“This is bad.” Xie Jingxing suddenly turned around and instructed Mo Qing and the others: “Escort the madam out to the outer grounds. Iron Clothes, come with me.”

Shen Miao asked: “Are you going to the inner grounds now?” The sense of unease in her heart grew increasingly intense, to the point where Shen Miao almost had the impulse to grab Xie Jingxing and not let him leave.

Xie Jingxing looked at her deeply, his eyes showing gravity for the first time: “The plan has changed.”

Shen Miao clenched her fist and said to him: “I’ll wait for you to return.”

Xie Jingxing didn’t speak further. He turned his horse around, cracked his whip, and galloped away with Iron Clothes following closely behind. The two gradually disappeared into the distance, their silhouettes no longer visible in the dust kicked up by their horses’ hooves.

Shen Miao sat tightly on horseback, gripping the reins. At this moment, she had no mood to wander around the outer grounds alone. Mo Qing said, “Madam, let’s head back.”

Shen Miao nodded, and Mo Qing and the guards escorted her away. Despite this, Shen Miao’s heart still pounded incessantly. She tried her best to calm herself down, carefully analyzing every detail of the situation.

Today’s events seemed to harbor layers of hidden dangers. The Yongle Emperor’s position in the Da Liang court was not as stable as one might imagine. The military faction led by the Lu family had subtle rebellious intentions. Most importantly, the Lu family appeared to have previously served the late emperor.

Could there be friction between the Yongle Emperor and the late emperor? Just as some emperors are unwilling to pass the throne to certain sons, perhaps the Yongle Emperor’s position was obtained improperly, using certain means that caused the late emperor to harbor resentment. Even after his death, he might have laid out a vast net, all for one day pulling his successor down.

Xie Jingxing and the Yongle Emperor must have made some preparations for this, but for some unknown reason, before the signal even started, the Yongle Emperor had already entered the inner grounds alone and headed up to Hua Luan Peak. This left only two possibilities: either someone from the Imperial Guards had coerced the Emperor, forcing him to enter the inner grounds early, or this was the Emperor’s idea—he must have made some decision without consulting Xie Jingxing.

Shen Miao felt it was likely the second option. Since there were still various officials and others walking around the outer grounds, even those Imperial Guards with hidden intentions wouldn’t choose to act here. They would certainly wait until the Emperor had entered the inner grounds, where no one was around, before making their move.

But why had the Yongle Emperor gone in early, and what decision had he made that caused Xie Jingxing to be so anxious? Shen Miao had never seen such a grave expression on Xie Jingxing’s face before.

She walked along in a daze with the horsemen, when she happened to see an eagle soar across the sky with a long cry. Her heart suddenly jolted, and an incredible thought flashed through her mind.

But she quickly dismissed that thought, shaking her head and silently placing a hand over her heart.

When she exited the outer grounds, she immediately spotted Madam Ji. Madam Ji hadn’t gone hunting in the outer grounds with Master Ji and was waiting outside. Shen Miao had few acquaintances in Long Yi, so she went up to greet Madam Ji.

“Why has the Prince Consort come out so early?” Madam Ji smiled and said, “I thought you would stay and play longer. There are many foxes in the outer grounds, and sometimes, with good luck, one can hunt a rare black fox. Taking its fur to make a collar is both warm and beautiful.”

Shen Miao smiled slightly: “I was just going along with them to join in the fun, but I don’t know how to hunt.” Looking at Madam Ji, she continued: “Madam, you don’t need to address me as Prince Consort. After all, we are relatives. Just call me Jiao Niang, and I can shamelessly call you Aunt.”

Madam Ji was stunned for a moment, then smiled even more warmly: “So Jingxing has already told you. In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony and will call you Jiao Niang.”

Shen Miao smiled. Luo Xuegan had no sisters, only brothers, so Shen Miao only had uncles and no aunts. Having an aunt now felt novel. Looking at Madam Ji’s dignified and proper demeanor, she seemed like someone who understood social etiquette yet spoke very directly. Upon reflection, Shen Miao thought this made sense—otherwise, how could she have raised someone with Ji Yushu’s temperament?

Madam Ji held Shen Miao’s hand and walked toward another area, saying: “Today, Jingxing and Xingzhi have gone to hunt in the inner grounds. You can wait outside with me. When the sun sets, they should return, and then you two can come to the Ji residence for a meal. Come to think of it, since Jingxing returned this time, he hasn’t yet come to our house for a meal.”

Shen Miao smiled in agreement, but her thoughts quickly turned to Xie Jingxing, and she became worried again. She asked: “Aunt, is the competition in the inner grounds dangerous or not? A male lion must be difficult to hunt, right?”

Madam Ji sighed: “This tradition was established when the country was founded, all those years ago. Originally, it was going to be abolished, but the late emperor—” Her tone suddenly stopped, and she looked at Shen Miao again, smiling as she said: “You needn’t worry. They have the Imperial Guards with them. Although wild beasts are fierce, those guards are not to be underestimated. Besides, both brothers are skilled in martial arts and are not helpless scholars. They have more than enough ability to protect themselves.”

Hearing this, Shen Miao smiled along, but in her heart, she was thinking that Madam Ji must be unaware of the situation. If she knew, she certainly wouldn’t display such a relaxed demeanor. Those Imperial Guards were not as safe as they appeared on the surface. Madam Ji was not someone with whom she could discuss these matters. Shen Miao now regretted not bringing Pei Lang along, as at least she could consult with him. She had no acquaintances in Long Yi and knew nothing of Xie Jingxing’s arrangements, so it would be unwise to make plans rashly.

At the edge of the outer grounds, far from the groves, temporary pavilions had been set up. Since today’s attendees were all nobles, many ice blocks had been brought along. It was quite cool now, and some young ladies and noble madams were sitting inside, drinking tea and enjoying snacks. Occasionally, when they saw their people return with game, they would excitedly go forward to show off.

They were treating it as a novel entertainment.

Shen Miao’s heart, however, gradually sank as she gazed at the distant, mist-shrouded Hua Luan Peak. The peak was steep and jagged, stretching beyond sight. While the people here chatted happily, who knew if inside there was a life-or-death struggle or some fierce battle? Was the prey truly just a lion, or perhaps a golden dragon from the highest heavens?

As she pondered this, someone approached from the opposite direction. Shen Miao looked up and saw it was the shrewd and impassive Madam Ye. Madam Ye sat down beside Madam Ji and smiled at her, asking: “Why didn’t you go in either?”

“How would I know how to hunt? I’m just watching.” Madam Ji smiled back. Although the Ji and Ye families had little interaction, they still needed to maintain appearances. After all, Official Ye Maocai’s position was not much different from Left Attendant Ji’s, and might even be slightly higher. Madam Ji asked: “Is Madam Ye not going in either?”

“I won’t go,” Madam Ye waved her hand dismissively. “With my constitution, I can’t bear all that bouncing and jolting on horseback.” Her gaze fell on Shen Miao, and she said: “Why isn’t the Prince Consort going in either? Didn’t I just see the Prince accompanying the Prince Consort inside? Why not stay and play longer?”

Shen Miao’s heart stirred. Madam Ye’s words seemed to be probing something. Perhaps she knew a bit about what was happening in the inner grounds today? The Lu and Ye families’ status in Long Yi was delicate and worth noting. She replied: “The sun is too strong, and I got dizzy from the heat in the outer grounds, so I came back on my own.” She then pretended to show slight distaste: “Besides, I can’t bear to see animals being killed.”

Madam Ji laughed: “The Rui Prince Consort is kind-hearted, but that’s understandable. Even ordinary young ladies are reluctant to see rabbits and such being killed.” Seeming afraid that Madam Ye would continue questioning Shen Miao, Madam Ji deliberately changed the subject and asked Madam Ye: “By the way, I heard that Young Master Ye had a pain flare-up a few days ago. Is he better now?”

Young Master Ye, of course, referred to the son born to Ye’s concubine but raised under Madam Ye’s name as a legitimate son. Hearing this, Madam Ye said: “He’s alright. It’s an old problem—he gets pain when it rains. There’s been no solution all these years.” Her tone was full of indifference.

Shen Miao later learned from Ba Jiao that this Young Master Ye was officially a legitimate son in the Ye family, with servants treating him respectfully, but in reality, everyone behind his back considered him to have little future. Madam Ye only treated him properly on the surface but had never truly cared for him.

Shen Miao thought this unseen Young Master Ye was quite pitiful.

Madam Ji continued to force conversation with Madam Ye for a while, seemingly deliberately trying to divert her attention. Eventually, Madam Ye appeared to grow impatient and got up to leave.

Shen Miao and Madam Ji sat together, continuing to wait.

The sun gradually set, but there was still no sign of the Yongle Emperor or Xie Jingxing.

Shen Miao instructed Mo Qing: “Go find out if there’s any news of them.”

Madam Ji smiled: “Don’t worry. This has happened before. Hunting requires patience, and time often flies by. The path up Hua Luan Peak is too steep, making it difficult to descend after dark. They might have to wait until tomorrow to return.” Despite her words, Shen Miao caught a glimpse of anxiety in her eyes.

Shen Miao didn’t know if she was being too sensitive. If she hadn’t known about some of Xie Jingxing’s previous affairs, she might have truly put her mind at ease. But this time she had a bad premonition, and knowing that Xie Jingxing’s trip was not as easy as it appeared on the surface, her heart remained tightly clenched with worry.

After sunset, the sky gradually darkened. With the Emperor still not back, some young ladies and female relatives had already returned home, but the officials remained around the hunting grounds. Shen Miao asked Madam Ji if this was the first time such a situation had occurred, and Madam Ji replied: “Not exactly, though it has happened very rarely before.”

Some officials had already set up camp, making tent-like structures with long cloth. Even in summer, the night brought dew, and they feared catching a cold. The Ji family had also made such a tent.

Shen Miao was still walking outside when she saw Lu Wan’er standing not far away, saying something to a middle-aged man. She seemed to be either wheedling or pleading, but the man remained unmoved. Then, Lu Wan’er was forcibly pulled onto a carriage and escorted away by a group of guards.

It seemed Lu Wan’er wanted to stay, but this man wouldn’t allow it. Shen Miao was about to leave when the man apparently sensed her gaze and suddenly turned his head, revealing a fierce face. He was built like a bear, with a bloodthirsty aura all over his face, as if his temperament was also extremely violent. Looking at Shen Miao, his eyes were quite sinister. Ba Jiao said: “That’s the head of the Lu family, General Lu Zhengchun.”

Shen Miao suddenly understood—this was Lu Wan’er’s father, the military general of the Lu family. She immediately felt puzzled. Though both were military men, Shen Xin was also valiant but didn’t appear as savage as this man, who seemed barely able to conceal the killing intent in his heart. He was truly born to be a god of slaughter. Shen Miao had previously wondered how the Lu family maintained their reputation and status in Long Yi, given that Madam Lu, Lu Wan’er, and Jing Consort all seemed not very intelligent. Now, seeing Lu Zhengchun, she understood. With such a god of slaughter, no wonder even the Yongle Emperor couldn’t easily move against the Lu family.

Lu Zhengchun remained there, perhaps also waiting for a result from Hua Luan Peak? Shen Miao pondered this as her gaze passed over Lu Zhengchun, then she turned and left.

The Lu family stayed behind, as did Madam Ye. Ye Maocai had also returned and was speaking with Madam Ye about something. Both the Lu and Ye families were present. If something truly happened to the Yongle Emperor here, would the Lu and Ye families take the opportunity to commit some treasonous act?

Looking around, some of the officials had already crawled into their tents and were chatting with their wives. They treated this hunt as merely an entertaining game, simply waiting for the Yongle Emperor and Xie Jingxing to return with a lion for the ceremonial sacrifice.

Shen Miao stopped walking and looked at the sky. The stars were serene, and the summer night breeze brushed against her face, feeling quite refreshing.

But was this night truly as peaceful as it appeared on the surface?

Madam Ji called to her: “Jiao Niang, it’s cold outside. Come into the tent first.”

Shen Miao smiled and went in. Master Ji wasn’t in the tent; the officials were sitting in groups of three or five, drinking and chatting, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Madam Ji poured Shen Miao a cup of hot tea and said: “Don’t worry, they’ll be fine. As for you, if you catch a cold because of this, and Jingxing questions me, I couldn’t bear the responsibility.”

Shen Miao laughed and said, “How would he dare?” After speaking, she thought of something, hesitated for a moment, and finally asked: “The relationship between His Majesty and the late emperor doesn’t seem very good?”

Hearing this, Madam Ji was momentarily stunned. She smiled and said: “Why are you suddenly asking about the late emperor?”

Despite Madam Ji’s efforts to conceal it, Shen Miao could still sense a flash of hatred that passed through her.

Shen Miao had always been curious about what role the late emperor played in the Long Yi court and the lives of Xie Jingxing and the Yongle Emperor. Since Madam Ji was the sister of the late empress, she must have some understanding of the late emperor. Could she learn a bit about the late emperor from Madam Ji?

Shen Miao decided not to hide her intentions and said: “I’ve heard His Highness mention it once or twice, but he wasn’t very clear. I was just curious.”

Madam Ji looked at her in surprise, then said: “I didn’t expect he would tell you even this.” Then she smiled: “After all, these are Jingxing’s family matters. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to tell you. Another day, when you have a heart-to-heart with Jingxing, you’ll understand what happened between them.” This was a refusal to speak.

It was precisely because of Madam Ji’s attitude that Shen Miao became more convinced of her guess. It seemed the late emperor truly had some issues with the two brothers, Xie Jingxing and his brother. Judging by Madam Ji’s attitude, he probably wasn’t very good to the late empress’s family either.

As she pondered these things, Madam Ji also fell into deep thought. After a long while, she came back to herself and said to Shen Miao: “Ah, let’s not bring up these things for no reason. Jiao Niang, you should rest for a while. If they return early tomorrow morning and you’re exhausted, how will that be good for your health?”

At this moment, Shen Miao couldn’t possibly sleep, her mind fully occupied with these matters. She said: “I’ll sit for a while longer. I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway.”

Seeing her stubbornness, Madam Ji didn’t press further. After talking a bit more, Madam Ji herself grew tired. She wasn’t as young as Shen Miao and couldn’t stay up all night. After a while, she began to doze off in the tent. Shen Miao covered her with a cloak and sat in the tent herself.

Little did she know, this sitting would last all night.

As dawn broke, bird and beast calls echoed from the distant forest. Master Ji, who had been drinking with colleagues elsewhere yesterday, had now sobered up and was walking toward the tent when he happened to meet Shen Miao lifting the tent flap to go out. He was slightly startled. Shen Miao smiled at him and said, “Aunt is still sleeping. Please keep your voice down, Uncle.”

Master Ji nodded and told her: “Go get something to eat first.”

Shen Miao agreed and walked out by herself.

Outside, some of the ladies had already awakened, their expressions showing signs of fatigue. These normally pampered individuals couldn’t bear spending a night in tents. The most delicate ones had already returned to their mansions last night. Those who remained were either trying to flatter the Yongle Emperor or experiencing this rare leisure.

Hui Xiang brought Shen Miao a bowl of porridge. With the Emperor out, several cooks from the palace had come specifically to prepare meals for the officials and their wives. Shen Miao sipped her porridge while asking Ba Jiao: “Still no news of His Highness?”

Ba Jiao shook his head.

Shen Miao looked into the distance. The sun had already risen above the mountains, and in another hour, it would be fully light. Even if Xie Jingxing and the others had spent the night on the mountain, they should have returned by now. There was no precedent for hunting on the mountain for a full two days.

Although they weren’t just hunting.

“Is there no signal in your Mo Yu army?” Shen Miao asked. “For this event, didn’t your master tell you what signal he would send to inform you of success?”

Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang were both startled. They looked at each other and both shook their heads. Hui Xiang said: “Master didn’t tell us servants about this plan.”

Shen Miao sighed helplessly and said, “I wonder what’s happening now.” Looking again at Lu Zhengchun stretching lazily in the distance and Ye Maocai on the other side, she felt even more uneasy.

Just then, she saw a familiar figure walking from another direction. Shen Miao was startled and, without finishing her porridge, quickly handed the bowl to Ba Jiao and hurried forward to catch up with the person.

The person turned around—it was Ji Yushu. With her mind in turmoil, Shen Miao pulled Ji Yushu to a corner where no one could see them and asked: “Why have you returned?”

Ji Yushu asked: “Sister-in-law, what do you mean?”

Shen Miao frowned: “Weren’t you with Xie Jingxing?”

Ji Yushu was surprised: “No, I was in the outer grounds. Only members of the royal family can enter the inner grounds. Although I’m half a royal relative, I still don’t qualify.”

Shen Miao found this strange. She had thought Ji Yushu had come to help Xie Jingxing. If Ji Yushu hadn’t gone, were Xie Jingxing and the Yongle Emperor fighting alone? She said: “Tell me honestly, what exactly is Xie Jingxing trying to do this time?”

Ji Yushu touched his nose pitifully: “Sister-in-law, you’re asking the wrong person. Third Brother never includes me in his big plans—the more dangerous, the less he lets me get involved. Back in Ming Qi, I only managed the food and drink at Feng Xian Pawnshop and wasn’t allowed to handle anything else. Yesterday at the hunting grounds, Gao Yang went with him. The Third Brother always only takes Gao Yang for important matters. I wanted to follow, but Third Brother wouldn’t allow it.”

“Gao Yang?” Shen Miao asked. “Gao Yang is also an official. How could he go?”

“Gao Yang disguised himself as Third Brother’s attendant to follow,” Ji Yushu said. “He’s quick-witted and knows medicine, so if anything happens, he can help.”

Shen Miao’s heart tightened. Gao Yang knew medicine, so Xie Jingxing brought him along? Could the situation already be so dangerous? Looking at Ji Yushu again, she understood. Xie Jingxing, while sharp-tongued, was extremely protective at heart. Ji Yushu was, after all, his cousin. Just like with Su Mingfeng before, the best way to protect Ji Yushu was to keep him uninvolved, perhaps also to safeguard the Ji family.

Seeing Shen Miao’s expression, Ji Yushu was perceptive this time and asked: “Sister-in-law, has something happened to Third Brother?”

Shen Miao said: “No, I’m just anxious because he still hasn’t returned.”

“Impossible,” Ji Yushu said firmly. “Sister-in-law is not a person who lacks judgment. You were acting very strangely just now. Yesterday I went to find Gao Yang, and he was also secretive. They’re always like this when something is happening. It was better when we were in Ming Qi, but since returning to Long Yi, they’ve increasingly distanced themselves from me. Is he planning to do something on his own?”

Looking at Ji Yushu’s exasperated expression, Shen Miao felt emotional. Xie Jingxing was accustomed to pushing away those around him and bearing everything alone, as he had done in Ding Jing with Marquis Lin’an, Princess Rong Xin, and Su Mingfeng. Now it was Ji Yushu’s turn. But for some things, ignorance truly was bliss.

She said: “I’m sorry, I can’t answer that because I don’t know what he’s planning either.”

“Only members of the royal family can enter the inner grounds for hunting. Could there be danger inside?” Ji Yushu said. “Third Brother and His Majesty are always acting strangely. Sister-in-law, do you truly not know?”

“Don’t know what?” Before Shen Miao could answer, a female voice came from behind—Madam Ji had approached. It wasn’t clear how long she had been listening. She looked at Ji Yushu, then at Shen Miao, her expression turning strange. She said: “What has happened to Xingzhi and Jingxing? What did you just mean?”

Madam Ji had originally wanted to call Shen Miao to go back to the city with her, but she happened to see Shen Miao grab Ji Yushu. Ba Jiao and Hui Xiang were busy watching Lu Zhengchun and Ye Maocai, not expecting Madam Ji, who had overheard Shen Miao and Ji Yushu’s conversation.

Ji Yushu said: “Mother, it’s nothing. Sister-in-law and I were just joking around.”

“Don’t try to fool your mother.” Madam Ji looked at Ji Yushu angrily. “When I first let you go to Ming Qi to find Jingxing, you went and didn’t come back, doing who knows what in Ming Qi. I don’t care what you do—after all, you’re the young master of the Ji family—but I’m asking you, what exactly do you know? Why did you say those things? Are Jingxing and Xingzhi in danger?”

Ji Yushu was rendered speechless by his mother and looked to Shen Miao for help. Shen Miao quickly said, “Aunt, you misunderstood. I was just joking with Yushu. I’m just anxious because His Highness hasn’t returned yet, so I asked Yushu about it. Yushu doesn’t know anything—it’s just me overthinking. Please don’t blame him.”

Madam Ji looked at Shen Miao, her gaze somewhat stern: “Jiao Niang, this is no small matter. I—”

Just then, Ba Jiao suddenly ran over and, without regard for Madam Ji’s presence, said: “Madam, they’re back! The Emperor has come down from the mountain!”

Ji Yushu was greatly relieved and quickly said to Madam Ji: “See? I told you Third Brother is fine. Mother, don’t overthink it. Let’s go see the lion that Third Brother and His Majesty hunted!” With that, he ran off.

Hearing that the Yongle Emperor and his party had returned, Shen Miao also breathed a sigh of relief. She smiled at Madam Ji and said: “Let’s go over too.”

Madam Ji wanted to say something more, but seeing Shen Miao’s calm expression, she swallowed her words, sighed, and allowed Shen Miao to lead her over.

They saw a group of Imperial Guards walking out from the outer grounds, led by the Yongle Emperor. Strangely, the Yongle Emperor wasn’t riding a horse but walking himself. Those with sharp eyes noticed that the Emperor’s sword at his waist seemed to have spots of blood.

But for royal hunts, though said to be the emperor personally hunting, protocol dictated that the emperor shouldn’t face danger. It was usually just guards aiming arrows nearby, with the emperor merely directing.

Did this mean the Yongle Emperor had personally taken action?

The Yongle Emperor’s expression was as usual, showing neither joy nor anger. Jing Consort, who had been waiting in her carriage for a long time, immediately went forward coquettishly and said sweetly: “Your Majesty has finally come out. I’ve been waiting here all night, my eyes red from lack of sleep.”

The Yongle Emperor merely gave her a bland look without responding. Shen Miao could see clearly that Ye Maocai’s expression remained normal, while Lu Zhengchun’s was somewhat sinister.

Behind them, several Imperial Guards dumped something from the horses onto the ground with a “thud,” immediately causing screams from the surrounding ladies. It was none other than the carcass of a giant lion, covered in blood, with numerous arrow wounds on its back and abdomen. It must have been quite a battle.

Immediately, some court officials began flattering the Emperor, stepping forward to congratulate: “Your Majesty is wise and mighty, a blessing to our Da Liang state.” Everyone followed suit, kneeling and singing praises.

Shen Miao also knelt. The Yongle Emperor gestured for everyone to rise.

But Shen Miao still did not see Xie Jingxing.

After everyone rose, Lu Zhengchun suddenly spoke: “Your Majesty, we see only Your Majesty alone. Where is His Highness the Prince?”

It seemed only then did everyone realize the Rui Prince was missing.

The Yongle Emperor stared intently at Lu Zhengchun, his gaze cold as ice, and said: “The Rui Prince was injured and has already returned to the city for treatment from another route.”

The crowd erupted in an uproar.