Each prince could bring eight personal guards into the hunting grounds. Among them, Zhu Minda brought the Feathered Forest Guard with Commander Wu Yusheng accompanying him, while Zhu Nanxian brought the Golden Martial Guard with Commander Zuo Qian accompanying him.

Zhu Nanxian was the last to depart. By this time, an hour had passed since Zhu Mixiao had entered the forest with Su Jin.

A fierce wind howled at the foot of Mount Fenglan, while the forest atop the mountain was covered in white snow.

Zhu Jingyuan gazed at the silent, dense forest ahead. His eyes half-closed, he suddenly said leisurely: “Tiger Guard.”

“Present!”

“In three quarters of an hour, organize and enter the forest. If anyone dares to make a move against my Crown Prince, kill them without question!”

“Yes!”

Zhu Nanxian entered Mount Fenglan from the southwest. Once in the forest, he immediately led Zuo Qian straight to the nearest outpost.

The Golden Martial Guards he had planted near the outposts earlier consisted of two remaining on watch and two performing tracking duties. They would only return after entering the next outpost’s range and exchanging information.

When the Golden Martial Guard stationed at the southwest outpost saw Zhu Nanxian galloping toward them on horseback, after paying respects, he reported: “Reporting to Your Highness the Thirteenth Prince, your subordinate has not seen any trace of His Highness the Crown Prince here.”

Zhu Nanxian reined in his horse, which paced a few steps in place: “What about the Fourteenth Prince? Have you seen him?”

The Golden Martial Guard replied: “Reporting to Your Highness, we have not.”

Zhu Nanxian’s brows furrowed tightly.

He clearly remembered that Zhu Mixiao had also entered the mountain from the southwest entrance earlier. The outpost was at a high vantage point—looking down from here, how could they have seen nothing?

Zhu Nanxian had an ominous premonition. He reined his horse around to survey the mountain terrain, then ordered the Golden Martial Guards behind him: “All of you immediately go to the other seven outposts to investigate the whereabouts of the Crown Prince and the Fourteenth Prince. Don’t overlook even the smallest clue. Pay particular attention to the northwest, central, and far west outposts above all. This prince will wait here. Go quickly and return quickly!”

“Yes!”

After the Golden Martial Guards left, Zhu Nanxian’s gaze swept over Qiling, who was waiting for him not far away. He said to Zuo Qian: “This prince entrusts her to you. Once we find traces of my eldest brother, you are to take all the Golden Martial Guards and follow him secretly to ensure my brother’s safety.”

Though Zuo Qian had already guessed his intention, he still asked: “Does Your Highness intend to search for Censor Su alone?”

Zhu Nanxian acknowledged with a sound: “She was drawn into this because of me. I cannot ignore her.”

Zuo Qian said: “The hunting grounds are fraught with danger. Your Highness alone may face peril.” After thinking briefly, he added, “Why doesn’t Your Highness bring the Golden Martial Guards along? There are still Golden Martial Guards we deployed earlier near the outposts throughout the forest. This subordinate can take A’shan to secretly protect the Crown Prince.”

Zhu Nanxian said: “That won’t do. The Feathered Forest Guard are no ordinary soldiers. If they truly betray us, how can you and A’shan fight against superior numbers? Even if we have our people in the forest, distant water cannot quench an immediate fire.”

Seeing his mind was set, Zuo Qian said: “Very well, then let A’shan accompany Your Highness, and this subordinate will take the remaining Golden Martial Guards to protect His Highness the Crown Prince.” He cupped his hands. “Your Highness, rest assured. This subordinate will protect His Highness the Crown Prince with his life.”

Mount Fenglan was roughly divided by the Lan River—inside was the hunting grounds, outside was the restricted area.

The hunting grounds were vast. If ordinary people couldn’t find their direction, they could be trapped inside for ten days to half a month. Therefore, although the Golden Martial Guards Zhu Nanxian sent out traveled directly between outposts, it would still take half a day.

Zhu Nanxian waited from the hour of Chen until after noon before the Golden Martial Guards gradually returned.

They had found traces of Zhu Minda. Zuo Qian was about to lead the Golden Martial Guards to follow when suddenly a young officer came running back, gasping for breath—it was A’shan, whom Zuo Qian had mentioned earlier.

Upon seeing Zhu Nanxian, A’shan immediately said: “Your Highness, this is bad! Your subordinate learned from the far west outpost that after the Fourteenth Prince entered the forest, he circled westward, crossed the Lan River, and headed into the restricted area!”

Zhu Nanxian’s pupils contracted sharply: “The guards stationed at the restricted area’s border—no one stopped him or reported this to Father Emperor?”

A’shan said: “No, at least your subordinate has received no such information.”

A trace of astonishment floated across Zhu Nanxian’s brows. After a moment, he seemed to understand something, and a hint of pain surged in his eyes—his Father Emperor had tacitly permitted it.

His face dark as water, he wheeled his horse around and said to A’shan: “Mount up immediately and follow me in pursuit.”

However, before the two had gone two steps, they saw Qiling also galloping after them on horseback. In her white dress and red jacket, she was as vivid as a plum blossom petal in this frigid early spring: “Where is Your Highness going?”

Zhu Nanxian was burning with anxiety and unwilling to explain: “You go follow Zuo Qian.”

Qiling shook her head. Her intuition told her something had happened, and she couldn’t rest easy: “No, this subject wishes to follow Your Highness.”

Zhu Nanxian clicked his tongue and furrowed his brow.

Qiling added: “Your Highness, this subject can ride. I definitely won’t hold Your Highness back.”

Zhu Nanxian looked up at the sky. The cloud mass in the distance had already accumulated quite thickly. Knowing this was not good, he could only say: “Then follow closely.” He then instructed A’shan, “If she falls behind, take her out of the forest. You need not seek me again.”

Su Jin knew Zhu Mixiao had no good intentions, but unfortunately, she and Tan Zhaolin were only two people—how could they resist the Fourteenth Prince’s eight personal soldiers?

As soon as they reached the restricted area, Zhu Mixiao ordered someone to place a blade at her throat. Tan Zhaolin could not resist and could only let himself be bound.

The group traveled several miles westward along the Lan River, far from the hunting grounds. It was not until the hour of Wei that they stopped in a forest clearing.

Su Jin looked around. This was a shrub forest—neither sparse nor dense. However, early spring’s cold wave had not yet receded. The clouds at the horizon were like a thick cover, and the more distant mountain ridges seemed shrouded in mist, already blurred and indistinct.

Zhu Mixiao ordered his men to bind Su Jin and Tan Zhaolin back-to-back against a tree, then instructed: “Bring the thing.”

A personal soldier took down a blood-stained sack from his horse’s back, pulled out a bloody piece of meat, and threw it on the ground in front of them.

Su Jin’s heart tightened. She blurted out: “What do you intend to do?”

Zhu Mixiao said coldly: “This prince has thoroughly figured out the Gongqian Hall case. Qian Zhihuan from the Ministry of Finance belongs to Seventh Brother. Without Qian Zhihuan, this money tree, Seventh Brother suffers a loss. Yet the Eastern Palace used this scheme to purge the Feathered Forest Guard and suppress both me and Seventh Brother. If the schemers aren’t Zhu Minda and Zhu Nanxian, then who could they be?”

He laughed dismissively: “Naturally, you and Shen Qingyue played your parts in causing trouble. This prince cannot catch Shen Qingyue, but didn’t Thirteenth Brother say he likes you? He dared use me as bait, scheming to frame me and drive my mother consort mad. Today, I will use you as bait and make him watch you die miserably. Tell me, when that time comes, will he also go mad?”

Hearing the words “use as bait,” Su Jin’s heart suddenly constricted.

She silently looked at the now somewhat crazed Zhu Mixiao, knowing that any explanation she offered would only provoke his murderous intent.

Seeing Su Jin press her lips together without speaking, Zhu Mixiao felt a moment of triumphant satisfaction and sneered sarcastically: “Thanks to Father Emperor, who after much thought finally understood that his beloved Thirteenth Brother of over twenty years is probably a cut-sleeve, and also wished to eliminate you with all haste. Otherwise, this prince’s plan today would not have been so easily accomplished.”

Having finished speaking, he wheeled his horse around and departed with his entourage in a grand procession.

Tan Zhaolin watched the retreating figures of Zhu Mixiao’s group and asked: “My lord, what did he mean by that? I didn’t quite understand.”

Su Jin did not answer.

The sky had completely darkened. An uneasy atmosphere emanated from the depths of the silent forest.

Su Jin stared intently at the piece of meat not far away, large as a basin. She wondered what kind of fierce beast would require such a large piece of meat as bait.

The surface of the bloody meat was smooth and shiny, as if someone had brushed a layer of oil on it. She was puzzling over this when a gust of wind blew over, bringing with it a faint sweet, cloying fragrance.

Su Jin froze. Her mind felt as if it were about to explode.

Her heart raced wildly—no, this wasn’t oil, it was honey!

“Zhaolin! Quick—quickly find a way to free yourself!”

Tan Zhaolin struggled forcefully a few times, then said in frustration: “No good, these cowhide ropes are too strong. Without a knife, I can’t break them!”

Su Jin said: “I have a knife!” She took a breath: “There’s a hidden pouch sewn at the small of my back with a dagger inside. You get it.”

Tan Zhaolin said: “How can that be proper? You’re a woman, how can I just—”

Before he could finish speaking, a heavy sound suddenly came from deep in the forest, seeming to be accompanied by a beast’s low roar.

Su Jin’s pupils involuntarily dilated. In an instant, she urgently said: “Our lives are at stake—who cares about propriety between men and women? Get the dagger quickly!”

Tan Zhaolin exclaimed and thought, forget it—preserving their lives is what matters. He immediately bent his legs, crouched down, and twisted his elbows back at an angle that seemed about to break, sweating profusely as he fumbled at Su Jin’s waist for the dagger.

The sounds in the forest grew heavier and clearer. In moments, they turned into the thunderous pounding of rapid running.

Su Jin stared unblinkingly at the depths of the forest. Tan Zhaolin finally reached the dagger at her waist. He used his thumb to pry open the sheath, gripped it in his hand in reverse, and without regard for the blade cutting his palm in the confined space, immediately began sawing through the rope, then turned back to quickly cut the ropes binding Su Jin.

Just then, a black shadow rushed out from deep in the forest.

A black bear as tall as a person roared and lunged toward the honey-coated meat before them.

The bear’s roar made the entire forest tremble for an instant. The black bear seemed extremely hungry—one piece of meat was clearly not enough. After wolfing it down, it raised its head and stared viciously at Su Jin and her companion.

The cowhide rope binding Su Jin was cut through at precisely this moment. Tan Zhaolin said tersely: “Run!” He immediately grabbed Su Jin and bolted.

Su Jin was dragged along, stumbling and scrambling in embarrassment, but she dared not slow her pace.

But they were human after all—how could they possibly outrun a beast?

The low roars grew closer and closer. Tan Zhaolin gritted his teeth and looked back. He immediately spat and suddenly pressed down on Su Jin’s head. Both of them ducked and flattened themselves on the ground. At the same time, he shifted position slightly to shield Su Jin behind him.

The black bear’s lunging paw struck precisely on his back, tearing through his thick winter clothing to create several gashes where flesh curled back.

Su Jin was thrown several feet away. Ignoring the pain, she looked back to see the black bear opening its gaping maw to bite Tan Zhaolin. She couldn’t help but cry out: “Zhaolin, watch out!”

Tan Zhaolin was still dizzy from the impact of that blow. Hearing Su Jin’s urgent cry, he instinctively rolled to the side, dodging from beneath the bear’s mouth.

The black bear roared in fury. Its hind legs stamped the ground, and it actually stood up like a human, raising both paws to strike down at Tan Zhaolin again.

But Tan Zhaolin didn’t get up. Instead, he pushed off with his feet and slid to the side.

It was early spring with lingering cold, and a thin layer of ice had formed beneath the dead grass. With this sliding motion, Tan Zhaolin glided several feet. At the same time, he raised his dagger and stabbed it into the black bear’s flank, then, following his own momentum, viciously tore open a foot-long gash.

The black bear let out a tremendous roar.

However, though the wound was long, compared to its massive body, it was not fatal.

Tan Zhaolin took advantage of this opening to struggle to his feet and said: “My lord, run quickly!” Then, without dodging or avoiding, he simply stood there and glared at the black bear face to face.

Su Jin looked at his mangled, bloody back, her heart aching with icy sorrow. She couldn’t help but call out: “Zhaolin…”

“Don’t worry about me!” Tan Zhaolin shouted angrily. Then he paused and added in a lower voice, “Hurry up and get the hell out of here.”

He was already built large and robust, yet this black bear was even larger.

Tan Zhaolin knew that with his strength alone, he definitely couldn’t defeat this giant bear. Right now, he could only buy as much time as possible for Lord Su.

The flesh on his back had already been torn open by the black bear. Scraping it on the ice just now had probably ruined that entire area of flesh.

But so what? His life was about to end—who still cared about appearances?

Tan Zhaolin was simple-minded but physically robust. Yet, having been born and raised in the military, he had thoroughly understood only one principle in his life thus far—

If you pledge loyalty to someone, you pledge it unto death!

The black bear roared furiously and struck Tan Zhaolin violently to the ground with its paw, opening its mouth to bite. However, at this critical moment, an arrow suddenly broke through the wind and struck the black bear directly in the eye.

Su Jin looked in the direction from which the arrow had come and saw Zhu Nanxian slinging his longbow behind his back, bending low on his horse as he galloped forward.

Drawing closer, he removed his cumbersome cloak and threw it to the ground. From atop his horse, he crouched down, wrapped his long whip around Tan Zhaolin’s ankle, and using the force of the galloping horse, forcefully dragged him to the left, barely allowing him to avoid the paw the enraged black bear slammed down.

Zhu Nanxian had heard the bear’s roar earlier and used it to determine the location. He had ridden at full speed to get here—fortunately, he had not arrived too late.

The bear’s paw, missing Tan Zhaolin, struck the horse’s back instead.

The horse neighed and involuntarily crouched down. Zhu Nanxian pushed off with his foot on the horse’s back, propelling his entire body off the horse.

He quickly drew “Cuiwei,” and together with A’shan, who arrived shortly after, they surrounded the black bear from front and back.

For a moment, there were only bear shadows and flashing blades. Though the black bear was large, it was somewhat clumsy. Zhu Nanxian had practiced martial arts since childhood and was extremely quick. Several times, he narrowly avoided the black bear’s attacks.

In truth, combining the strength of Zhu Nanxian and A’shan, they could have defeated this black bear. Unfortunately, A’shan had to divide his attention to protect Tan Zhaolin. After several evasive maneuvers and dodges, his right leg was injured.

Fortunately, by this time, the black bear was already covered in wounds and was about to collapse.

It was only the hour of Shen, yet the forest was already pitch dark. A violent wind roared up from all directions. The thick black clouds seemed to hang right overhead, ready at any moment to devastate the forest and destroy the trees.

Zhu Nanxian had once led troops in the cold northwest borderlands. He knew these were signs of an approaching blizzard. If they delayed any longer, all of them would be trapped in this wind and snow without escape.

He himself would be fine, but in extreme cold, if they couldn’t find shelter, whether the remaining two women and two wounded men could survive was uncertain.

They couldn’t delay any longer, Zhu Nanxian thought.

The wounds covering its body seemed to have thoroughly enraged the black bear.

It roared again, as if embracing a determination to perish together, and once more lunged at the only person still standing.

Zhu Nanxian had only one thought—he must defeat it with a single strike.

So at the moment the black bear attacked, he neither retreated nor yielded. His starry eyes were as calm as a moonlit lake without waves or ripples.

The black bear’s massive paw swung toward his forehead. At precisely that instant, he suddenly tilted his head to dodge.

The bear’s paw swept past an inch above Zhu Nanxian’s temple, knocking off his hair crown.

A cascade of black hair tumbled down like a waterfall. At the same time, Zhu Nanxian reversed his grip on “Cuiwei,” thrust the blade forward, and lunged into the bear’s embrace, steadily, accurately, and ruthlessly sending the entire blade into the bear’s heart.

The black bear let out a mournful roar. Using its last bit of strength, it struck Zhu Nanxian aside with its paw, then crashed thunderously to the ground.

Zhu Nanxian staggered back several steps before steadying himself. A metallic sweetness surged in his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of stagnant blood.

Seeing this, Su Jin hadn’t yet had time to go support him when she saw Qiling pick up Zhu Nanxian’s cloak and crown from the ground and walk to his side, calling out with concern: “Your Highness.”

Zhu Nanxian had blood at the corner of his mouth, and his black hair cascaded over his shoulders like ink, adding three parts heroic wickedness to his originally peerlessly handsome features.

His gaze fell on the cloak in Qiling’s hands. He said: “Thank you.” Taking it, he strode in two steps what should have been three to reach Su Jin’s side, draping the cloak over her. Meeting her worried gaze, he couldn’t help but reply softly: “I’m fine.”

Tan Zhaolin and A’shan had already managed to help each other stand.

Zhu Nanxian saw that his crown could no longer be used. He cut a strip of cloth from his robe hem and gathered the hair cascading over his shoulders, tying it behind his head into a ponytail. Only then did he look around in all directions.

The violent wind howled endlessly. Snowflakes as large as goose feathers were already slowly falling. Heaven and earth were in chaos.

Zhu Nanxian furrowed his brow and said gravely: “I’m afraid things are about to get bad.”