Chapter 196: Chapter 195: Concealment
When Du Yunluo said this, Nanyan widened her eyes, but after thinking carefully, she understood the reasoning behind it.
This Ma Dehai has been away for too long.
Lu Chun did not encounter Ma Dehai while feeding the horses with Caiwei, nor did he encounter the person who tampered with Snow Clothes. Otherwise, with Lu Chun’s temperament, seeing Zhu Qian being singled out, he would have pointed out another person for self-preservation.
Loosening Snow Clothes’ horseshoe is not something that can be done in the blink of an eye—it takes at least the time of a burning incense stick.
Ma Dehai missed both Lu Chun and the person tampering with Snow Clothes. Just how long was he away?
Even if nature calls, it seems a bit unjustifiable.
Nanyan quietly informed Du Yunluo, "For Caiwei’s sake, we checked earlier. The steward at the stables transferred everyone away, leaving only Ma Dehai to lead Caiwei and Snow Clothes to the eunuch. The whole process should take no more than a quarter of an hour."
"That means Ma Dehai wasn’t honest," snorted Du Yunluo.
The nobles have gone hunting, leaving only a few horses in the stables. There was no need for cleaning, feeding, or care, leaving Ma Dehai with less work; there’s no excuse to slack off.
As for the smell in the stables, it might be unbearable for those unaccustomed, but Ma Dehai has been guarding the stables long enough that the smell should not bother him.
It’s highly likely that Ma Dehai saw the person tampering with Snow Clothes.
His choice to remain silent—was it self-preservation or had he been bribed?
Du Yunluo recalled Ma Dehai’s demeanor when he entered Princess Yunhua’s tent.
The place was a mess, with two palace maids trembling on their knees, yet he acted as though he hadn’t seen anything, bowing his head to offer greetings.
It seems this clever person was indeed looking after himself?
Thinking this, Du Yunluo instinctively shook her head again.
Ma Dehai was responsible for watching over the stables, and the issue with Snow Clothes was something he couldn’t shirk.
But...
But if everyone thought it was just Du Yunluo’s lack of riding skills, even if it was discovered later that the horseshoe was loose, who could say it was deliberately loosened in the hunting ground’s stables?
Du Yunluo and Princess Nanyan exchanged glances, understanding each other’s thoughts.
There wasn’t a shred of evidence for this matter. Ma Dehai, as a eunuch, could understandably turn a blind eye. In such a place as the palace, hot-blooded righteousness wouldn’t guarantee longevity—turning a blind eye was the way to survive.
One could hardly blame Ma Dehai.
In the end, Du Yunluo wasn’t Princess Yunhua, who could have someone dealt with regardless of evidence.
The two of them went to see Huang Jie together.
Huang Jie was still lying on the couch, her eyes misty, and said, "It’s all my fault, ruining the mood for Princess Rui and Miss Du to ride horses. It’s rare to visit the hunting ground, and I’ve disturbed things."
Du Yunluo sat in the chair beside her, smiling, "I’m worse at riding than you; I already decided not to ride if I could avoid it."
"You and I are different..." Huang Jie sighed mournfully.
Her remark left Du Yunluo speechless.
The Du Family was a family of scholars; Du Yunluo not being able to ride was normal. Anyone who laughed at her would be like mocking a scholar for not composing poetry—utterly unreasonable. But Huang Jie, coming from a military family, was naturally supposed to know how to ride. A general’s daughter unable to ride—now that’s something to be laughed at.
Du Yunluo stopped trying to console her, as continuing would only prove she was speaking without understanding the hardship.
Princess Nanyan couldn’t persuade her either.
Indeed, she was a descendant of a military lineage, but having lost her parents early, she hardly stayed at the General Mansion, spending more time in the deep palace instead. She was a reading companion to the Princess and the legitimate wife of Li Luan; who would dare mock her?
Even Princess Hui, whose eyes were once on top of her head, now had to bow and greet Nanyan with respect, despite previously holding a higher title.
After Huang Jie sighed, though still feeling uneasy, seeing Princess Nanyan and Du Yunluo visit her twice today out of concern, she dared not wallow in self-pity anymore, fearing she might drive them away. She forced herself to cheer up and think of some amusing stories to tell.
But as soon as she spoke, she didn’t know what to say.
Huang Jie didn’t know Du Yunluo or Princess Nanyan well enough to know what they liked to hear. As for her own amusing tales, being constantly under her mother’s watch, she spent all her time studying, leaving little room for leisure.
Her spirits fell again bit by bit.
Du Yunluo didn’t mind either, and the three engaged in intermittent conversation until dusk, dispersing only when the horn sounded.
Before it was completely dark, the group returned to the traveling palace.
Jin Ling was waiting in the courtyard. Seeing Du Yunluo return, she greeted her with a warm smile. However, she was subtly shocked by Huang Jie’s dejected appearance.
Once back in their room, Jin Ling cautiously asked Du Yunluo, "What happened to Miss Huang?"
"Frightened by a startled horse," replied Du Yunluo.
Jin Ling’s face turned pale, "Fortunately, it was just a fright without any injuries—better than anything else. Miss should be extra careful too."
Du Yunluo replied vaguely, still somewhat uneasy about today’s events.
She wanted to probe Ma Dehai’s background.
But as Ma Dehai was a eunuch in the palace, even Princess Nanyan would find it inconvenient to investigate him alone, so Du Yunluo had no choice but to set it aside for now.
The next two days went smoothly without incidents.
Princess Yunhua rode horses with Mu Lianhui, while Princess Nanyan and Du Yunluo wandered around the camp, somewhat relieved.
The setting sun cast long shadows on the ground, the spring sunlight warming them.
The sound of a distant horn caught Du Yunluo’s attention. She glanced at the sky, saying, "Why is it so early today?"
Princess Nanyan looked up, only to see the Holy Emperor riding back, followed by a group of soldiers, yet there was no sight of Li Ke or his brothers.
The two of them walked slightly towards the main tent.
The Holy Emperor dismounted, handing his armor and quiver to the guards as he walked inside. Even though Du Yunluo was at some distance, she could see his slight frown.
"What happened?" Nanyan called over a eunuch and casually asked.
With his head bowed, the eunuch replied, "The Holy Emperor found out Heir Mu arrived, so he returned."
Du Yunluo, who was absorbed in thought, was startled by the news and turned to ask, "Who arrived?"
The eunuch respectfully repeated, "Heir Mu has arrived."
Du Yunluo felt her heart skip a beat.
Wasn’t Mu Lianxiao supposed to be in De’an? Given the situation in De’an, it should take at least ten days to half a month. How did he end up at the hunting ground?
Thinking about the timeline, he probably hadn’t returned to the capital, coming straight from De’an.
The Holy Emperor’s hasty return must be due to news from De’an.
Du Yunluo gazed toward the main tent, not able to see him but aware that he was inside.
With Mu Lianxiao so near, Du Yunluo felt much calmer.
Princess Nanyan, knowing Du Yunluo’s feelings well, stood by her, waiting.
The wait lasted more than half an hour, with the sky darkening and torches lighting up the camp.
From ahead came the sound of hooves, and a soldier charged in on horseback, barely stopping in front of the main tent before rushing inside without waiting for a transmission.
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