Chapter 85: Jinx

The hunt took place in the royal hunting grounds, not far from the palace. The surrounding forests were lush and full of wildlife. Since this large-scale hunt occurred only once a year, the animals there were all particularly plump.

The rules were simple: whoever hunted the most game would win. Of course, it wasn’t only about quantity. The more animals one killed, the more tokens one received, but the value of each animal varied. A fox, for example, was worth three tokens, while a black bear, depending on its size, could yield twenty to thirty tokens. So it wasn’t enough to hunt many animals; one had to aim for larger prey to score more tokens. Tokens were equivalent to points, and the higher the points, the better the chance of claiming first place.

Song Pu held the bow and arrows bestowed upon him by Tantai Yi. Even the arrowheads were specially made. They were extremely sharp and capable of piercing a creature’s throat with ease.

He tested the bow and arrows, finding the feel quite good today. Yet he had no intention of actually killing any animals; he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Cao Xi trotted over, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Song Pu. “Lord Song,” he said, “His Majesty says you are to accompany him.”

Song Pu wasn’t surprised. He acknowledged the message and made his way toward Tantai Yi.

Tantai Yi sat atop a tall, magnificent horse, looking down at Song Pu. His striking, handsome features shone even more brightly in the sunlight, dazzling as the sun itself. He was the centre of attention. Even just his appearance would attract infatuated glances from many women, though his reputation kept them all at a distance.

Yet at this moment, a soft smile played on his face, and his golden eyes fixed on Song Pu alone. “Lord Song, your attire today is more dashing than usual.”

Song Pu was dressed in a dark, fitted outfit, the waist and legs snug, perfect for swift movement through the jungle. Having worn loose robes for so long, he felt awkward in such tight clothing. Hearing Tantai Yi’s praise, a strange shyness washed over him. “Your Majesty thinks it looks good? I feel it is rather ugly.”

Tantai Yi appraised him briefly and said, “Of course it looks good. They say a Buddha needs gold robes and a horse a saddle. Today, Lord Song is wearing his gold. In short… I like it.”

Song Pu’s heart lifted with joy. “Then I am relieved.”

A smile curved Tantai Yi’s lips. “Lord Song, would you like to ride with me?”

Song Pu froze, glancing at the tall horse and feeling a little intimidated. “I’m afraid… I might make a fool of myself.”

Tantai Yi said, “Even if you do, it will be only in front of me. What is there to fear?”

Song Pu glanced at the surrounding guards and at Cao Xi. Tantai Yi’s golden eyes narrowed slightly and swept over them. Immediately, the others lowered their heads. Indeed, only Tantai Yi could see him.

Song Pu: “…”

Tantai Yi held out his hand cheerfully. “Lord Song, come on up.”

Song Pu looked at the pale palm before him, hesitated, then placed his hand in it. The curve of Tantai Yi’s lips deepened. “Sit in front of me, Lord Song.”

Song Pu swallowed, stepped into the stirrups, and with Tantai Yi’s guidance, managed to sit on the horse.

Immediately, Tantai Yi shifted his hand from Song Pu’s to his waist, holding him tightly.

Song Pu froze.

They were still in a secluded area, so surely no one was watching. Tantai Yi felt the stiffness and frowned slightly. “Relax, Lord Song. It’s me holding you, not someone else.”

Song Pu tried to ease his body but goosebumps rose all the same. “Your Majesty… there’s soft flesh on my waist. You’re making me very itchy.”

Tantai Yi snorted. “Liar. I’ve touched you before and never saw you itch. Now you suddenly do?”

He wouldn’t let go, and Song Pu had no choice but to endure the warmth pressing against him.

Tantai Yi whispered in his ear, “The forest path is bumpy. Hold on tight.”

Then he flicked the horse’s rump with his whip, and the steed beneath Song Pu surged forward.

It was a rare experience. Song Pu had never ridden such a tall horse, nor imagined that galloping would feel so exhilarating. The wind blew past his face, even dispersing Tantai Yi’s breath. He could only feel the broad, strong, warm chest holding him.

It was cool, thrilling, and comfortable. The horse jolted beneath them, but Tantai Yi absorbed most of the bumps. Held securely, Song Pu felt no real discomfort, only a little soreness in his seat.

But the pain was minor enough to be laughable, so he ignored it.

Tantai Yi showed no urgency to hunt. He was the emperor; participating or not made no difference. Had he joined, no one would dare challenge him. Sitting back and observing was the usual course. Song Pu relaxed too.

The forest scenery was beautiful, but the weather was ominous. As his horse slowed, Song Pu said, “Your Majesty, it looks like rain.”

Tantai Yi replied calmly, “Rain will make the prey harder to find. It only adds some difficulty. No matter.”

Song Pu: “…Then I’ll get wet, won’t I? If I get wet, I might fall ill. If I fall ill, I won’t be able to serve Your Majesty, right?”

Tantai Yi: “…”

He frowned slightly. “Lord Song, you really are a spoilsport.”

Song Pu said aggrievedly, “I am only stating the truth. If Your Majesty thinks me a spoilsport, I will return. You may continue without concern for me.”

Tantai Yi said unhappily, “What nonsense! How could I not care for you?”

Song Pu asked, “Then shall we return?”

Tantai Yi replied, “If it truly rains, I will take you back then.”

Song Pu agreed.

At that moment, a grey rabbit appeared in their path. Tantai Yi reacted instantly, pressing Song Pu’s head down and reaching behind to take the Sun-Shooting Bow. In an instant, the arrow was nocked, and with a “whoosh,” the rabbit fell dead on the grass.

A guard retrieved the rabbit, removed the arrow, and handed it to Tantai Yi.

He wiped the blood from the arrowhead with a soft cloth. “There are tigers and bears in this forest. Stay close, Lord Song. I will protect you.”

Song Pu was surprised. “Tigers?”

Tantai Yi said, “Didn’t you know? The Tiger King of my Hundred Beasts Garden was appointed from here. The late emperor captured their families and brought them there. Now they’ve lived too peacefully and lost some of their ferocity.”

A smile appeared on his lips. “The previous Tiger King was captured by the late emperor, but it was a lose-lose situation.”

He waited for Song Pu to respond.

Song Pu, seeing the pause, knew he was expected to speak. Even familiar with Tantai Yi, he was puzzled. “Then Your Majesty is truly impressive. You skinned and dismembered the previous Tiger King without harm. Far more imposing than the late emperor.”

Tantai Yi smiled, modestly reserved. “I said the Tiger King was spoiled. But with it, I needed no effort. Even if black bears or other ferocious beasts appear, I will protect you, Lord Song, without fail.”

Song Pu thought Tantai Yi was showing his power, but somehow also endearing.

The thought struck him as almost crazy. He actually found him adorable.

And indeed, he was somewhat charming. Why was he so easy to please? Why, in such a place, was he considerate? He wasn’t normally the type to inspire security, yet here, Song Pu felt utterly safe.

A strange, tender feeling stirred within him. Just as he was about to speak, a roar rang from the depths ahead, startling the birds into flight.

An experienced guard cried out, “Your Majesty! It’s bad. It’s a bear’s roar!”

Tantai Yi: “…”

Song Pu: “…”