Zhu Youtang steadily set up his bow and arrow. The bowstring was fully pulled by him, and the arrow with feathers at the end was accurately aimed.
At that moment, he narrowed his eyes, released his hand, and shot an arrow straight at the distant female deer.
"Giddyup!"
He urged the horse under him to where the female deer was. After a while, he found the female deer that had been shot by an arrow in the grass.
The female deer looked at him in fear, but he coldly jumped off the horse and tied the motionless female deer with the rope beside him. He tied it to the side of the horse and continued to look for the next prey.
Suddenly, rustling sounds came from the other side of the grass. As soon as his sharp hearing determined the direction, he immediately raised his bow and shot at the target.
After confirming that his target had been hit by the arrow, he immediately rode his horse and found a small rabbit on the other side of the grass. He was overjoyed. The little rabbit that he didn't care about at first made him a little happy at this moment because he wanted to nourish her body.
Hunting a rabbit made him happier than hunting a deer. If someone had dared to tell him this a few days ago, that person would definitely have died.
However, it was different now. His heart was filled with a girl. If there was anything he could do for her, it would undoubtedly be this rabbit who would help her make up for her body.
That day, when he sent her back to the inn, he heard an old woman shouting about the little miss outside the corridor. He thought that the little miss should be referring to the little one in his arms, so he returned her to her nanny. Only then did he know that she was the daughter of the Minister of War, Feng Qixuan.
Feng Zhuyun…
It was Zhuyun who was chasing after the clouds!
Her melodious voice rang in his ears, and his lips curled into a rare smile.
Shaking his head, he came back to his senses. It was time for him to go back.
Go back and bring her some supplementary food.
She was seriously ill from the rain this time!
Later on, he found out that she had really gone out to look for him that day. That was why she was drenched when he saw her.
Why did she do that? This question was put aside because of her illness.
These days, although he didn't stay in her room, he often went to see her. Of course, at his request, the people of the Feng Residence didn't dare to tell Feng Zhuyun about him! It was the current Crown Prince.
There was no other reason why he would hide it from her. He just wanted to know how she would treat him when she still did not know his true identity.
In the past, because of his noble status, everyone was respectful to him, and their words were all extremely flattering. Even the Grand Tutor, because of his status, gave him disgusting and eight-legged comments. He had long been tired of it.
When they first met, not only did she dare to look him in the eye, but she also dared to talk back to him, as if she did not treat him as a special person. It was because of this that he teased her to say what was on her mind.
What he wanted to hear was only the truth, but as the Crown Prince, he could not hear all of this. How could he correct his mistakes and make him improve?
Due to various reasons, he chose to hide it. Perhaps this way, he could make a true friend.
He grabbed the little rabbit that had been injured by the arrow, jumped on his horse, and ran back to the inn.
"Look what I brought you." Zhu Youtang, who had just returned to the inn, was in a very good mood. He called out to the people in the house as he walked.
Brother You, you're here!" Feng Zhuyun patted the bed and asked him to sit there.
"This is delicious meat soup. Try it.”Zhu Youtang handed the bowl in his hand to her with a face full of joy.
"What meat?"
"Eat it first and I'll tell you." If he had told her beforehand, she would definitely not have eaten it.
Feng Zhuyun drank two mouthfuls of soup and asked anxiously,"I drank it. Tell me quickly."
"It's rabbit meat." Zhu Youtang told her honestly, but he didn't expect Feng Zhuyun to spit out the soup and meat when he heard it, dirtying him.
"Why are you giving me rabbit meat?" Feng Zhuyun smashed the bowl.
Zhu Youtang was furious when he saw this. The joy on his face disappeared without a trace and was replaced by a sinister expression.
"How can you waste food like this?"
" They're not food. They're poor animals. How could you catch them and cook them…Woo…I ate a rabbit…" Feng Zhuyun ignored his anger and started crying.
"Why are you crying? It was just a rabbit, what was the big deal?”Seeing that his feelings had been ruined like this, he was in disbelief, and his eyes revealed a ferocious gaze.
"How can you do this? When the rabbit's mother can't find the little rabbit, she'll be very sad, just like my mother. Every time I go missing, she cries…Oh…The little rabbit is so pitiful!”Feng Zhuyun shouted. He didn't care what he was thinking, and he didn't expect that he would kill the rabbit for him.
Facing her crying face, Zhu Youtang couldn't be ruthless. In the past, people who shouted at him would usually lose their heads, but she... actually made him speechless!
"Then what should I do? I've killed them and boiled them. At most, I won't kill them next time.”She had to accept her fate. Who taught her that only she could cry and he couldn't!
However, it was impossible for him to apologize. He was the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince did not have to apologize to anyone. He could only do this much. If she did not want to, he would not be able to do anything.
"You promise not to kill them?" Feng Zhuyun's crying stopped as soon as he said it. The tears on his cheeks were wiped away by him before he could wipe them away.
"I won't kill him. Even if he gets last place, I won't kill him.”
"Really?"
"It's true." He shook his head. If a seventeen-year-old boy could do nothing to a ten-year-old girl, then only he could.
"Wow, that's great. Brother You is the best person in the world.”Feng Zhuyun cheered, hugged his neck tightly, and jumped and screamed. He had already put the matter of the little rabbit aside.
"Alright, alright, you monkey demon. You're back to being lively after you've recovered.”
"You said I'm a monkey spirit, but you are!”Feng Zhuyun refused to budge." Brother You, let's go out and play while Nanny isn't around!"”Feng Zhuyun looked expectant.
"No, Zhuyun, I came here today to tell you something.”As he spoke, his face darkened. The time they spent together was so short, so he did not easily quarrel with her because he knew that he did not spend much time with her.
"What?" Sensing his abnormality, Feng Zhuyun stopped making noise.
"The hunting season is coming to an end. I should go back with my father.”
"You're leaving?"
"Not just me, everyone is going back.”
"Then I won't be able to see you, right?”
"Yes." Entering the inner court of the Imperial Palace was not something that could be done just like that. Moreover, with her father's position, he could not enter the Palace without the Emperor's edict. Moreover, even if her father could enter the Palace, she could not enter the Palace. Therefore, it should be said that from now on, she would never see him again!
"What? I don't want it, I don't want it!" She started to make a ruckus. She didn't want to see him again.
" Be good, Zhuyun. We have no choice, unless…" He paused.
"Unless what?"
"Three months later, I'll find an opportunity to visit you at your house. What do you think?”As long as he performed well in these three months, his father should agree to let him leave the palace. At that time, he would be able to meet her.
"Three months? When was that?" Feng Zhuyun did not understand.
"In winter, you will see me when it snows.”
"Really?" Then she would start looking forward to snow every day.
"It's true. You have to believe me."
"Alright, I believe you. You're not allowed to sell it!”
"Yes."
"Oh right, Brother You, this is for you.”Feng Zhuyun took off the amulet hanging around his neck." This is the amulet that Mother asked for from Pingzhen Temple. It's for you."”
"Keep such an important thing.”
He did not accept it. He was the future Son of Heaven, an important Dragon Son of the common people. There were countless guards who kept him safe. He felt that Zhuyun needed this thing more than he did.
"No, this is a gift for you. This way, you will feel that you owe me something and will never forget me.”she said foolishly.
Hearing her say this, he didn't know whether to call her a fool or to dote on her.
"Take it!" Feng Zhuyun looked at him expectantly.
"Alright then! Thank you."
"By the way, if you come on the snowy day and the gatekeeper doesn't let you in, you can come to the back door of my house and I'll open the door for you.”
"Idiot!" Finally, he couldn't help but curse. Who was he? Could a small assistant minister of the Ministry of War stop him?
She was so silly that she was adorable!
Taihe Palace
The officials stood in two rows according to their ranks. Among them were people of the foreign races wearing small round hats and red official robes. Everyone respectfully welcomed the Emperor of the Darming Dynasty.
When it was dawn, the emperor's carriage arrived at the entrance of the palace. The eunuchs summoned them, and all the civil and military officials and countless palace maids knelt down and shouted,"Long live, long live!"
Tian Zi got off the carriage and walked towards the dragon throne. He shouted,""Everyone, please rise."
Hearing this, everyone dared to stand up, but they did not dare to look directly at the red velvet carpet. They did not dare to peek at the emperor's holy face.
"Do you have anything to report?"
As soon as he said that, a fifth-grade official dressed in purple walked forward." Reporting to Your Majesty, the Great Mongolia has sent an envoy and is waiting for you."”
"Oh?" Xianzong first raised his eyebrows and then ordered,"Xuan."
"Summon the Mongolian envoy!"
The Mongol emissaries dressed in foreign costumes immediately walked into the hall. They did not kneel when they saw the emperor. They were only sent to deliver tributes, so they were not friendly to the emperor of the Central Plains. They only used the simplest Chinese to express their intentions.
"We were sent by the king to deliver tributes. Please take a look.”
Xianzong knew that the Mongolians had always been arrogant and conceited. Coupled with the ever-expanding territory, they were not only arrogant but also good at provocation, so he did not look unhappy.
"Is your king alright?" Xianzong asked.
"Thanks to Xianzong, our king is still doing well.”
"That's good. It's been more than ten years since we signed the contract at the border. Time really waits for no one!”
Xianzong nodded, showing his sincerity.
"Xianzong is too polite." The Mongolian bowed and ordered people to bring in the tribute." This is the tribute this year. Please accept it."”
"Oh?" Xianzong's face was devoid of interest.
Ever since he ascended the throne, he had presented countless gold agates, antiques, paintings, luminous pearls, silk, and so on. What else had he not seen?
"No need. We're all family.”Xianzong did not even look at it and ordered his subordinates to put the things into Zhong Cui Palace.
"Hold on, Xianzong. The King has instructed that there is a precious mirror that Xianzong must personally collect.”
"Treasure mirror?"
The Mongolian envoy took out a wooden box made of red sandalwood from one of the boxes. When he opened it, the room was filled with golden splendor and vigor. Everyone present could not help but exclaim in admiration.
"This is…"
"This is a treasure left behind by the previous king of the Mongol Dynasty. It is called the 'Falling Flower Mirror'…The mirror is made of gold, and the back is engraved with an oleander flower. The oleander flower could be used as a windbreak fence in Mongolia. It could be blown away by the wind. It meant that the Ming Dynasty would pass through the main road and the country's fate would never fall.”
The Mongol envoy followed the memorial that the Imperial Advisor had given him and repeated the contents.
"The fate of the country will not fall? Good, what a good Falling Flower Mirror with undiminished national fortune.”Xianzong was overjoyed. He received it from the eunuch and looked at it for a long time. "This Falling Flower Mirror really lives up to its name. Please thank the new king of the Mongol Empire on behalf of me.”
"Yes."
Everyone saw Xianzong smiling from ear to ear and said,""Congratulations to the emperor, congratulations to the emperor. With this precious mirror, Great Ming will definitely prosper!”
"Alright, alright." Xianzong nodded in satisfaction, regarding the Falling Flower Mirror as a precious mirror and loved it very much.
"Reporting to the emperor, His Highness the Crown Prince has come to pay his respects to you.”
"Let him in!" Xianzong put down the memorial in his hand and looked up to see the Crown Prince being led in by a eunuch.
"Father."
"All of you can leave!" Xianzong said and walked down from the dragon throne.
"Yes."
"Son, have you finished studying?"
"Father, yes." Zhu Youtang replied respectfully.
"You don't have to be so polite when you're alone with Zhen.”Xianzong ordered.
"Yes, Imperial Father." Although Xianzong said so, Zhu Youtang still could not violate etiquette, and the relationship between father and son was still a little distant.
"Take a walk with Imperial Father."
"Yes, Imperial Father."
The two of them walked out of the royal study and came to a corner of the royal garden. A group of guards with sabers followed behind them.
"Son, the Ming Dynasty will be in your hands in the future. You have to work hard and be a good emperor!”
"Father, your son understands." Ever since he was sensible, the etiquette and martial arts he had received were all preparations for ascending to the throne. He did not dare to complain and could only say that this was his mission.
"Also, you're not young anymore. Zhen should call the world to choose a beautiful girl for you to enter the palace.”
"Imperial Father?" He never expected his father to suddenly say this. Zhu Youtang's originally calm face was suddenly filled with surprise.
"You are the crown prince, so it is only right for you to have a concubine early. Why, are you unwilling?”
"No, it isn't." Zhu Youtang shook his head." It's just that your son thinks that this matter can wait a few years.”
"Zhen doesn't care about the other imperial sons, but you, Zhen cannot ignore you. Because you are the crown prince, the earlier it is decided, the better it is for you. I don't want to force you, or do you have a better candidate in mind?”Xianzong asked deep in his heart.
Zhu Youtang's face suddenly turned red as he thought of the lovely girl outside the Imperial City.
But she is only the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War…"”
"Then let Zhen choose for you!" Once he had made up his mind, it was difficult to change it unless there was a better reason to convince him.
"Imperial Father, can we talk about it in a few years? Your son is only thinking about the country and the people now.”
"Zhen is not in a hurry, I just want to remind you of your responsibilities.”
"Your son understands." Hearing that his father was no longer worried about his marriage, he heaved a sigh of relief. "Imperial Father, there is one thing that your son does not understand.”
"Tell me."
"Minister of War Fu Minghan only seeks stability and doesn't think of breaking through. Why does Imperial Father still think so highly of him?”
Almost all the officials had participated in this autumn hunt, but a dignified Minister of War had actually refused to participate because he was afraid of blood. How could such a timid person lead his subordinates to serve the country? If there was really a war, he would probably resign immediately!
"You're still young and don't know how to be tactful. He's not weak, he's conservative and cautious. If he is so easily incited, wouldn't I be courting death by giving him military power?”Xianzong explained. "I have my reasons for doing this. One day, you will understand.”
" But his talent…" He wanted to say that he was not worthy of being the Minister of War, but in order to prevent his father from thinking too much, he gave up.
"When did you become so interested in the position of Minister of War?”Xianzong looked at him." Could it be that you like his daughter, Zhenli?"”
"That's not true." Zhu Youtang immediately denied it.
He felt that the two Assistant Ministers of the Ministry of War were much more capable than the Minister of War. This was not because of personal reasons, but rather the result of his observation. However, they were different from the candidates his father had in mind.
Seeing his absent-minded appearance, Xianzong had a plan in his heart and immediately remembered this matter. Fu Zhenli, he had to find a day to summon her into the palace.
"Imperial Father, what do you think of Assistant Minister Feng?”
"Assistant Minister Feng…Feng Qixuan?"
"It's him. Do you have any impression of him, Father?"
In the court, without the Emperor's edict, those below the rank of assistant minister could not enter the palace to see the Emperor, so there were very few officials who could leave an impression in Xianzong's mind. Therefore, when Zhu Youtang heard that his father had an impression, he was very surprised, but he could not help but think that it was because Zhuyun's father was talented.
"He can't be put in an important position. It's a good thing for him to have a small official position.”Xianzong immediately shook his head.
"Father, what do you mean?"
"I remember that a few months ago, Minister Fu once gave me a secret letter. The contents of the secret letter were all about how corrupt my Daming Dynasty was, especially about the former Emperor building a pavilion in Jingshan and spreading rumors.”
"Imperial Father, this might just be a misunderstanding.”This Fu Minghan was also strange. Why wasn't he in a hurry to settle this matter when his subordinate had done such a thing? Instead, he came to the palace to tell his father. Wasn't he afraid that his father would be angry and punish him? Zhu Youtang thought strangely.
"It can't be a misunderstanding. The handwriting on it matches Feng Qixuan's handwriting.”
"Imperial Father, perhaps someone is framing us?”He believed that Zhuyun's father would not do such a thing.
He shifted his love for Zhuyun to Feng Qixuan, ignoring who he was talking to.
"Zhen has already investigated this matter thoroughly.”At the mention of Jingshan, Xianzong naturally did not have a good expression.
"Father…"
"Alright, don't say anything. Zhen will bring you to Zhong Cui Palace to take a look.”
Xianzong walked in front, Zhu Youtang had to follow, wanting to find another opportunity to speak for Feng Qixuan.
After a while, they arrived at Zhong Cui Palace.
"Open the door." Xianzong ordered the guards.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Don't follow me in." Xianzong also ordered the sword-bearing guards behind him to only bring Zhu Youtang into the palace.
There were no lanterns in the huge Zhong Cui Palace, but it was very bright. There was no other reason. There was a luminous pearl placed in each of the four corners of the wall. It was only the size of a bowl, but it was brighter than a candle.
" Father..." Zhu Youtang looked around and saw countless jewels on several rosewood tables. Jade, glass, agate, gold…He could see many exquisite and precious treasures, but he did not understand why his father had brought him into Zhong Cui Palace.
"My son, everything will be yours in the future.”Xianzong's eyes were filled with obvious pride. Presumably, he was proud of the prosperity of the Great Ming Country. Every year, countless foreign countries paid taxes and tributes, which made the entire Zhong Cui Palace full of countless treasures.
"You have to know that the people of Great Ming will have to rely on you to govern in the future, so whether it's calligraphy, martial arts, ruling…whatever the Grand Tutor gives you, you have to do your best to absorb it, understand?”
"Father, your son understands."
"Yes, very good." Xianzong nodded with satisfaction. He was about to lead Zhu Youtang away, but he caught a glimpse of the falling flower mirror on the mirror table from the corner of his eye. He walked over to pick up the mirror and handed it to Zhu Youtang. "Son, give this mirror to the person you like!”
"Imperial Father, where did your son's sweetheart come from?”This golden mirror was special. There was an oleander pattern on the back, but its surface was extremely smooth. Although it was gold, it was not heavy in his hand. It was a little bigger than his palm. It was not a burden for a girl to carry around. When he got the mirror, the first thing he thought of was that girl, Zhuyun.
"Zhenli! She's not the one you like?" Xianzong had long remembered the person his son liked, and he did not expect him to really misunderstand.
"She's not!" Zhu Youtang hurriedly denied it.
However, Xianzong thought that he was so shy because his thoughts had been exposed." Alright, it doesn't matter if you admit it or not. Just wear this mirror!”
"Imperial Father, you said this mirror is called the Falling Flower Mirror?”
"That's what the Mongolians say." If it wasn't for the fact that this mirror already had a name, he would have given it another name.
Falling flowers, falling flowers, it sounded quite unlucky.
"Why? Does my son not feel good?”
"No, it isn't." He shook his head. He did not know why, but he liked this special mirror. However, a wave of uneasiness surged up in his heart. Perhaps he was thinking too much!
He shook off his uneasy thoughts and decided to give the Falling Flower Mirror to Zhuyun…
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