Zhao Jiaqi refused outright, answering crisply, "We're out here for a rare outing, so you go and enjoy yourselves. I won't tag along. I'll just wait for you to come back from hunting and eat meat then!"
She had no martial arts skills, wasn't a good rider, and had short legs. If she encountered large animals, she wouldn't be able to escape. She figured it was best to just wander around the periphery and pick some wild vegetables or flowers. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Alright, let's see if we can catch more foxes this year. I'll make you a grand cloak to ward off the cold then!"
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled. It didn't matter if they could catch anything; her husband's intention was enough. She didn't ask for anything more.
After breakfast, the men gathered on the training ground. Once the Emperor finished his speech, the horse-mounted men charged into the woods.
Pingting skipped over then, completely unconcerned about her unborn child. She grabbed Zhao Jiaqi and said, "Brother Emperor said that whoever catches the most prey today will be rewarded with a luminous pearl, said to be bigger than a fist!"
According to Pingting, it was indeed quite large. The Emperor had offered a grand prize this time.
Zhao Jiaqi verbally warned her, "If you want a luminous pearl, have Fan Lao'er go for it. You're still pregnant, so stay put these few days. No causing trouble!"
Pingting nodded vigorously, agreeing readily, but her heart and feet had a mind of their own. She tugged Zhao Jiaqi towards the woods!
"Eldest sister-in-law, let's just stick to the outskirts and see if we can catch some rabbits or chickens. If not, we can pick some wild vegetables. Fan Lao'er said your mushroom soup is delicious, and I've never had it!"
Zhao Jiaqi, dragged along by her, stumbled towards the woods. "If you want to eat it, can't you just have the maids pick some? You're still... Come on, let's go back!"
"We're already here. It would be too stifling not to play around a bit. Come on, eldest sister-in-law, we'll stay in this area. I promise not to go far!"
The spot Pingting indicated was only a few hundred meters from the camp, on the edge of the forest. They could still vaguely see the people at the camp from where they stood.
Seeing her acting like a child, Zhao Jiaqi didn't want to dampen her spirits. It wasn't easy to come out and participate in group activities. The main thing was to be happy.
"Pingting, there aren't many rabbits or chickens around here. Why don't we pick some wild vegetables and make wild vegetable soup or dumplings when we get back!"
Zhao Jiaqi noticed there were still quite a few wild vegetables on the ground, and they were fresh. She thought of cold-dressed wild vegetables and wild vegetable porridge, simple foods she hadn't eaten since their family's conditions improved.
"Okay, anything you make, sister-in-law, will definitely be delicious. Let's pick a lot then!"
The two squatted on the ground, picking wild vegetables as they chatted and laughed. Zhao Jiaqi also took the opportunity to educate Pingting about wild vegetables.
Some wild vegetables could reduce inflammation, be eaten raw with dipping sauce, or their roots could be steeped in water, and so on, all while danger stealthily approached.
Only when the shadows on the ground lengthened did the two realize two figures in black had appeared behind them. With cold gazes fixed on them, they raised their daggers and lunged.
Zhao Jiaqi shoved Pingting aside. Both of them rolled in opposite directions, narrowly evading the sharp blades.
Seeing this, the black-clad figures each pursued one of them. The two ran while screaming for help. Perhaps they were too far away, as no one at the camp noticed.
Zhao Jiaqi's mind was in a daze. Glancing sideways at the approaching figures, she quickly ducked to avoid a dagger thrust. Her foot slipped, and she tumbled downwards, rolling at a speed that disoriented her.
She staggered to her feet and, seeing the black-clad figures relentlessly pursuing her, could only run deeper into the dense woods.
She needed to find a place to hide. Fortunately, the wild grass in the woods was tall, and when she crouched down, she was difficult to spot.
Looking at the surrounding wild grass, Zhao Jiaqi had a sudden idea. She took off her conspicuous purple cloak, threw it on the ground, set her escape direction, and then ran in the opposite direction. Using the grass and trees for cover, she temporarily evaded pursuit.
Zhao Jiaqi looked up and sighed!
Where was this?
Where was she?
Weren't those people hunting in the woods?
She had entered the woods, so why hadn't she seen anyone?
She couldn't even hear any voices?
But she couldn't afford to worry about that. Relying on her instincts, she ran in the direction Pingting had fled, hoping the girl was quick-witted and wouldn't get into any trouble.
With wolves in front and tigers behind, Zhao Jiaqi felt besieged for the first time. As she anxiously searched, someone suddenly appeared behind her and clapped her on the shoulder, scaring the life out of her.
"Eldest sister-in-law, over here!"
It was Pingting?
Zhao Jiaqi turned around and saw her. Her legs turned to jelly. She really wanted to pinch her twice. Even at this moment, she was still scaring her!
"Eldest sister-in-law, there's a small hole here, covered with wild grass outside. The entrance is hidden by wild grass, so you can't see it!"
Pingting pointed to a slightly raised area. Zhao Jiaqi looked closely. This wasn't just covered with wild grass; it was clearly a grave. The tomb mound was covered with grass, and the surroundings were filled with wild grass, all mixed together. It was indeed what she saw as a "small hole."
Anyone with sense would know this was an abandoned grave!
She wondered if there were any ghosts here!
Only a princess, who had never seen such a thing, could be so oblivious. It seemed she had either been too well protected by the Imperial Consort or too doted upon by the Emperor!
Pingting, thinking her sister-in-law was excited, directly pulled her inside and then fussed with the wild grass outside. She then squatted inside. It was only big enough for two people; if there was one more, there wouldn't be enough room.
Zhao Jiaqi scanned her surroundings. In the dim light, she saw the true nature of their hiding place.
The surrounding area was dirt. Above her head... looking at the rotten, broken wooden stakes, it seemed to be... the lid of a coffin. So, the place she was sitting in was... bones?
The thought sent a chill down her spine. The cold wind blowing from below her buttocks made her shiver. She felt like crying, but couldn't. Were they, in a sense, occupying someone else's nest?
In the depths of the mountains, who had died and been buried here?
No matter how much Zhao Jiaqi thought, she couldn't understand, let alone figure out who had sent the black-clad assailants.
Zhao Jiaqi, with a lingering fear of the place, grabbed Pingting. "Pingting, as soon as it gets dark, we need to get out of here and hurry back to the camp!"
Pingting wanted to leave even more. "Mm-hmm, this is too damn exciting! I've never been in an assassination attempt in my life. When we get back, I'll definitely ask Brother Emperor to investigate thoroughly!"
It wasn't just the first time being chased; hiding in a grave and sitting on someone's bones was also a first for Zhao Jiaqi.
But Zhao Jiaqi didn't dare to say anything, fearing she would scare Pingting further. Fortunately, the bones had sunk into the earth, otherwise, if she had touched them and pulled out a bone...
Her scalp tingled. She quickly asked Pingting, "Do you know which direction the camp is?"
Pingting blinked her confused eyes and shook her head. "Don't you know, sister-in-law?"
Know my foot!
The two looked at each other, both deflated.