The young man named Cui Xu said calmly: "I am not feeling well, so my stepfather asked my mother to hire a carriage just for me, so I won't ride with my brother Jiao!"

Cui Simin snorted coldly and rode away!

Soon, carriage teams from various noble families gathered outside the city gate. The lineup was huge and the scene was extremely spectacular.

The girls rode on brightly-colored horses, dressed in colorful riding clothes, and chatted and laughed with each other.

The young masters sat in the richly decorated carriages, and from time to time they would lift up the curtains embroidered with exquisite flower and bird patterns and stick their heads out, which was overwhelming.

At this time, an old woman on the side of the road looked at the team ahead and said with emotion: "The annual autumn hunting feast is really extraordinary."

The aunt beside him responded, "Of course. It is a great honor for our family to go to the enclosure with His Majesty, ride horses and hunt, and grill meat over a fire."

"My youngest daughter happens to be the eldest princess's guard. This time she is going hunting with the eldest princess. I don't know if it will be dangerous!"

The old woman smiled and said, "What's the danger? There aren't any ferocious animals in the Xichuan enclosure. There are only wild boars, roe deer and the like!"

The discussion on the official road continued, but it had no effect on the people in the car.

...

Song Xiang hasn't set off yet. She spent time with Nong Yue last night and got up a little later.

Without even having time to eat breakfast, she called Ning Lu over and gave her detailed instructions, asking her to take good care of the safety of the men.

Then she changed into a red riding outfit and took Skylark to catch up with the main group.

It took Song Xiang a while to catch up with them after a cup of tea.

The team in front was very spectacular, raising a cloud of dust wherever they passed.

After walking for half a day, everyone finally arrived at the Xichuan enclosure.

Xichuan Weichang is a vast area surrounded by green trees, stretching all the way to the foot of the mountain.

As the breeze blows, the grass undulates like waves, dotted with various wild flowers, colorful like a gorgeous painting.

From the foot of the mountain to the west, there are rolling hills, and the lush trees seem to cover the mountains with a green cloak.

In the azure sky, white clouds float leisurely and birds fly by from time to time.

After arriving at the tent, the empress, together with the emperor and empress, went to the banquet table built nearby.

Other palace ministers followed behind him.

After everyone was seated, the chief eunuch shouted, "Your Majesty has ordered you to take time off from your duties to hold the autumn hunting ceremony this autumn. This is to carry on the great tradition, so you are touring Xichuan and hosting the autumn hunting feast. This is a family tradition of our dynasty, so it is to cultivate military skills and win over the vassal states. It is a far-reaching intention."

"In the next three days, all the nobles and ladies can go hunting. In a peaceful world, only by riding horses and hunting can we be prepared for danger in times of peace and remember the brave and warlike nature of our dynasty."

"Now, I hereby declare that the autumn hunting feast will begin..."

As soon as the eunuch chief finished speaking, the crowd cheered: "Long live His Majesty, long live His Majesty, long, long live His Majesty!"

"Everyone is safe!"

The empress sat majestically on the main seat and waved to the chief eunuch. After the chief eunuch gave the order, the servants brought in fine wine and delicious food like flowing water.

The banquet table was very long. As a royal princess, Song Xiang naturally sat on the east side. In front of her sat the eldest princess and the second princess.

But she did not pay too much attention to it. Instead, she looked back, searching for Shu Xing from time to time. However, there were too many princes, ministers, and noble ladies and gentlemen. Song Xiang could not find Shu Xing after searching for a long time and had to give up.

After the banquet, it was already evening.

Everyone returned to their tents to rest, and only a few noble ladies rode their horses and galloped and played in the paddock.

Song Xiang rode a Arabian horse, wearing a gorgeous red riding suit with fluttering sleeves.

The riding suit was embroidered with delicate phoenix patterns in gold thread, and she wore a jewel-studded belt around her waist, which made her slender waist more prominent.

She wore a light blue phoenix crown, and the gems and pearls on the crown made her even more beautiful and eye-catching, making people unable to take their eyes off her.

Song Xiang returned happily to her tent. She gently took off the phoenix crown and placed it on the table beside her. Her jet-black hair fell like a waterfall.

Upon seeing this, Yutou hurriedly combed Song Xiang's hair into a simple bun, then tied her hair up high and crowned it with a jade crown.

After walking back to the couch, Song Xiang lifted the collar of his robe and shouted to the guards outside the tent, "Come here!"

A guard came in, clasped his fists and asked, "What do you want, Your Highness?"

Song Xiang frowned slightly and said in an urgent tone: "Go quietly and find out where the tent of Minister of Rites Qian Yinshu is. Don't let anyone find you."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

After receiving the order, the guard left quickly.

Song Xiang paced back and forth in the tent, his heart full of anxiety.

After a long time, the guard finally came back to report.

"Your Highness, that Minister Qian is in a small tent on the west side."

Yun Que coughed lightly and asked the guard, "Do you know where the Qian family's young master is camping?"

The guard immediately replied respectfully: "In the tent next to Master Qian!"

Hearing this, Song Xiang smiled happily: "Very good, avoid others and bring him to my tent."

"Skylark, go and ask the chef in the imperial kitchen to make some cakes and send them over!"

"I will obey your orders!"

Soon, Shu Xing was taken to Song Xiang's tent by the guards.

Shu Xing was wearing a moon-white robe with a blue ribbon tied around his waist. He had an upright figure, handsome face, and an air of natural beauty.

Song Xiang naturally took Shuxing's hand and pulled him to the tiger-skin couch.

"Xiangxiang, I'm afraid this isn't appropriate." Shuxing took a step back, looking slightly nervous.

"What's wrong? I haven't seen you for a few days and you seem to be a stranger to me." Song Xiang said angrily and pulled Shu Xing to sit down.

After a while, servants brought in various cakes and pastries and filled the long table.

Shuxing said awkwardly: "Xiangxiang, I've had my meal!"

Song Xiang smiled and explained, "These are made by the chefs in the imperial kitchen. You can try them as a midnight snack."

"Xiangxiang, there are too many people in the paddock. If Mr. Xin finds out that we are alone together, it will ruin your marriage. Xiangxiang, I'd better go back." Shuxing said with a worried look on his face.

"It's okay! If he knows, it's no big deal." Song Xiang looked at him lovingly and said softly, "If he can't accept you, then don't get married!"

"No!" Shu Xing was anxious and tried to persuade him, "The Empress has her own reasons for letting you marry him. Don't refuse the marriage because of me!"

"Xiangxiang, I just feel good knowing that you have me in your heart!" Shuxing said affectionately.

As the two were talking in a heart-to-heart talk, the Emperor and Empress Wang Chuzhong suddenly sent someone to call Song Xiang.

Song Xiang tidied his clothes, gave Shu Xing a few instructions, and hurried to the emperor and empress's tent.

The emperor and empress were dressed in purple palace dresses and sat upright in the tent, looking majestic without even being angry.

"Greetings, Father." Song Xiang bowed respectfully.

"Get up." The Empress looked at Song Xiang and said lovingly, "My son, have you seen Master Xin today?"

Song Xiang shook his head.

The emperor and empress were angry at her for not fighting back and said, "Do you know how many people are eyeing this marriage? If you don't spend more time with him, how can you please him?"

"Tomorrow, you will hunt a live goose and give it to him in front of all the noble ladies. Then we can finalize the marriage!"

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