Xiao Man returned to the camp just in time. Wen Mohan immediately stepped forward, "How did you walk back? Where is your horse?"
"My horse hasn't returned yet?" Xiao Man asked in confusion.
"No."
"Has Pei Qianyun returned?"
"Miss Pei has not yet returned." Wen Mohan was puzzled, "Why are you asking about her?"
"She was injured, so I gave her my horse. Logically, she should have returned by now."
Wen Mohan frowned slightly, "Don't worry, perhaps she met someone else and is returning with them. Let's wait a while."
Just then, Ulan Na also returned, but she looked quite disheveled. Her hair was messy, her clothes stained with blood. Upon arrival, she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Seeing this, the Emperor immediately ordered Ulan Na to be carried back to her tent and summoned the imperial physician. A glint flashed in Xiao Man's eyes, and she feigned concern, "Princess Ulan Na seems to be in trouble. Could she have been attacked by a beast?"
"The area where we hunt is separate from the beast territory. However, it's possible Princess Ulan Na may have strayed into the beast territory. I hope she's alright," Wen Mohan said softly. "However, it seems none of her guards have returned with her."
Xiao Man's expression remained inscrutable. Ulan Na's guards were naturally all dead. By then, His Majesty would have to comfort Ulan Na. No matter who won this competition, Ulan Na would not lose out, all thanks to the person who attacked her from behind.
The hunters returned to the camp in twos and threes. The guards brought back the prey, and among them were the bodies of soldiers from Wuyue Kingdom!
The old Emperor had initially thought Ulan Na's disheveled state was due to her incompetence and an injury from a beast. However, the wounds on the Wuyue soldiers were clearly inflicted by human hands!
"What is going on?" The Emperor looked at the Crown Prince. This hunt was under the Crown Prince's charge. A month before the hunt began, the area had been scoured. Yet, someone had infiltrated the hunting grounds and attempted to assassinate the Princess of Wuyue.
"Your humble servant has already dispatched people to investigate."
"Your Majesty, Princess Ulan Na has woken up and requests an audience."
As the Emperor entered Ulan Na's tent, he saw her struggling to sit up in bed. "Your Majesty, you must seek justice for Ulan Na! In the hunting grounds, Ulan Na was ambushed by assassins and nearly lost her life."
The old Emperor's head ached slightly. "I have already sent people to investigate. Rest assured, I will give you a satisfactory explanation for this matter."
"Your Majesty, this is Ulan Na's first time in Yusheng Imperial Capital. I have never had conflicts with anyone, nor have I made enemies. Who could be so malicious as to wish Ulan Na dead? This is clearly an attempt to sabotage the friendly relations between the Yusheng Dynasty and Wuyue Kingdom. The person who acted with such sinister intentions!"
Ulan Na's face was filled with righteous indignation. Xiao Man had told her to be angry, but to be angry strategically, to make the Emperor feel guilty and then use that guilt to secure more benefits for Wuyue Kingdom!
The old Emperor comforted Ulan Na, "Rest assured, I will apprehend the mastermind and bring them to justice. I will not allow anyone to disrupt the friendly relations between Wuyue Kingdom and Yusheng."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. With your words, I am reassured. It is a wise decision for Wuyue Kingdom to be on good terms with the Yusheng Dynasty." Ulan Na appeared weary. The Emperor saw this and ordered her to be well cared for before turning to leave.
After leaving Ulan Na's tent, the Emperor's expression turned grim. "Go and find out if the tenth prince is in the manor."
"Your Majesty suspects Prince Han..." Hu Wan did not finish his sentence. It was natural for His Majesty to suspect Prince Han. After all, Prince Han had once been captured by Ulan Na and held as a prisoner. If anyone wished for Ulan Na to die, Prince Han would be at the forefront.
"Go and investigate." Hu Wan instructed a young eunuch behind him and followed the Emperor back. "Your Majesty, the results of the hunt are likely in. Shall we go and see?"
"Let's go and see."
The group proceeded to the hunting grounds. The competition had concluded, and everyone had returned. Someone had already tallied the number of prey.
"Who took first place this time?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Qin took first place, and Princess Yongning took second."
"Oh? Yongning took second?" The old Emperor looked at Xiao Zhen. "Minister Xiao, Princess Yongning is indeed a woman who does not yield to men."
"Everyone let her win."
"Father, I also hunted quite a bit," Nangong Yi interjected. "I ranked sixth."
"Just sixth, and you're making a fuss?" The old Emperor retorted, "Yongning is second."
"It's just luck!" Nangong Yi said without hesitation. "If we competed, I wouldn't lose."
"Is that so?" the old Emperor teased. "Then who is it that Yongning beats black and blue and cries every other day?"
Nangong Yi's face reddened. "I was letting her win!"
"Oh, I heard you've never beaten her!" the old Emperor said with a smile. "A true man should be able to accept defeat."
Nangong Yi fell silent. He held a rabbit that was still kicking in his hand. He had caught it to give to Xiao Man, but after Xiao Man glanced at it, she said it would be delicious braised.
Nangong Yi wondered if he should have the cook skin and braise this rabbit later and send it to Xiao Man.
Xiao Man's gaze scanned the crowd. Nangong Wu and Bai Yanran had both returned, and they had also hunted quite a bit. Only Pei Qianyun was nowhere to be seen.
"Wu'er," Xiao Man walked to Nangong Wu's side. "Did you see Miss Pei?"
Nangong Wu searched the crowd. "I didn't see her."
"In the hunting grounds, you didn't see her either?"
"No." Nangong Wu reached out and tugged at Bai Yanran. "Yanran, did you see Miss Pei?"
Bai Yanran shook her head. "After I got separated from Sister Xiao, I met you and haven't seen her."
Xiao Man grew increasingly bewildered. Why had Pei Qianyun not returned yet? Could something else have happened on her way back to the camp?
At this moment, everyone's attention turned to Xiao Man, who was still deep in thought. Wen Mohan nudged Xiao Man with his arm. Xiao Man looked up and realized everyone was looking at her.
"Yongning, you came in second. What reward do you desire?" the old Emperor asked with a smile.
Xiao Man thought carefully. "Your Majesty, can Yongning choose her own husband?"
Upon hearing this, the old Emperor burst into laughter. "Minister Xiao, your girl is eager to get married!"
"Yongning, tell me, who do you wish to choose as your husband?"
"Your Majesty, Yongning hasn't decided yet. Why doesn't Your Majesty reward Yongning with a promise, allowing Yongning autonomy in marriage?" Xiao Man's smile was exceptionally radiant. The ladies present stared at her in disbelief. Marriage had always been arranged by parents and intermediaries. Xiao Man actually wanted autonomy over her own marriage!
The old Emperor heard this and laughed. "Granted."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live His Majesty, long live, long live."