To be a tiger's companion

She had played with the monkey king since childhood and had some knowledge of the temperament of animals.

At this moment, the tiger clearly showed signs of restlessness. It's unknown whether Pei Yu realized this.

Or perhaps, whether Pei Yu was aware of it or not, at this moment, the arrow was already on the bowstring and had no choice but to be released.

When the caged cart passed Jinshui Tower, they realized the tiger was acting strangely. By then, it was too late to regret their decision and retreat.

Tonight, all the officials have gathered, but only Sikong Zhao, the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards, and Pei Yuanli, the Marquis of Dongguang, have avoided the banquet.

The excuse for Sikong Zhao's absence was that the emperor said that it was especially important to be vigilant at times like these, and that the Grand Commander had gone on a city tour.

However, it was somewhat strange that Pei Yuanli, as the top military leader, was absent, since all his subordinates had come.

Those who know all say that this banquet is not only to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in the palace, but also to welcome the envoys of the Shuofang Army Vanguard Camp. Therefore, Pei Yuanli withdrew to avoid embarrassment.

Only Pei Yu knew that Pei Yuanli, who had been invited to tea by Gu Yi last night, had not yet returned to the mansion.

It seems that as long as Sikong Zhao, whom she injured, remains unconscious, her father Pei Yuanli will not be able to return.

Her father was already under house arrest. If she, as his daughter, did not appear at the palace banquet as promised to reassure Jianzhang Shi, everyone would probably think that her father's charge of treason was settled and that the Pei family had been removed from the list of high-ranking families.

Only by entering the palace as if nothing had happened and demonstrating the Pei family's superb animal taming skills could she demonstrate the strength of the Jianzhang Army and its unwavering loyalty to the dynasty.

This would not arouse suspicion from outsiders that the imperial court was determined to stand with the Shuofang Army and suppress the Pei family.

This was a compromise and show of weakness with a clear objective.

Pei Yu stood gracefully, cupped her hands in a military salute, and said loudly, "Pei Yu, daughter of Marquis Dongguang Pei Yuanli, presents the White Tiger Worship Ceremony to His Majesty, His Majesty, and His Highness the Crown Prince, wishing His Majesty a long life and our Great Yan Kingdom peace and prosperity!"

Left Chancellor Gongyi Xiu was sitting a seat below Crown Prince Xie Tiao. He had not forgotten the Crown Prince's advice in the back hall to get married as soon as possible to avoid causing harm to the noble ladies of the capital. He quietly said to the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, would you be willing to marry this woman who has the skills to drive away tigers and tame beasts and the strength to break through formations and subdue enemies?"

His words were not entirely unfounded mockery.

Pei Yuanli was in court at the time striving to get his daughter into the palace as a Flying Phoenix Guard of the Eastern Palace. Even Pei's wife, Mu Huaying, went to the palace to curry favor with Consort Chen, fearing that Shangguan Yuqi would get there first. Naturally, all for the sake of the position of Crown Princess.

In fact, if Shangguan Yuqi insists on not accepting the position of Crown Princess, then Pei Yu is indeed the only suitable candidate for Crown Princess.

Because Shangguan was the head of the Jiangzuo civil officials group, while the Pei family was the first military clan of the Southern Dynasty.

Although military generals wield military power, they have never been as refined and noble as aristocratic civil officials who can speak eloquently and possess strategic acumen. Therefore, in the eyes of high-ranking families, their status is far less prestigious than that of aristocratic families like the Shangguan and Xie families.

The Pei family had controlled the central army for generations, and their influence in the Jianzhang Division was deeply entrenched. Even civil and military officials dared not provoke them.

If the Pei family were to form another marriage alliance with the current royal Xie family and produce an empress, the Pei family would become incomparably powerful and wealthy, and countless people would flock to follow suit.

Xie Tiao, who was usually aloof and refined, was startled by his question. He first looked at Shangguan Yuqi, who was sitting opposite him, and saw that she looked detached and indifferent. Then he said in a low voice, "Don't talk nonsense. How can I decide my marriage?"

Gongyi Xiu couldn't help but find it amusing that the Crown Prince was so composed.

Xie Tiao clearly disliked Pei Yu and was devoted to Shangguan Yuqi, yet she never uttered a single word that belittled the eldest daughter of the Pei family. This shows that she had inherited some of the gentlemanly qualities from her tutor, Gu Yi.

At this moment, a long roar resounded throughout the arena, and for a moment it seemed as if the pillars of the palace were trembling.

The cage door, about ten feet wide, clattered and slowly rose up from the large, fine steel cage.

Pei Yu gently manipulated the iron chains, leading the massive white tiger slowly out.

Led by Pei Yu, Baihu first circled the arena once.

This tiger is fierce in appearance, with hot breath coming out of its mouth and nose. It walks casually, and its four huge paws land silently, but its muscles and bones are bulging, as if it could strike and hurt someone at any time.

Anyone whose gaze is swept over by its deep blue eyes cannot help but feel a sense of awe.

This tiger, however, is a species that is born with a mysterious and majestic aura befitting the king of beasts. Although this tiger was raised by Pei Yu like a large cat from a young age in the Divine Mastiff Camp, it had never witnessed any fighting or bloodshed.

According to Pei Yu, even adding chains would be unnecessary. Therefore, the tiger was extremely obedient and never disobeyed Pei Yu's wishes. Pei Yu named it "Huan'er". In the camp, when he called it, it would come running with all four paws; when he asked it to leave, it would wag its tail and go away reluctantly. It was very understanding.

However, her parents insisted that she wear the chain collar, and she had no choice but to comply.

But at this moment, Pei Yu realized that his parents were right. Because the white tiger Huan'er had shown impatience as it circled the arena.

It occasionally shook its head and rattled the chain, seemingly very uncomfortable with the thing dragging it. Its body also swayed from side to side, unwilling to walk in the direction Pei Yu was dragging it.

Pei Yu found it strange, but instinctively increased the force in her hand, forcing it to obediently complete the circle.

The white tiger, head drooping, was dragged around the circle until it arrived before the emperor.

Consort Chen, Li Lanxiu, whose seat was closest to the Emperor, outwardly smiled with envy, but secretly remained vigilant and wary—a sensitivity and alertness honed from years of serving as a secret guard. Anything that threatened the Emperor's safety, even with only a one percent chance of danger, could not be taken lightly.

Zhao Lingying remained calm and collected, carrying his wine cup to Xie Lang's vicinity. Ostensibly, he was observing the situation, but in reality, he was also on high alert.

Madam Pei, who was seated at the guest table, did not react much. She simply watched calmly as the white tiger stepped forward and bowed with its paws clasped.

She saw Pei Yu and Huan'er playing around together a lot in the military camp, so she had a certain confidence in Pei Yu's ability to control the tiger that others could not match.

Under Pei Yu's whispered instruction, the white tiger indeed placed its two huge, furry front paws on the golden embroidered hibiscus carpet, brought its head close to the steps, and seemingly touched the ground with its head.

A tidal wave of shouts of "Long live!" immediately erupted from the guest seats on both sides.

In the days of Emperor Shun, when sacred music was played, all beasts would dance. Tonight, first comes the enchanting dance of "White Silk," followed by the white tiger paying homage to the emperor. If this were written by Zhao Lingying, the magistrate of the Imperial Library, as a grand poem, it would surely depict a scene of unprecedented prosperity and enlightenment in the Southern Dynasties.

A slight smile appeared on Xie Lang's usually stern and solemn face.

After ten years of diligent and conscientious governance, though not exactly a period of hardship and humiliation, it was certainly a period of preparation and hard work, with no room for complacency. Finally, we are witnessing the dawn of a prosperous era. As a ruler, it is impossible not to feel gratified.

Even knowing that the arrival of the White Tiger is a man-made auspicious omen, it is still interesting, and besides, no one would have the leisure to create such an auspicious omen unless it were a time of peace and tranquility. Even if it is a work of art, it is still a blessing for the nation.

Only then did a hint of smugness appear on Pei Yu's face.

The animal taming skills passed down through generations of the Pei family were finally able to be formally recognized.

The next moment, Pei Yu led the white tiger back to the center of the hall, untied the iron chain around the white tiger's neck with one hand, raised the ten-foot-long bronze ring with the other, and began to retreat.

She wanted to signal the white tiger to perform a leaping and looping act, so she removed its chains to avoid affecting its agility.

Tigers are always fierce beasts. If they are merely tethered and roamed around like cats and dogs, it will not fully display the majesty of the king of the forest. It would be a waste of their talents and would not be outstanding enough.

Pei Yu had played this trick with it many times when they were in the camp. When it was young, it was not easy for it to leap and it would often miss its target. At that time, Pei Yu often encouraged it, and every time it successfully leaped over, he would reward it with a large piece of meat.

Later, it became so skilled that whenever it saw the ring, it would leap over it without hesitation, without even needing any reward.

At this moment, Pei Yu retreated several feet away, staring at it intently, signaling it to come over with his eyes.

Huan'er's anxiety seemed to have intensified at this moment, but she still managed to patiently shuffle over.

In truth, most of those present could tell that this tiger wasn't as obedient and docile as Pei Yuanli had boasted in court. At least, that was the case at the moment. Whether it was smoothing things over or kowtowing, there was an element of Pei Yu using force to suppress it.

However, even if one disregards the Pei family's reputation, one must still consider the Emperor's. Moreover, since no one has ever been known to bring a tiger into the palace before, Pei Yu's unprecedented act of doing so is quite groundbreaking. Whether it is exceptionally brilliant or not is not that important.

It would be quite good if we could just go through the motions and fulfill this auspicious symbolism.

Pei Yu had indeed used force to subdue it before, but now that the chains had been removed, it was still sullen and forced to cooperate despite its anxiety, which inevitably made Pei Yu feel embarrassed.

Everyone held their breath, waiting with bated breath.

Only A-Qiu's heart sank lower and lower.

Once one's martial arts skills reach the level of one's master, one rarely uses poison anymore.

But tonight, Master is entering the palace alone, which is different from usual. In order to escape from the siege, he will most likely be carrying poison and firearms, just in case.

Dealing with Gu Yi is unnecessary, but dealing with this fierce tiger right now becomes extremely useful.

Judging from the White Tiger's restrained and anxious state, it must have been poisoned by the sect's most potent poison, "Burning Scripture Powder." Its limbs and bones are in increasing pain, but because its master is by its side and it has been given strict orders, it has no choice but to suppress it.

"Burning Sutra Powder" is a poison developed by the second senior brother, Mo Yimingyue, specifically for dealing with martial arts masters. The poison is attached to needles as thin as cow's hair, making it impossible to avoid during application. Initially, the victim often feels nothing, only a sting or bite, but the poison then enters the meridians, travels throughout the body, and corrodes the internal organs. At best, it causes the victim to lose all their martial arts skills, rendering them crippled; at worst, it leads to death.

Martial arts masters can still use their internal energy to expel the poison, giving them a sliver of hope. But this white tiger is essentially useless.

Seeing the white tiger slowly approaching him without any sign of jumping up, Pei Yu felt a surge of resentment, thinking Huan'er was disappointing.

She was aware that Huan'er was acting strangely, but eager to make a contribution, it only needed to complete this last leap before it could immediately return to its cage.

Its mission is complete, and the Pei family's efforts will not have been in vain.

Pei Yu silently prayed in his heart, "Huan'er, as long as you jump this time, I will definitely catch two wild rabbits for you when I get back. Whatever it is, just finish this jump first."

With a whoosh of wind, a soft whip shimmering with purple light was already in Pei Yu's hand.

A crisp sound rang out as she lashed the empty space with her whip, shouting, "Come on!"

When taming animals, there must be rewards and punishments. When a wild beast performs the correct action according to its master's command, it is rewarded; when it does not, it is punished. These punishments are mostly physical pain. Through this alternation of rewards and punishments, and through gradual influence, the undeveloped animals can slowly learn some knowledge and understanding.