The Royal Hunting Grounds in the outskirts of the capital.
The hunt was in full swing, with civil and military officials in attendance, many accompanied by their families. The atmosphere was more akin to a leisurely spring outing than a fierce competition.
This was not a formal grand autumn hunt but rather an event held to foster camaraderie between the emperor and his ministers, allowing the court officials—often buried in state affairs—to stretch their limbs.
Pei Qian sat atop his father Duke Chengen’s horse, eyes gleaming with excitement at the sight of prey. He itched to spur the horse forward himself, only to be promptly smacked on the crown of his head by his father, which immediately subdued him.
Duke Chengen smiled at Emperor Jingxuan and said, "Your Majesty, I shall take my leave first."
The emperor nodded in acknowledgment.
Sui, seated in front of Emperor Jingxuan, wore a round helmet that revealed his fair and delicate face. His expression was solemn as he gripped his beloved black-lacquered bow, scanning the underbrush intently for any sign of prey.
The helmet pressed snugly against his cheeks, instantly puffing them out like little dumplings. With his lips pursed, he looked every bit the serious little hunter.
Emperor Jingxuan glanced down and stifled a chuckle.
The boy’s focused demeanor reminded him of himself.
It was clear to all that the emperor doted on young Sui, taking him wherever he went—a privilege even the two imperial princes did not enjoy.
Fortunately, the princes were absent today, sparing everyone the awkwardness of their thoughts.
A rustling sound suddenly came from behind a tree, and Sui immediately perked up, nocking an arrow to his small bow.
They were still on the outskirts of the hunting grounds, where the prey was mostly harmless herbivores.
Sure enough, a gray rabbit soon hopped out from behind the tree, its obsidian-black eyes gleaming as it nibbled on the grass.
Sui aimed his arrow at the rabbit, his little face tightening with determination as he recalled Emperor Jingxuan’s teasing remark that he couldn’t even hunt a rabbit.
Since receiving the black-lacquered bow, Sui had frequented the archery range, honing his accuracy.
Emperor Jingxuan raised a brow, watching with interest.
Just as it seemed Sui would release the arrow, he suddenly lowered his bow and relaxed the string.
Emperor Jingxuan asked, "What’s the matter? Giving up on the rabbit?"
"Your Majesty," Sui whispered, looking up at him, "that rabbit seems to be expecting babies."
Emperor Jingxuan took a closer look and realized it was true.
"How could you tell?" he asked.
Sui hesitated before answering truthfully, "Its belly is round, and it’s digging at the grass—that’s what mother rabbits do when they’re preparing a nest."
He had read about it in a book and remembered just in time.
Turning to the emperor with hopeful eyes, he asked, "Your Majesty, can we let it go?"
Once the rabbit gave birth and the babies grew up, there would be even more rabbits to hunt.
It was, after all, a rule in the hunting grounds not to kill pregnant prey, whether rabbits or other animals.
Emperor Jingxuan flicked Sui’s plump cheek playfully and agreed readily, "As you wish."
He clapped his hands sharply, startling the mother rabbit, which immediately bolted into the thick underbrush and vanished.
Still, Sui felt the need to clarify, "Your Majesty, it’s not that I can’t hunt a rabbit—there were special circumstances! You mustn’t laugh at me!"
Otherwise, he’d tattle to his mother.
He had noticed that the emperor was most afraid of his mother.
Puffing out his cheeks, Sui spoke with all the seriousness a child could muster.
Emperor Jingxuan chuckled. "You’re quite the little grudge-holder for someone so young."
He wondered where the boy got it from.
They didn’t linger long in the outer grounds. Emperor Jingxuan gave the order, and the party moved inward.
Unlike the small game in the outer area, the inner grounds were home to foxes, deer, lynxes, and the like.
The emperor himself shot several white foxes, intending to have their pelts made into a fur coat for Yun Wan.
Glancing at the little boy before him, he thought he might spare a piece for Sui’s scarf.
Unaware of the emperor’s thoughts, Sui excitedly loosed a few arrows of his own—all of which missed their mark. His shoulders slumped in disappointment.
Emperor Jingxuan patted his head reassuringly.
Strangely, the area was unusually quiet, devoid of even a single deer.
Had all the game here already been hunted?
......
Hidden in the lush undergrowth of a half-sloped hillside, unnoticed by the party, pairs of gleaming green eyes watched their prey intently.
The captain of the guards frowned and spoke up, "Your Majesty, something feels off—"
"Ah!"
Before he could finish, a blood-curdling scream rang out in the distance.
A guard who had gone to retrieve their kills stumbled into view, drenched in blood, his face twisted in terror as he glanced behind him. "W-wolves!"
The group tensed, following his gaze, and their hearts froze.
On the slope stood an old wolf, its fur dull and body gaunt from hunger, staring at them with ravenous green eyes.
Its jaws worked slowly, chewing on a strip of flesh torn from the guard.
This was a wolf that had starved for too long—and waited even longer.
Realizing it had been spotted, the wolf crouched low before lunging at the group with a ferocious snarl.
The guards raised their blades, bracing for the attack.
The captain’s expression darkened. Wolves were pack animals. If one appeared, others were surely nearby.
Sure enough, after a few clashes, the old wolf was on the brink of death.
Knowing it was outmatched, it threw its head back in a long, mournful howl.
From the woods emerged over a dozen wolves, encircling the group, their eyes alight with predatory hunger.
With a sharp cry from the alpha, the battle began.
Emperor Jingxuan stood at the center, shielded by his guards. One hand covered Sui’s eyes, wrapped protectively in his cloak, while the other gripped his sword.
With swift, precise strikes, he cut down two wolves in quick succession.
The alpha wolf immediately recognized him as the leader of the two-legged intruders. Fixing its gaze on the emperor, it waited for an opening before launching itself at him with a vicious snarl.
"Your Majesty, look out!" the captain shouted.
There was no time to question why these wolves had suddenly appeared in the hunting grounds. His only thought was to protect the emperor until reinforcements arrived.
Emperor Jingxuan had already anticipated the alpha’s move. Digging his heels into his horse, he forced it to pivot, narrowly avoiding the attack.
But the steed, spooked by the chaos, reared uncontrollably. Without hesitation, the emperor leaped off, clutching Sui tightly.
Sui had been shielded from the gruesome sight of the bloodied guard, and the moment the howls began, Emperor Jingxuan had covered his eyes and held him close.
Though he couldn’t see, the sounds alone told Sui they were in grave danger. Despite his fear, he made no sound—no crying, no fuss—only gripping the emperor’s robes tightly, determined not to be a burden.
Just as the battle reached its peak, reinforcements arrived.
Outnumbered and wounded, the alpha wolf let out a final snarl before leading the surviving pack members in a desperate retreat into the depths of the forest.
The group exhaled in relief, some collapsing to the ground in exhaustion.
But in that moment of respite, no one noticed the old wolf—presumed dead—suddenly open its eyes.
With its last ounce of strength, it lunged toward Emperor Jingxuan and Sui—
"Your Majesty—!"
Wei Tong, who had just arrived, witnessed the scene with horror.
