Chapter 80: Chapter 80 - Good Luck

When Su Muge and Zhao walked out of the door, Su Lun and An had already got into the carriage. Without many carriages in Su Mansion, Su Muge and Zhao could only sit in a carriage.

The hunting party could be said to be an annual large-scale event in the noble circle in the capital. Every mansion with invitations must gather outside the Palace gate and set off for the hunting field outside the city in a unified formation.

On the way from the capital to the outskirts of the city, there would be an activity of scattering copper coins and all common people present could pick them up.

Su Lun’s official rank wasn’t high, so his carriages could only follow behind the carriages of those noble families.

“Miss, the Emperor will attend the hunting party this year.” Xinlan, who was following the carriage outside, approached the curtain and whispered.

Su Muge came out this time with two maids, Xinlan and Xinche, and left Yueru in Peachblossom Courtyard. After all, she couldn’t rest assured to leave Wenmo alone at home.

“Last year, the Emperor didn’t attend due to physical discomfort. This year, after your treatment, the Emperor was able to come to the hunting party. Miss, you’re really amazing.” Taozhi smiled on the other side.

Whether the Emperor attended the hunting party or not and its reason were not allowed to be discussed by them.

Zhao was also very worried about Su Wenmo, so she left Meihua at home to take care of him and brought Hehua and Taozhi out with her.

“Taozhi, don’t talk nonsense!” Hearing Taozhi’s words, Hehua promptly interrupted and reproached her.

Hehua had been Zhao’s major maid now. In spite of her hot temper, she was more stable and steadier than Taozhi. Being scolded by Hehua, Taozhi dared not utter a word.

Su Muge slightly lifted the curtain and looked out; the whole road was covered with carriages. “Pay attention to your words and deeds. Don’t make unnecessary troubles because of your loose tongues.”

Hearing her words, the maids all bowed to apologize.

After about half an hour, the carriages in the front finally moved on.

Su Muge put down the curtain and sat quietly in the carriage.

“Mumu, what do you think I should do in a while? I can’t do anything...” Zhao said a little awkwardly.

She decided to attend the hunting party out of the consideration that Su Muge had been at a marriageable age and she wanted to look for a good family for her. She didn’t care how noble his family was; she just hoped to find a plain and honest man.

But after all, she had been staying in the small courtyard of Su Mansion all year round and had not seen many strangers, let alone participating in such a large-scale event.

Thinking that she would face those aristocrats she could never meet in the past, she felt extremely nervous with her whole body stiffened.

“Mother, just imagine that you are drinking afternoon tea in our courtyard. If someone talks to you, just respond. It’s just a party and you’re not required to have any skills.” Su Muge moved to sit beside Zhao and held her hand while comforting her gently.

She had expected that Zhao would be embarrassed about this kind of occasion. When her mother said she wanted to come, she was a little surprised at first; but since her mother took the initiative to fit into this circle, she had no reason to discourage her.

It was the first time for Zhao to appear in front of so many people, so she could easily get nervous and lose face. Therefore, Su Muge made up her mind to stay with Zhao after a while so as not to discourage her enthusiasm for socializing in the future.

Not long after, Su Muge heard a noise outside; it should be scattering copper coins.

Su Muge hadn’t seen such a lively scene for a long time and was also a little excited in her heart. She secretly lifted the curtain and looked at the common people on both sides of the street who were excitedly catching the coins.

“Miss, hurry to put down the curtain, or you’ll be seen.”

Seeing that Su Muge’s face was half-exposed, Xinche hurriedly reached out to put down the curtain. Su Muge shrugged and leaned on the carriage with her eyes closed for a rest.

Xia Houmo, as the commander-in-chief of the imperial guards, had to guard the Emperor at all times to ensure his safety.

Xia Hourui, in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat in a carriage surrounded by floating gauze. Looking at the excited people below, he put on a cheerful look on his face.

Concubine Qin, with the Emperor’s divine grace, sat next to Xia Hourui. Seeing Xia Hourui in a good mood, she said with a smile, “The Kingdom of Chu was so prosperous under the rule of Your Majesty.”

Every emperor wanted his country to be more prosperous and powerful, including Xia Hourui.

“Father’s complexion is getting better and better. I’ve brought several leopards back from the west lately, and I’m afraid they will soon beg for your mercy under your arrow.” Xia Houkun rode to Xia Hourui’s carriage and raised his voice.

Xia Hourui hadn’t had such a refreshing feeling for a long time and was eager to get into the fight. “Haha, well said!”

Xia Houmo was riding his horse on the other side of the carriage and couldn’t help glancing at the tail of the queue.

The hunting party was held at the Imperial Hunting Field on the outskirts of the city. It covered an area of tens of thousands of acres and was connected to a mountain.

The hunting party lasted for two days, and everyone would take a rest in the Imperial Villa at night.

After a buttock-numbing journey, they finally reached the destination.

“Madam, Miss, someone in the front came to tell us that, we should take a rest in the shed, and the hunting party will start after lunch.” Xinche lifted the door curtain and helped Su Muge and Zhao get off.

On getting out of the carriage, Su Muge sensed a malicious sight and looked up to meet Su Jingwen’s eyes.

Su Jingwen didn’t expect Su Muge to look at her suddenly and directly met Su Muge’s eyes before she could look away.

Su Jingwen stood still with her eyes fell uncontrollably on Su Muge’s face, to be more precise, on her eyes.

Su Jingwen reluctantly raised the corner of her lips. “Sister, what is painted on your eyes? So beautiful!”

Su Muge’s expression was faint, and she helped Zhao. “Nothing special. Just my causal painting.”

Su Jingwen’s voice was loud enough to attract a few young ladies around to look towards her.

With exquisite facial features and an extraordinary elegant temperament, Su Muge was really eye-catching in her fiery red riding suit.

“The painting on her face is really beautiful.”

“Pretty indeed, but it’s just too exaggerative.”

Seeing that Su Muge had entirely outcompeted her, Su Jingwen was irritated.

However, she didn’t put on a hostile look towards Su Muge.

“The eldest sister, the hunting party won’t start until afternoon. Let’s take a rest in the shed first.”

Su Lun and An had already been sitting in the shed. Seeing them coming in, An hurriedly arranged people to serve them.

“Sister, will you go hunting in a while?” An asked Zhao with a smile while offering her a pastry.

Zhao suddenly became nervous. “I can’t hunt. So, I may not go.”

An perceived Zhao’s nervousness and comforted her, “Sister, don’t be nervous. I can’t either. Let’s wait on the viewing platform. My Lord said that the Emperor is going to hunt tigers and leopards today. We may have leopard meat for dinner tonight.”

The lunch was sent uniformly by the imperial court. After lunch and before they could take a nap, they were told that the hunting party was to start.

As an official to attend the party, Su Lun had already left the shed and headed forward.

Su Muge and all were also taken to the female waiting area.

“The eldest sister, do you want to go hunting?”

There was a hunting field specially encircled for women who wanted to hunt.

Su Muge had heard from Yueru that a hunting competition for women would also be organized every year, but she didn’t intend to participate.

“Are you going?”

Su Jingwen lifted her chin. “Of course, I have promised my mother to hunt two rabbits for her to make gloves.”

“Then let me congratulate you in advance.” While speaking, Su Muge helped Zhao sit aside.

“Where’s Su Muge? Why hasn’t she come yet?”

Before Su Muge could sit down, she heard a rather harsh voice.

Everyone looked up and saw Eighth Princess Xia Houyin in a bright red hunting suit coming here on a horse.

Behind her were several women who were also wearing hunting suits and carrying arrows on the back.

Seeing Su Muge sitting above, Xia Houyin raised her voice, “Su Muge, what are you doing sitting there? Hurry up! The competition is to start. Do you want me to go up and invite you?”

Su Muge frowned slightly; Xia Houyin seemed to have been well-prepared.

“I have no idea what you mean, Your Royal Highness. I haven’t promised you to attend any competition?”

Hearing her words, Xia Houyin sneered. “No promise? You accepted my invitation to the hunting party. How dare you deny?”

“Miss Su, you accepted the invitation from Eighth Princess?” Madam Lin, in a purplish-red riding suit, unknowingly approached Su Muge from behind and asked.

Hearing this, Su Muge suddenly realized that the invitation she had received in the Palace was actually sent by Xia Houyin.

Unfortunately, she was too careless and thought it was sent by Xia Houxi!

“Miss Su, you may not know that princes and princesses all have several invitations and whoever has received their invitation is to join his or her hunting team. As long as they go to the hunting field, the invited must accompany them.”

So that was it!

“What if I don’t go?” She didn’t think Xia Houyin had any good intention to invite her.

Madam Lin frowned slightly. “Miss Su, if you don’t go, you must find someone to replace you, or you’ll be driven out of the hunting field...” To be driven out of the hunting field in front of everyone in the capital was really shameful indeed.

Su Muge narrowed her eyes slightly. “I see. Thank you for reminding me, Madam Lin.”

Zhao had no idea what was going on and looked at Su Muge worriedly.

“Mumu, what ... what’s going on?”

Su Muge helped Zhao sit down. “Nothing, Eighth Princess asked me to go hunting with her.”

“Hunting? You, you can’t even ride a horse. How can you hunt?” Hearing her words, Zhao was even more worried.

“Mother, when I went to Lin Mansion to treat Madam Lin, she had taught me to ride a horse.”

“Is, is this really okay?”

Seeing this, Madam Lin held Zhao’s arms and said with a smile, “Madam Su, rest assured. Miss Su is just going to have fun with the princesses and there is nothing to worry about.” After finishing speaking, she gave Su Muge a soothing look and signaled her to hurriedly deal with Xia Houyin and others.

“Thank you, Madam.”

“Go ahead.”

Looking at Su Muge’s receding figure, Su Jingwen couldn’t help revealing an evil smile of success. When she looked at Xia Houyin, she put on an even prouder expression.

Su Muge, good luck!