Before long, torches had spread throughout the surrounding area. Everyone was puzzled as to why all the game seemed to be converging in the same direction, though no one paid it much particular mind—after all, with this batch of game accounted for, it was time to rest anyway, since night had fallen.

Quite a few people had abandoned the hunt entirely to find a place to camp for the night. But then, suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the quiet night. “Someone, help! There’s a dead body here! Someone’s died here, help!”

Instantly, everyone froze in shock, rushing toward the source of the voice. The Empress of Eastern Qin and Xuanyuan Zhaoxi brought up the rear, both women remarkably at ease, clearly enjoying themselves.

As everyone gathered around, the entire mountainside was suddenly lit up bright, and upon seeing the three unconscious figures on the ground, no one could hold back their shock and fear.

Several of the Second Beast Young Master’s companions hurried forward, checking for breath, confirming all three were still alive—and everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

“What in the world happened here?”

“That arrow in Princess Qianqian—it’s one of our own arrows! Who wounded her?”

“Master Situ and the Second Beast Young Master aren’t wounded at all—why can’t we wake them?”

“What should we do now?”

“Let’s get them back first—Princess Qianqian’s wound can’t wait!”

…

Throughout all this, the Empress of Eastern Qin and Xuanyuan Zhaoxi still hadn’t said a word, standing coldly to the side, watching the show unfold.

Just as everyone was preparing to carry the three away, someone suddenly cried out in alarm, “Wait, there’s someone missing—where’s the Princess Consort of Prince Yao?”

“That’s right! The Princess Consort was teamed with the Second Beast Young Master—where is she? What happened to them?”

“Something’s not right about this. I don’t think the Princess Consort is entirely blameless in this!” a discontented voice rang out from the crowd, though no one could tell whose it was.

“How can you say she’s not blameless when we don’t even know what happened yet? Don’t jump to conclusions—hurry and think of something. Princess Qianqian is wounded and the Princess Consort is missing, this is far too serious for the beastfolk clan to handle alone. Someone needs to report this to the beastfolk clan leader and His Majesty right away!”

“And someone should tell Prince Yao too!”

Even as they spoke, someone had already rushed off. But then someone else spoke up displeased, “It’s clear enough she’s not blameless—didn’t the Princess Consort and Princess Qianqian already come to blows at the envoy’s residence before? I’m sure the Princess Consort holds a grudge! This arrow must be hers!”

At these words, murmurs of discussion erupted at once.

Just then, the normally reserved Western Liang minister, drawn by the commotion, took one look at Yelu Qianqian’s condition and her complexion, and immediately declared, “Princess Qianqian has been poisoned—there must be poison on this arrow!”

This only intensified the already heated speculation about the strained relationship between Yelu Qianqian and Han Ziqing.

Someone had already gone to report this to the King and the beastfolk clan leader, leaving no one willing to take the lead in handling the situation—no one knew the truth of what had happened, and everyone feared inadvertently offending the wrong party, or worse, drawing trouble down on themselves.

These waters ran deep!

Yet everyone understood clearly enough—this was undeniably a golden opportunity to kick Han Ziqing while she was down, and surely the Empress of Eastern Qin wouldn’t let it slip by.

But the Empress of Eastern Qin remained silent throughout, saying nothing at all—leaving quite a few onlookers rather disappointed, and, of course, no one thought to suspect she had anything to do with this at all.

No one stepped forward to take charge, yet no one left either—everyone stayed, watching over the three unconscious figures.

The Western Liang envoy, deeply concerned for Yelu Qianqian, still didn’t dare act rashly, only pulling her gently from Situ Haonan’s arms to let her rest against something else.

After all, this girl was destined to become their future crown princess—how could she be seen lying in another man’s arms in front of everyone?

Gradually the murmuring quieted as the night deepened. But then, suddenly, a tremendous crash echoed up from the valley below, jolting more than a few drowsy onlookers awake.

“What was that?”

“Was that an earthquake?”

“What’s down there? Let’s go take a look!”

No one responded to the Western Liang minister’s suggestion, leaving him too hesitant to act rashly on his own, forced to reluctantly hold his tongue. A few more loud crashes followed shortly after, and then nothing more was heard for the rest of the night.

The next morning, as dawn was just barely breaking, everyone was jolted awake by the sound of galloping hooves!

The beastfolk clan leader arrived, bringing a physician and several attendants—but notably absent were any royal guards. It was clear this news hadn’t yet reached the King’s ears.

Otherwise, with Yelu Qianqian attacked and the Princess Consort of Prince Yao missing—such a catastrophic matter—how could the Prince of Nanzhao not be alarmed?

The moment the beastfolk clan leader dismounted, everyone stepped back at once. Someone, no one knew who, asked, “Why hasn’t Prince Yao come?”

The beastfolk clan leader ignored the question entirely, watching intently as the physician hurried to examine the three unconscious figures, while he himself gazed anxiously toward the valley where last night’s crashes had come from.

“Clan Leader, they’ve all been affected by the python’s poisonous fumes. Princess Qianqian’s arrow also carries beast venom!” the physician quickly diagnosed. All poison, every single one of them!

Everyone was puzzled, but no one dared speak up further.

“Cure them immediately! This wretched boy, how dare he bring distinguished guests to such a dangerous place! Ugh!” The beastfolk clan leader was furious, shaking his sleeves repeatedly.

At this, the Empress of Eastern Qin finally spoke up. “Clan Leader, what exactly happened here?”

“Your Majesty, you may not be aware—there’s a giant python in this valley that emits poisonous fumes every evening. This gas is colorless and odorless; the moment it’s inhaled, it causes instant unconsciousness!”

“So the python takes advantage of this to prey on anyone who’s been knocked unconscious?” The Empress of Eastern Qin looked shocked. Seeing the clan leader nod, everyone couldn’t help but feel a chill run down their spines—which meant they themselves had been in considerable danger last night!

“Then could the Princess Consort have been… eaten by the python?” Xuanyuan Zhaoxi finally spoke up as well.

At this, everyone fell into stunned silence. If that were true—

Then it wouldn’t just be the beastfolk clan facing dire consequences—it could very well drag all of Nanzhao into catastrophe as well!

Given Prince Yao’s temperament, he would absolutely, without regard for consequences, make Nanzhao pay dearly for this!

The beastfolk clan leader gave no answer, glaring furiously at his son instead, waiting for the physician to cure their poisoning so he could question them properly.

Yelu Qianqian’s beast venom couldn’t be cured yet, but the python’s poisonous fumes affecting the other two could be.

Half an hour later, the Second Beast Young Master and Situ Haonan gradually regained consciousness. Situ Haonan looked around at the gathered crowd, then at Yelu Qianqian beside him, and his heart plummeted straight to the depths.

The Second Beast Young Master was just about to speak when the beastfolk clan leader struck him hard across the face. “Speak! What exactly happened? Where’s the Princess Consort?”

“Ziqing—” Situ Haonan was struck with sudden alarm. By now, Han Ziqing should certainly have made her way back up already!

Before the Second Beast Young Master could answer, Situ Haonan cried out in alarm, “She’s in the valley! She’s in the valley looking for the antidote for Princess Qianqian!”

With that, he moved to leap down into the valley at once, but the beastfolk clan leader hurried to stop him, more anxious than Situ Haonan himself, not even pausing to ask about the situation first.

“Master Situ, you mustn’t go down recklessly—there’s poison down in the valley!”

At these words, Situ Haonan immediately staggered back several steps, nearly falling over, then whirled around with a furious glare at the Second Beast Young Master. But to his surprise, the Second Beast Young Master looked even more shocked than he was. “Poison? How could that be! Father, the python’s venom only exists in its blood!”