DIHBSG chapter 38

Song Jian finally realized that Xiao Yinghuai seemed to be angry with someone.

Oh no.

Was he angry at him?

But he hadn’t done anything.

Could it be that he was angry with Tang Heng? But Tang Heng hadn’t done anything either!

Song Jian racked his brains, thinking it over again and again, and finally came to the conclusion that Xiao Yinghuai must have been dissatisfied with Young Lord Tang for a long time already. This time, he was merely taking advantage of the situation to make an issue out of it!

Young Lord Tang, danger.

Sure enough, accompanying the emperor was like accompanying a tiger. It was truly too dangerous.

Song Jian felt that he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Not to mention that Tang Heng had only just saved him yesterday, even if he hadn’t, Tang Heng was Lord Tang’s son, and he and Lord Tang were old acquaintances. At a time like this, he had to help Young Lord Tang.

Song Jian: “Hya! Hya! Hya!”

He rode his horse closer and said, “Your Majesty truly has the eyes to recognize pearls!”

Xiao Yinghuai had just nocked an arrow: “?”

Song Jian: “For Young Lord Tang to receive Your Majesty’s appreciation is Young Lord Tang’s fortune. For Great Yan to have a cavalry and archery talent like Young Lord Tang is Great Yan’s fortune!”

Look, one sentence praised Young Lord Tang, praised Great Yan, and praised the leader. Three birds with one stone.

Xiao Yinghuai listened repeatedly, trying to understand.

“……”

Failed to understand.

Xiao Yinghuai rode Jinjue away.

Song Jian remained where he was: “?”

What part of that was wrong?

Seeing the emperor lead his people farther away, Song Jian hurriedly shouted, “Hya! Hya! Hya!”

“Your Majesty!”

“Wow! Your Majesty is amazing!”

“Awesome, awesome, awesome!”

Song Jian chased after them and became a diligent member of the cheering squad.

The first day of the imperial hunt ended at the second quarter of the hour of Shen. The huge procession returned to the camp area carrying their prey.

Those participating in the hunt would cut off the left ears of their prey to count their achievements and determine rewards. Afterward, the large ferocious beasts would be kept for sacrifices to Heaven, Earth, and the gods, while the smaller ones would be handed over to the cooks brought from the palace as ingredients for the evening banquet.

As the sky began turning dusky, the imperial hunting grounds grew extremely lively.

Song Jian went over to see what Tang Heng had gained from today’s hunt. He discovered that Tang Heng had actually hunted one wolf and two deer. Besides that, there were countless other small game animals, filling the entire ground. Several attendants from the Tang Residence were currently lowering their heads and carefully counting them.

“Young Lord Tang, you’re too amazing! If this continues, this year’s prize will definitely belong to the Tang Residence!”

Tang Heng smiled. “Lord Song, you flatter me.”

After saying that, he looked at Song Jian, whose hands were empty, and said, “Lord Song did not participate today? If you do not mind, you may choose anything you like from my prey here. Take it to compete for a prize. It will be festive.”

Song Jian felt that Young Lord Tang was simply too wonderful. What a proper and upright subject.

He waved his hand and said there was no need, then leaned closer and whispered, “Young Lord Tang, don’t worry. I will definitely help you.”

Tang Heng smiled in confusion yet remained polite: “Ovo?”

After leaving Tang Heng, Song Jian immediately went to find Xiao Yinghuai. He had something he wanted to say.

At this moment, in front of the tent, Xiao Yinghuai was gently stroking Jinjue’s mane.

Yan Jiaci sighed at the sight. “Jinjue’s temperament has truly changed greatly compared to before. Back then at the border, when this subject merely reached out to help put on its reins, I was kicked by it and nearly couldn’t get back up.”

Xiao Yinghuai seemed to recall that scene as well and let out a soft laugh.

Before the smile had a chance to fade, he heard the young man shouting from the side:

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

Seeing that it was Song Jian, Yan Jiaci said, “Your Majesty, it is Lord Song.”

Xiao Yinghuai glanced at him. “Am I blind?”

Yan Jiaci fell silent.

No?

Song Jian had already run over and immediately started praising him.

“Your Majesty was truly majestic today! This subordinate admires you so much!”

Xiao Yinghuai stroked Jinjue.

Jinjue did not react at first. After a while, as if it felt uncomfortable from being touched, it shook its head forcefully.

Song Jian continued launching his praise attack.

“Your Majesty’s horseback archery skills are truly incredible! You are unquestionably the number one person!”

“No wonder Eunuch Defu said that you are the dream of countless young men and women in the capital…”

Xiao Yinghuai: “If you have nothing to say, shut your mouth.”

Song Jian immediately lowered his head.

Th-this obvious?

At that moment, a horse servant suddenly came over. Gong Defu announced:

“Your Majesty, Lingfeng has been brought over.”

Song Jian quietly raised his head and discovered that “Lingfeng” was the young foal that had spun him dizzy and thrown him away that day.

Xiao Yinghuai gave a signal. The horse servant tied Lingfeng and Jinjue together. The moment they were placed beside each other, the two horses affectionately rubbed against each other.

Song Jian now had something to say. He smiled shyly and said, “Your Majesty, their relationship looks really good.”

Gong Defu explained from the side, “Lord Song, Lingfeng is Jinjue’s child.”

Without even processing what he had heard, Song Jian replied, “Oh, oh, oh. That’s amazing.”

After watching for a while, he began thinking about how to say some good words for Young Lord Tang. But just as he had finished brewing his thoughts, the little horse Lingfeng looked toward him.

“Fu!”

The little horse walked toward him a few steps.

Song Jian was stunned and hurriedly stepped backward.

Lingfeng chased after him again.

“Fu! Fu!”

Song Jian was startled by the “fu” and backed away. Lingfeng moved forward to chase him. Song Jian quickly realized that Lingfeng was deliberately “fu”-ing at him.

“Wuu, Your Majesty!”

Song Jian, being chased and unable to keep up, hid behind the man, revealing only the top of his head.

“Sorry, Lingfeng! I won’t ride you next time! I won’t ride you!”

After a moment of silence, his head was patted twice.

Song Jian raised his head and saw Lingfeng leaning close to the emperor’s shoulder, rubbing against his head.

Yan Jiaci was very good at explaining. “Lingfeng is apologizing for throwing Lord Song down yesterday.”

Song Jian blinked and looked at the little horse.

The little horse happily walked toward him two steps.

Xiao Yinghuai glanced at him. “How long do you intend to hide behind me?”

Song Jian: “Oh, oh oh oh oh.”

Xiao Yinghuai: “Go. Lingfeng is inviting you.”

Song Jian hesitantly walked two steps forward. Seeing this, Lingfeng immediately lowered its head, looking extremely sincere.

“Your Majesty, then… then does this subordinate ride it now?”

Xiao Yinghuai nodded.

Song Jian obeyed the order and went over to tentatively touch Lingfeng’s head.

“Then I’m getting on, little horse.”

Lingfeng: “Fu!”

Song Jian grabbed the reins and climbed onto its back. Lingfeng stood very steadily, neither going crazy nor frolicking, and slowly walked forward a few steps with him.

Yan Jiaci thought it was miraculous. Lingfeng’s strange temperament could actually accept someone in such a short time. It really was…

Before he could finish the thought, Lingfeng suddenly began walking while twisting its butt.

Yan Jiaci slightly frowned.

Hiss~~~~

Song Jian touched Lingfeng’s head. “Little horse, can you move back a little?”

Lingfeng obediently stepped backward. Song Jian was just about to praise how obedient the little horse was.

Suddenly—

“Damn it!”

Not again!!

Lingfeng widened its eyes and began charging forward wildly: “！！！！”

Song Jian: “？？？！！”

Is it popular now to trick people into getting on first and then kill them?!

Lingfeng crazily twisted its butt, then spun! Jumped! Took flight!

Song Jian: “Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Your Majesty!!!! Save me!!!!”

Yan Jiaci and Gong Defu: “……”

This scene was so familiar.

The two of them simultaneously looked toward the emperor beside them.

Xiao Yinghuai: “……”

Sometimes, a charge is suddenly established just like that.

Song Jian gripped the reins with tears streaming down his face.

“Wuwuwuwuwuwu—”

“Your Majesty…”

Under the strange gazes of Yan Jiaci and Gong Defu, Xiao Yinghuai flew over in several steps.

“Let go of the reins!”

Then he grabbed the person on the horse’s back and pulled him down.

Song Jian was dazed, clinging tightly to his lifesaver.

Xiao Yinghuai lowered his eyes.

Song Jian’s eyes were full of tears.

“Wu~”

Gong Defu, very observant, called for the horse servants.

“Take Lingfeng and Jin Jue away.”

Song Jian: “Your Majesty, thank you. You’re truly a good person.”

Yan Jiaci, equally observant, added, “Your Majesty, this subject suddenly remembered #%￥%……”

After saying that, he quickly took his leave.

Gong Defu also silently stepped back. The Imperial Guards standing nearby looked straight ahead, as still as wooden stakes. The area in front of the tent suddenly became quiet.

Song Jian: “Your Majesty, thank you so much just now!”

Xiao Yinghuai only remained silent.

That night, a banquet for the winter hunt was held at Yilin Palace. The officials took their seats and raised their cups together in celebration.

At the same time, a simple reward ceremony was also held. It was meant to boost the morale of the hunters. Song Jian stood beside the emperor and saw Young Lord Tang receive many prizes, so he hurriedly clapped.

Even after receiving rewards based on his own ability, Tang Heng did not forget to put on a humble posture and bow to thank the emperor’s grace. His words were extremely well spoken.

Xiao Yinghuai said, “Tang Lai has a good son. It is his fortune.”

Song Jian looked at the emperor’s expression and found nothing unusual. He grinned foolishly and even winked at Young Lord Tang below.

Tang Heng bowed. “This subject is first Your Majesty’s subject, and only afterward a son.”

The banquet soon passed more than halfway. Song Jian was dismissed halfway through and also joined the seats. Originally, he planned to go find Chang Ying and the others, but when passing by Xiao Yongning, she pulled him over.

Xiao Yongning: “This meat is so delicious! So delicious! Hurry and try it!”

Whatever delicious food Xiao Yongning had, she stuffed a lot of it toward him. Song Jian ate until his stomach was round right there.

“Lord Song, this is also delicious!”

Song Jian had eaten too much meat and waved his hand. “I’m full, Xiao Ba. You eat.”

Xiao Yongning took two bites and said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll have the kitchen prepare more. If you don’t want to eat now, come find me whenever you’re hungry.”

The more Song Jian looked at Xiao Yongning, the more adorable he found her. What a warm-hearted younger sister.

After the banquet in the temporary palace ended, Song Jian still had to return to wait beside the emperor. Xiao Yongning pulled him reluctantly.

“Don’t go back. Let’s go play. Xiao Da and the others are playing touhu by the bonfire. Let’s go too.”¹Touhu (投壶) is an ancient Chinese game where players throw arrows into a pot from a distance. The player who gets the most arrows into the pot wins.

Song Jian naturally wanted to go!

But before leaving, Xiao Yinghuai had told him to return after eating his fill. If he ran away directly, wouldn’t that be disobeying an imperial order and deceiving the emperor?

After Song Jian explained, Xiao Yongning bravely said again, “I’ll go with you!”

As a result, when they arrived before the emperor, the two of them once again knelt down together.

Xiao Yongning scratched her fingers and did not dare speak.

Song Jian made the same movement.

Xiao Yinghuai pressed his temple. “The hunting grounds are unsafe at night. Do not run beyond the flags.”

Song Jian knew that the emperor had agreed. He immediately nodded like a pecking chick and swore, “This subordinate absolutely won’t go beyond the flags! I also absolutely won’t act alone! And I’ll protect Her Highness the Princess too! Your Majesty, rest assured!”

Xiao Yinghuai waved his hand.

Song Jian and Xiao Yongning immediately ran away. Xiao Yinghuai stared at their backs for a while, his brows still not relaxing.

After leaving Yilin Palace, the two headed straight toward the lively area.

Xiao Yongning jumped anxiously.

“Lord Song! Lord Song!”

Song Jian: “Xiao Ba! Xiao Ba! Xiao Ba! This way!”

Xiao Yongning and Song Jian were equally enthusiastic about joining the fun. The two played until their cheeks turned red and stayed flushed for a long time.

Only after the people around the tents had dispersed did Song Jian send Xiao Yongning back.

After walking out, Song Jian planned to return to stand guard beside the emperor. He had only taken a few steps when he suddenly caught sight of two dark figures in a certain direction.

“%……@!#……”

“&……#￥……”

Song Jian stopped.

What were they saying?

He moved closer and tilted his ear to listen carefully.

It was still that rapid, mumbled speech. It didn’t sound like the language of Great Yan at all.

The alarm bells in Song Jian’s mind rang loudly, but he did not dare go forward alone. He immediately backed away.

Cannot act alone! Cannot act alone! Cannot act alone!

Important things must be said three times!

Because based on his many years of watching movies and reading novels, acting alone after leaving the group easily triggered unnecessary high-blood-pressure plots, commonly known as dragging everyone down.

Song Jian immediately ran toward the emperor’s bedchamber.

Xiao Yinghuai had just prepared to change clothes when the door of the bedchamber was pushed open with a “bang.”

The young man quickly rushed over and stood directly in front of him, blinking his big eyes with a serious expression.

“Your Majesty! This subordinate saw two suspicious people outside! They were sneaking around and I don’t know what they wanted to do. Also, the language they spoke didn’t seem to be Great Yan’s language! Let’s go take a look quickly!”

After hearing “they were not speaking Great Yan’s language,” Xiao Yinghuai’s expression suddenly became solemn.

“Long Xiao.”

A black shadow instantly flashed out from somewhere in the palace.

At the same time, the other shadow guards of the Tiancha Division swiftly emerged from the shadows.

Song Jian turned his head, and the man was already gone.

He hurriedly ran outside as well.

“Your Majesty! Wait for me!”

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  Touhu (投壶) is an ancient Chinese game where players throw arrows into a pot from a distance. The player who gets the most arrows into the pot wins.