0p0 Chapter 203 Royal Hunting Ground
Chapter 203 Royal Hunting Ground
After the exclusive painter of Heyinlou was decided, Shen Shenshen was in a good mood. She could already foresee how many nobles and wealthy families would flock to buy the "couple jewelry" after it was launched.
On the second day, Zhu Yanxiao arrived at the Anbohou Mansion on time to pick up Shen Shenshen to go to the royal hunting ground to see monkeys. Zhu Yanxiao was in a very good mood, but when he saw Zhang Mingzhu and Feng Modi not far from the city gate, he couldn't help frowning.
Yesterday, when Shen Shenshen was selecting painters, Zhu Yanxiao went to the palace to meet the emperor.
In the imperial study, Emperor Huai Sheng looked down at the memorial and asked, "Why did Ziyuan come to see me today?"
"Your Majesty." Zhu Yanxiao bowed and said, "I came here today to ask for your Majesty's will."
"Oh? Is there someone in the Inspectorate in trouble?" Emperor Huai Sheng did not even raise his head.
"It is my personal matter."
"speak."
"I would like to ask for your Majesty's permission tomorrow to take Miss Shen and her two friends to the Royal Hunting Ground to see the monkey that Xizhu Kingdom sent to your Majesty."
"Looking at the monkey?" Emperor Huaisheng had never expected that Zhu Yanxiao came to see him for this reason. He immediately looked up at the person who bowed.
"That's right. Your Majesty, please grant me your permission."
"Hahaha, since I ascended the throne, this is the first time someone has come to see me for fun. Ziyuan, your wedding with Miss Shen II should be not far away."
"There are still about two months left."
"I have heard of the Second Miss Shen many times. It is just right that we can meet her at the Three Kingdoms Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet in ten days." Seeing Zhu Yanxiao standing respectfully with his head lowered and his eyes submissive, Emperor Huai Sheng was too lazy to beat around the bush. "Approved. Zi Yuan can take Second Miss Shen to see her tomorrow. Who is her friend?"
"Your Majesty, one is the legitimate daughter of Deputy Director Zhang of the Imperial Observatory, and the other is the legitimate daughter of Director Feng of the Imperial Hospital."
After hearing this, Emperor Huaisheng smiled knowingly and waved to Zhu Yanxiao, "I agree, you can leave now."
"I thank Your Majesty." Zhu Yanxiao bowed and withdrew.
When the prince left the imperial study, the seal-holding eunuch Liu Gonggong entered the imperial study to add tea for Emperor Huai Sheng. Seeing that His Majesty was in a very good mood, he couldn't help but curiously asked, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for being so nosy. Prince Zhu just asked to see the monkey, but Your Majesty was in a very good mood. I don't understand."
Emperor Huai Sheng glanced at him and said, "Is it as simple as going to the hunting ground to see monkeys? It was Prince Zhu who showed the honesty and integrity of Prince Zhong's Mansion. Miss Shen is indeed a wonderful person. The women she associates with are the daughters of officials who do not hold high positions or important positions. She knows how to avoid suspicion. This is very good." After speaking, Emperor Huai Sheng picked up a memorial, leaned back on the back of the golden nanmu dragon chair, and said with a smile, "She is cautious and prudent, knows the general situation and understands the truth. This prince's consort of Prince Zhong's Mansion is very good."
"It's mainly because Your Majesty is wise and has the support of the people." Eunuch Liu bowed and flattered.
The Royal Hunting Ground is located about 20 miles outside the city of Dongxiangjing. It has a beautiful environment, shaded by green trees, and lush grass. The hunting ground occupies a unique geographical location, surrounded by mountains, forming a natural barrier. Various traps and obstacles are set up in the ground, providing excellent conditions for hunting.
There are all kinds of animals living in the hunting grounds, including agile cheetahs, mighty lions, nimble antelopes, and many other rare animals.
Emperor Huaisheng was a diligent but also enjoyable emperor. He thought that as the Son of Heaven did not need to go hunting every time there was a royal hunt, and that the empress and other concubines and the families of the invited important ministers could not ride or shoot, and it would be boring to wait for the princes and ministers to come back from hunting. So he ordered people to build an ornamental garden next to the hunting ground, where many rare and exotic animals were raised, such as peacocks, alpacas, sika deer, etc. He also built a monkey mountain and raised more than a dozen monkeys donated by the Xizhu Kingdom.
After riding in a carriage for about an hour, they finally arrived at the hunting ground.
After the carriage of Prince Zhong's mansion stopped, Xingyun handed the reins to the guard who came forward to pick him up. Zhu Yanxiao got off the carriage and stretched out his hand towards the inside of the carriage. Shen Shenshen helped him get off the carriage.
Zhang Mingzhu and Feng Modi also got off the carriage afterwards. Today, the two of them rode together in the carriage of Zhang Mingzhu's mansion. They talked and laughed all the way and did not feel that the time was too long.
Both of their fathers were sixth-rank officials, which were actually minor officials in the capital.
In recent years, except for Master Xie, who was extremely knowledgeable and good at scheming, and was favored by Emperor Huai Sheng and directly promoted to the first rank, everyone else in the capital had relatives and friends, and there were countless cousins. Although Zhang Mingzhu and Feng Modi were legitimate daughters, their fathers had low official positions, and they were not outstanding among their cousins, and sometimes even suffered some petty bullying.
But things are different now, because they are close to the future Crown Princess and were invited by Prince Zhu today to watch monkeys in the royal enclosure that officials below the third rank are not allowed to enter. Their status in their respective family circles has risen, and their sisters who are related to them are very envious of them. Several of their self-proclaimed beautiful cousins have lowered their faces and tried their best to curry favor with them. The reason is simple: they just hope that the next time they see Prince Zhu, they will find a chance to take them with them. If by chance he chooses them to be a concubine or a concubine in the royal palace, they would be the envy of all the noble ladies in the capital.
Zhang Mingzhu and Feng Modi were not stupid, of course they knew what these legitimate or illegitimate sisters were thinking, but they all sneered in their hearts. You bunch of frogs in the well have never seen the Second Miss Shen. Once you see Shen Shen's appearance and temperament, you will definitely give up this idea and feel ashamed of yourself.
The two got off the carriage and saw Zhu Yanxiao and Shen Shenshen. The two women immediately bowed and said, "Greetings to Master Zhu and Second Miss Shen."
Zhu Yanxiao nodded slightly as a greeting.
Shen Shen also returned the greeting: "Mingzhu, Mo Di."
The prince's eyes were always on Shen Shenshen, and he said softly, "This prince has arranged everything, go in."
Shen Shen nodded, and several people followed the young eunuch who received the emperor's oral order yesterday to lead the way into the hunting ground. Along the way, Shen Shen, Zhang Mingzhu and Feng Modi regained their girlish nature and chattered excitedly. Zhu Yanxiao walked in front in silence.
Walking into the hunting ground, the three people who were here for the first time were stunned by the scene before them. On the vast grassland, groups of horses were galloping past, and the riders were heroic. Not far away, some noble children were demonstrating their archery skills, which attracted cheers from the surrounding people.
The path they were walking on had a wooden fence separating the path from the grass. "That's the paddock. Today we're walking on the path to watch the animals. If there are hunting activities in the palace in the future, I will take you to participate."
"Yeah. Okay." Shen Shenshen smiled.
Shen Shenshen was watching with great interest when she suddenly felt a furry head nudging her hand. She looked down and saw a sika deer that had begun to grow antlers approaching Shen Shenshen. It seemed to be very curious about these people. Shen Shenshen looked at its cute appearance and couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke the deer's head. The deer rubbed it excitedly. Zhang Mingzhu and the other person also came over and touched the deer's head.
"Is there any fodder?" Zhu Yanxiao asked the eunuch who was leading the way.
The eunuch hurriedly said, "My Lord, the fodder is placed at a fixed location in the Deer Garden, not far from here."
Zhu Yanxiao did not make things difficult for him, and said to Shen Shenshen who was petting the little deer: "The deer park is ahead, there is grass to feed."
"Okay, let's go there."
As the group walked forward, the little deer seemed to be intelligent and followed them towards the deer park.
When they arrived at the deer park, they saw many sika deer leisurely eating grass and resting, and some young deer chasing and playing. There were several eunuchs laying out fodder. The eunuch leading the way hurried over and whispered to the others. Then the eunuchs came over to salute everyone and took out some fodder for Shen Shenshen, Zhang Mingzhu and Feng Modi. The three of them fed the deer with great interest.
Zhu Yanxiao stood aside and watched, his mouth curled up. At this time, a large sika deer came over and stood in front of Zhu Yanxiao. Its horns were covered with branches and leaves, looking very majestic. Zhu Yanxiao's heart moved, and he reached out to touch its horns. The big deer did not dodge, but looked at Zhu Yanxiao with gentle eyes, and shook its huge antlers to rub his hand.
Zhu Yanxiao smiled and said, "This deer is very human-like."
Shen Shen interjected: "All things have spirits. Maybe this deer likes Ziyuan."
The eunuch at the side began to flatter: "Prince Zhu is so blessed that even the Deer King wants to come and enjoy his good fortune."
"Deer King?" Shen Shen was surprised.
"This deer is the head deer of the Deer Park. The servants are used to calling it the Deer King."
Zhu Yanxiao's face darkened slightly. His words were heard by someone with ulterior motives and caused trouble for no reason.