Shaohua is Junqing

Chapter 21

The autumn hunting started, and the royal family sent a large team to the hunting ground, Cuifeng Mountain. Because Siyu couldn't ride a horse, she rode in a carriage like the concubines and relatives of the ministers, but she rode in a carriage by herself, which was a treatment that no one else could match.

Because the team was large and had so many people, they moved very slowly. By the time they arrived at the Cuifeng Mountain Palace and settled down, it was already the afternoon.

Beitang Mo Ran called Chu Shengnan to his tent.

"Your Majesty."

"General Chu, you are responsible for protecting Princess Shaohua's safety during this hunt. You will follow her wherever she goes. Also, pick a few trusted confidants to guard around the princess's tent and ensure her safety."

"Yes, I will do it right away."

Chu Shengnan took the order and went to make arrangements. She has always been so decisive.

Siyu walked out of the tent. There was no time for hunting today, so she wanted to walk around and familiarize herself with the environment first.

"The county lord."

"It's General Chu."

"I, your humble servant, follow the orders of the King to protect the Princess' safety."

"Thank you for your hard work, General Chu."

“Duty is the key, not the hard work.”

"General Chu, have you been here before?"

"I've been here two or three times."

"Then you must be familiar with this place. Show me around."

"Yes."

In the distance, there are continuous mountains shrouded in clouds and mist; nearby, there are lush vegetation and countless flying birds.

"General Chu, what kind of animals are there in this hunting ground?"

"Pheasants, hares and deer are the most common, as well as wolves, roe deer, wild boars, goats, etc."

"Will there be a reward for the person who hunts the most animals?"

"Usually there will be. The most important thing is whether the emperor has the intention."

"What are the rewards usually?"

"Gold, silver, jewelry, silk, and horses are the most common rewards. If the emperor is pleased, there will be other rewards."

"Yeah, that's pretty much what I heard. So how do you determine who wins and who loses? Is it based on how many animals you kill?"

"Yes, whoever kills more animals and more species will win."

“What happens to the animals that are hunted?”

"Animals with minor injuries will be released after simple treatment, and animals with more serious injuries will be kept in captivity and released after their injuries have healed. Animals that have already died will be slaughtered and fed to other animals in the enclosure, or distributed to ministers for consumption."

"Releasing animals is a good idea. It can maintain ecological balance and doesn't seem too cruel. Will General Chu go hunting this time?"

"My duty on this trip is to protect the princess's safety. I will not go hunting."

"How can that be? General Chu is a martial artist, no worse than any other man. Why can't he give it a try? How can I feel at ease if General Chu can't go hunting because he wants to protect me?" Siyu felt a little guilty when she heard that Chu Shengnan couldn't go hunting because he wanted to protect her.

"The autumn hunt takes place every year. If you don't participate this year, you will have another chance in the future. The princess's safety is the most important thing. You must obey the prince's orders."

"Then if I have someone to protect me, can General Chu go hunting?"

"Unless the prince has other orders, I cannot leave my post without permission."

"I understand. Let's go take a look at the front." Siyu already had a plan in mind.

The emperor specially held a dinner at the Cuifeng Mountain Palace. All the accompanying officials had to participate, and Siyu was also going to go.

The emperor sat in the first seat, and below him was the Prince of Chen. Because Siyu was the Princess of Shaohua conferred by the Queen Mother and was on good terms with the Prince of Chen, she sat behind the Prince of Chen on his right. Other officials sat below in order of rank.

"In addition to the usual rewards of gold, silver, horses, etc., I have also specially prepared a very special reward for this hunt. No matter who wins this hunt, I will reward him."

"I wonder what this special reward is?" asked the Minister of Personnel Xu Deyou.

"It will be kept secret for now. When someone wins the hunt, the truth will be revealed. This is not the imperial city, nor is it a state banquet. You can be as casual as you like."

Now that the emperor had spoken, the officials present were no longer restrained and began to chat in groups of three or four.