Xiao Che didn't sleep well. Even with the combined effects of his injuries and exhaustion, his brows remained furrowed, as if he were trapped in some kind of struggling nightmare. Lin Wanwan quietly watched over him, not closing her eyes all night.
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight shone through the cracks in the tent, Xiao Che finally woke up.
He opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Lin Wanwan, who was close at hand, her eyes bloodshot and filled with worry. His own hand was still tightly enveloped in her warm palm.
In that instant, all the wariness and gloom in his eyes vanished, leaving only a sense of relief and peace.
However, this peace did not last long.
The "startled horse incident" was like a boulder thrown into the calm lake called "Autumn Hunt," and the ripples it created are spreading outwards in waves. Although the news was kept under tight control, yesterday's thrilling scene inevitably caused panic and speculation among the princes and ministers.
Everyone knew perfectly well that it was no simple accident.
In this eerie and oppressive atmosphere, the Autumn Hunting Ceremony should logically have been suspended.
However, Xiao Che's decision surprised everyone.
"Issue my decree," he said after a quick breakfast, his voice still weak from his internal injuries, but his tone more resolute than ever before, "Today's hunt shall proceed as scheduled!"
Upon hearing this, the faces of the several relatives and high-ranking officials who had come to pay their respects all changed.
"Your Majesty, you must not!" Prince An was the first to dissuade him. "Yesterday's events have not yet been investigated. We are surrounded by dangers. Your health is of utmost importance. How can you risk your life again?"
“It is precisely because of the looming crisis that we cannot stop.” Xiao Che’s gaze swept coldly over the crowd. “If I were to back down now, wouldn’t that be playing right into the hands of those petty villains? They want to see me make a fool of myself, they want to see the weakness of my Great Xiao royal family. I will not let them have their way!”
His words were resounding, carrying an unyielding and unwavering resolve. He wanted to use this method to declare to all the enemies lurking in the shadows—he had not fallen, nor was he afraid!
Seeing that their attempts to dissuade them were futile, the crowd had no choice but to obey and leave, making the atmosphere of preparation for battle in the entire hunting ground even more tense and eerie.
Lin Wanwan looked at Xiao Che's face, which was growing paler from his forced composure, and felt a mix of emotions. She knew that he was using her as bait to lure out the venomous snakes lurking in the shadows.
This emperor's decisiveness and ruthlessness terrified her, and also pained her.
Soon, the group regrouped and headed towards another hunting area on the outskirts of the forest. This time, the atmosphere was completely different from yesterday's relaxed one. There were guards every three steps and sentries every five steps. The Imperial Guards were all on high alert, and a chilling atmosphere permeated the air.
Just as the team was cautiously making its way to the edge of an open forest area, a sudden, suppressed cry of surprise came from ahead!
"Look! What's that!"
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a magnificent deer appearing among the trees not far away!
The deer was pure white, without a single stray hair, its fur shimmering with a holy light in the sunlight. Its antlers were carved from jade, beautiful and noble in shape, and its eyes were clear as glass, possessing a spirituality unlike that of any mortal creature.
It stood there quietly, like a mountain spirit that had descended to earth by chance.
Everyone present, including the well-informed princes and ministers, was stunned by this sudden, almost miraculous scene!
After a brief silence, a burst of enthusiastic discussion erupted from the crowd!
"A white deer! It's the legendary white deer, an auspicious omen!"
"Heavens! Ancient texts record that a white deer appeared in the world only when a sage king was on the throne and his virtue extended to all corners of the land! This is an auspicious omen from heaven, a great fortune for our dynasty!"
The shock of yesterday had barely subsided when this sudden "auspicious omen" swept it all away. The imperial relatives and ministers all wore expressions of ecstatic joy, as if they had seen some divine revelation that could soothe their hearts.
Prince An stepped forward excitedly and bowed to Xiao Che, saying, "Your Majesty! This is Heaven's reward for your virtuous governance and the most resounding rebuke to those petty villains of yesterday! I implore Your Majesty to personally capture this auspicious omen to demonstrate that Heaven has ordained you and to appease the people!"
“That’s right! Your Majesty, please personally hunt for auspicious omens!” The other ministers echoed.
Their eyes were filled with longing for good omens and reverence for destiny.
Xiao Che gazed at the white deer, his eyes deep and unfathomable, revealing nothing of his thoughts. He went along with it, nodding slightly: "Since it is the will of Heaven, I shall naturally obey."
As he spoke, he prepared to spur his horse and go there himself.
However, while the whole place was jubilant and everyone was immersed in the joy of "auspicious omen from heaven," Lin Wanwan felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
Her gaze didn't even glance at the white deer, which was so beautiful it seemed otherworldly.
Her eyes were fixed on the top of Xiao Che's head!
There, the heartwarming image of "It's so good to have you here" that represented peace of mind and protection has vanished without a trace!
Instead, a warning icon with a modern, high-tech feel, constantly flashing a glaring red light, has been installed!
It was a triangular warning sign with a huge exclamation mark in the center, flashing frantically at a heart-stopping frequency! And below the sign, an even more alarming line of text, like a countdown to death, kept updating:
[Danger Warning! Trap Ahead! .gif]
[Danger Warning! Trap Ahead! .gif]
The moment Lin Wanwan saw this meme, her blood almost stopped flowing!
Auspicious omen?
This is hardly a blessing from heaven!
This was clearly a death warrant carefully laid by the enemy to lure the emperor into a dead end!
She understood instantly. This suddenly appearing, overly perfect white deer was nothing but bait! A bait specifically designed to lure Xiao Che away from the main force and into the death trap that had been prepared for him!
Those princes and ministers who were unaware of the truth and were still fervently advising against it have now become the perfect accomplices of the enemy!
"His Majesty!"
Just as Xiao Che accepted the bow and arrows handed to him by his personal guard and prepared to set off on horseback, a clear and urgent voice broke the frenzied atmosphere.
Xiao Che paused, turned around, and saw that Lin Wanwan had already ridden her horse to his side at some point.
He frowned and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, you should stay at the camp; it's the safest place there."
His words were both an order and a protection.
However, this time, Lin Wanwan acted out of character.
She disobeyed his orders and instead reached out and grabbed his reins!
This action stunned everyone present!
The Empress... actually blocked the Emperor's path in public?
A hint of surprise and confusion flashed in Xiao Che's eyes.
Lin Wanwan tilted her head back, and her beautiful eyes were no longer filled with her usual gentleness and obedience, but with an unprecedented, unyielding stubbornness and determination.
She looked at him, and spoke each word clearly, her voice echoing in the silent air:
"Your Majesty, I must see such an auspicious omen with my own eyes!"
"I want to go with you!"
The entire audience erupted in uproar!
Everyone was stunned by the Queen's sudden and almost "unreasonable" behavior.
This...this is blatant defiance of the imperial decree!
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