As the imperial guards formed up, trumpets sounded and the whole audience fell into silence.
The King of Chu was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, with the Emperor's Sword on his waist, and he ascended the platform surrounded by his ministers.
Although he was over fifty years old, his eyes and brows still revealed the majestic demeanor of an emperor. He glanced at the people below the stage and slowly raised his hand.
"Everyone, please stand up."
Everyone thanked him and stood up quietly.
The Emperor of Chu's gaze swept across the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, lingered briefly on Chu Qingluan, and then looked at Chu Hong who had just returned to the capital, with a hint of deep meaning in his eyes.
"The autumn hunting system is the foundation of our country. Our ancestors won the world on horseback, and our descendants must not forget military preparations. Today's hunting will not only test your riding and archery skills, but also sharpen your minds."
He paused, his tone sinking slightly: "A hunting ground is like a battlefield. Victory or defeat depends on one's own ability, but I hope you will remember one thing - in a battle of bows and horses, you must not lose the dignity of the Great Chu royal family."
The last sentence is meaningful and is obviously a warning to some people who are ready to make trouble.
Crown Prince Chu Lang looked respectful, the Third Prince lowered his eyes and smiled, while Qin Jialuo from the Great Qin side sneered.
Not far away, Pei Yuan stood in the ranks of the generals, his eyes occasionally piercing through the crowd and looking at Chu Qingluan.
Xie Yunqi was ranked first among the civil servants, right next to Chu Lang, and his dark pupils were also deep.
The King of Chu retracted his gaze, raised his hand and announced: "As per the old rules, whoever hunts a white deer can ask me for an order. If no one hunts it, the winner will be determined by the number of prey."
"I hereby declare that the autumn hunt begins!"
At this moment, three drum beats in the distance resounded through the sky.
“Boom—boom—boom—”
The horse, which had been ready to go, neighed and rushed into the forest, raising a cloud of dust.
Chu Qingluan squeezed the horse's belly, and her red cloak fluttered in the wind.
She said to Zhixia beside her: "White deer are rare. I'm afraid someone is making 'deliberate arrangements'. Let's go east and avoid the main hunting area."
Zhixia understood and was about to ride her horse to catch up, when she suddenly heard a chuckle from behind: "Why are you traveling alone, sister? Why don't you let me go with you to protect you?"
It was the third prince Chu Hong. He had been riding his horse closer without anyone noticing, and the cinnabar between his eyebrows was as red as blood.
Chu Qingluan didn't even turn her head, her voice was cold and distant: "I appreciate your kindness, Third Brother, but I'm used to being alone."
After saying this, she whipped her horse whip and galloped straight towards the dense forest with Zhixia and a team of guards.
Chu Hong looked at her receding back, the smile on his lips gradually turned cold, and he whispered: "Really... you don't know what's good for you."
Deep in the dense forest, ancient trees stand tall, and sunlight shines through the branches and leaves onto the ground in patches.
Chu Qingluan and Zhixia slowed down their horses and looked around vigilantly.
Suddenly, she heard an argument ahead.
"How dare a mere woman come to the hunting ground to show off her prowess?" An arrogant voice sounded, very disdainful: "Women should stay at home to take care of their husbands and children. Why are you running to this dangerous place and not afraid of losing your life!"
Then, Qin Jiuge's clear and angry voice was heard: "Zhao Baiyu, who do you think you are?"
"I'm afraid you won't be able to catch up with my archery skills even if you practice for another ten years!"
Seeing this, Chu Qingluan looked at Zhixia and approached quietly.
In the clearing in the forest, Qin Jiuge, wearing a white hunting suit, was confronting a group of people. Zhao Baiyu, the leader, had a look of contempt on his face, while the wealthy and powerful people behind him burst into laughter.
"Miss Qin, I'm just reminding you kindly." Zhao Baiyu said sarcastically, "There are wild beasts in this hunting ground. It would be bad if your pretty face was hurt..."
"Shut up!" Qin Jiuge's eyes flashed, and he was about to retort when suddenly, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds came from a distance.
“Report——!”
A man who looked like a soldier dismounted hastily and said with a salutation, "Traces of a white deer were found in the northwest!"
Zhao Baiyu's eyes lit up and he immediately turned his horse around, no longer bothering to chat with Qin Jiuge.
"Let's go! If we can hunt a white deer, I will ask for permission to marry Miss Qin, hahahaha..."
Qin Jiuge stomped his feet in anger and was about to mount his horse to stop Zhao Baiyu and his group, but when he turned around, he happened to see Chu Qingluan.
"Princess?"
Chu Qingluan showed up helplessly and said calmly: "If we chase them now, we might fall into their trap."
Qin Jiuge frowned, "I don't care! How dare Zhao Baiyu, that bastard, humiliate me like this? If I don't teach him a lesson today, I, Qin Jiuge, will write my name upside down!"
She grabbed the reins, turned the horse's head, and saluted towards Chu Qingluan with a clean and swift movement:
"Jiuge appreciates your kindness, but I really can't swallow this!"
After saying that, Qin Jiuge squeezed his legs against the horse's belly, and in the blink of an eye he was galloping after Zhao Baiyu and the others.
Zhixia looked at Qin Jiuge's receding back and couldn't help shaking her head: "Miss Jiuge is too impatient."
Chu Qingluan's eyes darkened slightly as she looked in the direction Qin Jiuge left, as if thinking about something.
The appearance of Bai Lu and the provocation of Zhao Baiyu were too coincidental.
She turned around and told Zhixia: "Zhixia, follow them secretly and make sure Jiuge is safe."
Zhixia was stunned: "Then Princess, you..."
"I will be there soon." Chu Qing took out a silver whistle from his bosom and handed it to Zhixia: "If there is anything unusual, sound the alarm immediately."
Zhixia took the silver whistle and nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, Princess."
Immediately afterwards, Zhixia also waved his whip and chased in the direction where Qin Jiuge disappeared.
Chu Qingluan did not delay any longer and galloped towards the northwest.
She remembered Pei Yuan once said that the northwest direction should be safe with the people he arranged for them.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
