After returning to her tent, Qingyin received continued care and concern from her father and brothers. With anticipation for the young man who had become the top scholar despite being a woman, she gradually drifted off to sleep.

When Nian Gengyao finally came to his senses, he angrily slapped his head. He was both shocked by the unparalleled beauty and, rationally, told that it was a real girl, not a spirit. He was caught in a state of absurdity and doubt, and the next day he arrived at the hunting grounds sporting huge dark circles under his eyes.

On the day of the hunt, the grass was lush and the old trees in the forest were still quite green. The clear and melodious birdsong rose and fell in the enclosed hunting grounds, and every now and then a rather loud noise could be heard. It was clear that the animals in the hunting grounds had been fattened up and were waiting for the arrival of the group.

Many people came to the hunting grounds. Young ministers went alone, while older ministers brought their energetic sons and nephews. Dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, they were full of youthful enthusiasm, which was on full display on this land.

The noise and laughter continued, but they came to an abrupt halt when the emperor was seen bringing someone with him, and the scene fell silent.

Qingyin usually wore simple, plain clothes, but today she donned a magnificent crimson silk gown. The girl was like snow on a cold, aloof peak; her face and hair were white, yet the crimson dress and accessories didn't look out of place on her. Instead, they added a touch of color to her overly pale, almost translucent face, making her even more radiant. The crystal-clear ruby ​​forehead ornament shimmered with a luxurious hue in the cold winter sunlight, but even that couldn't compare to the glassy gaze in her eyes. Her slender waist and graceful figure, carried by the gentle east wind, made her seem like a fairy about to ascend to heaven and leave this world.

It was a beauty that defied description in poetry, opera, and other forms of art.

"Who is that?" This was undoubtedly the thought in everyone's mind.

The young master couldn't hide his joy at first love; a flush of rosy cheeks rose to his face. Besides being amazed, he was also slightly shocked when he saw Qingyin yesterday.

If his beloved really existed, and if she were with the Emperor, she would be either a concubine or a princess, Nian Gengyao felt a pang of pain in his heart at the thought of the first possibility. For the first time, he so desperately hoped that his guess was false.

Qingyin ignored the burning gazes falling on her and glanced at the blue-clad 'man' who stood out from the crowd. The image in her memory was always different from reality. Lin Qingse, not Lin Rouqing, truly deserved the description of a gentleman as jade, unparalleled in the world.

Lin Rouqing, dressed in green, was unusually tall for a woman, standing out in the crowd without being conspicuous. She possessed a masculine beauty, with delicate features, bright eyes, and a slightly upturned smile on her smooth, fair face. She resembled a resilient bamboo growing on a cliff, or a piece of lustrous jade, unyielding and possessing an indomitable spirit. Her gentle, jade-like aura was strikingly beautiful among the crowd, yet they were momentarily stunned, staring blankly at her.

Lin Qingse's heart skipped a beat. Feeling the girl's gaze, he felt as if he had been stung, wanting to retreat into his shell to avoid her gaze, while a strong sense of reluctance rose in his heart.

Qingyin gave her mission target a big smile without hesitation.

A single glance back, a smile that could launch a thousand ships; the beauties of the six palaces pale in comparison.

This smile not only caused Lin Qingse's heart to completely fall for Qingyin, but also captivated the hearts of everyone on the hunting grounds. The men in the direction Qingyin was smiling at all blushed, and Nian Gengyao, who happened to be standing beside Lin Qingse, couldn't help but harbor a wicked thought:

Could it be that his sweetheart liked men as imposing and domineering as him, which was why she smiled at him? Thinking of this possibility, a silly look appeared on his face.

Emperor Kangxi also noticed the treacherous gazes of these young men. It was the first time he had ever seen his admired generals and ministers so displeased. However, given his daughter's beauty, it was understandable that they were staring in awe.

The current Emperor Kangxi was in a strange mood, a mixture of anger, disdain, and pride. He was both disgusted by the people's naiveté and proud of his daughter's unparalleled beauty.

He read out the usual pre-hunt opening remarks, which boosted the morale of the young people.

From the Emperor's words, they learned that the beauty was none other than the Emperor's fifteenth princess, Dunke. Their eyes lit up as they gazed at the incomparably beautiful Princess Dunke, eager to display their talents to earn a glance of admiration or... words of praise from Qingyin.

The atmosphere among the crowd immediately became tense. Because of the beautiful princess, the officials and princes were not as relaxed and leisurely as usual. They secretly left room for the princes to win the prize. Almost from the very beginning, everyone maintained their best posture until they were out of Qingyin's sight, and then they returned to their original state, desperately fighting for their prey.

Beside the bushes, a fawn was leisurely drinking water by the stream. Perhaps sensing danger, it cautiously raised its head and looked around, ready to run away at any moment.

Two arrows shot in opposite directions, all aimed at the fawn's vital spot. The fawn had no time to run and fell to the ground; the two arrows pierced its throat.

The servants following behind the two men, responsible for counting the prey, exchanged a few troubled glances. These two lords shot at almost the same time; who should be judged for the prey?

"Lord Lin is quite capable, but shouldn't this be mine?" Nian Gengyao, riding a spirited steed, chuckled and revealed himself. He looked at the man on the black horse with displeasure, his eyes filled with resentment. This newly arrived Left Vice Minister, Lin Qingse, was exactly the kind of person he hated most. He was clearly a pretty boy, lacking any manliness whatsoever. Those people even compared him to Lin Qingse; it was disgusting. What ability did a vice minister who hadn't accomplished anything have to compare to a general like himself, who had achieved countless merits?

The other arrow was clearly shot by Lin Qingse. Compared to the arrogant and complacent Nian Gengyao, Lin Qingse seemed much more approachable. The servant in charge of recording the prey looked over as if pleading for help, hoping that this rising star of the court would give way.

Lin Qingse felt his gaze and frowned slightly. He wasn't one to swallow his anger, but arguing with this strong-willed but simple-minded person would only be a waste of his time and wouldn't do him any good.

He replied calmly, "Since General Nian said he hunted it first, then it belongs to General Nian. I'll take my leave."