Ye Pei sat quietly to the side, his gaze towards Jiang Ruan somewhat complex yet tinged with approval. Both individuals possessed peerless beauty and extraordinary grace. Though it was their first time playing together, their harmony seemed innate, as if destined to be paired. Jin Er remarked, "Truly a match made in heaven."
"Nothing short of divine providence," Jin Si added with a shake of his head.
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, finding it somewhat amusing. What was ostensibly a bloody life-and-death hunt, with each participant harboring ulterior motives and lurking dangers at every turn, had somehow turned into a romantic interlude for her and Xiao Shao. Before them, the bonfire crackled. Before leaving, Butler Lin had dismissed it as mere recreation, and now his words had come true. She had thought that missing the hunting grounds in her past life meant she would only witness its schemes in this one, never expecting such a different experience—a wholly new sensation, and not an unpleasant one at that.
...
At the main camp by the entrance to the Northern Broad Forest, the womenfolk who did not participate in the hunt began retiring to their tents. A young woman in dark green robes sat at the entrance of her tent, her maid smiling as she said, "Miss, some guards just returned from the woods and mentioned hearing someone playing the zither. They said the music was exquisite. Who could have such leisure in such a place?"
Cheng Niannian smiled softly. "With wild beasts roaming the forest and everyone at each other's throats, it's rare to find someone so serene. For the music to be so beautiful, the player must be extraordinary indeed—worthy of admiration."
"Who could it be?" the maid wondered aloud. "Could it be the Eighth Prince? He's known for his calm demeanor and excellence."
Cheng Niannian shook her head, smiling without answering. She merely sighed as she gazed into the depths of the forest, her eyes tinged with melancholy.
Early the next morning, Xiao Shao, Jiang Ruan, and the others emerged from their tents and headed back toward the main camp at the forest's edge. The night had passed peacefully—Xiao Shao, having spent much of his youth on Mount Jianan, was well-versed in warding off wild beasts. Combined with the insect-repellent powder they carried, not a single creature had disturbed them. Today was the day to tally the hunt's spoils and see who would claim the Emperor's prize. Xiao Shao's game was casually bundled and strapped to the back of his horse. His heart wasn't in the competition, and Jiang Ruan had little interest in the so-called reward. Their "hunt" had been more of an outing, with only a few distinctive trophies to show for it.
Upon returning to camp, they found many had already arrived, their hauls plentiful. The sight of the couple returning with Ye Pei drew surprised glances. Ye Pei explained the situation to the Emperor, who frowned upon hearing of the fierce beasts in the forest and immediately summoned the hunting grounds' officials for questioning. Jiang Ruan pondered silently—the Emperor's reaction suggested he hadn't been informed earlier, meaning those beasts hadn't encountered any other hunters. They must have been targeting their group. The wolf pack Gu Yi had encountered earlier was likely because he happened to be ahead of Ye Pei at the time.As she pondered, Jiang Xin Zhi and Zhao Jin returned, with Gu Yi and the remaining attendants following behind. The relationship between Zhao Jin and Jiang Xin Zhi no longer seemed as strained as before, appearing much more natural now. Jiang Xin Zhi dismounted and immediately approached the Emperor, likely discussing the matter of the wild beasts. The Emperor's expression darkened, all traces of his earlier ease vanishing in an instant.
Jiang Ruan's gaze shifted to the few beauties sitting leisurely before the tents. Wang Lian'er was delicate and gentle, exuding an air of scholarly refinement. Mu Xirou was cold as frost yet radiant as peach blossoms. As for Jiang Dan, she smiled at those around her, seemingly quite pleased with the day's pleasant atmosphere.
Jiang Ruan subtly averted her eyes. Jiang Dan had gone to great lengths to orchestrate this incident—releasing wild beasts that targeted only their group—yet she clearly understood these creatures couldn’t possibly kill them. There had to be some deeper intention behind it. Jiang Ruan could roughly guess the reason, but... Her eyes swept over the returning group, and understanding dawned. Indeed, if that were truly the case, Jiang Dan was gambling far too recklessly this time.
Just then, a man stumbled into view from the distance, drenched in blood and barely recognizable as a palace guard. The sight of such a bloodied figure sent the many noblewomen present into a panic, their screams piercing the air. The Emperor's Imperial Guards swiftly intercepted the man, but he seemed on the verge of collapse, crumpling to the ground. Only then did the crowd see clearly—an arrow had pierced through his chest from behind, leaving him with no chance of survival. As he lifted his face, someone recognized him as a guard serving the Crown Prince. With his last breath, the dying man struggled to utter a few words: "Save... save His Highness the Crown Prince..." Then his head lolled to the side, lifeless.
The Emperor was stunned. Over the years, though the Crown Prince lacked virtue and talent, he had retained his title as a mere figurehead. The empire could never be entrusted to such a man. Sooner or later, the Crown Prince would have to be replaced. Yet among his scheming sons, the Crown Prince was at least one without much cunning. In the palace, the Emperor had once had many heirs, but those who were even slightly naive had perished in the relentless undercurrents of power struggles. The Crown Prince was his eldest son and the Empress's child. For him, the Emperor still held some sentiment. Thus, though he had long neglected the Crown Prince, he had never stripped him of his title, even occasionally ordering his subordinates to protect him discreetly. Now, upon hearing of the Crown Prince's peril, the Emperor's expression shifted drastically.
Wang Lian'er quickly rose and approached the Emperor, gently patting his back to soothe him. She was accustomed to such tender, comforting gestures and softly said, "Your Majesty, please don’t panic. Send men to search the dense forest first. His Highness the Crown Prince is blessed by fortune; the heavens will surely protect him."
The Emperor dispatched men to scour the forest. With this incident, the crowd could no longer focus on the hunt. The fate of the Crown Prince, the empire's heir apparent, hung in the balance. Everyone silently prayed for his safety, hoping to avoid the wrath of the supreme ruler and the collateral damage it might bring.In just a short while, the searching Imperial Guards indeed returned, with one of them carrying the barely alive Crown Prince on his back. The Emperor's face darkened at the sight. The Crown Prince was covered in blood, and the leading guard hastily reported, "His Highness the Crown Prince is severely injured, Your Majesty. All his personal guards were killed—it appears they were ambushed."
"What are you standing around for? Summon the imperial physicians at once!" the Emperor roared in fury.
The accompanying imperial physician quickly stepped forward. The guards carried the Crown Prince back to the tent and laid him on the bed. After a brief examination, the physician emerged, and everyone watched him with bated breath. Wiping sweat from his brow, the physician knelt abruptly and said, "Your Majesty, this humble servant is incompetent. The Crown Prince's injuries are too grave—the arrow has pierced his chest. I fear... it is beyond human power to save him..."
"Nonsense!" The Emperor kicked the elderly physician aside and bellowed, "I give you only one path—if you cannot cure the Crown Prince, you need not keep your head either! I did not raise you all to hear words like 'beyond human power'!"
The old physician had no choice but to tremble his way back into the tent. However, with limited medicinal supplies on hand and the Crown Prince's condition critical, they had no choice but to return to the palace immediately.
The Emperor was already beside himself with rage. What was supposed to be an auspicious hunting trip had ended in such a manner. With a furious sweep of his sleeve, the Emperor stormed off, leaving the bewildered crowd exchanging uneasy glances. Ye Li's lips curved into a spring-like smile as he cast a meaningful glance at Ye Hua beside him, sighing, "Fifth Brother, what a pity about the Crown Prince's misfortune."
Ye Hua returned the smile, his words equally loaded. "Indeed, what a great pity."
Jiang Ruan's heart stirred slightly as she quietly observed Jiang Dan in the distance. Sensing her gaze, Jiang Dan turned and flashed Jiang Ruan a faintly triumphant smile.
Ye Pei approached from the side, frowning. "That woman is utterly repulsive." Clumsy methods, narrow vision, yet repeatedly employing such venomous tactics—like a poisonous snake, she would inevitably become a scourge if left unchecked.
"Don't worry," Jiang Ruan's eyes flickered with an odd light. "Soon, she won't be an eyesore anymore."
...
A strange tension permeated the palace. Ever since the barely breathing Crown Prince had been carried back, the Emperor's expression had turned colder than winter ice. The palace servants suddenly realized that the Emperor, who had seemed indifferent to his eldest son, actually cared deeply. The Crown Prince's misfortune was undoubtedly the result of a deliberate plot—an ambush in the dense forest, a brazen act that showed utter disregard for the Emperor himself.
But as to who was truly behind it, court officials speculated wildly. Currently, the Fifth Prince and Eighth Prince were locked in a covert struggle, with the unfathomable Thirteenth Prince added to the mix—any one of them could have wanted the Crown Prince dead. If the investigation indeed pointed to one of them, the political winds of the court would surely shift once more.Not only was the court in turmoil, but the imperial harem was also restless. Upon learning of the Crown Prince's mishap, the Empress had a fierce argument with the Emperor. Over the years, the Empress had been little more than a figurehead in the palace, paying no heed to the affairs of the harem. Now, with her only son suffering such a calamity right under her nose, her long-suppressed grievances against the Emperor erupted in a single night, leading her to speak disrespectfully to him. Although the Emperor understood her outburst stemmed from concern for the Crown Prince, years of absolute authority had instilled in him an intolerance for defiance. He immediately punished the Empress severely.
In the past, no matter how strained their relationship, the Emperor and Empress had never reached the point of open hostility. Amidst the swirling rumors, the Emperor finally lost the last shred of respect he held for the Empress. The position of harem sovereign was destined to change hands. De Fei, now preoccupied with the Fifth Prince, had largely withdrawn from the scene. Currently, the three most favored beauties each had their own merits, making it uncertain who would ultimately rise to prominence.
Regardless of the gossip outside, everyone still had their own affairs to attend to. Jiang Dan was in high spirits, likely because her plans had succeeded. The Emperor had been keeping vigil by the Crown Prince's side these past few days, and his quarrel with the Empress had left him too agitated to visit the harem. This lifted the gloom that had hung over her since Jiang Quan's incident. Though Jiang Quan's whereabouts remained unknown for now, Jiang Ruan was about to face misfortune.
She donned a delicate gold-embroidered gauze dress and styled her hair into an intricate "Hundred Flowers" coiffure, carefully adorning herself with earrings and hairpins. The tinkling of her ornaments complemented her reflection in the mirror—her beauty made her appear even more enchanting. Satisfied that her attire no longer seemed dull or aging, Jiang Dan pursed her lips slightly and applied the final touch of rouge.
"Is Consort Jiang dressing up for His Majesty?" A deep male voice sounded behind her, carrying an unfamiliar hint of flirtation. "His Majesty truly has excellent taste in women."
Jiang Dan turned to see Ye Hua striding in from outside and seating himself in her chamber. Night was falling, and the Emperor was scheduled to rest in Wang Lian'er's quarters tonight, so he wouldn't be visiting here. Initially startled by Ye Hua's bold entrance, Jiang Dan quickly relaxed. With a mix of melancholy and playful teasing, she replied, "Your Highness, the Fifth Prince, knows full well where His Majesty is at this moment. Why say such things to wound this concubine's heart? No matter how I dress or adorn myself, His Majesty won't come here."
Ye Hua had originally come to discuss the next steps regarding the Crown Prince's situation with Jiang Dan. Unexpectedly, he walked in on her mid-toilette. Now, faced with her pitiful expression and plaintive words, his gaze involuntarily drifted. Truth be told, Jiang Dan was not unattractive. The women of the Jiang family had all inherited some measure of Jiang Quan's good looks. Though Jiang Dan paled in comparison to Jiang Ruan and Jiang Susu, within the palace, she was like a fresh little flower—charming, innocent, and exuding a delicate vulnerability that could easily sway a man's heart.
Yet no matter how alluring she was, she remained his father's woman. Despite his own reckless tendencies, De Fei's repeated admonitions had instilled in Ye Hua a sense of caution. He knew some women could be toyed with, while others, if mishandled, could bring fatal consequences. Thus, he quickly reined in his wandering thoughts and said, "Consort Jiang overestimates my meaning. His Majesty dotes on you greatly these days."Jiang Dan, however, noticed Ye Hua's fleeting infatuation. She felt both smug and pleasantly surprised. Human desires are insatiable—when Jiang Dan first entered the palace, she sought wealth and status, to rise above others, sacrificing all the freedoms of an ordinary girl. But once she climbed step by step to the position she desired, she grew dissatisfied and wanted more.
For instance, her resentment toward the Emperor accumulated day by day. Jiang Ruan could have a man as handsome and young as Xiao Shao, while she had to share intimacy with a man nearly her father's age. Now in the bloom of youth, what maiden doesn't yearn for love? Must she wither away in the palace, bound to an old man, watching her beauty fade like a flower? She refused to accept it.
Ye Li was too inscrutable; even now, Jiang Dan couldn't see through him. Ye Hua, however, was simpler. At this moment, he appeared quite handsome, and more importantly, he was so young—just the right match for her age... Lost in thought, Jiang Dan suddenly curled her lips into a smile and said, "No matter how much favor one receives, when divided among so many women, what reaches this humble consort is but a mere trickle." She caressed her wide sleeve, revealing a wrist as fair as jade, adorned with fresh, flower-like nail polish. Softly, she murmured, "Often, this bedchamber feels so empty, devoid of any human presence. After all, I am but a woman—lonely and afraid at times."
Ye Hua's heart stirred, as though he discerned much from her words. Gazing at the beautiful woman sitting alone in the vast palace, her eyes brimming with melancholy and fixed intently on him, they seemed to hold boundless affection and longing. Ye Hua finally grew restless. Jiang Dan, as if by accident, lit a stick of incense by her side. It was a tribute from the Western Regions—its fragrance faint yet refreshing, yet capable of driving one to madness without notice. She always burned it when the Emperor visited. Today was the first time she used it on another man.
(End of Chapter)
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