sbdcsierra Chapter 1126 A Completely Strange Experience
Chapter 1126 A Completely Strange Experience
A huge bonfire was burning in the center of the camp. The thick pine wood crackled, bursting into tiny sparks, and rising up rolling heat waves, dispelling the chill of the wilderness in late autumn.
The aroma of barbecue mixed with the scent of wine and burning grass filled the cold air.
Whole roe deer, hares, pheasants, etc. are roasted over the fire, with fat dripping into the fire, making an enticing sizzling sound.
The palace servants were busy shuttling back and forth, cutting the roasted, golden, juicy, and fragrant meat into plates, which were then served to the emperor, his relatives, ministers, concubines, and ladies in waiting.
The sound of drums sounded at the right time, rough and rhythmic, with the grandeur of the north.
The accompanying musicians played tunes appropriate to the occasion, adding a touch of wildness and liveliness to the bonfire feast.
The firelight illuminated the faces that were flushed with warmth and alcohol. The tension and fatigue from hunting during the day seemed to melt away at this moment.
Nangong Xuanyu sat upright on the main seat, still in his dark riding uniform. The firelight danced between his deep brows, adding a bit of unruly imperial bearing.
The golden plate in front of him was piled with the freshest venison.
The emperor did not enjoy it immediately, but cut off the most delicious piece with his own hands and placed it on the jade plate of Shen Zhinian beside him.
Shen Zhinian was wrapped in a cloak, the mink fur trim gleaming softly in the firelight, making her face look even more beautiful.
She tilted her head slightly and smiled at the emperor, her eyes full of natural charm.
Shen Zhinian didn't say much, but just picked up the silver chopsticks elegantly and savored the unique gift in small sips.
This intimate gesture, under the flickering flames, silently declared the belonging of the holy favor.
The princess was sitting a little further away, her maroon riding habit looking a little dim in the firelight.
She clenched the wine glass in her hand, looked at the dazzling scene beside the throne, and tried her best to maintain a decent smile on her face, but that smile never really reached her eyes.
The heat from the bonfire hit her face, but it couldn't dispel the sense of loss in Wangpin's heart.
In the daytime, I used my riding clothes to win His Majesty's brief attention, but in the face of Concubine Chen's silent favor, it seemed so ridiculous...
Xuanpin held her beloved mother-of-pearl sandalwood five-string pipa and plucked it lightly with her fingertips. The clear and ethereal notes rolled down like pearls and jade, blending ingeniously with the drum music, adding a touch of elegance to this rough night.
Amidst the crowd of ladies, Shen Nanqiao sat alone in the shadow of a corner.
The barbecue in front of her was almost untouched, and the chill of late autumn was not dispelled by the campfire in front of her.
Her fingers unconsciously stroked the cold jade hairpin in her hair, the pearls at the end of the hairpin dim in the shadow of the firelight.
Shen Nanqiao's gaze pierced through the dancing flames and the noisy crowd, and was fixed on the figure beside the throne wrapped in endless glory.
The overwhelming hatred churning in her chest almost swallowed her up!
Lin Wan sat among a group of ladies, sipping warm wine elegantly, while her eyes swept over Shen Nanqiao in the corner calmly.
Seeing the resentment that was about to overflow from her eyes, Lin Wan's lips curved up slightly, with a hint of indifference and sarcasm that seemed to see through everything.
This chess piece can no longer be restrained.
Duke Dingguo sat at the table of nobles, slowly cutting the roast meat on the plate. The dancing firelight cast bright and dark shadows on his wrinkled face.
Those shrewd eyes occasionally raised up, and their sinister gaze was like an owl circling in the night sky, accurately sweeping over the emperor on the throne and Concubine Chen beside him.
Then he swept his eyes across the faces illuminated by the campfire, some of which were excited, some flattering, and some with different thoughts in mind.
He twisted the wine glass with a faint sneer on his lips.
The embers of the bonfire flickered in the late autumn night breeze, and the last whiff of the aroma of the barbecue was also dissipated by the biting cold.
The noise faded and the paddock fell into silence.
The various tents cast dark shadows in the moonlight, and the armor of the night guards occasionally collided, making dull sounds.
The princess has changed into her palace dress. Her carefully drawn eyebrows and eyes are still gorgeous in the residual light of the torch, and there is a hint of determination in her eyes!
She knew how much His Majesty doted on Concubine Chen, but no matter how delicious the food was, one would get tired of it if he ate it every day.
During the day at the hunting ground, she clearly saw the flash of surprise in His Majesty's eyes when she changed into riding clothes.
So...will His Majesty summon her to sleep with him tonight?
However... Li Changde did not walk towards Wang Pin's tent.
He walked through the camp with steady steps and stopped with a clear purpose in front of the luxurious tent, which was second only to the imperial tent in size and embroidered with intricate patterns of phoenixes and auspicious clouds.
"Empress Chen."
Li Changde's voice was not loud, but very respectful: "Your Majesty has ordered that you move to the imperial tent."
Fuqiu lifted a corner of the curtain from the inside, and Shen Zhinian's azure blue skirt drew a soft arc in the dim light.
She didn't say much, just nodded slightly, took Fuqiu's hand, and walked out calmly.
The moonlight of late autumn sprinkled on her calm face, and her charming fox eyes were calm, as if she was just going to an ordinary appointment.
Wang Pin had been paying attention to the movements outside. The smug smile on her face froze in an instant, and the blood color faded away.
All the attention he had received during the day was completely extinguished by the icy water that poured down on his head, leaving only the bone-chilling cold and embarrassment...
She watched Shen Zhinian's figure, under the silent protection of the imperial guards, walk step by step towards the bright yellow imperial tent that symbolized supreme grace, and disappear behind the thick brocade curtain.
Inside the royal tent.
The scent of ambergris was stronger than that of the day, dispelling the chill of the late autumn enclosure. The huge space was lit by candlelight, making the golden lines of the dragon on the tent wall sparkle.
Nangong Xuanyu had taken off his dark riding clothes and was wearing only dark clothes. He also took off his golden crown and let his black hair hang loose. Compared to the daytime, he looked less solemn and more lazy.
Shen Zhinian bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
"No gift."
Nangong Xuanyu was not sitting behind the imperial desk, but leaning on a soft couch covered with thick white tiger skin, and stretched out his hand towards her.
Shen Zhinian stood up and placed his hand in the emperor's broad and warm palm.
He exerted a little force, and she fell into the soft couch beside him. It felt soft and thick, completely different from the carved hardwood beauty couch in the palace, with a wild and rough feeling.
"This place..."
Nangong Xuanyu chuckled, and naturally wrapped his arms around Shen Zhinian's waist, pulling her into his arms.
His chin rested on the top of her fragrant hair, and the hot breath he exhaled when he spoke tickled her ears: "It's more comfortable than in the palace."
Shen Zhinian looked around the emperor's temporary residence.
The luminous pearls hanging from the ceiling of the tent emit a soft halo. Although the furnishings inside the tent are luxurious, it appears spacious due to the open space.
The air smelled of leather, dust, and warm incense, a completely unfamiliar experience.