History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 86 Zhao Zhi snatches the bracelet

It was truly agonizing every moment. Yuan Heng hadn't slept well all night and was now very sleepy. He mumbled, "This time I'm back, I'm not going to mess around with you anymore. I need to study hard so I can hunt with dignity in the future."

"Hmm, Chilai." Haiye Ren was so sleepy that his eyes rolled back.

Zhao Zhi heard the commotion as she passed by the grain cart. She signaled to the guards to keep quiet and went back to find the curator and Confucius.

Soon after, the ground shook, and the Cui family's troops set off. The grain cart where the two boys were hiding also moved, and Yuan Heng finally breathed a sigh of relief, his eyelids drooping as he fell into a deep sleep.

The people of the city called upon their friends and companions, crowding around the warriors' procession, their cheers resounding through the heavens. The primary schools along the street, unable to hold classes, were given a half-hour break to allow the children to enjoy the spectacle before returning to school.

The state school was close to the government office, so this was naturally the case.

Hu Wuwu was going to Cui Academy tomorrow, but after her wish was fulfilled, her satisfaction immediately faded. Especially after seeing many young women of similar age in the hunting party, each of them looking majestic and being sung and praised by the frantically chasing crowd, Hu Wuwu regretted her decision even more.

She couldn't imagine how carefree and proud she would be if she were in a hunting party.

What she regretted was that her father should have first asked the Pingcheng magistrate to let her participate in this grand hunt. She was good at riding and archery, and she would definitely have gained attention during the hunt, thus accumulating a reputation. Then it would have been easier for her to apply to Cui Academy.

Alas, one wrong step leads to a series of misfortunes.

The warriors of the Cui tribe have finally left the city!

But then Director Cui gave the order: "Disperse! Advance at full speed—assemble at Huluhai!"

In an instant, the Cui warriors spread out in a fan shape, each becoming one with their horse, transforming into fierce beasts that traversed forests and valleys. Each rider had to avoid colliding with the surrounding knights while also racing ahead in the blink of an eye to carve out their own fast route.

Wei Yao panicked. She no longer cared where her mother was, where her mentor was, or whether Guo Yun and the others were still around. The dust in the air completely blocked her vision, and the sound of hooves as fast as a sudden rainstorm disrupted her sense of direction. In addition, the dark shadows rushing past on both sides from time to time brought up a "whooshing" wind and dense sand.

No, she's going to fall off her horse!

"Mother—"

Just as Wei Yao cried out for help, Zhao Zhi emerged from the yellow dust, wrapped her long arm around her, and pulled her in front of her, saying, "Pull down your hood."

Wei Yao felt relieved and obediently protected her eyes, then called to Wild Horse, "Wild Horse, follow me!"

As they galloped at high speed, she experienced firsthand her mother's remarkable horse control, and soon her tense body relaxed.

Zhao Zhi noticed this and began to impart her experience: "In any large-scale hunting operation like this, the first two days are the most crucial. You must keep up with the main force and arrive at the garrison area within the stipulated time. Once you reach Wuchuan Town, things will be fine. Those who can't keep up can stay in Wuchuan Town."

"Mother, can we keep up?"

"can!"

The scorching sun beat down on the earth, waking Yuan Heng and Hai Yeren from their heat.

Haiye Ren rubbed his eyes and asked, "Huh? The car stopped? Where are we?"

Yuan Heng quickly shushed him: "Keep your voice down!"

He didn't dare to fully emerge from the sack, but climbed to the car door and quietly opened it a crack, turning back to tell his companion, "We've stopped in the bamboo forest. Huh?"

Hai Yeren: "Keep your voice down."

"What do you mean 'small'? What do you mean 'small'?!" Yuan Heng jumped out of the car in a fit of rage. Ahhh... This car was parked in the bamboo grove of Cui Academy! They must have just fallen asleep when they were discovered and dragged back.

That night.

The moon and stars are few in the sky, and songs fill the Hulu Sea of ​​Liangcheng County.

Wei Yao had already met up with Kong Mi and Guo Yun; all three were covered in dirt and exhausted, too tired to say a word. Zhao Zhi, without a moment's rest, went to help Director Cui and Master Kong count the personnel and arrange the supply wagons. The twenty soldiers had also all arrived and were helping to set up camp.

People kept coming and going, searching for their lost companions.

Despite asking around at a distance quite far from the Cui clan's rest area, no one knew where the Cui clan was resting.

Wei Daozi chased after him: "Amao, hurry back. It's only the first day. Even if you find the beautiful girl, you'll still lose her tomorrow."

"Sigh, alright." Wei Mao really couldn't hold on any longer; his legs were throbbing with pain.

As night deepened, many torches went out, and the singers gradually dwindled, replaced by the continuous snores. Wei Yao and Guo Yun huddled together in an open oxcart, exhausted, but unable to fall asleep. Suddenly, Guo Yun burst out laughing, pressing her forehead against Wei Yao's, and said, "I feel like we're sleeping in a pigsty. Listen, hum—hum—"

Wei Yao was amused. Recalling the day, she exclaimed, "I have never traveled such a long distance in one go, almost without stopping. Along the way, I saw the Great Wall, endless fields, monks on their way, and how laborers were building roads... Heh, it was wonderful."

"Actually, this is my first time too. Although I'm tired, I feel really fulfilled."

"Yes. Before, people always talked about how vast our Great Wei was, how many cattle and sheep graze around Pingcheng, and how long the Great Wall that protects us is. But imagining it is not the same as seeing it with my own eyes. I hope that I can go further in the future and see more of the territory of Great Wei."

"Ah Yao, let's do it together."

"Yeah, let's go together."

The two girls suppressed their laughter, but Zhao Zhi, with her sharp ears, heard them while patrolling the area and couldn't help but share in her daughter's joy.

From a distant place, the faint sound of temple bells could be heard; it must be midnight.

Xi Jiao, Yuan Zizhi, and eight other members of the imperial family spontaneously formed a patrol team, which happened to reach the Cui clan's rest area. There, too, was a chorus of snoring. They walked towards a soldier whose face was hidden by a hood, and Yuan Zizhi asked in a low voice, "Are there any others who haven't reached the camp yet?"

There are seventeen people.

"Has Director Cui and Confucius arrived? And the students of Cui Academy?"

The guard replied, "They've all arrived."

Xi Jiao led the way to the next rest area. He was thinking about Yuan Zizhi's question earlier, wondering if Wei Yao had set off with the Cui clan or with the Wei clan's group.

At this moment, a soldier emerged from the tent ahead. He was also wearing a low-brimmed hat and his chin was covered by a veil, making it difficult to discern his appearance in the darkness.

It's Zhao Zhi.

Zhao Zhi was not only sharp-eared, but her eyesight rivaled that of a night owl! Just as she was about to pass by these young men, she lashed out with her long whip, wrapping it around Xi Jiao's wrist and pulling him towards her.

The speed was so fast that Xi Jiao couldn't react in time. Then, his wrist was empty as Zhao Zhi snatched the string of grass beads away.

Zheng——

The boys brandished their knives, swords, and bows.

"who?"

"What do you want to do?"

Bang! Xi Jiao was shoved away by a tremendous force and fell onto Yuan Zizhi, both of them slumping down in a disheveled state.

Zhao Zhi said in a hoarse voice, "This bracelet is mine."

Yuan Zizhi looked at Xi Jiao with surprise.

The two of them got up.

Knowing the vast difference in strength between them, Xi Jiao swallowed her anger and asked, "How can you prove it's yours?"

Zhao Zhi retorted, "How can you prove it's yours?"

"It's definitely not mine, it..."

"Then stop talking nonsense! Get out of here! What are you doing dangling around like that if you can't even hold a knife properly?"

"I..." Yuan Zi was wondering who to curse. He was the only one out of the eight people who had a knife.

Xi Jiao retorted angrily, "Dare to give your name?"

"Go ask Governor Yuan."

This is outrageous! This is so unfair! The eight young members of the Imperial Clan came on patrol with a strong sense of responsibility, only to be humiliated like this. They were so angry that they didn't even feel tired anymore!

(End of this chapter)