Spring arrives and the land smiles

The grass is green, the willows are yellow, peach blossoms are scattered, and plum blossoms are fragrant.

As spring arrives and flowers bloom, peach blossoms vie for attention, plum blossoms dance in the air, and apricot blossoms fill the air with fragrance. The closer one gets to Xilan Hunting Ground, the more vibrant the spring becomes.

Qingyan couldn't help but exclaim: This pristine environment is truly wonderful.

As dusk fell, the procession finally arrived at the hunting grounds and checked into the Kangning Palace.

Kangning Palace was built in the 18th year of Chongli's reign and was renovated during the reign of Qingyan's great-grandfather, Emperor Chongli. It has a history of nearly 100 years. Because imperial relatives and nobles often came to visit, the palace has been continuously renovated.

Qingyan and Luoqing moved into the main hall, which was set up with the front court and the rear palace, and was fully equipped, so Qingyan no longer needed to handle official business in the inner palace.

Luo Qing said that a cheerful mood is conducive to conception, so the next day, Qing Yan took Luo Qing out for a stroll in the forest, with only Zhui'er and Qin Mian leading the servants and guards to follow at a distance.

"Qin Mian, I'm worried about Her Majesty." Zhui'er was riding with Qin Mian, but she couldn't see her Empress in the distance, and she became worried.

“I’ve already sent people to scout the way ahead, so there’s no need to worry.” Qin Mian put his arm around Zhui’er’s waist.

“But what if Lord Luo can’t take good care of His Majesty?” Zhui’er said.

Qin Mian laughed and whispered in Zhui'er's ear, "How could that be! The two of them are so lovey-dovey, it would be bad if you interfered."

That seems to make sense. Zhui'er nodded as if she understood.

Qin Mian tightened his grip on Zhui'er's waist, drawing her closer to him: "Zhui'er, you'll be eighteen next month. You're about the same age as His Majesty, who has been married for quite some time now. When will you marry me?"

"I, I—" Zhui'er blushed, "It's all up to Your Majesty."

“In that case, I will ask His Majesty to grant us a marriage after we return to the palace.” Qin Mian happily kissed Zhui’er on the cheek.

"You, you lecher," Zhui'er said with a laugh, but her face was all smiles.

Seeing the two flirting ahead, Siyou and Siwu spurred their horses and caught up.

"Oh my, Zhui'er's lovesick." Siwu, being lively, naturally didn't forget to tease the two of them.

"Are you two getting married soon?" Si You Sui, being more composed, asked with a smile.

Zhui'er turned back and glanced at Qin Mian shyly. As the head maid in the Empress's palace, she was quick to speak her mind: "Don't be so quick to judge me. A few days ago, I saw Lord Sicheng summon Cao Yu and Cao Da. I'm afraid you two will also be thrown out of the palace by Lord Sicheng."

"When did this happen?" Siyou bit her lip, blushing for a moment, thinking to herself: There seemed to be no warning before she left the palace.

"I won't tell you." Zhui'er giggled and let Qin Mian lead her away.

Siyou and Siwu chased after them, their laughter echoing through the woods.

Qingyan and Luoqing each rode a horse and strolled through the forest. Occasionally, they would see some small animals moving around in the forest. Qingyan would spur her horse and chase after them. After trotting for a while, she lost sight of the prey and stopped.

Seeing that Qingyan was in high spirits, Luo Qing followed her.

"How about I hunt a rabbit for you to keep as a pet?"

"No." Qingyan smiled and tilted her head. "Hunting is fun, but the fun is in the encirclement, not the hunt. Once the prey is trapped, the killing only adds to the bloodshed. Today, let's do good deeds for the child who is about to arrive in my life."

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say, Qingqing."

The two chased their prey deeper into the jungle, and as they walked further, they came across a sea of ​​flowers.

Wildflowers bloom in abundance on the hillside, with violets, honesty, dandelions, and ground ivy as far as the eye can see. You can dismount and immerse yourself in the sea of ​​flowers, feeling utterly content.

Luo Qing led the horse behind her, watching her shed her heavy burdens and rediscover her girlish nature, and smiled with satisfaction.

In Qingyan's hands, colorful wildflowers are transformed into bouquets, wreaths, and flower baskets. Qingyan uses all the handicraft skills she has learned in her life to make them.

Suddenly, a snake slithered not far away. Qingyan Caihua met its gaze, and the silver rings around its body and the black and white background made Qingyan's heart skip a beat.

The banded krait is highly venomous; its neurotoxins can rapidly cause peripheral respiratory paralysis, with a survival rate of less than one in 100.

Luo Qing was still several dozen feet away, too late to call for help. Qing Yan tried her best to find a way to save herself.

The banded krait is timid by nature and rarely appears during the day. It usually does not attack people unless provoked. Perhaps the wildflowers you just picked startled it, so Qingyan had to slowly back away and try to make as little noise as possible.

Unfortunately, she didn't have eyes in the back of her head. Qingyan lost her footing and tumbled down the hillside. In her heart, she was relieved: at least she wasn't bitten by a snake.

After rolling for more than ten feet, Qingyan stopped, her body covered in bruises, and even the slightest movement was extremely painful.

Luo Qing suddenly lost sight of Qing Yan in the distance and rushed to her rescue, but could only watch helplessly as she rolled to a stop.

"Qingqing." Luo Qing's eyes reddened with anxiety. "Don't move, let me see your injury."

Qingyan nodded through her pain, looking at Luo Qing with teary eyes. Luo Qing was heartbroken.

After carefully examining the wounds, Luo Qing breathed a sigh of relief: "Fortunately, there are mostly abrasions, no broken bones or fractures."

Luo Qing carefully picked up Qing Yan and placed her under a sturdy tree, then tore off her own inner lining to bandage Qing Yan's wound.

Qingyan winced in pain, and Luoqing could only comfort her gently before asking why she had fallen down the grassy slope.

"It was a snake, a banded krait. I was so scared that I lost my footing and fell."

The banded krait is highly venomous. Luo Qing was thankful that his Qingqing hadn't been bitten, otherwise, in this hunting ground where medical supplies were scarce, her life might have been in danger.

Fortunately, the injury wasn't serious, and Luo Qing silently prayed for the Bodhisattva's blessing.

The guards and entourage that had been following Qingyan and Luoqing quickly found them, led by Zhuier and Qin Mian. Luoqing carried Qingyan into the carriage and immediately applied medicine to her.

"Will it leave scars?" Qingyan looked at the bruises and red marks and felt a little sorry for herself.

"No." Luo Qing smiled and lightened her grip.

Even if I have a scar, you are not allowed to dislike me.

Luo Qing kissed Qing Yan's pouting lips: "If Qing Qing is left with a scar, then I will get the same scar on myself to stay with Qing Qing."

It was just a joke, but Luo Qing answered so seriously. Qing Yan squeezed Luo Qing's hand: "Okay."

Because of her injury, Qingyan did not participate in the spring hunt ceremony, but stayed in the palace and was served by Luoqing.

After three whole days of careful care from Luo Qing, Qing Yan's injuries had almost healed, although the scars would take some time to fade.

"Your Majesty, Lord Shangguan Hexiu has hunted a brown bear for you," Qin Mian reported.

Most of those accompanying the emperor on this spring hunt were close officials and their sons. Shangguan Hexiu was the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial and also the Empress's cousin. Hunting a brown bear this time was a great honor for the Shangguan family.

"I never expected my cousin to be both scholarly and martial. Let's go take a look."

Kangning Palace was an hour's journey from the hunting grounds. When Qingyan arrived, the brown bear had already been settled in the hunting grounds camp.

“Bear bile is rare. May I extract it to make medicine, Qingqing?” Luo Qing looked at the brown bear that was already dead not far away, her dagger already in her hand.

Qingyan smiled. The Immortal Physician's first disciple was a medical fanatic, so she naturally agreed.

However, the process of extracting bile from a bear was too bloody, so Qingyan went to rest in the tent, leaving Luo Qing to do as she pleased.

Shangguan Hexiu set a good precedent, and soon close ministers or their sons presented their prey. In particular, the young master of the General of the Cavalry even brought the prey to Qingyan's tent.

How bold.

"Your Majesty, Young Master Qi requests an audience," Zhui'er reported, presenting a sachet along with the message.

"Who would come to see me? Do you think I have so much free time?" Qingyan tossed the incense box aside, then thought for a moment and asked Zhuier, "What does that Young Master Qi look like?"

Zhui'er paused for a moment, blinked, and replied, "He has a handsome face and a strong, powerful physique."

Qingyan smiled to herself:

Since leaving the palace, he has been spending every day with Luo Qing. The rumors that Her Majesty the Empress dotes on Lord Luo every night must be flying everywhere. Moreover, He Yuanzheng has examined Luo Qing's pulse twice before, so the rumors will probably become even more unbearable.

The court officials have been wanting to send their sons to the Empress's harem for quite some time now. Yunxuan dealt with a batch just the other day, and now, taking advantage of the spring hunt, someone else is trying to take advantage of it. They really haven't given up on their wicked intentions.

Qingyan glanced at the incense box beside her, reached out and took it, opened it and smelled it.

"Zhui'er, have Young Master Qi wait outside and call Luo Qing in."

"Yes."

Luo Qing arrived in a hurry, and when he entered the tent, he was covered in blood. When he approached, Qing Yan couldn't help but cover her face and frown.

Luo Qing immediately realized this and took two steps back.

"It's alright, it's alright." Qingyan took a step and handed him the incense box.

"The fragrance of Qiluo!" Luo Qing sniffed it. "That's quite rare."

"What's the story behind this incense?" Qingyan asked.

"Qiluo Fragrance is cold in nature, but it is harmless to the body. However, women who use this fragrance are particularly addicted to the scent of spearmint," Luo Qing replied.

Qingyan clenched her fists: It really was done flawlessly.

Qingyan beckoned Luo Qing closer and whispered a few words in her ear. Luo Qing nodded and withdrew.