Chapter 161 - 161 Best Plan
161 Best Plan
Emperor Taizu’s handwritten letter was important. It would be best if they could get it, but it was not pertinent.
To them, the throne was of utmost importance.
“Cousin, I understand.”
Chu You stood against the wind with a long sword at his waist. His long green eyelashes were covered, and there was a faint shadow in his pupils that spread bit by bit.
“T-t-t-t…”
There was a rush of hooves in the forest on the other side. At least eight or nine people were galloping this way.
The hunting stage was located high above, and Chu You could see it clearly at a glance.
The people who had gone hunting in the forest had returned!
The sun was already setting, showering the forest with golden light. The evening light filled the sky.
The young masters who had gone out to hunt returned from the hunting ground one after another and gathered in this empty space.
Their return made the surroundings even livelier.
The others gathered around to see their catch. More game was piled on the ground, and a few of the imperial guards began to count and record it.
The champion of the day was finally won by Fifth Young Master Yu of the Jianwei General’s Manor, attracting countless envious gazes and a wave of enthusiastic applause.
Under the burning gazes of the young masters, Chu Yi bestowed the pocket watch and encouraged him.
Immediately after, Baili Yin instructed the middle-aged State of Yue man with a missing eyebrow to hand the Persian scimitar to Fifth Young Master Yu and said a few polite words.
“Thank you, Third Prince Baili, for the scimitar.” After the Fifth Young Master Yu took the curved scimitar with both hands, and cupped his hands at Baili Yin.
His etiquette was appropriate. He did not lose his poise, nor did he show any signs of being flattered.
Originally, this Persian scimitar was considered a rare item. The blade could blow fur and cut hair. There were many precious gems embedded in the scabbard, but it was inferior to the pocket watch given by Chu Yi.
After all, although scimitars were rare, they were not hard to obtain. It was just a matter of spending some money.
Fifth Young Master Yu casually played with the scimitar twice before putting it on his waist and retreating.
His right hand held the enamel silver pocket watch solemnly, and his eyes sparkled.
This pocket watch was different. There were only so many people who owned one in the entire Great Jin, not even his father!
As soon as Fifth Young Master Yu walked out of the shed, the young masters waiting outside surged towards him like a tide and surrounded him.
“Fifth Brother Yu, show me your pocket watch.”
“Show me first, Fifth Brother Yu. The last time I got a century-old good wine, you were the first person I thought of.”
“Go away. I’m still his biological cousin.”
“…”
The young masters all squeezed over and fought to talk non-stop, wanting to broaden their horizons.
Looking at these noisy youths, the smile on Baili Yin’s lips froze for a moment.
Then, he returned to normal and revealed a curious smile. He said to Chu Yi with emotion, “Young Master Yi, I heard that you’re a god from the heavens and have made many good things. It’s rare for me to come to your country. I wonder if I will be lucky enough to see the pocket watch?”
As soon as he finished speaking, a State of Yue person in his 20s quickly entered the shed and bent down to whisper to Baili Yin.
The middle-aged man beside him pricked up his ears and vaguely heard the words “Xia Houqing” floating over.
Xia Houqing?! The middle-aged man looked terrified and could not help but look at Baili Yin.
“…” Baili Yin pursed his thin lips tightly, and his expression gradually became solemn.
Even when he had lost to Chu Yi in public during the tiger hunt, he had never lost his composure like this.
The young masters were still playing and pushing each other. Lu Shi seemed to be smiling as he went to talk to Chu Yi. “Your Highness, let’s come for the spring hunt next year, okay? I’ll definitely be the champion next time.”
Lu Shi looked at Chu Yi eagerly. He was just short of asking if the Eldest Prince could take out another pocket watch as a prize next time.
Hearing this, the other young masters also looked expectant.
Chu Yi did not agree or object. He said meaningfully, “Emperor Taizu said that opportunities are reserved for the prepared.”
He smiled gently and elegantly without looking at Baili Yin.
Baili Yin clenched his fists and quickly suppressed the emotions in his heart. He looked at Chu Yi with a smile and said in a clear voice as if nothing had happened, “Young Master Yi, it’s getting late today…”
“Indeed.” Only then did Chu Yi look at Baili Yin and follow his words. “It’s getting late. We should return to the capital.”
Hence, Chu Yi waved, and everyone stood up to send him off.
Once they left, the descendants of the aristocratic families could not stay any longer. They could not wait to get into the carriages, and the huge convoy set off majestically.
Wei Jiaoniang and Lu Qin did not want to go with the women of the aristocratic families, so they shouted for Gu Yanfei to stay behind and play with the shuttlecock for a while.
At dusk, the sky suddenly became gloomy. Dark clouds filled the sky, and the sky was as dark as if night had arrived early.
“God, the weather changed so quickly.”
Afraid that it would snow, Wei Jiaoniang called for the girls to set off quickly.
They were all worried about being drenched by the rain, so they rode as fast as they could.
Even so, they did not manage to dodge it. On the way, it did not rain but it snowed.
In an instant, the goose feather-like snowflakes floated down densely, covering the sky and earth. The sky turned silver…
The wind was strong, and the snow was heavy.
They had only traveled a few miles when a thin layer of snow accumulated on the way.
Worst of all, the snow was still getting heavier.
Gu Yanfei stroked Hongyu’s neck comfortingly. Hongyu raised its neck confidently and called out twice, as if to say, “Don’t worry.”
Good horse! Gu Yanfei stroked it again.
She frowned slightly and looked around. The snow was too heavy…
It was too dark, and the snow would block their vision. Furthermore, they were all riding horses. If they were not careful and their hooves skidded on the snow, the consequences would be unimaginable!
They could not continue on their way.