The autumn hunt in the Great Qi Dynasty was a grand spectacle, with horse racing, archery, roasting meat, and bonfires. The imperial tents, stretching for hundreds of miles, were bustling with activity and excitement.
The pitch-black night enveloped the bustling hunting grounds, while blazing torches illuminated the surroundings, and tall royal banners fluttered in the wind.
Tens of thousands of noble families, imperial relatives, court officials and their families followed the emperor's warhorse as they galloped across the hunting grounds. The imperial guards stood guard on both sides, creating a magnificent spectacle. Young and agile noblemen and ladies were scattered around the hunting grounds, engaging in sword fights, horse battles, hunting, and falconry.
Chu Changning rode a magnificent red horse, drew his bow and nocked an arrow. His movements were perfectly synchronized. With a sharp whoosh, the arrow whistled through the air and struck a wild fox running through the forest. The surrounding nobles and royalty immediately erupted in cheers.
Throughout history, which empress wasn't noble and dignified, ruling the six palaces? But the empress of the Great Qi not only interfered in politics, but also loved military affairs, and was famous in the army for her horseback riding and archery.
They also trained a group of elite troops composed of light cavalry to guard Xilin Pass. The modified Daqi crossbow could fire 55 arrows in a row, making it a formidable weapon of the time and causing a sensation throughout the border region.
The Empress was a role model for women throughout the land, and her behavior was widely criticized by the court and the public. Noble families submitted memorials to the Emperor, advocating for proper conduct and etiquette for women, and condemning the Empress for her lack of virtue. This angered the Emperor, who, in his wrath, ordered the execution of countless corpses. From then on, no one dared to speak ill of the Empress.
Without any restraint, the empress became even more unrestrained, training strange weapons in the military camp, modifying catapults, and making firearms, which caused quite a stir.
The leader of the Zhatu tribe in Northeast China also heard about these events and was extremely interested in the modified weapons. He traveled a long way to attend the Autumn Banquet, hoping to see them for himself.
"His Majesty has married a fine empress; she has the same grace and elegance as Empress Dowager Xiaoren of Northern Yan."
Yan Beimo, dressed in a long black sable fur coat, rode a fine horse. The cold wind blew, making his fur coat flutter in the wind. A large army followed behind him like a black dragon, exuding royal aura.
He heard Zaruba's voice, glanced at the man on horseback beside him, and a smile appeared on his lips. "A fortunate event for me."
Chu Changning raised an eyebrow slightly at his shameless agreement.
Zaruba laughed heartily, praising the bear a few times. When he mentioned the northern bear that His Majesty had brought from the wilderness, the noble families and military princes behind him were eager to try their luck, cheering loudly, and the hunting ground was filled with jubilation.
"Whoever hurts the Northern Bear, I will give it to them."
At the emperor's command, thousands upon thousands of arrows soared into the air, and hundreds of horses galloped off, instantly scattering around the hunting grounds with loud neighs.
Chu Changning also wanted to go hunting, and was about to spur her horse when the person next to her grabbed her wrist, saying, "You'll be with me later."
She glanced at the powerful and wealthy families surrounding her and said in a low voice, "There are too many people around you. I don't want to be with you."
"---"
Yan Beimo leaned down and whispered in her ear, "If you don't obey, I'll kill you tonight."
Chu Changning wasn't afraid of him at all, but she didn't want to get into a fight in front of everyone, so she reluctantly snorted, "Let's see who kills whom."
The vast sky stretched out before them, and the north wind swept across the hunting grounds. A powerful warhorse galloped in from afar, crashing into the encircled open space and leaving behind a tiger as large as a small hill, causing a stir among the crowd.
The general on horseback leaped off his horse, removed his armor, and knelt down, shouting loudly.
"Your Majesty and Empress wish them a long and prosperous life, and may our Great Qi Dynasty prosper forever."
A roar of applause immediately followed, and the entire hunting ground erupted in thunderous applause and excitement.
"General Xie's archery and horsemanship have improved considerably," Yan Beimo said calmly. "He will reward you with the Crimson Sparrow Sword."
"I thank you Lord for your kindness."
The royal hunting grounds were heavily guarded and covered a vast area, with torches and lanterns illuminating the entire camp on both sides.
Ayu glanced at the bustling square, then quietly slipped behind the imperial tent, took a spirited horse, and mounted it by saddle.
His mother said the hunting grounds were dangerous and that he was too young to go with her, but his father secretly told him that if he could hunt down the wolf king, he would be allowed to listen to his mother tell stories at night.
A long wind howled in, and fierce and ferocious beasts in the enclosure ran wildly. In the dark jungle, shadowy figures roamed about, and the sounds of fleeing and roaring rose and fell.
Chu Changning rode his horse through the jungle, flipping over and hanging upside down, his bow and arrow aimed at a beast that leaped at him.
The newly crafted bow and arrows were indeed incredibly powerful. Twenty-six arrows were fired simultaneously, and the dense barrage of arrows instantly pierced the beast's body. After struggling and writhing for a while, the beast coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground.
"Your Majesty, would you like to have a contest?"
Yan Beimo stood guard beside her, followed by a large group of noble guards. Hearing her cheerful voice, he raised an eyebrow.
"What are we comparing?"
Chu Changning's eyes shone like stars, and she smiled brightly, "Let's see whose weapon is more powerful when we practice."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a wolf suddenly appeared in front of her, its loud howl tearing through the desolate sky. She turned around abruptly, her hand about to shoot an arrow, when she saw a shadowy figure riding towards her on horseback, and her hand tightened.
In an instant, the entire hall fell silent, and everyone's eyes immediately turned to the little prince, who was not yet six years old, and they were all shocked.
Yan Beimo remained calm and composed, pressing down Chu Changning, who was about to rush in, and shouted, "Fire, 100 meters to the right front!"
With a tense expression, Ayu used the stirrups to propel herself up, spun around, and leaped onto the ground. With a whoosh, a sharp arrow shot through the air, striking the wolf in the eye. Three more arrows followed closely behind, piercing the wolf's vital spots.
In an instant, the entire army erupted in cheers, and the surrounding princes and nobles clapped and shouted, praising the crown prince's bravery.
Chu Changning breathed a sigh of relief, spurred his horse closer, and looked at his son who was fearless in the face of danger. He felt a surge of admiration in his heart, but on the surface he scolded him.
"Why did you sneak off here?"
Knowing she was in the wrong, Ayu led her horse forward and respectfully said, "Your subject congratulates Father and Mother on their boundless blessings."
The young crown prince is always gentle and wise in public. Despite his young age, he is very generous and has won praise from everyone in the court and the country. Even the imperial tutor often praises him.
Chu Changning guessed in his heart that it was that unreliable father who had tricked his son again, and he secretly made a note of it, but said gently on the surface.
"Mount up and follow your father."
Ayu was overjoyed and nimbly mounted her horse, following Yan Beimo beside her.
He glanced at the crowd behind him, quietly spurred his horse closer, and whispered, "Father, may I listen to Mother tell my brother stories tonight?"
Yan Beimo, whose eyes were fixed on Chu Changning who was hunting, turned his head when he heard his words and asked, "Did you hunt down the wolf king?"
"---"
Ayu pursed her lips. "Yes, how can Father prove it isn't?"
Yan Beimo narrowed his eyes. "You're such a grown man, and you still want to listen to stories? Aren't you ashamed?"
"Father said he would grant permission if the wolf king was shot. The emperor's word is law, you can't lie to him."
"---"
"That one with the totem carved on its head is the Northern Mountain Wolf King. We'll talk after you hunt it down."
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