Chapter Sixteen: The Hunting Competition
At the hunting grounds, Qi Xiaojun saw Chu Weide, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Chu Ziqian smiled at Chu Weide, “Second Brother, you’ll surely win again this year. With you here, the rest of us are just extras.”
“Elder Brother, you flatter me. You have the talent to govern the state; I’m only good at these physical activities.”
Chu Weide feigned modesty, but he still smiled triumphantly, just like when he had shot at Qi Xiaojun.
Remembering that day, Qi Xiaojun bit his lip in anger.
But outwardly, he pretended to be nonchalant, riding an ordinary horse behind Chu Lianmo.
“Actually, winning every year is meaningless,” Chu Weide said, looking at his younger son. “I brought both my children this year. Why don’t we let Lin’er win this year?”
Chu Weide’s fifteen-year-old son, Chu Tianlin, smiled, “Thank you, Father.”
This casual conversation made Chu Lianmo sneer inwardly—did they think everyone else in Chu was dead, that they could just decide the winner among themselves?
Chu Weide’s sixteen-year-old son, Chu Yunxuan, remained quiet. He was handsome but timid, enviously watching his father and brother. He didn’t enjoy hunting and couldn’t compare to his brother.
Chu Weide was only in his early thirties but had married and had children early, taking many concubines and fathering two sons, the only grandsons of Emperor Chu Wen.
Qi Xiaojun used this opportunity to learn about important figures in the Chu royal family. When he left Chu over four years ago, Chu Weide’s sons were young and rarely appeared at such events.
Then Chu Lianmo’s fifth brother, the recently-adult Chu Lianqiu, spoke, “Second Brother, I was second last year. Are you saying you’ll let your son win, disregarding me?”
Chu Weide froze, somewhat embarrassed by Chu Lianqiu’s bluntness. “My apologies. I forgot about Fifth Brother.”
Qi Xiaojun thought that Chu Lianqiu was straightforward and didn’t give Chu Weide much face.
“Oh, Fourth Brother,” Chu Weide looked at Qi Xiaojun with disdain. “Why did you bring a male concubine? Aren’t those things effeminate and incapable of hunting?”
“Second Brother, watch your words!” Chu Lianmo’s expression turned cold. “Is this how you treat your brother’s family? Is this your upbringing?”
“You…!” Chu Weide was furious but couldn’t directly confront Chu Lianmo in front of their father and could only turn away resentfully.
Qi Xiaojun felt a warmth in his heart. He recalled his early days in Chu as a hostage, feeling everyone was hostile. Chu Weide’s overt animosity was typical. Only Chu Lianmo had been kind and supportive, defending him in front of others.
Their current situation was similar.
If Chu Weide had won last year and Chu Lianqiu had been second, where had Chu Lianmo placed? Was his hunting skill really that bad?
Chu Lianmo quickly answered Qi Xiaojun’s question.
Once the hunt began, Chu Lianmo hit almost every target, from eagles in the sky to deer on the ground, even bears.
Each arrow flew with a graceful arc, striking the vital point, leaving his prey no chance to escape.
Qi Xiaojun followed Chu Lianmo, admiring his skill.
He wanted to show his skills but only dared to occasionally shoot small rabbits. He knew that this year’s winner could be anyone in the royal family, but definitely not him.
He had been the same when he was a hostage. He couldn’t be too outstanding.
This constant suppression made Qi Xiaojun feel stifled.
“Ajun, do you know why Second Brother won for several years?” Chu Lianmo suddenly turned to him. “Because I didn’t dare to surpass him.”
Qi Xiaojun was stunned.
So, they were similar in that aspect?
“Your Highness!” Murong Ying rode over energetically. “Look at my catch!”
Today, he wore a bright red robe, not as Chu Lianmo’s bodyguard but as a member of the Murong family.
The hunting competition wasn’t limited to the royal family but also included important officials and their families.
“How many did you get?” Chu Lianmo looked at the several servants carrying Murong Ying’s game.
“Sixteen.” Murong Ying proudly replied.
“Too many. Throw away a few; keep it under ten.”
“Again!” Murong Ying glared at Chu Lianmo resentfully. “I hunted so much despite my sore butt! Are we going to be surpassed by Prince De again?”
“Heh, I’m doing this for your sake. Don’t surpass the princes; your father might beat you again. As for Second Brother, don’t worry; it’s different this year—I’ll take care of it.”
Chu Lianmo smiled confidently.
Murong Ying pouted. “Fine, I’ll throw some away.” He turned and left with his servants.
Watching his back, Chu Lianmo seemed to smile indulgently.
Qi Xiaojun blurted out, “Your Highness never thought of marrying Lord Murong too?”
“Hmm?” Chu Lianmo looked at him playfully. “I said I only treat him as a brother. Why are you jealous?”
“…It’s because he doesn’t seem to treat you only as an elder brother and master.”
“…Maybe…” Chu Lianmo sighed. “If I married him, he might truly care for me. True care, I cannot have.”
?
Qi Xiaojun was confused—when talking about marrying, only those with ulterior motives were considered undesirable; who ever said that true care was unwanted?
Moreover, didn’t Zhou Jun truly love Chu Lianmo?
Qi Xiaojun felt sorry for the original owner.
“Does Your Highness think I don’t care enough for you?”
Chu Lianmo froze, staring into Qi Xiaojun’s eyes. “Have you forgotten what you told me? You haven’t truly fallen for me, have you?”
“I…” Qi Xiaojun searched the original owner’s memories and recalled.
When Chu Lianmo took a liking to Zhou Jun, he asked if he wanted to enter the Rui Wangfu as a concubine. He readily agreed, saying his situation couldn’t be worse than at home.
He hadn’t expected to face Yin Mei’s bullying.
Zhou Jun never revealed his grievances or true feelings to Chu Lianmo.
“…No, I was just joking.”
“Heh, I didn’t expect you to joke now.” Chu Lianmo relaxed. “It’s time for the results. Let’s go.”
He rode towards the entrance of the hunting grounds.
The servants followed with his game.
It was evening; it was time for the results.
Chu Lianmo had more game than Chu Weide.
Chu Weide’s face turned dark.
“Second Brother, I win.” Chu Lianmo smiled slightly.
“…Fourth Brother, you’re skilled.” Chu Weide gritted his teeth.
Qi Xiaojun felt a surge of satisfaction. Although he couldn’t personally defeat Chu Weide, Chu Lianmo had done it for him.
Remembering Chu Lianmo’s story, he understood—
When Chu Lianmo and his mother fell out of favor, he didn’t dare offend Chu Weide to avoid trouble. But last year, after his great achievements, he no longer needed to be cautious.
The results were announced.
Chu Lianmo was first, Chu Weide second, Chu Ziqian third, Chu Tianlin fourth, and Chu Lianqiu fifth (only the top five were announced).
Emperor Chu Wen, unwell in recent years, had given this stage to his sons and grandsons.
Hearing the results, Emperor Chu Wen smiled approvingly at Chu Lianmo, “Mo’er, you did well this year.”
“Thank you, Father.” Chu Lianmo smiled triumphantly, glancing at the furious Chu Weide.