Chapter 57

The Spring Hunt lasted three days, with three rounds of hunting. The person who caught the most prey on a single day, and the person who caught the most prey over the three days combined, would receive a generous reward. Not only were the rewards enticing, but the opportunity to showcase one's talents before the king was truly rare.

The military commanders were already eager to try their hand. Many of the princes' and ministers' sons and daughters, many of whom had learned horseback riding and archery since childhood, joined together to participate in the spring hunt, making the scene even more spectacular. They rode tall horses, bows and arrows slung over their backs, reins in hand, their faces beaming with pride, waiting only for the horn to blow.

On the viewing platform, Yu Xi and Ling Huanchen had completely different attitudes from the people below. They looked like they were out for a picnic to relax. There were people fanning them from behind, and people at hand offering them tea and snacks at any time. They looked relaxed and at ease.

Ling Huanchen thought that Yu Xi would join him in the hunting on the first day, but he didn't expect that he had no intention of participating. Instead, he accompanied him on the viewing platform as a spectator.

"Brother Wang, Madam Wang!" Yu Zhao rolled sideways onto his horse and waved at them from the audience. "I will definitely bring back the most prey."

The two looked at each other, neither of them having the heart to dampen his enthusiasm.

The horns sounded, the horses' hooves flew, and everyone galloped towards the depths of the woods.

Ling Huanchen took a sip of tea and glanced at Ji Yunlou, who was also staying in the viewing platform. "Why didn't Yunlou go with them?"

Ji Yunlou nodded slightly, "I am not good at riding or archery."

Yu Xi laughed when he heard this and said, "Yunlou is being modest."

Ji Yunlou coughed twice and said, "It would be unfair to them if I leave."

It sounded absolutely frivolous, but after the rain-raising ritual, it seemed like Ji Yunlou was just stating the facts.

"Your Majesty, are you not hunting today?"

Ling Huanchen turned his head and looked at Yu Xi. Ji Yunlou’s problem was also his problem.

Yu Xi smiled, "I want to stay and accompany Huanchen, unlike Yunlou who has no worries. In fact, Yunlou can go with them, he doesn't need to go all out."

"Your Majesty, have some tea."

Yu Xi took the teacup handed to her by Ling Huanchen, and they smiled at each other.

Ji Yunlou looked away and for the first time agreed with what Yu Zhao said. After spending a long time with these two people, you will get used to it.

The hunting team was gone for a whole day and it was already dark when they returned. When the horn sounded again, it meant that the first hunt was over.

The palace servants were tapping the prey. Yu Zhao jumped onto the viewing platform, approached Yu Xi, and said with a grin, "Brother Wang, if I win first place today, how will you reward me?"

Yu Xi thought for a moment and said, "Whatever you say."

Yu Zhao was full of confidence, "Brother Wang, please keep your word."

The palace servants reported the number of prey each person had caught, and those with no prey or too few prey were not announced publicly.

"My Lord, today we're hunting: a deer, three rabbits, and a wild boar."

At this point, Yu Xi had the largest number of prey. Yu Zhao immediately raised his head and chest, feeling very proud.

Ling Huanchen tilted his head to look at him, "Our Zhao'er has made it big."

Yu Zhao smiled embarrassedly and was about to stand up to receive the reward when he heard the palace servant still reporting the number of prey.

"Miss Zuo, today's hunting: two deer, three rabbits, a wild boar, and an eagle."

Birds of prey are difficult to hunt, especially eagles. Catching one is definitely not just a matter of luck. Of all the people who joined the hunt, only Miss Zuo managed to kill an eagle.

As for who Miss Zuo is, perhaps no one knows, but throughout the entire dynasty, there is only one adult with the surname Zuo.

Yu Zhao was very upset that the credit was snatched away by this Miss Zuo who showed up unexpectedly.

Seeing him instantly turn into a frosted eggplant, Ling Huanchen consoled him, "Zhao'er, being second is already a big improvement. Don't worry, there are still two more games to go."

Yu Zhao looked at Ling Huanchen, nodded heavily, and then stared at the audience. He wanted to see who this Miss Zuo was.

Under everyone's gaze, the woman known as Miss Zuo jumped off her horse, walked to the front of the stage, and kowtowed, saying, "My humble daughter Zuo Lan pays respects to the king, Your Highness."

Ling Huanchen was a little surprised. Actually, he had seen this Miss Zuo before. She was the Second Miss Zuo whom he almost bumped into during his only visit to the Prime Minister's Mansion that day.

"Get up."

Yu Xi gave a wink, and Fu Changshi immediately stepped forward and handed the brocade box that was awarded to Zuo Lan.

Zuo Lan held the box and bowed to thank Wang En. When she stood up, she glanced at Ling Huanchen and smiled innocently. Ling Huanchen nodded and smiled at her, and she smiled even brighter.

Although Miss Zuo Lan was beautiful and loved to laugh, making it hard not to have a good impression of her, she was now Yu Zhao's competitor, and Yu Zhao always seemed to be a bit competitive towards her.

"山，与。氵，タ" not only stole the credit from him, but also made his wife Wang smile at her so beautifully.

Yu Zhao glared at Zuo Lan angrily, and just as the other party was looking away, his eyes glanced towards him.

When their eyes met, Yu Zhao was stunned and immediately became timid, looking away and around.

As a prince, he should be magnanimous and not argue with a little girl. He should just take back the credit next time.

Yu Xi not only rewarded Zuo Lan, but was so pleased that he also rewarded Zuo Xiang.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The Left Prime Minister and his daughter came to express their gratitude together.

"My dear Zuo, you have taught your daughter well. She will become a great person in the future." Yu Xi praised without reservation.

A girl who just turned 18 stood out among the princes and nobles, showing her ability to be as good as any man. Yu Xi never discriminated between men and women, nor their background, but only their talent.

Zuo Lan blinked, "Your Majesty, I have a request."

"Lan'er." The Left Prime Minister stopped his daughter and said, "Your Majesty, please don't be offended. This is the first time I've witnessed such a scene, and I don't know the severity of it."

"No problem." Yu Xi was very happy to see such a talented person. He spoke to Zuo Lan in a much more gentle manner, just like when he spoke to Yu Zhao. "What do you want?"

Zuo Lan said cautiously, "This subject wants the words written by the king and his highness personally. I hope the king will grant them!"

Yu Xi and Ling Huanchen looked at each other, both of them were obviously a little surprised, but Yu Xi has always been generous to talented people, so Ling Huanchen didn't care. Instead, he had a good impression of this Miss Zuo Er.

"Okay."

Zuo Lan's face was filled with joy. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

A bonfire was lit under the viewing platform, and people sat around it in groups of three or five. The prey they caught during the day became their dinner, and the fine wine was brought from the palace. The delicious food paired with the fine wine, and soon the air was filled with fragrance.

As the first place winner in the first round, Zuo Lan immediately became the focus of everyone's attention. Many princes and nobles hinted at her and talked to the prime minister, taking the opportunity to get close to the second Miss Zuo.

The sound of the orchestra rang out, and the dancers danced in the middle of the bonfire. The ministers toasted each other and feasted on the food, and watching the beauties dance was even more pleasing to the eyes.

"Huanchen, come here."

Yu Xi deliberately broke the lamb leg apart to make it easier for Ling Huanchen to bite. Yu Xi handled the lamb leg first, breaking the chicken leg, rabbit leg, and deer leg into smaller pieces before handing them to Ling Huanchen. While everyone else's hands and mouths were covered in grease, Ling Huanchen's slow, measured manner was a stark contrast to the officials wolfing down their food.

"Your Majesty, have some too." As he said that, he handed over a piece of venison. Yu Xi held his wrist and took a bite.

The dancers dispersed to the various fires. The only one, the one wearing scarlet, circled Yu Zhao's side, her slender waist swaying, the ornaments on her waist jingling. She picked up the wine jar and poured a glass of wine for Yu Zhao, then raised the glass to toast him. Just as she was about to fall into his arms, he suddenly tightened his grip on the glass and stood up, nearly sending the dancer falling to the ground.

Yu Zhao stared at the bonfire with the most people, still thinking about how to win back the game and let Zuo Lan know how powerful he was. He waved his hand impatiently and said, "Go jump to someone else's."

Seeing this, Ling Huanchen couldn't help but chuckle, "Zhao'er is still a child."

Yu Xi raised her eyebrows. "How old is he? He's only half a year younger than Huanchen."

Ling Huanchen just smiled without saying anything. Although Yu Zhao and the others were not much younger than him, he had two lives, which meant that he must have lived longer than them combined. Therefore, in his eyes, Yu Zhao, Xiao Qi, Yun He and the others were just children.

The dancer bit her lower lip and quickly stepped aside, this time coming to Ji Yunlou's side, her sleeves fluttering as she placed them on his shoulders. A more understanding man would have grabbed his sleeve and drawn him into her arms, a common practice in romantic affairs. But she was facing a man who didn't understand romance; not only was he indifferent, he even frowned, his face etched with disdain.

"Can you go dance with someone else?"

After being driven away twice, the dancer could no longer twist her waist and retreated to the corner in shame.

Ling Huanchen couldn't find an excuse this time. He could only say that the high priest of their Youcheng was obsessed with medicine and formations, and had no interest in beauty.

The dinner lasted until late at night. Since there was to be a second hunting match tomorrow, Yu Xi spoke and everyone dispersed and returned to their tents.

Ling Huanchen went back to the king's tent with him. Maybe it was because he had eaten venison, but as soon as he entered the tent, Yu Xi came up to him.

After several months, the situation was about to break out. The wound on his arm had long since healed, so Yu Xi no longer had any concerns.

After two passionate sessions, Ling Huanchen hurriedly held back Yu Xi and pushed him away, stopping the third session in time.

"Your Majesty, there will be a hunt tomorrow."

Yu Xi smiled, hugged him and lay down, "Huanchen wants to watch me die in person?"

Ling Huanchen lowered his eyes. If he said no, he believed Yu Xi would pester him till dawn. So he made a quick decision, "I want to see."

"Does Huanchen want to go with us?"

Ling Huanchen was stunned when he heard this, "Can I go too?"

He can't ride a horse or shoot an arrow, and knows nothing about martial arts. How can he hunt?

Yu Xi lowered her head and stole a kiss. "Of course, as long as Huanchen wants to go, he can go. I guarantee that Huanchen can also ride a horse and shoot arrows himself."

Ling Huanchen felt hopeful after hearing these words. Could it be that Yu Xi wanted to teach him? However, if he tried to cram for the exam at the last minute, it would probably be difficult to learn in just one day.

But now that he had the chance, he really wanted to try the feeling of riding a horse and shooting arrows, instead of just envying others.

"I want to go."

"Okay." Yu Xi said softly, biting his earlobe lightly, "I'll let you go today."

The author has something to say:

Thank you baby "Jiuzixuli" for the encouragement of nutrient solution!