Seeing that Naritai shared the same food preferences as him, Hongzhao was very happy and introduced to her with a smile: "These are not dishes from the capital, but dishes from my mother's hometown. Her family is from Northeast China, so these are all Northeastern dishes."
While gnawing on a large bone, Naritai exclaimed, "The Northeast? It must be just as hearty as our Mongolia. This is the kind of big bone that's really satisfying to gnaw on."
"That's for sure. People from Northeast China are really nice."
Hongzhao's sudden use of a Northeastern accent made Naritai turn to look at him: "Where are you speaking?"
"Northeastern dialect! Do you want to learn it?"
"How can I learn it? I've been learning Chinese for so long."
Hongzhao said with a grin, "You said I'm a tiger, I'm a big tiger girl."
Naritai sensed that what he said wasn't a good thing: "What do you mean by 'tiger'? Does it mean tiger?"
"Yes, yes, that means you are especially majestic, the king of beasts."
Naritai thought Hongzhao had a good eye: "Of course. I am Big Tiger Girl."
"Hahahahahaha!" Hongzhao laughed so hard he could barely breathe.
Naritai felt like she had been tricked, but she didn't understand why, so she simply ignored him and focused on eating.
While the two of them were enjoying their meal, Changning was being tormented on the other side.
"Mother, please, please let me try too!" Hutu tugged at Changning's sleeve, refusing to let go.
Changning was so bothered by her that he had two heads to turn.
After receiving the imperial decree, Wenke and Princess Dunke had already traveled from their respective tribes to the Mulan Hunting Grounds. Yinzhen planned to send a troop of people to welcome them.
Among them was Hongyan, who led the way, and Chen Zhihuai was also among them. Yinzhen now kept Chen Zhihuai in mind, and was willing to assign him any tasks, after all, this man was very capable and talented.
After hearing about it, Hutu also insisted on going.
Changning asked, puzzled, "This isn't a sightseeing trip, so what's there to go?"
Hutuli, however, felt that she could go further out and see the scenery far from the imperial city and the emperor's aura; she was very interested in it.
Although the job wasn't dangerous, Changning couldn't help but feel uneasy about having a young girl like her mixed up in it.
Having exhausted all other options, Hutuli called Hongyan over to help persuade him.
“Mother, my martial arts skills are almost the same as Hongyan’s now, and he might not even be able to beat me! You don’t need to worry! Besides, you said there’s no danger this time, so can’t I just come along and see the world?”
Hutu spoke earnestly, and then quickly gave Hongyan a wink.
Hongyan could only nod: "Yes, Mother, since my sister wants to go so much, why don't you agree? I will definitely protect my sister well."
Changning pursed her lips: "You two are on the same side. Even if I agree, it won't matter, your father definitely won't agree."
Upon hearing this, Hutuli jumped for joy: "Mother! So you agree? If you agree, my father will definitely agree too. He listens to you the most!"
Changning glared at her, somewhat helplessly: "Don't try to flatter me. Your mother knows what you're thinking; you've always wanted to be a female general. But, Hutuli, the road is arduous. If you don't have extraordinary perseverance and ability, you'll only face death. Do you know that on the battlefield, swords have no eyes? Sometimes, a princess's identity can only be a weapon used against you."
Hutuli was indignant: "Why should the emperor get a job? I'll prove to you that a princess can do just as well! Mother, please grant my request!"
Changning said helplessly, "As long as your father agrees, I have no objection."
As soon as she finished speaking, Hutuli was overjoyed. Before she could say anything, Yinzhen walked in.
He heard everything that was said clearly and was proud of his daughter's idea.
"Hutuli, Father has agreed. However, you must bring the guards that Father has prepared for you," Yinzhen said with a smile.
When Hutuli saw Yinzhen walk in, she was first surprised, but after hearing his words, she was both surprised and delighted: "Really? Father, you agree! And what about the guards for me?"
"Of course." Yinzhen said with a smile, "Didn't you say that there's no reason why a princess can't do what a prince can do? Now, your father will provide you with a full complement of guards."
Hutuli was particularly excited, holding tightly to Yinzhen's arm, his joy overflowing. Yinzhen was also pleased to see this: "Father had actually trained you long ago, and originally intended to give it to you when you got married. Since my son has such high aspirations, it is not unreasonable to give it to you now."
Changning was also shocked, because she knew nothing about this!
Immediately afterwards, Yinzhen took out a token from his pocket and handed it to Hutuli: "With this token, you can command this team of guards, and they also know that their master is the Second Princess."
Hutuli held the token, stroking it carefully, and the light in his eyes gradually became frightening.
"Father, how many men are in my guard?"
"There are five thousand people in total. But you can only mobilize five hundred this time. The rest can be reassigned after you grow up."
For a moment, Changning, Hongyan, and Hutuli were all shocked. So many people...
Hongyan felt a little awkward, as his personal guard only numbered one hundred...
Changning was even more concerned for her daughter: "Five thousand people? Then the fiefdom in Hutu will need to be more substantial, otherwise how can we support five thousand people!"
Hutuli's eyes were filled with thoughts of wealth and riches... Five thousand men... I don't even need to go to the battlefield; I'm a great general now...
Yinzhen's words were full of arrogance: "Don't worry, in recent years our Great Qing has become stronger. We have promoted high-yield crops, opened up markets, expanded commerce, and opened up the coast. Now, five thousand people are no problem at all. Moreover, Hutuli is my precious daughter, worthy of the finest treasures in the world. Five thousand guards are nothing to worry about."
Wow, they're really rich and powerful...
So, the next day, Hutuli followed Hongyan with great pride and set off with the large and imposing procession behind him.
Chen Zhihuai was among them, his posture as straight as a pine tree and his temperament exceptionally outstanding. Even among so many people, he was someone who could attract attention at a glance.
Changning couldn't help but glance at him a few more times and praised, "The Chen family really has some outstanding young people! Chen Zhihuai is becoming more and more outstanding, and his future prospects are not bad."
Needless to say, at such a young age, he had already caught the eye of Yinzhen, who planned to give him an important position once he passed the imperial examinations.
Not to mention that Hongyan and he had an excellent relationship.
He is truly a young prodigy.
The leader, Hutuli, was also dressed in bright red riding attire. He rode his horse with a dashing and heroic air, galloping away as if he were about to lead his soldiers to create their own era.
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