Chapter 32 Domestication

Princess Shou Kang's villa was a three-courtyard residence, which was the standard size for a princess's villa according to the regulations of Dayu.

The Crown Prince's villa is a five-courtyard residence.

Once you get to the imperial palace... it should be called a temporary palace!

Song Zhimian followed Yue Siyi into the mansion and began to carefully examine it from the entrance.

Because Princess Shou Kang's birthday was in two days, all the people who originally served in the villa left and were replaced by people arranged by the Imperial Household Department.

Everyone was busy with their own things and dared not say a word.

Song Zhimian discovered that although Princess Shou Kang's villa had three courtyards, it was quite spacious.

They must have put a lot of thought into building this large manor.

If we can't manipulate the depth, then we can try to manipulate the width!

In short, as long as it looks like a three-courtyard house, that's fine. As for each courtyard having more rooms than two five-courtyard houses, that's another matter...

The emcee, Yue, led Song Zhimin through a very thorough examination.

She told Song Zhimian in detail, starting from the main gate, who would be guarding it, how many people would be guarding it, and what rank of the eunuchs would be guarding it.

Song Zhimian carefully wrote everything down with a pen and paper in her hand.

This is my first time accompanying Master Yue on an official business trip, so I must be careful.

After looking around the entire residence, Song Zhimian followed Yue Siyi to the backyard.

Princess Shou Kang loved riding and archery and enjoyed raising wild beasts.

These things are absolutely forbidden to keep in the palace, but Princess Shou Kang liked them very much, so His Majesty allowed her to keep them in the villa.

Let's go take a look over there.

"Keep a close eye on those wild beasts; distinguished guests will be arriving the day after tomorrow, so don't frighten them."

As Yue Siyi spoke, she led Song Zhimian to the backyard.

When Song Zhimian reached the back of the house, she realized how big it was.

This place is practically a natural racetrack. There's a path between the mansion and the back mountain, and just by looking at the hoofprints on the ground, you can tell that King Zhao often brought his men here to race horses.

There is a newly built platform at the back gate of the courtyard.

A simple wooden platform and a small pavilion with the words "Xiaoyao Terrace" written on it.

"After King Zhao brought his men here to race horses, they often drank and dined together here."

They say that sitting by the mountain offers a unique experience.

The day after tomorrow, the Crown Prince, the Princes, and the sons of dukes and marquises will all come.

Princess Shou Kang loves riding and archery, so there will inevitably be a competition. This place also needs to be prepared. "Master Yue said, pointing to the platform.

Song Zhimian quickly wrote it down.

Write all these things down and hand them over to the eunuchs later. Tomorrow they will naturally prepare according to the arrangements made by Master Yue.

The emcee, Yue, led Song Zhimin through a thorough inspection to ensure nothing was overlooked before nodding in approval.

However, Song Zhimian offered her own perspective.

"Master of Ceremonies, this place is right next to the back mountain."

No one lives on the back mountain; what if there are any ferocious wild animals or something...?

What if a wild animal or something similar suddenly attacks your important person the day after tomorrow?

When Yue Siyi heard Song Zhimian ask this question, she chuckled.

"It's good that you thought of this; it shows you're thinking about things carefully."

However, what you're worried about won't happen.

Yesterday, the palace guards sent men to search the back mountain three times to ensure there were no wild animals.

At most, there might be a pheasant or a rabbit. Those things would run away as fast as they could when they see people! Why would they come to a crowded place?

Even if there are wild beasts, they are all kept in Princess Shou Kang's backyard, guarded by special personnel.

Song Zhimian responded with an "oh".

"I... I thought it would be like a hunt, where a wild beast would suddenly appear out of nowhere!" Song Zhimian muttered to herself.

Yue, the master of ceremonies, looked around and saw that everyone else was keeping their distance before whispering something to Song Zhimian.

"You're still young, there are many things you don't know."

Hunting... especially royal hunting, is not such a simple matter.

Those animals were all raised and released into the Imperial Stables.

Do you know how many times that area is searched before His Majesty goes hunting?

Also, why is it that whenever His Majesty goes out with his men, they always encounter tigers, bears, and leopards?

The guards dared not move, waiting for His Majesty to shoot them!

"Use your brain!" Yue Siyi tapped Song Zhimin's forehead.

Song Zhimian immediately understood.

It seems that's really the case!

When the emperor mounted his horse to begin the hunt, all those big animals would come out and wait to be shot by the emperor.

As soon as the emperor shot the target, there would be a burst of cheers.

What a valiant and invincible Your Majesty, a divine archer, long live the Emperor!

The princes, eager to show off, also needed to hunt some animals with a bit of spirit...

Below that... that's where you shoot deer, sheep, and roe deer...

In the end, everyone was happy, and the Imperial Stables continued to raise these animals in captivity, waiting for the next hunt.

So, what they say on TV about being attacked by wild beasts while hunting...

Those were all deliberately released...

Having figured all this out, Song Zhimian stopped worrying about what might be on the back mountain.

There aren't even any wild beasts, and it's heavily guarded, so there shouldn't be any assassins!

...

After watching for a while at Xiaoyao Terrace, Yue Siyi led Song Zhimian to the enclosure where Princess Shou Kang kept wild beasts.

Before even reaching the enclosure for the wild animals, Song Zhimian could smell an unpleasant odor.

From afar, Song Zhimian saw the ferocious beasts locked in their cages looking at her listlessly...

this……

"Is this the beast that Her Highness the Princess keeps?" Song Zhimian was a little surprised.

Master Yue said nothing, but after glancing at the ferocious beasts in the enclosure, he instructed the newly transferred eunuchs who were guarding the area.

"Starting today, make sure they're all well-fed and kept a close eye on them, understand?"

The eunuch immediately agreed.

Looking at the ferocious beasts that were so hungry they had lost all their energy, Song Zhimian felt a pang of sadness.

These spirits, who should be living freely in the mountains, are instead kept in cages where they can barely turn around...

"What is this?" Song Zhimian pointed to a place that looked like a chicken coop near the exit of the pen farm.

There are live chickens and rabbits there.

Princess Shou Kang loved watching wild beasts pounce on her food.

"As long as Princess Shou Kang comes to the villa, the people here will starve the wild beasts for a few days, and then throw in pheasants, rabbits, or goats..." Master Yue said slowly.

Song Zhimian...

"Don't you think Princess Shou Kang isn't someone who truly loves these animals?" Yue Siyi asked, looking at Song Zhimian.

Song Zhimian nodded.

"Because His Majesty likes it! His Majesty conquers the world on horseback and governs the world on foot."

Aren't all these princes and princesses supposed to cater to His Majesty?

Why does His Majesty favor Princess Shou Kang? Isn't it simply because the princess is quite skilled in riding and archery?

Song Zhimian, surviving in this palace is not an easy task.

You need to remember this clearly.

Living is about navigating people's hearts! Do you understand?

Song Zhimian bowed respectfully.

Before leaving, I took one last look at the captive wild animals and the chickens and rabbits ready to be fed...