The wind is gentle and the fun is endless

It was late summer and early autumn, and the day of autumn hunting was soon approaching. Autumn hunting was an annual major event in Shanghuai City, which was completely in line with the teachings of the current dynasty. Therefore, all the governors of the prefectures and cities highly praised it and often organized it personally. Men, women, young and old in the city could all participate.

Early in the morning, Xiangyue Xiangyin came to Xinyuan to find Xu Qu and Huanhuan to go to the hunting ground in the suburbs together.

When Xiangyue and Xiangyin arrived, they had already changed into hunting clothes and tied their hair up high. Huanhuan, who was participating in the autumn hunt for the first time, thought it was a good idea and asked them to wait for a while. She walked to the dressing table and followed their example, tying her hair up high.

"When my sister-in-law ties her hair up, she looks like a chivalrous woman with a calm and relaxed demeanor!" Xiang Yin, who has always been taciturn, spoke first.

"I see that you have read too many storybooks. But my sister-in-law is really fresh, elegant and full of vigor and vitality." Xiangyue was not stingy with her praise.

"Stop praising me, my two sisters! You two sisters are the young and talented ones!"

Huanhuan's words were sincere. Xiangyue was so bright and dazzling no matter what she wore, and this outfit added a cold and solemn temperament. Although Xiangyin was a little childish, she looked like a heroine in this outfit.

As he was talking, Xu Qu also came over dressed. His hair was tied in a jade crown, and the hair rope hung down from his ears, with two tassels at the end draped over his shoulders. He was dressed in a riding suit with great style, and the tied-up cuffs and collar made him look even taller and more graceful.

"Sister-in-law, look, big brother is so energetic!" Xiang Yin said softly to Huanhuan.

Looking at Xu Qu walking slowly towards her, she felt her heartbeat quicken and her cheeks flush slightly. When she heard Xiang Yin's words, she secretly replied in her heart, "Yes, he is truly a handsome young man on the street, with a handsome face and a charming complexion."

"Let's go!" Xu Qu walked over and said to his wife and sisters, then he walked straight out the door. Huanhuan, Xiangyue and Xiangyin followed him and walked towards the gate of Xu's Mansion.

At the gate of Xu's house, four horses and a large carriage were parked. Xu Qu and his companions each rode a horse, and Cheng drove the carriage. Xiaoyu and Xiangyue's personal maid Du Juan and Xiangyin's personal maid Hua Mei were already sitting in the carriage. After everything was ready, the four horses and one carriage set off to the suburbs, starting this year's autumn hunting trip.

Along the way, in order to take care of Huanhuan, the new rider, Xu Qu, the leader, rode slowly, but Huanhuan still rode very carefully. After leaving the city gate, the wind in the suburbs became stronger, blowing Huanhuan's veil, allowing her to see the autumn scenery in the suburbs.

The weeds on the roadside were still green, with only a few wisps of light yellow. But the leaves on the trees had already turned half yellow, and occasionally a few ginkgo trees with all their leaves yellowed appeared, making the horseman's peripheral vision see frequent alternations of dark yellow, light yellow, and green.

They stopped at the starting point of the autumn hunt. A lot of people had already gathered there. Huan Huan, Xiang Yue and Xiang Yin took off their veiled hats and put them on the carriage. Suddenly, a voice rang beside them: "Ha! So you are here!" It turned out that Xie Shen had come to the Xu family at some point.

Xie Shen pulled up his reins and drove his horse to Xu Qu's side. He reached out and held Xu Qu's arm, saying, "Brother Qu, you look like a jewel in your riding clothes. You are such a handsome man!"

Xu Qu calmly shook off Xie Shen's hand and said, "No, Brother Shen is the handsome and suave young man."

"Ah, I'm old, I can't be considered a young man anymore." Xie Shen smiled and said, "Brother Qu, how about we go hunting together this year like in previous years?"

"When did I say it wasn't true?" Xu Qu asked back.

"I'm thinking that now that Brother Qu is married, he might prefer to be with his wife instead of his old partner like me." Xie Shen is quite self-aware.

Xie Shen's mention of Huanhuan reminded Xu Qu. Xu Qu turned his head to look for Huanhuan's figure. Seeing Huanhuan not far away from him, he said to Huanhuan: "Madam, you have just learned to ride a horse not long ago. You don't have to worry about the prey this time. Just go with Xiangyue and the others to enjoy the scenery. It is important to protect yourself."

Xu Qu was not worrying too much. Every year during the autumn hunt, people would get injured. Therefore, the governor of the prefecture would order military doctors to guard the starting point and prepare various herbs just in case.

“Brother Qu, we have been partners for all these years, but I have never seen you care about my safety.” Xie Shen started his joke again.

"You are more careful than anyone else. Do I need to worry about you?" After saying this, Xu Qu flicked the whip and urged his horse to gallop away.

"Hey, wait for me. Young Madam and my two sisters, I have to leave quickly. I hope you have fun." After saying that, Xie Shen hurriedly rode his horse to chase Xu Qu.

After Xu Qu and Xie Shen left, the three of them looked at each other and finally laughed. Xiangyue said, "Sister-in-law, Xiangyin, let's go around and enjoy the scenery first. There's no rush to hunt."

"Okay." Huanhuan and Xiangyin responded.

So Xiangyue took Huanhuan and Xiangyin and rode slowly to a high ground.

Looking from the high ground, you can see the mountains and forests in the distance. The winding hills are covered with trees and wild grass. The frosted leaves are red, just like the gorgeous red clouds by the window. The gingko trees are pale yellow, rising and falling with the mountain. Willows and green pines are dotted in between. There is also a pond not far away. At a glance, the mountains are full of red, yellow, green and purple, winding and colorful, full of autumn charm.

As they were enjoying the view, a female voice rang out: "Xiangyue, you are here! We were looking for you."

They looked in the direction of the sound and found that several young ladies, led by Miss Shen San, had also arrived here.

Seeing that there was no prey on Xiangyue's horse, Miss Shen San said, "This year the weather has been good and the crops have been plentiful. The birds and beasts in the forest are also very fat. Look, we have gained quite a bit." As she spoke, she took out a wild rabbit from the side pocket on her horse and showed it to Xiangyue.

"It's so boring just to enjoy the scenery here. Come and go hunting with us." Miss Shen invited again.

"This..." Xiangyue was a little tempted. She hesitated for a moment and looked at her sister and sister-in-law beside her.

"Madam Xu and Sister Xiangyin should come as well." Miss Shen saw Xiangyue's concerns.

"No." "No." Huanhuan and Xiangyin said in unison, and then they smiled at each other at their tacit understanding.

"Sister, go ahead. I was here last year and I know the way. I'll take my sister-in-law around." Xiang Yin said considerately.

"Xiangyue, go ahead. I'll just follow Xiangyin around. You don't have to worry about us." Huanhuan also persuaded.

"Then I will go with Miss Shen San and the others. Sister-in-law, Xiangyin, be careful on the road." After saying that, Xiangyue drove the horse to Miss Shen San, and soon their figures disappeared into the jungle.

There was a layer of fallen leaves on the grass, like a green blanket woven with flowers of different shades. Xiangyin and Huanhuan rode their horses leisurely in the woods, chatting as they walked.

"Did Sister Xiangyin come here last year?" he asked slowly.

"Yes, last year my parents said to me, 'Xiang Yin, you've grown up now, so you should participate in activities like this more often in the future,' so I came." Xiang Yin imitated his parents' tone in a low voice, and then laughed.

Huanhuan also laughed and asked, "Well, is there anything interesting?"

"Yes, sister-in-law, let me tell you..."

The aunt and sister-in-law chatted as their figures slowly disappeared into the forest.