Moonlit Reunion [子夜归]

Chapter 10

When Wu Zhen announced she was going to hunt wild geese, the others enthusiastically agreed. They returned home to grab their horses, bows, knives, and hunting dogs and falcons, then set out grandly beyond the city walls.

Though labeled as idle nobles with no real skills, this group had a surprising number of talents. They all knew how to ride, hunt, and play polo. Mei Si was skilled at painting; Cui Jiu excelled with the guqin; Xie Shi'er was a master swordsman; Sun Niangzi could craft perfumes, and two others were skilled archers. Thanks to their privileged backgrounds, they'd each picked up skills worthy of their status, and few among them were truly without abilities. Even Lu Langjun, who constantly butted heads with Wu Zhen because of Huzhu, was known for his fine calligraphy.

They met at the city gate, where Wu Zhen appeared in a dark blue open-collared robe. She wore her hair down and tucked under a black veil, fully dressed in men's attire. At first glance, she truly looked like a striking young man. Traveling light, she carried only a bow and two quivers on her horse. Noticing her friends laden with hunting dogs and falcons, she smirked. "We're hunting geese today, not setting out on a forest hunt. Are you just taking those along for a joyride?"

Embarrassed, the young men laughed awkwardly and had their servants return the animals. After a short delay, the group left the city with Wu Zhen leading. She rode swiftly, her horse several lengths ahead of the others until they reached the edge of a large marshland at the base of Nanshan Mountain, where she slowed down. The others finally caught up, panting.

"Sister Zhen, it's rare to see geese this season. Are you sure there are any here?" one of the young men asked, wiping sweat from his brow.

Wu Zhen scanned the lush grass near the lake, a smirk playing on her lips. "I asked some local farmers. They've spotted a few geese around here recently."

"Oh, but why the sudden interest in hunting geese, Sister Zhen?"

"Isn't it because she's craving some goose?"

They joked among themselves as they searched for tracks.

"Sister Zhen is always unpredictable. You never know what she'll decide to do next."

"Hah, if we can't guess, does that mean you can, Mei Si?"

"Maybe... maybe she's here to propose marriage." Mei Si quipped, prompting another burst of laughter.

Wu Zhen ignored the playful teasing and continued deeper into the grassy fields, focused on spotting any signs of geese. The scent of fresh grass wafted in the air, reminiscent of the scent she'd noticed on the young master of the Mei family the day before. It seemed he had indeed hunted here recently.

"Ah, look there!" Sun Niangzi, with her keen eyesight, pointed to a goose flying overhead. Almost as soon as she spoke, they heard the sharp whizzing of an arrow, followed by the goose's cry as it plummeted to the ground.

The shot, of course, had been Wu Zhen's. Her reflexes were quicker than anyone's, and her archery skills unmatched. Before the others even had time to react, her arrow had already struck the bird.

The arrow had pierced the goose's wing, so it hadn't died but lay in the grass, crying. Wu Zhen dismounted, walked into the grass, and picked up the goose, inspecting it with slight dissatisfaction.

The others gathered around excitedly, with one suggesting, "Let's take this to a tavern later and have it roasted with some sauce. It might be a little lean, but it'll be fresh."

Wu Zhen didn't look up. "If you want to eat one, go hunt your own. I have other plans for this one."

Mei Si laughed, "Sister Zhen, you're not seriously planning to propose with a goose, are you?"