Qin Prince's Mansion.
Looking at Wu Qi's hesitant expression before him, Song Yu inwardly sneered several times. Whenever Wu Qi wore that look, it never boded well.
"Eunuch Wu, has His Majesty issued any instructions?" Song Shihuan asked with a smile from the side.
Facing her, Wu Qi forced a strained smile. "Your Highness, Princess, Minister Shen Pu proposed an autumn hunt to the Emperor, and His Majesty has approved."
Scratch—
The brush in Song Yu's hand dragged a thick, crooked line across the paper.
"Autumn hunt? This prince won't attend."
Song Yu suddenly recalled when he first brought Ah Huan back to the Qin Prince's Mansion—her punch had nearly sent him to the afterlife. The memory alone made him weep internally.
Scholarly knowledge could be acquired later, but martial arts... his physique was already set, and he couldn't learn a single bit.
"His Majesty instructed this servant to inform Your Highness that you need not participate directly in the hunt," Wu Qi said, subtly glancing at Song Yu. Oh, Your Highness, the Emperor fears you'd embarrass him if you joined!
"You may have the Princess take your place instead."
At those words, Song Shihuan's eyes lit up. "Me?"
Taking her father's place meant... she could compete against a group of young men?
She couldn't ask for more.
"Is... is that acceptable?" Song Yu felt a rare pang of guilt, as though he were so weak he needed Ah Huan to uphold his dignity.
"His Majesty was reluctant at first, but later agreed, thinking the hunt would showcase the Princess's archery and horsemanship," Wu Qi said, nearly spelling out Emperor Yuanyou's true intentions.
The Emperor simply wanted the entire court to witness how exceptional his granddaughter was.
"Fine."
Song Yu sounded unenthused, feeling somewhat humiliated.
But there was nothing he could say.
......
Emperor Yuanyou entrusted the arrangements for the autumn hunt entirely to Shen Pu, and news spread swiftly through the capital. Families with eligible young men hastily intensified their archery and riding training, each eager to claim victory.
Shen Residence.
"His Highness is poor at horsemanship, yet Shen Pu deliberately arranged for him and Prince Qi to lead competing teams, even declaring that the leaders' prey would count double. It's blatantly meant to shame him," Shen Mingwen muttered, frowning deeply.
Archery and riding... even the cleverest housewife couldn't cook without rice.
"Father needn't worry."
Shen Qingping, however, remained unperturbed. "His Highness's pitiful skills won't win no matter how much we fret."
"You—!" Shen Mingwen's face flushed with anger. "His Highness has worked hard to gain support in court, risking his life during the floods. If all that is undermined by a single hunt... I can't help but feel indignant for him."
"And the two imperial grandsons from Ping Prince's Mansion are also participating. If His Highness can't even surpass them..."
Seeing Shen Qingping's indifferent expression, Shen Mingwen kicked him.
"Why kick me when it's His Highness who's bad at riding?" Shen Qingping grumbled.
"Who was His Highness's study companion in the Imperial Academy? Who skipped archery lessons with him? Who fed laxatives to the horses during riding practice?"
Back when the prince was still a wastrel, Shen Mingwen dared not bring this up, fearing the Emperor might behead his fool of a son in a fit of rage.
"Enough, Father. A hero doesn't boast of past deeds."
Were it not for propriety, Shen Qingping would have clapped a hand over his father's mouth.
"His Majesty has already decided—the Princess will take His Highness's place."
"The Princess?"
"Acting in her father's stead?"
Individually, the words made sense, but strung together, Shen Mingwen struggled to comprehend.
"I'll retire to my study and revisit the tale of Mulan joining the army for her father."
Unlike the Shen household, the Gu residence buzzed with excitement.
"The Princess is replacing His Highness?" Yu Fan's eyes gleamed. "She'll leave everyone speechless."
"The Qin Prince's Mansion will undoubtedly take the crown this time!"
Gu Zheng nodded emphatically, wishing the hunt would begin immediately.
Heavens, let the world witness this prodigy of martial arts!
......
On the eve of the hunt, the list of participating teams was finalized.
Prince Qi's Mansion.
"My team is packed with formidable talents." Prince Qi grinned ear to ear. "Minister Shen is truly a man of wit."
"Your Highness, I suspect something is amiss," a strategist, Mr. Gou, cautiously interjected. "The Emperor's favoritism toward Prince Qin is no secret. Why would he approve an event where Prince Qin is disadvantaged, much less entrust it to the Shen family?"
"You overthink, Mr. Gou."
Prince Qi dismissed the warning outright. "Autumn hunts are a time-honored tradition, not something to be canceled lightly. This time, I'll make sure my elder brother suffers a quiet defeat."
Seeing Prince Qi's eagerness, the strategist could only lower his head in resignation.
Meanwhile, in Ping Prince's Mansion, Song Yanzheng was assigned to Song Yu's team, while Song Yanming joined Prince Qi's.
"Yanming, give it your all. Show your grandfather what you're capable of," Shen Hua'er urged.
"As for your elder brother, he'll feign illness and hold back. This hunt must end with Prince Qi's victory."
"Rest assured, Consort. I'm confident in my riding and archery."
Song Yanming straightened his back proudly. Among the imperial grandsons, none surpassed his skills.
None before him, and none after.
The day of the hunt arrived.
The open hunting grounds were swept by autumn breezes, heightening the atmosphere.
Too aged to mount a horse, Emperor Yuanyou delivered only a brief opening address.
"Your Majesty, the next step is for Prince Qin and Prince Qi to lead their respective teams. The side with the most prey wins. Might Your Majesty offer a reward to spice up the competition?"
"Gladly."
Emperor Yuanyou smiled. "This jade-ribbed fan of mine shall be the prize."
Anything bestowed by the Emperor—even a strand of hair—would be treasured.
Having secured the Emperor's agreement, Shen Pu finally turned to Song Yu and voiced the question he'd held back since their first meeting:
"Your Highness, might you change into proper attire?"
Who attended a hunt in casual robes?
And arriving by carriage with Princess Fu'an, no less!
To Shen Pu, the outcome was clear before the competition even began.
Yet Song Yu merely crossed his arms, wearing an enigmatic smile.
"A trivial occasion like this? Let Ah Huan take my place."
"Your Highness, allowing a young princess to participate in a hunt... is highly irregular!" Shen Pu stammered, stunned by the suggestion.
But before he could protest further, a crisp voice cut in:
"If you wish to challenge my father, you must first best me in the hunt."
