He frowned and picked up a shrimp ball. As soon as his hand moved over, he saw Qi Yanjing opening his mouth with a look of satisfaction.

“Ah~”

Zhao Yigu glared at him and put it directly into the plate in front of him.

Qi Yanjing didn't get angry and picked it up and ate it himself.

"This shrimp ball is especially delicious." He smiled, but Zhao Yigu had a blank expression on his face and turned away.

After breakfast, Qi Yanjing went to the Imperial College.

"Yi Gu, can you take me there? What if I encounter a ghost on the way?"

Zhao Yigu suppressed his anger and said, "It's daytime now, Qi Yanjing, don't push your luck."

Qi Yanjing said aggrievedly: "But it was also during the day last time."

Zhao Yigu took out a Five Thunder Talisman from his sleeve and slapped it hard on his chest, "Even if the Ghost King comes, he can be blasted into pieces."

After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and walked out.

Qi Yanjing's eyes were fixed on his back until he could no longer see him.

"Kneel down."

Qi Yanjing withdrew his gaze, and the smile on his face was no longer there. His eyes, as dark as ink, were filled with coldness.

All the servants in the hall knelt on the ground, silent as a mouse.

Qi Yanjing looked down at Eunuch Zhou and asked, "I asked you to move the couch out yesterday, but you turned a deaf ear to me?"

"I dare not." Eunuch Zhou knocked his head to the ground.

Zhou Shi has been serving him since he was a child, and Qi Yanjing also knows that he is not a reckless person.

"Tell someone to do it."

"Bi Yang."

As soon as he finished speaking, a pretty palace maid immediately fell to the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy.

Qi Yanjing didn't even look at her, his eyes were fixed on the soft couch under the window, "Give her thirty strokes of the cane and expel her from the palace."

Two young eunuchs immediately stepped forward and grabbed Bi Yang, dragging her out of the palace.

"I'll fine you one month's salary."

Eunuch Zhou kowtowed and said, "I am willing to be punished."

He had vaguely sensed Bi Yang's thoughts before, but he only reprimanded her and did not tell his master, so he deserved to be punished.

Qi Yanjing went to Zhaoyang Palace at noon. Before he entered the main hall, he saw Qi Junhuai's ceremonial procession parked at the door.

"Greetings to the Emperor, Father, and the Empress."

The three of them had lunch together. Qi Junhuai had to go to Taichu Palace to handle government affairs, leaving only Qi Yanjing and Li Jin in the palace.

"Tell mother quickly how you and Yi Gu are doing."

Qi Yanjing's eyes flashed with joy, and he said, "Yi Gu slept with me last night."

Li Jin nodded excitedly, "What else, what else?"

"I picked up a shrimp ball for me this morning."

"Then what?"

“No more.”

Li Jin sighed with some regret.

If a guy is willing to sleep in the same bed with a man, he must like him very much.

But Zhao Yigu was always cold to Qi Yanjing, and coming to the palace to accompany him was like following an order.

Li Jin didn't know whether he liked his son or not.

She propped up her chin, looked at Qi Yanjing's handsome face, and said in a somewhat disappointed tone: "Why is it so difficult for you? Thinking back to the time when your father and I..."

Li Jin suddenly stopped talking here.

Qi Yanjing looked at him with confusion, "Mother?"

"There is a way."

——

Every three years, the Qianyuan Kingdom would pay tribute.

Today, Qianyuan's vassal states have increased to seven, plus other countries, the scene is always extraordinarily grand every time this happens.

In the past three months, Qi Yanjing, contrary to his usual behavior, did not invite Zhao Yigu into the palace, nor did he shout about ghosts again.

Zhao Yigu felt peaceful at first, but as time went on, he began to feel a little irritated.

Today is the hunting ceremony. It has been held every time a tribute is paid since twelve years ago. It is also an opportunity for princes and princesses from various countries to show off their skills.

The winner can choose any one of the tribute items.

In fact, the reward is secondary. The most important thing is that this is a great opportunity to become famous. If you win, you will be the talk of the town and be the envy of others.

Three years ago, Qi Yanjing won the first prize and won the agate cup inlaid with gold animal heads, which is now placed in his room.

Zhao Yigu decided to win something for Qi Yanjing this time as a way of repaying his gift.

They set out from the palace in the morning and arrived at the enclosure in the evening.

Zhao Yigu is no longer wearing a wide-sleeved robe today, but a dark blue Yunxiang suit.

His dark hair was tied up high with a hollow carved golden crown, making him look even more handsome than usual.

Qi Yanjing saw him at a glance, but tried hard to suppress the restlessness in his heart, and his teeth were almost broken from gritting their teeth.

"Brother Yan Jing."

At this time, Princess Meng Miaoyan of the ancient Yan Kingdom came over shyly and called him.

"Sixth Princess."

When Zhao Yigu heard the two people talking, he sneered and turned away.

Qi Yanjing tried his best to restrain himself and not chase after him.

"Why is Brother Yan Jing so absent-minded when talking to Yan'er? What is he looking at?" Meng Miaoyan turned her head and looked behind her, a cold light flashed in her eyes.

"Sixth Princess, please go to bed early. I have something else to do." After saying that, he turned and left.

Meng Miaoyan looked at his back and smiled with a determined look.

The hunting ceremony officially began on the second day.

Qi Junhuai stood on the high platform, pulled the bowstring and shot down a stag, and the sound of horns rang out.

There were a lot of people following Qi Yanjing and Zhao Yigu, but in the blink of an eye, Zhao Yigu's figure disappeared from everyone's sight.

The princes were inevitably disappointed upon seeing this, but they couldn't send people to look for her too obviously, so they had to head into the forest.

"They say that the Sixth Princess of the Ancient Yan Kingdom is stunningly beautiful. In my opinion, she is far inferior to Imperial Master Qianyuan."

"Speak softly. If that person hears you, you'll be in trouble." The second prince of Chonglan Kingdom rode over on his horse and looked around as he spoke.

The prince of Beixiang Kingdom sighed, "It seems that you and I must work harder to squeeze into the position of crown prince."

Their father once said that whoever could marry Zhao Yigu, the only son of Imperial Master Qianyuan, would be a definite candidate for the crown prince.

Even if he was not seeking the position of crown prince, Zhao Yigu's appearance and ability would have won him the admiration of countless people.

Let alone proposing to her, there are only a few people who can talk to her so far. If you get close to her, Prince Qianyuan's eyes will look like he wants to kill you.

Seeing that the two men were hunting separately today, contrary to their usual practice, they thought there was a chance, but they didn't even see the horses' butts before the people disappeared.

The two princes looked at each other and couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

The hunt ended three days later. After the officials of the Imperial Household Department checked the prey, they presented the booklet to the emperor for review.

Qi Junhuai looked at the names on the roster and smiled meaningfully.

At the palace banquet after returning to the palace, Qi Junhuai ordered people to announce the first place of this year's hunting.

"…I am the state teacher of Qianyuan State, Zhao Yigu."

Zhao Yigu stood up, walked to the middle of the road and bowed.

"Yi Gu, just tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

As for what he wanted, Zhao Yigu already had a goal in mind.

After Eunuch Zheng beside the emperor brought the things, Zhao Yigu took them in his hand and walked towards Qi Yanjing.