Da Sheng was founded by force. Emperors of all dynasties were brave and good at fighting. After the world became peaceful, the founding emperor passed down the traditions of spring and autumn hunts.
As time went by, the hunts of Da Sheng's emperors, as an important national activity, were incorporated into the military rites, one of the five major rites. The spring hunt was set in March every year, and the autumn hunt in September. The location of each hunt was personally chosen by the emperor. From the prior preparations to the specific implementation process, from the captured prey to the distribution and rewards after the hunt, there was a set of complex etiquettes for each hunting activity, just like a well - planned major military campaign.
For this spring hunt, Sikong Ting had set the location in Qizhou on March 1st, half a month later.
The concubines in the harem and the empress dowager were all to accompany him. Usually, when the emperor went hunting, the concubines would stay in the Yushan Palace in Qizhou. But according to Sikong Ting's intention, it seemed that he hoped Qin Huaiqiu would participate in the spring hunt with him.
Sikong Ting's words made Qin Huaiqiu keep a low profile in the palace for quite a few days. Since the Noble Consort Shu was intimidated by Qin Huaiqiu and dared not cause any trouble for the time being, Qin Huaiqiu paid his respects to the empress dowager dutifully every day. After that, he would return directly to the Kunning Palace from the Cining Palace without going anywhere else. He did this to avoid causing trouble as much as possible and play the role of a small, transparent figure, hoping that Sikong Ting would forget what he had said that night.
Sikong Ting also seemed to be getting busy recently. He almost stayed in the imperial study every night. He attended court and reviewed memorials during the day, and worked on government affairs by the light of a lamp at night. From time to time, he would call in officials from different departments and provinces for discussions.
The two didn't meet each other in the following days. Just when Qin Huaiqiu thought Sikong Ting had already forgotten about this matter, the day before they set off for Qizhou, Xu Xian came to the Kunning Palace with Sikong Ting's oral order.
"Father - in - law... What does it mean that the emperor has summoned this concubine to go directly to the tent to rest?" Qin Huaiqiu's mouth twitched constantly.
Xu Xian smiled and said, "Your Ladyship, the Noble Consort De, you'll be going to Fengquan Hot Spring the second day after arriving at Qishan. It will be too late if you set off from the palace in the early morning of the second day."
"This... Thank you for the reminder, Father - in - law." It seemed that he really couldn't avoid this time. Qin Huaiqiu groaned inwardly but could only agree for the time being.
Xu Xian said, "Then this servant will take his leave."
"Take care, Father - in - law."
After the door of the Kunning Palace was closed, Qin Lan frowned and said, "Young Master, if you really hunt with the emperor in spring, then your identity..."
Qin Huaiqiu naturally understood what Qin Lan meant. If he and Sikong Ting lived in the same tent, seeing each other frequently, his identity would easily be exposed.
Qin Huaiqiu pinched the two sponges on his chest that were barely fixed in place, then turned to Qin Lan and said, "How about you improve this for me?"
That night, Qin Lan sewed a short undershirt for Qin Huaiqiu. She stuffed two sponge balls into it and then sewed up the fabric. Qin Huaiqiu tried it on and nodded in satisfaction. In this way, except when taking a bath at night, even if he took off all his clothes except his underwear, his secret wouldn't be discovered.
The motorcade heading for Qishan was ready to go early in the morning. After the process presided over by the Ministry of Rites was completed, at Sikong Ting's order, the mighty procession walked through Zhuque Street, left the city gate, and headed for Qishan.
The distance to Qishan was neither too far nor too close. If one rode a horse, it would only take half a day to get there. But since there were carriages for the concubines and box after box of goods in the procession, although Liu Jin had been leading the troops to maintain order and ensure the speed, the whole journey was still stretched to an estimated two days.
The concubines couldn't ride horses and could only take carriages. Although Qin Lan had asked Ziyun and Yalan to put many cushions in the carriage, Qin Huaiqiu still felt dizzy from the bumps.
After a hasty lunch at noon, the procession was about to set off again. Qin Huaiqiu was so dizzy that he simply got out of the carriage and walked with the imperial guards beside his carriage.
When the procession reached the foot of the mountain, the road became a bit sloping. A thin and small soldier in heavy armor was out of breath while climbing the slope. He could hardly hold the long spear in his hand steadily. Seeing this, Qin Huaiqiu snatched the long spear from him and waved it in the air a few times. Since he hadn't touched a spear for a long time, he joked that he would help the little soldier hold it. The poor soldier was so frightened that he was about to kneel on the spot. After much persuasion from Qin Huaiqiu, he had to return the spear to the soldier.
As the sun was setting and night was falling, they successfully reached the planned resting place. Liu Jin directed the imperial guards to quickly clear a vacant lot and surround it. Then they began to take turns on guard duty.
The servants started a fire and began to prepare dinner.
The night dew was heavy. After Qin Huaiqiu filled his stomach in his carriage, everyone in the procession began to prepare for rest.
Qin Huaiqiu was a bit excited. This was the first time he had left the palace since he entered it almost a month ago. He was not a person who liked to be restricted. He had been used to running wild outside since childhood. If he had stayed in the palace obediently before because of the danger to the Qin Mansion, then this trip out of the palace completely stirred up his wild nature and made his hands itch.
Since Ziyun and Yalan hadn't come, Qin Huaiqiu discussed with Qin Lan directly in the carriage that he wanted to sneak out and have some fun.
Qin Lan lifted the curtain, took a look, then put it down and whispered, "There are imperial guards standing guard all around. It's not easy to sneak out."
Qin Huaiqiu said, "It's so easy. I'll just say I need to go to the toilet."
Qin Lan twitched the corner of her mouth and said, "There's a spittoon."
Qin Huaiqiu said, "Then I'll say I'm going to empty the spittoon."
Qin Lan slapped the back of his head and said, "You, a Noble Consort De, go to empty the spittoon by yourself?"
Qin Huaiqiu covered the back of his head and whimpered, aggrievedly saying, "Qin Lan..."
Qin Lan simply turned her head and ignored him.
"Qin Lan... Sister Lan... Sister..."
Qin Lan: "..."
"Please, think of a way. I want to go out." Qin Huaiqiu almost stuck his whole body to Qin Lan. Since childhood, he had regarded Qin Lan as his elder sister, and Qin Lan could never resist his coquetry. After several times, Qin Huaiqiu could always handle Qin Lan well.
Qin Lan: "..."
Qin Huaiqiu increased his efforts. He tugged and pinched Qin Lan's sleeve, and then simply hugged her arm. Sure enough, Qin Lan finally couldn't stand his soft - spoken persuasion. She turned to him and said, "Alright, alright... I'll help you, okay?"
The plan worked.
Qin Huaiqiu's eyes sparkled. He pulled Qin Lan's sleeve and asked, "What's your plan?"
Qin Lan thought for a while and said, "Each concubine has a special soldier responsible for her safety during this trip. The young man who has been walking beside our carriage today is the one responsible for protecting you."
She took out a small paper bag from her bosom and said, "I have some sleeping pills here. Later, I'll go and knock him out, and then we can sneak out."
"What about the soldiers on the outer perimeter?" Qin Huaiqiu asked.
Qin Lan smiled and said, "Create a diversion."