The next day was the Great Hunt hosted by the Daxia imperial family.
Those qualified to participate in Daxia's Great Hunt included not only the imperial nobility, princes, ministers, and officials, but also their family members and relatives, as well as tribute envoys from neighboring fiefdoms. Thus, the scene was magnificent. Unlike the autumn hunt, the spring hunt took place on snow-covered grounds with vast pine forests. Sons and daughters from every household attended in full ceremonial dress, clad in brocade robes and heavy furs, carrying bows and crossbows on their backs, appearing exceptionally valiant.
Daxia's customs were liberal, unlike those of the Song and Tang dynasties. Looking around, one could see young women in their prime, dressed in vibrant colors, galloping on horseback. Therefore, Chu Qiao standing by Yan Xun's side did not seem particularly out of place.
"A Chu," Yan Xun turned to look at Chu Qiao's flushed face and asked, "Are you cold?"
"Not cold," Chu Qiao lifted her head and said, "It's been a long time since I woke up this early. The air is so fresh."
Yan Xun smiled and was about to speak when suddenly a group of riders approached rapidly. Mu Hexifeng, wearing a striking sable fur robe, handsome and outstanding, drew many gazes along the way.
"Young Master Yan, long time no see. I trust you've been well."
Yan Xun turned his head, narrowed his eyes slightly, looked Mu Hexifeng up and down, then smiled faintly: "Young Master Mu He has been leading troops abroad all year. Indeed, it has been a long time since we last met."
"Yes," Mu Hexifeng smiled faintly at the corners of his mouth, "Yanbei has been experiencing minor civil unrest again. Young Master Yan is fortunate to enjoy leisure in the capital, while I cannot—born to a life of toil."
Yan Xun's smile remained unchanged as he nodded, "The capable bear more burdens. All of this is for the revival of Daxia. The people across the land have witnessed Young Master Mu He's contributions."
Mu Hexifeng laughed heartily, "Then I shall accept your auspicious words."
After saying this, he turned his horse and, passing by Chu Qiao, paused to take an extra look at her. With a peculiar smile, he said, "This young lady looks rather familiar."
Chu Qiao bowed respectfully in return, "Young Master Mu He must have mistaken me for someone else. I, Chu Qiao, have been unfortunate and never had the honor of meeting you before."
"Outstanding among men—Chu Qiao, a fine name."
Mu Hexifeng laughed, then urged his horse forward with a shout and quickly departed.
Just then, the drumbeats suddenly grew rapid—seven long and seven short, alternating between fast and slow. From afar, Emperor Xia and Mu He Nayan, surrounded by a host of guards, slowly ascended the high platform. Tens of thousands of imperial guards stood in two rows, separating the emperor from the outer crowd. Behind the heavy golden curtains, the emperor's features were completely obscured, yet a palpable, chilling aura emanated from behind the veil.
The entire assembly fell silent, then erupted in unified shouts of "Long live our king!" as they knelt and bowed respectfully.
The hunting procession, stretching over thirty miles, roared in unison, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. The long-awaited Daxia Great Hunt had finally begun.
Looking into the distance, one could see countless flags lining the banks of the Chishui River, with figures moving about like a forest. Chu Qiao stood beside Yan Xun, gazing at the military-style encampments stretching for miles below, and couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly.
The military might of Daxia was truly extraordinary. Even for a mere imperial hunt, such a grand formation was deployed. One could only imagine the formidable power they would display in actual battle.
Centered around the royal tent, the Daxia forces had arranged the most aggressive circular encampment for plains combat. The Imperial Guards, Green Camp Army, Elite Cavalry Camp, and Capital Cavalry were arrayed in four directions—east, south, west, and north—linked end to end. Flanking positions were set up on high platforms atop slopes, forming square formations to protect the central command tent.The city garrison's four armies—east, south, west, and north—deployed in a serpentine formation, encircling the Central Army's periphery. Communication soldiers were stationed every thirty paces, while defensive posts of a hundred men were placed every hundred paces. Beyond the four corners of the camp, thousands of field army soldiers stood guard on sentry duty, creating a defense so tight it was impenetrable, leaving no gaps to exploit.
A long gust of wind swept through, warhorses neighed, and battle flags fluttered. Yan Xun gazed into the distance, his expression unchanged as he spoke in a low, steady voice, "A Chu, go back and rest for a while."
Chu Qiao turned to look at Yan Xun's face, and a sudden understanding dawned in her heart. She nodded and said gravely, "Be careful."
Yan Xun turned his head, offering a faint smile. "Opportunities like this are rare, once in a thousand years. A Chu, wait for good news."
Throughout the entire afternoon, the atmosphere in Yan Xun's camp was tense and on edge. Chu Qiao held command in the main camp, dressed in a dark black robe. At first glance, one might have mistaken her for Yan Xun seated in the grand tent.
She made the final stroke on the map, lifted her head, and said firmly, "Remember, everything must be done with utmost caution. Do not reveal any clues."
The crowd nodded in unison, "Rest assured, Lady Chu!"
That afternoon, Mu Hexifeng, the most outstanding of the younger generation of the Mu Hejia, went missing in the dense forests of the northwest. The Muhe Clan dispatched a large force to search for him, but not a single trace was found. Mu Hexifeng was the nephew of Mu He Nayun. The Queen Mother of Daxia wanted to privately mobilize the Elite Cavalry Camp to search for him, but Zhao Che, who currently commanded the Elite Cavalry Camp, firmly and righteously refused. Mother and son parted on bad terms, yet at that moment, Zhao Che had no idea how much trouble this decision would bring him in the future.
Apart from the Muhe Clan, all the other major noble families and imperial relatives were immersed in the festive spirit of the hunt. Secretly rejoicing and gloating, none felt the slightest sympathy for the matter. Mu Hexifeng had long been stationed on the frontiers, known for his arrogance, tyranny, and cruelty, and had long lost the people's favor. Moreover, everyone believed he had merely gotten lost in the forest, as no one would dare harm an imperial noble under such tight security.
Of course, that was only their assumption.
At that very moment, in a hidden cave deep within the northwest forest, Yan Xun looked at Mu Hexifeng, who was covered in wounds and drenched in blood, and curled his lips into a cold smile. In a low, deliberate voice, he said, "Young Master Muhe, are you alright?"
Mu Hexifeng jerked his head up, his eyes blazing like those of a fierce wolf. He glared sharply at Yan Xun and spat out each word with icy venom, "Yan Xun, the humiliation you've dealt me today, I will repay in full one day. Sooner or later, I will make you regret being born into this world."
Yan Xun smiled faintly, a trace of mocking amusement in his expression.
Mu Hexifeng gnashed his teeth, his voice hoarse and raspy like a duck's, his eyes burning with madness. He said grimly, "Just you wait. I won't let you off. I've already had your sister, and one day, I'll have your woman beneath me too.""Yanbei has already fallen. Your entire family was beheaded like dogs, leaving only a cowardly and incompetent bastard like you to cling to life. Do you dare kill me? You don't. If I die, the entire hunting ceremony will be interrupted, everyone will start investigating, our Muhe Clan won't let you go, and you won't even survive these last few months. Didn't you quite like that little slave girl? By then, you can only take her to the underworld to reunite with your family, you can only..."
Before the vicious words could finish, Mu Hexifeng's pupils suddenly dilated. A line of blood shot upward and trickled down his pale neck.
Yan Xun glanced disdainfully at Mu Hexifeng's terrified face and said contemptuously, "Even as a prisoner, you still spout such arrogant nonsense. You good-for-nothing!"
With a thud, Mu Hexifeng's corpse suddenly collapsed. Yan Xun wiped the bloodstains from his dagger on the man's clothes and said to the servant nearby, "A Jing, take it to feed the tigers. Leave clues to lure the Muhe Clan here."
"The young lady has made preparations to frame Zhao Che and Wei Shuyou. Should we proceed?"
Yan Xun nodded, walked out of the cave, mounted his horse, and said, "Do as she instructed." With that, he turned his horse and rode toward the camp.
"Young lady," Jiahe entered the tent and said firmly, "The Crown Prince has returned."
Chu Qiao nodded. "Have the follow-up matters been handled?"
"Everything has been carried out according to your instructions. There will be no mistakes."
"That's good," Chu Qiao nodded. "All of you may go and rest now."
"Yes."
The tent flap was suddenly lifted, and Yan Xun walked in covered in snow. Chu Qiao stepped forward to brush the snow off his wind cap as she asked, "Did everything go smoothly?"
"Quite well." Yan Xun took off his outer robe and sat by the fire basin to warm himself. "By tomorrow morning, there will likely be great chaos."
"What does it matter?" Chu Qiao shook her head. "There is a type of person in this world—if he dies, no one can be sure who did it. Because he has committed too many evil deeds and offended too many people. Not to mention that we appear weak on the surface, but we've been in the capital for seven years without taking action. Why would we take such a risk during these troubled times under such tight security? As for Zhao Che and Wei Shuyou, they have just returned to the capital. Compared to the grudges between Zhao Che and him, and the hatred between the Wei Clan and the Muhe Clan, if people suspect us, it would be far-fetched."
Yan Xun turned his face slightly and smiled faintly. "Did he bully you last night?"
Chu Qiao was taken aback, then shook her head with a laugh. "No, when have I ever been bullied?"
Yan Xun nodded. "That's good."
Outside the window, snow fell heavily. Yan Xun picked up a yellowed piece of paper and heavily crossed out Mu Hexifeng's name. One less person remained on the blood debt of Yanbei.
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