Chapter 103: His Majesty, The Most Handsome

Chapter 103: His Majesty, The Most Handsome

Early in the morning, Yun Li hurried to get dressed and groomed, not bothering with anything else. Today's hunting expedition demanded punctuality.

A fleeting question crossed her mind, but she couldn't grasp it and decided to ponder it later when she had free time.

Traveling from the Southern Garden to the hunting grounds required a carriage ride. By the time Yun Li and her companions arrived, most people were already there.

Yun Li could tell by everyone's attire who was planning to participate.

Indeed, today's hunting allowed everyone to join in.

Yun Li knew how to ride and had learned archery, but she had never actually learned to hunt and had no desire to.

Therefore, she hadn't changed into riding attire and didn’t plan to ride today.

However, Consort Lan, Consort Mei, Lady Jing, and Attendant Xu had all changed into riding outfits, clearly intending to give it a try.

They might not necessarily hunt, but riding was certain.

Once everyone had arrived, He Jinli also made his appearance.

He was dressed in a dark outfit with crimson edges, which highlighted his already impressive physique, making him appear even more distinguished.

His already handsome face looked even more striking.

As He Jinli approached, he saw Yun Li intently watching him.

He smiled and asked, "Doesn't Lady Qiong ride a horse?"

"Your Majesty, my equestrian skills are not good, so I'd rather not embarrass myself," Yun Li replied with a smile.

"Is there anything my beloved concubine cannot do?" He Jinli chuckled in good spirits.

Soon, someone came to ask for permission to start.

He Jinli gestured with a wave of his hand, "Prepare."

"Since my beloved concubine doesn't ride, she can watch my performance," He Jinli said, mounting his horse.

Yun Li curtsied, "I wish Your Majesty triumphs in the hunt."

He Jinli looked down at her with a smile, then rode off, pulling the reins.

He Jinli’s figure was truly a sight to behold, and Yun Li watched him earnestly.

Lady Jing joked, "Sister watching His Majesty like that, aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

"Who would dare? I just enjoy watching," Yun Li retorted.

Lady Jing laughed and said she was also heading out.

Soon, several other consorts also took to the field.

This scene was all observed by Qi Xiaohè from a distance.

"Feeling an inexplicable restlessness, she thought of discussing it with the Emperor later, curious about Qi Yun Li's intentions."

"Now, this woman was too unpredictable."

"Yun Li sat in the tent with Concubine Zhang and Zhou Baolin."

"There were many others there, mostly women, who did not participate in hunting."

"After the Fifteenth Prince’s wedding, he was titled Prince Qin."

"At this moment, his wife, Lady Xie, was also here."

"The Empress's younger sister, she was even more beautiful than the Empress herself, sitting there with grace and beauty."

"Concubine Zhang remarked, 'It’s said that Prince Qin is extremely fond of his wife. Though there are several ladies and concubines in his residence, now he only appears in public with the Princess Consort.'"

"Yun Li laughed, 'With such beauty, who wouldn’t cherish Princess Qin?'"

"Zhou Baolin added, 'Beauty aside, her status is also enviable.'"

"All three of them laughed."

"Indeed, as long as Prince Qin was sensible, he wouldn’t favor concubines over his wife at this time."

"Wouldn’t he wait until his legitimate wife had borne him a legitimate son?"

"Besides, with the title Prince Qin bestowed upon him, it was clear he was expected to be industrious. Could he not understand the Emperor's intentions?"

"Yun Li was pondering when she heard the herald running in, announcing loudly: 'His Majesty has successfully hunted a stag first in the hunting game.'"

"Everyone joyously praised, 'Our Emperor is valiant and heroic.'"

Yun Li smiled. Whether He Jinli was truly skilled or not, the first catch of the hunt was undoubtedly his.

Who would dare to compete?

Indeed, He Jinli himself was skilled in martial arts.

In his younger years, he had been on battlefields, albeit mostly for bandit suppression.

But horse riding and archery were skills diligently learned since his days as a prince.

So, it wouldn’t be fair to label him merely a figurehead.

However, compared to the guards and the imperial army, he was far less proficient.

This year's hunt was more for leisure and lacked serious intent, so nobody was overly competitive.

The hunting ground was vast, with forests on one side and grasslands on the other.

Sometimes, when prey was flushed out, riders would gallop after it.

Consort Mei was among those riders.

Raised on the grasslands, her equestrian skills were exceptional.

She was one of the rare women who could shoot arrows while riding.

Another was the usually inconspicuous Attendant Xu.

She too, could do the same.

It was quite surprising.

Yun Li arched an eyebrow lightly, thinking that Attendant Xu, having lived under Consort Jinde for so long, was indeed capable.

After today, she might become more prominent.

"Being in the palace means no one is simple," Lady Zhang also laughed.

Yun Li turned to ask, "So, sister, are you simple or not?"

Lady Zhang, taken aback, laughed, "Look at you, sister. Can I really judge myself? You decide if I'm simple or not."

Yun Li gave her a big, laughing smile, "I can't guess."

As time passed, the hunting party gradually returned.

He Jinli's horse had snow-white hooves and a reddish-brown body. Leading the group, he exuded an impressive and commanding presence.

Naturally, everyone gathered for a banquet at noon to enjoy the fruits of their hunt.

He Jinli and others went to a tent at the back to change clothes.

Perhaps noticing Yun Li's eager gaze, He Jinli joked, "Lady Qiong, come and help me change."

Yun Li responded with a smile.

Following him into the tent.

Though a tent, it was divided into several sections, and the Emperor's tent was far from simple.

As she entered, Yun Li was embraced, "Why does my beloved concubine look at me that way, hmm?"

"Your Majesty is so captivating, especially riding a horse, so gallant and distinguished. I saw Your Majesty's valiant figure on horseback. Am I not allowed to look more?" Yun Li reached out to touch his eyebrow.

He Jinli tightly clasped her waist, his eyes narrowing playfully, "Daring to tease?"

"Your Majesty started it," Yun Li asserted confidently.

He Jinli suddenly pressed her against a cupboard and leaned down to kiss her.

Riding and hunting had already excited him greatly, and his blood was still stirring, especially with her daring to tease him like this.

If it weren't for the inopportune timing, he would not have let her off so easily.

Even so, Yun Li's lips were kissed red and swollen.

She pushed He Jinli away in mock anger, "Your Majesty is so naughty. How can I face others like this?"

He Jinli then stood properly, leisurely suggesting, "Apply some rouge. Aren't you going to help me?"

Yun Li stamped her foot, "I don't know how! Call someone."

He Jinli, in a good mood, didn't mind her words and called for attendants.

Four palace maids and two eunuchs entered, heads bowed, daring not to look at them.

They quickly helped the Emperor change into a new set of clothes, still black, but no longer his riding attire.

His hair was also neatly combed again, and he donned a nine-dragon golden crown.

Yun Li, tilting her head, watched him get dressed and then smiled, reaching out to tug at his sleeve, "Your Majesty looks so handsome."

He Jinli gave her a look.

Yun Li then reached up, standing on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, "Your Majesty is the most handsome."

He Jinli smiled, pinching her cheek, "Let's go."

Yun Li agreed and followed him out.

Naturally, they attracted many gazes, but Yun Li was indifferent.