Hunting? What drama was this?
Lin Mengya's mind was filled with questions. Was it because the family of King Ming was so used being high back in their country that even when they were in Dajin, they could not stand not going hunting?
"Alright, I know what to do. Please go back to the Prince and tell him that I'll make the necessary preparations."
It seemed that she was expected to tag along.
Qinghu looked out through the door, deep in thoughts as a perplexed look flashed across her eyes.
"What are you thinking about?"
"When I was out and about today, I chanced upon the sign of Peach Blossom Dock. The sign is only recognizable by people belonging to Peach Blossom Dock."
Lin Mengya did not expect Peach Blossom Dock, which had evaporated from the surface of the earth, would all of a sudden become active again.
"Can you help me find out what they are trying to achieve?"
Qinghu had once said that the assassins of Peach Blossom Dock would not simply come to the capital and go around the city.
Strangely, all of its assassins were forbidden to appear in the capital city, neither could they carry out their missions within the city, although their headquarter was at the capital city's suburbs.
Lin Mengya pondered for a moment and thought best to be cautious about this.
"No problem. I will come back with the necessary information in four hours."
Although Qinghu was usually unconventional in his ways, he was very trustworthy when it came to entrusting him with important tasks.
By the time Lin Mengya nodded, Qinghu was out of sight.
In a short while, the instructions from Prince Yu had been relayed to all the personnel involved.
Apart from Lin Mengya and Long Tiaohao, Jiang Ruqin and Lin Mengwu were also among the list of people who would be joining them.
Could it be that they were not giving up on the idea of marriage for convenience and was thinking of making use of the hunting trip as an opportunity to make it happen?
Lin Mengya pondered for a bit and decided that she would have all her servants to tag along with her.
"Are you here, Ye?"
Just when she finished her question, Ye immediately before her eyes.
Highly skilled people like him usually appear and disappear so abruptly. Fortunately, she was used to it and was not shocked by his appearing so suddenly.
"Here I am, what can I do for you, Your Highness?"
Ye remained aloof in his mannerism. She supposed his face hidden behind the black mask must be cold.
"Can you get me someone to watch over my courtyard when I go to Mount Lingju? I would like to bring all my people from Liuxin Courtyard."
The reason for doing this was because she believed that it would be difficult for someone up to something to carry out his plan if there was someone present in the courtyard.
She did not want any of her people to be hurt. She wanted to eradicate all suspicious factors this time.
"Rest assured, Your Highness. I will have the secret agents to keep watch of your Liuxin Courtyard round the clock."
Ye's voice was steady and reassuring when he spoke. One look and it was easy to tell that he was a trustworthy person.
Lin Mengya nodded. Liuxin Courtyard would be in safe hands with Ye.
"Great, this will take a load off my mind."
With some consideration, Lin Mengya thought it necessary for her, as a daughter-in-law, should pay her respect to Concubine De since she would be the only one left in the house.
"Let's go to Art Courtyard!"
Time flew and very soon, two days went by.
Early that morning, Lin Mengya, who had dolled herself up, got ready to leave the mansion accompanied by her four maidservants and Lin Zhongyu.
"Your Highness, Prince Yu, the Crown Prince and the crown prince of western vassal state had gone ahead in before you."
A boy servant had been sent quickly to come to Lin Mengya about this.
Lin Mengya nodded and replied, saying,
"Alright, I get it. Let's set out."
"Go!"
Liu Kui was following Long Tianhao by his side, while Steward Deng traveled by Lin Mengya's horse carriage.
The troop of luxurious horse carriage formed a beautiful sight along the road as they traveled down the streets.
The commoners were continuously coming out of their houses to watch the procession.
"Miss, it is really alright that no one keeps watching on our courtyard?"
Even to Baiji, who was of a poised disposition, was excited to take a trip out.
She was usually the one staying back to watch over the house. However, when no one was left behind in the courtyard, she was worried that something might happen during their trip.
"What could happen? Rest assured, I've made the necessary arrangement. Moreover, I'm afraid this trip wouldn't be too plain-sailing."
Qinghu positioned himself in the midst of the other guards to secretly watch over Lin Mengya's carriage.
He received word yesterday that all the assassins were already headed towards the direction of Mount Lingju.
Although they may not be there for Lin Mengya, it was obvious that they had planned this long ago.
Lin Mengya had to make early preparation for her entire family.
"That's right, Big Sister Baiji. If Big Sister said she already made the necessary arrangements, she would have definitely done so."
Lin Zhongyu added. Today, he was wearing a white fox-fur coat, which was made by Baiji a few days back.
With such clothes combination, he looked especially handsome and charming.
"Right, we're so tired of being cooped up in the mansion. Let's relax and enjoy ourselves on this trip."
Lin Mengya, sitting at one corner of the carriage, was flipping through a book.
Although she was clueless with regards to King Ming's invitation to go hunting, she knew she could not run away from it.
Moreover, she had to consider Baizhi's future happiness.
The horse carriage from their mansion was rather spacious so it was able to accommodate all six of them, and there was still some empty space.
Lin Zhongyu was starting to feel bored and kept bugging at Lin Mengya that he wanted to ride on a horse instead of in a carriage.
She instructed Steward Deng to bring him a maroon color horse.
"Young Master Yu, the name of the horse is Flame. Prince Yu had especially prepared it for you. It a very good horse."
Steward Deng said from outside the horse carriage.
Lin Zhongyu appeared to like the horse very much. He patted its head and with a leap, he nimbly got onto the horse's back.
As Lin Mengya glanced at the red horse and the young man in white, sitting on the horse, the corner of her mouth turned up to reveal a subtle smile.
Steward Deng's words warmed her heart.
Did the prince prepare the horse especially for Xiaoyu?
It appeared that Long Tiaohao had carefully considered everyone in her courtyard.
"Actually I can see that the prince treats really well."
Baiji was the most sensitive of all the people around Lin Mengya. From watching the princess's face, she could already guess what was on the princess's mind.
"Didn't people say that our Prince Yu is a heartless and aloof god of the hell? But I could see how sweet he is towards you, Princess. Whenever you cough, the herbal cough syrup would appear on your table. When the weather turns cold, he would have asked the kitchen to prepare a hot stove for you. If he learns about your favorite snack or fruit, even if it costs a bomb, the Prince would have them kept them fresh in the cold store. Even us, as servants were able to enjoy these grace and privileges because of you.
Lin Mengya did not even notice how much the Prince had done for her.
The smile at the corner of her mouth brought a sweet feeling to her heart.
At this thought, it was alright even if she was not as good as Princess Linlang.
She wondered if there was a place in Long Tianhao's heart that was reserved for her?
Putting down the put in her hand, she raised her eyes to look afar.
Lin Mengya took a deep breath, as she was resigned to the thought that perhaps he and she were just not fated to be together.
However, nothing should stop them being friends, right?
Why should she give herself so many worries and troubles?
As she looked at Lin Zhongyu, who was having a great time galloping on the horse, Lin Mengya made up her mind not to add more troubles to herself.
It was good enough maintaining their relationship this way.
After traveling for an entire day on the horse carriages, they finally arrived at the royal hunting ground at Mount Lingju.
The forest was dense, but at the foot of the mountain was an extensive open grassland.
All of them set up the tents at the foot of the mountain.
Nevertheless, the entire day's journey did not wear the men out.
The moment they arrived at the hunting grounds, someone had already set up a simple tent for a feast.
Once Lin Mengya got changed, she, accompanied by her maidservants headed for the banquet tent.
"Your Highness, Prince Yu, the princess is here."
As Lin Kui whispered this into Long Tianhao's ears, Long Tianhao put down the cup of wine in his hand and looked towards the entrance to the tent.
All the men had changed into leather vests.
All of them looked so awe-inspiring. Compared to their style of dressing as nobles in the capital city, they looked much tougher and even more dashing.
On the other hand, the ladies were dressed in various styles. Some were still clad in long dressed, looking very feminine.
Nevertheless, most of them had changed into tight-fitting clothes for riding on horses, looking dashing as well.
Among them, Lin Mengya was the most outstanding of them all.
Standing at the entrance to the tent was a beautiful lady in a red suit, who had attracted everyone's eyes.
Her red dress embroidered the pattern of a golden peony, wrapped around her waist, accentuating her how slim it was. She appeared well-trained and gutsy, and all the more dashing.
She bundled her long black hair into a simple ponytail and adorned it with a purplish jade crown.
She definitely appeared different than her usual elegant self. She was exuberating such charm and glamor that it is difficult for people to even look directly at her.
"Big Brother Han, rather than looking like a princess, I feel that this Third Sister-in-law of mine looks more like an army general！"
Commented by a pretty lass, with red lips and white teeth, sitting next to Long Qinghan.
The little girl was merely twelve to thirteen years of age but still looking very adorable. However, there was an air of arrogance between her brows. She would surely grow up to be a lady who would prove herself difficult to men.
"You must have been unaware that this Third Sister-in-law of yours is indeed a heroine."
Long Qinghan had hidden half of his face behind a paper folded fan, but he was unable to hide the look of surprise in his eyes.
He never knew a lady could look so dashing.
It seemed that femininity and masculinity were somehow combined perfectly on Lin Mengya. Even as someone who had seen all kind of people in society, Long Qinghan welcomed this refreshing sight.
At this moment, he felt a sudden sense of envy towards his Third Elder Brother.
"Princess Yu is here...."
The eunuchs proclaimed the arrival of Lin Mengya, thereby introducing identity.
Lin Mengya walked up to Long Tianhao, wearing a courteous smile.
"Your Highness."
She greeted the prince through her slightly parted lips and her voice was like wine, making everyone drunk.
"Take a seat."
Long Tianhao nodded, not showing any surprise expression on his face.
Nevertheless, a slight look of surprise indeed flashed in the depth of his eyes.
His consort was indeed capable of making everyone envious of him.
"Haha, Third Younger Brother, I'm always taken by surprise every time your consort appears. You're one lucky guy, come let me give you a toast."
The Crown Prince had already downed a few cups of wine by then and was beginning to sound little frivolous.
Fortunately, this was not some formal banquet. Even if he was overheard, people would just brush it off as a joke spoken between brothers.
Lin Mengya's smile disappeared, but she did not react.
A look of disdain flashed across her eyes as she wondered in her heart how this lecherous character was befitting of the character of a prince?
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, your words are not sound. The more beautiful a lady is, the more dangerous she is."