Honored Lady Jiang’s rise and fall went unnoticed in the Harem; it didn’t even stir a ripple of interest. With the Emperor not in the palace, the Concubines also had much less to strive for. Each of them became much more well-behaved.
Outside the palace, however, things were different. This was the first time the Emperor had led Ministers and the Royal Clan on a hunt since his accession to the throne. The men were full of excitement. Without women in tow, everyone rode horses, and as soon as they left the city, they galloped away, exhibiting the vigor of a battlefield campaign. The horses ran at full speed, kicking up dust all along the way, making the men feel as if they harbored boundless heroic passions in their hearts—passions they could only express by spurring their horses and cracking their whips.
Ahead, the Emperor and the princes rode on horseback. Behind them, horse-drawn carriages transported the Imperial Kitchen, the Imperial Physicians, archers, weapons, and tents. The hunting grounds were more than a hundred miles from the Capital City. The princes, riding on horses, naturally found it easy to travel a hundred miles in a day. The logistics team behind them dared not delay either and drove the horse carriages swiftly. The tents and weaponry all came from the Capital City’s Three Great Camps and the Imperial Forest Army. It was common for them to drive the horse carriages so quickly because they were accustomed to it. After all, this was how supplies were transported during military campaigns. In the end, it was the staff from the Imperial Kitchen and the Imperial Medical Bureau who suffered.
As dusk fell upon the hunting grounds, several young Imperial Physicians lay in the horse carriages, vomiting violently, their hair and hats askew, looking utterly disheveled. In the carriage next to them, the chefs from the Imperial Kitchen were rolling their eyes. Some were so weak-legged they couldn’t even get down from the carriage.
"HAHAHA!" "Fifth Brother, look, they’re so funny I could die laughing!"
"What a bunch of idiots!"
Little Sixth, the lame prince, came limping over, sneering and mocking them.
When the Imperial Physicians saw the Sixth Prince arrive, they hastily straightened their robes, their legs trembling as they climbed down from the carriages to greet him. But they couldn’t keep their balance and stumbled over each other on the ground.
"HAHAHA... you guys... are so funny! HAHAHA!" Little Sixth laughed heartily.
The group of Imperial Physicians blushed with embarrassment, ridiculed by a mere youth.
Fifth Master stood to the side, a complex look in his eyes. Little Sixth is really too thoughtless, he mused. If Imperial Brother were to see this, he would probably get another scolding! But... Deep down, Fifth Master had no desire to intervene. If Little Sixth wants to make a scene, let him. Someday he will suffer a great loss. Then wouldn’t I stand out? Someday Mother Consort will surely see my worth and acknowledge that I am far superior to Little Sixth. Oh, how I wish that day would come sooner! I’m truly looking forward to it!
The Sixth Prince laughed for a while but then grew bored, threw a few more taunts, and left. After Sixth Master had departed, Fifth Master quickly went forward to help the Imperial Physicians to their feet.
"Please get up. Little Sixth doesn’t know any better; please don’t take it to heart!"
Once the Imperial Physicians steadied themselves, they quickly bowed and expressed their gratitude. "Many thanks to the Fifth Prince..."
Fifth Master offered a few more words of comfort before he left. The Imperial Physicians watched Fifth Master’s retreating figure and sighed with admiration.
"All from the same womb, how can they be so different?"
"Fifth Master is kind-hearted, but as for Sixth Master..."
With a clear understanding in their hearts, they said no more.
Fifth Master, not too far away, overheard their words and a small smile curled his lips. See, my efforts were not in vain. Everyone recognizes that I am indeed better than Little Sixth! Someday, Mother Consort will also acknowledge it!
...
The main contingent traveled for a day. At night, after setting up the tents, everyone rested early.
The next day, early in the morning, under the crisp autumn sky, the vast Imperial Hunting Grounds stretched as far as the eye could see. All of them on horseback, the men stood in parallel lines on the perimeter of the grounds, ready for action. The atmosphere was tense.
Before long, General Xiao came galloping over on his horse. Arriving before the assembled group, General Xiao dismounted and cupped his fist in a salute. "This humble servant is late. I beg the Emperor’s forgiveness!"
Zhao Junyao, clad in sharp riding attire, sat on his horse looking at him, his smile full of pride and spirit. "Everyone is here; we were just waiting for you, the referee!"
"Let’s start already!" Zhao Junyao waved his hand dismissively, not holding a grudge.
General Xiao, without dallying, immediately rose. With large strides, he remounted his horse, looked over the entire assembly, and announced, his voice booming like a great bell, "Everyone, you have two Shi Chen! The one with the most prey wins!"
He then raised a command flag and shouted, "Begin!"
No sooner had his words fallen than all the horses bolted toward the nearby woods. To hunt, one must seek game in the forest.
Zhao Junyao took the lead, racing ahead. In the autumn sunlight, clad in sharp riding attire, his gaze was stern and his robes fluttered. Xia Tingfeng followed closely behind him, neither gaining nor losing ground. Of course, as a member of the Emperor’s Imperial Forest Army, this was a most basic skill, nothing to boast about.
Behind them were some children of noble families and military generals from the court. This year’s New Martial Champion, Second Place Scholar, and Third Place Scholar were also among them. The entire hunting party numbered around forty or fifty people.