"Ahem." Two coughs came from ahead, and the people discussing behind them immediately fell silent, lowering their heads to the ground, not daring to continue.
The man at the forefront glanced back. Foolish things, daring to gossip about the commander's private affairs. They clearly hadn't suffered enough and didn't know how formidable the commander was. If she found out you were gossiping about her private life, she'd train you so hard that the mere thought of her would become a nightmare.
"My Lord, the spring hunt is imminent, and we haven't had a chance to participate. We envy the brothers who get to go."
"Such ambition! The spring hunt happens every year. If you miss this chance, work hard to participate in the autumn hunt, or next year's spring hunt. What's the use of envy? Moreover, guarding the imperial city is also very important. I know you all too well; you just want to play!"
The crowd chuckled in unison. "We just envy them. We heard that last year at the spring hunt, Prince Qin came in first, and our commander came in second. With the commander's excellent skills, it's strange she only got second place."
"Prince Qin has been fighting on the battlefield for many years, his archery is divine, capable of hitting a willow leaf from a hundred paces. Even our commander might not be his match, let alone the fact that a woman's arm strength is inherently inferior to a man's. Losing to Prince Qin is not shameful."
"Captain, have you forgotten how thoroughly the commander thrashed you?" someone immediately teased. "The commander shot better than you even with her eyes covered."
The captain's face turned red, and he retorted, "After we return, all of you will run ten laps around the camp."
"Captain, you're taking revenge for personal reasons!"
"Anyone who objects will have five more laps added."
The crowd immediately dared not speak, glaring resentfully at the man at the front as they continued their patrol.
At Prince Qin's manor, Si Chen looked at Si Feng lying on the bed, pale and bloodless. "Doctor, how is he?"
"He was stabbed through. It's a miracle he survived!" the doctor said while bandaging him. "Did an assassin infiltrate the manor? Si Feng, the guard, is quite skilled. How did he get so injured?"
Si Chen sighed, "It's all because of love."
"I see," the doctor said with the air of someone who had been through it. "Heroes cannot overcome the allure of beauty, but this beauty seems poisonous."
"Indeed, a poisonous rose that pricks the hand. Tight." Si Chen saw Si Feng wake up and leaned in, "You're awake. Lucky you didn't get killed by that woman."
Si Feng looked around the room, the trace of Luo Bingqing nowhere in sight. A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes. "Where is she?"
"She ran. After stabbing you, she left Prince Qin's manor and her whereabouts are unknown. Our men couldn't catch her," Si Chen said irritably. "Did you tell her the truth?"
Si Feng lowered his gaze, remaining silent. Luo Bingqing had been on the verge of death over the child, insisting that Shan Yu Yan had killed her child and demanding Prince Qin kill Shan Yu Yan as a sacrifice for her child. He had no choice but to tell her the truth. Unexpectedly, Luo Bingqing refused to accept it and drew her sword to stab him.
"Can you let her go?"
"She was irrelevant to begin with; you are the one who matters," Si Chen said with a headache. "The spring hunt is approaching. Si Ye and Si Yue have gone to Princess Yong Ning's side. Only you and I are left by His Highness's side, and now you are severely injured. I will be the only one accompanying His Highness."
"Thank you for your hard work, brother."
Si Chen rubbed his temples. "That Luo Bingqing has a wicked heart. You should see through her sooner. And you too, you shouldn't have deceived her for so long. When women lose their reason, they are very frightening."
"I understand."
"Rest well and recover. I'll explain to His Highness," Si Chen said with a headache. Everyone was a handful. Moreover, Princess Yong Ning's side was full of troubles, and His Highness and Princess Yong Ning had a rift...
Si Feng felt a pang of worry. Princess Yong Ning was proud and the type who would rather shatter than remain intact. His Highness was already embroiled in the case of the great general's murder. If the real culprit wasn't found, with Princess Yong Ning's temperament, she might not easily let this matter go. It was truly worrying.
The third day of the third lunar month, the day of the spring hunt.
The Emperor's carriage, grand and majestic, left the imperial city. The common people lined the streets, watching and prostrating in worship.
Xiao Man, clad in armor and riding a tall steed, led the way. Nangong Yu's gaze fell on Xiao Man, a flicker of an unreadable light in his eyes.
"Fourth brother, how is your injury?" Nangong Yan, weak and traveling in a carriage, asked with concern as he rode parallel to Nangong Yu.
"It's nothing serious. I heard Third Brother was attacked and also quite injured. Has your wound improved?" Nangong Yu inquired sideways.
Nangong Yan's expression was subtle, but his smile had long since become a mask etched into his bones, and he no longer knew how to remove it. "Thank you for your concern, Fourth Brother. It's just a superficial wound."
"That's good," Nangong Yu said slowly. "Third Brother's health has always been frail and cannot withstand hardship. Third Brother must take good care of himself."
Nangong Yan smiled. "You too, Fourth Brother. You are the pillar of our Yusheng. If anything were to happen to you, it would be a great loss to the entire Yusheng empire."
"Third Brother flatters me. Yusheng has many capable individuals. I am merely a young man, hardly a pillar," Nangong Yu said calmly, his gaze sweeping over the Emperor's carriage. There was more than one person inside; the Grand Tutor was accompanying the Emperor, playing chess.
The Emperor, while playing chess, said, "Grand Tutor, I have a question in my heart. I hope the Grand Tutor can enlighten me."
"Please speak, Your Majesty." Feng Tianlan slowly moved a chess piece.
"I want to know, what kind of person will never betray?" the old Emperor asked, his gaze fixed on the Grand Tutor. He had thought about it endlessly, always feeling that anyone could be a traitor, anyone could betray him, which made him restless and unable to sleep.
"People are in a frantic rush, all for a few pieces of silver," Feng Tianlan said slowly. "Yet, these few pieces of silver can resolve all kinds of anxieties in the world."
"Grand Tutor, I am asking what kind of person will never betray."
"Your Majesty, I have already given the answer." Feng Tianlan said slowly. In this world, there is no one who is eternally loyal. It can only be said that the price offered is not enough.
"Does the Grand Tutor mean that everyone will betray?"
"No, throughout history, there have been many individuals of noble character and unwavering courage, and countless who fear no death. Their loyalty is beyond doubt," Feng Tianlan said slowly. "As long as Your Majesty gives them what they desire, you can gain their loyalty."
"What if I cannot give it?"
"Your Majesty, as the ruler of a nation, the true Son of Heaven, if you cannot give it, who else can?" Feng Tianlan's voice was gentle yet powerful. "If you cannot give something, then others cannot give it either, so you need not worry about their loyalty."
The old Emperor furrowed his brows. "An old fox, saying something that means nothing!"
"What does the Grand Tutor think of Xiao Man?"