Chapter 201: Descending

"Darn it." Xie Jing Xing suddenly turned around and instructed Mo Qing and the few, "Escort Furen out of the outer fields. Tie Yi, follow me."

Shen Miao said, "You are going to the inner fields now?" The uneasy feeling in her heart got heavier that Shen Miao almost had the urge to pull Xie Jing Xing back and prevent him from leaving.

Xie Jing Xing looked at her deeply and there was a seriousness in his eyes for the first time, "There are changes to the plan."

Shen Miao clenched her hands to fists and looked at him, "I will wait for your return."

Xie Jing Xing did not speak anymore and turn the horse head before whipping it as Tie Yi followed behind. As the two of them gradually got further away, their figure disappeared from the dust clouds that the horses made.

Shen Miao tightly held the reins as she sat on the horse's back. At such a time, she no longer had any mood to wonder around in the outer fields by herself. Mo Qing said, "Furen, let's return."

Shen Miao nodded her head and Mo Qing, with a group of guards, escorted Shen Miao out. Despite this, Shen Miao's heart was still thumbing loudly non-stop and she kept on trying to calm herself down. She started to think carefully about every small details of the matter.

There seemed to be serious danger towards today's matter. Emperor Yong Le's position in Great Liang's court was not as stable as one imagined. In it, the Lu family's army were more critical and there seemed to be rebellious intention and the most important thing was that the Lu family was the Late Emperor's power.

Could it be that there was something between Emperor Yong Le and the Late Emperor? It seemed as if some Emperor was unwilling to pass the throne to the son. Could it be that Emperor Yong Le's position was not passed down in official methods and some means were used so the Late Emperor was resentful and would still lay a big net even after dying for so many years, in order to pull him down the horse one day?

Xie Jing Xing and Emperor Yong Le should have made some arrangements for this, but one did not know why Emperor Yong Le went into the inner fields and headed to Hua Feng Peak. There were only two possibilities, first someone in the Imperial army forced Emperor Yong Le and thus Emperor Yong Le was forced to enter the inner fields early. Second was that this was Emperor Yong Le's own intention and it was a sudden decision and did not discuss it with Xie Jing Xing.

Shen Miao felt that it should be the second one because there were still some officials and other people walking in the outer fields. Even if there were people with evil intentions hiding in the Imperial army, they would not choose to take action here and would definitely let Emperor Yong Le enter the inner fields and take action without anyone around.

But why did Emperor Yong Le enter in advance and what decision made Xie Jing Xing so nervous that a grim look, that Shen Miao had never seen on Xie Jing Xing, appeared on his face?

She walked groggily with the horse and an eagle flying pass gave a long shriek. Her heart suddenly went alive and an incredulous thought entered her mind.

However that thought was quickly rejected by him as she shook her head and secretly pressed her heart.

After leaving the outer field, at first glance, she saw Ji Furen. Ji Furen did not enter the hunting grounds with Ji Daren and was waiting outside. Since Shen Miao did not have any acquaintance in Long Ye, she went up to greet Ji Furen.

"Why did WangFei of First Rank come out so early?" Ji Furen smiled, "One thought that one will play longer inside. There are a lot of foxes in the outer fields and if one is lucky, one will be able to see black foxes. The scarf made from their fur are warm and beautiful."

Shen Miao smiled gently, "I only followed them it for the fun and bustle and do not know how to hunt." She then looked at Ji Furen and said, "Furen no need to call me WangFei. Since we are relatives, it is alright to call me Jiao Niang. As such, I can thicken my skin to call Furen YiMu."

Ji Furen was startled then her smiled got much warmly, "So Jing Xing had told you about it. In this case then I would not do all those headache things and just call Jiao Niang."

Shen Miao smiled. Luo Xue Yan did not have sisters and only brothers so she only had JiuJiu and no YiMu, thus it was refreshing to now have an additional YiMu. But seeing Ji Furen dignified self, she seemed to be one who knew the situation and her words were straightforward. Shen Miao thought about it and find that it should be as such, else how would one be able to raise Ji Yu Shu with such a personality.

Ji Furen pulled Shen Miao's hand and leaded another way while speaking, "Today Jing Xing and Xing Zhi entered the hunting grounds so you and I will wait outside. When the sun sets, they would return and at that time both of you can come to the Ji residence for a meal. Speaking of which, after Jing Xing's return this time, he had not gone to our residence for a meal."

Shen Miao smiled and complied and instantly thought about Xie jing Xing and started to be somewhat worried before asking, "YiMu, the fight in the inner fields, is it dangerous or not? One fear that it is not easy to hunt a lion."

Ji Furen signed, "This was the regulation that was established during the founding of the country. After so many years, it was originally abolished but at the end the Late Emperor." She suddenly stopped and looked at Shen Miao with a smile, "You need not worry. The Imperial army is brought along and even though the beasts are ferocious, those guards are not vegetarians. Moreover both bothers have martial arts skills and are not idlers with no strength to kill a chicken. It is more than enough power to protect themselves."

When Shen Miao heard it, she also smiled along but in her heart, it seemed that Ji Furen was not aware of matter. If she knew, she would not reveal such a relax expression. That Imperial army was not as safe that they looked on the surface. Ji Furen was not one who could discuss matters with and at this time Shen Miao was somewhat regretful as she should bring Pei Lang along, at least now she could discuss matters. She did not know anyone in Long Ye and knew nothing about Xie Jing Xing's arrangements, thus it was not good to make other arrangements.

The outer fields was far from the edge of the grove, thus there was would be breeze. Because those who came were nobles, there were a lot of ice that were transported over. Currently it was refreshing and a few young ladies and Furens were sitting there as they drank tea and eat snacks. When they saw their family returning and bringing some hunted prey, they felt happy and went up to show off.

It was really an interesting way of entertainment.

Shen Miao's heart gradually sank. She looked at the faraway Hua Feng Peak, it was so far away that one could not see it. Everyone here was happy chatting but who knew if it was a scene of fighting and killing? Was the fight with just a lion or was it with a golden dragon of Nine Heavens?

Just as she was thinking, someone walked over. Shen Miao looked up and saw that it was that sharp and silent Ye Furen. Ye Furen walked to Ji Furen's side and sat down before smiling to Ji Furen, "Why did you not enter?"

"How would I know how to hunt? One is only merely watching." Ji Furen also smiled along. Even though the Ji family and Ye family did not have much interaction, on surface, one had to do what needs to be done. After Ye Mao Cai's official rank was not much different from Left Minister Ji and was a little higher. Ji Furen said, "Ye Furen also did not enter?"

"I will not enter." Ye Furen waved her hands, "My body of bones will not be able to withstand the horse movements at all." Her gaze landed on Shen Miao, "Why did WangFei of First Rank not enter? Just now one had seen the Prince of First Rank accompanying WangFei to enter. Why not play a while more?"

Shen Miao's heart thumped. Ye Furen's words seemed to be probing something. Could it be that she knew of the matters in the inner fields? The Lu and Ye families were special and it was worth noting. She said, "The sun is too big and one feel dizzy in the outer field, thus one return first." Afterwards she then put on a slight disappointment look, "Moreover I don't like to see scenes of killing."

Ji Furen smiled, "Rui WangFei is softhearted but this is of no wonder. Even ordinary females would not be willing to see rabbits being killed." Seeming afraid that Ye Furen would continue to interrogate Shen Miao, Ji Furen changed the topic on purpose and asked Ye Furen, "Speaking of which, some days back, one heard that Young Master Ye's illness erupted again, is he better?"

Young Master Ye. Naturally this was referring to the son of the Ye family that the concubine birth to and was raised under Ye Furen's name as a Di son. When Ye Furen heard it, she said, "Still alright. It is an old illness that would be painful when it rains and there has not been any way out of it." Her tone of voice was of indifference.

Shen Miao later learned from Ba Jiao that this Young Master Ye was the Di son of the Ye family on surface and the servants all treated him respectfully but behind his back they all felt that he did not have any future. Ye Furen only treat him alright on the surface and did not really care about him.

Shen Miao felt that this Young Master Ye, that she had not met, was a bit pitiful.

Ji Furen then talked to Ye Furen aout some other matters. Most likely it was deliberate, to move Ye Furen's attention to somewhere else. Afterwards, Ye Furen seemed to be impatient and got up to leave.

Shen Miao and Ji Furen then sat down again to wait.

The sun gradually set and there was no signs of Emperor Yong Le and Xie Jing Xing.

Shen Miao instructed Mo Qing, "Go and inquire if there are any information of them."

Ji Furen smiled, "One must not be worried, there have been times that because of the patience required for hunting, time would often passed quickly. The routes in Hua Feng Peak are too steep and it would not be easy to move around in the dark thus one would wait to the next day to return." Even though the words were as such, the slightest anxiety in her eyes was caught by Shen Miao.

Shen Miao did not know if she was too sensitive or if she did not know about some things of Xie Jing Xing, she might be able to really be assured but this time she had a bad feeling about it and knew that Xie Jing Xing was not as calm as he looked on the surface when he left so her heart was tightly hanged up.

The sun set behind the mountain and the skies gradually became dark. The Emperor had yet to return and other than a few young ladies and some female members who returned, the officials were still around the hunting grounds. When Shen Miao asked Ji Furen if this was the first time like this, Ji Furen said, "It is not the case, but usually there would only be a few."

Some officials had already set up camp and used long cloth to build a tent. Even though the night was not as exposed as the summer days, one fear catching a cold. The Ji family had also built such a tent.

Shen Miao was still walking outside but saw that Lu Wan-er was standing not far away and talking to a middle-aged male. She seemed to be pleading whiningly but that male was unmoved and afterwards Lu Wan-er was pulled up the horse carriage by others and escorted away by a group of guards.

Most likely Lu Wan-er wanted to remain here but that male did not allow it. Just as Shen Miao was about to leave, that male seemed to have felt Shen Miao's gaze and turned his head sharply and revealed a fierce face. His stature was like a bear and blood thirst filled his aura as if he was very violent. He looked at Shen Miao with a sinister gaze. Bao Jiao said, "This is the master of the Lu family, General Lu Chun Zheng."

Shen Miao understood. This was Lu Wan-er's father and the military commander of the Lu family. Immediately her heart felt strange. Both were military commanders but Shen Xin was heroic but one did not look that violent like this person, who seemed to be unable to conceal the murderous intent in his heart. It was just like one was a naturally killing God. Shen Miao previously still felt strange that Lu Furen, Lu Wan-er and even Consort Jing did not seemed to be smart at all so how did the Lu family maintain such a strong famous reputation? Now seeing Lu Chun Zhen, she understood. With such a killing God, no wonder Emperor Yong Le was unable to take action against the Lu family easily.

For Lu Chun Zheng to remain here, one did not know if he was waiting for a result in the Hua Feng Peak or not. Shen Miao was pondering about it and her gaze moved away from Lu Chun Zhen and she left.

The Lu family remained here and Ye Furen also remained here. Ye Mao Cai had returned and was talking to Yu Furen. The Lu and Ye families were all present and if something happened to Emperor Yong Le, would the Lu and Ye families take the opportunity to make a rebellious move?

Looking around, some high ranking officers had already reached the tents and were talking to their Furens. They all treated this hunt as an interesting game and only wait for Emperor Yong Le and Xie Jing Xing to hunt a lion back to use as a sacrifice in the ceremony.

Shen Miao stopped and looked towards the skies. The stars were quiet as the summer breeze brew onto her face. It was indeed refreshing.

But in such a night, was it truly as calm as it was on the surface?

Ji Furen called her, "Jiao Niang, it is cold outside, come into the tent first."

Shen Miao smiled and went in. Master Ji was not in the tent as the high ranking officials were in groups of threes and fives, sitting together and drinking. It was a rare leisure time, so how would one let this opportunity go?

Ji Furen poured a hot cup of tea for Shen Miao, "Don't worry. Nothing will happen to them. It is however you, if you catch a cold because of this and Jing Xing blame it to me. I cannot afford to bear it."

Shen Miao laughed, "He would not dare." After speaking, she thought about something and hesitated for a bit before finally asking, "It seemed that His Highness and the Late Emperor's relationship is not good."

Hearing it, Ji Furen was suddenly stunned. She smiled, "Why suddenly ask about the Late Emperor?"

Even though Ji Furen was concealing her very best, Shen Miao could feel the hate that flash in Ji Furen.

Shen Miao had always been curious what kind of role the Late Emperor played in the courts of Long Ye and in Xie Jing Xing's and Emperor Yong Le's lives. Since Ji Furen was sisters with the Late Empress, she would definitely have some knowledge of the Late Emperor. Could one be able to know some information relating to the Late Emperor from Ji Furen?

Shen Miao did not conceal and said simply, "One heard His Highness mentioning it but it was not said clearly thus one's heart is somewhat curious."

Ji Furen looked at her in amazement and immediately said, "One did not expect that he even tell this to you." She then smiled, "In the end, this is Jing Xing's family matters and it would not be good if I tell you about it. In another day, you can ask Jing Xing frankly about it and you will be able to know everything." This was indicating that she was unwilling to speak about it.

But it was preciously Ji Furen's attitude that Shen Miao could confirm her conjecture. The Late Emperor indeed was somewhat oppose to the two brothers. Seeing Ji Furen's attitude, one thought that he also did not treat the Late Empress's maiden family well.

As she was thinking in her heart about these matters, Ji Furen also fell into her deep thoughts and only reacted after a long time and said to Shen Miao, "Don't mention about these without any rhyme or reason. Jiao Niang, take a nap first, if they come back tomorrow morning and you waited till then, then one's body would be harmed."

How could Shen Miao sleep at such a time? She only had thoughts in her mind, "I will sit here for a while since I cannot sleep anyways."

Seeing her stubbornness, Ji Furen did not persuade more. After talking a while, Ji Furen herself became tired. She was not as young as Shen Miao and could not stay up late thus she nodded off in the tent. Shen Miao covered her with her coat and sat in the tent.

Who knew that one sitting would last the entire night.

As the morning light slowly peeked out, the birds and beasts were heard from the distant forest. Master Ji was drinking with his colleagues yesterday and now had already woken up from the alcohol and headed towards the tent when he coincidentally saw Shen Miao coming out of it. Unknowingly Shen Miao smiled at him and said, "YiMu is not awake yet and is currently sleeping. May YiFu keep the noise down."

Master Ji nodded his head and said to her, "You should go and eat something first."

Shen Miao complied and walked out.

Outside, there were some Furens that were awake and there were signs of fatigue on their expression. They were all people would be respected like gold and as noble as jade thus it was difficult for them to stay in a tent. Those especially delicate ones would have gone back to their residence and those who stays was only here to flatter Emperor Yong Le or to experience a rare leisurely time.

Hui Xiang brought over a bowl of porridge to Shen Miao. As Emperor Yong Le was out, there were a few chefs from the Palace that came and specially cooked for these female family members of the officials. As Shen Miao drank the porridge, she asked Ba Jiao, "Is there any information on His Highness?"

Ba Jiao shook her head.

Shen Miao looked away at the distance. The sun has already emerged from the mountain and in another shichen (1 shichen = 2 hours), the skies would be completely bright. Even if Xie Jing Xing spend the night in the mountain, they should also return at this time. There was no precedent for hunting for two days in the mountains.

Even though they were not just only hunting.

"Do you have any signal from Mo Yun Army?" Shen Miao asked, "With regards to this matter, your master did not arrange with you that once the matter is successful, there would be any signals for indication?"

Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang were startled and both of them looked at one another before shaking their heads together. Hui Xiang said, "Master did not inform us, two servants, of this arrangement."

Shen Miao was helpless and could only say, "One do not know what is the situation now." She then looked out to the distance with a stretch and saw Ye Mao Cai and her head ached.

Just as she was thinking, a familiar figure walked over from the other end. Shen Miao was startled and did not care about drinking the porridge anymore. She passed the bowl to Ba Jiao and quickly chase after the person.

Ji Yu Shu asked, "What does SaoSao mean?"

Shen Miao frowned, "Aren't you together with Xie Jing Xing?"

Ji Yu Shu was very surprised, "No. I am at the outer fields as only the Imperial family can enter the inner fields. Even though I am half a Imperial family, but one is still not qualified at all."

Shen Miao was shocked as she had thought that Ji Shu Yu was here to help support Xie Jing Xing. Now that Ji Yu Shu did not go, could it be that only Xie Jing Xing and Emperor Yong Le was fighting alone? She said, "Tell me honestly, what does Xie Jing Xing want to do this time?"

Ji Yu Shu rubbed his nose with grievance, "SaoSao, you really ask the wrong person this time. Third Older Brother would not bring me along when he handle big matters and the more dangerous a matter is, the more he would not let me touch it. When in Ming Qi, I only manage Feng Xian Pawnshop matters and he would not allow me to intervene with other matters. In the hunting grounds yesterday, it was Gao Yang that was with him. Third Older Brother would only bring Gao Yang for any matters that even if I want to follow, Third Older Brother would not allow."

"Gao Yang?" Shen Miao asked, "Gao Yang is also an official so how can he go?"

"Gao Yang can go as Third Older Brother's subordinate." Ji Yu Shu said, "His has a quick brain and has medical knowledge so if there is any matters, he would be able to help."

Shen Miao's heart tightened. Gao Yang has medical skills so Xie Jing Xing would bring him along with him, so could it be that the situation had become so dangerous? She then looked at Ji Yu Shu and she understood in her heart. Even though Xie Jing Xing's mouth was bad, he was one who shielded his shortcomings. Ji Yu Shu was also his Younger Biao Brother, just like treating Su Ming Feng, the best way of protecting Ji Yu Shu was not to involve him and perhaps it is also to protect the entire Ji family.

Ji Yu Shu looked at Shen Miao's expression and this time he became smarter and asked, "SaoSao, has something happened to Third Older Brother?"

Shen Miao said, "No. I am just anxious that he have yet to return after so long."

"That cannot be." Ji Yu Shu was resolute and decisive when he spoke, "SaoSao is not someone who does not know propriety. You are really too strange just now. Yesterday when I went to look for Gao Yang, Gao Yang was also very mysterious. Every time when they have something going on, they would be like that. It was still alright in Ming Qi but upon returning to Long Ye, they are drawing the line clearer with me. Is it that he want to do something?"

Shen Miao looked at Ji Yu Shu's angry expression and signed with sorrow. Xie Jing Xing was already used to push the people around him away to take on everything himself, just like when in Ming Qi, dealing with the Marquis of Lin An, Princess Rong XIn and Su Ming Feng. Now it was Ji Yu Shu's turn but there were some things that was truly a blessing if one did not know of it.

She said, "Apologies. I have no way of answering you because I too do not know what he wants to do."

"Only the Imperial family people can enter the inner fields of the hunting ground. Could it be that there are dangers inside?" Ji Yu Shu said, "Third Older Brother and the Emperor are always so mysterious. SaoSao, you really don't know?"

"Don't know what?" Before Shen Miao could answer, a female voice was heard from behind and it was Ji Furen who walked over. One did not know how much she had heard but she looked at Ji Yu Shu before looking at Shen Miao again and her expression become strange. She asked, "What happen to Xing Zhi and Jing Xing? What is the meaning of what you just said?"

Ji Furen originally wanted to call Shen Miao over to return to the capital with her but who knew that she happened to see Shen Miao pulling Ji Yu Shu over. Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang were busy monitoring Lu Chun Zheng and Ye Mao Cai, and thus were not vigilant of Ji Furen and thus Ji Furen had heard the conversation between Shen Miao and Ji Yu Shu.

Ji Yu Shu said, "Mother, it is nothing. I am only joking with SaoSao."

"Don't fool your mother." Ji Furen looked at Ji Yu Shu and said angrily, "At the beginning one let you go and look for Jing Xing in Ming Qi, you went and did not return and one did not know what you did in Ming Qi. I do not care what you do since you are the Young Master of the Ji family. I ask you, what exactly do you know and why do you say those words? Are Jing Xing and Xing Zhi in danger?"

Ji Yu Shu was at a loss for words with his mother and looked at Shen Miao for help. Shen Miao quickly said, "YiMu, you have misunderstood. I am only joking with Ji Yu Shu. It is just that His Highness has not returned yet till now, thus one's heart is a little anxious and asked Yu Shu about it. Yu Shu does not know anything about it and it was me that has thought too much. YiMu mustn't blame him."

Ji Furen looked at Shen Miao again and her gaze was a little strict, "Jiao Niang, this matter is not trivial. I…"

Just as she was speaking, Ba Jiao suddenly ran over and did not care about Ji Furen's presence, "Furen, they have returned. The Emperor has descended from the mountain."

Ji Yu Shu was like he had gain an amnesty and quickly said to Ji Furen, "You see. I said that nothing happened to Third Older Brother. Mother, don't think too much. Let's go. Let go and take a look at the lion that Third Older Brother and the Emperor hunted."

When Shen Miao heard that Emperor Yong Le and entourage had returned, she sighed with relieve and smiled towards Ji Furen, "Let us go over."

Ji Furen wanted to say more but after glancing at Shen Miao's calm expression, she swallowed back down and let Shen Miao pull her over.

One then saw that a group of Imperial army walked out of the outer fields and was headed by Emperor Yong Le. But the strangest thing was that Emperor Yong Le did not ride the horse but walked out personally. Those with sharp eyesight would be able to see that there were a bit of blood at the sword on Emperor Yong Le's waist.

But this was an Imperial Hunt and even though it was said that the Emperor would personally hunt, it was a beast thus how would one let the Monarch head towards danger? It would be the guards that would aim with arrows with the Emperor instructions.

The meaning of it was that Emperor Yong Le personally shot it.

Emperor Yong Les expression was the same and one could not see if he was happy or angry. Consort Jing had been waiting in the luxurious tent for a long time and immediately greeted delicately and sweetly, "Your Majesty finally came out. ChenQie had been waiting here an entire night that one eyes are red already."

Emperor Yong Le only looked at her blandly and did not speak. Shen Miao saw it clearly that Ye Mao Cai's expression was as usual but Lu Chun Zheng's expression was somewhat hazy.

The Imperial army behind pulled out something from behind the horses and threw it down in front with a thud, causing the females around to exclaim in shock. That thing was none other than a corpse of a lion that was filled with blood on its head and countless of arrows were shot into its upper abdomen. It looked like it was a fierce battle.

Immediately there were officials that were flattering and came out to congratulate, "Your Majesty is wise and divine. It is the blessing of our Great Liang." Everyone followed suit and went along the words and knelt down to sing praises.

Shen Miao also got down to her knees and Emperor Yong Le gestured for everyone to get up.

But Shen Miao did not see Xie Jing Xing's figure at all.

After everyone got up, Lu Chun Zheng suddenly spoke, "Your Majesty, why do one only see His Majesty only and not see His Highness the Prince of First Rank?"

Everyone then seemed to remember that Prince Rui of First Rank was not present.

Emperor Yong Le stared at Lu Chun Zheng and his gaze was as cold as ice, "Prince Rui of First Rank is injured and has returned to the city for treatment."

Everyone was in an uproar.