Chapter 113
Why did the Sixth Prince want Dabao’s blood?
Ancient times were different from modern times. What was the use of blood? In the palace literature, there was a blood test. As a modern person, Li Yu had long known that the blood test was not accurate. What could the Sixth Prince do with Dabao’s blood?
King Jing gently knocked on Li Yu’s forehead and told him a secret of the royal family.
The imperial physicians in the palace had their own secret technique to use a few drops of blood to prove whether or not a person was part of the royal family. When the Sixth Prince’s men had mentioned taking Dabao’s blood, King Jing had already known about it. The Sixth Prince suspected that Dabao was not his biological son, so King Jing had purposely asked him to take someone else’s blood.
Next, the Sixth Prince would definitely plot to let the Emperor know about this matter. The crime of mixing up the royal bloodline was enough to make any Emperor fall out with him.
But at the same time, the crime of slandering a prince could also make the Sixth Prince unable to get away.
Li Yu and King Jing were both waiting for the Sixth Prince to make a move, but who knew that the Sixth Prince would retreat.
He was indeed the best at hiding. Although he had suffered a lot in the hands of King Jing and made a lot of mistakes, he was still able to calm down and would not make a move until the best time.
May he endure until he became a big turtle!
Two months later, the annual Hunting Festival was coming.
The Hunting Festival, as the name suggested, was actually a large-scale hunting event held by the royal family in this ancient world.
There was a joke that the founding emperor was good at war, while the defending emperor was good at hunting. It was enough to show the importance of hunting in the life of an emperor.
As a relatively sober monarch, the Emperor was also happy to hold all kinds of hunting events to show off his fighting strength. Thus, the Hunting Festival was born.
This was a hunting feast, and there was only one rule set: regardless of seniority, only one’s achievements were counted. The Emperor would usually lead a large group of members of the royal family to compete fiercely with the civil and military officials for the prey. Those who ranked first would receive the Emperor’s praise. Those who performed outstandingly would be promoted even if they came from humble backgrounds.
The Hunting Festival was almost a shortcut to success. Everyone knew that once they performed well, they would be able to catch the Emperor’s eye. Even children of seven or eight years old would muster up the courage to carry a bow and arrow and follow the large group to the hunting grounds.
However, there were also some who didn’t want to participate in the activities that everyone was happy about.
King Jing rarely hunted. In previous years, during the Hunting Festival, King Jing would stay in his residence and not come out. Usually, Ye Qinghuan would go on behalf of King Jing and just go through the motions.
In fact, King Jing’s actions were understandable. After all, it was useless for a prince to be outstanding. If the King Jing didn’t go, others wouldn’t think it was rude. They would think it was a matter of course, and the Emperor wouldn’t say anything either.
Although there was no hierarchy in the Hunting Horse Festival, the winner every year was still the Emperor.
Most of the time, the second place was occupied by the second prince. Occasionally, it would be the third prince. Similarly, there wasn’t much suspense. The second place was what people could compete for.
But this year, the situation had changed a lot.
The second prince had gone crazy, the third prince had been disliked, and the sixth prince had become a dark horse that broke out of the encirclement. It seemed that the overall situation was set. However, King Jing, who wasn’t favored and should have been eliminated as the Crown Prince, went to the western border and came back. Then, there was another change.
As the only prince in this dynasty who had both political and military achievements, and had the noble status of a legitimate son, as well as four lively and healthy young masters, being born mute was no longer a big deal. Especially King Jing’s son, the Crown Prince, was favored by the Emperor. Every time he entered the palace, he would sit directly on the Emperor’s knee. All kinds of signs indicated that King Jing had suddenly emerged as a new force to be reckoned with.
Although there was a saying in this dynasty that princes weren’t easily given the title of King, it was obvious whether they were really out of favor or not. Comparing the two families of Ping Hou and An Hou, it was obvious.
King Jing’s position as the Crown Prince was probably special. He was favored by the Emperor.
Clever people would secretly pay attention to the rankings of this year’s Hunting Horse Festival. They were afraid that once the rankings were out, the position of Crown Prince would be almost certain.
Even the Emperor was looking forward to it. However, King Jing, who rarely participated in the Hunting Horse Festival, still expressed that he didn’t want to participate this time. He planned to stay in the palace to accompany his wife and children.
The Emperor couldn’t stand it anymore. When the war report from the western border reached the Imperial City, the Emperor had also read it. In fact, King Jing was able to lead troops and even defeated bandits. What was wrong with going on a hunt?
With a dark face, the Emperor ordered Head Steward Luo to pass down the decree that no matter what reason King Jing had, he must participate in the Hunting Horse Festival.
King Jing had no choice but to set out for the hunting ground with Li Yu.
They were afraid that something would happen to the children if they stayed in the palace. After discussing it for a while, they decided to take the children with them. When they arrived at the hunting ground, the Imperial Bodyguards would take care of them. King Jing would also prepare enough manpower to take care of the children. Moreover, the children still didn’t know how to walk, so they probably wouldn’t run around the hunting grounds.
After the children’s whereabouts were decided, all that was left was to make some preparations. There was a special costume for hunting. King Jing made a set of white riding clothes with gold edges for Li Yu in advance. It was a formal, narrow-sleeved short jacket that made him look valiant and formidable. As soon as Li Yu put it on, he was amazed by his handsomeness. He drooled and strongly requested that King Jing also wear an identical set of clothes.
The King and Princess Consort were definitely going to wear matching outfits for this kind of occasion.
Under Li Yu’s urging, King Jing not only made a set for himself, but also made one for his four children.
When it was the Hunting Horse Festival, King Jing wore the same black riding clothes as Li Yu. He had a jasper belt around his waist and a purple gold crown on his head. He was handsome and tall, and looked like a match made in heaven with Li Yu.
When the adults’ tall and big riding clothes were shrunk down and worn by the four children, they looked round and cute.
Da Bao wore a small golden riding outfit and a pair of small leather boots. His rotund body made his clothes bulge. With every step he took, he swayed violently, causing Li Yu’s heart to tremble in fear.
He was already able to walk unsteadily. Although he spoke slowly, his words were very clear. The imperial physician and wet nurse both said that it was already very good for the Little Heir to speak a little later.
Er Bao and San Bao were each wearing a gold-and-silver riding outfit and a silver-colored riding outfit respectively. The two of them didn’t know how to walk yet, so they couldn’t speak as well as Da Bao. Da Bao supported himself against the wall and began to move. Er Bao and San Bao rolled on the ground like two shiny balls. They clung tightly to Da Bao’s boots and refused to let go, insisting that Da Bao take them along.
Da Bao didn’t despise the two of them. A serious expression that didn’t match his age appeared on his little face. As usual, he lifted his pair of short legs and tried to move forward, but he couldn’t move.
Li Yu and King Jing both laughed. Si Bao, who was wearing a handsome black riding outfit with silver edges, sat in his father’s arms and couldn’t stop laughing. In the end, extreme joy turned to sorrow. Li Yu winked at him and put Si Bao down on the ground.
Fourth, Bao’s reaction was always a beat slower. He didn’t have the energy to transform into a human, and it was the same for walking. Compared to Da Bao’s seriousness, Si Bao was very perfunctory. He sat down the moment his feet touched the ground. “Ah, ah.” He stretched out his hands, wanting his father to carry him back.
Li Yu had already let go of his hands, so it was impossible for him to carry him again.
Si Bao blinked his eyes, which were similar to Li Yu’s, and followed Er Bao and San Bao’s actions to grab Da Bao’s legs.
In the blink of an eye, Da Bao had another little brother to hang on to: “…”
Li Yu laughed loudly. Wang Xi had already brought the horses over. King Jing first carried the children onto the horse carriage, and Wang Xi was responsible for taking care of them. After the children were all on the carriage, King Jing was in a good mood and pulled his wife onto the horse. He wrapped his arms around her, and the horse slowly followed beside the carriage.
Li Yu kept muttering that it was very childish to sit in the front. However, when the horse galloped, he was also the one who neighed the loudest.
When they arrived at the hunting grounds, King Jing and his family first went to the Dragon Tent to pay their respects to the Emperor. The Emperor was very satisfied with King Jing’s tactfulness and whispered a few words to King Jing.
It was Li Yu’s first time participating in such a large group activity. In order to avoid making mistakes, he stood behind King Jing obediently. The Emperor also encouraged him.
At this time, the Emperor was still very wise and mighty.
When he saw the row of children wearing impressive riding outfits beside Li Yu’s legs, the Emperor’s demeanor suddenly changed, and he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Dabao, are you also going to hunt today?”
The Emperor transformed into a kind grandfather. With a smile, he scooped Dabao into his arms with his long arms.
“Grandpa, I’m going to hunt!” Dabao said crisply.
After Dabao learned how to speak, Li Yu tried to teach him how to properly address him as’ Imperial Grandfather ‘. However, the pronunciation of’ Imperial Grandfather ‘was still a bit difficult for children. Using this as an excuse, the Emperor still allowed Dabao to continue calling him’ Imperial Grandfather ‘. The Emperor himself also felt that it was very close.
The Emperor was very happy that Dabao was so ambitious at such a young age. He even had the thought of personally teaching Dabao archery.
However, how could such a young child have the strength to pull a bow?
The Emperor ordered Luo Ruisheng to find a slingshot and forcibly replaced archery with a slingshot.
Dabao’s fat and tender claws fiddled with the bowstring, not knowing what to do.
The Emperor stroked his beard and was about to take the lead to play when he remembered that his son, King Jing, was still waiting.
Without the Emperor’s permission, King Jing couldn’t act on his own accord.
“Go ahead. Don’t come back to see me if you don’t get a ranking.” The Emperor ordered expectantly.
King Jing nodded and looked at Li Yu.
The Emperor’s imperial edict came suddenly and ordered them to participate in the hunt. Li Yu didn’t know how to ride a horse, so King Jing taught Li Yu for a while. However, Li Yu still didn’t know how to ride a horse. This time, coming to the hunting ground, it was almost impossible for him to get a result.
Moreover, the children also came along, so one of them had to stay behind to look after them. They couldn’t both go hunting.
It was said that the Sixth Prince had come before them and had been hunting for half an hour. He had hunted a lot of game and was ranked among the best.
“Tianchi, don’t worry and go. Teach him a lesson!”
Li Yu valiantly and spiritedly sent King Jing out of the tent, cheering for the old hunter.
King Jing nodded. He didn’t care if there was anyone around him. He pulled Li Yu into his arms and rubbed his head.
Li Yu took the opportunity to cuddle with him for a while. Then, he went back to the tent smugly and sat on the chair next to the Emperor. From time to time, he would listen to the imperial guards report that the Sixth Prince had hunted another game. Then, it would be King Jing.
At first, the Sixth Prince had a big lead. Later, King Jing caught up and shortened the distance.
The first game that King Jing hunted was a white rabbit. It was still alive, but its leg was grazed by an arrow.
The Emperor’s mouth twitched when he saw this. He told Li Yu to deal with it as he saw it. However, his children started clapping.
“Rabbit!” Er Bao and San Bao laughed.
“Rabbit paper!!” Si Bao stretched out his hand.
Si Bao was always a beat slower. It was rare for him to say a word correctly.
The children surrounded the snowy white rabbit and liked it very much. Li Yu felt as if he was seeing the magnificent scene when the duck entered the residence.
King Jing must have done it on purpose. What could he do if he brought such a cute rabbit back?
Li Yu happily asked Eunuch Wang to bandage the rabbit’s leg. It seemed that in addition to the fish and duck pets, the residence would have a rabbit pet from now on.
The Emperor was too lazy to listen to the reports. He focused on teaching Da Bao how to play with the slingshot for a while.
The slingshot required a bullet. It was meaningless to just pull the string. However, ordinary bullets were either made of iron or stone. They were too lethal for children to play with.
The Emperor often heard King Jing praise Li Yu. Thus, he asked Li Yu to think of a way.
Li Yu was very quick-witted. He tore the rice paper into pieces and made a lot of them. They didn’t hurt when they hit his body.
Now that there were bullets, the Emperor held Da Bao’s small claws. The two of them pulled the bow together and released it.
A paper bullet flew out and lightly hit Steward Luo, who was asking for information.
Luo Ruisheng turned around.
The Emperor and Da Bao looked innocent at the same time. Don’t look at me. I didn’t do it!
Li Yu couldn’t help but snicker. He was more concerned about King Jing’s side.
The guards came to report several times that the Sixth Prince was in front. King Jing was about to catch up, but the gap was widened again.
Li Yu couldn’t show too much worry in front of the Emperor. He was sweating for King Jing in his heart. Unconsciously, he walked to the front of the tent and looked for King Jing among the people who were participating in the hunt.
It didn’t take long for him to find him.
King Jing was riding on a horse. He seemed very tired. He lowered his head and wiped the sweat off his forehead. The back of the horse was full of game.
Li Yu felt sorry for him. Because of the Emperor’s words, he had to prove himself even if he had to risk everything.
He looked at him from afar. Suddenly, King Jing seemed to have a telepathic connection and looked at him.
King Jing curled his lips and smiled. He rode on the horse and galloped towards Li Yu. In an instant, he was in front of him.
Li Yu was pulled onto the horse by King Jing. King Jing held the reins with one hand and hugged him tightly with the other. He didn’t allow him to resist and kissed him on the lips.
The familiar hot breath instantly surrounded Li Yu. Li Yu was shocked. He reacted and gently pushed him away. Since he couldn’t push him away, he kissed him back passionately.
After the kiss, King Jing rubbed his neck and sent him down safely. Then, as if he was possessed by the God of War, he raised his whip again and rushed into the hunting ring.
Really, did he think he was a power bank?
