Shocking Mountain Moon

Chapter 106 Emperor Jingping's Reward
This must be the legendary Miss Qiu Liu, she is so young - this thought came to the minds of many people at the same time.

How dare such a young and delicate girl go alone to lead the black bear away?

Unbelievable, unbelievable.

Among them, Xue Quan looked most carefully.

She is a beautiful girl, no wonder Han'er was attracted by her.

That boy kept saying it was for official business, but how could there be so much official business that would be related to a little girl? Do you really think he has been in the palace for nothing for so many years?

Xue Han stood beside Xue Quan, his eyes never leaving Qiu Heng.

It seemed that he rarely could look at her so openly for a long time without worrying about attracting attention.

Because at this moment she was like the bright moon, the focus of everyone's attention.

"Your servant Qiu Heng pays respect to Your Majesty."

"No need to be polite." Emperor Jingping looked at the girl below with a burning gaze. "I heard that you led the black bear away and saved Princess Rongning. Can you tell me how you avoided the black bear's attack?"

Curiosity is not only possessed by ordinary people, but also by emperors, and it can be easily satisfied.

"I ran around the tree and finally climbed up a tree."

“Black bears can climb trees, right?”

Many ministers nodded.

"I chose a thin tree on purpose, and the black bear climbed it for a while and then stopped."

Emperor Jingping imagined that situation and couldn't help but laugh: "That black bear is quite smart."

Qiu Heng lowered her eyes and continued, "All things have spirits."

"There are animists in everything—indeed, go on."

"The black bear was injured and very irritable. It failed to climb the tree and started to hit it. Fortunately, the guards sent by Princess Jiayi arrived and led the black bear away. When the tree was knocked down, Lord Xue arrived in time and saved me..."

Qiu Heng recounted the situation at that time in detail. Even those who had nothing to do with her listened with great interest, while Prince Kang and Xue Quan nodded secretly.

This Miss Qiu Liu is quite good at talking.

As expected, Emperor Jingping said, "Jiayi and Xuehan both did a good job."

Prince Kang and Xue Quan said in unison: "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise."

Emperor Jingping nodded perfunctorily, his attention still on Qiu Heng: "Of course, what surprised me the most was Miss Qiu Liu. Miss Qiu Liu was fearless in the face of danger and sacrificed herself to save others, so she deserves a reward. Qiu Heng, what do you want me to reward you with?"

When these words were spoken, everyone was secretly surprised.

The current emperor was really kind to Miss Qiu Liu. Instead of giving her a direct reward, he asked her directly what she wanted.

The emperor asked this in front of all the officials and nobles. As long as the reward Miss Qiu Liu asked for was not too excessive, she would definitely not refuse it.

"Can your servant choose?" Qiu Heng raised her head slightly, with surprise in her eyes.

Emperor Jingping smiled and said, "There is no reason why my words would not count."

Many people shook their heads secretly.

Miss Qiu Liu is still too young, she won't really ask for too much, right? If so, even if the emperor agrees, it will be more trouble than gain.

You know, no reward is more real and long-lasting than divine grace.

"I think autumn hunting is very interesting. I hope my father can come with me next year so that he won't worry about me going on a long journey alone."

Emperor Jingping was stunned.

He thought she would ask for some kind of reward, but is this girl's request so simple?
Accompanying the emperor on the autumn hunt is an honor, but the faces are the same every year, so it must be a matter of course for those people.

Looking at the hopeful girl below, Emperor Jingping felt a little warm in his heart and said with a smile: "This is not a reward at all, I will wait until next year when the Yongqing Earl's Mansion comes together."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I have no other requests."

"You really don't want anything else?" Emperor Jingping felt a little unwilling to not be able to give out rewards.

"Your servant has no worries about food and clothing, and is loved by family and friends. I can't think of anything I need at the moment."

Everyone looked at the girl who was not afraid of answering Emperor Jingping, and secretly sighed: This Miss Qiu Liu really knows how to retreat in order to advance.

"But you have done a great service in saving Princess Rongning, so I cannot fail to show my appreciation. Let's put it this way, if you want something in the future, as long as it is reasonable, I will agree to it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your reward." Emperor Jingping nodded with satisfaction: "You may leave now."

"Your Majesty, please retire."

"Xue Han, send Miss Qiuliu back."

Xue Han stood up: "Yes."

The two of them stepped out and walked forward side by side. Gradually, the guards and palace servants that could be seen everywhere disappeared, and only the green mountains and forests were left.

"Lord Xue, thank you for saving me today." Qiu Heng was the first to break the silence. When she said this, she was sincere but also felt helpless.

"I just happened to meet you." Xue Han said casually, not wanting to take credit for it.

"Coincidentally?" Qiu Heng turned his head to look at the young man beside him.

Xue Han nodded slightly: "After watching Miss Qiu Liu and Miss Cheng compete, I went to participate in the hunt. When I heard that the black bear escaped, I chased after it..."

As for how he felt when he heard that Qiu Heng was in danger, it was impossible for him to reveal it.

"That's thanks to Lord Xue, too. There were so many people chasing after him, but Lord Xue was the first to arrive."

"Miss Qiu Liu, you are too polite."

"Fangzhou is very good at barbecue. If you are free tonight, Master Xue, I will treat you to barbecue to express my gratitude."

BBQ?

Xue Han couldn't help but think of the meat bun that Hu Si left for him.

As delicious as meatloaf is, grilled meat would be even better.

Xue Han silently regained his senses: "I appreciate Miss Qiu Liu's kindness, but there is no need to have a meal."

"Master Xue, do you have anything to do tonight?"

"I'm not used to eating with people I don't know."

"An unfamiliar person?" Qiu Heng was stunned.

So she had been misled about their relationship all along? She thought that although they had their own thoughts, they were at least friends.

"It's not Miss Qiu." Xue Han blurted out when he realized Qiu Heng had misunderstood.

Qiu Heng took a step forward silently.

Xue Han followed her and said bluntly: "I am not familiar with Princess Jiayi and Miss Feng. I feel uncomfortable eating barbecue together."

"Is that so?" Qiu Heng smiled, "Then I will only invite Lord Xue, originally to thank Lord Xue."

"Okay." The simple word rolled around on the tip of his tongue. As Xue Han said it, he inexplicably felt his cheeks getting hot.

Before we knew it, we arrived at the destination.

"Master Xue, see you tonight."

"See you tonight."

Xue Han watched Qiu Heng walk in before turning around and walking back, with a smile on his face all the way.

"What good news is there, sir? Why are you so happy?" Hu Si came over.

"No."

"Of course I did. I saw you smiling from a distance."

Xue Han pushed Hu Si away and said, "You are mistaken. I am not laughing."

"Sir, you--" Seeing Xue Han walking away quickly, Hu Si touched his chin.

There must be a situation.

Lunch was shared by Prince Fu's Mansion and Prince Kang's Mansion, and Qiu Heng naturally became the center of conversation.

Prince Fu specially toasted Qiu Heng: "Rong Ning is the apple of my eye. Miss Qiu Liu saved Rong Ning. I am really grateful."

"Your Highness, you are too polite." Seeing Prince Fu drinking the wine happily, Qiu Heng picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

He took the initiative to propose to make his daughter a princess and send her to marry the apple of his eye. Prince Fu was really interesting.

(End of this chapter)