Tianxuan: "Although I didn't know they belonged to the same organization before, I can't just believe everything I hear. I sneaked into the Yang residence under cover of darkness and was able to confirm that Yang Jie did indeed have someone prepare this honey drug, and it was probably prepared right after today's banquet. However, we still don't know who he intends to use it on."

A commotion arose outside. Zoya overheard officials from the Ministry of Rites of the Eastern Chu Kingdom laughing and talking, vaguely mentioning a hunt. She winked at Lingxiang. Lingxiang understood and quickly crouched down to the door to eavesdrop.

Tianxuan noticed that Zoya was unusually deep in thought. Her expression was initially very serious, with her brows furrowed; then it turned to surprise, followed by a hint of excitement, even what could be described as fanatical admiration... But soon, after a series of unusual expressions, she returned to her serious demeanor.

Tianxuan comforted her, "Princess, don't worry. Although Dongchu is not as powerful as our Xiwan, our warriors are not just for show. No matter what happens, we will not let anyone bully you."

Zoya, however, said with a strange expression, "Tianxuan, do you think there really are people in this world who can predict everything?!"

Tianxuan immediately looked horrified and said, "Princess, are you doubting the Great Shaman's abilities?"

Zoya was startled by his words and quickly said, "What nonsense are you talking about? When have I ever doubted the Great Shaman's abilities?"

In the Western Kingdom, the Great Shaman is second only to the Emperor and is almost equivalent to a deity in the hearts of the people. However, he is usually only responsible for divination and observing celestial phenomena, and giving advice to the Emperor. He does not interfere in politics.

Zoya explained, "The 'calculation' I'm referring to isn't the kind of 'calculation' the Great Shaman usually uses, but rather 'scheming'."

“Scheming?” Tianxuan suddenly realized. “You mean strategists like Wutu? That’s impossible. His Majesty often says that strategist Wutu is almost always right, but doesn’t he also have times when he miscalculates?”

Zoya thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "You're right. I didn't see her make a mistake simply because I haven't seen her calculate much. Once I've seen her calculate more often, I'll naturally see when she makes a mistake." As she spoke, she nodded vigorously again, as if convincing herself, and said, "That's definitely it!"

The news of the hunt was quickly conveyed to Zoya by Dulin himself.

Zoya said, "Brother, yesterday I heard a lot of people on the street talking about 'Left Bank Hermit'. I really want to meet her. During this hunt, could you please speak to His Majesty the Emperor and say that you would like to meet this Left Bank Hermit?"

Du Lin asked in bewilderment, "What 'Left Bank Hermit'? I've never heard of him."

Zoya: "You didn't go out to play again yesterday."

Dulin was unaware that the Left Bank Mountain Man was a woman. He thought that if this man could win over Zoya and make her willing to marry him, it would be a good thing. So, when he met the emperor, he asked to meet the famous Left Bank Mountain Man during the hunt.

The emperor asked in surprise, "What? Has her fame spread all the way to Xiwan Kingdom?"

Du Lin couldn't say that it was his sister who wanted to see him, so he could only say, "After entering the territory of the Eastern Chu Kingdom, I kept hearing people mention the Left Bank Mountain Man along the way, so I was a little curious."

The emperor understood and nodded, saying, "Very well, I will send someone to invite her to the hunt tomorrow. I hope she will agree!"

Du Lin asked curiously, "What? His Majesty invited him to go hunting, and he might refuse?"

The Emperor smiled helplessly, "She does have a strong personality, but if we persuade her kindly, she shouldn't refuse." He knew very well that Yang Jie was the one who was responsible for her refusal to be redeemed, but unfortunately, the Empress Dowager didn't see it that way. He hoped that the Empress Dowager and Zuoan Shanren would not have any conflicts during the hunt tomorrow.

Dulin nodded and said, "That's good."

That afternoon, Chu Nian received an imperial decree ordering him to go hunting. The eunuch who delivered the decree had been instructed by the emperor that, although the decree had been issued, it was up to Chu Nian to decide whether or not to go.

Chu Nian gladly accepted the imperial decree, explaining that she would wait outside the city early the next morning to meet the royal carriage and head to the hunting grounds together. The eunuch breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. He was genuinely worried that the girl wouldn't agree. Although the emperor had said so, what if the girl refused and the emperor became displeased and blamed him?

He also received a gold ingot from Chu Nian, and was very happy when he returned to the palace. When he reported back to the emperor, he spoke very well of Chu Nian.

Zhao Feiyan asked Chu Nian with some worry and helplessness, "Sister, I just don't understand. Why did the royal family invite you to the hunting trip for the envoys? Could it be that Yang Jie is planning something?"

Chu Nian laughed and said, "Don't worry, our emperor might not even think much of his cousin. I bet this was orchestrated by that little princess of Xiwan Kingdom."

"Princess? Zoya?" Zhao Feiyan was quite surprised. "Why did she send you on a hunt?"

Chu Nian: "She probably felt that since I dragged her into this mess, I couldn't just stand by and watch the show!"

Zhao Feiyan sighed, "Alas, she wasn't dragged into this by you. She was targeted by Yang Jie on her own. She has no one to blame but herself." After a pause, she added, "I'll go with my sister tomorrow!" This royal hunt is something even the Empress Dowager is going to do, not to mention the many civil and military officials. Plus, with that scoundrel Yang Jie constantly plotting, she was really worried that Chu Nian wouldn't be able to handle it alone.

Chu Nian thought that in the original story, the male and female leads had already fallen for each other at this point. However, because of her time travel, Zhao Feiyan seemed to spend all her time around her and didn't like going out to play as much as in the original story. As a result, the two of them hadn't had enough contact yet. So she nodded and said, "That's good. You should go out and have more fun too." This would create more opportunities for the male and female leads to get to know each other.

The two drove to the pavilion outside the city early in the morning.

Seeing the grand arrival of the royal convoy, even Zhao Feiyan, a modern person, couldn't help but feel nervous. She noticed that her sister Tong, on the other hand, seemed used to such things and showed no signs of nervousness.

She recalled Tong Nian's background—she came from an official family—and guessed that Tong Nian must have witnessed many such scenes in her childhood. Her original owner was also said to have been born into a noble family, but she lacked the original owner's childhood memories, which made her feel somewhat nervous at this moment.

However, seeing that Sister Tong was calm and composed, her tense heart quickly calmed down, but she secretly became more vigilant, fearing that someone might want to harm them, especially Yang Jie.

But she was really overthinking it.

Yang Jie is most afraid of Princess Xiwan causing him trouble, especially since the Empress Dowager is still alive. Therefore, he has always maintained a polite attitude, even towards the little palace maids.

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager became even more pleased with her nephew.