During this period, Qi Zhenzhen visited Tiger Tooth Mountain several times and, after repeated discussions with Ye Bai, finally devised a plan.
Ancient people were superstitious and held unusual events in great awe. To make the Emperor abandon the idea of enclosing the hunting grounds, there needed to be a reason that would make him change his mind.
Gu Sinian had mentioned that the white wolf was a rare and exotic beast recorded in historical texts. If the white wolf displayed peculiarities not documented in historical records, and Gu Sinian conveyed this to the Emperor, would that make him reconsider?
This was the method Qi Zhenzhen had racked her brains to come up with. Whether it would work or not, only time would tell.
"Young Master, it's enough to have Xiao Niu and the others keeping an eye on things here. I want to go into the mountains to hunt. Are you coming with me? I must go into the mountains a few more times before you enclose the hunting grounds, otherwise, I fear I won't have the chance again." Qi Zhenzhen proactively invited him.
Gu Sinian couldn't have wished for anything more; opportunities for them to be alone together were not easily found.
Qi Zhenzhen was very familiar with the mountains, and she quickly led Gu Sinian to the location of the forest lake.
Following the plan, Qi Zhenzhen let out a cry of pain, her expression turning somewhat unpleasant.
"What's wrong?" Gu Sinian, thinking of the brown bear they had encountered in the mountains earlier, became nervous, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
"It's nothing..." Qi Zhenzhen said somewhat awkwardly, "I must have eaten something bad."
Gu Sinian understood. "I'll wait for you here."
Qi Zhenzhen nodded, clutching her stomach, and quickly disappeared from Gu Sinian's sight.
She was very familiar with the area around the forest lake. To put on a convincing act, she had even practiced a few times. The place she hid was extremely concealed, and due to the terrain, even if she made a sound, it would be difficult for people to pinpoint the direction.
Gu Sinian scanned his surroundings while worrying about Qi Zhenzhen. There were wild beasts in the mountains; what if she encountered one? But since she had gone to attend to her needs, he couldn't follow, so he could only wait patiently.
The white wolf, Ye Bai, strolled out from the bushes, still accompanied by two grey wolves.
Gu Sinian drew his soft sword almost immediately, confronting the three wolves. However, his heart was filled with concern for Qi Zhenzhen's safety.
"Awoo, I recognize you, human." Ye Bai actually spoke human language. "Months ago, you and several other humans came into the mountains and were attacked by a brown bear. If not for the rescue by that little human girl and my persuasion, you would have lost your life. Instead of showing gratitude, you bring people to hunt in Tiger Tooth Mountain."
Even Gu Sinian, who had seen much of the world, was stunned. A wolf speaking human language, and what this white wolf said was indeed something he had experienced.
"Can you understand me?" Gu Sinian asked, warily watching the white wolf.
"This is a natural ability of white wolves. The wolf pack has a rule: unless facing an existential threat, this ability must not be revealed," Ye Bai said. "You humans intend to make Tiger Tooth Mountain a hunting ground. This is not only an existential threat to our wolf pack but also to other species in this mountain. The prophecies passed down through generations of wolves mention that if the beasts of Tiger Tooth Mountain suffer a great calamity, the world will fall into chaos, and living beings will be plunged into misery."
"Are you saying that Da Feng will face war?"
"That is what the wolf prophecies say. Human, you must understand better than I what war is like. We have a connection, so I implore you to relay a message to your ruler, asking him to prioritize the welfare of the common people." Ye Bai continued, "If he remains obstinate, in the future, there will not only be war but also an unending revenge from the wolf pack upon humanity."
After speaking, the white wolf cast a deep glance at Gu Sinian and turned to walk deeper into the forest.
The two grey wolves did not leave immediately. Instead, they adopted an aggressive stance, staring fiercely at Gu Sinian.
When Qi Zhenzhen reappeared, the two grey wolves were still there. She immediately stood beside Gu Sinian, drew her bow, and nocked an arrow, confronting the grey wolves.
Gu Sinian gently put his arm around Qi Zhenzhen's waist and took a step back. The two grey wolves also retreated a step.
The two parties continuously retreated until a distance was established between them.
The two grey wolves leaped forward, their figures disappearing into the bushes.
"That was too close, encountering two wolves at once." Qi Zhenzhen placed a hand over her chest, feigning a look of lingering fear.
The shock of the white wolf speaking human language still lingered in Gu Sinian's mind. He wanted to tell Qi Zhenzhen, but he was afraid of frightening her. After all, it sounded incredibly bizarre, and he feared she would think he was mad. However, what he had just witnessed made Gu Sinian acutely aware that the white wolf speaking was a real event.
"The mountains are too dangerous. Let's head towards the outer areas," Gu Sinian said, trying his best to remain calm.
Qi Zhenzhen nodded. "I was not thoughtful enough. I came directly to the depths of the forest. If something had happened just now, how could I face you?"
Gu Sinian waved his hand. "Can we consider ourselves lucky to have survived?"
They walked towards the outer areas and hunted rabbits and pheasants. Gu Sinian was preoccupied, his mind elsewhere, and they soon left the mountains.
As Qi Zhenzhen had predicted, after leaving the mountains, Gu Sinian gave some instructions, bid farewell to Qi Zhenzhen, and returned to the capital alone.
All the way, Gu Sinian could still hear the white wolf's words. Zhuifeng could sense its master's anxiety and ran at full speed, reaching the capital before nightfall.
Gu Sinian did not delay for a moment and headed straight for the imperial palace.
The palace gates were already locked. Fortunately, the guards knew Gu Sinian. Gu Sinian knew the palace rules; if someone arrived after the gates were locked, it must be for a matter of extreme urgency. He did not dare to delay and had the message delivered to the Imperial Study.
Emperor Chongwen was appraising a landscape painting by a master from the previous dynasty. Upon receiving the letter, he instructed his attendant, Ji Xiang, to personally escort the visitor.
When Gu Sinian entered the Imperial Study, the landscape painting had been put away. Emperor Chongwen sat upright at his desk, with several memorials placed on the table.
"Your humble subject pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty." Gu Sinian knelt on one knee and bowed.
"That's enough. There are no outsiders here, so why all the formality? Why have you returned at this hour? Is there some intractable matter you cannot handle?" Emperor Chongwen asked. He greatly admired and liked Gu Sinian, not only because he was the nephew of the Imperial Noble Consort but also because his capabilities alone were enough to earn his favor.
Gu Sinian glanced at Eunuch Ji Xiang. Without Emperor Chongwen's prompting, Eunuch Ji Xiang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Kitchen has made new custard. Young Master likes it very much. This old servant will go fetch some."
With that, he withdrew.
"Speak, what is it that requires such secrecy? Ji Xiang has served by my side since childhood and is loyal to me. Is there anything he cannot hear?" Emperor Chongwen asked.
Gu Sinian recounted the incident of encountering the white wolf in the mountains to Emperor Chongwen, word for word.
Emperor Chongwen, who had been calm and composed, frowned more tightly as he listened. Eventually, he could no longer sit still and abruptly stood up.
"A'nian, is what you say true? You personally heard the white wolf speak?" Emperor Chongwen asked, his face filled with disbelief. This matter was simply too extraordinary.