Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 693

Shen Lingjun also noticed Qi Xuan's unusual behavior and guessed that he had someone he liked, probably a young lady from an Ancheng family. However, she knew that he was probably too embarrassed to say anything, so he kept quiet and didn't dare to let her know.

The blockhead who had been stubborn for a thousand years finally saw the light. Shen Lingjun was very pleased. Naturally, she didn't dare to tease Qi Xuan, for fear that he was too thin-skinned and might give up halfway through the teasing. That would be her fault.

Shen Lingjun didn't dare to mention it at all, pretending she knew nothing. She didn't try to spy on Qi Xuan, just waiting for the day he would be willing to let her know so she could tell her herself.

Qi Xuan took advantage of these gatherings to meet Sheng Qiongluo twice more, and felt that their relationship was progressing rapidly.

Although Sheng Qiongluo never said a word beyond politeness to him, and the two hadn't spent much time together, he felt that her gaze was full of unspoken affection, and every smile and gesture she made seemed to convey what she hadn't said aloud.

Sheng Qiongluo even took the initiative to mention to Qi Xuan that she was going to Guangji Temple in the suburbs to offer incense at the end of the month. Qi Xuan also went to Guangji Temple that day and indeed saw Sheng Qiongluo. The two talked for a long time.

This was their first "date," and Qi Xuan was so excited that she couldn't sleep well for several days afterward.

He felt that Sheng Qiongluo was also interested in him. The reason she hadn't said a word was because, as a lady from a respectable family, she was dignified and virtuous. Naturally, she couldn't be like those frivolous women who would easily say whatever came to mind, as that would seem too casual.

Qi Xuan regarded Sheng Qiongluo as a celestial being, and was therefore cautious and respectful, never daring to overstep any boundaries, and even less daring to let others know, for fear of ruining her reputation.

He felt that to show his true love and respect for Sheng Qiongluo, he should marry her in a proper and formal way, but that seemed impossible.

Even if he was completely ignorant of social etiquette, he would know that with Sheng Qiongluo's talent, beauty, and background, she could become an empress. At the very least, the Sheng family would have her marry a prince or duke; they would never allow her to marry down.

He was from a completely different world from this circle of powerful and wealthy people. The only thing he had to offer was his sect; he had none of the official positions, titles, or family backgrounds that these aristocratic families valued.

Therefore, Qi Xuan still doesn't dare to directly express his feelings to Sheng Qiongluo, let alone propose marriage; he simply doesn't have that kind of thick skin.

Qi Xuan was at a loss and was hesitating whether to tell Shen Lingjun and ask him for advice when the triennial autumn hunt of Western Qi arrived.

The founding emperor of the Western Qi dynasty was once a hunter, thus leaving behind this tradition. To this day, every three years in September, the Western Qi royal family and nobles would go to the royal hunting grounds to hold a grand hunting event.

This year, Emperor Huo Tingsheng fell ill and stayed in the palace to recuperate, unable to appear in public. Therefore, the Crown Prince took over the administration.

Shen Lingjun and the other royal women were all to attend.

Naturally, she dragged Qi Xuan along this time as well.

I wonder how his first love is going. This autumn hunt provides a perfect opportunity for many young men and women to gather in the same hunting grounds, with plenty of freedom of movement and opportunities to interact.

The royal hunting grounds of the Western Qi Dynasty were located in the Cuiwei Mountains, twenty miles north of Ancheng. The area was vast, surrounded by dense forests and green mountains.

There was a palace in the hunting grounds, which was used to house the royal family members who participated in the autumn hunt.

As for those outside the royal family, they had no choice but to live in tents. There was a large campsite south of the palace.

Hunting is not easy in Beiyi, and there is no large-scale autumn hunt organized by the royal family. This is the first time Shen Lingjun has participated, and he finds it quite novel.