Shortly after the Double Ninth Festival, the Emperor issued an edict to go on an autumn hunt at the Western Hills hunting grounds.

In ancient times, there were autumn hunts and winter hunts. Our dynasty was founded on military strength, and the empire was almost entirely conquered on horseback. Therefore, both Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizu highly valued military power and military strength. Hence, autumn hunts were held every September and October to inspect the army's combat capabilities.

This tradition continued into the Cheng'an era. For the first two years, some remnants of it remained, but it gradually lost its importance due to Emperor Cheng'an's emphasis on civil affairs over military matters. However, since it was a rule established by their ancestors, it was not easy to abolish it. Thus, the annual autumn hunt gradually evolved from a focus on inspecting military strength into a more recreational activity.

If the emperor was in the mood, he would personally go hunting. If he was not, he would sit on a high platform and watch the sons of noble families hunt and compete.

This is also a way for the sons of noble families who do not yet hold official positions to seek a way out.

Therefore, every year during the autumn hunt, apart from the court officials who remained in the capital, the remaining officials of the fifth rank and above, along with their families, would accompany the emperor to the Western Hills hunting grounds.

Shen Youying had been there before and was familiar with it. The Western Hill Hunting Grounds were located north of Kaifeng, bordering the Northern Rong. There were large areas of grassland and forests, surrounded by an iron fence, where game was kept for nobles to hunt.

Shen Youying's horsemanship, taught by her father and brothers, was no less than that of the men. However, bound by the strict rules and etiquette of the capital, she had little room to showcase her skills, except for the occasional polo match. But the autumn hunt was different.

It was far from the capital, and the constraints of etiquette and rules were not as strong as in Tokyo. She could ride horses and hunt with a bow, or enjoy the scenery to her heart's content.

From the moment she received the news, she couldn't help but look forward to the trip to Xishan.

He even secretly commissioned embroiderers to make several sets of Hu clothing.

On the day of departure, when Shen Youying got into the carriage, she exuded an unusual vitality, which made Xue Shen raise an eyebrow in curiosity: "So excited?"

Shen Youying belatedly realized that she had probably been too complacent.

The King of Qin's legs were not in good condition, so he probably did not like such occasions.

She pursed her lips, suppressed her smile, and sat up straight: "It's just that I haven't been out of the capital for a long time, so I'm a little excited."

Xue Shen smiled noncommittally, unsure whether he believed her or not, and said slowly, "Now that you're out, there's no need to be so reserved."

He glanced at the little princess, who was sitting properly with her eyes lowered, and lightly touched the corner of her tightly pursed lips: "Laugh if you want to. Do you think I'm some kind of man-eating tiger? You only asked me one question, and you're already laughing but don't dare to laugh anymore?"

Shen Youying looked up at him, her dark, butterfly-wing-like eyelashes blinking slowly. She wondered in her heart whether he really didn't mind or was just being sarcastic and teasing her.

Seeing her cautiousness, Xue Shen couldn't help but chuckle. He lifted the carriage curtain and instructed Wang Deshun, "Bring me my newly acquired crossbow."

A response came from outside. A moment later, Wang Deshun lifted the curtain and brought over a silver crossbow bolt stored in a box.

Shen Youying had never seen such exquisite and delicate crossbows before, and couldn't help but curiously peek out to take a look.

The crossbow bolt was entirely silver, only as long as a woman's forearm. The part to hold it was wrapped in dark brown wood and cowhide, and the end of the handle was fitted with a sight. The bowstring was loose and not yet tightened. It looked very exquisite, not like a weapon, but more like a decorative piece made to resemble a crossbow bolt.

Xue Shen picked up the crossbow with his right hand, slowly tightened the slack bowstring with his left, and squinted one eye to look at Wangshan, slowly calibrating it.

His movements were very skillful; his slender fingers easily manipulated the various parts of the crossbow, a sight to behold.

Shen Youying was originally looking at crossbows, but she was unknowingly drawn to him.

While adjusting the crossbow, Xue Shen exuded a unique aura, an aura that Shen Youying was very familiar with. She had seen it in her father and brother before; only seasoned warriors possessed such a fierce spirit.

In the brief moment she was distracted, she heard Xue Shen say, "All done," and hand her the adjusted crossbow: "Would you like to try it?"

Shen Youying had never seen such an exquisite, even beautiful, crossbow bolt before. Curious, she picked it up and discovered that although it looked small, it was surprisingly heavy. The crossbow body, made of some unknown material, exuded a cool, metallic feel.

Due to her family's tradition of learning, she was no stranger to these weapons, and she quickly got the hang of them, holding the crossbow steady with her right hand and taking the arrows with her left hand to load them into the quiver.

She imitated Xue Shen's earlier actions, squinting her eyes and leaning closer to look out the car window at the mountain viewpoint.

Looking out from the mountain, everything was magnified. Shen Muyu saw birds flying overhead, wild rabbits flashing by in the roadside grass... She took a deep breath with some excitement, moved her arm, slowly aimed, and released the arrow.

The sharp arrow pierced through the autumn wind, shot out swiftly, and struck a dull-witted wild rabbit.

Shen Youying had only intended to test it out, but she hadn't expected the crossbow bolts, which looked so small, to be so powerful. Excitedly, she leaned out of the carriage and called to the accompanying guards, "Quickly, go and retrieve the rabbit I shot!"

After saying that, he sat back in the carriage, stroking the crossbow bolt with obvious delight, his eyes practically sparkling: "What kind of crossbow is this? I've never seen one like it before! How can such a small crossbow shoot so far? If Father and my elder brother knew, they would be overjoyed—"

She stopped abruptly before she could finish speaking.

His initial excitement turned into disappointment.

Father was dismissed from his post and could no longer lead troops into battle. As for my eldest brother... the last time Father sent someone out, news came back that the official who falsely accused my eldest brother had encountered bandits on his way back to the capital, and his entire family had been slaughtered by the bandits.

On the surface, it appeared to be just an accident, but in reality, it was a murder to cover it up.

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