The spring hunt was scheduled for February 14th, when the spring frost was just beginning to thaw and the weather was still chilly yet promising warmth. It was the perfect time for hunting.
The winter jasmine flowers were in full bloom, clustering together. The bright yellow blossoms were incredibly charming.
However, Lin Qiao wasn't in a good mood.
In the past few days, Luo Nanchen always came to her with his quilt to sleep.
It was just sleeping.
But, it wasn't entirely innocent...
Although Luo Nanchen kept calling her "Empress Dowager" with his mouth, his hands were far from being well - behaved. One hand would hug her, and the other would hold her waist. He would even kiss her forehead when she was about to fall asleep.
Lin Qiao would be immediately awakened by his actions, and then she would lose all her drowsiness.
Such behavior didn't seem quite appropriate even in the 21st century.
As a result, she had failed to get a good sleep for several days.
Lin Qiao thought that this so - called son of hers, Luo Nanchen, was a bit off - track. He seemed to have an Oedipus complex towards her.
Although she wasn't sure if he was really on the wrong path, Lin Qiao couldn't afford to be careless.
To make up for the lack of education during Luo Nanchen's adolescence and to ensure that he didn't go astray, Lin Qiao found some orthodox, heart - touching, and soul - stirring historical facts and told them to Luo Nanchen as bedtime stories, one story each night.
Surprisingly, Luo Nanchen listened with great interest.
However, it didn't seem to have any effect on correcting Luo Nanchen's wrong perception of love. Because after he listened to the stories, he really just listened and showed no reaction.
Moreover, sometimes, she would fall asleep before finishing the story.
Seeing that Luo Nanchen still came to the Palace of Everlasting Joy for meals and sleep with enthusiasm and that her efforts had no effect, Lin Qiao decided to take a more drastic measure. "Emperor Yang of Sui once said, 'Those who gave birth to me and those I gave birth to are off - limits. Other than them, there are no restrictions.' Look, even Emperor Yang of Sui knew about propriety and morality."
She didn't continue, afraid of hurting Luo Nanchen's self - esteem.
Unexpectedly, Luo Nanchen looked calm. "Oh, are you the one who gave birth to me or the one I gave birth to?"
Lin Qiao: "..."
Luo Nanchen pressed on. "Since you're neither, then there are no restrictions."
Lin Qiao: "..."
She felt a bit desperate. She didn't have the power, couldn't beat Luo Nanchen, and now couldn't even out - argue him. If Luo Nanchen really went astray, what should she do...
Finally, the day of the spring hunt arrived, but Lin Qiao still couldn't cheer up.
Thankfully, with all the civil and military officials around, Luo Nanchen wouldn't dare to come to her with his quilt to sleep.
Even better, during this spring hunt, Luo Nanchen would get injured, and the female protagonist, Li Yingmeng, would appear. Then they would fall in love and be together happily ever after.
As long as she could hold on until then, it would be like her son had finally grown up, and she could happily retire without any worries!
Thinking of this, the corners of Lin Qiao's mouth finally lifted slightly.
But she forgot that on the Lantern Festival, Luo Nanchen hadn't even met Li Yingmeng. So how could there be a story of falling in love?
Logically, as the emperor, Luo Nanchen should lead the civil and military officials at the front, while as the empress dowager, Lin Qiao should be protected by the imperial guards and walk at the back.
Unexpectedly, just as Lin Qiao's mood started to improve and she lifted the curtain of the sedan chair to look at the scenery outside, she saw Luo Nanchen riding a horse leisurely beside her sedan chair.
Lin Qiao: "..."
The corners of her mouth drooped again.
Luo Nanchen looked innocent and concerned. "Empress Dowager, are you in a bad mood?"
Lin Qiao angrily closed the curtain of the sedan chair. After closing it, she still felt unsatisfied. So she opened it again and then slammed it shut.
She had to make some noise to feel relieved.
Seeing this, Luo Nanchen was not annoyed at all. Instead, he felt happy.
Lin Qiao was throwing a little tantrum at him. How cute...
Moreover, those who could see Lin Qiao throwing a tantrum must be very close to her. The more Luo Nanchen thought about it, the better he felt. Luo Nanchen, who usually showed no expression in front of his ministers, rarely showed a smile today.
The hunting ground was a place of beautiful scenery. Such a wonderful time and place shouldn't be wasted.
Since Lin Qiao had come, she naturally wanted to join in the fun. She also asked for a horse, took Lin Qi with her, and headed straight into the mountains.
The forest was quiet. Lin Qi, who usually didn't talk much, spoke up. "Your Ladyship, it's better for you to stay away from the emperor."
Lin Qiao was a bit surprised that Lin Qi took the initiative to talk to her. "Why?"
Lin Qi turned his head away. "It's nothing. It's just that your actions will invite gossips."
Lin Qiao smiled. "Don't worry. I know where to draw the line."
It was just that this line was always crossed by Luo Nanchen, either forcefully or stubbornly. She just couldn't resist him.
She also knew why Lin Qi was reminding her of this now. When they were in the palace, Luo Nanchen always clung to her. He even asked Mo Xiujie to move the memorials from the Hall of Diligent Government to the Palace of Everlasting Joy.
Even just now on the road, Luo Nanchen was always beside her carriage.
Lin Qiao knew her own personality. Logically, with Luo Nanchen always by her side and refusing to leave, she should be annoyed. But she only realized it now.
It turned out that she had never been annoyed by Luo Nanchen, and Luo Nanchen had already penetrated into her life...
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager."
It was Mo Xiujie's voice.
Lin Qiao turned her horse's head to look, and sure enough, Luo Nanchen had also come.
Today, Luo Nanchen was dressed in a black form - fitting outfit, which showed off his slender waist. His eyes were firm and bright, as if there were stars twinkling in them. His face had distinct features, with a straight nose. He was imposing and looked very handsome on his horse.
He was very different from Mo Xiujie beside him.
It wasn't that Mo Xiujie was not good - looking. It was just that Mo Xiujie was winking at Lin Qi, and his facial features were a bit distorted.
Seeing that Lin Qi didn't understand his intention, Mo Xiujie directly reached out his hand, bent down to lead Lin Qi's horse, and dragged Lin Qi away.
Lin Qi's face turned ashen. "What on earth do you want to do?!"
Mo Xiujie looked innocent. "Didn't I signal you just now? Don't disturb our emperor and your empress dowager."
Lin Qi flung his sleeve. "I ignored you precisely because I knew that."
"Oh, you're being unreasonable. Hey, why are you getting physical? Hey, you're really hitting me..."
First, Mo Xiujie was winking, and then Lin Qi was getting angry and hitting. Lin Qiao thought these two were acting strangely. "Hey, what are they doing?"
Luo Nanchen glanced at the "fighting scene" between the two and said calmly, "Oh, just bonding."
Lin Qiao knew that Luo Nanchen was just talking nonsense and ignored him.
Luo Nanchen then said, "Can you ride? I can teach you."
Lin Qiao curled her lips. "Do I need your teaching?"
"It's okay if you don't need me."
Luo Nanchen smiled and calmly kicked the leg of Lin Qiao's horse.
The horse was startled, raised its head, and started to run wildly. In the chaos, Lin Qiao couldn't see anything clearly.
By the time Lin Qiao came to her senses, she was already on Luo Nanchen's horse.