Chapter 33: A Bad Premonition
Naturally, she was not accustomed to eating in the wild.
However, although Yuan Yingzhao had been pampered growing up, she was by no means ungrateful or presumptuous. She immediately nodded and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. I can manage just fine."
"..." Xuan Qiao gave a slight nod.
Yuan Yingzhao had a small appetite and was full after just a few bites. She sat there quietly, nibbling on a wild fruit. Ding Fuqu didn't say anything, but her eating pace noticeably quickened.
Finally, she wiped her mouth and stood up. The two girls mounted their horses, and their figures gradually disappeared into the distance.
Yuan Jiabai stared in the direction they had left while gnawing on a chicken drumstick. The Crown Prince had actually brought a dedicated chef along on this hunt, managing to produce incredibly delicious roasted chicken, fish, rabbit, and lamb even in such a rustic environment.
Xuan Qiao reminded him, "They're already far away. Come sit down and focus on your food."
Yuan Jiabai let out an "Oh." He originally intended to return to his previous spot, but seeing the Crown Prince pat the space right beside him, he changed direction and sat down there instead.
Having gotten his way, the corners of Xuan Qiao's lips curled up in a subtle smile.
Yuan Jiabai stretched out his long legs, his toes swinging back and forth. a clear sign that he was thoroughly enjoying his meal. The Crown Prince, whose mind was normally as unshakable as a boulder and unaffected by his surroundings, found his gaze drawn involuntarily to those swaying feet.
As Yuan Jiabai was looking around aimlessly, he suddenly felt something bump his foot.
There was only one person sitting next to him. Who else could it be but Xuan Qiao?
Thinking His Highness had something to say, he turned his head to look. But the Crown Prince wasn't looking at him; instead, he tapped his foot against Yuan Jiabai's once more.
Yuan Jiabai blinked. Then, he was tapped again.
Yuan Jiabai nudged back. Xuan Qiao bumped him in return.
After a few rounds of this, both of them burst into quiet laughter. Yuan Jiabai commented, "Your Highness, you are so childish."
Xuan Qiao raised an eyebrow noncommittally and countered, "Are you telling me you aren't having fun?"
"Your Highness, please don't slander me. I am a very mature person," Yuan Jiabai replied with mock solemnity.
Xuan Qiao stared at him for a moment before saying, "Stand up."
Yuan Jiabai looked at him warily. "Why?"
Xuan Qiao replied, "Let me weigh you and see just how 'heavy' that maturity really is."
That wasn't the kind of "weight" he meant!
Yuan Jiabai snorted twice and indignantly tore off a massive bite of meat. "Then I'd better add some extra weight to myself first!"
With his cheeks bulging, his words came out slightly muffled.
Xuan Qiao marveled that someone as adorable as Jiabai could exist in this world. He was surely a treasure bestowed upon him by the heavens.
Because they still had to ride horses later, Yuan Jiabai didn't dare eat too much. With his lips and hands covered in grease, Xiao Xiangzi tilted a water skin for him to wash up. As soon as he finished rinsing, Xuan Qiao casually took hold of his hand, enveloped it in a clean handkerchief, and meticulously wiped it clean.
Seeing this, Qi Guangde let out an "Aiyo" and hastily interjected, "Your Highness, please allow this old servant to do it."
His Highness was the Crown Prince of the dynasty. how could he lower himself to serve another person?
In his entire life, Xuan Qiao had only ever waited upon three people: his imperial grandfather, Emperor Jingyuan; his father, Emperor Xiande; and his mother, Empress Xu. These three were the most illustrious figures in all of Dayong, and it was only natural for him to serve them as a younger generation.
And now, there was Yuan Jiabai.
It was blatantly against all rules of propriety, yet the Crown Prince found it entirely sweet and fulfilling, without the slightest hint of discomfort.
He couldn't help it. Who asked Yuan Jiabai to be so incredibly endearing?
After wiping the hand clean, Xuan Qiao folded the handkerchief and casually tucked it into his sleeve.
Qi Guangde: "..."
The autumn breeze carried a crisp chill, rustling the leaves overhead amidst the ceaseless chirping of insects. Tracks of passing animals marked the ground, while withered, yellow leaves at the end of their lifespan drifted from the branches, sinking into the dark soil to become nourishment for the plants.
A wild goose soared across the sky. Suddenly, the earth began to tremble, as if a colossal beast was charging their way.
Soon enough, the group spotted a massive black bear rushing toward them from ahead. Considering that winter was fast approaching, Xuan Qiao thought the bear's pelt would make a perfect foot-warmer for Yuan Jiabai. He immediately raised his bow and drew back the string.
In all honesty, upon seeing that giant, imposing black mass, Yuan Jiabai's first instinct was to run for his life. Fortunately, he remembered his current setting and hastily nocked an arrow of his own. "Your Highness, let me help!"
And so, one sharp arrow shot forth as swift as a meteor chasing the moon, followed closely by another arrow that was... decidedly less meteor-like.
However, seemingly out of nowhere, a third arrow came flying in from an entirely different direction.
The black bear let out an agonizing roar. One arrow pierced its eye, another struck its rear, and the last merely grazed its chest.
With its thick skin and heavy flesh, these wounds were far from fatal. Bellowing in fury, the bear scrambled on all fours and bounded away to escape.
Such a formidable beast naturally couldn't be let go. Without needing any orders, the group unanimously spurred their horses into pursuit. Simultaneously, the hunting party from the other direction charged after the bear as well.
Caught in the pincer attack, the massive black bear eventually came crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.
Yuan Jiabai gripped his bow tightly. The thrill of hunting a black bear had sent his adrenaline surging, and his heart was still pounding wildly against his ribs.
Good heavens, he had actually helped take down a black bear!
Was he dreaming?
What? He wasn't the main damage dealer and just played a tiny supporting role? He didn't care! He still deserved a share of the credit!
However, the ownership of the black bear was about to become a matter of fierce contention.
Yuan Jiabai looked up and spotted the Second Prince mounted on his horse opposite them. He secretly curled his lip in distaste. Talk about enemies crossing paths on a narrow road.
Xuan Wen cupped his hands in a distant salute, a mocking smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "So it is my Royal Brother, the Crown Prince. I have been tracking this bear for quite some time now. Alas, the beast was simply too thick-skinned, allowing it to survive up to this point. Many thanks to my Royal Brother for your assistance. Men, go drag the carcass over."
At once, a few guards stepped forward to claim the bear.
"When did I ever say I was giving this bear to you?" Xuan Qiao stated coolly.
His voice was unhurried and composed, ringing as clear as jade beads dropping onto a silver platter, yet the sheer authority in his tone instantly rooted the approaching guards to the spot.
Xuan Wen stared straight at Xuan Qiao, a faux smile plastered on his face. "You are mistaken, Royal Brother. I was the one who chased this bear all the way here. How does the concept of you 'giving' it to me even apply?"
The wind whistled through the trees as the heavy, metallic scent of blood filled the air.
Xuan Qiao let out a soft scoff and shook his head, as if he found the claim entirely laughable. "Since when did the prey in these hunting grounds belong to anyone prior to the kill? In a hunt, the spoils go to the capable. Second Royal Brother, I was the one who delivered the killing blow to this bear. By the rules of the hunt, it belongs to me."
"If you do not comprehend such basic rules, Second Royal Brother, perhaps you should refrain from hunting until you have familiarized yourself with them."
The smile instantly vanished from Xuan Wen's face. He glared at Xuan Qiao, his eyes turning dark and icy.
After a tense silence, he asked in a low, dangerous voice, "Royal Brother, are you absolutely determined to fight me for this?"
Xuan Qiao smiled slightly, an air of absolute, regal arrogance gracing his flawlessly handsome features. "It was already mine to begin with. Why would I need to fight you for it?"
The surrounding atmosphere grew frigid and dead silent, much like the surface of a frozen lake.
Yuan Jiabai nervously licked his lips, his eyes darting back and forth. He felt that the atmosphere was incredibly strange. It sounded like they were arguing over a hunting prize, yet it also felt like they were talking about something else entirely.
But regardless of what they were truly fighting over, he was undeniably standing on the Crown Prince's side.
Perhaps his inner thoughts were a little too loud, because Xuan Wen suddenly shifted his gaze toward him.
"Since neither of us is willing to yield," Xuan Wen drawled, "why don't we decide the bear's ownership through a competition?"
Yuan Jiabai felt a sudden, ominous premonition.
"As princes, our bodies are precious. We shouldn't recklessly put ourselves at risk. Therefore, we should have our attendants compete in our stead. Young Master Yuan... would you be willing?"
Yuan Jiabai: "..."
His premonition had just become a reality.
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