Chu Hongjue was clearly deliberately provoking Chu Hongyu, running around in circles.

Lin Dongdong hurriedly tried to mediate: “Your Majesty, Prince Yan is young. Let’s not stoop to his level. Try this fish I roasted—it’s even better.”

“I want that one.” Chu Hongyu stood up. “I’ll count to three. If you don’t put down the fish, you know the consequences.”

Chu Hongjue couldn’t help but shrink his neck.

He usually liked to provoke his elder brother, but when his elder brother was truly angry, he was still somewhat afraid. He looked to Chu Changsheng for help.

Chu Changsheng shrugged. Of all things to snatch, this brat had to snatch the fish Sister He personally roasted. Elder Brother being angry was completely normal.

Seeing Big Sister wouldn’t intervene either, Chu Hongjue could only whimper and return the roasted fish he’d bitten once: “Big Brother, I was wrong. Isn’t admitting my mistake enough? Please don’t throw me into the military camp for training. I have thin arms and thin legs—I can’t take it…”

As he spoke, he walked toward Chu Hongyu.

The ground was covered with weeds everywhere. Not watching his feet, he tripped on the weeds and crashed directly into He Jingru.

He Jingru couldn’t steady herself and pitched forward.

Lin Dongdong was right in front of her.

In that instant, a bizarre thought floated through Lin Dongdong’s mind.

If Miss He crashed into him, would that count as losing her virtue? What if he had to take responsibility and marry Miss He? Then he’d become relatives with Chen San.

Chen San, that fellow, competed with him daily for the Emperor’s favor. If they became relatives, that would be unbearable…

Thinking of this, Lin Dongdong dodged with lightning speed.

He Jingru fell headlong into Chu Hongyu.

Chu Hongyu instinctively opened both arms and, using an extremely secure posture, embraced He Jingru, preventing her from falling to the ground.

Instantly, their four eyes met.

Chu Hongyu never dreamed that the woman of his heart would actually fall into his embrace.

He Jingru never dreamed that the Emperor would actually be holding her.

Their gazes met, and time seemed to stand still.

“I say, Big Brother, how long are you planning to hold her? Does Miss He’s reputation mean nothing?” Chu Hongjue pulled them apart with one tug.

Chu Hongyu grabbed Chu Hongjue and gave him a thorough beating.

“You little bastard, who gave you permission to come to the hunting grounds!”

“Get back to the imperial palace right now! Copy the Three Character Classic ten times, or else you’re grounded!”

Chu Hongjue frantically begged for mercy: “Big Brother, I was wrong! I just ate one bite of your roasted fish—is it really necessary? Is it?! Wuwuwu, Big Sister, come save me quickly… Chen San! Lin Dongdong! If you don’t come, Prince Yan is going to die!”

He Jingru asked worriedly: “Eldest Princess, is this alright?”

Chu Changsheng spoke: “It’s been like this since childhood. I’m already used to seeing it.”

The group finally finished eating the roasted deer meat. Everyone was in fairly good spirits, so they headed back.

By this time, the sky was gradually darkening. Those who had gone out hunting had also returned, and the camp area was lively everywhere.

Chu Changsheng noticed that a person wearing black clothes was actually walking toward the back mountain. She recognized him—it was Murong Bi.

She directly followed: “Murong Bi, it’s so late. What are you going up the mountain to do?”

Murong Bi turned around. Borrowing the firelight from everywhere, he saw Chu Changsheng’s exquisitely beautiful face, and his breathing instantly caught.

He stammered: “Reporting to the Eldest Princess, I’m going up the mountain to gather medicinal herbs.”

“It’s so late—can you see the medicinal herbs clearly?” Chu Changsheng asked curiously.

“The Eldest Princess doesn’t know—this type of medicinal herb emits a faint glow in the darkness, so it can only be picked at night.” Murong Bi paused. “If the Eldest Princess is interested, why not come along?”

Chu Changsheng had stayed in the palace for so long that she especially liked these rare and curious things. She immediately followed.

He Jingru saw that many guards were following far behind Chu Changsheng, and only then felt relieved.

She turned to walk toward her own tent.

As the daughter of a sixth-rank official’s family, her tent was in the outermost corner.

Before reaching her camp tent, several young ladies from noble families suddenly blocked her path.

“This must be Miss He, right?”

“Miss He’s father seems to be only a seventh or sixth-rank official. By rights, she shouldn’t be qualified to participate in the hunt, should she?”

“I heard Miss He curried favor with the Eldest Princess. The Eldest Princess personally invited her. This afternoon she was with the Eldest Princess the whole time.”

“What incredible luck, actually managing to curry favor with the Eldest Princess!”

He Jingru lowered her eyes: “I wonder what business the young ladies have? If there’s nothing, I’ll take my leave first.”

“There is one matter.” The leading Miss Wang spoke. “Tomorrow during the hunt, if the Eldest Princess still asks you to accompany her, you must bring me along.”

Her father was a first-rank official in the court. She had a great chance of becoming Empress, but to say something embarrassing, although she often entered the palace, she had never had an opportunity to spend time alone with the Emperor.

He Jingru’s expression was calm: “I’m afraid I cannot make decisions about this matter.”

“You must take me.” Miss Wang exuded an aura of威勢 authority. “If you do this well, my father will promote your He family. If you don’t do it well…”

“What will happen if she doesn’t do it well?”

A cold, heavy voice came from behind.

The women turned around. When they saw the person wearing bright yellow dragon robes approaching, they were all frightened silly. After a long moment, they came back to their senses and paid respects: “Greetings to Your Majesty!”

Chu Hongyu stood with his hands behind his back, positioning himself at He Jingru’s side.

His expression was icy cold, a frigid air swirling between his brows. This cold air was like a dense net suspended in the air above, and those beneath the net couldn’t help but feel frightened.

“Miss Wang speaks with such arrogance.” Chu Hongyu sneered coldly. “Right under my nose, you dare threaten people with official positions. What about in places I cannot see?”

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger!” Miss Wang’s knees went soft as she knelt on the ground. “This subject was just joking with Miss He…”

Chu Hongyu spoke unhurriedly: “Later, I will remove the official hat from your father’s head.”

Miss Wang’s face was full of disbelief. She immediately cried and begged for mercy: “Your Majesty, this subject’s fault should not implicate my father. Please, Your Majesty, show mercy…”

“Look how Miss Wang is crying. I was just joking.” Chu Hongyu tugged at the corner of his lips. “In consideration of Minister Wang’s many contributions, this matter will be dropped. But if there’s a next time…”

“There won’t be—there will never be a next time!” Miss Wang shook her head violently. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace. This subject kowtows in gratitude to Your Majesty!”

Chu Hongyu waved his hand: “You may withdraw.”

The group of noble young ladies hastily withdrew.

Although the Emperor was not very old, they still felt tremendous oppressive pressure. Being here at the same time as the Emperor was more uncomfortable than killing them.

He Jingru lowered her head, very respectfully: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for resolving the situation.”

Chu Hongyu was very distressed.

Clearly when they ate roasted meat together today, their relationship had grown much closer.

Now, it seemed distant again.

He spoke: “Where does Miss He reside?”

He Jingru casually pointed toward the tent in the most remote corner.

“That location has quite a few insects and ants.” Chu Hongyu frowned. “I’ll have people come clean up the surroundings for you, so you can also sleep well at night.”

He Jingru hurriedly said: “No, there’s no need…”

“It’s necessary.” Chu Hongyu said seriously. “You were invited to participate in the hunt because of me. How could I let you return disappointed?”

He Jingru’s heart skipped another beat.