For ordinary families, the Spring Festival usually lasted until the Lantern Festival, but the emperor couldn't afford to take a half-month break from court duties. After celebrating New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, civil and military officials resumed their duties. Cui Yi and Chiyang returned to the Wangfu.
For others, this year was no different from previous years, but for the Wu Wangfu, it marked a challenging start. A new decree halved the salaries of surviving soldiers in the East and West camps.
Rather than wait passively, Chiyang believed in proactive action. Although farming couldn't begin before spring, tens of thousands of soldiers couldn't starve in their barracks. After discussing with Baili Zan, Chiyang decided to organize a hunting trip.
Since the founding of the Great Chu Dynasty, due to the founder's love for martial arts, a vast hunting ground was reserved for royal use. During the Jianyuan era, the emperor disliked hunting, as did the Crown Prince. Among the princes, only Cui Yi enjoyed martial activities, while others merely went through the motions. Thus, Emperor Jianyuan gifted the hunting grounds to his second son.
However, in the preceding years, Cui Yi had been away fighting, never using the hunting grounds.
During the founder's reign, annual hunts yielded bountiful results. Years of neglect meant the animals in the mountains were likely fat and plentiful, perfect for solving the food problem.
On the third day of the New Year, Cui Yi led five hundred cavalry and infantrymen from the West camp, divided into four groups, heading towards the royal hunting grounds.
Chiyang found staying indoors boring, so she had her carriage follow to watch the excitement. Initially, Cui Yi disagreed, fearing it might scare the baby, but Chiyang retorted, "Would the child of the Great Chu's war god fear swords and arrows?" He relented and took her along.
The royal hunting grounds were covered in snow, glistening white. Chiyang peeked out, finding the brightness almost blinding, and pulled the curtain shut. Outside, Cui Yi loudly commanded, "Everyone, stay alert! For one hour, the team with the most catches will receive generous rewards. The individual with the highest score will get extra rewards! Show the same spirit as you do in battle!"
The soldiers' responses roared like thunder. Cui Yi pointed to the four men in front, "You four are my trusted generals. Don't disappoint me."
Cao Qian and the other three generals saluted.
Yang Qiong, currently a low-ranking officer under Cao Qian, had been informed by Cui Yi to perform well during the hunt. If successful, he would lead his own team the following days. With unanimous approval from the other generals, his promotion would seem natural.
Though Yang Qiong excelled with spears, Chiyang was unsure of his archery skills. She simply hoped the famous general wouldn't waste his talents in the West camp.
Horns sounded, awakening hibernating animals. Cui Yi raised his whip, shouting, "Charge!" Leading the troops into the forest, followed closely by Cao Qian and the others, the five hundred men charged up the mountain.
Xiaoqiu peered out, sticking out her tongue in amazement, "This is incredible! Just a hunt and it's so grand. Imagine what a real battle would be like."
Leaning against the carriage wall, Chiyang read a book and smiled, "Today is just a trial. If successful, we'll return tomorrow, but it won't be just five hundred men then."
Xiaoqiu stuck out her tongue, "Won't they wipe out all the animals then?"
Chiyang paused, nodding slowly, "You're right. We should remind His Highness not to hunt young animals. That way, there will be more next year. Otherwise, overfishing will be counterproductive."
She called over a soldier guarding the carriage and sent him to deliver the message to Cui Yi. The soldier returned after a short while, reporting that the terrain made it difficult to relay the message. Starting tomorrow, they would avoid hunting young animals. Chiyang accepted this.
An hour later, soldiers returned with game hanging from their horses and shoulders, mostly rabbits and pheasants, but also deer and snakes. Cui Yi, riding Jinwu, appeared like a fiery flame amidst the snow, holding a sable triumphantly, "Good fur. I'll have someone make you a scarf." Chiyang praised him, "Your Highness is mighty!"
After the hunt, teams counted their hauls. Naturally, Cui Yi's team had the most, and among individuals, Yang Qiong stood out—both expected and unexpected by Chiyang.
The three generals exchanged glances, surprised that a mere cavalry officer dared overshadow the prince. Though Cui Yi wasn't petty, hunting differed from combat. Subordinates often showed deference, especially with the princess watching. How could the prince lose face?
"Hmm..." Cui Yi examined Yang Qiong's game—a mountain goat, two muntjacs, two gray rabbits, and a spotted dove—and asked, "Why are none of your catches young?"
Yang Qiong calmly replied, "Your Highness, there's an old saying in my hometown: Do not hunt young beasts in the mountains or use fine nets in rivers. Today, sparing them ensures abundance next year. Therefore, I spared all young animals."
Cui Yi nodded, then scanned the others. Soldiers lowered their heads, ashamed of their indiscriminate kills.
"That's how it should be," Cui Yi declared, "Today, I overlooked this. Tomorrow, strictly forbid hunting young animals. Violators will be punished according to military law!"
Impressed by Cui Yi's magnanimity, the generals' respect for him grew. They began chatting with Yang Qiong, recognizing his abilities. From the hunting grounds to the camp, they bonded like brothers.
Compared to them, Yang Qiong exuded a scholarly air, balancing warmth and professionalism. Chiyang, listening from the nearby carriage, approved of his manner.
"What are you thinking about?" Cui Yi suddenly asked.
Returning in the carriage, Cui Yi initially hoped Chiyang would inquire about his hunt. Seeing her distracted, he grew annoyed.
Chiyang responded, "Nothing, just listening to the generals and Master Yang. Master Yang truly embodies grace under pressure. Such demeanor will earn respect."
Cui Yi nodded, "Yang Qiong is a talented general. I once invited him to strategize on sand tables. His unique tactics prioritize minimal casualties for maximum gains, a rare quality."
Chiyang smiled, "Indeed, every soldier has parents. Generals who value their troops become victorious."
Cui Yi sighed, "Unfortunately, without battles, all this is just theoretical."
Half referring to Yang Qiong, half to himself, Cui Yi lamented his inability to fight. Despite retaining command through Bai Li's strategies, lacking actual combat diminished his status.
Sensing his frustration, Chiyang softly consoled him, "Your Highness, don't be too disheartened. A caged tiger remains a tiger, not a cat. As long as the Northern Di remain unconquered, there will always be opportunities. Though the Emperor and Crown Prince favor peace talks, if the Di's terms are unreasonable or they attack, the Great Chu will defend itself."
Her words proved prophetic months later when the Di proposed outrageous terms, which Emperor Jianyuan surprisingly accepted.
The first day's hunt yielded hundreds of pounds of meat and countless furs. Cui Yi symbolically took a few choice pelts and two stags, distributing the rest among the soldiers.
Cui Yi intended to benefit only his troops, but Chiyang and Bai Li suggested sharing with the similarly underpaid officials and sending some to the Emperor, Empress, and Consort Duan.
"Why share with those useless bureaucrats?" Cui Yi questioned angrily.
Though providing for his troops made sense, giving to civilian officials seemed pointless. Fighting required soldiers, not eloquent speakers.
Chiyang patiently explained, "Martial prowess secures the nation, while civil administration stabilizes it. Generals may win battles, but governing requires civilian officials. Ignoring them risks resentment, potentially endangering your command."
Realizing the logic, Cui Yi agreed. Had civilian officials supported him earlier, the Crown Prince's troop reductions might have been thwarted. Better late than never, he consented.
Over three days, Cui Yi's group hunted hundreds of animals, preserving the meat and collecting numerous furs. Chiyang personally supervised the selection, offering the best pelts to the Emperor, Empress, and Consort Duan, then distributing the rest among the generals.
Chiyang set aside several fox furs, personally delivering them to the Cheng residence.
Zhai Rang, recommended by his father-in-law Cheng Hu, served as a censor in the Censorate. Busy with work, he often skipped meals. Cheng Fengyi spent most days alone, sewing and copying ancient texts.
Since becoming pregnant, Chiyang hadn't visited the Cheng residence, relying on Cheng Fengyi's regular visits for check-ups. Both Chiyang and Cui Yi appreciated her efforts. When Chiyang proposed giving some furs to the Chengs, Cui Yi readily agreed, emphasizing, "Choose the best ones."
Learning that Cheng Fengyi was also pregnant, Chiyang was stunned speechless.
Call someone to inform me at the Wangfu, making me come without any preparation." Cheng Fengyi smiled and said, "You are the Wangfei, you have so many things to manage every day, how can I trouble you with such a trivial matter?" Chi Ying was displeased and said, "How can this be a trivial matter? Before the New Year, I told His Highness that if I give birth to a son, he must marry your daughter in the future. His Highness also agreed."
Cheng Fengyi laughed again and asked, "What if you give birth to a daughter?" "Then naturally she will become the daughter-in-law of the Cheng family," Chi Ying said happily, holding her hand, "Isn't this a match made in heaven?"
Cheng Fengyi nodded with a smile, "Yes, I will discuss it with Zicheng later. Let's make an agreement now." The two sisters hadn't seen each other for a long time and were chatting enthusiastically until it started to get dark. Chi Ying reluctantly bid farewell.
In the carriage, Chi Ying was still happy about the arranged marriage. Xia Qiu couldn't help but ask, "What if both you and Lady Cheng give birth to sons or daughters? What will happen then?"
"What's difficult about that?" Chi Ying couldn't help laughing, "If they are both girls, we can raise them as sisters. If they are boys, they can become sworn brothers. It can't always be the same, right?"
Xia Qiu nodded seriously, "That's true. Madam has finally realized that having more children is the way to go. With more children, there will always be a suitable match." Chi Ying was suddenly amused and exasperated.
When the carriage arrived at the Wu Wangfu gate, Chi Ying got out of the carriage and was about to enter when a woman who had been squatting by the roadside suddenly stood up and walked towards her: "Ah, you are..."
The gatekeepers immediately blocked her, "Who are you! Don't dare to offend our lady!"
"Don't be rough!" Chi Ying hurriedly stopped them from pushing her away and asked the woman in a gentle tone, "May I know your surname?"
The woman looked about thirty years old, with an oval face, clear and delicate features, but her eyes were dim and lifeless. If she were more spirited, she would not be lacking in beauty. She dressed neatly, but the faded cuffs and patched skirt revealed her poor family background. Perhaps noticing Chi Ying's gaze on her, she fidgeted nervously and stammered, "My maiden name is Li, my husband's surname is Yang, I came to visit my younger brother-in-law."
Surname Yang... Could it be Yang Qiong? Chi Ying said, "Are you looking for Captain Yang Qiong? I'm sorry, he doesn't live here. You should go to Kui Camp outside the city to find him."
Madame Li said anxiously, "I've been there! They said Gongqi was injured while hunting with His Highness today and was brought to the Wangfu for treatment, so I came here!"
Hunting is inherently dangerous, and getting injured is not surprising, but being sent to the Wangfu for treatment seemed odd. If the injury was severe, he should have been taken to a clinic. If it wasn't serious, the military doctor could handle it. There was no one in the Wangfu who knew medicine, so bringing him here wouldn't help.
Chi Ying turned to ask the gatekeepers, confirming that someone had indeed been carried in on a stretcher earlier, and two imperial physicians had arrived afterward, indicating that the injury was quite serious. So she said to Madame Li, "Alright, come in with me first. Sit in the main hall and rest for a while. I'll tell you more after I ask His Highness. Is that okay?"
Madame Li hesitated and asked, "Can I see him? Without seeing him, I can't rest assured!"
Chi Ying shook her head, "Whether you can see him depends on Captain Yang, not me. It's better for you to wait in the front yard."
Though Madame Li was reluctant, she had to agree after hearing this. Chi Ying led her inside, instructing the maids to serve tea and went to the side courtyard with Xia Qiu.
Cui Yi happened to come out of a room just then. Chi Ying quickly approached and asked, "I heard Brother Yang was injured? His sister-in-law even came to the Wangfu gate. What happened?"
"Someone shot an arrow in secret," Cui Yi's face was very grim, his words filled with obvious anger, "It was aimed at me. Gongqi happened to be close to me, without a long weapon, he had to use his hands to catch it."
Chi Ying gasped, "How could this be! I thought he might have slipped or been accidentally hurt... An assassin in the hunting ground? Are you alright? Was anyone else injured? Did they catch the assassin?"
Cui Yi remained silent, radiating a terrifying aura. Seeing that he didn't seem injured, Chi Ying felt relieved and said, "It's good that Your Highness is fine. How is Brother Yang's hand?"
Just then, Cao Qian also came out of the room. Seeing her, he bowed. Chi Ying asked about Yang Qiong's condition. Cao Qian replied, "The arrow pierced through his palm..." No need for further explanation, Chi Ying understood.
For a martial artist, the hand is crucial. Pierced through the palm, the bones and tendons were severed. If they couldn't reconnect, it would be useless.
Chi Ying felt dizzy. Allowing Yang Qiong to participate in the hunt was meant to give him a chance to showcase his martial skills, but unexpectedly, it ended up harming him severely. Looking at Cui Yi's expression, Chi Ying finally understood why he was so angry. It wasn't because of the assassination attempt on himself, but because of the guilt over his well-intentioned act turning into a disaster.
"What did the imperial physician say? Will he recover?" Hoping against hope, Chi Ying asked Cao Qian.
Cao Qian sighed deeply, feeling extremely guilty, "The imperial physician said there's only a fifty percent chance of recovery. Even if he recovers, his hand won't be as flexible as before. ——It's all my fault. I was too focused on hunting and didn't notice the assassin slipping in. I failed in my duty, please punish me, Your Highness!"
Cui Yi coldly said, "We'll deal with it later. Catch the assassin first."
Chi Ying nodded, "Right, the most important thing now is to catch the assassin and find out who's behind it. General Cao, go back to Xicamp immediately, gather everyone who participated in the hunt today and ask them carefully if they noticed anything unusual. Don't miss any small clue."