As the golden wind sent a refreshing breeze and the geese left their calls as they flew by, the annual autumn hunt season arrived once again. The ministers had arrived two days early and set up their tents at the foot of the mountain in the royal forest, awaiting the arrival of the emperor.
The bright yellow imperial carriage reflected the dazzling golden light under the bright autumn sun, and it was very eye-catching from a distance. The ministers and ladies quickly gathered on the side of the road, knelt down, and respectfully welcomed it.
Emperor Zhouwu was now thirty-nine years old. His handsome features bore the traces of time, but his increasingly formidable aura made him even more masculine. His eagle eyes were deep and unfathomable, and a mere glance from him sent shivers down people’s spines. He held the Empress’s hand, and the two of them stepped down from the imperial carriage side by side, accepting the kneeling of the ministers and titled ladies.
Nine years had passed, Meng Sangyu was nearly thirty, but her appearance had not changed at all. Only her eyebrows and eyes had a touch of amorous feelings, and her figure was even more graceful and charming, making it impossible for people to look away.
Emperor Zhouwu waved his sleeve and asked everyone to rise. He was about to tell them to disperse when he heard a clear child’s voice from the line behind him, “Father, look! Yi’er can ride a horse!”
The ministers looked up and saw the Ninth Prince, Gu Huanzheng, riding a horse towards them, holding the Eleventh Princess, Gu Duanyi, in his arms, with the Tenth Prince, Gu Chenrui, by his side. The other princes were not present at the hunt due to poor health, and the princesses had all married and left the palace.carpreads.pages.dev
All three were born to Empress Meng. The ninth prince was twelve years old and had been personally educated by the emperor since childhood. His methods, abilities, and intellect were all extraordinary. He was conferred as Crown Prince two years ago.
The tenth prince was now ten years old. Unlike his elder brother, he was very impatient with studying, but he had inherited his mother’s family’s excellent genes and was a good material for practicing martial arts. In addition to his natural divine power and straightforward personality, he had the same reputation as his uncle as a little overlord. What was even more amazing was his appearance. He didn’t look like the empress or the emperor, but he looked eight or nine points like the Duke of Meng, who was idle at home. The Duke of Meng loved him so much that he said he wanted to train him to be the next great Zhou war god.
The Eleventh Princess was five years old. At such a young age, she was already as lovely as white jade, clever and quick-witted. Her exquisite and peerless features were simply a miniature version of Meng Sangyu’s, causing Emperor Zhouwu to love her like the apple of his eye. He wished he could carry her in his pocket at all times and dote on her dearly.
Seeing his daughter waving at him on the horse, her little face flushed, inexplicably adorable, Emperor Zhouwu’s stern expression could not hold, and a gentle smile bloomed on his face.
Gu Chenrui dismounted first and bowed to his father and mother. Gu Huanzheng, however, rode his horse straight to the imperial carriage without any intention of bowing, causing the ministers to look at each other frequently.
Meng Sangyu’s smile faded, and she whispered a reminder, “Zhen’er, come down quickly.”
Gu Huanzheng looked at the little pink dumpling in his arms and saw that she was pulling at his sleeve, refusing to get off the horse. He smiled wryly and explained, “I would like to get off too, but my sister is pulling at my sleeve. I’m afraid that if I move, she’ll fall off. Please have someone take her away first.”
“No, I want imperial father to see how well I ride a horse!” Gu Duanyi pouted and shook her head, patting her brother’s hand repeatedly, asking him to circle around in front of their father again to show off.
Emperor Zhouwu could no longer hold back his laughter. He took a step forward and hugged his youngest daughter in his arms, using his beard to prick her tender face. Hearing her silver bell-like laughter, his heart was as sweet as if he had eaten honey. The father and daughter played around, each taking a bite of the other, causing the ministers and ladies to secretly gasp in amazement. It was said that the emperor favored the eleventh princess more than all the princes, and this was indeed true.
Meng Sangyu coughed helplessly to remind the father and daughter to pay attention to the occasion. Gu Huanzheng dismounted, respectfully bowed to his father, and then turned to accept the kneeling of the ministers. His imposing aura was awe-inspiring.
“There’s no need to be so formal when we’re out hunting. Everyone, disperse.” Emperor Zhouwu waved his sleeve to dismiss the officials. He carried his daughter in one arm and held his beloved wife in the other as they headed toward the largest tent.
The sound of horses’ hooves came from afar. Duke Meng, Yan Junwei, and Meng Yanzhou led a team of guards to the edge of the camp. It seemed that they had just finished arranging the defense work and had rushed over after hearing that the emperor had arrived. Mother Meng and her daughter-in-law had not gone far either. Seeing them return, they also followed, wanting to have a good gathering with their daughter and grandchildren.
“Grandfather, Uncle, Master Yan!” Seeing the three of them, Gu Chenrui rushed over like a cannonball, his face filled with large characters—he had finally found his people!
The three dismounted and bowed. After standing up straight, the Duke of Meng patted his little grandson’s shoulder and praised him with a hearty laugh, “Not bad, you’ve gotten even stronger!”
Gu Chenrui raised his head and said very seriously, “Chenrui has not dared to slack off these past few months, and my martial arts have improved a lot. This autumn hunt, I will definitely hunt a fierce tiger and bring it back.”
“Good, you are ambitious! How about you come with us to the south district to gain some insight, how about it?” Meng Yanzhou’s words made Meng Sangyu want to strangle him. How old was he to still be so reckless? The south district was the beast district, where lions, tigers, leopards, and wolves were kept. How could such a small child go there?
She was about to open her mouth to refuse, but Emperor Zhouwu secretly grabbed her hand, signaling her not to interfere. Although the second legitimate son was not talented in governing the country, he was exceptionally gifted in martial arts. He deliberately let his son study with the Duke of Meng, Meng Yanzhou, and Yan Junwei in order to cultivate him into his elder brother’s right-hand man. After growing up, he would take over the Imperial Guards and secret guards. The two brothers, one overt and one covert, one civil and one military, would definitely work together to push the Great Zhou to glory. He would never be wrong about the path his son was suited for.
“Uncle, this time I came to the hunting grounds for the south district! I’ll leave the rabbits and foxes for others to play with!” Gu Chenrui patted his not-so-strong little chest, his face full of pride. He turned to look at his brother and asked expectantly, “Brother, are you going?”
“Go, why wouldn’t I go.” Gu Huanzheng smiled faintly, patting his younger brother’s head.
Meng Sangyu was worried, but she also knew that with the secret guards following them, her sons would definitely be safe. This was also a rare experience. She forced a smile on her face and secretly pinched the man beside her. The man held her little hand and squeezed it ambiguously.
“Imperial father, we’re leaving.” Gu Chenrui had inherited the Meng family’s fiery temper and immediately wanted to head to the south district. He looked at Meng Sangyu and smiled ingratiatingly. “Imperial mother, I’ll hunt a big tiger for you to make a cloak!”
“Son, only men wear tiger-skin cloaks!” Meng Sangyu patted her son’s head, laughing and crying.
“Then I’ll make bedding for you!” Gu Chenrui immediately changed his words.
“Son, only a mountain king would use tiger skin as bedding. Are you sure about this?” Meng Sangyu complained to herself, but she nodded with a smile on her face and watched as the group disappeared into the dense forest.
Mother Meng brought Fu Mingzhu over and curtsied to the emperor and empress. Seeing her grandmother and aunt, the well-behaved and quiet Gu Duanyi immediately slipped out of her father’s arms and ran towards them.
Fu Mingzhu had given birth to three sons in a row, and she was very envious of the Eleventh Princess, who was as cute as a dumpling, so she quickly opened her arms to catch her. The group chatted briefly, and Mother Meng, on behalf of the accompanying ladies-in-waiting, invited the Empress to attend a tea party in a quarter of an hour.
Her Majesty the Empress was a role model for all the legitimate wives in the Great Zhou Dynasty and was highly respected by the ladies of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Because all the officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty knew that the emperor loved his wife dearly, the first thing to do to get the emperor’s favor was to give enough respect to his legitimate wife. Therefore, the status of the legitimate wives of the Great Zhou Dynasty was unprecedentedly improved, which made the old feudal lords who missed this good time sigh and secretly hate why they were not born thirty years later, so that they could also benefit from the glory of the Empress.
Meng Sangyu was about to nod in agreement, but Emperor Zhouwu squeezed her hand and said, “There are many silver foxes in the west area. I’ll go and have a look later and hunt a few for you to make a cloak.” After speaking, he mentioned as if unintentionally, “Han Changping and his sister will accompany us.”
Han Changping had now taken over Father Meng’s position as General of Jianwei and was a favorite of Emperor Zhouwu. He was originally the concubine-born son of the Yongping Marquis’s mansion. In his early years, he was not tolerated by his stepmother and established his own household with his half-sister. When he was at his most difficult, he was rescued by Emperor Zhouwu, and his loyalty to Emperor Zhouwu was self-evident. His sister had been influenced by him since childhood and was also a woman who was not inferior to men. She had just reached the age of fifteen, and it was said that she was quite beautiful.
As for how Meng Sangyu came to hear about it, it was naturally due to the help of a well-intentioned person. Knowing that this woman most likely had designs on her husband, Meng Sangyu immediately retracted the step she had just taken and declined her mother and sister-in-law’s invitation, saying to Emperor Zhouwu, “I’ll go with you.”
Emperor Zhouwu looked down and smiled, touched his daughter’s head, and said gently to Mother Meng, “I’ll have to trouble you to look after Yier.”
Mother Meng quickly waved her hand and said it was her duty, and then took Gu Duanyi to the tea party. Gu Duanyi liked her grandmother very much, and she didn’t make a fuss or cry. She waved goodbye to her father and mother obediently.
After settling their daughter, the two returned to the camp, changed into hunting clothes, and walked hand-in-hand towards the cavalry waiting on the open ground.
“Your Majesties, this subject (this subject’s daughter) greets you.” The Han siblings stood at the forefront, leading the crowd in a half-kneeling salute. It is worth noting that Miss Han performed a male salute, and when paired with her fiery red hunting attire, she truly cut a dashing figure that captivated all eyes.
Meng Sangyu and Emperor Zhouwu both wore dark hunting suits, with only the hems and cuffs outlined with silver thread in an auspicious dragon and phoenix pattern. One was peerlessly beautiful, the other incomparably handsome. Standing together, they were a match made in heaven.
Seeing her younger sister staring blankly at the emperor and empress, Han Changping hurriedly tugged on her sleeve. Miss Han quickly came to her senses, lowered her eyes, and smiled sadly, but soon regained her spirits.
After attentively helping Sangyu onto her horse and getting her settled, Emperor Zhouwu mounted his own horse and waved, “Let’s go!”
The group loudly agreed and disappeared into the dense forest like a flash of lightning.
After wandering around the forest without encountering any silver foxes, Emperor Zhouwu still hadn’t made a move. Meng Sangyu was born into a military family and was highly skilled in archery and horsemanship. After galloping for a while, she became interested and caught sight of a plump gray rabbit in the grass. She unstrung her bow and prepared to take aim. However, an arrow shot out before her, pinning the gray rabbit’s hind leg to the ground.
Meng Sangyu looked back and saw Miss Han blushing as she spoke softly, “I did not know that Her Majesty the Empress had also taken a fancy to it. I accidentally made the first move. If Your Majesty does not mind, I would be willing to give the prey to Your Majesty.”
Was this a show-off or a provocation? Meng Sangyu waved her hand and said indifferently, “No need, first come first served.”
Miss Han smiled sweetly and said in a crisp voice, “Thank you, Your Majesty.” She was at the age of a flower bud, and her smile was invincible in youth, making it difficult for people to feel disgusted.
Emperor Zhouwu acted as if he didn’t notice the undercurrent between the two, and rode his horse forward. Han Changping, however, was sweating for his sister. The Empress was not someone to be offended so easily. His sister was too reckless.
During the half an hour that followed, Miss Han repeatedly snatched several more pieces of prey from Meng Sangyu. However, her strikes were as quick as lightning, and her archery was divine. Even the arrogant Meng Sangyu had to secretly exclaim in admiration. Emperor Zhouwu also seemed to have been interested by Miss Han. Along the way, he gave her several meaningful glances, which made her heart pound.
The group walked to the creek, and just as they hid their figures, preparing to hunt animals that came to drink water, they saw a silver lightning bolt flash by, stopping behind a large rock. After a long while, it cautiously poked its head out and carefully walked out. It was a silver fox, its sleek, shiny fur shimmering in the sunlight.
Emperor Zhouwu’s dark eyes finally lit up. He took off the bow from his back, nocked an arrow, and took aim. The arrows whistled through the air. Even though the silver fox moved as fast as lightning, it couldn’t dodge the two arrows that attacked it. Its limbs twitched as it collapsed to the ground. One arrow had pierced its hind leg, and the other its neck. Blood gushed out and dyed the clear stream red.
Emperor Zhouwu walked to the stream and saw the marking on the other arrow. He turned his face to look at Miss Han. Miss Han’s cheeks were flushed. She cupped her hands and said, “This subject was just thinking of making a neck warmer. I saw that this silver fox and liked it very much, so I couldn’t help but shoot. I ask Your Majesty to forgive me.”
Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with anticipation and joy. Her already charming face was gilded with a layer of gold under the autumn sun, making her look both ethereal and genuine. Girls of this age had an inexplicable attraction to mature men, making them irresistible.
If it had been someone else, they would have undoubtedly offered the silver fox, but she had unfortunately encountered Emperor Zhouwu. His gaze, which seemed to admire the woman, was actually full of disgust at her ambition. Emperor Zhouwu’s dark eyes were clouded with gloom as he said in a deep voice, “The Empress needs a silver fox cloak. Take the prey away.”
The guard behind him answered and tied the silver fox to the horse.
Emperor Zhouwu mounted his horse and switched positions with Sangyu, not even sparing a glance at Miss Han, who was now crying and embarrassed. Han Changping shook his head and was about to comfort his sister when he saw her suddenly regain her spirits and relentlessly chase after them.
Meng Sangyu had already planned to test her man. Seeing that he was not tempted by the woman, she was delighted. Along the way, she began to draw her bow and shoot arrows, sweeping across the western district. Her archery skills were personally taught by the Duke of Meng. It was not an exaggeration to say that she could shoot through a hundred paces, which shocked Miss Han and made her even more determined to compete.
However, how could Meng Sangyu, who was intending to suppress her, still leave room for her? The situations of the two were immediately reversed. Whatever Miss Han wanted to shoot, she would shoot first, always getting there first, causing Miss Han to lose face.
Miss Han just then realized that the empress had been giving her leeway the whole time, while she herself had been acting like a buffoon, and she didn’t know how many people had been laughing at her.
After all, she was a fifteen-year-old girl whose psychological endurance was still very weak. The more she thought about it, the sadder she became. Her eyes were red and tears hung from the corners of her eyes. Her disheveled appearance was pitiful. Han Changping felt sorry for her, but because the emperor and empress were present, he could not comfort her. He could only sigh to himself.
“Alright, it’s enough to teach her a lesson.” Emperor Zhouwu rode his horse to Sangyu’s side and whispered to persuade her. After all, she was his trusted official’s sister, so he had to save her some face.
“She wants to steal my man, and I’m supposed to just let her?” Meng Sangyu gave him a sidelong glance, her red lips slightly parted, her breath like orchids, her raised eyebrows revealing a hint of wickedness and wildness, as alluring as a forest fairy.
Emperor Zhouwu felt a burning sensation in his lower abdomen. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and give her a good squeeze. Her declaration made his heart burn with passion, and he burst out laughing at this most inappropriate time.
Miss Han mistakenly thought that the emperor was mocking her. Her face turned from flushed to livid, and tears fell down in large drops.
The man’s smile was simple and pure, a ray of sunlight cast down, handsome as a god. Meng Sangyu was instantly bewitched, staring blankly for a long time before she could barely regain her senses, pinching his arm and pretending to be angry, “Don’t smile like this in the future, it’s too flirtatious!”
The man’s laughter grew louder. Unable to contain the fire in his chest any longer, he stretched out his long arms and pulled the woman into his embrace. He whipped the horse and galloped toward the depths of the dense forest, his voice ringing out, “Wait here for us. The empress and I will return shortly.”
There was a slight sound of something flying through the air in the jungle, and the secret guards hidden around quickly followed. Han Changping waved his hand, signaling everyone to sit and wait. As for why the emperor and empress had left alone? The answer was self-evident.
“Can you give up now? The Emperor and the Empress’s relationship is not something you can interfere with!” Han Changping pulled his sister to the side and said earnestly. His sister had a stubborn personality, and if he didn’t let her experience it personally, she would never know how hopeless her thoughts were.
Miss Han collapsed on the ground in despair, burying her face in her knees and weeping. It turned out that there really was such a thing as true love and unwavering loyalty in this world, but it didn’t belong to her. If she were to seize it, this feeling would lose its original preciousness and become a cheap commodity that could be obtained at will. It would be better to watch it from afar!
She thought, she understood a little bit.