Chapter 47
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After returning to the tent, the other two readers-in-waiting also woke up.
Seeing Xue Yao holding a brownish horn bow, both of them were captivated.
Just by the texture and the three emeralds embedded in the handle of the bow, it was evident that this bow was of significant value.
“Is this your master’s bow? Why did he give it to you?” Zhang Ying, one of the readers-in-waiting, looked at Xue Yao.
“Perhaps he thought my archery skills were lacking, so he gave me a better bow to practice with.” Xue Yao returned to his bedding, set down the horn bow, and dressed neatly.
“Is this bow for you?” the other reader-in-waiting exclaimed, his eyes widening.
“For you?” Zhang Ying swallowed nervously, carefully picking up the precious bow. His fingertips gently brushed over the flawless emeralds. “It’s truly yours. I’ve served the Fifth Prince for so many years, and all the rewards I’ve received don’t compare to a single string on this bow.”
“Brother, you’re kidding.” Xue Yao fastened his belt and lightly smiled. “The Fifth Prince is so generous. Can you ever receive too few rewards? Unlike our Seventh Prince, who never rewards me.”
The chubby cub was not very sociable, and rewarding attendants was out of the question. However, Consort Xi frequently rewarded Xue Yao, but he couldn’t mention this to the readers-in-waiting, lest it stoke envy.
Zhang Ying, taken aback by this, thought that the Seventh Prince did indeed not seem like a master who would reward his attendants. “Then who gave you this bow?”
“I don’t know yet. The guard outside was in a hurry and only mentioned it was a gift from His Highness.”
The other reader-in-waiting immediately jumped up upon hearing this. “The guard said it was for you? He couldn’t have mistaken the person, could he?”
Zhang Ying quickly defended Xue Yao. “Of course not. If it wasn’t meant for Young Master Xue, then who else could it be for? Didn’t you hear his name being called outside the tent several times?”
The reader-in-waiting turned red, and he fell silent.
Xue Yao looked at Zhang Ying in surprise, thinking that the sun must have risen in the west today. This veteran red-eyed fanatic was actually speaking up for him, offering compliments without reason.
Indeed, in the next moment, Zhang Ying wore a flattering smile. “I’ve never held such a fine bow before, Young Master, could you allow me to use it for a day to satisfy my curiosity?”
Xue Yao smiled. “I’m willing, but I still don’t know which master it’s from, and it might not be a gift but a loan. If I don’t carry it with me from the very beginning, the master might get upset, and we don’t want to raise suspicions.”
Borrow it if you dare.
After some careful consideration, Zhang Ying thought better of it and obediently returned the bow. He smiled knowingly and said, “I’ll borrow it for a spin next time, Brother.”
“I want a turn too!” Another reader-in-waiting eagerly joined the queue to borrow the bow.
The Fifth Prince’s enthusiasm for hunting was always at its peak.
Early in the morning, he was the first to emerge from the tent. The attendants promptly brought out the equipment, allowing the prince to choose the weapons and hunting gear he would carry for the day.
The Fifth Prince examined the array of equipment, eager to take everything along. He cursed the fact that there weren’t enough hands to carry it all.
Following closely, the Sixth Prince stepped out of the tent, squinting in the sunlight. He glanced casually at the equipment the attendants had laid out and softly advised, “Leave those two large animal traps behind. They’re cumbersome to handle and easy to cut your hands on.”
The young eunuchs standing nearby were deeply moved.
Only their master could be so considerate. Other princes wished their attendants could carry ten animal traps each.
Shortly after, the Second Prince and the Crown Prince emerged from their tents, and they began discussing the hunting grounds for the day with their two younger brothers.
They headed toward the main tent while preparing for an early meal.
Upon entering, they found the Seventh Prince already seated at the table, elegantly and calmly slicing roasted lamb.
“Eat in moderation. Too much will make it uncomfortable when we run later,” the Sixth Prince advised as he approached the wooden table. He picked up a small curved knife used for slicing meat and took the largest piece of lamb from the Seventh Prince’s plate.
“Clang!“
The Seventh Prince acted swiftly, plunging his knife into the meat, its tip piercing through the chunk and producing a crisp sound as it landed on the porcelain plate. This successful move averted the fate of losing his breakfast.
“Old Seventh, you’re misbehaving again,” the Sixth Prince scolded with a stern expression, requesting his younger brother to release the meat.
“Let him eat. We’ll take a walk to digest afterward, and we can hunt a bit later,” the Crown Prince decided, his gaze shifting to his beloved youngest brother, who was gradually losing weight but still had a chubby face. He sighed. “Old Seventh has been getting thinner lately.”
“Indeed, he’s lost a couple of chin layers,” the Fifth Prince joked. “He needs to take care of himself. Otherwise, maybe we won’t need to hunt today. Big Brother can shoot enough for the both of us. Old Seventh will have plenty to share.”
The Seventh Prince understood the taunt and immediately defended himself, “Your Highness is truly skilled. No need for Big Brother’s help.”
“How skilled are you?” The Third Prince entered the large tent, challenging the Seventh Prince with an air of arrogance as he lifted his chin. “What if Old Seventh joins my team today? I’ll show you my archery skills.”
The Sixth Prince, seeing the newcomer, instinctively moved to shield his younger brother. “We agreed to practice archery with the Fifth Prince today.”
“Why not?” The Third Prince walked to the opposite side of the long table, leaning on it with a half-smile as he fixed his eyes on the Seventh Prince. “Aren’t you up for a challenge with your Third Brother?”
The Sixth Prince quickly praised, “The Fifth Prince’s archery is quite remarkable. He even knows various tricks and he shoots with incredible speed and precision, like he has three heads and six arms.”
The Third Prince leaned in close to the Seventh Prince’s face, his threatening smile suggesting, “Does he really have three heads and six arms?”
“Yes,” the Seventh Prince replied expressionlessly, locking his gaze onto his brother’s face. “That’s three more heads than you.”
Third Prince: “……”
Was he insinuating that he had no brains at all?
Several of the initially stern-faced princes couldn’t hold back their laughter.
“You rascal…” The Third Prince, unable to contain his anger, raised his hand as if to strike his younger brother, but he suddenly heard a familiar and ominous cough.
He turned to see the Crown Prince, his phoenix-like eyes brimming with a fierce and unyielding gaze.
The Third Prince quickly recalled his better judgment, and his slap on Old Seventh’s shoulder became gentle. “Eat slowly, don’t choke.”
The Crown Prince’s once menacing stare returned to calm. He lowered his head to continue his meal.
The crisis was averted!
The Third Prince’s tense heart eased.
Sooner or later, he would have to teach this barbarian mongrel a lesson, but it would need to be done when Eldest Brother wasn’t around.
Xue Yao, carrying a bow gifted by some unknown prince, arrived early at the entrance to the hunting ground with a group of readers-in-waiting.
By mid-morning, the princes finally entered the field. Xue Yao hurriedly located his chubby cub.
He began to intentionally fiddle with the bow in his hands, lavishing it with praise. “This bow is truly magnificent!”
After a bit of probing, he realized that the Seventh Prince showed no reaction whatsoever.
Xue Yao couldn’t directly ask the Seventh Prince about the bow’s origins.
If another prince had bypassed his master and bestowed such a valuable item, not only would the attendants from other princes envy him, but his own master might also take issue with it.
Furthermore, the guard hadn’t revealed which prince had given the bow, indicating that the giver might also wish to remain discreet.
Since the donor didn’t want their identity to be known, Xue Yao thought it best to pretend that it was a gift from his own Seventh Prince to avoid causing trouble.
Walking into the hunting grounds with a group of readers-in-waiting, a eunuch came to inform them that today, they were to accompany several princes to the southeast hunting area.
The Crown Prince would personally lead the expedition, imparting hunting techniques.
This news was a source of great delight for the devoted fanboy, Xue Yao, who immediately set off towards the southeast hunting area.
As he ran, he felt like something was missing. He turned around and saw the “abandoned” Seventh Prince, standing in place with a pout on his chubby face, looking extremely forlorn, as if he hadn’t been fed for ten days.
Xue Yao hurriedly ran back to fetch the chubby cub and joined the entourage heading towards the Crown Prince.
As they entered the hunting area, amid the group responsible for unloading and organizing equipment, Xue Yao spotted the guard who had presented him with the bow earlier that morning.
Xue Yao immediately perked up, keeping a close eye on the guard’s every move, attempting to discern which prince he served.
Shortly after, the guard handed over the prepared packages to two other attendants.
These attendants briskly ran into the group and ultimately delivered the packages to… the Fifth Prince’s readers-in-waiting!
The Fifth Prince?
Xue Yao was greatly surprised.
Although this younger brother had always been generous and magnanimous, he had a rough and rugged nature. Logically, he wouldn’t have specially arranged for such a fine bow.
Xue Yao’s mind raced as he recollected the exceptional care and attention the Fifth Prince had shown him over the years. His gaze gradually turned perplexed.
In the novel, Xue Yao remembered that the Fifth Prince had a somewhat distant relationship with his wife, and he hadn’t taken any concubines either.
Of course, this could be due to the Emperor arranging the marriage. They were a couple who didn’t really hit it off. The constant military campaigns led by the Fifth Prince had kept him away from his wife for long periods, resulting in a lack of intimacy.
This reputation had given the Fifth Prince the image of not being attracted to women. There were even rumors within the military that he preferred the company of men.
Xue Yao had practically witnessed this young prince, who had grown into a steel-willed and straightforward individual, and had naturally considered the rumors from the book to be mere jokes.
However, at this moment, as he thought about the special attention the Fifth Prince had shown him…
“What are you staring at?”
The Fifth Prince’s clear and commanding voice interrupted Xue Yao’s thoughts.
Xue Yao shivered slightly, turning nervously to look at the Fifth Prince.
The Fifth Prince raised his left arm, draping it casually over Xue Yao’s shoulder as he nonchalantly spoke, “This area is home to ferocious beasts. You need to be careful and stick close to me.”
“……” Xue Yao’s body stiffened.
In the past, he hadn’t found it odd at all. The Fifth Prince often had a casual rapport with his readers-in-waiting. But now, considering the rumors from the novel…
Xue Yao suddenly felt the bow in his hands was scalding hot!
“I need to keep an eye on the Seventh Prince!” Xue Yao hastily freed himself from the arm of the Fifth Prince and swiftly darted behind the chubby cub!
The Sixth Prince was walking alongside Seventh Prince and, seeing Xue Yao’s nervous expression, asked with concern, “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing…” Xue Yao forced a smile. “The Fifth Prince mentioned that there might be ferocious beasts here, so I…”
The Seventh Prince, who was right in front of him, suddenly turned, his eyes filled with menace as he stared at Xue Yao. He slowly crushed the osmanthus cake in his hand, displaying his power. “Your grandpa is here!”
“Hmm,” Xue Yao replied with an indifferent tone. “With Your Highness present, I’m at ease.”
The Sixth Prince chuckled lightly and looked down at the bow in Xue Yao’s hand. “Is this bow suitable for you?”
Xue Yao glanced down. “Oh, I haven’t had a chance to try it yet. This bow is such a rare find. I’d hate to misuse it.”
The Sixth Prince narrowed his sparkling eyes. “Yesterday, you yourself said that only a good bow is missing.”
Xue Yao was momentarily stunned, looking at the youthful and handsome face of the Sixth Prince.
Why did it sound like he was implying that he was the one who gave the bow?
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