The annual royal hunting trip is about to begin, and the atmosphere in the capital is particularly festive and lively because of this event.
Crowds of people coming and going seemed to want to take this opportunity to see the majesty of the royal team, and many people from surrounding cities came to join in the fun.
The inns in the capital are almost full.
Late at night, the stars are twinkling and the moonlight is bright, indicating that tomorrow will be another good day.
Deep in a damp alley, a dim candle in a lantern swayed in the wind, casting a small patch of eerie light and shadow.
Five dark shadows gathered silently in a small, dilapidated courtyard. The doors and windows were closed, and only a few faint lights from candles leaked through the gaps.
The leading man had a hideous scar on his temple. Half of his face was hidden in the shadows. He lowered his voice and asked, "Is everyone here?"
"All ready." The speaker was a thin man.
However, even though he was thin, he was still taller than the crowd in the capital.
The rest of them were all tall and strong.
The leading man nodded, lowering his rough voice and looking solemn and serious. "There's a change of plan. The Anyang army's offensive on the northwest border has been too fierce recently, and the king has already lost three cities in a row."
"Hmph! It's all because of that eldest son of the Xiao family. He's clearly an uneducated playboy in the capital!" A burly man clenched his fists. Considering that if he made any noise at this hour, he might be discovered by others, he resisted the urge to punch the table in front of him.
His tone was filled with uncontrollable anger, and his voice rose unconsciously: "That lunatic Xiao Yunyu is like a mad dog!"
"Shut up!" The scarred man shouted coldly, looking at him: "The Spring Hunt is in three days, and the king has issued new orders."
He slowly unfolded a sheepskin map and pointed at a certain location: "Assassinate the Emperor of Anyang, create civil unrest, and force the Xiao family army to retreat."
Everyone held their breath and stood still upon hearing this. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on everyone's face.
"But the palace is heavily guarded..." someone said hesitantly in a low voice.
"Boss, what you mean is that we should take advantage of the Spring Hunt." The thinner man looked at him with disdain and sneered, explaining, "The Emperor is hunting, and the Imperial Guards are dispersed. This is the perfect time."
He pulled out an exquisite golden whistle from his pocket. "This is the 'Nightingale Whistle' I got earlier. It can imitate bird calls to transmit signals."
The scarred man took the golden whistle, his eyes flashing with a fierce look, and he said in a low, sinister tone: "Remember, once you succeed, immediately create chaos and let Anyang think... This is a rebellion by the Xiao family army!"
Suddenly, footsteps were heard in the yard and everyone fell silent instantly.
When the person approached, one of the strong men immediately drew his sword and shouted, "Who?"
"It's me." The door was gently pushed open, and a young man in a cloak flashed in with a grim expression.
"The latest news is that the Xiao family army has just raided our last stronghold in the northern border."
The thin man exclaimed: "What!"
The scarred man grabbed Sima Shaoyu by the collar and asked, "Is the news accurate?"
Sima Shaoyu nodded: "It is absolutely true. The king is furious and orders us to act within three days at all costs."
The room fell into a dead silence because of his words, with only the flickering light of the candlelight swaying.
The scarred man slowly loosened his grip, his eyes blazing with sinister fury. "Then let Anyang Kingdom's spring hunt... turn into a blood feast!"
The next day, in the evening, the sun slowly retreated, leaving behind a brilliant afterglow.
A touch of bright red was like a red curtain in the inky sky, dyeing the entire western sky red.
In the study of the Su Mansion.
Su Cheng sat behind the desk, his small eyes as cold as ice. "The Spring Hunt is coming soon. If you fail again this time, you two brothers and sisters will not be able to return to the Su family."
Su Jingming stood with his hands hanging down, his face tense: "Don't worry, father, I have made all the arrangements."
"You said the same thing last time." Su Cheng's two black eyebrows knitted together tightly, and he looked at Su Muyan beside him, "What about you? Don't let me down again this time."
Su Muyan lowered her head. The father she used to respect, now in her heart, besides respect, she was more afraid of him.
She forced a smile, her voice tense, "My daughter will obey my father's orders."
"That's better." Su Cheng narrowed his eyes. His already small eyes seemed to be completely closed, and not even a trace of his eyeballs could be seen.
"If you fail again, I will just find someone to marry you off to."
Su Jingming looked up suddenly: "Father!"
Su Cheng glanced over coldly, his tone dangerous: "Why, do you have any objections?"
Su Jingming's words were stuck in his throat, and he finally lowered his head and said, "Son, I dare not do that. I will obey your orders."
Su Cheng waved his hand: "Everyone, leave."
The two of them walked out of the study one after the other.
Su Muyan didn't want to see her elder brother at all now. She just wanted to speed up and escape from this hell that terrified her.
Only after walking out of the main courtyard did Su Jingming catch up with Su Muyan.
"Mu Yan!" Seeing that she ignored him, Su Jingming walked even faster and reached out to grab his sister's wrist.
"I have something to tell you."
Su Muyan looked back at him, her tone sarcastic: "If you want to say something, hurry up and don't delay my rest."
Su Jingming looked around and lowered his voice: "It's not convenient here, let's go to the side yard."
Su Muyan sneered: "Oh, what is this shameful thing?"
She shook off her eldest brother's hand, her eyes full of impatience and disgust towards him: "If it's inconvenient to say it, don't say it. I don't want to hear it either."
After saying that, Su Muyan flicked her sleeves and continued walking towards her courtyard.
Su Jingming's eyes darkened, and he grabbed her arm and forcefully pulled her into the deserted corner of the corridor.
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