The two rode horses, escorted from a distance by guards sent by the Prince of Ying's Mansion and the General's Mansion, hunting deer and rabbits around the edge of the woods.
With rare deer and swans waiting ahead, how could the ubiquitous roe deer and rabbits possibly pique Wushuang's interest?
Seeing that Qiao Sheng's horse was already laden with prey, she simply followed behind Qiao Sheng, occasionally fiddling with the small jade bow given to her by Chu Yao, without even firing a single arrow.
Qiao Sheng, being Wushuang's future sister-in-law, naturally wouldn't make fun of her about such a thing. Instead, she kindly suggested, "I've beaten too many. I can't give them away, and I can't finish them all. When we go back later, why don't you take a few to help me share the burden?"
With these words as a foundation, Wushuang lost even more interest in hunting.
She put away her bow and arrows, and slowly rode her horse, casually strolling around, looking at the scenery from left and right, and unknowingly fell behind a few steps.
There was a soft rustling sound from the grass beside him. Wushuang turned his head and saw a snow-white little deer peek out and limp out, with bloodstains clearly visible on its right hind leg.
It turned out it was injured.
Wushuang felt pity for the weak, dismounted, picked up the little rabbit, and intended to treat its injuries.
"Shuangshuang, get out of the way quickly!"
Qiao Sheng's shout suddenly rang out from behind her, urgent and filled with fear.
Wushuang turned around and saw a long arrow hurtling straight toward her, piercing through the air.
Chapter 147 | Table of Contents
Chapter 147:
Wushuang was just an ordinary little girl, and she was completely taken aback, falling to the ground in shock. (txt novel download www.80txt.COM)
At the critical moment, Qiao Sheng rushed over and pushed her down. The arrow whizzed past their heads and pierced the tree with a clang.
Wushuang was so frightened that she didn't utter a sound for a long time.
Qiao Sheng, as expected of a daughter of a military family, dusted off the dirt and grass on her body, stood up, and calmly helped Wu Shuang check her injuries. She then directed the guards who arrived a little later to capture the person who had secretly shot the arrow.
The head guard of the Prince of Ying's residence personally pulled the long arrow from the tree, but couldn't find any clues—the entire imperial family had gone hunting, and to clearly distinguish who had shot down the prey, from the emperor to the princes and heirs, even the insignificant illegitimate sons and underage boys, every master's arrow was engraved with their name. Even the guards' arrows were marked with the insignia of their respective residences.
In other words, this arrow was not shot by mistake, but was deliberately fired to kill Wushuang without making it impossible to find the culprit.
Chu Yao quickly received the news and rushed over. Ignoring the large crowd surrounding him, he hugged Wushuang and patted her gently.
Wushuang, who had been in a daze, finally burst into tears upon seeing Chu Yao.
Since he was unharmed and had vented his emotions, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, indicating that he was not seriously injured.
Emperor Deqing also came to visit. After hearing what the head of the guards said, he ordered the hunting grounds to be sealed off and that the person be brought out.
Then, Wushuang nestled sweetly in Chu Yao's arms, and he joked kindly with her, "Zixiu's wife, don't be afraid. Everyone says that children who suffer many hardships when they are young will surely have good fortune when they grow up."
Liang Sanxing chimed in, "Your Majesty, the Princess Consort of Ying has already come of age and can no longer be considered a child."
"She's reached marriageable age?" Emperor Deqing looked puzzled. "But why does she look like the Second Princess to me? Look, look, all she does when she's in Zixiu's arms is cry. The Second Princess does the same thing every time I hold her."
The second princess was born to Consort Mei and is not even half a year old yet; she is still a baby.
Comparing her to Wushuang was clearly a joke, implying that Chu Yao treated his wife like a daughter.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Wushuang was too embarrassed to cry anymore, so she wiped away her tears and bowed to Emperor Deqing.
Emperor Deqing then instructed Liang Sansheng: "No matter what, she was frightened after all. When you return to the palace later, have someone find that jade pendant that was blessed at the Xiangguo Temple and give it to Zixiu's wife to calm her nerves."
Wushuang remembered Chu Yao's usefulness and didn't think there was anything wrong with Emperor Deqing treating her well. She thanked him generously.
Chu Ye brought his two children with him this time. Both of them, Chu X, who is 20 years old, and Chu X, who is 20 years old, were hunting for the first time. In order to train the two boys' courage, the three of them went deeper into the mountains. They received the news of Wu Shuang's attack later than others.
They rushed over at that moment.
The two children rushed to Wushuang's side, calling out "Auntie" to her from both sides.
Wushuang's gaze fell on the tall guard following behind Chu Ye, her face turning pale.
Everyone assumed she was still shaken and no one noticed anything unusual.
Chu Yao suggested sending Wushuang home first.
Emperor Deqing readily agreed.
Wushuang developed a fever halfway through the journey, and became drowsy and trapped in a nightmare, where images of her past and present lives were all mixed together:
Her second aunt, Madam He, was constantly bickering with her...
Clutching her bag, she ran away from home, frantically running through the streets...
Chu Yao listened coldly to her recount her grievances, but then turned and pulled her into the bathtub, taking liberties with her...
She knelt in the tent, trembling, when a man who appeared to be a general walked in and ordered her to be executed...
The man walked steadily past Wushuang. She looked up, wanting to ask for help again, but saw his back—tall and robust. It was the back of the guard who had followed her brother-in-law Chu Ye outside the Prince Yi's mansion that day.
Wu Shuang was horrified. The man had already turned around, and his face was exactly the same as the guard who had been with Chu Ye earlier that day…
Chu Ye grinned maliciously, raised his longsword, and forcefully plunged it into Chu Yao's chest and abdomen...
Wushuang woke up screaming.
When Wushuang fell ill, Chu Yaoyi took care of her tirelessly, doing everything himself, even wiping her body without asking anyone else to do it.