Chapter Ninety-Six: Will You Enter the Palace?

It turns out that this alternative route happens to pass right outside the Royal Zoo.

Song Sangyu had already bribed a minor manager of the animal enclosure with a large sum of money. While everyone's attention was drawn to the argument, she secretly opened a mechanism in one of the animal cages and released a ferocious tiger with bloodshot eyes.

The tiger was unusually ferocious. As soon as it was released from its cage, it let out a deafening roar and charged straight toward the high platform where the emperor's carriage was located.

However, its route will happen to pass near Song Yiqiu's new route.

This plan kills two birds with one stone: it creates huge chaos and covers up the shameful incident.

If the emperor could be injured, the blame could be shifted to Song Yiqiu, who was nearby, for inadequate protection, or even for deliberately attracting wild beasts. If the beasts then attacked Song Yiqiu, killing someone with the help of a tiger would be even more swift and efficient.

"Protect the Emperor! Quickly, protect the Emperor!"

"A beast! A beast!"

"Protect His Majesty!"

The scene instantly descended into chaos, with screams from the women and shouts from the guards rising and falling.

The incident happened so suddenly that the imperial guards were caught off guard and watched as the ferocious tiger was about to pounce on the platform.

At the critical moment, Song Yiqiu remained calm despite her shock. She immediately spurred her horse to the side, drew her bow without hesitation, and fired an arrow that pierced the air, striking the open ground in front of the tiger's forelegs with precision. The arrow embedded itself deeply in the ground, successfully attracting the tiger's attention.

At the same time, she shouted, "Come here!", trying to lure the tiger away from the direction of the imperial carriage.

The tiger, in pain, quickly turned around and changed its target, its scarlet eyes fixed on Song Yiqiu, roaring as it pounced.

Despite the danger, Song Yiqiu remained fearless, drew his bow, and fired arrows in quick succession, each one striking the tiger's body without fail.

However, the beast's thick hide and abnormal condition prevented it from dying immediately. Instead, it was provoked into becoming even more ferocious and mad.

For a time, Song Yiqiu was locked in a fierce battle with the tiger, facing numerous dangers. Her horse reared up in fright, and she was nearly thrown off several times.

Just as life and death hung in the balance, a figure galloped out on horseback; it was none other than Crown Prince Xiao Yongjing.

His expression remained unchanged, his eyes sharp, and the precious bow in his hand was already fully drawn.

The two arrows flew in quick succession, so fast that their afterimages were almost invisible.

The first arrow blew out one of the tiger's eyes; the second arrow pierced its gaping maw, reaching its throat.

The tiger let out a mournful howl, its body crashed to the ground, twitched a few times, and then fell silent.

From the moment the beast was released to its demise at the hands of the two, only a few dozen breaths passed.

There was a chorus of sobs in the room; everyone was still in shock.

Xiao Yongjing reined in his horse and exchanged a glance with Song Yiqiu, who had just regained her balance.

Both of them saw the lingering killing intent and silent comfort in each other's eyes; the tacit understanding at this moment needed no words.

"Jing'er!"

The emperor was clearly quite startled, but more than anything, he was relieved that the crown prince had protected him.

"Excellent! You remained calm in the face of danger, your archery skills were superb, and you have rendered meritorious service in saving the Emperor. I am very pleased!"

Xiao Yongjing dismounted, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a steady voice:

"It is my duty, and I dare not take credit for it."

He curled his lips into a smirk, exuding an aura of wickedness, and swept his gaze over the crowd.

“However, Father! This beast is carefully guarded by the Beast Garden. Why would it break out for no reason? Moreover, judging from its appearance, its eyes are bloodshot and it is extremely frantic. It is definitely not an ordinary madness.”

"It is feared that someone has done this intentionally and with malicious intent. Your Majesty, I implore you to immediately conduct a thorough investigation of the manager of the animal park and all those involved, to find the mastermind behind it and uphold the law."

Upon hearing this, the emperor was furious:

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me, imprison all those involved in the imperial prison, and subject them to severe torture. I want to see who has the audacity to commit such a treasonous act at the Autumn Hunting Ceremony."

"I obey the decree!"

The commander of the Imperial Guards and the Minister of the Imperial Household Department immediately obeyed the order, and a flurry of activity ensued as they went to apprehend the person.

Just then, the emperor's gaze fell back on Song Yiqiu.

She stood beside the horse, her hair slightly disheveled, her cheeks flushed from the fierce battle, but her eyes remained clear.

The sunlight outlined her profile, and the heroic spirit between her brows slowly overlapped with that blurry figure in my memory...

The emperor's expression softened slightly, and his tone became much gentler:

"Song Qing's daughter, come closer and let me take a good look at you."

Song Yiqiu stepped forward as instructed, bowed her head and stood respectfully, her manners impeccable.

The emperor gazed at it for a moment, his expression turning more wistful, and slowly said:

"I remember that seven years ago, the border was unstable, and the Song family needed to send a member to gain experience in order to determine the successor to the title. At that time... was it you who drew the lot?"

Song Yiqiu's heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm and responded:

"Your Majesty, it is indeed I, your humble daughter. I have received Your Majesty's grace and spent seven years on the frontier, and I dare not fail Your Majesty's expectations."

"Good! Well said, 'I dare not fail His Majesty's expectations!'"

A look of admiration flashed in the emperor's eyes.

"A woman willingly went to a harsh and cold place to defend the country. This courage and integrity are just like your grandmother Shen back then! If she were alive, she would be pleased to see you like this."

His words were filled with nostalgia; even after death, he still carried the spirit of his deceased friend.

Then, his tone became even more amiable:

"Yiqiu, how old are you this year? Have you... been betrothed to someone? Or, is there someone you admire in your heart?"

Upon hearing this question, all the perceptive people present were taken aback. Fu Langxing clenched his fists subconsciously, while Song Sangyu dug her nails into her palms out of jealousy.

Warning bells rang in Song Yiqiu's mind, but she had no choice but to answer:

"Your Majesty, I have wasted nineteen years of my life. As for the matter of marriage... it is my parents' decision, and I dare not speak of it rashly."

The emperor seemed unsurprised by the answer; he nodded slightly, his gaze distant.

"I have known your grandmother since we were young. She made great contributions to the country and was also an old friend of mine. Seeing that she has such an outstanding descendant as you, I am very pleased."

"This deep palace is so lonely. If I could have a woman like you, who is sensible, knows when to advance and retreat, and has the talent of a general, by my side to talk about the past and the scenery of the frontier, it would be a wonderful thing. You... do you have any thoughts about entering the palace?"

The words "enter the palace" startled everyone present, leaving them speechless. The emperor was already in his seventies, while Song Yiqiu was only sixteen. This was an almost blatant implication.

Song Yiqiu was unusually at a loss, not understanding why the emperor would suddenly act so absurdly. She was pondering how to politely refuse the emperor's favor without offending him...

Just then, Xiao Yongjing suddenly stepped forward, subtly blocking Song Yiqiu's line of sight from the emperor's by half a step.

He bowed respectfully, interrupting the emperor's more explicit decree at just the right moment:

“Father! Your Majesty’s appreciation for talent and the sentiments of old friends are well known. However, there are more pressing matters at this moment, concerning the foundation of the nation and the stability of the borders. I must report this immediately!”

The emperor, slightly displeased at being interrupted, glanced at the crown prince. Seeing his solemn expression, which seemed genuine, he temporarily set aside the topic of Song Yiqiu's whereabouts and said in a deep voice:

"Oh? Jing'er, what is so urgent?"

Seizing this fleeting opportunity to catch her breath, Song Yiqiu immediately knelt down and steered the conversation in a direction the two had already prepared.