Chapter 47 Don't Let Me Down
The attendant continued reading, "Today, Her Highness the Princess has hunted one white tiger, one black bear, three wolves, two deer, and four wild boars, for a total score of thirty points."
The crowd erupted in chaos.
"A white tiger?! The legendary white-haired tiger, a symbol of good fortune?"
"Thirty points! Two points more than General Shen!"
"My goodness, it really has to be the eldest princess!"
Shen Churong's smile froze, and she abruptly turned to look at Li Yuanzhao, her eyes filled with shock.
The Emperor was also taken aback. "The servant actually hunted a white tiger! This is an extremely auspicious omen! Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Li Yuanzhao lowered his eyes and said, "It was just a chance encounter, and I was lucky to hunt it."
Having said that, she calmly knelt down and loudly proclaimed, "The auspicious omen of the birth of the Great Qi will surely ensure the eternal stability of the nation and the longevity of its foundation."
That's a beautifully said statement, exactly what the Emperor wanted.
The Emperor immediately burst into laughter, "Excellent! Excellent! The appearance of the White Tiger is truly a blessing for our Great Qi."
He looked at Li Yuanzhao, his eyes full of satisfaction, "You've done a great job in hunting down such an auspicious creature. Tell me, what reward do you want?"
Li Yuanzhao kowtowed and said, "Your subject dares not take credit. This is because Your Majesty's benevolence moved Heaven, which is why this auspicious omen has descended. If we are to discuss rewards, it would be better to bestow them upon the people to respond to this auspicious sign."
The Emperor was overjoyed and immediately approved the decree: "Granted! Issue my imperial edict: grant a general amnesty and reduce the autumn tax by 10%!"
Although the officials present were shocked, they all knelt down and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Shen Churong stood there, looking at Li Yuanzhao surrounded by the crowd, his face turning dark.
He thought he had victory in the bag this year, but now, seeing this scene, how could he not be angry?
This Li Yuanzhao is used to playing these kinds of tricks!
They were all tigers from the mountains and forests, but their fur colors were different. She managed to concoct a set of "auspicious" explanations, fooling everyone.
How can he possibly accept this?
Pei Huaijin stood with his eyes lowered; the eldest princess's move was too brilliant.
The capture of the white tiger was kept secret until Shen Churong's fierce tiger drew cheers from the crowd, making the white tiger's "auspiciousness" even more awe-inspiring.
Furthermore, by taking advantage of the saying of "auspicious omens," he spoke up for the people, thus pleasing the emperor who believed in "divine will" and winning the hearts of the people.
Is she the type to plan five or six steps ahead for every step she takes?
Just like the salt tax corruption case last time, she was able to strike at the Cui family, win over the Pei family, and get rid of a Minister of Personnel with just one official appointment, and also inadvertently promoted three of her own people.
Li Yuanzhao rose and said to the Emperor, "Father, I request that the White Tiger be properly disposed of and enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple to demonstrate the Emperor's grace."
"Granted." The Emperor readily agreed.
The Emperor then, as was customary, commended the other outstanding performers and ordered a banquet to be held.
The banquet was held in an open space in the hunting grounds, with dozens of tables and chairs arranged in a row, and a bonfire blazing, illuminating the entire area.
The food on the table consisted of what everyone had hunted in the hunting grounds that day.
Steamed bear paws, roasted deer legs, smoked fox meat, salt and pepper wild boar... exquisite yet with a touch of wildness.
The Emperor sat in the main seat, with Li Yuanzhao to his left and the Imperial Concubine to his right.
Since the Imperial Concubine saw Li Yuanzhao use the White Tiger to spout the words "benevolence moves Heaven" and greatly please the Emperor, the smile on her face had never been genuine.
Even though she knew it was just a far-fetched explanation, every word she uttered pleased the emperor.
But somehow, they're just so good at talking.
Then look at your own silly son, what else can he do besides burying his head in his food?
Nothing compares to Li Yuanzhao.
One is clearly the son of a true dragon, and the other is a lowly peasant woman. How can there be such a huge difference between them?
Did she also have the wrong baby taken from her?
Just then, a palace servant came to report.
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Concubine frowned. "How could that be? How could such a grown man be lost? Have someone search more carefully. Maybe he's roaming freely in that bush."
Li Yuanzhao watched from afar, and although he didn't hear what they were saying, he guessed what they were saying.
She smiled slightly and looked away.
Su Qingci was very worried, fearing that this matter would affect His Highness.
During the banquet, the Emperor raised his cup in high spirits and said, "Don't be shy, everyone. Today, let's not talk about ruler and subject, but about brothers!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Everyone raised their glasses in unison, and for a moment, the clinking of glasses and laughter filled the air.
After several rounds of drinks, a nobleman's son, emboldened by the alcohol, stood up, picked up his pipa, and sang a hunting ground folk song. The lyrics were humorous, which drew laughter from everyone.
Amidst the commotion, Li Yuanzhao suddenly turned to Chen Yanqing beside him and said, "I've heard that you claim to be able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk?"
He learned this from the guards who had been on good terms with him in the past.
The jealousy that Chen Yanqing had felt about Lin Xuean was somewhat dispelled by this sudden question. He lowered his eyes and said, "I can only drink a little more than the average person, I can't be considered someone who can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk."
Li Yuanzhao raised his eyes and gestured with his chin towards the seat diagonally opposite him: "See that guy over there?"
Chen Yanqing followed her gaze and saw a person in full silver armor sitting there, his solemn expression completely out of place with the surrounding liveliness, exuding an aura of unapproachability.
He shook his head. "I've never seen it."
Li Yuanzhao slowly swirled the wine cup in his hand. "That's Xiao Duo, the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards. He's in charge of the defense of the capital region, commands 50,000 Imperial Guards, and is the Emperor's most trusted military general. It's said that he can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk."
She looked up at Chen Yanqing, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes, "I'm more curious, between you and him, who is better?"
Chen Yanqing frowned, unable to figure out her intention for a moment.
Li Yuanzhao said directly, "How about this, you go and compete with him."
"Isn't this inappropriate?" Chen Yanqing hesitated. "What if General Xiao is unwilling to drink with me? Wouldn't that be making a fool of myself? Besides, my status is lowly..."
Xiao Duo was the head of the Imperial Guards, holding a high position and great power. I was just a guard from the Princess's residence. It would be too impolite of me to rush forward and challenge him to a drinking contest.
Li Yuanzhao chuckled, "Then let's see what you're capable of, Chen Yanqing. Don't disappoint me."
This was the first time Li Yuanzhao had entrusted him with something so solemnly.
Even though the order sounds absurd, sending a guard to challenge the Imperial Guard Commander's drinking capacity is simply ridiculous.
But for some reason, seeing the faint expectation in her eyes, Chen Yanqing suddenly felt a strange impulse.
He wanted to turn the playfulness in her eyes into genuine appreciation.
If that's the case, why not try to make her smile?
He took a deep breath. "Your subordinate obeys."
Li Yuanzhao watched Chen Yanqing walk over. After only a few words, General Xiao, who hadn't even touched a drop of water, burst into laughter and then actually picked up his wine cup.
She remained seated, watching the two clink glasses, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
She truly deserves to be called the chosen one; her charm is captivating.
Xiao Duo was known for his impartiality and strict military discipline. Moreover, he was in charge of the defense of the hunt, so he would not easily drink with the guards.
But Chen Yanqing's few words actually made him break his rule.
Not long after, Chen Yanqing strode back, his cheeks flushed from the alcohol, but his eyes remained clear. His steps were slightly heavier than usual, and he smelled of alcohol.
Li Yuanzhao asked him, "How much did you drink?"
Chen Yanqing's tone was unusually cheerful, "General Xiao said he can't hold his liquor today and needs to rest. He'll settle things with me another day."
As he said this, a hint of barely perceptible smugness lingered in his eyes.
Li Yuanzhao looked him up and down. Seeing that although he was slightly drunk, he stood steadily and his eyes were clear, indicating that he was still keeping his composure. He stood up and said, "Let's go."
Chen Yanqing was stunned for a moment.
He originally thought that by "fulfilling his mission," he would surely earn a compliment from her.
But she just mentioned it so casually, and that expectation and excitement were instantly dampened, leaving one inevitably somewhat disappointed.
He silently suppressed his disappointment and quickly followed in her footsteps.
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