Huangfu Yuchen arranged for Song Ruhao to fake his death and marry Huangfu Yuhu in the identity of another son of Song Chaobang, thereby becoming a concubine.
During the morning court, Huangfu Yuchen congratulated Prince Dai in front of civil and military officials and bestowed a lot of gold, silver, and precious jewels.
Huangfu Yuhu expressed his gratitude with a smile.
“Your Majesty, this minister has a proposal,” Yan Xiaojing stepped forward, “Lately, Your Majesty has been busy with state affairs. I would like to hold a hunting event for you this autumn. What do you think about it?”
Other ministers also thought it was a good idea and nodded in agreement.
Prime Minister Wu said, “In recent years, the development of Great Han in the politic, economic, cultural, education, and military sectors has been stable and rapid, all thanks to Your Majesty’s diligent work and great merits. I also believe that Your Majesty should take some time to relax.”
Huangfu Yuchen thought of Yan Ge, who had never participated in large-scale hunting events, and was tempted. However, he suddenly remembered that Huangfu Yuhu’s arm was injured during hunting, and he worried if it might make him uncomfortable. He glanced at Huangfu Yuhu and saw that he was indifferent, as of he had already let go of the past, so Huangfu Yuchen nodded and said, “It’s a good idea. This matter shall be organized by the Minister of Rites, with assistance from Prime Minister Wu. Great Han’s current development is the result of all your efforts. Minister Yan, make sure to make this hunting event lively and enjoyable for everyone.”
“I will obey Your Majesty’s orders.”
After the morning court, Huangfu Yuhu found Huangfu Yuchen.
“Brother, I’m newlywed, so I won’t join the event. However, if you hunt something valuable, I dare to ask you to send me a share.”
Huangfu Yuchen patted his shoulder, “You won’t be left out.”
When Yan Ge finished work and returned to the palace, Huangfu Yuchen informed him about the hunting event, which piqued Yan Ge’s interest. He would soon start working on gunpowder-related matters, having already purchased the formula from the system store. Huangfu Yuchen had sent people to search for saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur in various places. Once the necessary ingredients were gathered, they could officially begin. So before that, he had some free time.
“I don’t have hunting gear,” Yan Ge said.
Huangfu Yuchen smiled, “Don’t worry, I will prepare everything for you. Just make sure to set aside those days.”
Five days later, Yan Xiaojing had everything arranged. The Emperor’s travel was not a simple matter. It required organizing the procession, guards, imperial kitchen, logistics, and other aspects to ensure the Emperor’s comfort even when traveling. Past emperors would also bring several concubines when hunting. This time, it was much simpler, they only had to prepare supplies and personnel for Yan Ge alone. Additionally, the accommodations for the accompanying ministers also needed to be arranged.
On the day of departure, the massive convoy left the palace gates at dawn and headed towards the Royal Hunting Ground on Cuiyun Mountain, which was half a day’s journey from the capital. The hunting ground had been closed off year-round and was under the specific care of the court, allowing only elderly ladies to collect herbs but not allowing hunting. As a result, there was an abundance of prey on the mountain, ensuring the Emperor’s hunting experience would be fruitful. If the Emperor brought the ministers for a hunt and didn’t catch anything; it would be quite embarrassing.
Yan Ge, Yan Jin, and the young Crown Prince passed the time by playing cards.
Huangfu Yuchen was not allowed to participate officially, with the excuse that it was to maintain the Emperor’s dignity. However, he still playfully disrupted the game, either helping Yan Jin or the young Crown Prince. Yan Ge was so annoyed that he covered Huangfu Yuchen’s face with pieces of paper, which led to a good-natured laugh.
Yan Jin and the young Crown Prince couldn’t laugh in front of Huangfu Yuchen and turned their heads to suppress their giggles.
Huangfu Yuchen looked at the pieces of paper in Yan Ge’s hand that were flying around because of his laughter and couldn’t help but smile as well.
This dragon sedan chair was like a small room, equipped with basins, buckets, golden stoves, incense boxes, and more. Yan Ge took a basin and filled it with water.
Huangfu Yuchen thought Yan Ge was going to help him wash his face, so he leaned over, but Yan Ge dipped the towel in cold water and pressed it against his own face.
Helpless, Huangfu Yuchen sighed and had to do it himself.
Around noon, the team arrived at Cuiyun Mountain. According to Huangfu Yuchen, Cuiyun Mountain was lush and green like clusters of green clouds in summer. Now it was autumn, and the lush green scenery was no longer visible, but the autumn flowers, grass, and trees appeared more majestic and profound, exuding a different charm that was equally charming.
A small team had arrived earlier and set up Mongolian yurt-like tents. Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Ge entered the largest tent, where a charcoal basin was burning, providing warmth. A faint sandalwood fragrance filled the air, invigorating the spirits. Soft carpets covered the ground, and a soft fur spread on the bed, its white hair tender and warm.
Yan Jin and the young Crown Prince had their own accommodation and left politely.
Deng Mande stood outside the door and said, “Your Majesty, hot water is ready. May I ask if His Majesty and Yan Guiqing will bathe first or have a meal first?”
Huangfu Yuchen replied, “We’ll bathe first.”
After speaking, he turned to Yan Ge and said, “Xiao Ge, taking a hot bath will be more comfortable.”
“Yeah, I’ll get the clothes.” Yan Ge said.
After bathing, both of them changed into riding attire. The imperial kitchen was very diligent and promptly sent lunch just after they finished bathing. Despite being in the wilderness, the food was first-rate and no different from what they would have in the palace. There were delicacies such as braised duck, bird’s nest red and white duck soup, chicken stir-fried with winter bamboo shoots, poached fish slices, five-flavored steamed gluten, spicy shrimp broth, and more, all exquisite and delicious.
After the meal, they took a short nap before leaving the tent.
The ministers were already waiting on the flat ground in front of the tent.
Huangfu Yuchen waived their salutes and said, “The ministers can keep the game we catch today. The time limit is before sunset. The top three with the most game will be richly rewarded!”
The ministers were delighted. The rewards were not the most important; the key was the honor of receiving rewards from the Emperor himself. Moreover, Great Han Kingdom valued literature the most in the past, but now it emphasized both literature and military. Some young military officials might gain the Emperor’s favor if they performed well in hunting.
After the ministers took their leave, they mounted their horses and quickly rode off, disappearing into the woods.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen also mounted their horses, accompanied by several guards, and headed into the forest. The guards were mainly responsible for carrying arrows and the game they caught.
Yan Jin and the young Crown Prince also had small bows and participated. Each was paired with a skilled guard.
Not far into the forest, Yan Ge saw a deer.
He quickly shot an arrow, but it missed the target.
Yan Ge: “…”
Huangfu Yuchen chuckled lightly.
Yan Ge said, “I was just warming up.”
“Mhmm,” Huangfu Yuchen nodded solemnly, but the amusement in his eyes increased.
Yan Ge glanced at him irritably. He rarely used bows and arrows, so it was normal to miss, right?
Huangfu Yuchen poured fuel on the fire, “Xiao Ge, how about we have a competition? The winner can ask the loser to do something.” He calculated that if he won, he could gain some benefits from his beloved.
“Okay,” Yan Ge was determined to save face.
Huangfu Yuchen immediately said, “If I win, you have to agree to the thing you refused me to do last night.”
Yan Ge glared at him again, but his competitive spirit was aroused. “Fine! If I win, you have to cook for me for a month.”
“…Deal! The competition ends at sunset. No matter the size of the game, the one with more catches wins. If the quantity is the same, the one with the heavier game wins,” Huangfu Yuchen said.
“No problem,” Yan Ge rode ahead and picked up the arrow that missed as he passed by.
Huangfu Yuchen teased, “It’s a good idea to pick it up; otherwise, you might run out of arrows if you keep missing the game.”
Yan Ge became more frustrated and slapped Yunyi’s buttocks. Yunyi quickly ran a few steps ahead.
A wild pheasant in the grass heard the sound of hooves and was startled, and it flapped its wings to escape.
Yan Ge raised his bow and aimed, then shot, hitting the pheasant accurately. He looked at Huangfu Yuchen proudly.
Huangfu Yuchen praised him, “Impressive!”
Yan Ge was about to reply when he saw a deer flash past from behind the bushes ahead and quickly rode after it.
“Yuchen, let’s split up!”
The four guards caught up swiftly.
Huangfu Yuchen had no choice but to call out, “Be careful!”
“I know.”
Huangfu Yuchen watched his figure disappear and said to the remaining four guards, “Let’s go in the other direction.”
“Yes!”
Yan Ge quickly caught up with the deer and shot another arrow. He was very unfamiliar with archery and actually used his qi to cheat.
His qi locked onto the game, making the movements of the prey appear in slow motion in his eyes, making it easy for him to hit the target.
“ Yan Guiqing’s archery is godlike, and we admire you greatly,” one guard picked up the game, pulled out the arrow, and returned it to Yan Ge, expressing admiration.
Yan Ge remained composed, “Practice more, and you’ll be able to do the same.”
The group continued riding forward and encountered two more wild hares, a wild chicken, and a roe deer.
“There are number of wild animals here,” Yan Ge said.
One guard replied, “Indeed. Animals also have intelligence; they know this place is usually free of people, so they like to settle in Cuiyun Mountain. Gradually, more and more animals gathered here.”
Yan Ge heard that he knew a lot about this place, so he asked, “Are there large animals here, like tigers or leopards?”
The guard replied, “Yes, but they are deeper inside.”
Yan Ge didn’t know the skills of these guards, and he feared they might accidentally venture into a tiger’s lair, so he decided to stop and focus on catching smaller game to win based on quantity.
“Let’s go, that way!”
They returned to the camp only when the sun was about to set.
From afar, Yan Ge saw Huangfu Yuchen sitting at the table, drinking tea, which made him itch a bit. This guy was so confident? He had already returned early.
“Xiao Ge.” Huangfu Yuchen also saw him and waved with a smile.
Huangfu Yuchen had a pile of game behind him, just like Yan Ge’s, they were mostly small game like wild pheasants and hares.
“Have you counted yours?” Yan Ge dismounted.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “There is no hurry, it’s more comfortable to first take a bath.”
The two entered the tent to freshen up.
Yan Jin and the young Crown Prince walked over, a little disappointed. Archery was one of the young Crown Prince’s lessons, but this was his first time hunting, and he hadn’t caught any game. Yan Jin didn’t want to make an outstanding performance, so he also returned empty-handed.
“There are so many game,” Yan Jin walked to Yan Ge’s catch. He picked up a wild pheasant, and said, “Let’s make Beggar’s Chicken.”
The young Crown Prince became excited, “Brother Jin, can you make Beggar’s Chicken?”
“Of course. Let’s go over there.”
After Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen freshened up, they called the guards to count the game.
“The Emperor caught fifteen game, Yan Guiqing also caught fifteen game.”
Yan Ge was stunned, “Impossible! I counted on the way, and there were sixteen.”
The guard recounted, “Indeed, it was sixteen.”
Yan Ge glanced at Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen pleaded innocence, “Baby, I went in with you just now.”
At this moment, Yan Jin and the young Crown Prince approached, each holding a fragrant chicken leg.
“Father, Papa, what are you doing?” Yan Jin asked.
Yan Ge looked at the chicken leg in his hand, “Who gave this to you? It’s burnt.”
Yan Jin replied, “I grilled it myself, it’s a bit burnt, but it’s delicious.” After speaking, he took another bite.
The young Crown Prince nodded in agreement.
Yan Ge asked suspiciously, “Where did you get the chicken?”
Yan Jin pointed to the ground, “I found it here.”
