第 39 章

“Your Majesty, I must point out that the noble consort wore a bright yellow phoenix robe yesterday. This color is reserved for the empress and is not appropriate for her!” Yan Duo said, clearly upset.

Yan Duo, a princess from the Laku tribe familiar with Zhongyuan customs, was alarmed by the breach of protocol. The bright yellow robe, meant only for the empress, had been worn by the noble consort, which was a serious issue for her.

The emperor, distracted by other matters, didn’t seem to hear her. Yan Duo, worried that the wind might have made it hard for him to hear, hurried to catch up, repeating her concerns.

Kang Yuyi, who was sitting with the emperor, looked at Yan Duo with a mix of envy and interest. She admired Yan Duo’s strong presence and how confidently she rode.

Kang Yuyi’s gaze was misinterpreted by Yan Duo as a challenge or comment, which made Yan Duo even more frustrated. The emperor, having heard her but choosing not to respond, only made things worse.

Seeing the tension and knowing that the noble consort was not angry, the emperor softened. He was used to resolving issues with calmness, especially when it involved his consort. His demeanor relaxed, showing his affection and understanding towards the situation.

“Your Majesty, I want to learn how to ride a horse too,” Kang Yuyi said nervously, holding onto the emperor.

The emperor, noticing her hesitation, smiled gently. “Didn’t you say you were afraid of riding?”

Kang Yuyi, pouting, said, “I am scared, but seeing how skilled Yan Duo is makes me want to try.”

The emperor, amused, agreed to find a gentle pony for her to learn on. He then rode off to the camp with Kang Yuyi in his arms, leaving Yan Duo and her siblings struggling to keep up.

As the sun rose, Kang Yuyi felt hungry again after a big breakfast. She was usually more into sweets and vegetables but couldn’t resist the smell of roasted meat.

The emperor, who enjoyed meat, served Kang Yuyi a piece of crispy lamb. At first, Kang Yuyi was hesitant, but she enjoyed the meat.

Seeing that she was full quickly, the emperor took her to a private tent for a rest. Ready to resume hunting, he was suddenly interrupted by a messenger with urgent news from the capital: “Your Majesty, the crown prince has fallen ill with pox, and the Empress Dowager urgently needs you to return.”

The news shocked both the emperor and Kang Yuyi. Kang Yuyi, worried, asked, “What’s wrong? How is the crown prince?”

The messenger, sweating and anxious, explained, “The crown prince has had a high fever for two nights, and today he started showing signs of pox…”

The emperor’s face grew serious. His concern for the crown prince was evident, and he softened even more because he knew how worried the noble consort was. Without delay, he ordered a swift horse to be prepared. He carefully helped Kang Yuyi onto the horse and then mounted himself. With a few guards, they set off for the capital, determined to return as quickly as possible.

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