Volume 1, Chapter 62: The Additional Beauty Reward

The entire hall fell into a profound silence for a long time.

The veteran officials, who had originally held no high hopes for Zhao Wujiang, twitched their aging faces, realizing instantly what they needed to do.

"Your Highness, what kind of talk is that? We were merely concerned for the Crown Prince of the Manor."

"With the Crown Prince's immense talent, even if his mastery of hunting were a mere tenth or twentieth of yours, Your Highness, it would still be more than enough to rank at the very top of the autumn hunt!"

"That goes without saying!"

"I could tell long ago that the reason Lord Zhao was so composed must be because he had absolute confidence!"

"Only those with profound depths and genuine strength can possess such poise. This is undoubtedly a display of the Crown Prince's formidable prowess."

"This humble minister's admiration for the Crown Prince is like the endless rolling waters of a mighty river, and like the overflowing Yellow River, unstoppable once it bursts..."

"My age may be greater, but my sentiments are identical to yours..."

The officials chimed in one after another, continuously trying to redeem their previous skeptical remarks about Zhao Wujiang.

The Prince of Zhenbei chuckled softly, too lazy to bother with such a pack of sycophants.

As long as they did not bully his frail and innocent child, it mattered little to him.

He continued to drink with the Emperor.

Amidst the crowd, Long Zhan furrowed his thick brows tightly, filled with inner resentment.

That bastard Zhao Wujiang had the Prince of Zhenbei backing him, using another's power to intimidate others!

Yet he had nothing. Was this fair?

Unfair!

But he had to prove his worth!

With his own abilities, once he entered the hunting grounds, he could easily crush Zhao Wujiang!

Could the Prince of Zhenbei personally step into the hunting grounds to assist Zhao Wujiang then?

Without the Prince of Zhenbei, Zhao Wujiang was nothing at all!

Li Zaiyuan took a light sip of wine, taking in all the murmurs of the officials.

His displeasure grew steadily. This sworn brother of his truly wielded a formidable influence!

Even though he no longer held actual power, his lingering prestige remained potent!

Stripping Zhao Tingxiao of his military authority had achieved no substantive effect... If he truly wanted to rest easy, he had to find someone to completely replace Zhao Tingxiao!

"Long Zhan, many of the ministers hold high hopes for you. Do you have confidence?" Li Zaiyuan glanced at Long Zhan in the crowd, his words laden with subtle implication.

"I do!" Long Zhan immediately cupped his fists respectfully, pledging with utter certainty:

"This humble minister has long been eager to set foot in the hunting grounds! I beg Your Majesty to give the command to begin!"

"No need for haste..." Li Zaiyuan greatly appreciated Long Zhan's momentum; what he wanted was precisely to suppress Zhao Wujiang, and thereby curb the arrogant aura of Zhao Tingxiao.

He said in a deep voice:

"Today, we have distinguished guests from afar."

The officials instantly broke into murmurs. Were there foreigners here at today's autumn hunt?

At that moment, from the side door of the imperial lodge, Yun Jinshu walked with graceful, lotus-like steps, bowing to Li Zaiyuan:

"This foreign minister, Yun Jinshu, pays respects to the Emperor."

Gazing upon Yun Jinshu, who possessed a regal bearing and exquisite features, the officials could not help but exclaim in admiration. What a stunning person! The name Yun Jinshu was not unfamiliar to them; it seemed they had heard it somewhere before.

Upon seeing his senior martial sister, Long Zhan was utterly astonished. Why had Senior Sister Yun appeared here?

Could she be some sort of princess? With a figure and bearing like that, she surpassed even some of the young maidens within his own clan...

Li Yunyi, who had originally been listless, instantly had his eyes light up the moment he caught sight of Yun Jinshu.

"Grant her a seat," Li Zaiyuan commanded.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Yun Jinshu replied with a cold and elegant demeanor:

"This minister has come from Liujiang for the matter of a marriage alliance."

"A marriage alliance?" The officials looked at Yun Jinshu in astonishment, and at once they remembered—Princess Yun Jinshu of Liujiang!

Previously, Great Xia had discussed a marriage alliance with the small state of Liujiang, hoping to slowly annex Liujiang through this means, reducing it entirely into a vassal state of Great Xia and incorporating it into the territory of Great Xia.

However, Liujiang had consistently refused, maintaining a resolute attitude.

As Great Xia was a state of propriety that championed peace, it had not forcibly used military might against Liujiang, and the matter of the marriage alliance had been repeatedly delayed!

With Princess Yun Jinshu of Liujiang arriving here today, could it be that they had finally agreed?

"Liujiang looks up to Great Xia with deep reverence. After much deliberation, the matter of the marriage alliance has been brought to the agenda. We earnestly hope Your Majesty will grant your gracious consent." Yun Jinshu did not immediately take her seat, bowing once more.

The officials gasped in surprise, many of them wearing joyous expressions. Taking a princess of Liujiang as a bride would certainly contribute to the territorial expansion of Great Xia...

Moreover, Yun Jinshu possessed exquisite features and exceptional beauty...

"My heart is deeply gratified," Li Zaiyuan declared, his presence as boundless as an abyss, fully displaying the majesty of an emperor:

"You are permitted to state your criteria for choosing a husband."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Yun Jinshu bowed, her gaze sweeping past her junior martial brother, Long Zhan, without a trace.

Long Zhan excelled in both horsemanship and archery. Although her move was intended to pressure and bind Long Zhan to help her restore Liujiang, it was also to secure more options. Should Long Zhan prove inadequate, she would simply utilize other men.

Whoever could emerge victorious would undoubtedly be a dragon among men within the Great Xia Dynasty, a figure of power and influence; either way, she stood to lose nothing.

"Liujiang admires Great Xia because of its vast territories, abundant treasures, and land blessed with outstanding people."

Having already formed her plan, Yun Jinshu offered flattering words:

"Liujiang values martial valor and reveres the strong!

As it happens to be the autumn hunt, this minister has only one minor request in choosing a husband...

Whoever claims the ultimate victory shall be my husband!

I beg Your Majesty to grant permission!"

After a brief moment of thought, Li Zaiyuan, radiating imperial majesty, waved his grand sleeve:

"Granted!"

---

The appearance of Princess Yun Jinshu of Liujiang undoubtedly added fuel to the already lively atmosphere of the autumn hunt.

The officials buzzed with discussion, while the young participants of the hunt eagerly flexed their muscles. Who would not wish to marry a princess?

Not only would it contribute to Great Xia, but crucially, the princess was exceedingly beautiful with a marvelous figure. Taking her home as a bride was undoubtedly a wonderful fortune.

Taking the opportunity, Long Zhan walked over and spoke in a low murmur right beside Yun Jinshu:

"Senior Sister, what are you playing at?"

Yun Jinshu’s eyes turned glacial:

"Since you cannot be relied upon, I naturally must find someone capable of aiding Liujiang."

"This... I understand. Senior Sister's strategy is brilliant..." Long Zhan instantly grasped Yun Jinshu's intent. Feeling a surge of secret satisfaction, he smiled and said: "This way, we can wed openly and fairly. Using my strength to aid Liujiang will not affect my status in Great Xia either..."

"Hmph." Yun Jinshu glanced sideways at Long Zhan, sneering, "Don't speak too soon, and don't be so confident. You might not necessarily win first place! My targets are not limited to you alone!"

"Impossible." Stung in his male dignity, Long Zhan retorted: "Among the younger generation participating in this autumn hunt, not a single one is my match!"

"Oh?" Yun Jinshu sneered, flicking her sleeve as she prepared to leave. "Actually, I hold higher hopes for Zhao Wujiang! Did you not see the Prince of Zhenbei presiding over the scene, making Zhao Wujiang's glory utterly unrivaled for the moment?"

Zhao Wujiang, once again Zhao Wujiang!

Was a person like Zhao Wujiang even worthy of casting a glance at Yun Jinshu?

"Senior Sister, just watch. Once I take first place, you had better not renege and refuse to marry me!"

Long Zhan glared at Yun Jinshu.

He had long desired to conquer Yun Jinshu, but because he was favored by the Emperor and Yun Jinshu had Liujiang as her backing, it had been inconvenient for him to make a move!

Once he secured victory today, he would make Yun Jinshu witness his prowess—not merely in strength and talent, but also in his bedchamber skills!

Let us see how cold and aloof Yun Jinshu could remain then!

Giving Long Zhan a cold look, Yun Jinshu turned and walked away.

At that moment, Li Zaiyuan sat high upon the dragon throne and issued a single command, displaying the majesty of a sovereign.

The autumn hunt officially commenced!

Before long, a mighty and imposing procession surged into the hunting grounds.

"Ah-choo."

Not rushing in the slightest, Zhao Wujiang, who was relieving himself in the bushes, sneezed and shook his little hand. "Damn it, who is cursing me and made me pee all over my hand."

He watched as Long Zhan and the flock of young talents dashed off as if sprinting toward a prize.

"It seems this Long Zhan is desperate to take first place, running like there's a reward. Tch."

Instead of following them, Zhao Wujiang stealthily took a different path. He remembered from the original text that the real grand treasure was located right over there...