Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 84

The entire eastern hunting ground was guarded every twenty yards by a sentry. The military department led pre-captured deer, bears, wolves, and eagles, releasing a batch through each of the four gates—east, west, north, and south—every hour.

Xiao Yu and Jida split, each with ten archers. The arrows of the two groups were marked with red and green, traversing the north and south sides. By mid-afternoon, they would converge at the hilltop in the eastern hunting ground to tally the total prey as a measure of victory or defeat.

As the sun leapt onto the treetops and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, the forest seemed to be sprinkled with fragments of gold.

Xiao Yu, on horseback, gazed into the distance, remarking to Lu Zhe, “Scout ahead and send someone to follow Jida.” With a whip crack, he spurred his horse forward swiftly. There were echoes of hooves pounding the ground everywhere around him, resembling an onslaught of countless arrows soaring into the sky.

Soldiers at the lookout waved banners to keep score.

Leading twenty cavalrymen, Xiao Yu rode south, harvesting numerous prey along the way. Apart from the animals’ cries, not even a spark was visible.

Lu Zhe began to consider whether Dantai Yi might change tactics, perhaps contemplating an assassination attempt on Jida. Although he entertained such thoughts, his mind remained tense, never letting down his guard for even a moment.

The drumbeats quickened as the sun ascended higher, heating up the weather.

They soon reached the hilltop. Jida’s entire attire was drenched in sweat, yet his face beamed with confidence. He filled a bowl with wine, raising it for a toast, which he drained in a single gulp.

Jida looked at the expansive sky before him and said, “If Baoyin becomes an imperial consort, all trade dealings in the future will be according to Your Majesty’s will.”

As his words faded, Baoyin chuckled and playfully punched her older brother on the shoulder before glancing at Xiao Yu. Baoyin was lively and warm; whenever she faced Xiao Yu, her smile never seemed to vanish, sweet like honey and warm like sunlight.

She was waiting for his response.

Xiao Yu remained noncommittal, only lifting a bowl and downing its contents.

Observing the faint smile at the corner of the man’s lips, Baoyin’s heart raced faster, a hint of sourness mixing with the excitement. She liked him very much, enough to want to stay in Great Zhou forever.

Baoyin took up a quiver and said, “There are ten arrows left. For the final round, I’d like to compete with Your Majesty.”

Just then, distant drums echoed from the foot of the mountain.

“The weather is dry, beware of fire—”

“The weather is dry, beware of fire—”

“The weather is dry, beware of fire—”

In this midsummer moment, during the harshest part of the day, when the sun loomed as if about to fall onto their shoulders, it was dizzying.

Suddenly, a north wind swept in—

Not far away, between the passages, a pack of wild animals came rushing in.

Baoyin raised her bow, aiming at the deer’s eye, those dewy eyes widening in an instant.

No words could describe the horrifying scene in the eastern hunting ground. Nearly a hundred deer, wolves, and other wild animals were ablaze, running wildly, crashing into the crowd one after another. The horses, startled, lifted their front hooves, neighing in alarm—

Baoyin and Jida quickly leaped to higher ground to shoot arrows. But after a few shots, their hands found nothing but emptiness when they reached back for more arrows. By this point, the quivers had run out of arrows.

Baoyin, nervous, exclaimed, “Your Majesty! What’s happening? We’re out of arrows!”

Lu Zhe mounted his horse, despite his scholarly appearance, cursing, “Damn it…”

Explosives, candles, fine wine—all the contingencies were in vain. Dantai Yi’s best strategy lay in the timing and preparation. He had coated the animals with phosphorus in advance; there was no need for anyone to ignite them.

As the appointed time arrived, the midday sun shone brightly, and the phosphorus ignited on its own—

After a while, a deep rumbling sound echoed from the eastern hunting ground.

***

As the explosion shattered the joyful atmosphere under the warm sun, everyone turned eastward simultaneously. Even though Qin Ling knew something might happen at the eastern hunting ground, her heart still raced, her breath seemingly halted.

Consort Liu asked, “What’s happening?”

Shuyi Xu added, “Aren’t firearms and explosives forbidden during the hunt? How come we hear explosions?”

Xiao Yun looked up and noticed his mother’s pale face. He reached out, clasping his mother’s ice-cold fingertips.

Soon, a young eunuch dashed to the front of the high platform. Due to his haste, he stumbled upon stopping. “I apologize for my lack of decorum.”

Consort Xue spoke urgently, “Speak quickly; what’s going on?”

The young eunuch reported, “Reporting to the empress dowager, there’s trouble at the eastern hunting ground.”

Having experienced the reigns of two emperors, Empress Dowager Chu remained composed. She rose slowly and asked, “Explain clearly. What’s happening at the eastern hunting ground?”

The eunuch knelt down with a thud, “There’s an unknown fire at the eastern hunting ground. The warhorses were frightened. The grand commander has sent people to seal off the area, and the entire imperial physicians are on their way.”

Fire, sealed area, imperial physicians—when connected, it sent shivers down their spines.

Empress Dowager Chu’s face instantly darkened, “How is the emperor?”

“Eunuch Sheng says His Majesty’s life is temporarily safe, but he’s seriously injured, and…” The attendant hesitated, glancing at Empress Dowager Chu.

“Speak!”

“The Mongolian Second Prince… might not survive…”

“What are you saying?!”

It was common knowledge that if the Mongolian Second Prince died at the Great Zhou hunting ground, the Old Khan would undoubtedly mobilize his troops.

“What about the princess?” Empress Dowager Chu inquired.

“She’s unconscious from serious injuries, but her life is stable.”

***

Although the news of sealing off the area was kept tight, leaks still emerged.

Sun Jianzheng of the Imperial Observatory said to Qin Wang, “This is bad! There’s a fire at the eastern hunting ground! Brother Qin, do you think His Majesty will blame us for this in the future?”

Qin Wang wiped his forehead with his sleeve, replying, “Rumors can turn a mouse into a tiger. There’s so much speculation outside, but we still don’t know what’s happening.”

Sun Jianzheng patted Qin Wang’s shoulder, saying, “Let’s hope for the best.”

Qin Wang took a sip of water, “I’m worried. I’ll go ask my eldest son first.”

Hearing this, Sun Jianzheng sighed, “If only my stubborn young son would learn a bit from yours, I’ll wake up every morning with a smile on my face.”

Qin Wang chuckled, “You’re exaggerating, Brother Sun.”

With that, Qin Wang left. Simultaneously, others departed after removing their official hats, including officials from the Ministry of Rites, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and the Ministry of War.

The sky gradually darkened.

Qin Wang crossed a barren grassland and headed towards the encampment in the mountains—the grand commander’s tent.

The fire at the eastern hunting ground and the sealing of Mount Li had caused quite a stir. Lanterns were lit early, and hurried figures scattered all around.

He circled past the sentries, scaled the back of the hill barehanded, and arrived at the white tent.

Inside the tent, there was a tall figure. Qin Wang held his breath, drew the dagger from his waist, stealthily crept behind a soldier, silently turning to approach him.

Sensing a slight breath on his neck, the soldier realized something was amiss and started to turn back. Qin Wang’s sharp blade swiftly brushed against the soldier’s throat, precise and unwavering.

Next, he dragged the body into the bushes, wiped away the bloodstains, and donned the soldier’s armor.

Dantai Yi nodded as he walked to the front of the tent and feigned a voice, “Commander, I have urgent matters to report.”

The figure inside the tent coughed softly, facing away from him, and in a disguised voice, said, “Come in! What’s the matter?”

Dantai Yi approached with a military order in hand. As his right hand flickered with a chilling gleam, simultaneously, Su Huai’an swiftly turned around, precisely aiming a dagger into the gap in the armor and piercing straight into his abdomen.

Su Huai’an whispered, “Imperial Tutor, long time no see.”

The lingering rays of the setting sun seeped into the tent as their eyes met.

Dantai Yi scrutinized his pupil, his voice slightly tense, “Jingming.” His tone echoed precisely like Su Jingbei’s.

Su Huai’an’s dagger sliced across his abdomen, a faint smile gracing his lips, “You don’t deserve to call me that.”

Dantai Yi restrained his hand, saying, “What do you want? To cry for the injustice? Revenge? Settling scores?”

Su Huai’an suppressed his breath, his voice trembling, “Imperial Tutor of the Qi State, a genius of the ages, could a mere ledger compare to your life?”

Dantai Yi felt the trembling in his wrist, and his gaze suddenly mirrored that of many years ago, “My hands have been stained with countless blood, but there are only two people in this world I can’t bring myself to harm— one is you, and the other is Ah Ling.”

Su Huai’an scoffed abruptly, “The blood feud between us separates us. Why would you hesitate?”

A trace of blood seeped from Dantai Yi’s lips as he spoke slowly, “You should take this life of mine.”

“You won’t die, and you don’t deserve to,” Su Huai’an’s eyes danced with crimson amusement. “After tonight, Great Zhou and Mongolia will reconcile, setting aside weapons for friendship. In the days to come, they’ll unite against Qi. As for you, you’ve lived half your life as someone else. Karmic cycles will find you. I assure you, you’ll ‘live’ forever in this world. No one will inherit your legacy, nor will anyone bear your coffin.” Su Huai’an’s hands were drenched in blood. “As for the young emperor of Qi, he will never know in his lifetime that he still has a father.”

Dantai Yi felt the pain in his lower abdomen, his breath growing increasingly rapidly. His pupils contracted continuously, his voice resembling that of an elderly man in his twilight years. “Jingming… No…”

Seeing his expressions slowly solidify, Su Huai’an realized his suspicions were correct. Someone who preached about righteousness and morality yet was selfish and cunning wouldn’t possess unwavering loyalty and courage.

He had invested everything, including his bloodline, to rule this realm. That’s why he hadn’t hesitated even for a moment four years ago.

How ironic… The young emperor of Qi never called him “father,” yet he and Ah Ling had addressed him as such for over a decade.

Su Huai’an lifted Dantai Yi’s chest, cutting straight through his abdomen. He uttered word by word, by his ear, “I want you to become a traitor to Qi, to burn away all your aspirations and desires, to have it all end up in vain.”

Dantai Yi grew weaker. He turned slightly, gazing through the gap in the tent. It seemed he recalled something. He opened his mouth and murmured, “Jingming, back then in Zhuo County… I left a boat for you.” His pupils gradually dilated, and his breath grew weaker. His life faded like the setting sun beyond the horizon.

Gradually, the night enveloped them.

Su Jingming lifted his trembling hand and removed Dantai Yi’s mask, revealing his true face. There were lines at the corners of his eyes, traces of frost at his temples—a man who seemed ordinary and unremarkable. He found it hard to believe that this man had once carried him on his shoulders, taught him to ride horses, and taught him loyalty and patriotism.

Su Huai’an rose expressionlessly, wiped off the blood from his hands, and strode out of the tent.

He was no longer that Su Jingming. He had lost too much—centuries of Su family glory, his parents, his sister.

And his princess.