry. Also, please tell the duchess that I hope she recovers soon." He then gestured for one of his servants to bestow a pouch of money to the messenger. The servant from Duke Gui's estate took the pouch, bowed, and left in a hurry.

Tian Ao thought back to the brief exchange he'd had with his brother earlier. Wei Hong Sheng's words and expressions had been a little odd. It was also rare for the two of them to speak at all. Yet, could Wei Hong Sheng really be responsible for Duchess Gui being sick? Even if he could be, what would be his aim...?

Suddenly, the couplet from a few months back flashed through Wei Tian Ao's mind:

"The wild goose flies south in search of heat.

New year's bells chime, but two geese do not meet."

Could it be... Could all this possibly be because...

"Oh, if it isn't Prince Rui-shizi!"

Wei Tian Ao looked up upon hearing a familiar, sunny voice. Realizing who it was, he bowed his head slightly and said "Greetings to the second prince consort."

"Come now, there's no need to be so stiff! Didn't we come here to have a good time?" Yi Qiang Li winked.

"You're awfully late."

"Yes, well. Would you believe that my horse went crazy on the road here? It nearly bucked me off! That would have been a tragic end to the hunting trip before it even started, but I made it through the calamity...albeit a little late."

Wei Tian Ao's blood ran cold. First Yi Cheng Rui was held up, and then this? Could it really be a coincidence? "Does this horse usually exhibit such behavior?"

Yi Qiang Li's eyes were uncharacteristically serious as he replied, "Not at all. I've ridden this horse since I was a child. It's usually very well-tempered. I wonder just what could have caused it to behave in such a way?"

Nothing else needed to be said. Wei Tian Ao shook his head while smiling wryly. "No matter what, I'm glad that you're here. ...I feel pathetic being so reliant upon you Yi brothers, but I have no choice."

"You needn't feel so. As I've conveyed multiple times, being a prince consort is extremely boring. Being able to help you out once in a while doesn't put me out too much. I bet you've never been to a hunt, have you?"

Embarrassed at his inadequacy, Wei Tian Ao was tempted to tell a little white lie but knew it wouldn't be helpful in their situation. He would have been lost without someone else here to guide him. Honesty was the best policy. "No."

"Well, just stick with your big brother Qiang Li here and you'll be alright."

"...Aren't you younger than me?"

"Don't sweat the details!"

Yi Qiang Li had his servants set up his tent next to Wei Tian Ao's. Once the two had everything settled, everyone gathered to have lunch and be greeted by the host.

Duke Yi's first and second sons were both in attendance. Hua Yan Ting stood slightly behind his older brother, his arms folded across his chest. As the host's brother, he was more or less obligated to be here. However, Hua Yan Ting wasn't overly fond of hunting and wasn't particularly close to any of the people here. Thus, he had been in a low mood all morning.

When Wei Tian Ao and Yi Qiang Li joined the group for lunch, he perked up a little. If he remembered correctly, wasn't this Wei Tian Ao soon to be Yan Qiu Heng's brother-in-law? This gave them a little bit of a connection. Besides, Qiu Heng had been somewhat worried about this Wei Tian Ao as of late. It would be good to have a little something to report back to him about how his future brother-in-law was doing. Without thinking any more on the subject, he finished his food and walked over to where the other two were sitting and eating.