Chapter 8, the dazzling brilliance of the pearls captivates the eye

The East Pearl remains silent

Dongzhu handed her pouch to Kangxi, who took it with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Upon closer inspection, he found it to be no different from the items typically used by the women of the palace. As he looked further inside, he discovered some powdered substance, which he brought to his nose and sniffed, revealing a scent reminiscent of fragrant oil

A thousand steeds leaped in unison, raising clouds of dust, making it difficult for one to clearly see the people and objects within the training ground.

Kangxi's gaze fell upon Yue Le, and he already understood in his heart, then smiled lightly: "Is it difficult to speak of Uncle Wang?"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, Dongzhu... Zhao Fei's skills are not to be underestimated, let her come." As soon as Ao Bai finished speaking, he was met with a fierce glare from Ebilong.

Are you really planning to take the yellow jacket like this? he asked

Ao Bai leaned over to take a look at the document, and immediately turned to the Emperor with a strange expression, saying, "Well, this time it could be troublesome"

Long live, long live, long live! The Eight Banners' disciples shout long live and leap forward on horseback

The Empress Dowager's method of hunting is indeed quite novel; although it may seem somewhat underhanded, it has also served as a reminder for us. Firstly, this hunting ground is akin to a battlefield, where circumstances change rapidly and one must not act according to routine. Underestimating the opponent may lead to unexpectedly severe losses. Secondly, it also serves to urge the officials to be cautious in dealing with those who seek to curry favor. Kangxi's words seemed to be inspired by personal reflection, yet they also carried a tone of admonition. Some understood the deeper meaning and felt a profound sense of unease, believing that the Emperor's words held hidden implications, while others, failing to grasp the meaning, thought the Emperor was merely defending his favored concubine in front of outsiders.

Dong Zhu smiled without speaking, and Kangxi glanced at the prey displayed on the table, suddenly understanding. "Everyone, please share your thoughts. What were you thinking when hunting these things?"

Dongzhu stubbornly raised her small face, staring intently at Kangxi, her eyes filled with anticipation

The sound of hooves approached from afar, and in the blink of an eye, he was right in front of me, clad in silver-white military attire, exuding an air of gallant and striking handsomeness

Thus, she intervened to create chaos

In the presence of the Emperor, Dongzhu did not dare to act recklessly; he merely gestured with his hand at his own chin towards Ao Bai. Others were puzzled, but Ao Bai's face turned crimson, and his eyes widened in anger as he shook his fist at Dongzhu

Kangxi looked at him with some unfamiliarity and waved his hand, beckoning him to step forward and respond: "Why hunt this?"

Kangxi tightened the reins, looking back, and it turned out to be her

"Do you not understand?" She retracted her smile, "I do not care for any yellow robe. I do not seek imperial favor; what I desire is a promise that he will let me leave the palace"

"What the Emperor says is indeed true." A lively voice, mingling with the sounds of horses and drums, was so delicate, yet it stood out remarkably due to its abruptness

While everyone was lost in their thoughts, a clear and melodious voice once again broke the silence: "Your Majesty, my actions are not intended to seek attention. I have obtained the prey in the shortest time using the simplest method, and there is nothing wrong with that. In the past, hunting has always favored the one who strikes first; however, the value of the prey lies not only in strength and archery skills but also in the hidden thoughts and preferences of each individual. It is indeed necessary to evaluate the mindset of the hunter and the value of the prey."

Kangxi cast a glance at Dongzhu and saw that she remained calm and composed, showing no signs of panic. Although he felt hatred in his heart, he could only say: "Please rise, Master E. The Empress Dowager and the Empress will take care of the matters concerning the education of the Crown Princess, so there is no need for you to worry about it."

Cough, why think so much? Just hunt whatever you encounter!

Under the special command of Emperor Kangxi, the game was carried to the eagle drying platform. Kangxi sat majestically on the dragon throne beneath the yellow dragon canopy, reviewing the results of today's hunting expedition

On the first day of the hunting expedition, both civil and military officials awaited outside the dragon tent. The current chief minister, Ao Bai, dressed in military attire, stood side by side with E Bi Long, also present in the training ground, where banners were already fluttering and the sound of gongs and drums filled the air.

"What is the most valuable?" asked Prince Kang.

She understands Feiyangu, and she knows that he needs an opportunity to prove himself before the world

On the 6th day of the 10th month, Kangxi took the princes of the royal family and officials of the fourth rank and above to the Nanyuan for archery practice. This was the first time Kangxi had held such an event since his ascension to the throne, and it was quite a grand occasion for the court.

She knows that he ultimately cannot rest easy, which is why he will come to see her. This back and forth will consume quite a bit of his time.

Once the Emperor is married, he becomes an adult. This autumn encirclement is a demonstration, showcasing the Emperor's dragon might. Do you understand?" Sukesaha winked at the dragon tent, "Did you not see? Sony did not come today; this old fellow understands the situation best. The Emperor is demonstrating his dragon might, and he feigns illness to cooperate. As for how the subsequent play unfolds, it is indeed a challenge for the three of us.

"Alright, take care of yourself." With this remark, Kangxi rode off at full speed.

However, now is not the time

Do not be the first. Today, the first to strike the prey can only be him, the Emperor. Do not compete. Anyone can compete in front of him, but it cannot be you. Fei Yanggu, remember my words. Dongzhu almost shouted this sentence with a choked voice. Yes, this is the true reason why she showed off in front of Kangxi and insisted on participating in the hunt.

Queen Hesheli smiled faintly: "The girl whom Lord Ao referred to is now the Emperor's Zhaofei, so I kindly ask Lord Ao to be cautious with his words"

The abundance of game includes elk, roe deer, pheasants, wild rabbits, eagles, and foxes

The more anxious he became, the brighter her smile appeared

From a pocket carried on his person, he took a handful of powdery substance and scattered it on a dry patch of ground. He then quietly concealed his body behind a tree. After a while, indeed, two doves flew over, competing for the powdery food, and soon after, they collapsed onto the ground.

Kangxi found it somewhat incomprehensible, wearing an expression of disbelief, and quickly cast a glance at Dongzhu, who turned her head aside to avoid his gaze

"Lady Zhao, do not overstep the bounds of propriety." He Shenli immediately stepped forward to stop her, while Lady Ren also reached out to hold Dongzhu's shoulder: "Sister, do not be reckless; this is different from our own hunting. There are so many people, and arrows and crossbows do not have eyes. If you were to get hurt..."

"Aren't you ignoring me? What are you doing now?" she asked playfully, her hand gently stroking the dove's feathers, as if she were completely unconcerned

You also seem somewhat incredulous.

Everyone is confused

Nanyuan, also known as Nanhai Zi, is located twenty li outside the Yongding Gate of the capital, covering an area of one hundred and sixty li. It features several lakes, with grasslands winding along the shores. The area is surrounded by low walls, providing a habitat for elk, pheasants, rabbits, and roe deer, which are kept for hunting and archery. Within the garden, there are twenty-four parks dedicated to raising birds and beasts, as well as cultivating fruits and vegetables, managed by a specialized department.

Uncle Wang should be aware of what I said at the beginning of the hunt just now. Today, during the hunt, regardless of official rank or age, it is solely based on skill. Even so, one must not hide their abilities. Uncle Wang mentioned that Consort Zhao was the first to catch a game, yet this prey shows no signs of injury whatsoever. Could it be that Consort Zhao captured it with her bare hands?" The voice of Kangxi was cold and powerful as if it carried the weight of a thousand pounds

Yue Le felt increasingly troubled; he dared not refuse to answer the Emperor's questions, yet he truly found it difficult to speak.

"Oh, whose hunt is this? A single arrow has strung together a series of field mice!" Sukhasaha's words drew the attention of the crowd

Such a man is indeed worthy of her devoted affection

What does it mean? The person that Ao Bai looks down upon the most is Su Ke Sa Ha. This Manchu talent, who is well-versed in both Manchu and Han culture, indeed possesses knowledge, but he always speaks in a vague and ambiguous manner, lacking any solid foundation. Such a person is unreliable and should not be associated with.

To hunt is to hunt the largest, so I hunted a bear

Kangxi's expression was unpredictable as he pointed to the pile of game on the stage and asked Yue Le: "Which one was hunted by Consort Zhao?"

"Uncle Wang, please speak freely." Kangxi felt even more anticipation upon seeing them like this. Although he had guessed about seventy to eighty percent of it, he still did not dare to believe it.

The fur of this white fox is truly beautiful; it can be hunted and brought back to make a lovely fur scarf for the noble consort

"I have no time to indulge your nonsense." At her feet, he dropped a wild chicken, "If you want to live long in the palace, do not make yourself too outstanding."

How did we end up losing to a Talawen pearl!

Kangxi turned his head and saw Dongzhu standing behind the Empress and Consort Ren, noticing that she was holding two fluffy objects in her arms. "Present them to me."

Ebilong chuckled and said, "How would we know that?"

Dongzhu's heart could not help but twitch, as he unexpectedly stood out in such a manner. Indeed, I did not misjudge him; his excellence is unmatched, even by myself, who thought I understood him best, yet still underestimated him

"Your Majesty asks well," Fei Yanggu said, gazing directly at Kangxi. "Among today's prey, there is an antelope. The reason I hunted field mice is that the path of the hunter of field mice and that of the hunter of antelope ultimately converge."

All eyes were focused on him, the young and handsome Feiyangu.

Dongzhu gracefully walked to the holy seat before the gaze of all, holding it with both hands

Aobai glared at Dongzhu and said: "This girl is insulting the old minister. Last year, I took her to hunt and ride in the Western Mountains, and accidentally lost a game. As a result, I let her pull out a handful of my beard. Just now, she was gesturing as if she wanted to pull the old minister's beard again!"

At this moment, the drums resounded throughout the arena, the dragon banners fluttered, and the smoke raised by the cavalry quickly dissipated, with the horsemen and their riders scattering in all directions in search of prey

The expression on Kangxi's face stiffened slightly, and the hand resting on the back of the dragon throne instinctively clenched into a fist. After a moment, he said: "Very good"

Shh, it is Her Majesty the Empress.

"Look at the arrowhead, there are names engraved on this arrow!" said Prince Zhuang

She smiled without speaking, and the faint dimples added an ethereal grace to her already stunningly beautiful face

Dong Zhu took a deep breath before saying: "Your Majesty, this item is indeed what I, your humble servant, have hunted. The method of hunting is quite simple; it does not require knives, arrows, or ropes, but only this."

This is made by grinding Aconitum into a fine powder and frying it together with sesame seeds. When placed on the ground, it will attract doves to eat it, and after consuming it, they will faint and can sleep for about an hour or so, and that is how it works said Dong Zhu Langlang

In terms of the size of the prey, the black bear hunted by Lord Ao is the largest; in terms of rarity, the white fox hunted by Minister Suo E Tu is the most distinguished. As for the abundance of prey, Prince Kang, Jie Shu, leads with a total of seven pieces of various sizes hunted... Yue Le read aloud from the document.

Cao Yin led the Black Dragon Riders, and Kangxi was the first to leap onto his horse, followed by Ao Bai and others who also mounted their horses

"Old fellow, what do you think the Emperor and the young master are trying to do? There are so many important matters in the capital, yet they suddenly issue an edict to come for the autumn encampment. There has been no precedent for this in previous years; it seems like they are just making things up as they go along." Aobai nudged Ebilong beside him.

"Indeed, Your Majesty is correct; it was a slip of the tongue on my part," Aobai immediately agreed, though there remained a look of indignation on his face

Kangxi could not help but ask, "What does this mean, Aoqing?"

Only Yue Le gazed at Fei Yanggu, his expression one of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

"Yes, but if I win, I do not want the yellow jacket; I only wish to obtain a promise from Your Majesty." Dong Zhu's beautiful face, like a pearl, glowed with a lustrous sheen, further highlighting her rosy complexion that was distinct from other days. She stood charmingly before the horse, captivating those who beheld her.

After the formal greetings between the ruler and his subjects, Ebilong's gaze remained fixed on Dongzhu. Dongzhu smiled and waved at him, which caught Ao Bai's attention, prompting him to laugh and say: "What a remarkable girl Dongzhu has become; now that she is the Empress, she shines even more brightly, dazzling to the eyes!"

This should be sufficient, right

Oh? Kangxi looked into the eyes of Shang Dongzhu; today she was completely different from her past self. Although her appearance remained the same, her demeanor was distinct. Her fair complexion, unusually rosy, made her entire being appear more vibrant, and her eyes, sparkling like brilliant stars, shone with an ethereal radiance

As everyone animatedly discussed their respective mindsets during the hunt, the atmosphere became lively

This girl... no, it is Her Majesty, the Empress Zhao, truly has a remarkable set of skills! Such a hunting method has indeed opened our eyes!

At that moment, Ebilong could not discern the meaning of Kangxi's words, so he could only express his gratitude, rise, and stand with his hands down.

When Kangxi returned to the dragon tent, the area in front of the tent was already piled high with game. Prince An, Yue Le, served as the judge, and regardless of who had hunted the game, they were required to drag the prey back to the front of the dragon tent to be inspected and timed by Yue Le

Yes. Everyone agreed.

"It is indeed the Empress Zhao." Yue Le has always been reserved and gentle, speaking in a soft and melodious tone. This time, he intentionally lowered his voice, yet it still caused an uproar.

You are being ridiculous! His fair complexion slightly changed color, and the veins on his forehead became prominent. Not only will he punish you, but all the Eight Banners youths participating in the hunt today will also cast sidelong glances at you. Such a show for attention will lead them to believe you have ulterior motives.

Kangxi pondered for a moment and then spoke loudly to the assembled ministers: "Today at the training ground, regardless of status, official rank, or age, everyone will compete based on their horsemanship and archery skills. All are encouraged to engage fully without considering anything else. The aim is to hone our skills and appreciate the hardships endured by our ancestors in securing the realm through cavalry. Only then will this gathering be worthwhile."

Suksa heard and approached: "Isn't it obvious? Last month was the grand wedding, and this month is the autumn gathering. What could be clearer than that?"

The one who first hunts down the prey shall be the victor, and shall be granted the yellow jacket!" Kangxi raised his golden bow and waved his arm vigorously

Kangxi lifted it up and said, "Is this a turtle dove?" However, upon closer inspection, he couldn't help but feel suspicious, as this turtle dove had no wounds on its entire body. Thus, his expression darkened, and he glared at Dongzhu, asking, "Where did this come from?"

He, having turned away, felt a slight tremor in his straightened back on the horse, and said, "Don't do anything foolish." He then struck the horse fiercely with the whip and leaped forward.

Dong Zhu rode a chestnut horse, draped in a silvery-white rabbit fur cloak. She was not in a hurry to gallop, but instead remained by a deserted wetland, where it was extremely quiet. The distant sounds of slaughter and whinnying were completely inaudible, only the rustling of the wind could be heard

How could it be her

Not only has the palace been renovated inside and out, but even the dragon tent set up in the center of the grassland is exceptionally grand

No need to look, it is me

Yue Le had grievances that he could not express, he merely glanced behind at Kangxi.

Dongzhu revealed a childlike smile, running over to pick up the two doves and holding them in her arms, gently stroking their feathers as she said: "I apologize, you must endure for a moment, be obedient, and do not move; this way, you will not die."

Ebilong, filled with terror, immediately knelt before the imperial presence: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. The young and reckless Zhaofei is truly a result of my inadequate discipline. I deserve to die a thousand deaths."

"Why are you saying so much? The Emperor did not mention anything beyond this. Just tell me who returned first." Aobai, feeling somewhat impatient, could not help but interrupt Yue Le.

Ao Bai glared, about to argue, when he noticed E Bi Long giving him a signal. It turned out that the Emperor, clad in a golden helmet and armor, had emerged from the dragon tent, followed by the Empress and the two consorts, Zhao Ren and Zhao Yi.

Yue Le nodded repeatedly