jdhmnovel Chapter 123 Hunting Feast
Chapter 123 Hunting Feast
"Chief Minister Lu is a favored son of heaven, handsome and dashing. My younger sister, however, is of plain appearance and I'm afraid she doesn't have that kind of fortune." Empress Wang shook her head, her words filled with regret.
She had intended to bring the two of them together, and had hinted at it to Lu Zhiheng many times, both openly and subtly, but unfortunately, he didn't respond.
However, Lu Zhiheng is not young anymore, yet he doesn't even have a maidservant.
Such a man, so virtuous and of high rank, wielding power, would be considered a highly sought-after husband among the noble ladies of the capital.
I wonder what kind of woman could catch his eye.
After running two laps on horseback, the figures in the training ground stopped one after another, with only a few steps between them.
"Your horsemanship has improved again, my dear minister. I am ashamed to admit that I am not as good as you."
Pei Yuanling dismounted first, then helped Chu Qingyin, who was still full of energy, down as well. He took a towel from Chen Zhongliang and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"Your Majesty flatters me. It was Your Majesty's pity for the Empress that caused the horse to travel a little slower. I merely gained an advantage." Lu Zhiheng remained calm and his words were perfectly tactful.
Wang Jingyi, helped off her horse by her personal maid, was already flushed and panting heavily.
Judging from his appearance, he must be exhausted.
She was, after all, a lady from a distinguished family, and she usually traveled by carriage. Although she had martial arts instructors to teach her horsemanship, she had never ridden like this before.
Chu Qingyin's gaze fell on her face, which was wet with sweat. Her originally exquisite makeup was a little messed up, but it couldn't hide her beautiful appearance.
"Prime Minister Lu, are you making it sound like I'm holding His Majesty back?"
Chu Qingyin narrowed her eyes slightly, a half-smile on her face, "In that case, it was my fault."
Lu Zhiheng glanced at her thoughtfully, "This humble subject had no such intention."
Tsk.
Chu Qingyin chuckled inwardly, her gaze shifting between Lu Zhiheng and Wang Jingyi. Suddenly, she chuckled and said, "At first glance, Lord Lu and Miss Wang seem quite well-matched. Why not His Majesty bestow a marriage upon them, and make it a beautiful occasion?"
"Now that you mention it, my dear consort, Minister Lu and Consort Jing are indeed a perfect match, a match made in heaven."
Pei Yuanling's eyes darkened, and he playfully flicked Chu Qingyin's delicate nose before turning to look at Lu Zhiheng. "I think Consort Qiao's suggestion is excellent. What does the Grand Secretary think?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Jingyi was secretly delighted, but she pretended to be shy and lowered her head, her fingers gently twisting the hem of her clothes.
Lu Zhiheng's expression remained unchanged. He simply cupped his hands slightly and said, "Your Majesty and Your Highness are joking. This humble subject is focused on official duties and has no intention of starting a family at the moment. Moreover, marriage is a serious matter and not a child's play. I hope Your Majesty and Your Highness will reconsider."
Chu Qingyin raised an eyebrow, looking at Lu Zhiheng with a half-smile: "Oh? Does Lord Lu look down on Miss Wang?"
After he finished speaking, the atmosphere around them suddenly became somewhat subtle.
When the scions of prominent families who had come to join the fun heard this, their gazes became gloomy.
Among them were many of Wang Jingyi's admirers, whose gazes toward Lu Zhiheng were as if poisoned, regardless of their social status.
Lu Zhiheng said calmly, "Your Highness, you misunderstand. Miss Wang is exceptionally beautiful and of noble birth. I dare not presume to be worthy of her."
Upon hearing the first half of the sentence, Wang Jingyi's expression improved slightly, but upon hearing the second half, her expression stiffened again, and she looked at the handsome man in front of her with some disbelief.
She had thought that Lu Zhiheng's willingness to take her horseback riding today made her somewhat pleased.
But when His Majesty again offered to grant him a marriage, he refused without hesitation.
Pei Yuanling observed the expressions of the two men with great interest, his long fingers slowly stroking the jade thumb ring on his thumb hidden in his sleeve.
After a long silence, he finally spoke, breaking the brief silence: "Since Minister Lu has said so, then so be it. After all, marriage is a matter of fate, and cannot be forced."
Everyone present breathed a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere gradually eased.
Only Wang Jingyi's expression remained unpleasant.
Chu Qingyin took in the change in her expression and asked softly, "Miss Wang, you don't look well. Would you like to rest in the tent for a while?"
"This humble woman is unharmed, thank you for your concern, Consort Qiao."
Wang Jingyi wiped the sweat from her forehead, lowered her head, and curtsied to the two of them, saying, "I apologize for my rudeness."
Lu Zhiheng had just publicly rejected the arranged marriage, so how could she possibly stay here any longer? She had originally thought that by spending more time with Lu Zhiheng, they would eventually develop feelings for each other, and she was even willing to risk her reputation for it.
As a result, all of Consort Qiao's plans fell apart because of her loose tongue, and she even lost face in front of everyone, which is truly hateful!
"Alright, you may leave now."
Pei Yuanling was displeased by her behavior. He could see through the Wang family's scheme. If Lu Zhiheng dared to accept the marriage today, he wouldn't mind intervening and making the Lu and Wang families enemies.
Before Wang Jingyi could leave, Empress Wang led a group of concubines down from the high platform, walking gracefully.
"What are you talking about? Why are you making such a fuss?" Empress Wang asked with a smile, her gaze sweeping over the group.
Pei Yuanling briefly recounted what had just happened. After listening, Empress Wang's expression became slightly unnatural. She glanced at Wang Jingyi, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes.
"My little sister is spoiled by her family. How can she be so ungrateful?"
Empress Wang sighed softly, "A man of such talent as Grand Secretary Lu is admired by countless women in the capital. He should be matched with a very fine noblewoman."
Upon hearing this, Chu Qingyin nodded in agreement, "Yes, I wonder which girl will benefit from this in the future."
Which poor girl would be so unlucky as to fall for this poisonous iceberg?
After chatting for a few more minutes, Wang Jingyi slowly left with the help of her maid.
She was filled with disappointment and resentment, and bit her lip hard, determined to hold a grudge against Consort Qiao.
It's no wonder that the Empress disliked Consort Qiao so much. If it weren't for her proposing the marriage, she wouldn't have been humiliated in public.
After she walked away, Empress Wang looked at the Emperor again: "Your Majesty, just now I watched you and Sister Qiao riding horses on the platform and I was really looking forward to it. I thought of many of the sisters in the palace who come from military families. Why don't we take this opportunity to let the sisters get some fresh air?"
Pei Yuanling did not refuse upon hearing this. Originally, riding outfits had been prepared for many of the palace ladies at this hunting banquet, and they could certainly show off their skills if they wished.
"Your Majesty's suggestion is good; you may make the arrangements."
It was only noon, and there was still some time before lunch. Several of the concubines were already in high spirits. After thanking the two men, they stepped down to change into their riding clothes.
Pei Yuanling's reign was short, and there were few concubines in the palace. In the past, the Noble Consort was the only one favored. Apart from the few beauties that the Empress had collected for him, there were only a few young ladies selected for the palace this time. Unfortunately, none of them were favored.
Since entering the palace, the emperor has never even visited their palace, nor has he bothered to perform any perfunctory duties.
Empress Wang looked at the group of beauties leaving together and revealed a hint of envy. It was a pity that now that she was the empress, she could no longer do as she pleased.
Back then, Consort Chu, despite holding a high position, was so favored that even after becoming Pei Yuanling's concubine, she was never restrained and lived a carefree life.
When you compare the two, how can you not feel jealous?