Although he kept complaining about his sore back and aching waist, ZiLi refused to admit defeat. After just resting for one day, he returned to the shooting range and practiced all morning with astonishing persistence. To his delight, he finally hit the target, and even hit the bullseye once, making him almost howl like a wolf. With this success, ZiLi threw himself even more relentlessly into practice, eventually mastering a fifty percent accuracy rate out of a hundred shots.
Just as ZiLi had reached a plateau, eager to improve but finding that no matter how hard he tried he could not make any real progress, the day of the hunt outside the city finally arrived!
Hong Xu changed into a set of light armor, and his usually commanding presence became even more impressive. ZiLi also put on his riding outfit, enjoying the rare comfort and freedom it offered. However, when Hong Xu ordered Lin De to bring him a set of light armor as well, ZiLi was far from happy. Although it looked great on Hong Xu, on him it was another story. The armor felt like ribs being tightly pressed by bamboo slats, heavy and constricting, making his chest unbearably tight.
However, Hong Xu, who usually indulged him, was unusually adamant this time. After several failed attempts to persuade ZiLi, his temper began to rise.
ZiLi pouted, still trying to make one last attempt at resistance, “But it’s ugly!”
“Ugly or not, you have to wear it!” Hong Xu showed no signs of yielding.
“I don’t want to wear it. It’s uncomfortable! We are going to hunt, not going to war!” After repeatedly refusing to no avail, ZiLi could not help but get angry as well.
Hong Xu’s expression turned cold as he issued a final ultimatum. “If you do not wear it, you are not going!”
Seeing his two masters locked in a standoff, Lin De could only step in cautiously. “Your Highness, this soft armor may not be pleasant to the eye, but it is a protective artifact. Although hunting is not the battlefield, but with so many people and horses, and random blades with no eyes, if you get hit or hurt, will you not be the one to suffer! Besides, this soft armor is not something just anyone can wear. Apart from His Majesty and a few princes and generals, everyone else has to wear that thick and rigid armor. Your Highness, please don’t sulk, and quickly put it on!”
ZiLi knew Lin De was right, but the thought of Hong Xu speaking to him so coldly over this still made him sulk. If he gave in and really put it on, would that not mean he was backing down? Yet he truly wanted to go hunting with them, so ZiLi was now caught between wanting to compromise and not wanting to lose face.
The perceptive Lin De noticed this and, after much coaxing, carefully gave ZiLi a way to save face. Only then did ZiLi settle on a compromise that was not quite giving in――he wore the armor beneath his riding clothes.
***
Hong Xu rode at the very front on a magnificent, spirited steed, leading a grand procession of thousands of Imperial relatives, officials, and guards as they surged toward the Imperial hunting grounds. The common people lined the streets to watch, while shouting loudly ‘Long live His Majesty!’ as they followed along behind. ZiLi, still upset about the morning’s events, did not want to follow Hong Xu closely, so he deliberately dropped to the rear, ambling along with CunGong and CunShou.Please read His Majesty's Hostage Chapter 106 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
“Boss, look, this is our new improved bow and arrow. It is lightweight and easy to use, no need to draw the bow. Just place the arrow in this slot, aim at the prey, and press this switch. The arrow will shoot out automatically. We coated the arrowheads with anesthetic, so there is no need to hit the heart. Just a small wound will do, and it’s ours. When we use this for hunting later, we will definitely be the top scorers this time. Furthermore, we have already investigated the market, it is definitely a one of a kind concealed weapon! Boss, take it. You can use it with confidence!”ZiLi took it and found it was indeed quite impressive, but the issue was that he had spent half a month practicing archery with lot of effort. Using something like this to take a shortcut would that not mean all that effort had been in vain? However, seeing their expectant faces, ZiLi still happily accepted it.
“Brother JinYu!” As he was in the middle of accepting, he suddenly heard someone call out from behind, full of surprise.
Who could it be? Calling out my name so familiarly! ZiLi turned his head and saw a person who looked like a young man, though his facial muscles were slightly slack, riding up on horseback with a face full of smiles.
“Brother JinYu, I’ve finally seen you again! Since you became a favorite of the Emperor, seeing you has been harder than ascending to heaven!” The man lifted his sleeve to wipe his forehead, speaking with an almost reverent expression. He was none other than Lian Pan
Lian Pan was first mentioned in chapter 21.
1 , the dissolute young noble wastrel who used to urge An JinYu to drink with female entertainers, while visiting low-grade brothels with him.
The man looked familiar, but ZiLi could not remember who the other was. Embarrassed to ask, he smiled perfunctorily and asked, “Is there something you need from me?”
“Uh, it’s nothing major. It is just that it has been a while since brother JinYu joined us for a drink, so I was thinking we should get together some time!” Lian Pan was trying to get closer. In the past, he had called the other brother because An JinYu was generous with money. Now that An JinYu had become the Emperor’s exclusive favorite, he was even more eager to address the other as brother.
ZiLi frowned. That man was An JinYu’s drinking buddy, not his own friend, so there was no need to entertain the other. “Drinking? You don’t need to look for me anymore for that. I don’t drink anymore!”
“Then let’s……” Lian Pan was just about to say visit a brothel, but remembering ZiLi’s current status, he stopped himself and quickly changed his words, “Let’s go have some tea and admire the flowers!”
Seeing ZiLi’s brows knit even tighter, Lian Pan wisely closed his mouth and changed the topic with a smile. “Ah, Brother JinYu, this horse of yours is truly magnificent!”
Qu Zi snorted disdainfully, making Lian Pan’s face flush with embarrassment while CunGong and CunShou lowered their heads, stifling their laughter.
“Your Highness, the Emperor requests your presence!” Lin De rode up, smiling amiable at ZiLi.
ZiLi did not want to go, but thinking it would be inappropriate to defy the Emperor in front of so many people, he could only comply and urged his horse forward.
Seeing that ZiLi had actually left him on his own and gone to the rear without a word, Hong Xu felt displeased in his heart, and it showed plainly on his face. When ZiLi came up and saw that Hong Xu still had a dark expression, he also felt unhappy.
“If you did not want to see me, why call for me!” ZiLi muttered irritably, glancing at Hong Xu.
Please read His Majesty's Hostage Chapter 106 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
Hong Xu naturally caught it with his keen ears, but did not react, his expression only darkening further.Neither spoke on the way. By the time they reached the enclosed hunting grounds, the palace attendants who had arrived ahead of them had already set up the tents in the clearing. Amidst the expanse of white tents, the yellow tent in the center was especially eye-catching. The camp-like feel of the outdoor hunt somewhat eased the gloom in ZiLi’s heart.
Behind the clearing was a mountain forest, lush and dense, surely hiding plenty of animals. In a while, they would be heading in there to hunt, and at the thought of it, ZiLi felt eager to give it a try!
Hong Xu sat on a temporarily erected platform. Below, the row on the left was filled with high-ranking civil and military officials of the court, while the row on the right held titled members of the Imperial family. In the field, there stood eight princes aged six and above, the eldest already fifteen. ZiLi held Hong Qiang on his lap, his chin resting on the boy’s head, as he glanced toward Hong Xu’s eldest son. Fifteen already, so Hong Xu became a father at fourteen? Talk about precociousness!
“Your Highnesses, this servant will go over the competition rules only once! Each of you may only take two Imperial bodyguards. After the time of one incense stick
About 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the source.
2 , return here with your game and await His Majesty’s judgment!” an eunuch explained.
All eight princes nodded in understanding. At the eunuch’s signal fort the start, each of them, accompanied by two Imperial bodyguards, charged straight into the forest.
“Big brother, Qiang’er wants to ride a horse and hunt like big brother Yan too!” Hong Qiang pouted, unhappy as he watched his brothers disappear into the forest.
“When you turn six, you can as well!” ZiLi said lazily.
“No! Qiang’er already learned how to ride a horse. Qiang’er wants to ride now!” Hong Qiang said, wriggling his body as he acted spoiled.
ZiLi pinched Hong Qiang’s chubby cheeks, “It’s no use acting cute with me. If you want to go, go ask your Imperial father!”
“No! Big brother, please ask for me!”
“Oh, so young and already know how to make use of your big brother! Hmm?” ZiLi said, continuing to pinch the other’s cheeks.
“Qiang’er is not using you, big brother. Qiang’er is asking big brother for help! Please, big brother, go ask Father Emperor for Qiang’er!”
“But your big brother does not want to talk to your Father Emperor at the moment!”
“Huh, why?”
“No reason!”
“But if you want to ride a horse, your big brother can take you along.”
“Yes, great! I knew big brother was the best!” Hong Qiang said with a beaming smile, clapping his hands.
Hong Xu’s gaze kept drifting toward ZiLi. Seeing that the other had shaken off his earlier gloom and was now chatting enthusiastically with Hong Qiang, Hong Xu’s displeasure deepened. Looking again, he noticed that ZiLi had actually taken Hong Qiang’s hand and secretly slipped away from his seat.
Please read His Majesty's Hostage Chapter 106 on Project Bezemwagen :-)
“Find out what they are up to,” Hong Xu ordered coldly to Lin De beside him.“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Big brother, Qiang’er wants to ride your horse!” Hong Qiang said, tugging at ZiLi’s fingers.
“Qu Zi? I can’t decide that. You will have to ask whether he is willing to let you ride him,” ZiLi said, slightly embarrassed. With Qu Zi’s arrogant and irritable temperament, would he really let a little kid ride him?
Hearing this, Hong Qiang walked up to Qu Zi, tilted his head and looked into its black eyes. Then, as if making a very serious request, he pointed at it and asked, “Can I ride you?”
Qu Zi flicked its ears. Just as ZiLi thought it would snort and dismiss them, it actually bent its front knees. Hong Qiang let out a cheer and climbed onto its back using both hands and feet.
Qu Zi shot ZiLi a glance, then stood up and strode forward in a high and mighty manner.
ZiLi was exasperated. You little, Qu Zi, that is not fair, ah!
Hong Qiang excitedly squeezed his short legs against the horse’s belly, but ZiLi held the reins and would not let him speed up. The two rode down a gentle slope and came upon a small river. By the gently flowing riverbank, there was already a person standing there.
The handsome, slender figure gave off a different aura than his usual calm self.
“Hong Qing? Why are you out here too?”
It is probably normal for the time period, but it is still quite sad to think that Hong Xu was already a father at fourteen (◡﹏◡✿)
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