Chapter 46 Why should everyone revolve around her?
In the arena, only Li Yuanzhao remained standing on his horse.
The snow-white Akhal-Teke horse seemed to possess a spirit, standing quietly at this moment.
Her crimson riding attire shimmered with a golden-red light under the setting sun, and her innate air of dominance silenced the surrounding whispers.
Du Cong took a deep breath and finally mustered up the courage to step forward, bowing and extending his hand as if to help His Highness dismount.
Upon seeing this, the group exchanged glances.
Is this even possible?
Is he trying to win the princess's favor?
Chen Yanqing seemed to realize this too late, and tried to suppress the bitterness surging in his heart. He quickly stepped forward, his outstretched hand even reaching forward before Du Cong's.
He is His Highness's personal bodyguard. Logically speaking, it should be him serving him. How dare someone else take this job?
Li Yuanzhao did not move, but slowly scanned the crowd, his gaze inadvertently falling on Pei Huaijin.
Pei Huaijin's expression changed slightly. Meeting the probing gazes of the crowd, he slowly walked over and stopped three steps away from Ma. He slowly extended his hand, his posture respectful but not obsequious.
The others looked at each other, full of doubt.
Pei Huaijin is usually aloof, why is he joining in the fun today?
Just then, the Second Prince Li Yuanyou also came over, grinning and extending his hand, completely unaware of the undercurrents in the room.
"Royal sister, let me help you."
The arena fell silent instantly, the four outstretched hands hovering in mid-air, awaiting Li Yuanzhao's decision.
Standing not far away, Li Yuanshu saw this scene and her fingernails almost dug into her palms.
No matter how much others fawned over Li Yuanzhao, that person could never be Pei Huaijin!
That was the person she cherished most in her heart.
She was the one who secretly hid the fan with his inscribed poem and repeatedly read his policy essays.
That hand, which once wielded the brush with such brilliance and skill, was now reaching out to support Li Yuanzhao, whom she loathed most.
A surge of sourness mixed with anger rushed to her head, almost causing her to lose her composure on the spot.
Li Yuanzhao looked at these men and suddenly chuckled.
"No need, I am not so weak that I need someone to help me."
Having said that, she dismounted.
Chen Yanqing's hand froze there, his face turning red and white in turns.
Du Cong silently withdrew his hand, lowering his eyes to hide the disappointment in them.
Pei Huaijin calmly retreated to his original position, as if nothing had happened.
Only Li Yuanyou remained dumbfounded, his hand outstretched. It took him a while to react before he scratched his head and laughed, "My royal sister is still so amazing!"
Li Yuanzhao ignored him and walked straight to his seat. When he passed Pei Huaijin, he paused slightly and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Lord Pei is getting better and better at 'going with the flow'."
Pei Huaijin stiffened and lowered his head, saying, "Your subject dares not."
Li Yuanshu saw this clearly from a distance, and only when he saw that Li Yuanzhao ignored Pei Huaijin did his anger subside somewhat.
But then Li Yuanzhao's arrogant and disdainful demeanor stung my eyes.
Why? Why should everyone revolve around her?
Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats approached from afar.
Everyone turned to look and saw Shen Churong sitting on his horse, full of vigor and high spirits, with a hint of triumphant spirit between his brows, looking exactly like someone who had just returned victorious from a battle.
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.
"It's General Shen!"
"Judging by this, they must have hunted something good!"
Some bolder individuals even asked directly, "Young General Shen, how was your harvest today? Will you be able to win first place?"
This was the first time Chen Yanqing had seen Shen Churong, and he subconsciously felt that the man's face was very familiar, with an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Shen Churong reined in his horse, his gaze inadvertently glancing at Li Yuanzhao, who had already sat down.
Seeing that she was drinking tea with her eyes down and her expression was indifferent, he looked away without saying a word, but raised his hand to signal to the servant behind him.
Before long, two servants carried in the carcass of a large, yellow and black tiger.
With its fangs bared and eyes wide open, it still exuded a terrifying aura even though it was dead.
Everyone gasped, and a murmur of discussion erupted instantly.
"It's a magnificent tiger!"
"My goodness, this is the king of the mountains! General Shen, what skill you have!"
"The championship is probably in the bag now! The eldest princess has never hunted a tiger before."
Just then, the Emperor slowly emerged from behind the curtain.
He slowly sat down in the main seat, his gaze sweeping across the room, and asked with a smile, "What good thing did Chu Rong hunt that makes you so happy?"
Everyone was used to the Emperor's words; it was common knowledge throughout the court and the country that the Emperor was quite fond of this nominal nephew.
Not only because he was the son of Empress Shen's younger brother, but also because Shen Churong's features bore a striking resemblance to the deceased Empress Shen, with six or seven points of similarity.
Therefore, the Emperor extended his favor to Shen Churong, valuing him far more than the sons of ordinary nobles, and often bestowing upon him gifts.
Shen Churong dismounted and bowed towards the direction of the main seat, saying, "I have successfully hunted this tiger and am presenting it to Your Majesty."
His tone was calm, but his gaze seemed to sweep over Li Yuanzhao almost imperceptibly, carrying a hint of youthful competitiveness.
The Emperor glanced at the majestic tiger corpse and praised, "Chu Rong is indeed a young hero! He deserves a reward!"
Li Yuanzhao finally raised his eyes and looked at the tiger corpse, a faint smile appearing on his lips: "General Shen, you are quite capable."
The praise wasn't loud, but it made Shen Churong a little proud.
He was about to say something more when he saw Li Yuanzhao turn to his attendants and say, "Take stock of today's hunting results and present them to Father Emperor."
Chen Yanqing looked at the applause and secretly grumbled to himself.
These people are so short-sighted.
If they knew that Li Yuanzhao had not only hunted a tiger today, but also a white tiger that was a once-in-a-century find, I wonder how shocked they would be.
Before long, the attendant in charge of taking inventory came forward with the ledger, cleared his throat, and loudly announced the spoils of the hunt.
"General Shen has hunted one tiger, four wolves, four deer, one wild boar, three red foxes, five roe deer, and several rabbits, for a total of twenty-eight points."
As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of praise arose from the crowd.
"Twenty-eight points! That's a top-tier score!"
“Based on previous years, this score would definitely be the highest.”
Shen Churong's face was even more smug. Today, he did not believe that he could not defeat Li Yuanzhao.
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