A pure heart in a jade pot

Chapter 164

Volume 3, Chapter 10

That morning, Yelü Pusa Nu led Ning Jin and others to visit the royal hunting grounds. Though called hunting grounds, they were really just places where rare and exotic animals were kept; almost no one actually hunted there. Aside from the occasional visit by the royal women, the place was used to receive foreign envoys, with a few guards accompanying them to hunt pheasants, ducks, and deer for amusement—not the thrilling and dangerous experience of a real hunt.

Ning Jin, however, seemed uninterested. He couldn't muster any enthusiasm as several sika deer swayed around under his nose. Instead, he was quite interested in the Liao guards accompanying him on the hunt, and even borrowed their bows and arrows to examine them closely.

"If Your Highness does not enjoy hunting, we have also arranged horse riding and wrestling later," said the civil official Xi He, who was riding beside him with a smile.

Ning Jin glanced at him, then turned to look at Yelü Pusa Nu, who was lagging behind and seemed like an ice sculpture that couldn't speak. He thought to himself, "This combination of a scholar and a warrior is quite ingenious."

He pretended to ponder for a moment, then asked the civil official Xi He, "There is something I would like to ask. The grand ceremony for the princess and His Highness Yelü is imminent, but I see that neither your emperor nor His Highness Yelü is in Zhongjing. So how will this grand ceremony be arranged?"

Although the question was phrased mildly, it clearly implied the Liao people's disrespect for the princess. Even in the freezing cold, the civil official Xi He broke out in a sweat upon hearing it. Zhao Yu was indeed not valued in Liao; the Emperor and His Highness only ensured her comfortable food and lodging, asking nothing else. Even the grand ceremony was deemed too troublesome to return to Zhongjing by the Emperor, who decided to hold it at Guangpingdian instead. But this was something that absolutely could not be told to Ning Jin. If a single word was spoken carelessly, displeasing the Prince of Ning, he might go back and complain to the Song Emperor, resulting in a reduction in the annual tribute the following year—a consequence he himself could not bear even with ten heads.

Xihe wanted to turn back and ask Yelü Pusa Nu what he meant, but the latter was too far away and probably didn't even hear what they were saying.

"Regarding the grand ceremony... His Majesty has already issued an edict that the ceremony will be held at Guangpingdian." Xihe said with feigned ease, "His Majesty said that we Liao people are a nomadic people, and we settle wherever the grass and water are lush, and marriage is the same. He told His Highness Yelü not to be bound by formalities and to hold the grand ceremony for him at Guangpingdian. It will surely become a beautiful story in the future and be imitated by others."

"...So that's how it is."

Ning Jin responded indifferently, his face displaying a half-smile, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Xihe quickly added, "His Majesty also specially built a wedding tent for His Highness Yelü and the Princess at Guangpingdian. It was luxurious and exquisite, and he said it had to be even more grand than the ceremony held in the palace."

Ning Jin seemed not to hear his words, looked around for a moment, and then, cracking his whip, said, "There's nothing interesting here. What did you say you had something else to offer?"

“Horse riding and wrestling,” Xihe quickly replied.

"Oh, then let's watch the horse show first."

"Yes, Your Highness, please come this way."

Xi He secretly wiped away his sweat, hoping that Ning Jin would not press the matter further. He hurriedly led Ning Jin to an open area to the east. When they passed Yelü Pusa Nu, they met the other's knowing gaze. Although he was annoyed, he still said, "His Highness Prince Ning wishes to see the horse show first. Please send someone to make preparations as soon as possible, Lord Yelü."

Yelü Pusa Nu nodded slightly, beckoned to a guard, and whispered a few instructions. The guard then spurred his horse and galloped away. Before long, several colorful flags could be seen waving in the east. Xi He hurriedly went to Ning Jin's side and said, "The horse show has begun. Please look over there, Your Highness." He pointed to the colorful flags.

Ning Jin looked over and, sure enough, someone rode a tall black horse out from among the colorful flags. The person on horseback was dressed in red, with a slender waist tightly bound; it was a woman.

The horse galloped on without stopping, while the woman in red stood on its back, holding a stick to hit the ball. No matter how much the horse jolted, her body and the ball remained steady, making onlookers hold their breath in suspense.

Although Ning Jin was in a bad mood, he found the circus performance, which was a rare sight in the Central Plains, quite novel. He couldn't help but applaud the woman on horseback, and then turned to Wu Zichu with a smile, saying, "Xiao Qi will definitely like this. I should have called her here today."

Wu Zichu smiled and nodded, but did not reply.

Yelü Pusa Nu, who was behind them, was Zhan Zhao. Upon hearing this, he lowered his eyes and stared blankly for a moment. When he looked up at Xi Ma again, he vaguely felt that the woman in red in his eyes resembled Mo Yan.

At this moment, it's unclear what she's doing.

He couldn't help but think about it.

He didn't know what was wrong with him either.

He could endure not seeing her for three years before, but now, after only one day without seeing her, he didn't know why, but he missed her so much that his heart ached, and he wished he could see her all the time.

As long as I can see her, even if we can't acknowledge each other, it's probably for the best.

The crowd cheered, applauded, and made a ruckus over the horse-riding performance. Perhaps because Yelü Pusa Nu was usually a cold and indifferent person who was not easily disturbed by anything, no one felt that it was inappropriate for him to stand quietly to the side.

The clamor rose in waves, reaching its climax with the equestrian dance performed by five Liao women. Watching the women ride back, Ning Jin was clearly still impressed, clicking his tongue repeatedly and shaking his head in admiration: "Amazing, amazing! Dancing on one foot while riding, and even playing with ribbons between them, I never imagined there could be such amazing equestrian skills in this world."

Seeing Ning Jin's delighted expression, the civil official Xi He breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward, saying with a smile, "There's also wrestling, which is quite exciting. Your Highness will see for yourself when you watch it."

"Wrestling?" Ning Jin paused, then raised an eyebrow and asked, "Was it a woman or a man?"

"It's a man."

"Man, then I won't watch it."

"Does Your Highness wish to see women?... Perhaps this humble official can try to arrange it."

“Then I won’t watch it either,” Ning Jin said decisively.

Xi He was getting a headache from Ning Jin's unpredictable mood swings: "Then... what does Your Highness mean?"

Ning Jin spoke eloquently: "We also have wrestling in the Central Plains, it's called jiaodi. Both of them are big and strong, wrestling all day long, unable to fall down, it's really boring to watch. Besides, I just saw this woman playing with horses, her figure was graceful, her waist was slender, it was unforgettable. Suddenly looking at those big and strong men, wouldn't it be disgusting?"

Xihe repeatedly agreed, but inwardly cursed the Prince of Ning for his many fussy rules.

"It's really cold outside," Ning Jin said lazily, hunching his neck as he rode his horse. "Besides, I'm also a bit tired."

"I'll escort Your Highness back," Xihe said, more than willing.

Ning Jin remained silent, tilted his head to glance at Yelü Pusa Nu beside him, leaned closer, and asked Xi He in a low voice, "I've heard that your Lord Yelü is a top expert in the Liao Kingdom, is that true?"

"Lord Yelü's horsemanship and archery are indeed among the best in our country, and his skills are also excellent."

Ning Jin laughed and patted Wu Zichu on the shoulder, saying, "My servant is quite famous in the Central Plains. How about this, let Lord Yelü escort us back so that I can have a chat and exchange ideas with my servant."

"this……"

Xi He glanced at Yelü Pusa Nu, who was also a formidable opponent, and he dared not agree on his behalf. Fortunately, Yelü Pusa Nu nodded slightly, and he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Volume 3, Chapter 11

Seeing that there was nothing left for him to do, and that Prince Ning didn't seem to like him much, the civil official Xihe wisely made an excuse and slipped away.

The remaining group, including Yelü Pusa Nu and Ning Jin, headed towards Zhongjing. Ning Jin, who had just been complaining of being tired, now leisurely rode along, enjoying the snowy scenery, chatting and laughing with Wu Zichu, leaving Yelü Pusa Nu standing aside. Zhan Zhao, puzzled by his intentions, could only quietly follow along.

Zhan Zhao chatted with Wu Zichu about trivial matters the whole way until they entered Datong Hall. When he saw that Ning Jin didn't mention anything about him sparring with Wu Zichu, he hesitated whether he should leave. However, he couldn't help but want to see Mo Yan, so he was in a dilemma.