Xiao Xichi said, “I have never made a remarkable record in the spring hunts of years past, I’m afraid I might fall short of Your Majesty’s generous expectations.”
Wen Yanran smiled, letting the matter drop, and turned instead to ask after Xiao Xichi’s daily life – food, clothing, and lodgings.
As a hostage, Xiao Xichi’s stay in Jianping could not have been particularly comfortable. Yet she had always been prudent, never uttering a word of complaint about her treatment. Even now, when the Emperor inquired with gentle and thoughtful concern, her answer remained, “I am perfectly well.”
Wen Yanran said, “You have just arrived today, and matters are surely in disorder. You must still have affairs to settle – I will not trouble you further.”
After the hostage from Qingyi took her leave, Zhong Zhiwei also excused herself to arrange the defense of the Northern Park. Wen Yanran then picked up the map of the Northern Park to examine. Wen Yuansheng, young and curious, lingered to glance at it as well and asked a few questions since her elder sister had not instructed the palace attendants to take her back to rest.
Wen Yanran offered a casual explanation, “What’s drawn here is the Hengzhu Palace, where we are staying today. The eastern side of the Northern Park is rich in waterfowl, while the western side is densely wooded. The main entrances and exits are on the northern and southern sides, guarded by the outer garrison. During the hunting season, with so many important officials gathered here, we must guard against outsiders attempting to intrude.”
Wen Yuansheng asked, “Since there is a lake on the eastern side, could someone swim in from there?”
Wen Yanran smiled. “It is possible, and I have dispatched the Imperial Guard to defend that area as well. However, it is only early spring now, and the water plants have only just begun to grow, making the surface of the water easy to observe. It would be difficult for anyone to sneak into the palace grounds this way – that is the advantage offered by the terrain.”
Wen Yuansheng caught on quickly and said with understanding, “And the western side of the Northern Park is backed by a mountain – that must also be a terrain advantage.”
Wen Yanran nodded. “You are quite right. In fact, this mountain is called Zhuoyu Mountain. Its ridge is shaped like a fishbone, long and narrow, with valleys in between – ‘valleys’ here refer to the passes. Outsiders attempting to approach can only travel through these passes. As long as we guard the exits, they will have no way to advance or retreat.”
Wen Yuansheng asked, “So tomorrow, those who wish to hunt waterfowl will go east, and those who want to hunt animals will go to the west?”
Wen Yanran replied, “The first part is correct. However, those who wish to hunt animals will mostly do so on the flat, sparsely wooded grasslands in the central area. Most of the horses in Jianping are tall and large, making it somewhat inconvenient to venture into the mountainous forests. Although there are plenty of animals there, the dense trees can easily obstruct vision and lead one astray, so hunting in the central area tends to yield better results.” She paused briefly before adding, “Still, it’s not as if no one goes into the woods.”
Born into the royal family, Wen Yuansheng was sharp-witted. “There are too many people participating in the spring hunt. If someone fails to secure a suitable spot, they can only try their luck in the forest.”
Wen Yanran smiled at the child and nodded slightly. Glancing at the sky, she said, “We must rise early tomorrow. It’s time for you to go and rest.”
Hearing this, Wen Yuansheng obediently hopped down from the wooden couch, first bowed to take her leave, and then departed under the escort of the palace attendants.
Chi Yi, who had been standing in attendance nearby, approached the Emperor and asked softly, “The Northern Park is bustling and somewhat disorderly. Should we send someone to keep an eye on General Xiao?”
Wen Yanran shook her head. “There’s no need. Xiao Xichi’s will is as firm as iron, and she carries the memory of her homeland in her heart. With someone like that, neither words nor intimidation can sway her.” Glancing at Chi Yi’s expression, she added with a smile, “And you know Captain Zhong’s temperament – the more chaotic the situation, the more cautious she becomes. There will certainly be no trouble.”
For this trip, among the three commanders of the Imperial Guard, Yan Xiaolou remained in the city to oversee its defense. Accompanying Wen Yanran were Luo Yue, commander of the Central Guard, and Zhong Zhiwei, commander of the Inner Guard. Of the two, Zhong Zhiwei held the primary responsibility for overseeing the overall situation. She had assigned the Outer Guard to secure the entrances on the northern and southern sides, while the remaining areas were guarded by the Inner Guard and the Central Guard of the Imperial Guard.
The second day of the spring hunt.
Unlike previous emperors who had enjoyed participating in the activities themselves, Wen Yanran, after rising and changing into practical hunting attire, took on the primary role of standing on the high platform to offer words of encouragement to the participants of the hunt.
Of course, among the numerous aristocratic families of Jianzhou, many were purely literary clans, and not everyone was enthusiastic about physical activities. Quite a few scholars stayed near Hengzhu Palace alongside the emperor and began composing poetry and prose.
Wen Yanran watched the surrounding literati and felt that such a scene carried a peculiar sense of familiarity, as though every transmigrator inevitably encountered a situation like this meant to showcase talent. However, in her case, no functional side character stepped forward – either through words or actions – to pressure her into performing publicly. Instead, the literati merely presented their works for the Emperor to appreciate.
The Assistant Secretary who had accompanied them to the Northern Park was Wang Youyin. She first transcribed the poems and prose onto silk, then presented them before the Emperor. At a glance, Wen Yanran noticed that these works were essentially odes to the grandeur of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Analyzed through the lens of reading comprehension, they could be interpreted as using descriptions of the beautiful landscape before them to express praise for the ruler.
One scholar suggested that, after the spring hunt concluded, the court might compile these poems and prose into a collection for widespread distribution, allowing others to experience the radiance of the Emperor’s reign.
Wen Yanran smiled faintly but did not object.
Whether before or after transmigration, her peers had never lacked those who sang praises and extolled virtues. Yet, the same actions, when placed upon a wise ruler versus a foolish one, undoubtedly yielded entirely different outcomes. Wen Yanran believed that once the world descended into chaos, anyone who read these works would surely add a charge of “favoring sycophantic words” to her list of faults.
Wen Yanran remained outside for a little over an hour before rising to return and change her attire, instructing the others to relax and not stand on ceremony. In this era, it was indeed quite common for nobility to change clothes frequently – a customary excuse for many royals and aristocrats who found social gatherings tedious to slip away from them.
Upon returning to her bedchamber, she changed into loose, everyday garments, intending to rest briefly. She turned to the attendant at her side and said, “There will still be matters to attend to later. Ah-Yi, would you like to rest as well?”
Chi Yi’s response once again showcased her potential as a powerful minister. “I am not weary.”
Unlike her previous life’s habit of staying up late, Wen Yanran now maintained a fixed schedule for rising and resting. At this moment, she was not truly sleepy but merely lying on the couch with her eyes closed, taking a break. By afternoon, the hunting parties began returning one after another to tally their gains.
During the spring hunt, the usual strict etiquette was relaxed, and the camping grounds in the Northern Park were exceptionally vast. Even those within found it difficult to keep track of their companions. Many, feeling weary, had already returned to rest, while others remained outside, reluctant to leave, hoping to bag a few more animals. In the meantime, several officials requested an audience with the Emperor. The palace attendants went to report, and after a while, Zhang Luo, the Right Vice Commissioner, personally approached. With a cheerful smile, he announced, “Her Majesty is currently resting. Please, feel free to attend to your own affairs.”
At this moment, it was nearly evening. Given the exhaustion from hunting, some court ministers had indeed already rested. However, the Emperor had been staying in Hengzhu Palace all along, never even mounting a horse. How could she be so weary?
Wen Yanran was unaware of her subordinates’ thoughts; otherwise, she might have refuted – their assumptions were incorrect. In fact, she was currently right on horseback.
As she herself did not yet know how to control a horse, Zhong Zhiwei had no choice but to ride alongside the emperor, placing the sovereign in front of her. While urging the horse forward, she asked, “How does Your Majesty feel?”
Wen Yanran replied, “…I’m fine.”
This response was entirely reflexive. In truth, she felt as if her ability to think was slipping away – Wen Yanran never expected that this body would actually suffer from motion sickness on horseback…
Unlike Chi Yi and Zhang Luo, who were so attentive they could grasp the Emperor’s thoughts without words, Zhong Zhiwei possessed the straightforwardness typical of a military officer. She took her leader’s words at face value and, after saying “Your Majesty, hold on tight,” accelerated once more.
Wen Yanran: “…”
If given another chance to choose, she’d prefer to be a reclusive type of tyrant who never had to venture outside.
According to the duty roster, the defense of the western mountain pass was assigned to the Central Guard. However, this area was dense with trees and swarming with insects. Since Luo Yue took office, the Central Guard troops, having fully experienced their superior’s concern, were understandably reluctant and frequently requested leave or transfers. Luo Yue did not force them, granting permission to each request and promising to discuss adjustments with Zhong Zhiwei later. For the time being, he was willing to personally lead a group of trusted subordinates to guard the pass.
The sky had long lost the brightness of noon, and the dense vegetation cast deep shadows, making the forest as dim as dusk. Hunters had always been scarce here, and even if some still lingered, it would be difficult to spot a group of armed individuals – carrying bows and blades – moving swiftly toward the mountain pass under the cover of the terrain.
These individuals were the nobles from Qingyi who had accompanied Xiao Xichi to Jianping. When they spotted Luo Yue’s men in the distance, they emitted a bird-like whistle and only revealed themselves after receiving a response.
With the urgency of the situation, Luo Yue had no time for pleasantries and immediately coordinated with them. “Rest assured, horses, rations, and torches are all prepared. Once you leave through this mountain pass, it will take at most…”
Before he could finish, a sudden blaze of bright light erupted in the distance.
Luo Yue turned around and was astonished to discover a group of fully armored imperial guardsmen appearing on the distant hillside.
These were not his troops. Despite being the commander of the Central Guard, he couldn’t even begin to guess their origin!
Luo Yue observed for a moment and realized the leader’s silhouette looked all too familiar. His heart skipped a beat, and he called out loudly, “Is that Captain Zhong I see before me?”
Zhong Zhiwei paid no attention to Luo Yue. Instead, she looked past him and addressed the Qingyi nobles politely. “It’s already so late. Might I ask where General Xiao is headed?”
Upon seeing the imperial guards in the distance, the Qingyi delegation had sensed something amiss. While they had long worried their plan might fail, now that they had been discovered, their minds grew strangely calm. One of them sneered, “You’ve gone to the trouble of coming here to stop us, but open your eyes and take a look – our lord is not here with us!”
Zhong Zhiwei narrowed her eyes and asked, “Then where might General Xiao have gone?”
The Qingyi delegation laughed heartily a few times before replying, “You central plains folk are so cunning, yet haven’t you ever heard of the tactic of dividing forces? Our lord has already departed ahead. As for us, we are merely the bait to draw your attention!”
In the distance, Zhong Zhiwei, who remained on horseback atop the slope, seemed to lean down and exchange a few quiet words with the person beside her. Then, looking up again, she asked, “You claim General Xiao departed ahead. Yet the northern, southern, and eastern sides of the Northern Park are heavily guarded, and we have long been waiting here. From where, then, could she have possibly left?”
The Qingyi delegate raised his head. “Indeed, the defenses here are not lax, but it may be difficult for a group to come and go, while a single person seeking to leave – well, you likely can’t cover every single corner. With our lord’s skill, even if one or two were to spot her on the way, I fear they would not survive to report it back!”
