klisemfg Chapter 62 Your Highness truly has a knack for managing your husband!
Chapter 62 Your Highness truly has a knack for managing your husband!
When Lin Shiming, who had been forcibly coaxed to sleep, finally came out of the room, it was already 7:00 AM the next day.
If the ceremony announcing the start of the spring hunt hadn't begun at exactly 9:00 AM, he would have been late and absent.
Even though he got up much later, when Lu Yuxi led Lin Shiming down the mountain to the venue for the grand ceremony, Lin Shiming's legs were still weak and he kept yawning.
As the two passed by the courtyard of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, they happened to bump into Lin Shihe and Ji Tiao, who were just stepping out of the courtyard gate.
After a casual greeting, Lin Shihe's scrutinizing gaze lingered on Lin Shiming's neck.
"I happen to have something to discuss with you two. Please allow me to speak with you in the courtyard."
Lin Shiming scratched his neck blankly, his still dazed mind unable to process what was happening. Lin Shihe's eyes darkened, and he simply stepped forward and kicked Lin Shiming into the yard.
At the same time, Ji Tiao, who was standing beside Lin Shi, smiled calmly, gave an elegant curtsy, and turned back to the courtyard. He just happened to grab Lin Shiming by the collar, who was staggering with weak legs, and prevented him from being kicked to the ground.
Lu Yuxi's outstretched hand froze in place. Lin Shiming stood up unsteadily, patting his heart with lingering fear.
"Sister-in-law, you've got skills too!" Lin Shiming exclaimed in surprise. "And you and my brother are so in sync!"
Ji Tiao smiled gently.
Lin Shihe's gaze fell on Lu Yuxi again. Lu Yuxi smiled awkwardly and quickly stepped into the courtyard.
It seems this brother-in-law doesn't have a very good temper either!
They all entered the courtyard, and the gate was closed.
A short while later, the courtyard gate opened again. Lin Shiming emerged, his neck smeared with powder, looking at Lu Yuxi, who was avoiding his gaze, with a face full of embarrassment and annoyance.
"You did a good job!"
Touching her nose, Lu Yuxi said guiltily, "I really didn't notice!"
Lin Shiming didn't believe it at all.
"Alright, hurry up and go, are you really going to be late?" Lin Shihe and Ji Tiao came out from behind the two of them, urging them to hurry up and leave.
Lin Shiming snorted at Lu Yuxi, raised his head, and swaggered forward.
Lin Shihe shook his head and spoke to Lu Yuxi, who was still standing there.
"Your Highness should be more careful in the future. I don't care how you usually behave, but for such a big occasion as today, it's best not to leave such obvious marks, otherwise you'll both lose face."
Lu Yuxi nodded awkwardly.
*
Although we arrived at the ceremony a bit late, at least we didn't miss anything.
Emperor Longyun also glanced at the two of them up and down, then told them to get ready without saying anything more.
At 9:00 AM, melodious horns resounded through the sky, and the grand ceremony began.
The spring hunting ceremony is not as solemn as the ancestral worship ceremony; its main style is majestic and exciting.
Below the stage, the soldiers occasionally shouted loudly. On the stage, Lin Shiming and Lu Yuxi stood behind Emperor Longyun with an awkward smile, receiving continuous stares from countless pairs of bright eyes below the stage.
In front of the two, Emperor Longyun was holding a wine cup, enthusiastically and endlessly praising the Tingyun Army and the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion. When he got excited, he even raised his arms and shouted. Lin Shihe, who was usually calm and composed, had a distorted face. Lin Shiming, who was already uncomfortable in every way on the stage, was so ashamed that he clenched his toes on the ground, wishing he could evaporate on the spot.
No, is it appropriate for an emperor to praise his subjects like this at a hunting ceremony? Besides, could you please tone it down a bit? Your choice of words is frightening me!
But Emperor Longyun obviously couldn't hear Lin Shiming's thoughts, although even if he had, he wouldn't have cared.
After a short while, Emperor Longyun finally finished his list of praises and was satisfied. He swallowed hard to clear his throat, then called Lu Yuxi and Lin Shiming, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, to the front.
Lin Shiming suddenly had a bad feeling.
"My lords, this is the second young master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion whom you all admire. As you all know, he has now married my crown prince and become his crown princess."
A blush rose on Lu Yuxi's face, and she raised her head with a hint of arrogance.
Lin Shiming: !!!
I knew you had bad intentions!
"I am very pleased that I have the son of the Duke of Zhenguo, whom all of you respect, as my daughter-in-law! It must be because of my wisdom and courage, and my Crown Prince's bravery and resourcefulness, that the Duke of Zhenguo, a family that has stood for a century and made outstanding contributions, is willing to marry their son to the Crown Prince, and that the young general of the Tingyun Army is so fond of the Crown Prince. Don't you all agree?"
The soldiers below the stage shouted, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Long live Your Majesty!"
Lin Shiming's face turned red, and he forced a smile.
Inner thoughts: *$*&￥%
Lin Shihe, sitting in the audience, gritted his teeth and cursed inwardly: You old fox! No wonder you praised my family for so long, you were just waiting for this! Spreading rumors right in front of me!
I was just helping them cover up the marks on their necks. Just wait, I'll fan the flames of my crazy brother in a minute, and he'll make sure they regret it!
"...I will not say any more. The spring hunt will now begin. All of you may give it your all to compete for the ultimate victory."
After speaking, Emperor Longyun took the bow and arrow that Li An presented, raised his hand and drew the bowstring taut. A flash of light streaked across the sky and shot down an eagle that the guards below the stage had just released.
The eagle has fallen, and the spring hunt has officially begun.
*
The six arts of a gentleman are rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics, and archery was originally one of them.
Especially during the Changping Dynasty, when many rules were quite novel, there was a great deal of attention paid to the martial prowess and military skills of officials, both in and out of the court.
From the very beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, there was a requirement that all officials promoted to the fourth rank or above must have served a year in the military on the frontier. This was certainly not to give civil officials the opportunity to lead troops or interfere in military affairs, but simply to have them spend a year on the front lines as ordinary soldiers.
While you won't actually be sent to the front lines, you'll still need to participate in daily training and logistical work. Most importantly, you must make them participate in three battlefield cleanup and civilian reassurance missions throughout the year.
This was to ensure that, should war break out in the future, the civil officials in the court would not be mere armchair strategists who would meddle in military affairs and make irresponsible remarks. It was also a means to strengthen ties between the two sides and enhance the loyalty and patriotism of the officials of the Changping Dynasty.
Therefore, during the two annual hunts, many court officials would also participate. They didn't care about ranking; it was simply a good way to relax, ride horses, and perhaps hunt some animals as gifts for the women in their families.
There are also some spirited young women and ladies who will be participating today. Even Emperor Longyun's concubines are included, although many of them are only there to curry favor with him.
Lin Shiming naturally wouldn't associate with those who only played the game. He quickly led two wolves and rode the Akhal-Teke horse he'd stolen from Lu Yuxi into the ranks of the generals. While this Akhal-Teke horse wasn't as capable as Lin Shiming's own warhorse, which resembled a modern Arabian horse, it was undeniably beautiful!
Lin Shiming was too lazy to wear armor even for a hunting trip, so this horse was perfect. It was slender and powerful, with a handsome appearance, perfectly matching the (in his own opinion) flawless image of the young general.
The military officers also gave Lin Shiming face and gathered around him, marveling at his feat.
"Your Highness, where did you get this horse? Didn't His Majesty cherish this priceless steed like the apple of his eye? How could he bear to let you ride it out today?"
Lin Shiming, head held high and chest puffed out, said smugly, "This belongs to the Crown Prince; I snatched it!"
Everyone exclaimed in admiration, "Your Highness truly has a knack for managing your husband!"
Lin Shiming was even happier by the praise. Ignoring the implication that their words implied that he was being referred to as "wife," he immediately rode around on his horse, beaming with pride and looking very pleased with himself.
"This little wolf is quite spirited! No wonder he's our young general, so valiant!"
Lin Shiming raised his chin and directed Lin Ha and Lin Qi to leap back and forth several times. Lin Qi even caught a bird that had come to watch the fun from a distance.
This meal wasn't a waste of time, and the weight gain wasn't for nothing!
The crowd showered Lin Shiming with compliments, making him extremely happy.
It wasn't until Lin Shihe, who was some distance away, couldn't stand Lin Shiming's conceited manner as he was being praised by everyone, rode over and glared at him that Lin Shiming shut his mouth, shrank back, and quietly led his two wolves back to Lu Yuxi's side.
Emperor Longyun was also going to participate today, and Lu Yuxi and several princes and relatives naturally had to accompany him. Lin Shiming didn't want to be with these unenthusiastic people, so he sneaked off to the military officers' quarters.
Seeing Lin Shiming being scolded by his brother from afar, Lu Yuxi was overjoyed.
"Why are you back?"
Lin Shiming snorted, "Stop pretending, you definitely saw it!"
Lu Yuxi chuckled, guiding her horse closer to Lin Shiming, then said in a low voice, "You can ride with us today, and I'll accompany you on a horseback ride alone tomorrow so you can have a great time."
Lin Shiming's eyes lit up immediately. "Really?"
"Yes. Tomorrow, Father will accompany Mother on horseback riding alone, and I will accompany you too."