Chapter 216 The Emperor is Poisoned
The autumn breeze brings coolness and the osmanthus fragrance.
It's the annual royal autumn hunting day again.
The royal enclosure outside the capital was bustling with flags flying and people talking, creating a very lively scene.
Ajiu was wearing a neat Hu costume, with her hair tied up high. Her little face was full of excitement as she walked around a white horse. The horse was specially selected for her by Xiao Yu and had a very docile temperament.
"Brother Xiongxiong, look, I can get on the horse by myself."
She struggled several times using her hands and feet, and finally managed to climb onto the horse's back. She then shouted triumphantly at the dark figure who was talking to someone not far away.
Xiao Yu turned around when he heard the voice, and seeing her proud look, the corners of his mouth rose slightly uncontrollably.
The Marquis of Anping beside him followed his gaze and couldn't help laughing:
"Your Highness, Miss Jiu is truly lively. I don't think any of the nobles and ladies in this room are happier than she."
Xiao Yu said "hmm" lightly, but his eyes did not move away from the small figure.
Ever since she came of age, this girl has become like a different person.
Although she was still as noisy as before, she always liked to stick to him and would secretly look at him with sparkling eyes for the whole day.
He understood that look.
"Miss Jiu, riding a horse requires more than just sitting still. Come, come, I'll teach you archery."
Censor Qian was enjoying the fun and shouted at Ajiu while holding the bow and arrow in his hand.
When Jiu heard this, his eyes lit up even brighter.
Yes, it is said in the storybook that heroic female heroes can ride horses and shoot arrows.
If she learned it and showed off her skills in front of her brother Xiong Xiong, he would definitely look at her with admiration.
"Okay, okay."
She immediately urged her horse to gallop over.
Censor Qian handed her a small mulberry wood bow and a practice arrow without an arrowhead.
"Here, take it. Straighten your back. Hold the bow with your left hand and pull the string with your right hand. That's right. Look at the target in front of you. Three points in a straight line!"
Ajiu imitated him and drew the bow in a very professional manner.
But she was weak, her face turned red, and her arms were shaking.
“Whoosh—”
The arrow has left the bow.
Then it drew a parabola without any aesthetic appeal and fell on the grass less than three feet away from her horse's head with a "plop".
“…”
The whole audience was silent.
Immediately afterwards, the surrounding princes and nobles burst into undisguised laughter.
"Hahaha, whose daughter is this? How funny!"
"You're not even touching the target. Are you trying to shoot the ants on the ground?"
Ajiu's face turned red all of a sudden, and she wished she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into.
"That's not how you pull a bow." A large, bony hand reached out and gently covered the back of her hand. Xiao Yu had ridden his horse to her side without her knowing.
He leaned over slightly and held her in his arms, his chest close to her back, and his voice rang in her ears.
"Keep your hands steady and your mind calm. Don't look at others; only your goal remains in your eyes."
He took her hand and drew the bowstring back to its original position.
"Once you're sure, let go."
“Whoosh—”
The arrow flew through the air, accompanied by the whistling sound of the wind, and hit the bull's eye steadily a hundred steps away!
"Wow--"
There were exclamations and cheers all around!
Jiu stared blankly at the bull's eye, feeling the burning body temperature and the cool breath behind him, and felt dizzy all over.
Her heart was beating faster than when she had just drawn the bow.
"Have you learned it?" Xiao Yu whispered in her ear.
"I...I learned it..." Jiu stuttered, his cheeks burning hot enough to make pancakes.
Xiao Yu looked at her ears which were red as if they were about to bleed, a smile flashed in his eyes, and then he unnoticeably let go of her hand and distanced himself from her.
At this moment, there was a commotion not far away.
"Your Majesty has arrived—"
"Empress Yunfei has arrived—"
Upon hearing the sound, everyone dismounted and saluted.
Emperor Jingming came over with a beaming face, surrounded by a group of guards. Next to him was a favorite concubine who was dressed in palace clothes, had a beautiful face and a bit of arrogance between her brows. She was Concubine Yun, the daughter of the current Prime Minister Yun.
"Everyone, please stand up. Today is the autumn hunt, so there is no need to stick to conventional etiquette."
Emperor Jingming was in a good mood. He smiled and waved to Xiao Yu.
"Royal brother, today you and I must have a good competition to see who can catch more prey."
"Your humble servant will certainly accompany you." Xiao Yu bowed in response.
Concubine Yun smiled sweetly and leaned against the emperor, saying softly, "Your Majesty is in high spirits. I'm afraid His Royal Highness the Regent will have to admit defeat."
Prime Minister Yun also stroked his beard and complimented him, "Your Majesty's divine majesty is beyond the reach of mortals like us."
This family sang the same tune, openly flattering the emperor but secretly stepping on everyone else, which made many old ministers frown secretly.
Xiao Yu's expression remained unchanged, he just glanced at the father and daughter indifferently.
Chu Xuanyi came over at some point, covered his mouth with a fan, and whispered in Xiao Yu's ear:
"Your Highness, look at the Yun family father and daughter. They're so cocky. She hasn't even become queen yet. What would happen if she really became one?"
With the emperor's order, the autumn hunt officially began.
Horns blew, hounds galloped, and hundreds of princes and nobles rode their horses into the vast enclosure.
"Brother Xiongxiong, let's go over there. I think I saw a big rabbit just now." Ajiu pointed excitedly to a dense forest.
"Follow me closely and don't run around."
Xiao Yu gave some instructions and followed on horseback.
The forest was filled with dappled light and shadows, and frightened birds and animals would occasionally dart out.
Suddenly, a snow-white sika deer rushed out from the depths of the forest and passed in front of the emperor's horse!
"What a beautiful white deer! What an auspicious sign!"
Emperor Jingming was overjoyed and immediately drew his bow and arrow and urged his horse to chase after him.
"Protect the Emperor!"
The guards around immediately shouted and followed closely, and the scene instantly became a little chaotic.
Xiao Yu's brows suddenly frowned.
Something is wrong!
It’s so messy!
The emperor's personal guards are well-trained, how could they allow the formation to be so disorganized?
He was about to open his mouth to warn, but everything happened too fast.
In the chaos, a guard following the emperor suddenly pulled out a crossbow from behind his back, and the arrow glowed with a faint blue light in the sunlight.
It's filled with poison!
"Royal brother!"
Xiao Yu's eyes were bloodshot, he roared, kicked his horse hard, and rushed towards the emperor like crazy.
But it was still a step too late.
"call out--"
With a sharp sound of breaking through the air, the poisonous arrow hit Emperor Jingming in the back.
"Well--"
Emperor Jingming groaned in pain, his whole body stiffened suddenly, and he fell straight off the galloping horse.
"Catch the assassin!"
Screams and exclamations instantly filled the entire enclosure.
The assassin succeeded in his attack and then pulled out the dagger and slashed his own neck.
"Quickly call the imperial physician! Quickly call the imperial physician!"
Concubine Yun was so frightened that her face turned pale and she let out a shrill scream.
"Seal off the enclosure. No one is allowed to move. Quick, carry His Majesty to the tent."
The scene was a complete mess.
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