allonlinenovel Chapter 191 Hunting
Chapter 191 Hunting
Royal Hunting Grounds
Because the previous banquet to welcome the envoys could not be held due to too many unexpected events, and because the Emperor of the Northern Rong had sent another envoy, the banquet had to be held again.
This banquet for envoys, hosted by Xue Huaiyu, comes a month and a half after the last one. This time, Xue Huaiyu did not choose to hold it in the palace, but instead chose the royal hunting grounds.
This time, there were noticeably more guards around Xue Huaiyu, and even the seats of the surrounding concubines were farther apart than before.
Chen Xianlin accompanied Xue Huaiyu this time, but the maids accompanying her had been changed.
Xue Huaiyu went to great lengths to choose a husband for Tuoba Yanran, with almost all the unmarried sons of officials in the capital coming to the event.
"Second Princess, I truly apologize for what happened at the last banquet. This time, I will make sure you and the Fifth Prince have a great time," Xue Huaiyu said, looking at Tuoba Yanran below the stage.
"Then thank you, Your Majesty," Tuoba Yanran said with a smile, returning the greeting.
The eunuch then announced the rules of the hunt: whoever won the hunt would marry Tuoba Yanran.
Zheng Luoqi was naturally among those competing in this tournament. Tuoba Yanran and Tuoba Yanqi were also on the team, but they weren't participating in the competition; they just wanted to have some fun.
Of course, among the participants was an old acquaintance—Lin Zifeng. Ye Churan was betrothed, so he couldn't participate this time.
However, Lin Zifeng learned from Ye Churan that Zheng Luoqi would definitely try her best to win this time, because Zheng Luoqi was going to marry Tuoba Yanran.
Ye Churan had been investigating Zheng Luoqi and Tuoba Yanran for some time, and her final conclusion was that Zheng Luoqi was very likely planning to join forces with the Northern Rong people and then usurp the throne.
Furthermore, Xue Huaiyu had hinted to Ye Churan and the others that he didn't want Zheng Luoqi and Tuoba Yanran to marry. Therefore, Lin Zifeng's task this time was to prevent Zheng Luoqi from winning the marriage, no matter what means he used...
Zheng Luoqi glanced at the spirited Lin Zifeng and Ye Churan on the observation platform, and smiled disdainfully.
As the eunuch on the platform struck a gong, the young noblemen rode their horses into the hunting grounds like arrows released from a bow. They were all extremely excited, their eyes gleaming with competitive fervor.
Lin Zifeng was not to be outdone. He spurred his horse and quickly surged ahead of Zheng Luoqi. He was afraid that if he was even a step slower, Zheng Luoqi would snatch the prey away first.
Just then, Lin Zifeng spotted a rabbit darting out of the bushes.
Without hesitation, he picked up his bow and arrow, aimed at the target, and swiftly fired an arrow.
However, just as the arrow was about to hit the rabbit, an arrow suddenly flew from nowhere, knocking Lin Zifeng's arrow away and piercing straight into the rabbit's body.
Lin Zifeng's eyes widened in anger. He turned around furiously and saw Zheng Luoqi smirking triumphantly, her eyes revealing a clear sense of provocation.
After provoking him, Zheng Luoqi rode off on horseback, leaving Lin Zifeng standing there, furious.
Lin Zifeng watched Zheng Luoqi's departing figure, a sly glint in his eyes: "I hope you come out alive, Zheng Luoqi."
Zheng Luoqi galloped across the hunting grounds with eyes as sharp as an eagle, each arrow hitting its target with perfect accuracy. His movements were fluid and skillful, as if he were one with the bow and arrow.
Zheng Luoqi's archery skills are astonishing; she almost never misses a shot, hitting vital points with every arrow.
Before long, Zheng Luoqi's prey had piled up like a mountain, far exceeding the number of the other young masters present. His figure moved through the forest like a ghost.
Those young noblemen who had heard of Zheng Luoqi's name before were still surprised by her. At this moment, they stared wide-eyed at what they saw in disbelief.
They finally realized just how astonishingly powerful this once renowned figure in the Imperial Academy truly was.
Compared to Zheng Luoqi, they felt inferior to the most outstanding students in the Imperial Academy, and couldn't even match half of Zheng Luoqi's charm.
Once upon a time, Zheng Luoqi's outstanding performance at the Imperial College had already won him the praise of many people. He was once ranked number one on the list of the most desirable men for noble ladies in the capital and was the dream lover of many aristocratic women.
Although her fame is not as great as before, she still retains her charm, and many wealthy young women still admire Zheng Luoqi.
Many years ago, there was a widely circulated poem in the capital that described Zheng Luoqi. It read: "A flying arrow shoots the carved bow, her eyebrows fall ninefold. The general praises her courage, and the emperor values her literary appearance."
Many people were seeing Zheng Luoqi for the first time, admiring her heroic and spirited appearance while hunting in the hunting grounds.
Yu Yifei watched Zheng Luoqi ride his horse back and forth across the hunting grounds at great speed and with agile movements, and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement: "Wow, what a powerful guy! He's so cool! It seems I made the right choice in following him this time. If we were outside, it wouldn't be embarrassing to tell others that I'm his underling! That would be so prestigious!"
Hearing this, Qiu Rui, who was standing nearby, asked thoughtfully, "Hey, do you think Lord Zheng is really trying to marry that second princess from Beirong because he's going all out in this competition?"
Yu Yifei immediately retorted, "So what? My older brother isn't unworthy of her!"
Suddenly, Sheng Yan pointed ahead and shouted, "Hey! Hey! Hey! Look, it looks like a deer just ran by!"
Guan Zhao, quick-witted and agile, immediately spurred his horse to give chase, shouting, "Quick, hurry and pursue them!"
Seeing this, Qiu Rui hurriedly followed behind, calling out, "Wait for me! Wait for us!"
After they all left, a figure slowly emerged from behind the woods; it was Lin Zifeng.
Lin Zifeng silently watched the direction the group had left in, a knowing look on his face. He thought to himself: So the Minister of Personnel's son is Zheng Luoqi's man. That means the Minister of Personnel is also a member of the Prime Minister's mansion...
Zheng Luoqi rode his horse, keeping a close eye on the prey ahead, relentlessly pursuing it. As time passed, he got closer and closer to the prey, but unknowingly he had ventured deep into the forest.
Just as Zheng Luoqi was about to catch up with her prey, the prey suddenly vanished without a trace, as if it had evaporated into thin air.
Zheng Luoqi quickly reined in the horse and looked around for traces of its prey. Zheng Luoqi keenly sensed an unusual aura around her. Suddenly, a group of men in black rushed out from the surrounding area, holding sharp swords.
The leader of the men in black stared at Zheng Luoqi with a sinister gaze, gritting his teeth as he said, "You corrupt official, you never expected this day next year would be your death anniversary! Prepare to die!" His voice was filled with murderous intent and resentment.
After saying that, the leader of the men in black brandished his sword, and the other men in black responded in unison, rushing towards Zheng Luoqi in a swarm, their eyes flashing with a fierce light.