CH 101.2

Chapter 101.2 – Somehow A Bit Seductive

Time finally arrived at September. After the Autumn Hunt’s date were set, time seemed to pass by faster and faster. As the day approached, the topic that everyone in the court discussed started shifting towards the Autumn Hunt, but the atmosphere was still relaxed.

For the civil officials, this was undoubtedly a joy trip. They didn’t care whether they would catch any prey on the hunting ground, and only took it as having a few more extra days off to go out and play.

On the other hand, the military generals were rubbing their hands together, waiting for the Autumn Hunt for a chance to show off their skills again. This was especially true if there were children in their family who wanted to make their faces known – they were eager to try it out and wished that the day would come soon.

Finally, amidst everyone’s anticipation, the day of the Autumn Hunt arrived.

The hunting ground for the Autumn Hunt was located on Jiuyang Mountain, a hundred li west of the capital. The mountains were low and unending, and the trees’ density was suitable. Every spring, mother beasts would give birth to a large number of cubs in this mountain. After growing for more than half a year, they would have grown strong and fat in autumn, storing up fat for the winter, just in time for the Liang monarchs and officials to hunt and capture them.

They prey in this season were usually very plump, but to stand out in the Autumn Hunt, the value of your prey must also be considered.

Sitting on the carriage heading to Jiuyang Mountain, Lu Qipei looked at the golden autumn scenery outside the carriage window, then at the endless lineup. She also developed some interest and turned her head to Qi Yang, saying, “How about I hunt you a fox and bring it back to make a scarf?”

They left too early this morning, and Qi Yang was a little sleepy. After being jolted around by the carriage for a while, she started feeling drowsy again. She closed her eyes and leaned against Lu Qipei’s shoulder, not even opening her eyes when she heard the words. “There are so many good furs in the princess’s mansion, and I don’t lack scarves. If Ah Pei really wants to help me, why don’t you catch a few rabbits to bring back. Dead rabbits are fine, but living rabbits are probably not easy to catch.”

Of course, the purpose of catching the rabbits was still to appease Lu Sheng. Who knew where the little gal heard the news; she got up even earlier than Qi Yang this morning. When Her Royal Highness The Princess went out with a sleepy face, the little dumpling was already waiting at the door, wanting to come with her.

Fortunately, Lu Sheng was not troublesome and stubborn by nature, and didn’t know how to cry and force her demands. After the two refused, she obediently remained in the princess’s mansion despite being disappointed.

But her cute and obedient appearance really made her heart feel soft, so Qi Yang emphasized once again that she would bring rabbits back for her, which made the little dumpling smile again.

But obviously, the now in-low-spirits Royal Highness The Princess didn’t want to move, and wanted to dump the troublesome matter to Lu Qipei.

Seeing her talk with her eyes closed, Lu Qipei couldn’t help but purse her lips and smile, answering softly without refusing. “Alright, I’ll catch whatever you want.” After saying that, he moved Qi Yang away from her shoulders and placed her directly in her arms. “Alright, if you’re feeling sleepy, go sleep for a while. You’re going to be on this road for the whole day.”

A journey of a hundred li might not be considered far, but at the speed the Emperor’s carriage was moving, it really would take until evening to arrive at the hunting ground. There’s nothing to see on the way anyways, so why would she insist on staying awake instead of sleeping?

Qi Yang only raised her eyelids when Lu Qipei lifted her up. When she leaned back into her arms and heard Lu Qipei’s words, she only mumbled “un” and quickly fell asleep completely inside the rickety carriage.

It’s just that drowsiness, just like a yawn, could be contagious.

Lu Qipei was originally very energetic, but looking at the unchanging autumn scenery outside the window, then at her beloved sleeping soundly in her arms, she gradually became a little sleepy. Her straight back tilted slightly, leaning against the wall of the carriage, and she soon fell asleep holding Qi Yang.

The carriage leisurely drove towards the hunting ground, and sometimes some youths would ride past them on their horses outside, filled with excitement.

The two people in the carriage slept soundly, almost sleeping through the whole morning. It wasn’t until near noon that Qi Yang woke up leisurely, and as soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Lu Qipei sleeping soundly with her head hung down while hugging her.

Qi Yang blinked her sleepy eyes and woke up completely. As she just woke up, she was feeling quite comfortable nestled in Lu Qipei’s arms and didn’t want to move. After a while, seeing that Lu Qipei hadn’t woken up yet, she pulled a strand of ink-black hair from Lu Qipei and gently brushed it on her face.

Lu Qipei was woken up by Qi Yang. But unlike Qi Yang, she was not originally sleepy… well, she wasn’t, until Qi Yang went to sleep. At this moment, she woke up and quickly regained her consciousness. There was no haziness in her dark eyes, and as soon as she opened them, she saw Qi Yang’s small movements that the latter couldn’t retract in time, and caught her in the action.

Qi Yang didn’t panic either. She even pinched her hair and swept it across Lu Qipei’s face, then smiled and said, “Are you awake?”

Lu Qipei let out a small “un” sound, which was not as clear as her eyes, but rather hoarse after a deep sleep. It was only a soft response, but her hoarse voice seemed somehow a bit seductive, causing Qi Yang’s heart to skip a beat.

Fortunately, the sound of the carriages and horses reminded the two of where they were, so they only glanced at each other, their eyes entwined for a moment. Then they quickly came to their senses, and Qi Yang also sat up from Lu Qipei’s arms, sorting out her messy clothes and hair.

After this nap, the drowsiness and fatigue caused by waking up early had completely disappeared.

After lunch, Qi Yang regained her energy. After sitting in the carriage for a long time, she was feeling a little bored. When she saw the young men outside riding on horseback, she suddenly became interested and pulled Lu Qipei out of the carriage together.

The two of them came to hunt and brought good horses with them. After getting off the carriage, they switched to riding their horses.

This time, in front of the court’s civil and military officials, even the thick-skinned Qi Yang was too embarrassed to ride behind Lu Qipei. The two of them rode on separate horses, but they rode side by side and held hands, showing their love and intimacy.

Author notes:

Qi Yang (seriously): I’ve woken up, and eaten my fill. It’s time to go out and sprinkle dog food1!

Translator notes: