Chapter Sixty-Four: Threat
As soon as the Quanming Bow was revealed, many people began to ponder its implications.
The fact that this bow was still bestowed as a reward even though the crown prince had already been established suggests there was a deeper meaning behind it.
The empress, her hands tucked into her sleeves, felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of threat.
The crown prince has just been established, and his foundation is not yet stable. Everyone in the court is a cunning old fox, and they will never take sides until they have a clear understanding of the situation.
She turned her head and winked at Huixin, who then knelt down and quickly walked to the Crown Prince's side, whispering something to him.
Yuan Siyin glanced at the various expressions on everyone's faces, then lowered her head listlessly and fiddled with the tortoiseshell bracelet inlaid with gold and jade on her wrist.
"Sister, could you catch a rabbit for Qing when we go to the hunting grounds later?"
Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, Yuan Fuqing leaned halfway down and lay on Yuan Siyin's lap in a rather coquettish manner.
"Want a rabbit?"
Yuan Siyin found it amusing and pinched his little face.
"Didn't you buy one at the lantern festival a few days ago and ask Hongxiu to help you raise it? Why do you want another one?"
“That’s Sister Rabbit. Aqing wants another one to be her little brother,” Yuan Fuqing said earnestly, raising her little face.
"Okay, how about I catch you one that's lively and jumping around?"
Yuan Siyin suppressed a laugh and withdrew her hand. Just then, the deafening sound of gongs and drums rang out. The Empress Dowager gave her a few words of advice before letting her leave her seat.
When the guards who were waiting nearby saw her coming, they immediately led Ta Xue over, and after she mounted her horse, they quickly prepared her bow and arrows and quiver.
"Sister, don't forget Qing's rabbit!"
Yuan Fuqing followed to see them off. The Empress Dowager watched anxiously from the high platform in the distance. Yuan Siyin smiled and agreed, pulling on the reins and wielding the golden whip with a sharp motion: "Alright, sister, remember this, hurry back and keep your aunt company!"
With a neigh, Ta Xue raised its front hooves high, and the man and horse galloped away, their silhouettes exuding an indescribable dashing charm.
All the princes went to the hunting grounds, and even their relatives who were skilled in riding and archery went with them, but Yu Shiyan stayed behind.
In truth, everyone knows that there's really no hope for this guy.
With no background and no favor, it was already a blessing to survive in the cannibalistic palace; how could one possibly climb to that position?
A chill ran down her neck and into her clothes. Yu Shiyan clenched her jade-like fingers into a fist and coughed a few times, bringing them close to her mouth.
Seeing this, Bai Tu turned and went downstairs, and soon served him a cup of fresh tea.
It's barley and orange tea.
Yu Shiyan calmly picked up the glass, took a sip, and didn't ask any further questions.
A large group of people marched towards the high platform. The man and woman at the head of the group were dressed in the finest silk clothing. The emerald green cat's eye jade reflected a dazzling light in the sunlight, making them instantly distinguishable from the crowd.
"The envoys from the Great Liang Kingdom, Wanqi Yao and Wanqi Jiao, greet Your Majesty."
"Rise, you've arrived earlier than I expected."
The emperor gave them a meaningful look and asked Li Yuande to offer them seats. Unexpectedly, Wan Qiyao stood still and looked directly at him with his bright eyes: "I have long heard that the Autumn Hunt in the Central Plains is very lively. I wonder if Yao will have the honor of participating?"
The emperor loathed those sharp, hawk-like eyes, as if he were about to be pounced on and replaced at any moment.
But since the Great Liang Kingdom was, after all, an allied nation of the Central Plains, it was not good to make things too tense on the surface. He nodded and agreed.
Yao dares to ask, what is the reward for the warrior who hunts the most prey?
Seeing the emperor's expression gradually turn cold, Li Yuande's brow twitched with alarm. He could only stand with his head bowed, quietly awaiting orders.
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