Su Jingxiao sat in the carriage, secretly lifting the curtain. The sky was high and cloudless, with a refreshing autumn breeze. They were traveling on an official road, with tall trees lining the wide highway. Since ancient times, autumn has been a melancholy season, but I think that autumn days are more beautiful than spring mornings.

  Xishan is not far from the capital, it is about 30 or 40 miles away from the suburbs of Beijing. Due to its good geographical location, the great master once said that Xishan's feng shui is suitable for reproduction, so since ancient times, this place has been designated by the royal family as a hunting ground in spring and autumn.

  Since Zongzhen Jin ascended to the throne, it was not every year that he went out of the palace for spring and autumn hunting. On the contrary, when he was a prince, his father emperor did not trust him with important tasks, so during his leisure time, he often came here to hunt, seeking stimulation and relief.

  They had cleared the road they were taking two days in advance, and the Prefect of Beijing even sent people to patrol back and forth at all times. Idle people could not get close, so there would be no scene like the common people competing to see the emperor's face in modern TV dramas, nor would anyone be able to block the horse carriage.

  Su Jing looked at the scenery for a while, feeling unenthusiastic. Outside, apart from the imperial guards and eunuchs who followed him, not even a single person could be seen. Even the most beautiful scenery becomes dull without people.

  Until today, it was as if the poisoning incident had never happened, no one mentioned it, and few people knew about it. He didn't give her an explanation, and she really didn't ask him either.

  "Is Master hungry? Want to eat some snacks?" Yao heard and shifted her attention.

  Su Jing shook her head, "No need, I'm not hungry, we should be arriving soon, right?"

  "Uh, there's still half a time unit left before we arrive," Yaw replied.

  The fragrant carriage, having just boarded for less than a moment, was moved to the last carriage, where there were only the two of them, mistress and servant.

  "Why did you stop the carriage?"

  Xiao Anzi drove out and inquired about it, then came back and said, "Master, I heard that Qi Xiao Yi fainted in the horse carriage."

  Su Jing lifted the curtain and took a look, but could only see people coming and going. "Help Ben Niang get off the carriage."

  Su Jing thought that the emperor would issue an order to rest for a while, but unexpectedly, after getting off the carriage, there was no imperial decree waiting for her. Instead, Su Shun invited her to the emperor's carriage with a gentle and courteous attitude.

  Su Jingxi made a curtsy outside, "The concubines pay their respects to Your Majesty."

  "Come on up."

  Two cold words, revealing the master's bad mood.

  Su Jing hurriedly got on the carriage and softly said, "Your Majesty..."

  He closed his eyes on the carriage, occupying the entire middle of the carriage. Although the carriage was very large, he stretched out his two long legs slightly apart, leaving Su Jing unable to stand, and had no choice but to speak up.

  Zong Zhengjin's eyes remained closed, "Uh-huh."

  Su Jing suddenly felt that he must have done it on purpose, and just as she was hesitating about whether to sit next to him or not, the horse carriage suddenly started moving. "Ah..." Su Jing directly fell onto his body.

  Almost in an instant, Zong Zhengjin opened his eyes and reached out to catch her, but her head still bumped into his chest, letting out a muffled hum.

  "Your Majesty, forgive our crime, we deserve to die," a voice came from outside the curtain.

  "Go and collect your punishment later."

  Su Jing was hit on the head and it hurts, tears immediately filled her eyes, touching her forehead, pitifully, "Your Majesty..."

  What's the point of having so many muscles on your chest!

  Zong Zhengjin took a look at her, finding it amusing. It seemed like every time she was very confused. After some thought, he decided to lift her up and let her sit on his lap. "Does it hurt?"

  Su Jing puffed out her cheeks and stared with wide eyes, "It hurts a lot."

  Zong Zhengjin couldn't help but smile, pulling her hand down, her forehead was red and swollen with a small bump, he leaned in to kiss it gently, "Does it still hurt?"

  Su Jing rolled her eyes, did this guy think his kiss was some kind of magical medicine?

  "The concubines don't care, the Emperor will compensate."

  Zong Zhengjin furrowed his brow and began to ponder, "What does Hui'er want me to compensate for?"

  Su Jing leaned on him, soft and boneless, relying entirely on the hand supporting her waist, "Or would Your Majesty like to give another kiss?"

  "Haha," Zong Zhengjin burst out laughing, really a treasure, whatever he thought in his heart, upon hearing this, he actually pulled her up and kissed her again, then immediately felt it wasn't enough, "Tonight I'll kiss you properly."

  Su Jing was furious, this guy is flirting with her again.

  Zong Zhengjin was in a great mood, especially when he saw the little woman in his arms blushing bright red all over her face, even her neck showed a faint pink color, just like last night in bed. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look forward to tonight.

  It's been some time since she was poisoned and he hasn't touched her since then.

  Su Jing didn't know what he was thinking in his heart, leaning into his arms, and slowly fell asleep under his gentle touch.

  Zong Zhengjin didn't get angry, nor did he hold a grudge. He deliberately relaxed his muscles to make her sleep more comfortably.

  A woman who can make herself pleasing to the eye is worth indulging a little more.

  He slept for more than a quarter of an hour and woke up directly in a room, without even knowing what time it was.

  "Listen to Yao..."

  Xiang Yao had just brought in a basin of water from outside and heard the noise, so she hurried over and said, "Master, you're awake?"

  "Where is this? And how did Ben Niang get here?" In fact, Su Jing had already made a guess in her heart, and this question was just to confirm it.

  "Returning to the master, it was the emperor himself who carried you back. This is the emperor's Jingping Garden. The master was assigned to the Daiyan Garden, which is closest to the emperor. Xiangui Concubine still lives in the Xiao Han Zhai she used to live in, Qi Xiaoyi is in the Jiangxue Zhai, Ning Liangdi is in the Qiangwei Garden, and as for Ling Guiren, she is in the Yuling Zhai."

  When Su Jing was asleep, Ting Yu had someone go and ask about it on her own initiative.

  Su Jing wiped her face with a clean cloth, probably because she was too excited yesterday and slept too late, so she slept too dead, even when he carried her back, she didn't know.

  It's definitely a focus of attention for many people, but since it has already become a fact, worrying about it now will only add to the trouble.

  "The Empress knew, what about the Emperor?"

  Ting Yao stood behind her and helped her comb her hair. "Master, the Emperor has gone to the horse racing field, Ning Liangdi and others are following him."

  Su Jing nodded and said, "Let's get ready and go too."

  Perhaps every man has a heroic dream, which will inadvertently reveal his most charming side, and the sweat he sheds will be admired and loved by others.

  Su Jing entered the arena, her eyes almost instantly locked onto the person riding a horse at full gallop. The horse was a majestic black stallion with a shiny coat, adorned with a black embroidered brocade robe featuring intricate four-petal plum blossom patterns. A jade crown held back his hair, and his face was as pale and luminous as jade, with eyes that shone like bright stars, a nose like a hanging gallbladder, and an overall demeanor of elegance and refinement, exuding an air of effortless charm.

  Su Jingxiao gazed at the person on horseback without any disguise, perhaps because his gaze was too scorching hot, Zong Zhengjin suddenly raised his head unexpectedly and smiled towards this direction.

  "The concubines pay their respects to Your Majesty."

  "Are you awake? Want to ride a horse?" Zong Zhengjin waved his hand, the other hand holding the reins, and asked while sitting on the horse.

  Su Jing glanced at the person closely following behind Zong Zhengjin and smiled, "Mm, but what if the concubine doesn't know how?"

  "It doesn't matter, but today is already late, let's talk about it tomorrow," Zong Zhengjin got off his horse and threw the rope to a nearby guard.

  "Concubine Shen sees Concubine Zhen," Ning Liang also dismounted and paid her respects.

  Su Jing swept her gaze lightly, pure white riding attire, the two legs in the pants underneath were straight and slender, her hair was also tied up, revealing a long neck and a smooth forehead, elegant and refreshing. Under the heavy palace attire, she was another distinct scenery.

  "There's no need for excessive courtesy."

  "Zhen sister, do you want to go horseback riding? On the horse, you can experience the fun that you usually can't feel," Ning Liangdi seemed not to have noticed her distraction, took out a handkerchief and wiped away the almost imperceptible sweat beads on her forehead, smiling as she spoke.

  Su Jing sighed in her heart, she had been confined to the boudoir since childhood, never leaving the house or crossing the threshold, almost all the young ladies of noble families were like her, having no opportunity to come into contact with horses, let alone ride them well.

  Of course, apart from the one in front of her, General Town's daughter, who grew up with her father on the border since childhood and only returned to the capital last year to participate in the selection, it was not surprising that she could ride a horse.

  "Ning didn't forget, did she? Zhen grew up in the capital since childhood and always had a carriage or sedan chair when going out, so how could she experience the joy of horseback riding?" Xiang Yuyue walked over from one side of the school field, saying with a playful tone.

  Su Jing chuckled and said, "Yes, Ning Liangdi's idea of fun is probably something that I won't be able to experience."

  "Zhen sister is fine, and younger sister won't ride a horse either. Tomorrow we can learn again," said Linggui at the right moment.

  The emperor dismounted his horse and stood here. Almost at the same time, everyone came over, surrounded by flowers, Zong Zhengjin looked particularly striking.

  Su Jing thought she had rejected her offer of an alliance, and from now on, they shouldn't have any more dealings with each other. Even though Su Jing knew that this sentence wasn't meant to be a defense for herself, she still felt a little melancholy.

  Being able to yield and stretch is the great way. If it were a man, he would surely become a great instrument, but unfortunately, she was just a minor woman in the harem.

  "Ling said," was all she said.

  Zong Zhengjin stood here listening to their idle chatter, feeling uninterested. His gaze returned from the distant mountains, "I'll head back first, you all go and have fun."

  "The imperial concubines and palace maids respectfully see off Your Majesty."

  After walking three or four steps, Zong Zhengjin turned his head back and gestured with his eyes, "Not following yet?"

  Su Jing was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing and quickly stepped forward. She was grateful that he had come here to take her away from this place of gossip and trouble, "returning kindness with kindness".

  "The emperor just rode his horse with such a great posture..."

  “……”

  “……”

  The voices of the two people faded away, leaving a few women who looked at each other with disgust, clearly hating each other to the extreme, but still smiling and exchanging pleasantries before parting ways without another word.

  He Lian Lingyu stood at the outermost, listening to Su Jingzhu's words with a true face. Such obvious flattery and fawning, yet the Emperor didn't get angry, seemingly even responding with something. Could it be that when the two were together, they always interacted like this? Could it be that the Emperor liked this kind of tone?

  Perhaps she should re-examine Su Jingyu as a person. The road ahead is still long and requires careful planning.